Lake Martin Magazine

Do you know that during your lifetime your heart will do more physical work than any other muscle in your body?

Yogurt is not just for snacking anymore. Yogurt has become a staple in many people’s homes for many reasons.

Of all the colors, I think we can safely say that red is definitely the attention getter. Fire engines, red sports cars, a beautiful red dress and stop signs all draw attention to the eye. When speaking of food, red foods also grab our attention.

The spring and summer seasons really lend themselves to obtaining a colorful plate. All the fruits and vegetables that are in season this time of year give us an endless selection of colors. Thinking about popular summer fruits, one definitely comes to my mind as standing out amongst the others. Not only does its beautiful bluish-purple color make a huge statement to the eye but, nutritionally, this fruit is a real powerhouse.

Spring is in the air – the days are getting longer and summer will be here before we know it! ‘Tis the season when time spent outside is invaluable, and the warm sun and blooming flowers can provide so much emotional therapy. However, enjoying the springtime is easier said than done. Finding the time can be very difficult in our fast-paced world; however, with a little planning, we can make it easier to achieve this goal.

Have you ever been faced with the flashing sign “hot now” on the donut shop sign? Or have you gone to the grocery store hungry and found the aisle that houses the cookies, cakes, pop tarts … or you just had a craving for canned biscuits? You find yourself stocking up for the week with endless snacks.

Why do people talk about glycemic index? What does it mean? In our past discussions we have talked about two groups of carbohydrates: simple (cookies, candy and high sugar items) and complex (whole grains, starchy vegetables, legumes). You may recall that our discussion led us to focus on complex carbohydrates in our diet and to limit the amount of simple carbohydrates. I guess you can say we can continue our discussion to determine which carbohydrates are best for our health. This is where the glycemic index comes into play.

We have all heard it or actually said it: “It has to be my metabolism!” Yes, we like to blame this “thing” called metabolism. What is it?

They’re called non-energy-providing nutrients, but don’t let the name fool you. These food components, including water, vitamins and minerals, do not supply calories or energy to your body.

Did you know that our body is comprised of two-thirds water? The total amount of water in an average adult is about 37 liters. The brain is 75 percent water, bones are 25 percent, and human blood is 83 percent. Water is involved in every function of the body and is a major component of every cell. I think it is safe to say that water is the single most important nutrient to human health.