Health Node - Your Health, Nutrition, and Weight Loss Portal

Nuts in general are a great addition to any diet. They are cholesterol-free, low in sodium and they are a great source of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs.

Hazelnuts in particular have a rich, pungent and naturally nutty flavor. They come from the hazel tree which is grown in the northern hemisphere specifically for the nuts.

First, let us take a look at the nutritional value of hazelnuts. These tasty treats are rich in protein, dietary fibers, iron, calcium, potassium, thiamine and vitamins B6 and E.  The vitamin E content helps with the formation of red blood cells. In addition, it is helps with energy enhancement, aids protein metabolism, reduces the risks of certain cancers and helps promote normal appetite.

You need to remember, though, that hazelnuts are also relatively high in the ‘good’ fat. If you have are prone to high blood pressure or if you have heart problems, make sure to only include a maximum of three 30-gram servings of hazelnuts in your weekly diet. However, when taken in ideal amounts, the oil which can be found in hazelnut helps in the fight against heart disease.

Hazelnuts make for a great on-the-go snack, and they can also be added to your favorite desserts and salad recipes.

Tagged with: hazelnut oil • hazelnuts • Health Articles • Health Food • protein

You may think that chives are just like any other ordinary herb in the kitchen, but they are actually more than that. Chives are a member of the onion family – they are the smallest species of this group of veggies which includes leeks, shallots and garlic.

The good thing about chives is that they are low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. However, they are high in dietary fibers and chives are a great source of the following nutrients:
• Vitamins A, B6, C and K
• Riboflavin
• Folate
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Copper
• Manganese
• Phosphorus
• Zinc

So what do all these nutrients mean? It means that chives have a lot of benefits to your health which includes aiding digestion, stimulating your appetite and helping with your weight loss program. Chives are also a natural treatment for fatigue, they reduce the risks of prostate cancer and they have anti-inflammatory properties.

Fresh chives can be chopped and added to you favorite recipes of soups and omelets.

Tagged with: chives • Health Articles • Health Food • onion • vitamin A

Putting beans on top of your favorite foods list may sound boring, but there are a lot of ways that they can be enjoyed. Navy beans taste great in Mexican bean burritos, Italian pasta, chili, bean soup and baked beans.

Navy beans which have a creamy white color are a member of the legume family. They are rich in folate, trytophan, manganese, dietary fibers, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, protein, iron and vitamin B1.  The dietary fiber content of navy beans is helpful in lowering your cholesterol level and your blood sugar level.

These mild-flavored beans also help lower the risks of heart attack, they are a great energy booster and an excellent antioxidant source. For those who are watching their fat intake, baked navy beans are extremely low in fat.

Aside from serving them cooked or baked, navy beans can also be pureed and used as spread for your favorite crackers.

Tagged with: Folate • Health Articles • Health Food • legumes • navy beans

In 1999, the US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about the safety of eating raw sprouts. There were some contamination issues which lead to a lot of people being skeptics when it comes to consuming alfalfa, radish and clover sprouts.

However, don’t discount the health benefits of alfalfa sprouts just yet. As long as you prepare the sprouts properly, there is a myriad of nutrients and vitamins that you can get from alfalfa sprouts.

This legume is a member of the pea family, and is one veggie that can be grown and consumed in as little as seven days. Alfalfa sprouts are a great source of phytochemicals, calcium, folic acid, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, potassium and molybdenum. They are also rich in vitamins A, B, C, E and K.

The primary benefit that you will enjoy from this list of vitamins and nutrients is that alfalfa sprouts are rich in anti-oxidants which help boost the immune system. They also help lower the risks of the following:
• Arthritis
• High Blood Pressure
• Leukemia
• Ulcers
• Vision Problems

To make sure that the sprouts that you are using are safe to eat, wash them thoroughly with filtered water – and look for the International Sprout Growers Association quality seal to make sure that they are grown with strict quality standards.

The super-nutritious alfalfa sprouts can be added to tossed salads, coleslaw, stir-fried veggies, soups and healthy omelets.

Tagged with: alfalfa sprouts • Health Articles • Health Food • legume • superfood

Have you ever heard of this unusual fruit which is called Acai? The Acai fruit is actually a member of the berry family which grows from a special palm tree iin the Amazon.

Acai fruits have been included in the ’superfoods’ category because of their high nutritional content. Take a look at the following benefits that you will gain from the Acai fruit:
• These tasty little berries are an excellent source of energy.
• The Acai fruit has potent antioxidant contents which help boost the immune system.
• It has amino acids, essential fatty acids or monounsaturated fats, dietary fibers and phytosterols.
• The nutritional content of the Acai fruit makes it essential for muscle regeneration.
• It is also helpful in promoting the health of your heart, your cardiovascular system and fights the effects of skin aging.

True enough, the Acai fruit is something that you should try eating if you haven’t done so yet. The uniqye chocolat-y taste of these berries are a treat to the palate – so visit your favorite health food store now and get a healthy dose of the Acai fruit!

Tagged with: acai fruit • fruit from the Amazon • Health Articles • Health Food • superfood

Instead of artificial sweeteners or refined white sugar, evaporated cane juice is a healthy alternative when you just absolutely need to have something sweet. Refined white sugar is actually subject to ‘over-processing’, which means that consumption of this type of sweetener may lead to diabetes and it increases the risks of certain types of cancers.

Now, when you use evaporated cane juice, this type of natural sweetener is not subject to the same degree of processing as refined sugar. This makes cane juice a lot healthier, and it also has additional health benefits. Cane juice is rich in vitamin B2 or riboflavin, which helps promote healthy red blood cells.

There are several forms of evaporated cane juice that you can buy in the supermarket, including milled cane sugar, Demerara and Muscovado sugar. Unlike refined white sugar, these types of sweeteners have subtler molasses flavor which adds a unique taste to your food and drinks.

Tagged with: cane juice • Health Articles • Health foods • natural sweetener • riboflavin

If there is one plant which literally gives off a cooling effect to foods and drinks, that is none other than peppermint. The peppermint plant is a cross between a spearmint and a water mint. For the longest time, peppermint has been considered as the oldest medicine due to its many health benefits.

Natural peppermint oil has always been able to relieve stomach problems, including tummy aches, indigestion and dyspepsia. Peppermint also shows potential as an anti-cancer agent. In addition, peppermint oil is considered to be an anti-microbial essential oil and it is good in fighting asthma. Finally, peppermint is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, dietary fibers, iron, folate, magnesium and calcium. 

Peppermint is used as a flavoring agent in desserts, drinks, ice cream and tea. When using peppermint as herb or when including it with any dish, use fresh mint instead of the dried variety so that you can enjoy its maximum flavor.

Tagged with: Health Articles • Health Food • herb • peppermint • spice

Venison or deer meat may not often be part of your menu for dinner, but it is something that you need to consider serving frequently because of its great nutritional value. Venison roast, grilled venison steaks, barbecued venison chops or creamed venison are tasty treats whether you are having dinner in a fine restaurant or having a special home cooked meal.

First, let us take a look at the nutritional content of venison. This meat is rich in vitamins B2, B3, B6 and B12.  It is also a good source of iron, phosphorus, selenium, zinc and copper. Second, as compared to other types of meat, venison is a protein source which is relatively low in saturated fat.

Since venison is especially rich in iron, it is suitable for lactating and menstruating women, as well as children and teens with an iron deficiency. All in all, the nutritional content of venison makes it helpful in:
• Reducing the risks of colon cancer.
• Reducing the occurrence of migraine attacks.
• Reducing the risks of osteoarthritis.
• Energy production.

Tagged with: deer meat • Health Articles • Health Food • protein • venison

If you are still cooking using the traditional cooking oil, then you may not have heard yet about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. Aside from the fact that olive oil lends a wonderful flavor to your favorite pasta, salad or meat dish – it also is one of the healthiest oils available in the market today.

All the health buffs out there are aware that extra virgin olive oil is a main component of the Mediterranean Diet. This is the only type of oil which can be consumed straight from pressed olives rather than processed in a complicated manner.

Now, the reason why extra virgin olive oil is considered to be one of the healthiest types of oil around is because of its monounsaturated fat content. When you use this type of oil instead of the traditional cooking oil in the kitchen, the risks of developing degenerative diseases like diabetes, asthma, arthritis and colon cancer are significantly reduced.

In the Mediterranean Diet, olive oil becomes the main source of fat and when this is added to a daily food intake which is rich in plant foods, fresh fruits, dairy, fish and poultry, it will produce significant health benefits to an individual.

In addition, extra virgin olive oil contains a high level of antioxidants, phenols and vitamin E which help lower the risks of heart disease and colon cancer. Finally, it helps maintain a healthy blood sugar and blood pressure level.

Now that you have a better idea about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, you can use it when cooking stir-fried veggies or when making a dressing for your favorite vegetable salads.

Tagged with: extra virgin olive oil • Health Articles • Health Food • Mediterranean Diet • superfood

Whenever I eat out in a fine restaurant, the first thing that I look for in the menu is scallops. I absolutely love the delicately mild and sweet flavor of this seafood, as well as the chewy and fleshy texture.

Aside from the divine taste of scallops, they are also a great protein source substitute instead of red meat for those who on a weight loss program. A 4-ounce serving of baked or broiled scallops will provide you with almost 80% of the recommended daily value of protein that you need.

This seafood is also rich in trytophan, vitamin B12, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and Omega 3 fatty acids. The last item is great for those who are taking better care of their heart’s health. Omega 3 fatty acids help increase your heart rate variability, and serve as a protection against the fatal arrhythmia, stroke and high blood pressure. Finally, scallops help prevent the risks of certain cancers, protect against childhood asthma and age-related diseases.

Scallops are best enjoyed with your best seafood chowder recipe, they can be served as kebabs and they also taste great when combined with your favorite veggies. To fully enjoy the heart health benefits of scallops, make sure to bake or broil them instead of frying.

Tagged with: Health Articles • Health Food • protein • scallops • seafoods