Post #12

Since the 1970's fish has been known as "brain food" meaning that it promoted a healthy brain function. Tuna is one of the easiest fish to get and prepare. It has high levels of proteins, potassium, selenium, and vitamin B12, as well as good source of niacin and phosphorus with blue fin tuna being the best source amongst the tuna varieties. Not only is it good for the brain, it is also good for heart health, Alzheimer's, it lowers the risk for many cancers including prostate, breast and colon. Because it is a large fish the mercury content can be high, so it is recommended that we eat no more than 12 ounces of fresh or canned tuna per week.

Post #11

I decided this week to try wheat germ. Had no idea what it was or how to consume it. Did find some at Sunflower Market and read the package. It can be used in bread making, smoothies, and a few other things that were printed on the bag. It said it was also good on fruit, yogurt, ice cream and a few other things. I like yogurt, so I decided to mix it in some yogurt. The first time I put the whole recommended amount in my yogurt, while it didn't taste bad, it was to much for a cup of yogurt. The next day I put way less of it on and it tasted pretty good. I think I'm going to try it on peanut butter sandwiches. If I can find ways of using it through out the day it would be better. I haven't taken it long enough to notice any differences. It is easy to keep doing, so I'm going to keep it up.

Post #10

Now I have a dilemma, as long as I do the grocery shopping I eat fresh foods. When others in the house do the shopping it's back to highly processed foods. The past couple of weeks I haven't been doing the shopping, and the food just doesn't taste the way it did when I wasn't eating fresh food. Not that I ate a lot of processed foods before, just not as much fresh foods. So as long as I shop we eat good, nutritious foods.

I looked at the top ten list, other than the beans, the only thing I haven't had would be the wild blueberries, which is rather hard to find here in the desert. The only beans I like are green beans.

Filling out the dietary form wouldn't reflect the way I eat when I shop, and there isn't a new food on the top ten list for me. So here I am blogging about what I can't do this week. Hopefully next week I will be able to write more, try something new.

Post #9

Fats and fatty acids, I knew that there are different forms, I just didn't realize the complexity of the chemical make-up. We do need fats and fatty acids in our diets to keep the cells elastic, the liver functioning, and the brain sharp. The fats and fatty acids that are found in fruits and vegetables are easier for our bodies to utilize and we do need some fats from animal sources. The ones we don't need are the ones that chemical companies manufacture. We need omega-6 in a proper ratio, 4:1, with omega-3. Omega-6 can be found in a variety of foods, omega-3 can be found in cold water fish and in smaller amounts in flax seed.

As for fats in my own diet, I've had to watch how much I eat for years. About 24 years ago I had my gall bladder removed, more often than not people don't have too much problem with their diet afterwords. I, on the other hand, am in the small number that does have problems with foods. Mine is with fats in foods, the worst offender is the fats found in breads, tortilla shells, the breading on fried chicken, and with gravy made with flour. I will now be reading labels for hydrogenated oils, triglycerides, and other processed fats.