The Question Of Supplements

There ar many millions of people out there taking high dose vitamin pills daily, especially beta carotene and vitamins C and E, the antoxidant nutrients that they recieved has gotten so much media attention in recent years. But these supplements are really no substitute for plain old good eating habits, and the majority of these people can fill their nutrition needs by following a good diet regimine.

These megadose vitamins can actually be harmful. When taken in very large amounts, vitamins and minerals, like all drugs carry the risk of adverse side effects and interactions. Many minerals, and vitamins A and D are stored in the body and can build to toxic levels when taken in large doses. The presence of large quantities of a particular vitamin or mineral in the intestinal tract invariably interferes with the body's ability to absorbtion of other nutrients and can lead to deficiency diseases.

Where supplements are needed, they should only be prescribed by a doctor. For example a woman planning to concieve or who is already pregnant needs extra folate to protect the baby from neurological problems. Pregnancy also increases the demand for iron beyond what can be obtained from an ordinary diet. An older woman may need additional calcium and vitamin D to help prevent Osteoporosis.

Bananas Natures Perfect Snack

Bananas are healthy, filling and tasy great, bananas are a great treat and snack food. Bananas are grown in most of the tropical areas of the world, they are harvested while still green. When bananas are stored at room temperature they will ripen in just a few days, You can speed this process by placing the fruit in a plastic or paper bag with an apple.

Bananas are bland, easy to digest and hypoallergenic which makes them a great early food for babies. Bananas with rice, applesauce, and toast are one of the foods in the BRAT diet which is recommended after a bout with Diarhea. Many ulcer patients report that bananas help with some of their pain, but this is not proven.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE

Bananas are high in fat only avocados are higher in fat, as a fruit source for potassium, a mineral instrumental in proper muscle function.People taking certain diuretic drugs for high blood pressure are advised to eat two or three bananas a day to help replace the potassium lost through the urine.

They are also a great source of vitamins B6, a medium 4 ounce banana suplies one third thr Recmmended Nutrient intake RNI, along with 10 percent or more of the RNIs for vitamin C and folate. It adds 2g of soluble dietary fiber, which helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. Bananas contain about 100 calories each, mostlyin the form of fruit sugar and starch. Because the body quickly converts these t energy they are naturally a great favorite of athletes.

PLANTAINS

Plantains resemble large green bananas, but they never become as sweet. Plantains are usually baked or fried and served as a starchy sidedish; they can also be a delicious addition to soups, stews, and meat dishes. Nutritionally, plantains are comaparable to bananas, except that their content of vitamin A is much higher, by providing 20 percent in RNI.

Benefits:
*A good source of potassium, folate. and vitamins C and B6.

Apricots a Healthy Snack

Apricots are an ideal treat for snacks and deserts. They are very tasty, easy to digest and are very high in fiber, low in calories, virtually fat free and are very nutritious. Just 3 fresh apricots or 10 dried halves provide more than 25% of your recommended nutrient intake of vitamin A in it's plant beta carotene form. When consumed from foods beta carotene is an antioxidant, a substance that protects against cell damage when the body uses oxygen. This damage is thought to be instrumental in aging and the development of heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases.

Fresh apricots are high in vitamin C, another antioxidant that also helps your body absorb iron. A lot of this is lost when apricots are canned or dried. But no matter what form of apricots you choose they are still high in iron as well as potassium, essential for proper nerve and muscle function that helps maintain normal blood pressure and balance your body fluids.

All apricots contain a natural salicylate, a compound similar to the active ingredient in aspirin. People with allergies to aspirin may experience allergic reactions to eating apricots.

Ounce for ounce even dried apricots are more nutritious than most fresh or canned fruits. Dried apricots are only 32% water, while other fruits are 85% water. Apricots are a much more concentrated source of calories, 50 calories in 4 ounces of fresh apricots versus 260 calories in 4 ounces about 30 halves of the dried apricots. When eaten in moderation the dried apricots are a convenient, compact form of nutrition and a great snack.

Apricots are very often treated with sulfur dioxide before they are dried to preserve their color and certain nutrients. This sulfite treatment may trigger an asthma attack or an allergic reaction in certain people. Unless the dried apricots are labeled as sulfite-free if you have asthma avoid them.

Now; on to the laetrile issue when it comes to apricot pits. Laetrile or amygdalin is a very controversial substance derives from apricot pits. Legally it can not be sold as a medical treatment, but it is available as a nutritional supplement sometimes called vitamin B17 in health food stores. It is promoted in other literature or by word of mouth as an alternative treatment for cancer, heart disease, allergies, liver disorders and other diseases. Now numerous scientific studies have failed to find any benefit from laetrile. Laetrile from apricot pits and other sources can liberate cyanide. Consuming large amounts of laetrile has the risk of cyanide poisoning and doctors warn that apricot pits in any form should not be consumed.

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Apples

A fresh apple is definately an ideal tasty snack. Apples are easy to carry, tasty, filling and of course low in calories. Apples can be eaten in many ways, fresh, cooked in tons of ways, in pies, crisps, tarts or even in stuffing; and made into jelly, apple butter and apple sauce. Apples should be washed before eating and some believe even peeled before you eat it especially for fruit that has been waxed.

The old saying "An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away" even so the average apple provides only 8mg of vitamin C, or 20 percent of the recommended daily amount. The skin of the apple contains a small amount of beta carotene, the flesh adds some potassium and iron.

Apples are a great source of fiber, especially pectin, which helps lower blood cholesterol levels. Also another type of soluble fiber in apples absorbs large amounts of water from the intestinal tract, which helps prevent constipation. Because of its taste and the fact that it is easily digested apple sauce is recommended as an early baby food.

Fructose, the major sugar that occurs naturally in apples, is absorbed into the blood stream more slowly than sucrose (table sugar) thus, diabetics can enjoy an apple without the fear of an abrupt increase in blood glucose levels.

Biting and chewing an apple stimulates the gums, and the sweetness of the apple prompts an increase in the flow of saliva, which reduces toothe decay by lowering the levels of bacteria in the mouth.

Dried apples are usually served as a snack or used to make pies, dried apples are a more concentrated source of energy than the fresh apple. It takes about 5 pounds of apples to make 1 pound of dried apple slices, which provide about 70 calories per ounce. You still get the benefit of fiber but most of the nutrients are lost during drying. Dried apples are less likely to promote cavities than other dried fruits.