We’ve all heard that the turkey in our Thanksgiving meal makes us sleepy. The theory comes from the fact that turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan that can be converted into several important substances, including serotonin and the hormone melatonin, a popular sleep aid.
Category: Nutrition Tips
It’s Pumpkin Season
Native to North America, pumpkins have grown here for more than 5,000 years. While pumpkins are technically a fruit, they are more similar to vegetables when it comes to their nutritional value.
Healthy Summer Picnics
We are in the height of summer grilling and picnic season. Warm summer evenings seem to call us outdoors at mealtime, and weekend barbecues and family picnics at the park are a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. But picnic season doesn’t mean you need to abandon your healthy eating habits.
Carroll Hospital Farmers Market Spotlight: Wendy Plank, Briar Ridge Farm
For the next four weeks, we’ll be introducing you to the individuals who are an integral part of Carroll Hospital’s weekly Farmers Market. Learn about the lives of the people behind the food who make our seasonal farmers market possible.
This week’s Farmers Market Spotlight features Wendy Plank from Briar Ridge Farm.
Plant-Based Alternatives for Summer Grilling
It’s summer grilling season, and traditionally that means hamburgers and hot dogs. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend shifting away from animal proteins and increasing plant-based proteins for a healthier diet. But what do you do when many meals are cooked on the backyard grill? There are a few options.
The Fruits of Summer
It’s never too early to start planning your healthy summer snacks and meals around Maryland’s abundant fruit and vegetable crops. According to the Maryland’s Best website, the strawberry harvest that begins in May provides us with our first taste of locally grown fruit.
Late Night Snacking
Snacking after dinner is one of the most difficult behaviors to change for many people looking improve their eating habits. Except for those who require a bedtime snack for medical reasons, most people eat more than enough calories at their dinner meal to carry them through until breakfast.
The Health Benefits of Soup
Who can resist the warmth of a warm bowl of soup on a cold winter’s day? But the benefits of soup go beyond its temperature. If you choose the right soup, its health benefits are innumerable.
Chocolate & Healthy Eating
My friend gave me a plaque that read, “Chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes out of a tree. That makes it a plant. Therefore, chocolate counts as a salad.”
While that may be a stretch, it begs the question … how does chocolate fit into a healthy eating plan?
Taking the First Step to Better Health
For any behavioral change, taking the first step is always the most difficult part. And that is certainly the case when it comes to changing eating habits to improve health or lose weight.