Health Formative

Throughout America, potatoes are the most popular vegetable, even being ahead of other well known vegetables such as lettuce and onions.  You can cook potatoes in a variety of ways, and they are included in one out of three meals eaten by almost all Americans.  When they are prepared in a healthy way, a potato can be an excellent source of energy and also pack a nutritional punch. Like oranges, potatoes are very high in vitamin C. The fact is, one medium potato contains 45% of the vitamin C that's recommended for good health.  Potatoes are also high in fiber and carbohydrates and contain more potassium than a banana. A potato is naturally low in calories and contains no fat, sodium, or cholesterol.  The skins of the potatoes provide a helpful dose of fiber, iron, potassium, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, and several B vitamins. You can prepare potatoes by boiling them, steaming them, or even roasting them.  If at all possible, you should avoid putting potatoes in th...

When the holidays arrive, many people forget all about their diets and healthy eating.  Weight  gains of 7 - 10 pounds are common between  Halloween and Christmas.  To make the holidays easier, these tips will help you with healthy eating through the season and not gaining weight. Most traditional foods can be made low fat.   Turkey is very lean without the skin, and gravy can be made without any fat.  Potatoes that are served without butter can be very healthy.  The beloved pumpkin pie is nutritious, although it  can be made into a fatty dessert with the adding of whipped cream. Even though the holidays are in, don't forget  about the exercise.  Keeping weight off during the holiday season is burning off the extra  calories.  You should plan a walk after meals,  park farther from stores when you shop, and  take a few walks around the mall before you  begin shopping. During holiday parties and at family dinn...