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Food's Role in Health

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What Color Is Your Food? (FN595) People need different amounts of fruits and vegetables depending on their age, gender and amount of daily physical activity. Taste a rainbow of fruits and vegetables for better health.

Whole Grains: Agriculture to Health (FN691) Whole-grains contain all elements of the kernel-bran, germ and endosperm. The bran and germ contain a variety of health-enhancing components-dietary fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins, trace minerals and small amounts of unsaturated fat. This publication provides the recommended daily amounts, the health benefits and recipes of whole grains.

Take Time for Tea: For Health and Well-being (FN1328) Taking time to strengthen relationships over a cup of tea can be good for emotional and physical health. The tea warms your body and adds health-promoting substances to the diet. The time spent in conversation with a friend or family member can strengthen those important social bonds that enhance health and well-being.

Quick Facts: Your Game Plan: Healthful Snacking for Sports Fans (FN1406) Your favorite team is winning and you just watched the best half-time show you have ever seen. You reach into the bowl of crunch snacks and discover it's empty. How did that happen? Included in this publication are tips to manage snacking, ideas on how to make snacks healthier, along with recipes to enjoy.

Rate Your Fiber Fitness (FN1458) Fiber isn’t a “miracle food,”but adding fiber-rich foods to your diet can have health benefits. The National Cancer Institute suggests that foods high in fiber may be protective against some cancers, particularly colon cancer. Although the National Cancer Institute recommends getting 20 to 35 grams of fiber per day.

Add Fiber to Your Diet (FN1459) Having more fiber in your diet helps lower blood cholesterol and prevents constipation, and may help prevent cancer. Many people shortchange themselves on the 20 to 35 grams per day fiber recommendation. The average American consumes 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day.

All About Beans Nutrition, Health Benefits, Preparation and Use in Menus (FN1643)

Beans are among the most versatile and commonly eaten foods throughout the world, and many varieties are grown in the U.S. Because of their nutritional composition, these economical foods have the potential to improve the diet quality and long-term health of those who consume beans regularly. The purpose of this publication is to provide evidence-based nutrition and health information about beans, preparation tips, sample recipes and references for further study.

Questions and Answers About Fats in Our Diets (FN1685) Through the years, certain foods fall in and out of public awareness and favor. This certainly has been true of fats, such as those found in margarine and butter. For example, for a time, margarine was recommended instead of butter for health reasons; more recently, margarine has gotten bad press because it contains trans fat.

Questions and Answers About Sodium and Its Impact on Our Health (FN 1686) Excessive sodium in our diet can increase our blood pressure, especially in salt-sensitive individuals. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the U.S., making cardiovascular disease responsible for one of every three deaths in the country.

Questions and Answers About Soy Foods (FN1786) Soy is a plant native to Asia and has been a staple in the Asian diet for more than 5,000 years. Large-scale soybean cultivation did not start in the U.S. until around World War II. Today, the Midwestern U.S. produces about half of the world’s supply of soybeans.

Coffee Time! Exploring a Favorite Beverage (FN1894) Coffee originated in the coffee forests of Ethiopia and has grown in popularity across the world, especially with today’s hustle-and-bustle culture. Unfortunately, numerous health controversies, concerns and warnings accompany this increasingly popular beverage. With so much confusion surrounding this energizing drink, determining fact from fiction sometimes is difficult.

Questions and Answers About Gluten-free Diets (FN1915) You may have noticed an increased number of gluten-free products at your grocery store. Gluten-free products have reached billions of dollars in sales. However, consumers still may be unsure of what gluten is and reasons for gluten-free diets.