Nutrition News: Gardening for Kids' Health, Best Metabolism Booster, and How Sleep Can Battle Belly Fat

510356657

Photo by: kali9 ©kali9

kali9, kali9

Reaping What We Sow

Want to raise kids who are lifelong healthy eaters? Hand them a trowel, some seeds and a watering can, and point them to the garden. A new study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida suggests that college kids who either gardened when they were kids or currently garden consumed more fruits and vegetables — 2.9 cups daily, on average, about a half-cup more — than those who did not. “We found that if your parents gardened but you did not, just watching them did not make a difference in how much fruits and vegetables you eat in college,” lead author Anne Mathews told HealthDay News. “Hands-on experience seems to matter.”

497907126

Photo by: Tolgataz ©Tolgataz

Tolgataz, Tolgataz

Why Your Metabolism Is So Slow

If you have a sinking feeling that your metabolism is slowing, you’re probably right. In a U.S. News article, health and wellness writer K. Aleisha Fetters notes that our metabolism — the base number of calories our bodies burn each day — decreases gradually beginning at age 20. (Yes, that young.) So by the time we are 30, we should take in 150 fewer daily calories than we did at age 20 to maintain the same weight. After age 40 in men and 50 in women, that metabolic decrease accelerates. Fetters says this decline has to do with a loss of muscle mass as we age, as muscle burns calories at a higher rate than fat. The antidote, she argues, is to work toward building muscle mass through strength training and support it with concerted protein consumption.

490474430

Photo by: megaflopp ©megaflopp

megaflopp, megaflopp

Sleep, Stress and Belly Fat

Another thing we can do to help keep our bodies in shape as we age? Get enough sleep. Eating right and exercise are key tools in our battle against the bulge. But fitness trainer Gabriella Boston suggests, in The Washington Post, that boosting sleep and reducing stress may be more important still in our efforts to attain a flatter belly (and who doesn’t want that?) as we age. “I would say Number 1 is sleep, Number 2 is stress, followed by nutrition and then exercise,” registered dietitian Rebecca Mohning tells Boston. “If you’re exhausted, it’s better to sleep the extra 30 to 40 minutes than to exercise.” That’s because cortisol, the stress hormone has been found to boost belly fat, sugar consumption and our propensity to make unhealthy food choices. “Stress management is part of weight management,” Mohning maintains.

Next Up

Nutrition News: BMI and Your Health

A recent study suggests that a higher BMI may actually lead to a longer life. So now being overweight is good for you? That’s not the whole story!

Nutrition News: Investigating Health Claims on Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are in the spotlight again: lawmakers in NY state are investigating the validity of their health claims. Our dietitian has investigated these claims as well.

Nutrition News: Fast Health, Fat-Fueled Sports and Another Reason to Drink Coffee

A study finds benefits in intermittent fasting; a high-fat diet may be good for athletes, but not everyone; and if you drink coffee, your arteries may be spick-and-span.

Nutrition News: Packaged-Food Changes at Target, USDA GMO-Free Labels, Banishing Belly Fat

Target targets healthier foods, and the USDA introduces a new GMO-free labeling system. Also, find out the best way to whittle your waistline.

Nutrition News: Millennial Diets, Cage-Free Taco Bell, Green Tea and Metabolism

Millennials don’t count calories or fear fat, Taco Bell goes cage-free and green tea is not a metabolic miracle.

Nutrition News: Fiber's Sleep Effects, Sugar Warning Labels, Coffee and Exercise

A high-fiber diet could help you sleep; sugar warning labels prove effective; coffee may be key to fitness-plan success.

Nutrition News: New Soda Health Claims, Benefits of Spicy Food and School Gardens

Diet Pepsi changes its formula, and Coke tries to change the conversation; spicy food may help you live longer; kids reap real benefits from school gardens.

Nutrition News: Papa John’s Ingredients, Good Fat, Creative Hydration Tips

Papa John’s to eliminate artificial ingredients and additives, low-fat diets fall out of favor, and hydrating beyond the water bottle.

Nutrition News: The Full-Fat Trend, Healthy Office Snacks, Coke Spending

Full-fat foods are finding favor, office snacks to keep on hand. Plus: Coca-Cola reveals scope of funding.

Nutrition News: Fast-Food Kids, Vegetable Supply, Plate Size Matters

American kids love fast food, U.S. vegetable supply falls short, and why you may want smaller plates.