Kent State Interns

  Top Five Higher Protein Swaps Are you looking to increase your protein intake but aren't sure how? Follow along and let me show you my favorites to swap when I want to boost my protein. We all have different goals and protein needs, however some individuals may require a little extra!   Let’s get into it!  Regular Yogurt → Greek Yogurt  Greek yogurt contains 18g protein per serving (¾ C) and regular yogurt only contains 5g per serving (¾ C) Greek yogurt is extremely versatile and can also be used to substitute sour cream, or made into a dressing/dip Regular Pasta → Banza Pasta  Banza pasta contains 20g of protein per serving (3.5 oz) and regular pasta only contains 7g per serving (2 oz) Dont worry! Banza pasta offers a variety of different shapes and sized pasta to make sure you can get your favorite kind!  Ricotta Cheese → Cottage Cheese   Cottage cheese contains 13g of protein per serving (½ C) and ricotta cheese only contains 5g per serving ...

An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but what do I do with the 20 others?    The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping, we’re listening to Red (Taylor’s Version) on repeat. All these are signs that fall is finally here, which only means one thing: apple picking.  Orchards across Northeast Ohio are opening their doors for pick-your-own apples, where you can spend the day plucking apples off the tree, instead of out of grocery store bins.  No matter where you get them from, apples are rich sources of fiber, micronutrients, and phytochemicals that can help keep us healthy. High fiber diets have been shown to improve gut health, reduce the risk of certain cancers, and help protect against cardiovascular disease. And with the colder weather also comes cold and flu season, making the powerful antioxidant properties of the vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals even more important. However, if you’ve ever been apple picking, you know you will inevitably walk out...

As we enter the fall season, we start to enjoy the warm flavor of cinnamon in everything from lattes to baked goods. But this fall spice isn't just full of flavor - its also packed with numerous health benefits! Whether in stick or powdered form, cinnamon is a wonderful addition to numerous foods and drinks. Cinnamon, derived from the bark of trees, is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory factors, which can help protect your body from damage caused by free radicals and reduce inflammation. Here are some of the key health benefits of cinnamon: 1. Anti-inflammatory properties: Cinnamon is packed with antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which help fight inflammation throughout the body. 2. Blood sugar regulation: Cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity, which helps your body process sugar more efficiently. By reducing blood sugar spikes, cinnamon may be especially beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes. 3. Heart health: Regular consumption of cinnamon has be linked to lower lev...

Halloween is the season for scary and spooky movies, costumes and CANDY.  Many kids and teenagers participate in trick or treating. The average trick or treater consumes around 3 cups of sugar or 7,000 calories (this is equivalent to 13 big Macs). Having sugar that is in an excessive amount can lead to many chronic health issues, such as, diabetes, obesity, cancer, cardiovascular disease, etc. The daily recommended intake for children aged 2-18 is a maximum of 6 teaspoons or 25 g. The daily recommended intake for adult men is 9 teaspoons or 36 g; the daily recommended intake for adult women is maximum of 6 teaspoons or 25 g. Here are few tips and tricks for parents to consider having a healthier Halloween. 1. Checking the Candy- Immediately after your child goes trick or treating it is important to check the candy. Check to make sure that there are no open pieces, or the candy hasn't been tampered with 2. Exercise- Get some exercise by having you and your kids walk fro...

I don’t know about you, but I feel like the fall is such a busy time of the year, and it becomes hard to make dinner on certain days. However, the fall also means that the handy crockpot can be used more often! Who does not love using the crockpot? The crockpot makes cooking so easy and simple, and I know I love an easy meal that does not require much energy or effort. One recipe that I found for the crockpot and absolutely love is parmesan garlic chicken pasta. My family tried this one night, and now we are obsessed with it! The meal is easy to make and is an easy way to have a protein source at the meal. Having chicken in the recipe is an easy way to provide vitamins and minerals that offer many key benefits to the diet. The vitamins and minerals in the chicken help support brain function and mood regulation, promote healthy skin and hair, help with bone health, help with muscle repair, immune function, cell growth and repair, and support muscle growth and maintenance. The meal taste...