Kent State Interns

  No-Baked Easter Egg Fruit Tart      Easter is a great holiday for getting together with family and having a wonderful dinner together. Kids have a great time with easter egg hunts, and enjoying lots of sweet treats that are packed with tons of added sugars and saturated fats. Sugars and saturated fats can be consumed in moderation, but with all of the treats and meals that take place during Easter, it is hard to consume in moderation. This recipe is a yummy dessert that kids and adults can enjoy. It is packed with fruits high in vitamins and anti oxidants, and healthy proteins and fats that are unsaturated. When saturated fats are replaced with refined carbohydrates, and specifically with added sugars (like sucrose or high fructose corn syrup), the end result is not favorable for heart health. Such replacement leads to changes in LDL, HDL, and triglycerides that may increase risk for heart diseases. Unsaturated fats, particularly monounsaturated fats help protect y...

April 4 th  marks National Vitamin C Day!! What a perfect time to learn more about what benefits Vitamin C provides, and dive into how we can get more Vitamin C into our diet.    Background of Vitamin C   Vitamin C has a scientific name called ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid has so many roles in the body for things like growth and development, repairing tissues, collagen formation, immune function, and iron absorption.  Vitamin C also acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help the body fight against damage that has been caused by free radicals that can build up and contribute to the development of different health conditions. What we would do without Vitamin C?!    Best Sources of Vitamin C  Vitamin C can be found in so many fruits and vegetables. Foods like oranges, lemons, limes, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, green peppers, leafy greens, papaya, and mangoes are great sources of Vitamin C.  Easy ways to get more Vitamin C into your diet are ...

Eating a healthy, balanced diet helps to improve not only your physical health but your mental health and your academic performance as well! With finals weeks coming up, I think we all could do with an extra boost to our academic performances. Tips for optimizing your diet to increase focus and brain power: Nourish Your Brain & Body Eat balanced meals that contain protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try avoiding large meals that can make you feel tired and unfocused, especially right before studying or going in to take a final. Opt for foods that are high in nutrients and keep snacks like granola bars, fruits, hummus and carrots close by for a quick energy booster. Stay Hydrated! Dehydration can lead to fatigue, poor communication, and difficulty with memory. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your brain functioning optimally. Limit Caffeine and Sugar Intake As tasty and tempting as they are, try to stay away from sugary snacks, coffees, and ene...

                         April 1 st  marks National Sourdough Bread day! Baking sourdough bread using a sourdough starter has recently become a HUGE trend on social media. Sourdough starters are perfect blend of baking and science, with an intricate process to create delicious baked goods that has invited so many people to try for themselves! The process can be a little daunting….. so let’s talk about the basics of sourdough starters and the health benefits that come with it, so you’re ready to celebrate on April 1 st !!   What IS sourdough starter?  Sourdough starter is simply made by combining flour and water, which overtime begins to ferment and allow wild yeast and bacteria to grow. The yeast and bacteria are able to feed on carbohydrates that come from the flour with the hydration coming from the water. This is why flour is used to “feed” the starter, allowing it grow and ferment further which...

  The term “gut heath” is commonly used when discussing one’s overall health, but what does it actually mean? Gut health is the overarching term that is used to describe the status of the microbiome within the small intestine, or the “gut”. This gut microbiome contains various types of both harmful and healthful bacteria, fungi, and other tiny microorganisms that play a large role in one’s overall health. This balanced mix of microorganisms work together to digest nutrients, produce vitamins, decrease inflammation, and fight off infections. However, if there is an imbalance between the amount of one’s healthy and harmful microorganisms, it can lead to the development of Inflammatory bowel Disease (IBD), autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and obesity. The good news is – we can control the types of microorganisms that grow within our gut microbiomes to ensure optimal health by adjusting the foods we eat. There are two major categories of food that are p...

We've finally made it to spring! Though the calendar and the weather may not agree on that, this is a big time of year for my family because it's also Easter season. Not only is Easter a bit later this year, Greek Orthodox Easter and Easter for other Christian denominations are actually on the same day. This doesn't typically happen but it's always interesting when it does, especially for families like mine who celebrate both. There aren't too many differences between the two, but the food at Greek Easter is something that may be unfamiliar to some. It's one of my favorite meals of the year and has a lot going on nutritionally! Here are just a few of the items that were on our menu last year and all of their great benefits. Main Entree: Lamb Meat My family does not mess around when it comes to the lamb. It's one of the most nutrient-dense red meats, coming in at 23 grams of protein and only 160 calories for a 3-ounce serving. It's also rich in so many mi...