Kent State Interns

It's that time of the semester once again. We're nearly in the home stretch and everyone's excited for Thanksgiving, but the threat of finals almost immediately after the holiday break looms on the horizon. Though we're just about done, it's a very busy time for us interns. It always feels like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done, including a good night's sleep. It's no secret that stress is a number one reason why people can't seem to get the recommended 8 hours a night, and stress is one thing that dietetic interns and grad students are full of. Luckily, as interns we know the many wondrous effects that food can have on our bodies, and helping us get restful sleep is no exception. Here are some foods and drinks to consider if you're looking for natural ways to help you sleep better! - Dark leafy greens : Some research suggests that calcium, potassium, and magnesium work together to regulate the sleep/wake cycle and may help...

  With it being the prime time for fall weather, nothing feels more festive than having a bowl of your favorite soup. Soup is the perfect comfort food to get you feeling warm and cozy on cold, rainy day in the fall. Not to mention the creativity that soups allow, giving you the opportunity to pack in all of the vegetables you want providing a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.    You can also add in a variety of beans, lentils, meats, noodles, or rice to give you the perfect balance of carbohydrates and protein as well!!  Sodium in Soups   One caution that people should take when it comes to making or eating soups is that oftentimes soups contain high amounts of sodium.  Eating high amounts of sodium can be dangerous because sodium is what raises blood pressure, therefore when you eat a lot of salt, you can put yourself at risk for having high blood pressure. High blood pressure affects almost half of adults in the U.S, and can contribute t...

  Image by KamranAydinov on Freepik The month of November brings upon us a special holiday- National Cranberry Day on November 21 st . Unfortunately, these colorful nutrient dense fruits are often overlooked and underrated for their superfood abilities. Most of us probably only think about cranberries when the classic ocean spray harvest commercial comes on of the two men in a pond full of cranberries (or is that just me?). Did you know that you need about 10 ounces of cranberry juice cocktail daily to gain the bacteria blocking benefits that cranberries provide? These help fend off UTIs, gum disease, and ulcers.  The same benefits can arise from:  ·        1 ½ cups of fresh or frozen cranberries ·        1 oz sweetened dried cranberries ·        ½ cup cranberry sauce If that was not enough reasons to try to out cranberries, here is some more! Would you believe me if I told you that ...

  CREATINE WHAT IS IT Creatine is a compound that is derived from three amino acids, arginine, glycine, and methionine. Found primarily in the muscles and brain, creatine is synthesized by the body in the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, making roughly 1 gram of creatine per day. Most individuals consume creatine through sources like seafood and red meat, however, the creatine is present in small amounts which is not enough to elicit the physical adaptations necessary to see benefits.      When stored, creatine becomes phosphocreatine which is utilized in energy production, hence the popularization of oral creatine powder supplementation use in sports. Because of its use in the sports industry creatine has become one of, if not the most researched supplement on the market. After decades of research creatine is proving to be far more valuable than initially thought, while athletes take creatine to improve physical performance and increase muscle mass, research has show...

  Are you planning a road trip to visit loved ones for the holidays? Taking some time off for a  tropical escape from the winter blues? Or, if you’re like me, crossing state (…or country) borders  to see Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour? No matter what your upcoming travel plans are, one thing is for  sure: you’re going to need snacks! And there are some important things to consider when choosing  what to take with you on your journey:   Satiety This is the #1 factor for me when I’m thinking about choosing travel snacks. I want something  that is going fill me up and prevent me from feeling hungry again an hour later. The trick is to  prioritize protein and pair it with complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. These types of foods  digest slower and will keep you feeling full between meals.   Perishability Food safety is a major concern depending on how I’m traveling and for how long. Bacteria  grows quickly between 40 degrees and 140 de...

    Does “saving your calories” for the Thanksgiving meal really work? A common misconception is that by skipping breakfast, you will able to indulge more during your Thanksgiving meal without gaining weight. This is tempting as it sounds logically true. Less now + more later = balanced. 🚫FALSE!!🚫 However, research has proved this equation to be false. By skipping breakfast, your metabolism won’t get it’s morning kickstart, your blood sugar will be on a wild roller coaster ride, and your hunger will be raging, making you want to eat everything in sight at the big meal. Additionally, the foods you will be eating more of are higher in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates, a recipe for overshooting your calories. Set yourself up for success this holiday season by regularly fueling your body. Keep up your routine by eating breakfast (and lunch) so that your hunger levels are in control before the big meal. Here are some sample days of eating leading up to your Thanksgiving meal to hel...