Health
How certain nutrients affect your body
Many people are aware
that their bodies
need nutrients like
protein and carbohydrates every
day, but they may not know
just what these and other important
nutrients do for their
bodies:
Proteins
Online medical resource
WebMD notes that the body
uses protein to build and repair
tissues. An important
component of every cell in the
body, protein provides amino
acids that help cells in the
body perform various functions.
Breastcancer.org notes
that proteins help the body
create hormones and enzymes
and keep the immune system
healthy. A diet low in protein
may make people more susceptible
to illness and result in
longer recovery times.
Carbohydrates
The Cleveland Clinic notes
that carbohydrates, or “carbs,”
are the body’s main source
of energy. Carbs are found in
most foods, but not all carbs
are the same. Foods that contain
complex carbohydrates,
which include quinoa and oatmeal,
are loaded with fi ber. It
takes awhile for the body to
break that fi ber down, helping
people feel full and stabilizing
their blood sugar levels. Simple
carbohydrates, including
processed foods such as sugarsweetened
beverages and dairy
desserts, are quickly digested,
raising blood sugar levels.
Water
The body is about 60 percent
water, which performs a host
of important functions. Water
aids in digestion, absorption
of nutrients and circulation,
and also facilitates the transportation
of nutrients through
the body. Water also helps the
body get rid of waste. WebMD
notes that water also helps
to energize muscles, which
might suffer from fatigue if
the body’s fl uid balance is not
maintained. Water also helps
the body maintain a healthy
temperature.
Water aids in digestion, absorption of nutrients and circulation, and also facilitates
the transportation of nutrients through the body.
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Nighttime snack best bets
Calorie-conscious individuals
may wonder if eating at night or
after a certain time can derail
their diets and fi tness regimens. The
jury is still out on whether eating at
night can pack on the pounds or not,
with various health recommendations
contradicting one another. However, if
one does choose to snack at night, there
may be a smart way to do so.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s
Weight Control Information Network says
that a calorie is a calorie no matter when it
is consumed. That means it doesn’t matter
if calories are consumed in the morning,
afternoon, or evening. It is how many are
consumed and the amount of physical activity
individuals perform that will affect
their weights. Conversely, the Academy of
Nutrition and Dietetics says it’s not sure
if a calorie is a calorie no matter when it
is consumed. Its research and data from
the University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine’s Center for Weight and Eating
Disorders indicates that when food is
consumed late at night the body is more
likely to store those calories as fat and gain
weight rather than burn it off as energy.
Certain animal studies show that food is
processed differently depending on the
time of day it was consumed.
For nighttime snacks, choose a food
that is high in protein, fi ber or healthy
Late-night snackers should
choose a food that is high in protein,
fiber or healthy fats, which
will be more likely to keep them
satiated throughout the night.
fats, which will be more likely to keep a
person satiated throughout the night. Apples
and peanut butter, string cheese and
fruit, or whole-grain crackers and Greek
yogurt can be healthy, satisfying nighttime
snacks. Avoid sugary, calorie-dense foods.
More studies may be needed to determine
the relationship between weight and
snacking at night.
28 April 4, 2019 TVG Schneps Media
/Breastcancer.org