Entries by Banister Nutrition

The Wonders of Watermelon

There is a sweet simplicity to the name of watermelon. Right from the get-go, it tells you that it is an excellent source of hydration (water-melon), being 92% water. Its high-water composition contributes to its low caloric content. Additionally, watermelon provides 17% of the daily value for vitamin A and 20% for vitamin C, and […]

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance

A food allergy is when the immune system is unnecessarily triggered from a protein in food.  A food intolerance is when the body has trouble digesting a certain food normally.  Some people are surprised to know that, according to the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) group, a significant amount of minor food allergy symptoms […]

The French Paradox

The French Paradox Have you ever considered the American culture and its relationship to food? Furthermore, have you ever compared our view of food in the U.S. to another country’s view of food? There are some surprisingly interesting and vastly different approaches to food in other countries that are very foreign to the American mindset. […]

The Sweet Truths about Sugars

Which is the healthiest sugar to use? Are alternative sweeteners safe? While new sugars regularly surface on the market, some basics remain. Sugars are a type of carbohydrate, providing 4 kcal/g. Sugars have many useful functions when it comes to food: sweet taste, desirable mouthfeel in candies and syrups, and providing volume and a golden-brown […]

Supplements vs. Whole Foods

Why are whole foods preferred over adding another supplement to your daily regimen? It’s simple — whole foods provide a whole lot of nutrients! The U.S. mentality is often to choose a supplement to ensure adequate health. Why is this so important? When taking a supplement, you are only getting what is in that supplement. […]

Bamboo is a Vegetable

When is the last time you had fresh bamboo for dinner? I learned on my recent trip to Japan bamboo is not just for pandas. Bamboo is a very low-calorie vegetable with only about 30 calories in 3-4 oz. Bamboo is a good source of fiber, B-complex vitamins, manganese, copper, iron and potassium. Young, tender […]

Beets, Beet Juice, and Exercise Performance

Looking to beet your current opponent or simply your latest personal exercise record? Beets, or beetroots, are a unique vegetable with a strong taste and intense red color. They are rich in dietary nitrate, folate, and vitamin C. They are notable for their ability to enhance exercise performance. The compound nitrate (NO3–) gets converted to […]

Summer Quinoa Salad

A friend shared this recipe and it sounded like a perfect, easy summer meal!   Southwest Quinoa Salad   Ingredients: 1 cup quinoa cooked (can substitute brown rice) 1 can black beans (rinsed, drained) ½ large red bell pepper (diced) 4 green onions (diced) ¼ cup cilantro (chopped) juice from 2 limes ½ cup olive […]

What to Grab in a Hurry

It is lunchtime, we didn’t pack a lunch, and we want to grab food without compromising our health goals.  There are many options in our city that we can enjoy and not feel guilty about it. Luckily, many of our favorite places have nutritional facts we can access from our phone to make better decisions […]

What Am I Missing??? Do I really need to avoid grains?

Trending: People avoiding grains, especially wheat products for a variety of reasons, including trying to minimize carbohydrates. This is a big subject. Let’s tackle it grain by grain. Who needs to avoid grains, lumped together commonly as “gluten”? Those with Celiac disease are the prime candidates. CD is a chronic, autoimmune disease, with mainly gastrointestinal […]