Thursday, January 21, 2016

The Health Benefits of Eating Oatmeal

Q:  January is National Oatmeal Month.  What are the benefits of adding oatmeal to your diet?

A:  Each month the Whole Grains Council recognizes a staple of the worlds’ grains.  January is Oatmeal’s month because more oatmeal is purchased in January than any other month of the year.  The main reasons for this behavior are fewer fruits and vegetables are in season and people create a new year’s resolution to eat healthier.

Eating oatmeal has many health benefits.  Below are some of the many benefits or potential benefits:

        Helps lower LDL "bad" cholesterol and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
        May help lower blood pressure.
        May help reduce your risk of type II diabetes due to the soluble fiber helping control blood sugar.
        Oats are high in beta-glucans, a starch that stimulates the immune system.
        Early introduction of oats in children's diets may help reduce the risk of asthma.
        Higher in protein and healthy fats, but lower in carbohydrates compared to other grains.
        Contain anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics.
        Other grains have their bran and germ removed.  Oats almost never have the bran and germ removed; meaning the whole grain is present.  Australian researchers found oatmeal rated #1 among breakfast foods for making you feel full and rated #3 for making you feeling satisfied.

Even though January is National Oatmeal Month, it is important to remember the many health benefits of including oats and oatmeal in a balanced diet year-round. 

The following websites were used as a reference in answering the question:




Thursday, January 7, 2016

Cool and Warm Season Vegetables

Q:
Do some vegetables grow better in cool weather?  If so, does the cooler weather limit their nutritional value?

A:
Vegetables generally fall into two categories:  cool season and warm season.  As the names imply, cool season vegetables have adapted to cool climates and grow best in temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm season vegetables have adapted to warmer climates and must be planted when night temperatures stay above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Since cool season vegetables grow best in cooler temperatures, the vegetable’s appearance, nutritional value, and flavor are at their peak when their growing season remains below 70 degrees.  When temperatures rise about 70 degrees in late spring and summer, the vegetables start producing seed stalk and they develop a woody/bitter flavor.

Here in Minnesota, we have the opportunity to grow cool season vegetables in the spring and in the fall.  Cool season vegetables tend to be leafy or root vegetables and include cabbage, carrots, broccoli, spinach, onions, radishes, lettuce and turnips.  Some cool season vegetables can tolerate some frost and will continue to grow even when temperatures are in the low 40’s, which allows some vegetables to be harvested into  October.

The following websites were used as references in answering the question:
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