CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2010 - (Page 6)

HealtHy eats Tastes Slow Good Good things come to those who wait— so apply these lessons to your next meal SlOW DOWN, YOU MOVE TOO FAST. You’ve got to make the morning last. OK, perhaps Simon & Garfunkel weren’t singing about breakfast—or lunch or dinner for that matter—but maybe they could have been. Why? Because there are numerous benefits to taking time to prepare and enjoy your meals. Here are just a few. “Slowing down and thoroughly chewing your food allows those vitamins and minerals to absorb into your bloodstream, where your body can use them.” Meaningful Conversation No Surprise Ingredients Research shows that most Americans don’t know how to effectively read a nutrition label. But when you prepare a meal with fresh ingredients such as fruits and vegetables, you know exactly what ingredients are used and how much is included. Portion Control Ever notice how easy it is to go from famished to stuffed in just one meal? That’s because it takes 20 minutes for the full-stomach signal to reach the brain, says Alicia Westfall, R.D., l.D., CTMC food and nutrition services manager. “it’s amazing how many unnecessary calories a person can shovel in if they aren’t paying attention to what their body is telling them. Eating too quickly leads to weight gain or acts as a barrier to losing weight.” There’s a reason schools and many offices have cafeterias or kitchens designated for mealtime—it’s to provide an environment conducive to socializing and eliminating distractions. So when you’re at home, act the same way. “The social gathering of a family meal is as nourishing as the food,” says Westfall. “The conversations also assist the group in eating at a slower pace.” if you’re dining alone, she suggests finding a place without distractions. “Don’t eat at your desk or in front of your television.” p Nutritional Absorption When you’re wolfing down your food, you don’t chew each bite as thoroughly as you should. “This causes your food’s vitamins and minerals to pass right through the intestines,” says Westfall. If you still have your slow cooker from the ’70s, you’re in luck: This cooking method is making a comeback just in time for the cold months ahead. for a healthy and easy beef stew made in the slow cooker, visit the American Heart Association’s website at americanheart.org/deliciousdecisions and type “Beef Stew” into the search field. (the slow-cooker comeback) Central Texas Medical Center • www.ctmc.org http://www.americanheart.org/deliciousdecisions http://www.ctmc.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2010

CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2010
High-Tech ORs Operating Daily
New Childbirth Center Set to Welcome Coryell 'Cub'
Slow and Steady Wins Nutrition Race

CTMC Hill Country Health - Winter 2010