Question 1

how can anti-nutrients be good for you?

Accepted Answer

Antinutrients: Anti-nutrients often come with nutrients in our diet.  An example is spinach, which contains both iron (nutrient) and oxalic acid (anti-nutrient which impairs absorption of the iron).  Cooking often destroys or inactivates the anti-nutrient qualities of such compounds, but most plant foods contain some.  Eating a varied diet helps limit the potential absorption issues anti-nutrients could cause.

Question 2

am i craving certain foods because i need certain nutrients?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Food preferences in pregnancy may have some nutritional basis.  But other times smells may play a significant role.  You can make a list of what foods you crave and compare them to see if there is a common nutritional basis.  Either way, the cravings initially in pregnancy may mellow later.  A good  prenatal supplement can help balance your diet if needed.

Question 3

how does digestion get the nutrients out of food?

Accepted Answer

Complex: Digestion is a complex process, but the simple view of it is that the upper digestive tract mostly mashes the food up, which allows the intestines to remove the nutrients mostly by the use of enzymes. As I said, it's much more complex than that, but that's the basics. Hope that helps.

Question 4

will a microwave destroy the nutrients in my food?

Accepted Answer

Complex effect: As cooking regardless of manner has complex effects on various nutrients.  In short microwaving does destroy nutrients but so does all forms of cooking.  Multiple studies have in fact demonstrated that boiling and pressure cooking are most detrimental to nutrient content.  Hot water is the enemy to nutrients!

Question 5

what is going to be on the new food/nutrient labels?

Accepted Answer

Check out: This site:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm#Summary
Basically the labels will be larger, easier to read, included added sugar info, include potassium and vitamin D info, updated daily values and more realistic serving size info.

Question 6

what can i do to enhance assimilation of nutrients from my food?

Accepted Answer

Eat in small amounts: Smaller meals, but more frequent.  Do not overcook foods.  You will destroy many nutrients.  Eating vegatables raw and fruits raw is much healthier than cooking or juicing them.  Avoid can veggies.  These are simple things to better assimilate nutrients!

Question 7

what is the definition or description of: high nutrient density foods?

Accepted Answer

Nutrient density: Nutrient density is a scale that was created to compare a food's nutrient worth to its caloric load.  Foods that are low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc will have a high nutrient density.  The higher the density the "better" a food is for you (in theory).  Foods like green vegetables have a high density while foods like cheese have a low density.

Question 8

what will nutrition facts labels tell you about the nutrients in a food?

Accepted Answer

Pro, carb, fat: The tell you the amount of protein, saturated fat, carbohydrates, simple sugars, fiber, and the ingredients that make up the contents of the food, including calcium, and certain vitamins. Its not comprehensive or all inclusive by any means.

Question 9

what steps should i take to benefit from the nutrients i'm eating, what food do i have to eat with it?

Accepted Answer

Mixed diet: Eating a mixed diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils, low fat milk products; low in saturated fats; no tobacco and no more than one drink a day will help in maintaining good nutririon. Add excercise of about 30 minutes/day. See this site for more info.
http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/tc/healthy-eating-overview.

Question 10

which foods are nutrient dense?

Accepted Answer

Seafood, greens: Foods which carry the greatest amount and variety of nutrients are called nutrient dense.  The list includes salmon, kale, seaweed, garlic, shellfish, potatoes, liver, sardines, blueberries, egg yolks, dark chocolate!  To see list of 100 most nutritious foods go to whfoods.com. Happy eating!

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Doctor answers about:

The effect of anti nutrients in foods

A member asked:

How can anti-nutrients be good for you?

A member asked:

Am i craving certain foods because i need certain nutrients?

A member asked:

How does digestion get the nutrients out of food?

A member asked:

Will a microwave destroy the nutrients in my food?

A member asked:

What is going to be on the new food/nutrient labels?

A member asked:

What can i do to enhance assimilation of nutrients from my food?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: high nutrient density foods?

A member asked:

What will nutrition facts labels tell you about the nutrients in a food?

A member asked:

What steps should i take to benefit from the nutrients i'm eating, what food do i have to eat with it?

A member asked:

Which foods are nutrient dense?

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