Bone Broth is a Nutritional Powerhouse

 By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Growing up, my mom always liked to save ham bones, and other bones to make bone broth as a base for soups and stews. My brothers and I always thought this was absolutely disgusting. While the foods that she would make with the bone broth were always delicious, just the thought of bone broth was enough to make our stomachs turn. But my mom still made us eat it because bone broth is incredibly nutritious.

Beef Broth from Arizona Grass Raised Beef.

If you’re not familiar with bone broth, it is basically just bones and connective tissues that are simmered in water, salt, and some seasonings for a very long time. This breaks down the collagen proteins and all the nutrients in the bones and marrow and creates a very nutrient-dense broth. Dr. Kellyann Petrucci says that cooking bone broth long and slow is key to making a thick, rich, nutritious broth.

So, you might be wondering just how nutritious bone broth is. The following list is all of the main nutrients that bone broth is exceptionally rich in.

  • Protein
  • Collagen
  • Amino acids
  • Calcium
  • Magnesium
  • Potassium
  • Phosphorous
  • Gelatin

While you can make bone broth at home, it is also available premade. If you choose to go the pre-made route, just be sure to check the ingredient label to make sure that it isn’t full of any extra and unnecessary ingredients.

If you want to try making bone broth at home, check out Arizona Grass-Raised Beef! They are local ranchers that sell all sorts of beef products, including broth bones! Or, if you’d rather buy pre-made bone broth, they have that available for purchase as well! Check them out here!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Sprinkle Your Foods with a Little Extra Nutrition!

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Often when we think of cooking healthy meals and eating healthier in general, we think of making some drastic changes to our diets, such as cutting carbs, reducing sugar or sodium intake, adding more fruits and vegetables into our diets, or whatever the case may be. While each of those is a great way to eat a healthier diet, doing so doesn’t always require such a big change. Something as small as sprinkling nutrient-filled foods on top of our regular foods can have an impact on our health.

Many small, sprinkle-able foods carry loads of nutrition. Whether it be healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, or antioxidants, a little bit of some foods can go a long way! According to registered dietician Samantha Cassetty, while the amount that you sprinkle on top of your foods might not provide enough of each nutrient to meet your daily needs, it is a step towards your daily goal, and the little bit of added nutrition that you get all adds up!

Some examples of foods that you can sprinkle on top of your meals to add a little extra nutrition include:

  • Cinnamon
  • Hemp seeds
  • Chia seeds
  • Garlic
  • Flaxseed
  • Beetroot powder
  • Red pepper flakes
  • Cocoa powder
  • Nutritional yeast

So, try adding a little extra “oomph” to your meals by sprinkling some more nutrients on top! When it comes to nutrition, every little bit counts!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Added Sugar is Linked to Poor Health

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

We all know that we as Americans consume quite a bit of added sugars. Whether it be in sugary sodas, coffees, desserts, or sugary snacks, added sugar is everywhere! According to Linda Van Horn, one of the researchers for the 2010 and 2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the intake of added sugar here in the U.S. is more than two times the recommended daily limit. To me, that’s crazy to think about. But when you realize just how much added sugar that exists in many products we consume daily, it’s actually not that hard to believe.

According to a review of 8,601 studies, high consumption of added sugars, including natural added sugars such as honey or fruit juice, is linked to 45 different negative health outcomes. Some examples are diabetes, gout, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, cancer, asthma, tooth decay, and depression. Consuming sugar is linked to causing these health issues because it causes inflammation in the body, which leads to the development of these issues.

The American Heart Association says that women should consume no more than 25 grams, or 6 teaspoons of sugar daily, and men should consume no more than 36 grams, or 9 teaspoons daily. Many people consume way more than that, so it is important that we look for ways to cut back on sugar intake. Consider swapping out sweetened beverages for water infused with mint or fruit. Or, have a piece of fresh or frozen fruit instead of a dessert.

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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A Collection of Fill Your Plate’s Articles on Stress

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

Between juggling work, family, school, house duties, activities, hobbies, and more, it’s no wonder that many of us find ourselves feeling stressed. While it differs from person to person, stress can cause a wide variety of health issues.

According to the Mayo Clinic, when left unmanaged, stress can take a toll on our body, mood, and behavior. Headaches, anxiety, overeating or undereating, and mood swings, among others, can all be caused by stress. The following Fill Your Plate articles are all about stress and how we can best combat it.

Check them out below!

Top 10 Foods to Alleviate Stress (fillyourplate.org)

Stressed Out? Try Yogurt (fillyourplate.org)

5 Ways Your Diet Can Relieve Stress – Fill Your Plate Blog

Stressed? Make Sure You’re Getting Good Nutrition! – Fill Your Plate Blog

Combat Stress by Enjoying Time in Nature – Fill Your Plate Blog

8 Ways to Relieve Stress – Fill Your Plate Blog

5 Ways to Curb Stress Eating (fillyourplate.org)

Using Food to Fight Stress (fillyourplate.org)

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!

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Study: Vitamin D Levels Linked to Lower Risk of Cognitive Issues

By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

A recent study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association shows that there is a link between higher levels of vitamin D in four regions of the brain to a lower risk of cognitive issues later in life. Specifically, researchers found that individuals who had higher levels of vitamin D in their brain tissue were associated with having better overall cognitive performance. Not only did those with higher levels of vitamin D exhibit stronger memories, but they also exhibited a much slower rate of cognitive decline.

The recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 600 IU for those under 70 years of age, and 800 IU for those over 70 years of age. While vitamin D is produced by the body after being exposed to the sun, it is best to meet your vitamin D needs through the foods that you consume. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, some good sources of vitamin D include various kinds of fish, dairy products, oranges, mushrooms, and almond or rice milk.

Arizona produces a lot of dairy products, so it’s easy to get your daily dose of vitamin D from fresh, local dairy products. Next time that you’re out grocery shopping at the grocery store or at a farmers market, look for Arizona-produced dairy products! Not only will you be supporting your cognitive health later in life, but you’ll also be supporting local food producers!

For more health-related articles, or to find a local farmers market, check out the Fill Your Plate website! Plus, we feature additional Fill Your Plate articles on Vitamin D.

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