Protein in a Vegan Diet

A diet rich in soy and whey protein, found in ...

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There’s a common perception that to obtain enough protein, one will have to eat lots of non-vegetarian food, as opposed to very little if one is consuming meat.  This perception can be easily described as a myth. The vegans i.e. people who don’t eat any animal product also have plenty of high protein options to choose from as far as protein rich foods are concerned. The most common vegetarian food sources of protein include: beans, nuts, grains like pulses and lentils, peas, nut butters etc.

A vegetarian must ensure that his or her diet contains a wide variety of protein rich foods. This is essential because the essential amino acids required by our body cannot be obtained from a single vegetarian protein source. If vegans need to take a protein rich diet for fighting a medical condition or to build muscles, they should ensure that all their meals contain adequate quantity of protein. To have sufficient protein in your diet, you can take peanut butter with bread during breakfast. A teaspoonful peanut butter contains 8g protein.

A lunch comprising of beans and rice or beans and corn will also offer the required quantity of protein. Another great option fort such individuals is soybeans or other soy products like tofu, soy milk etc. A bowl full of soybean is known to offer as much protein as two egg whites. One cup soy milk, on the other hand, offers 7g protein. In dinner, vegans can take rice with lentils. One cup lentil offers 18g protein. You can consult your dietitian and know how much protein you need to take per day and plan your diet accordingly.

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Cooking Your Way to Success

Many people love to cook. They make masterful meals for the family and love buying fresh produce and making everything by hand. They watch MasterChef on TV and wonder if they can be the “Next MasterChef” as dubbed by Gordon Ramsey. If you’re one of these people, you may be wondering what you can do to make cooking your life.

Study Food

If cooking is your passion and what you enjoy more than anything, then the first thing you’ll want to do is study food. It may not seem practical, but if you’re passionate about it, then you’ll be successful because of that passion. Find the best school available to you and study the ins and outs of becoming a professional chef.

Get a Job

Once you’ve graduated, the next step is to get a job in a kitchen. The highest paying jobs are found at Michelin-rated restaurants as the head chef. It typically takes years of working, starting at the bottom of the job ladder, in order to be promoted to head chef. During this time, work on your creativity, continually making new and inventive recipes that wow the palate. Stay up with the newest techniques and contemporary dishes, so when you achieve your goal of becoming head chef, you’re ready to add specials that impress even long-time patrons of the restaurant.

You can be successful as a chef. It’s hard work, but when food is your passion, what else could you imagine yourself doing?

Best Places to Eat in Europe

If you are planning a trip to Europe, then you certainly must be looking for great places to eat! Afterall, the European food scene is definitely one to be rivaled. You can certainly eat like a king when you visit Europe. For the best eats, be sure to check out the countries below. You won’t be disappointed.

1.       France. Of course France tops the list of best places to eat in Europe. With croissants, breads, pastries, and some of the best wine in the world, you can’t go wrong in France. But go a little out of your way and dine in the countryside instead of big cities like Paris. You’ll find friendly service and a unique taste of true French cuisine if you step out of the tourist areas.

2.       Switzerland. The Swiss are known for their excellent skiing, fine watches, and of course, their cheese! Visit Switzerland and partake in some traditional Swiss fondue. The cheese used to fondue in Switzerland is a little bitter to some Americans, but if you are a risk taker than you’ve got to try authentic cheese fondue.

A cheese fondue

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3.       Spain. If you are looking for some spice, flavor, and an African influence, then Spain is the place. Spain is a wonderful place for culinary pleasures because the country is influenced by traditional Spanish cuisine, Mediterranean flavors, and even a bit of northern Africa. It’s a true culinary experience that any foodie would be happy to partake of.

Now, be sure to pack your passport and make some room in your stomach. It’s time for a culinary vacation!

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Keeping Nutrition First in Kids

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Parents understand that having their children to eat a well-balanced meal can be challenging at time. However, there are certain foods that should be kept in mind for children’s growth.

Dairy products such as milk and yogurt are good sources of zinc and potassium, as well as calcium for strong bone health. One to two cups a day should do the trick in making sure they receive these minerals. Cheese can also assist in this area as well. One thing to keep in mind is that dairy must be given in moderations to control weight gain in children.

Another good source of vitamins is found in seafood. Most likely young children will not sit down to a lobster, but different types of fish like cod carries omega-3 acids that are vital for brain and heart development. Salmon is an alternative for supply these acids and should be given to children about two times a week.

When it comes to meat products, they should be served in the leanest form.  Protein is the source for muscle development. They are several ways to serve lean meats that children will become accustom to such as:

  • Rice with diced chicken
  • Fish sticks
  • Turkey meatballs with wheat pasta

Of course we can’t forget about fruits and vegetables in a young person’s diet. Green leaf veggies and fruits can boost metabolism which can assist in weight loss. Substituting lettuce with fresh spinach on sandwiches and adding tomatoes will do just fine. Also, chopping up fresh fruit like mangos or strawberries is best instead of store bought fruit cups due to high sugar content.

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Using the Internet to Find Authentic Restaurants in Canada

We’re all looking to try new authentic restaurants, but we don’t always know where to go. With all the restaurants within a reasonable driving distance, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

Thanks to the Internet and websites like Canada 411, you will no longer have to sift through multiple phone books to find which places offer the ethnic cuisine you’re looking to try. For instance, some of the most popular Canadian dishes are poutine, maple sugar pie, and tourtière. You can use the Internet to find which restaurants offer those Canadian food traditions on their menu. Then use an online search directory to see where they’re located. Searching for delicious, authentic restaurants is so easy. Search the internet for user reviews so you can get an idea on how good the food is.

There is no more shuffling through a phone book, calling all the local restaurants to see if they have what you are craving. With just a click of a button, websites will do all that for you. The nice thing about online search directories is that you can search in both French and English. If English isn’t your first language, you will still be able to navigate through the site without having any problems.

Canada 411 isn’t just for business use. You can now use the website to find people. All you need to do is type in a person’s name and location, and that’s it! Keep in mind if the person you’re searching for isn’t listed, they most likely won’t end up on the website.

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Comfort Foods

comfort food - cheeseburger, no mayo

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People often talk about comfort food when they are stressed or upset. Our culture bases nearly occasion around food, so this really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone. No matter what the occasion, event, or gathering, there is bound to be food.  Births, deaths, weddings, christenings, holidays… food, food, food.

So, what are some of the favorite comfort foods in America? Macaroni and cheese is an oft-sought comfort food. It’s warm, soft, creamy and flavorful; plus, who can pass up cheese? Meatloaf is another favorite. Meatloaf makes college kids think of home—it’s simply something that you know Mom would make on a chilly and dark night. Mashed potatoes almost scream comfort! Fluffy, buttery, and once again, soft—everything a comfort food was meant to be.

Many sweet foods have made it into the comfort food category as well. A big slice of chocolate cake, a hot fudge sundae, a thick vanilla malt. All of these things bring a feeling of relaxation. Who would possibly be stressed while sinking into seven layers of rich chocolate?

Sometimes people feel comforted by food because of the memories associated with a certain food. Other times, a component in the food interacts with a chemical in the brain, creating warm and fuzzy feelings that are not just in your head. Food is what our bodies thrive off of; it only makes sense that nourishment will soothe not only the body, but also the soul. So, next time you’re sick, ask your Mom to make some of her chicken soup. It just might be the cure for the common cold.

Varying Your Vegan Diet

Almond butter

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As a vegetarian, you have so many delicious meal options available to you. The number one way for you to ensure that your diet is keeping up with your nutritional needs is to vary the fruits and vegetables that you eat. Another way to gauge your nutritional intake is to take a close look at how you feel. If you are eating repetitive foods and feeling under the weather, it is time to ramp up your diet.

Fresh Picks in Every Color

Choose produce in various shades. When you grocery shop, you should plan to have at least six different colors of vegetables and fruits in your cart. A good example would be red peppers, eggplant, spinach, sweet potatoes, bananas, blueberries and other staples that you typically buy. The next week you should attempt to go for six other fruits and veggies in shades of red, orange, purple and blue in addition to deep green and yellow. The brighter the fruit or vegetable, the more vitamins and antioxidants it is prone to have. It is likely that you already buy organic produce, but if you don’t it’s time to start!

Keep the Protein Coming

If you don’t eat eggs or dairy products, you need to be sure that you are getting the appropriate amount of protein through other sources like almond butter, garbanzo beans, and lentils. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, a vegan need only take in 10% of their daily calories in the form of protein. This is easy to do when you are regularly eating a variety of foods. Soy is also a good source of protein, though some people try to avoid soy due to a possible link with the activation of estrogen receptor cells. The study relating to this is ongoing and inconclusive, so as with everything, if you use soy products, be sure to do so in moderation.

Vegan and Vegetarian—Who Eats What?

Food for Life distributes food on an internati...

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Vegetarians eat vegetables. Simple, right? No so much. There are different grades of vegetarians, if you will:

Pescatarians

Pescatarians simply eat no raw or cooked flesh or meat except for seafood or fish. This is sometimes due to diet restrictions, while other times it is simply a matter of personal choice. A diet of vegetables, fruits, whole foods and lean fish is heart-healthy and provides protein as well as omega acids from an animal source.

Vegetarians

Usually, a person will refer to himself as a vegetarian if he eats no animal flesh or meat what-so-ever, but he will consume eggs and dairy products. Another term commonly used is lacto-ovo-vegetarian. Protein sources come from eggs, cheese and additional dairy products as well as non-animal sources.

Vegans

Vegans eat no products derived from animals. They consume mainly vegetables and fruits as well as barley, oats, brown rice and other whole grains. Legumes are a primary source of protein for many vegans.

A person’s diet is a matter of choice. Everyone should take personal preferences as well as health concerns into mind when deciding what type of diet they should eat. In many cases, a physician’s advice should be sought as well. There has been past controversy about the health value of a vegan diet. In many instances, the controversy came up due to a lack of education. If a person is unaware of the proper balance that the body needs, their lack of information can result in improper diet choices leading to anemia, low-protein levels, or other bodily harm. Followed properly, a vegan diet can be just as healthy, if not more-so, than other meal plans.

No matter which foods a person eats, they can maintain their daily nutritional needs by varying their diet within the foods groups in which they eat. A wholly vegan diet is indefinitely healthier than one consisting of fast-food stops and fried dinners. Even if you choose not to stick to a vegan diet, eating fruits and veggies consistently will feed your body as well as your mind.

Out with the old and in with the New Food Pyramid

This 1992 food pyramid diagram can still be fo...

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Concerns over childhood obesity and unhealthy eating habits, prompted the US Department of Agriculture to revise the Food Pyramid first used in 1992. (above)

The history of the government’s involvement in our food intake started in 1916, when the USDA published the first dietary recommendations for healthy eating habits of children. The guidelines for parents to use when feeding their children featured five food groups, milk and meat, cereals, vegetables and fruits, fats and fatty foods, and sugars and sugary foods. One year later, they added quantities to the food groups they recommended for daily consumption, including adults.

During the depression, the USDA then put out guidelines for families based on four cost levels that would still meet their nutritional needs of the family. From the 1940′s to the 1970′s, the guidelines contained four major food groups, milk, meats, breads, and fruits & vegetables. They added the fifth group; fats, sugars, and alcohol, but advised people to consume this group on a restricted basis though.

In 1994, the USDA introduced the food pyramid with recommended servings, showing breads and cereals at the bottom level, followed by fruits and vegetables, meat and milk, and at the top fats, oils, and sweets with the words Use Sparingly, at the top of the pyramid. Researchers have since concluded that food groups on the pyramid should indicate maximum servings, such as the meat and milk group, while the fruits and vegetables group only represented the minimum.

The new food pyramid includes guidelines for exercising and for maintaining a healthy body weight. Simply put, the new food pyramid represents the mindset of using common sense when it comes to healthy eating, including the idea that moderation is always the key to good health.

Hearty and Nutritious Cockle and Mussel Chowder

During Ireland’s potato famine, hearty, nutritious meals came out of soup kitchens. The cooks made soups from a variety of vegetables and small portions of meat. These items were inexpensive and easily available.

The history of soup kitchens in Ireland began with an effort to check starvation, but quickly turned into resentment when people found out the soups contained little or no meat at all. Years later, medical professionals helped to support the idea that a soup can indeed be a complete meal in and of itself.

The famous song Molly Malone, also called Cockles and Mussels, inspired one Irish soup, Cockle and Mussel Chowder. The song tells the tale of an apparent fictional woman, a fishmonger, who worked her trade on the streets of Dublin and died young, from a fever.

One of the most famous foods connected to Dublin is cockles and mussels. Cockle and Mussel Chowder consists of vegetables, fish stock, white wine, and potatoes, to produce a filling, nutritious meal.

Cockle and Mussel Chowder

Melt six tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan

Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, blend well, and cook for 1-2 minutes

Gradually whisk in 6 and 1/2 cups of fish stock

Add:

1/2 of a finely chopped potato

Two stalks of chopped celery

Handful of freshly chopped parsley

1 teaspoon of freshly chopped parsley

1 teaspoon of freshly chopped dill

Cook for 8-10 minutes, until vegetables are tender, and season with sea salt and ground black pepper. Stir in heavy cream to right consistency and flavor. Cook an additional 2-3 minutes, adjusting the flavor by adding milk or wine to either dilute or solidify the broth.

Garnish with cooked cockles and mussels in shells.