Nutrition

Nutrition articles and health tips from Down to Earth Organic and Natural.

Obesity in America

Photo: Woman Measuring her Stomach

Obesity in America If health is wealth, America is going bankrupt. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than one-third of adults and one sixth of children in America are obese.1 In the past twenty years, obesity rates doubled for adults and tripled for children. If these trends continue, by the time today’s children reach adulthood, obesity will be the norm and healthy weight the exception. Native Hawaiians disproportionately affected by obesity

Do Vegetarians Get Enough Protein?

Photo: Beans

Probably no component of food has been so misunderstood, and so radically misinterpreted, as protein. When we talk about vegetarianism, usually the biggest concern people have is "How can I get enough protein?" This myth is finally becoming dissolved as leading health organizations are recognizing the significance of plant-based proteins as compared to the detrimental health hazards of excess animal-protein in the average American diet. You will see that it is almost impossible to be protein deficient on a well-balanced, calorie-adequate vegetarian diet.

Fabulous Foods for a Healthy Heart

Photo: Fruits and Vegetables in the Shape of a Heart

Incorporate these foods into your diet to help reduce your risk of heart disease and promote cardiovascular health. Oatmeal: A steaming bowl of oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day. Oats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, potassium, folate, niacin, calcium, and soluble fiber. For added heart health, top your oatmeal with ground flaxseed and blueberries. For a sweet treat that’s also good for your heart, bake some delicious oatmeal raisin cookies.

Cleaning Out Your Pantry – The Healthy Way

Photo: Older Woman Holding Fresh Vegetables

To help you move toward a healthier, more vegetarian diet this year, here is some information to make the process easier. Start from the source of your family’s food supply – the pantry and the fridge!

Move Slowly Towards a Healthy Vegetarian Diet: Best New Year’s Resolution

Photo: Fresh Greek Salad

January is a time of the year when people think about shedding weight and making resolutions to get healthy. However well-meaning, most people who make such resolutions don’t stick with their "new" healthy commitments for very long. For many, it’s too difficult to keep up. Others grow impatient when the results they seek take longer than they want. Unfortunately, becoming truly healthy is not a quick fix. We need to go beyond New Year's resolutions.

Perfect Foods for Fall

Photo: Horn of Plenty with Fruits and Vegetables

As plumeria trees drop their leaves and the weather slightly cools, many of us are naturally attracted to foods that are hearty, warm, and roasted. This is our body’s natural craving during the cooler season. Even though we wear shorts and t-shirts in Hawaii during the middle of November, the hearty and nourishing vegetables of fall are more appealing than at other times of the year. This is because during the cooler season, our bodies are naturally drawn to foods that strengthen our immune systems when it is needed most.

How to Avoid Pesticides in Your Diet

Photo: Airplane Spraying Pesticides

Pesticide use is a world-wide problem adversely affecting environmental health as well as human health. This Earth Day, take a step toward a healthier planet and a healthier you by limiting pesticides in your diet.

How to Make the Most of Your Cleanse

Photo: Woman Drinking Water

Spring is the best time to cleanse your body of built-up toxins and excess weight. Down to Earth is your source for all the tools and information you need to start a full body cleanse. Our knowledgeable Wellness Team Members can help you choose the best cleansing system for your body.

Every Meatless Meal Makes a Difference

Photo: Sauteing Vegetables

At Down to Earth, we strongly believe that the single most important thing an individual can do for their health, for the environment, and for the sake of the innocent animals is to adopt a vegetarian diet. In celebration of National Vegetarian Awareness Month (October) and World Vegetarian Day (October 1st), let us take a few minutes to reflect on why.

Keys to Better Health: Organic, Natural & Vegetarian

Photo: Kids having fun at a Picnic

While helping to protect and sustain the earth and all her splendor is surely a worth-while endeavor, it is also important to protect and sustain our bodies with a healthy lifestyle to improve our personal quality of life. That’s because what we eat can cause or worsen illness and premature death associated with diet-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease and stroke, obesity, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis, cancer, and diabetes, among others.