Your Health: Spicing Food Can Improve Your Health
Rallie McAllister, M.D., M.P.H.
Spices add more than just flavor to your food. Most of the tasty and aromatic herbs offer a number of health benefits.
Kid Favorites Made Healthy - Mac n' Cheese
1⁄2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 c 1% low-fat milk
1 1⁄2 c reduced-fat extra sharp Cheddar cheese
1⁄4 c fresh grated Parmesan cheese
4 c cooked whole wheat macaroni or penne
1⁄4 c bread crumbs (preferably panko)
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat and add the flour, cooking and stirring until it’s fully incorporated and lightly golden. Add the milk slowly, whisking constantly to work out any lumps that may form.
Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture thickens slightly. Stir in the Cheddar and Parmesan, and cook until fully melted. Toss the sauce with the pasta, place in a large baking dish, and top with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes, until the bread crumbs are toasted and a crust has formed on top. Makes 4 servings.
Per serving: 340 calories, 9 g fat, 412 mg sodium
Obesity Prevention Should Begin at Age 2
NORFOLK, Va. (UPI) -- Obesity prevention efforts should begin as earlyas age 2, when children reach a "tipping point," U.S. researchers said.
Dr. John W. Harrington, a pediatrician at Virginia's Children'sHospital of The King's Daughters, examined records of 111 overweightchildren from a suburban pediatric practice. All of the children hadt heir height and weight measured at least five times during pediatric visits. The average age was 12.