Fluoride
Why We Need It Fluoride, a mineral, is important for healthy bones and teeth. It increases the amount of minerals in our teeth, helps harden developing tooth enamel and protects teeth from decay....
Category: Health
Vitamin B6
Why We Need It Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin needed to break down the protein we eat. In addition, our bodies use vitamin B6 to make important body proteins. This...
Riboflavin
Why We Need It Riboflavin, a water-soluble B vitamin, also is known as vitamin B2. We need riboflavin to use the fats, carbohydrates, and proteins in the foods we eat. It helps us use these...
Calcium
Why We Need It Calcium is the major mineral found in our bones and teeth. Along with phosphorus and other nutrients, it builds the hard structure that makes bones and teeth strong. Calcium also is...
Niacin
Why We Need It Niacin is a water-soluble B vitamin. Sometimes it is called vitamin B3. We need niacin for our bodies to use the energy in carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Niacin also is needed for...
Healthier Foods at School
Healthy Food Options at School Healthy eating is important for growth, good health, and academic performance. However, kids are often overwhelmed with access and availability of foods that are high...
BSE: “Mad Cow Disease”
What is “Mad Cow Disease” (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy/BSE)? Mad Cow Disease is the commonly used name for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), a slowly progressive,...
Chemicals & Foods
Food Additives We often think of food additives as complex chemical substances produced by our modern society. However, the use of food additives dates to ancient times. Early people used salt to...
Serving Sizes for Special Diets
If you have special dietary needs, the nutrition information on food labels can help you to: improve your health manage your weight, diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disease reduce your risk...
Nutrient Density
Why is an apple a better choice than a bag of pretzels? They have roughly the same number of calories, but nutrients count, too. The apple provides fiber, vitamin C and potassium for an equal number...
Moderate Alcohol
Fewer Americans consume alcohol today than they did 50 to 100 years ago. In 2002 fifty-five percent of U.S. adults were current drinkers, and forty-five percent did not drink alcohol at all. If you...
Limit Sugar
Sugar contributes calories (energy) but few, if any, nutrients. Sugars and starches supply energy to the body in the form of glucose, which is the only energy source for red blood cells. Glucose is...