I’m doing a different take on Laura‘s “Strange But Good” linkup party, which is aimed at collecting strange but good recipes from foodies. I get all my weirdo recipes from Laura, and I have none of my own to share. Instead, I’m going to start sharing a few strange but good nutrition facts that I’ve been collecting from an Iowa State University agricultural biochemistry student.
What does agricultural biochemistry have to do with nutrition? Everything. At the core of nutrition is biochemistry, and though it sounds like a science that might put you to sleep, it’s actually quite interesting — I think anyway, and so does Brandi, the student who’s been kind enough to continue to gather weird facts for me to post here.
Hi Brandi! (and thank you!)
I met Brandi when I interviewed her for a story for our college’s alumni magazine. She and I have a lot in common, so the interview ended up getting kind of chatty. She talked a lot about her interest in nutrition, and started rattling off facts. I was interested, so I asked her to send me some of these facts by e-mail.
I’ll reveal a few of her facts each week for a few weeks. Again, I’m not an expert, and Brandi is an expert-in-training. I’m interested in the discussion that comes from sharing these with you. As some of you may know, nutrition is still a very knew science, and there is a lot we don’t know about how our body works and what it does with food. In fact, it seems like new facts about nutrition are coming out every week, and old facts are being debunked at a similar rate.
- Dark chocolate not only possesses powerful antioxidants, it also contains fats that, when digested, transform into the fats received by olive oil.
- Soluble fiber, such as grains, beans, and mushrooms, must attach to bile salts in order to be digested. Bile salts must be made from cholesterol, thus soluble fiber is a healthy way to reduce cholesterol. I’ve been reading about fiber in my K-12 nutrition book (snicker, snicker — I know. It’s embarrassing, but it was free on Kindle) and have decided to stir some of the fiber back into my juice when juicing veggies so I can help reduce cholesterol and move things through my food tube.
- Protein shakes are great for post-workout because your body needs the direct amino acids right away to begin repair. If consumed any other time, it is just expensive urine. Since I’m a big believer in protein supplementation, I asked a registered dietitian to provide further explanation on this subject. Look for a followup guest post about protein supplementation by a registered dietitian on Tuesday.
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Know any strange but good nutrition facts? Or have you had any nutrition “fact” debunked lately?
I have. I recently discovered that overeating isn’t necessarily what’s making us fat — well, overeating by itself. There are other factors (these will all unfold as I share my opinions with you — slowly).
17 Responses to Strange but Good Nutrition [1]
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Hi there. I'm Calee (pronounced CAL-e). If that's too hard, just call me Cal. Also known as chimes or the chimes. I'm 28ish, a designer, a runner, a self-proclaimed fitness queen, a craftster, a foodie, a music snob — some might call me a hipster. Here's the unabridged version.
I think the 3rd point is something new that I’m learning. I know that increasing my protein intake has helped me become healthier and stronger, but I definitely make protein shakes later in the day–not right after a workout. Hmmmm. The meal that follows my workout is oatbran, which I add egg whites, chia seeds and almond butter too (along with berries) to increase the protein. I wonder if I should use my protein powder in my oat bran then. But, honestly, I like my oatbran the way it is. I also really like my protein powder. Is it really such a waste to include it in my smoothie later in the day??
Michelle @ Eat Move Balance recently posted..Delicious! Mushroom and Barley Soup!
I don’t think it’s a waste to eat food if you like it.
I think what she means by “waste” is that it’s not going to help you rebuild muscles as efficiently at that point in time vs. right after a workout, but protein will still help you keep full.
Calee recently posted..Strange but Good Nutrition [1]
When protein doesn’t get used, it turns into fat…that’s why we have to be careful with the amount of protein we take in since our body can only use so much.
Amanda @ Diary of a Semi-Health Nut recently posted..{Fitness Friday #3} Challenge Yourself
This is good to know. I’ve got a post by an RD coming up on Tuesday that I finally got around to reading and posting, and that’s what she said (well, excess anything turns to fat).
I think I’m going to stick to eating extra protein only on days I do long runs. But I was eating 60-80 g on average and I only need about half of that (gee, I wonder why I can’t lose this extra weight …).
PS I’m blaming you for the “+17″ I saw on my zero scale this AM. I about had a heart attack!
Really?! I thought it just doesn’t get absorbed (read: pooped out). Not that I’ve had that experience… LOL!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good Re-Imaginations
The is so much I have to learn about nutrition, so this is great for me, Calee. Now, my major workout is my staionary bike. Do I get the benefit of the protein shake taking it after working on the bike. I generally do an hour. Thanks!!
Fran@ Broken Cookies Don’t Count recently posted..Strange But Good~Restaurant Version
Ooo, I like these new series!
What’s your embarrassing k-12 book called? I want to download it.
Alex @ Alex Tries it Out recently posted..Happy Friday & KLUTCHclub Review
Human Biology – Digestion and Nutrition
CK-12 Foundation
Sweet. I’ve got a Kindle app on my iPad so I can get all the same stuff.
Thanks!
Alex @ Alex Tries it Out recently posted..Happy Friday & KLUTCHclub Review
I LOVE this idea!!! I already have learned a lot. #strangebutgood, for the WIN!!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Strange But Good Re-Imaginations
yay! I’m excited to share more. I’m a little freaked out by the protein tidbit but what you are doing is clearly working. I need to downgrade a bit until I start marathon training in the summer. I would love to finally lose this stupid weight .
calee recently posted..Strange but Good Nutrition [1]
Definitely interesting but I have to admit I’m REALLY looking forward to that RD post!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More recently posted..Mezamashii Run Project
I’m hoping she’ll keep writing more posts for me too … we’ll see.
she’s a busy lady.
I love this! Can’t wait to see more! What is the bile and where do you get it? Only from cholesterol? So, like, it would be a good idea to eat an egg with corn tortillas!?
I believe bile comes from your gallbladder and some from your liver, but your body creates it and it’s used to help break down (digest) lipids (fats) into things that your body can use and absorb. Cholesterol actually helps your body make a LOT of things so having high cholesterol isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s been linked to heart disease, but the results of a bunch of different tests aren’t conclusive, so the “heart healthy diet” story they’ve been feeding us for the last 50 years isn’t necessarily true. In fact, without fat, and cholesterol, your body couldn’t function.
[...] Strange but Good Nutrition Facts (1) [...]
So putting protein powder in my oatmeal isn’t doing anything for me? CURSES! Off to read the protein post…
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen recently posted..Blueberry Mango Chili