Merritt Clubs Blog

Throughout our whole life we are told to eat our greens. Everyone associates green foods with health, but few people can probably explain why greens are so vital to our everyday nutrient needs. The USDA recommends incorporating 1.5-2 cups of fruit per day and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day and here is why:

Fat. A macronutrient that strikes fear into many people. However, not all fats are created equal, and fat is essential in our diet. The four main fats included on food labels are trans fats, saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats.

Fiber is a nutrient that many people often overlook as a healthy part of their diet. It has numerous benefits that help manage chronic disease and even prevent the development of other comorbidities. If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you are not getting enough fiber in your diet as many Americans lack adequate fiber intake in their day-to-day life.

It's National Nutrition Month and to celebrate health through dietary patterns, I would like to discuss the importance of reducing added sugars and the management of diabetes. Maryland is ranked in the top 20 states for the highest rate of diabetes at 10.2%. Diabetes is a very progressive disease if not managed correctly and there are many related complications, including neuropathy leading to amputations, retinopathy leading to blindness, and nephropathy leading to kidney failure, among many others.

May is National Mediterranean Diet Month, which is a very good reason to explore the different health benefits and variety this diet provides! The “Med” diet is consumed by most people in Italy, Spain, France, and Greece and has been found to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.