dear nutritionist Archives | Community Food Co-op

Ask the Nutritionist: Magnesium

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

April 2018

Selva Wohlgemuth, meal planning instructor

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I have been struggling with muscle cramps and have a hard time falling and staying asleep. Is there anything you can recommend to help alleviate these symptoms?

Muscle cramps and spasms in the soles of feet and legs, as well as twitching of the eyelid, can all be telltale signs of a magnesium need. Magnesium can also be very helpful in promoting relaxation and therefore good quality sleep. Did you know that more than 60 percent of Americans are not getting adequate amounts of magnesium in their diet?

This is most often related to:

not eating enough magnesium-rich foods
lower amounts of magnesium in our soil today than there used to be in the past
taking medications that deplete magnesium stores (some of the most common are acid blockers, antibiotics, and birth control). Also, chronic stress, alcohol abuse, and malabsorption can all contribute to magnesium deficiency.

Magical Magnesium

Magnesium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the body and often doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It plays an important role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body that can affect you from your nervous system all the way to your bones. Magnesium is required for DNA synthesis, reproduction, energy production, blood pressure regulation, insulin metabolism, adrenal function, nervous system transmission, and more. The recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) for adult men and women are 400 mg and 310 mg daily. However, most Americans are not getting enough.

Magnesium Deficiency/Insufficiency

Although severe magnesium deficiency is rare, low or insufficient levels of magnesium have been associated with several health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, migraines, muscle and period cramps, and ADHD. Many symptoms associated with a magnesium deficiency are often neglected or overlooked. Indicators of poor magnesium status include anxiety, depression, menstrual cramps and PMS, sleep disorders, low stress tolerance, muscle cramps, constipation, elevated blood pressure, and more.

How Can You Get More in Your Diet?

Aiming to get adequate magnesium from diet is the best approach, because magnesium-rich foods also provide other essential nutrients and fiber. Chlorophyll and therefore green veggies are a major source of magnesium. Some other excellent food sources include nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Some beans and legumes, fruit, and fish provide moderate amounts of magnesium as well.

What About Magnesium Supplements?

Supplemental magnesium is very safe and can provide quick relief of symptoms. It is a supplement I often recommend if someone has a lot of magnesium-wasting risk factors. However, it’s best not to take more than 350mg of supplemental magnesium per day unless recommended by your health care provider.

Some types of magnesium can be better tolerated and absorbed. Magnesium oxide acts as a laxative, and therefore only individuals that need stooling support should supplement with magnesium oxide. Magnesium citrate can cause loose stools, but only if taken in large dosages. Magnesium glycinate is highly absorbable and does not influence stools. Magnesium is best taken 30 minutes prior to bed due to its relaxing effects.

CALM Magnesium (magnesium citrate)

Start with 1 teaspoon and gradually increase to 2–3 teaspoons if needed.

Magnesium Glycinate

Start with 100mg pill. Then increase if needed to 2–3 pills, depending on recommended dosage.

Epsom Salts

Take a hot bath with 2 cups of Epsom salts. Soak for 20–30 minutes, 1–2 times per week.

Sources of Magnesium from Food

Food Item	Serving Size	Magnesium (mg)
Pumpkin seeds	¼ cup	190mg
Mung Beans	¼ cup, dry	140mg
Soy Beans	½ cup, dry	140mg
Buckwheat grouts	¼ cup, dry	95mg
Almonds, roasted	¼ cup	90mg
Potato	1 large	90mg
Quinoa	¼ cup, dry	85mg
Spinach	½ cup cooked	80mg
Swiss Chard	½ cup cooked	80mg
Artichoke	1 medium	80mg
Beans (varied)	¼ cup, dry	75mg
Molasses	1 tablespoon	50mg
Oats, rolled	½ cup, dry	40mg
Plantain	1 cup, boiled	40mg
Banana	1 large	40mg
Sesame Seeds	1 tablespoon	30mg
Shrimp	3oz	30mg
Halibut	4oz	30mg

A Recipe Suggestion

See Selva’s recipe for Zesty Cilantro Lime Quinoa Salad that incorporates several ingredients that are natural sources of magnesium.

Photo by Selva Wohlgemuth

Ask the Nutritionist

Have questions? Send them to contact@happybellynutritionist.com. Selva Wohlgemuth is a registered dietitian nutritionist. Learn more about her approach to general health and well-being at her Happy Belly Nutrition website, and see her recipes and other kitchen tips at Poppies and Papayas.

Ask the Nutritionist: Mango a Mango

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

May 2017

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I am trying to find creative ways to use mango. Can you please give me your best nutrition tips and recipe inspiration?

Mangoes Are Very Versatile

Besides being super tasty, mangoes are a source of the antioxidant-rich vitamins C and A, as well as folate and potassium. One cup of diced mango provides 100 percent of your daily vitamin C and 35 percent of your daily vitamin A needs. Plus, if you find ripe mangoes in your grocery store there are more ways than one to eat them. Mangoes are a great way to sweeten a recipe without using sugar due to their creamy flesh that is easily blended, sliced, or diced into a wide variety of recipes. You can find mangoes used in everything from salsa, to dressings, to desserts.

Hunting for the Perfect Mango

Before you go hunting for the perfect mango, you must first know how you want to use the mango. There are two types you generally find in the grocery store, manila and ataulfo. The manila is larger in size, and both yellow-orange and green in color. The flesh is firm, lightly sweet and tart, and juicy. However, if they are too ripe their fibers can easily get stuck in your teeth. They have a large pit, but provide a lot of fruit flesh for larger recipes. Manila are the best for immediate snacking, dicing into salsas, or slicing into salads, as they tend to be more resistant to bruising. For summer snacking, simply cut the manila mango on either side of the seed and cut the “cheeks” into slices. Eat these like you would a melon.

The ataulfo on the other hand is much smaller in size, more delicate and softer to the touch, and generally a golden yellow color. They are like nature’s sugar packet. The flesh is very creamy, tender, and mostly free of fibers. This mango is great when blended or pureed to naturally sweeten desserts, dressings, or smoothies. If you find a more firm ataulfo it can also be used in salads or salsas. I personally love a small slice of ataulfo mango in fresh rolls or simply paired with ripe avocado slices for a transcending tropical dessert.

However, mangoes may not be for everyone due to their high fructose content. Some individuals have either a genetic or conditional fructose intolerance which may lead to GI distress if consumed in large amounts. If you are struggling with a fructose intolerance, or are currently following a low FODMAP diet, then mangoes are best avoided or enjoyed in small amounts. Replace mango with other tropical favorites like pineapple or papaya.

My Favorite Ways to Use Mango

Dice up into a salsa
Blend into a dressing
Whip up with Greek yogurt
Roll up in fresh rolls
Pair with avocado
Cut up like a melon
Throw into a salad
Blitz into a smoothie
Drizzle with lime juice and coconut milk
Stir into chia pudding
Heat up with a pinch of cayenne
Freeze into popsicles

A Recipe Suggestion

See Selva's recipe for Chipotle Spiced Mango Pico de Gallo.

Ask the Nutritionist

Ask the Nutritionist: Healthy New Year

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

January 2017

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: What is your top recommendation for a healthy start in the New Year?

Dear Member: The short answer is to change your weekday routine into a healthy routine! Make every workday count!

Many of us spend most of our working hours sitting and typing. In addition, work environments can greatly impede the ability to make easy healthy choices. Therefore, it is important to become an advocate for your own health. This perspective alone can greatly enhance wellness throughout the workday.

Planning in advance can be the biggest first step towards an enhanced daily work routine. Many people may get breakfast on the go (or skip it completely), eat lunch out, and snack on processed goodies between meals. These eating habits can be positively changed by following seven tips towards workday wellness.

Always Take Time to Eat a Balanced Breakfast

Eating breakfast in the morning can help your mind and body stay fit and fueled throughout the day. Skipping breakfast entirely or grabbing a coffee and a muffin can cause your blood sugar to roller coaster and your energy level to wane. Adding protein to your morning meal can balance blood sugar levels and stabilize appetite. Some meal ideas include:

Two-egg veggie scramble with corn tortillas and refried beans
Apple and two tablespoons peanut butter
Steel-cut oats with chopped almonds, ground flaxseed, berries, and plain Greek yogurt
Chia seed pudding with coconut milk and bananas
Whole-wheat toast topped with avocado, soft boiled eggs, sliced tomato, salt and pepper
Dinner leftovers!

Arm Yourself with Healthy Snacks

When hunger strikes between meals, it is best to be prepared. Stocking healthy snacks at work, whether in the staff refrigerator or in your drawer, can set you up for success. Bring a bag of fresh cut veggies and hummus, whole fruit, nuts, or seeds for easy eating.

Know All Your Ingredients

Although the best option is to bring lunch from home, it can be difficult to always be prepared. Therefore, create a list of restaurants or grocery stores nearby that offer whole food choices. If you can identify every ingredient in your meal, then you are in the clear! Plus you get the benefit of walking back and forth.

Build the Perfect Work Lunch

A good starting point is to make sure you have all your macronutrients covered in your meal: complex carbohydrate, protein, and fat … and of course plenty of veggies. An easy rule to live by is 2 cups non-starchy veggies (variety is best), 1/2 to 1 cup whole grains/starchy veggies, 3 ounces of lean protein (fish, eggs, tempeh, legumes, chicken, etc.), and tasty fat-rich toppings (1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 avocado, or 1/4 cup nuts and seeds). This combo will help keep you full and fueled until dinner.

Bring a Water Bottle And Put It in Plain Sight

Staying adequately hydrated is key in monitoring appetite and staying focused. Keeping a water bottle on your desk can be an effective gentle reminder to drink throughout the day. Aim for 9 to 13 cups of fluid per day.

Keep Moving

Adding 5-to-15-minute movement breaks into your day can help support circulation, reduce stress, and help regain focus. Try to break every one to two hours to stretch and move your legs. Great ways to add movement into your day include:

Cut your lunch in half: eat the first half and walk the second
Walk to your favorite lunch location
Walk up and down a few flight of stairs
Stretch at your desk.

Create a Spirit of Wellness

Sometimes the work environment is the most difficult aspect to change. Being an advocate for workday wellness can be challenging but may also inspire others to join. Even making simple changes in your day-to-day work routine can positively impact those around you.

A Recipe Suggestion

In the spirit of making lunches easy, quick, and tasty, I have a delicious recipe for you—Tuscan Bean & Pasta Salad. It meets the guidelines for building the perfect work lunch, and it is vegan and gluten-free to boot. You can even bring this to a work potluck because it keeps fresh like a charm.

Ask the Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: Bone Broth

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

Selva Wohlgemuth, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I have heard a lot about bone broth. Is it really that much better than regular soup stock?

Dear Member: Although there is little scientific evidence to support the health benefits of bone broth, it does not discredit hundreds of years of tradition.

What bone broth provides in nutritional quality far outweighs any regular packaged chicken or beef broth found in stores today. It is rich in collagen and an easy-to-absorb protein source that, along with adequate vitamin C, supports joint health and skin, hair, and nail growth. Also, the minerals and vitamins leached from the bones and veggies into the broth makes this an easy to digest and nourishing food, especially during times of heightened stress.

Per the USDA Nutrient Database, one cup of homemade chicken bone broth contains about 90 calories, 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fat, 9 grams of carbohydrates, and some minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and sodium.

If someone cannot tolerate solid foods or is feeling under the weather, nauseous, and fatigued, broth can be very soothing and light enough for the digestive track to manage. However, even if you are not feeling sick, bone broth adds a lot of flavor and nutrition to simple soups and stews.

To make a delicious bone broth, all you need is time—not only for flavor, but also for heightening the medicinal quality of the broth. The longer the bones simmer, the more minerals are transferred to the broth, and the more nutrient dense the broth becomes. If you add a few staple vegetables, the nutritional value increases even further. Even a novice cook can make an excellent broth if the traditional methods are followed.

How to use bone broth? Sip between meals for a savory protein-rich beverage, add into soups for heightened flavor and nutrition, mix into sauces or gravies, braise veggies or meats in broth, or freeze for later use.

Are you vegan or vegetarian? Making a slow simmered veggie broth can be just as nourishing. However, you may want to add additional veggies such as leeks, tomatoes, and mushrooms for added flavor, and olive oil to absorb the fat-soluble vitamins. Just keep in mind that the protein content will be much lower and you may want to add beans to your final veggie soup.

SAVVY SHOPPER TIP

If making bone broth at home seems like too much work, the Co-op offers a variety of packaged collagen-rich bone broths from Kettle & Fire, Pacific Foods, Epic, and frozen chicken and beef broth by Bonafide Provisions and Cauldron Broths.

Learn to Make Nourishing Broths

Attend Selva’s Healthy Connections class on March 9, 2020, to learn how to make your own nourishing broths at home.

See more Healthy Connections classes on our website.

Ask the Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: Caramelize Your Veggies

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

dear nutritionist, lisa samuel, nutrition, registered dietitian, nutrition advice

Lisa Samuel, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I know vegetables are good for me, but I don’t really like them. Do you have any tips for making them delicious?

Dear Member: I get this question so often! One of the simplest tricks to making vegetables more delicious to a picky eater is to roast them. Roasting brings out the natural sugars in the vegetables, caramelizing them and making them taste sweeter. And you can roast all kinds of veggies: cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, zucchini, mushrooms, kale … the options are endless. In general, just coat them with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and any herbs or spices you like. Roast in a 425°F to 450°F oven until the vegetables are caramelized.

See Lisa's recipe for Whole Roasted Cauliflower and Tahini Sauce.

Dear Nutritionist: Whole Grain, No Pain

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

Lisa Samuel nutritionist cutting mushrooms on cutting board in kitchen with vegetables

Dear Nutritionist: I know whole grains are good for me, but I haven’t tried anything other than brown rice and quinoa. I’m bored with those choices. Can you help?

Dear Member: Whole grains are good sources of carbohydrates, and carbohydrates provide energy for your body and brain—energy to help keep you running full steam ahead all day long! Whole grains are naturally full of fiber and nutrients, and eating whole grains has been associated with reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and obesity.

Whole grains can be found in a variety of textures and flavors, adding to the pure enjoyment of eating. When we think of grains, we typically think of wheat. There are many varieties of wheat, including spelt, emmer, farro, einkorn, kamut, durum, and forms such as bulgur, cracked wheat, and wheat berries. But there are also many different types of grains besides wheat, including amaranth, barley, buckwheat, corn (including whole cornmeal and popcorn), millet, oats (including oatmeal), quinoa, rice, rye, sorghum, teff, triticale, and wild rice.

Buying grains from the bulk bins can be a great way to experiment. Just buy a small amount of a grain and then see if you like it.

To get you started, see Lisa's recipe for a Spring Lamb Stew with Farro.

Dear Nutritionist: Meatless Monday

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

Lisa Samuel, Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist

Dear Nutritionist: I’ve heard about the Meatless Monday campaign, and I’d like to try it for my family. Do you have suggestions for how to get my meat-loving family to try a vegetarian meal once a week?

Dear Member: Going meatless once a week is a great way to help you and your family be healthier, save money, and help the environment!

When planning meatless meals, think about them the same way you would any meal, by including a good source of protein, a fiber-rich carbohydrate, and healthy fats. Good sources of plant-based protein include beans and legumes, whole grains, soy, nuts, and nut butters. Dairy products, like milk and cheese, are also a great source of protein.

To keep it interesting for your family, try a new recipe each week. Ask your kids to look through magazines or websites to pick out new meals, and then make them together. Sometimes it’s easiest to start with familiar meals, like pasta or tacos. Experiment with herbs, spices, and bright dressings or sauces to add lots of flavor to your dishes.

You might find the meals so delicious you end up going meatless more than once a week!

See Lisa's One-Pot Tomato & Swiss Chard Pasta and other meatless recipes.

About Meatless Monday

It’s Worldwide!

Meatless Monday was founded in 2003 by Sid Lerner in association with the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. In May, 2009, Ghent, Belgium, became the first non-U.S. city to go meatless. Shortly thereafter, Paul McCartney introduced the U.K. to Meat-Free Mondays.

Meatless Monday is now active in 44 countries and continues to grow. Representatives from different nations are finding innovative ways to make meatless and vegetarian dishes part of their everyday culture, customs and cuisine.

Skipping meat one day a week is good for you, great for your nation’s health, and better for the planet.

Did you know the Co-op hot bars are meatless on Mondays? Check out the menu.

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

April 2018

Magical Magnesium

Magnesium Deficiency/Insufficiency

How Can You Get More in Your Diet?

What About Magnesium Supplements?

CALM Magnesium (magnesium citrate)

Magnesium Glycinate

Epsom Salts

Sources of Magnesium from Food

A Recipe Suggestion

Ask the Nutritionist

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

May 2017

Mangoes Are Very Versatile

Hunting for the Perfect Mango

My Favorite Ways to Use Mango

A Recipe Suggestion

Ask the Nutritionist

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

January 2017

A Recipe Suggestion

Ask the Nutritionist

by Selva Wohlgemuth, Co-op News contributor

SAVVY SHOPPER TIP

Learn to Make Nourishing Broths

Ask the Nutritionist

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

by Lisa Samuel, Co-op News contributor

About Meatless Monday

enews-sign-up-image