Food Poisoning: Tips to Keep Your Family Safe

November 25th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Food Poisoning: Tips to Keep Your Family SafeA century ago, were spread by food-borne diseases like typhoid and cholera. Although improvements have conquered in the field of food security of these diseases, many foodborne diseases damage today.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 76 million cases of foodborne illness occur each year in the U.S., the most commonly recognized foodborne diseases are caused by Salmonella and Campylobacter. Together, these bacteria cause 80 percent of illnesses and 75 percent of the deaths associated with meat and poultry products combined. Seafood is the leading cause of foodborne illness.

“With properly handled seafood and poultry, food security and a little knowledge can significantly reduce the potential consumers of hazardous contamination of food,” said Aaron Ormond, a microbiologist and director of research at Technology World Food, a company that produces technology essential for food security.

Ormond offers the following tips to keep your family from potentially deadly food poisoning:

* Check color, smell and texture. When buying chicken, its color should be pink and gray or yellow. Fish flesh should be shiny and not so easily separated from the bone and have a fresh scent, soft.

* Check the packet. Purchases of steak and seafood, which is an anti-pathogen that does not change the color of the food, smell, taste or appearance, as has been offered by GFT. Make sure that “sell” the dates have outlived their products or to avoid potholes and cracks on their packaging.

* Avoid cross-contamination. Use separate cutting boards – one for raw meat and another for fruits and vegetables – to reduce the possibility of cross contamination. Also, wash your hands with antibacterial soap before and after handling raw meat and seafood.

* Store at correct temperature. Fresh seafood and poultry should be stored at 40 degrees or less, in order to ensure freshness. When cooking poultry, if breasts to 170 degrees, chicken or turkey to 180 degrees and ground poultry are cooked to 165 degrees.

Eating Correctly Using the Food Groups

November 23rd, 2011 by admin No comments »

Eating Correctly Using The Food GroupsEating properly can help you stay healthy and fit. While you eat nutritionally your overall life is even worth it. Learning to eat nutritiously keeps you fit and usually you are able to maintain the correct weight for your height.

There are six food groups that should be in your diet. These six food groups form the food pyramid, as some people refer to it.

The base of the pyramid is the bread, cereal, cereal and pasta food group. These foods provide complex carbohydrates, which are an important source of energy. You should have 6 to 11 servings of these foods in one day. Examples of one serving include 1 slice bread, 1 / 2 cup of rice or noodles, and a tortilla.

Rising next to the pyramid food groups are the group of fruits and vegetables group. In both groups, these foods are important nutrients like vitamin A, source of vitamin C, folic acid and potassium. They are also low in fat and sodium and high in fiber. You should be 3 to 5 servings of vegetables or fruits a day. Examples of one serving of fruit is one medium sized apple, orange or banana, ½ cup of canned fruit and ¾ cup of fruit juice or 4 oz. Only include 100 percent real fruit juice. Examples of one serving of vegetables include 1 cup of leafy greens, ½ cup of other vegetables, either raw or cooked, and about 4 ounces of vegetable juice.

The next food group above the Fruits and vegetables are dairy products and protein. Dairy products provide the body with protein, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. You should be 2 to 3 servings of dairy products in your diet every day. Examples of one serving of dairy products are a cup of cottage cheese or ½ cup of whole milk. Protein products provide the body with much needed protein, iron and zinc. You should be 2 to 3 servings daily protein should be in your diet, and each serving of 2 oz 3. Examples of one serving of protein would be 2 to 3 ounces each type of meat, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1 / 2 cup cooked beans and 1 / 3 cup of nuts.

At the top of the food pyramid are fats and sweets. Foods in this group is not much in the way of nutrition. Provide calories, which one is to blame for weight gain. Examples of this group of foods including salad dressings, oils, creams, butter, margarine, sugar, soft drinks, sweets and desserts.