THIS VERSES THAT THURSDAYS!

Ever wonder what the difference is between greek yogurt and regular? Or Stevia and Regular Sugar? How about sea salt verses table salt?

Each Thursday Family Health and Nutrition explains the differences between these and many other items during THIS VERSES THAT THURSDAYS!

Soy Protein vs Whey Protein

WHEY PROTEIN:

Whey protein comes from cow's milk and other dairy products. It is often used by bodybuilders to help build muscle because it has the highest PDCAAS score (the score that is given to different proteins in regards to their effectiveness.

Whey protein has been shown to improve digestion, boost the immune system, build muscle and may even help in weight loss.

SOY PROTEIN:

Soy protein comes from soy beans, so it is a great vegetarian source of protein. It does not have as high of PDCAAS score as whey protein, but is still a great source of protein especially for vegetarians!

People who include soy in their diets tend to have lower cholestrol. Also, soy protein has been shown to be helpful in women with hormonal imbalances or who are post-menapausal.

BOTTOM LINE:

Both whey and soy proteins are healthy options for added protein in your diet. Depending on your personal health goals, one may be more helpful to you than the other.

Running Vs Walking: Pros and Cons

Whole Grain vs White Bread. Which is better?

Frozen vs Canned. Which is better?

After doing some research, I have decided to stick with my gut and purchase frozen. Here's why:

1. According to the FDA, a third to a half of certain key elements are removed from vegetables in the canning process.

2. Many cans are lined with BPA.

3. Often salt and other preservatives are added to canned foods.

Airpopped vs Microwave Popcorn, Which is healthier?

It got me wondering if microwave popcorn is really all that healthy or if I should invest in an airpopper like we had when I was a kid.

MICROWAVE POPCORN:

The main concern with microwave popcorn is the chemical diacetyl. Diacetyl is used in microwave popcorn to create the buttery aroma and has been linked to health issues in workers who make the snack. Although there has been no proof that at home use of microwave popcorn is unsafe.

AIRPOPPED POPCORN:

The advantages of airpopped popcorn is the ability to control the amount of butter, oil, sugar or other unhealthy ingredients in your snack (like diacetyl).

I personally am purchasing an air popper so that I can have as natural snack as possible for my family. It might take a little more effort, but I think it will be worth it!

BOTTOM LINE:

Popcorn is a great snack alternative to higher fat and calorie foods like chips and candy. Stay away from the high fat, high sugar varieties of popcorn like caramel corn or extra butter popcorn. Try to buy the low-fat or natural popcorn and enjoy your healthy snack!

Organic Milk vs Regular Milk

That's more than twice what I spend on a gallon of gas. But, I feel like organic milk is a healthier choice for my family so the cost seems worth the sacrifice.

But, just to be sure I am really getting my money's worth and not just wasting precious dollars, I have done some investigating.

The reasons organic may be best:

1. The "USDA Organic" label means that cows may not be treated with bovine growth hormone (BGH) to increase milk production.

2. Organics cannot come from cows being treated with antibiotics. If a cow in an organic herd does need to be treated with antibiotics due to illness, she is not returned to the herd for 12 months.

3. Organics comes from cows that eat feed without pesticides. USDA reports show that non-organic milk may contain low levels of certain pesticides that come from the cows feed.

The reasons conventional milk is safe and healthy:

1. BGH is a protein hormone which means if we do ingest it, our digestive tracts will destroy it.

2. Conventional herds that do receive antibiotics have their milk routinely tested to ensure the milk has no antibiotic content. So, no milk purchased in the United States should have any antibiotics in it!

3. Pesticides, while there are trace amounts found in regular cow's milk, are at levels far below what has been established as tolerable for humans.

So, those are the facts. Now it's up to you to decide.

Personally, as long as we can afford it, I will continue to buy organic milk. Even trace amounts of these things still seem too high to me.

Plus, there is always the environment to think about. Organic Farmers respect the land and don't use harmful chemicals that can pollute the air, water and food supply.

So, not only is our milk healthier, so is our planet!

Table Salt Verses Sea Salt

Here is what I found out:

Sea salt and table salt are basically the same in that they are both mostly made up of 2 minerals, sodium and chloride. However, there are many differences between the two.

SEA SALT:

Sea salt comes from evaporated sea water and has very little (or no) processing. It contains trace amounts of important nutrients like magnesium, calcium, potassium and zinc that the body needs. It is also more flavorful than table salt due to the low amount of processing.

TABLE SALT:

Table salt is mined from underground salt deposits and is more heavily processed to remove all trace minerals. Iodine is added as well as additives to prevent clumping.

BOTTOM LINE: Sea salt is healthier for you since it is not processed, contains more minerals and has no additives.

However, very small amounts are needed by the human body. So, limit your salt intake to between 1500 to 2300 mg a day no matter which option you use.