Home > Food & Health > Nutrition > Nutrients > Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potatoes] Sweet potatoes are good sources of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates. Information on selecting the best sweet potato, storage, cooking and nutrition facts. (PDF Format Only) Nutritional Benefits of Rice [Image: rice] Rice is an extremely healthy food. It's low in fat and sodium, contains potassium and fiber and is rich in antioxidants. (PDF Format Only) Does Your Snack Need an Oil Change? Reading the ingredients label on packaging may reveal some bad fats in your snacks. Folic Acid Fact Sheet [Image: image file] Everyone needs folic acid, but it’s especially important for women of childbearing age. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects.  more articles... LSU AgCenter Nutritionist Has Rice Things to Say About September In a salute to national rice month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says, "Rice is delicious, nutritious, economical, versatile and an energy-rich carbohydrate." Tomatoes Deliver Flavor And Cancer Defense (Distributed 07/11/06) The hot, summer months are a great time to enjoy fresh tomatoes. Enjoy them in green salads, chicken or shrimp salads, stuffed with tuna or simply on their own. They also make a wonderful addition to a heart-healthy and cancer-preventing diet, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Raw Or Cooked, Pears Are Tasty And Nutritious We’ve heard it many times that a healthy diet should include plenty fruits and vegetables. Also, variety is very important to get all the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. Folic Acid Critical To Good Health [Image: dried beans] Including folic acid in your diet is a key strategy for optimal health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. This is her message during National Folic Acid Awareness week, Jan. 9-15. Blueberries Are Tasty Disease Fighters [Image: Blueberry sauce] Enjoy Louisiana blueberries. They can help protect against diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. LSU AgCenter Nutritionist Advises Prudent Use of Herbal Supplements As baby boomers age, many reach for herbal supplements in hopes of staying young. Supplements can be harmful, cautions LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. Herbs, Supplements Easy to Find; Accurate Information on Benefits Not It's easy to find herbs and other dietary supplements, but much more difficult to find accurate information about them and their side effects or benefits, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Carotenoids Protect Against Heart Disease in Women Eating foods rich in antioxidants is one part of a diet and exercise program that protects against chronic diseases, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. A recently published study bears out this claim. Vitamin E Diet May Reduce Risk of Parkinson's Disease Parkinson’s disease is thought to be the result of oxidative damage of the nerve cells in the brain. Since vitamins E, C and carotenoids are antioxidant nutrients, recent research looked at the relationship of these nutrients to Parkinson’s, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. Pros and Cons of Ice Cream Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world. It’s the dessert with the highest fat content, but it's also a good source of calcium. Click for more information...