Q: What are plant sterols and stanols?
Beta-sitosterol and sitostanol are two of the plant sterols that actually look a lot like cholesterol. They do not get absorbed the same way and they compete in the gut for cholesterol. In other words, it helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol and has been shown to reduce cholesterol effectively.
Scientific studies show that 1.3 grams per day of plant sterol esters or 3.4 grams per day of plant stanol esters in the diet are needed to show a significant cholesterol lowering effect.
Plant sterols are present in small quantities in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals, legumes, and other plant sources. Look for these added benefits in margarines, spreads, orange juice and many others.
Email your nutrition questions to Tracy Bowman, the Semper Fit Dietitian, at bowmanta@usmc-mccs.org
Recipe: Cranberry Glazed Pork Roast
1-4 lbs. boneless pork roast
1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
1⁄2 tsp grated orange peel
2 tbsp dry sherry
2 tsp cornstarch
1⁄8 tsp salt
2 tbsp orange juice
1-16oz can whole berry cranberry sauce
In a small saucepan stir together all ingredients except pork.
Cook over medium heat until thickened and set aside
Place roast in a shallow baking dish and roast at 325 degrees for 45 minutes
Spoon 1/2 of glaze over pork and continue roasting for 30-45 minutes more, until internal temperature is 155-160 degrees.
Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.
Serve with remaining sauce.
Makes four to six servings.
Visit www.quantico.usmc.mil for more recipes.
— Courtesy of: Tracy Bowman, SFD
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