5 tips for conquering food cravings
By Rachael Moeller Gorman People who suffer from alcohol or drug addiction have a lot in common with people who chronically crave food: they are highly conditioned to abuse their substance of choice, says Nora Volkow, M.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). If thinking about food rules your life, seek help […]
The Power of Protein
To maintain muscle, spread protein intake throughout the day Protein is a hot nutrient right now—and rightly so. Along with carbohydrates and fat, protein is one of the three big nutrients, aka macronutrients, that your body needs. Protein plays a powerful role in your health, particularly for your muscles. Preserving muscle strength and proper function […]
You are what you eat: Let food be your medicine, too
By Carrie Dennett, M.P.H., R.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter In the 4th Century BCE, the Greek physician Hippocrates authored the famous oath, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” We now know that foods like berries, green tea, and mushrooms are more than just a delicious source of energy; the nutrients inside can […]
Thanksgiving Tips: How to Indulge While Making Healthy Choices
By Laura Drucker There are plenty of ways to be healthier on Thanksgiving that don’t include depriving yourself. Being conscious of what you’re eating allows you to indulge without overdoing it. Check out these tips for a healthy holiday: 1. Simple swaps Thanksgiving is notorious for rich food, but all that cream and butter can […]
8 key nutrients vegetarians need
EatingWell.com Going meatless even a few days a week may be a healthier option for you and for our planet. If you are limiting your intake of meat, make sure you’re getting enough of these eight key nutrients to help you maintain a balanced diet. 1. Calcium helps build bones and teeth, and also helps […]
5 reasons to focus on fiber
By Denise Webb, Ph.D., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter When you think of dietary fiber, you may think of foods, like bran, that help move things along in your intestinal tract. And you would be right, at least partially. However, dietary fiber does a lot more than just benefit your intestines. A fiber-rich diet may also […]
Eating to ease arthritis pain
By Carrie Dennett, M.P.H., R.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter More than 50 million Americans — one in five adults — have arthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation, making it the No. 1 cause of disability in this country. The condition is marked by inflammation in one or more of your joints, resulting in joint pain and […]
Diet pattern a strong defense against strokes
By Clare Tone, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter About 500,000 first-time strokes occur every year in the U.S. Since high blood pressure is the number one risk factor, it’s no surprise that managing high blood pressure through diet is a key focus. In October 2014 the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association released […]
Not all processed foods are unhealthy
Harvard Health Letters Nutrition gurus often urge us to spurn processed foods in favor of whole ones. But not all processed foods are necessarily bad. “Most food needs to go through some sort of processing for it to even be edible and digestible,” says Stacey Nelson, a registered dietitian and manager of clinical nutrition at […]
Lingonberries, anyone? New Nordic Diet pairs seasonal fresh foods, exercise
By Carol Berg Sloan R.D.N., F.A.N.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter You may soon be adding herring, rutabaga and lingonberries to your shopping list, thanks to recent findings and the emerging popularity of the New Nordic Diet. This dietary pattern is based on the traditional, regional foods–fish, game, berries, whole grains, and root vegetables–of Scandinavian countries, which […]
Being underweight is risky business
By Caroline Kaufman, M.S., R.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter While headlines often sound the alarm on the dangers of being overweight, less attention is given to the two percent of U.S. adults who are underweight. Their ranks may be smaller, but the health risks that affect many people who are underweight–a body mass index (BMI) below […]
Experts share the latest diet strategies for heart health
After three-and-a-half days of presentations on nutrition research at the recent American Heart Association (AHA) conference, here’s EN’s take-away on today’s big questions on heart health: SATURATED AND TRANS FATS These are still targets. Despite questions raised by headlines, limiting saturated fat remains important for heart health, according to Robert Eckel, M.D., director of the […]
EatingWell: These cooking habits could be sabotaging your diet
By Hilary Meyer, EatingWell.com One sure way to keep your weight in check is to ditch the takeout menu and cook at home instead. In your own kitchen you can control the menu and hence the calories. But it’s not a flawless plan. When you cook at home–and especially if you’re comfortable doing so–you might […]
EatingWell: Changes in diet can help lower your blood pressure
By Karen Ansel, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., EatingWell.com What you eat can help keep your blood pressure in a healthy range. And it’s not just about shaving sodium from your plate. The following tricks can help bring your numbers down naturally. PILE ON THE PRODUCE Foods like potatoes, beans and bananas are full of potassium, a […]
EatingWell: Is canola oil toxic or bad for you?
By Shaun Dreisbach, EatingWell.com There are all sorts of rumors about canola oil—so let’s sort fact from fiction. First, you may have heard that canola oil contains high levels of the toxic compound erucic acid. Not true. “The rapeseed plant that canola oil was originally derived from does contain high levels of erucic acid, but […]
Avoid nutritional shortfall with simple changes in your diet
By Karen Collins, M.S., R.D.N., C.D.N., F.A.N.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter When scientists observe that lots of people don’t meet their needs for particular nutrients, they are dubbed “shortfall nutrients.” Here are four essential nutrients most likely to be insufficient in your diet, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and simple strategies […]
Pescetarian diet swimming in health benefits
By Judith C. Thalheimer, R.D. L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter Think something’s fishy about a pescetarian diet? Think again! More people are interested in this style of eating, which may be one of the best things you can do for your health. Pescetarians avoid red meat and poultry, yet eat all manner of seafood, including fish, […]
EatingWell: You can stick to your weight management goals
By EatingWell editors, EatingWell.com You’ve made the decision to take control of your weight, so congratulations! Now, take a few minutes to think about what you’ll gain from losing weight. Better health? More energy? A boost in self-confidence? Reminding yourself what you stand to gain by losing weight can be a powerful motivator. But first […]
The Food Buzz
Getting the scoop on mindful eating Mindful eating may be called New Age, but the practice of being present with our food has been around for centuries. In today’s fast-paced, on-the-go world we often multitask, eating in the car, in front of the TV or at our desks. Eating with awareness and purpose can allow people […]
To Detox or Not to Detox
The trend to cleanse through detoxification diets may not be worth following By Megy Karydes Our bodies have a built-in detoxifying system, and yet, many people use detoxing diets as a way to cleanse their bodies, lose weight and gain energy. Leah Woock, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, says […]
Mediterranean Diet Lowers Heart Disease
By Megy Karydes Linda Quirk was busy chopping up six pounds of mushrooms for a soup she was preparing for Souper Saturday—an annual gathering where she and about a dozen friends spend the day catching up on life and swapping soups in the process. “I love fresh vegetables,” says the 59-year-old Skokie resident, who was […]
The Prevention Column
Getting Started When You Think It’s Too Late By Anthony Bonazzo A lot of Americans have an all-or-nothing mentality, especially when it comes to fitness. Think of fitness like golf; it requires a daily commitment, and it’s never too late to pick up the game. If you’re currently living with health concerns related to being overweight or […]
