EatingWell: Aim to eat lower on the glycemic index
EatingWell.com By Dr. Jean Harvey-Berino, Ph.D., R.D., Joyce Hendley, and Rachel Johnson, Ph.D, M.P.H., R.D. All the carbohydrate foods we eat cause a release of glucose into the bloodstream–and a corresponding rise in insulin–but some raise glucose more than others. The glycemic index (GI) is a system of ranking foods containing equal amounts of carbohydrate […]
Mini meals vs. three squares: Which is best?
By Marsha McCulloch, M.S., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter It’s a popular notion that eating smaller, more frequent meals, such as six small meals a day, is a healthier approach than the traditional three square meals a day. Some people believe eating more frequently may help keep their hunger under better control and their metabolism revved […]
EatingWell: New discoveries about cholesterol hold surprises
By Shaun Dreisbach, EatingWell.com It turns out cholesterol is way more complex than experts originally thought. And diet is only part of the picture. A recent study published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that compared high- and low-fat diets found that eating the low-fat diet didn’t have a significant impact […]
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 […]
Artificial sweeteners: Moderation is key to avoid any problems
By Judy Thalheimer, R.D., L.D.N., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter The label says, “no sugar added,” “sugar-free,” or “diet.” So what makes the food or drink inside the package so sweet? Chances are it’s an artificial sweetener, a chemically processed sugar substitute. Also known as non-nutritive, non-caloric or high-intensity sweeteners, these synthetic sweeties are hundreds or even […]
EatingWell: Limit processed foods with simple swaps
By Lisa D’Agrosa, M.S., R.D., EatingWell.com You’ve probably heard that you should limit processed foods in your diet, but might be wondering exactly what those foods are–and how to cut back on them. Many packaged foods are full of ingredients you can’t pronounce and are loaded with sodium, sugar and unhealthy saturated fat, so it’s […]
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 […]
Crazy for carrots: Colorful veggies pack a big nutritional punch
By Lori Zanteson, Environmental Nutrition Newsletter You can’t go wrong by adding more carrots to your menu. Raw or cooked, these colorful veggies pack a lot of nutrition in a small package. THE FOLKLORE The carrot was first cultivated about 1,100 years ago in the Afghanistan region, but seeds from its predecessor, the wild carrot, have […]
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, […]
Strive for a nutrient-dense diet
By Matthew Kadey, M.Sc., R.D., Environmental Nutrition Newsletter When you turn over a packaged product in the grocery store to read the nutritional breakdown, it’s tempting to look at the calories first. We’ve been bombarded for years with messages that calories count most when it comes to the battle of the bulge. Yet, nutrition experts […]
Holy Cow!
Illinois dairy farms becoming more sustainable and improving the way we eat Sustainable food systems are a big environmental initiative nationwide. And Illinois dairy farms, with their rolling acres of farmland, hundreds of cows and large carbon footprint, are no exception in finding new ways to lower their environmental impact and meet consumers’ health demands. […]
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 […]
Get Cooking
Cooking classes focus on healthy, seasonal cuisine Our food-loving town is filled with a myriad of eating opportunities with a host of restaurants, bistros and gourmet food markets, and an increasing interest in sustainable, farm-to-table cuisine. However, the desire to seek out eco-friendly, locally grown eats doesn’t stop at restaurants. Chicagoans are turning to local cooking […]
Silver Palate
Retirement communities dishing up creative meals for senior ‘foodies’ By Nancy Maes Pictured above: Octopus at The Clare. Photo by Chef Hagop Hagopian Not too long ago, the stereotypical meal in a retirement home might have included nondescript meat, vegetables from a can and bright-colored Jell-O offered in a dreary setting. But as the culinary […]
Grill Healthier this Summer
By Morgan Lord It’s early summer, which means that grilling season has reached its peak (June and July, according to the National Fire Protection Agency). This year, before putting your Kiss the Cook apron on, check out these tips from Karen Collins, nutrition adviser to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), and grill healthier. Beat […]
Is Juicing a Healthy Way to Detox and Lose Weight?
By Megy Karydes The appeal was strong. A three-day juice cleanse was half off on Groupon, and it promised to detoxify the body and bloodstream as well as bolster the immune system to help fight off sickness. Chicagoan Victoria Kent, who wanted to jump-start a healthier routine, thought the juice cleanse, combined with an elevated […]
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 […]
When Good Food Gets a Bad Rap
By Megy Karydes We’ve been led to believe some foods are bad for our health because of what they contain: dairy, carbs or caffeine. Rene Ficek, registered dietitian and lead nutrition Expert at Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating, dispels the myths commonly associated with six foods that often get a bad rap. Eggs: In the early […]
Combating Childhood Obesity Through Food
Waistlines are expanding in the United States at every age. For the younger generation, it’s particularly alarming, as recent findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that 17 percent of American children and adolescents are obese—and that’s triple the rate from one generation ago. More body fat in children equates to a […]
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 […]
Putting Vitamins to the Test
Recent studies dismiss vitamin supplements’ worthiness, but experts find the data bloated with generalities By Donna Shryer With an emphatic whack that left the global $23.4 billion supplement industry reeling, the December 2013 journal Annals of Internal Medicine issued an editorial declaring “Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements.” The editorial was in response […]
Scientific Snacking
The good, the bad, and the delicious Americans love to snack, but snacking on the right foods is the hinge of good or bad health. According to a study conducted by the Department of Nutrition at the University of North Carolina, the number of snacking occasions per day and calories in snacks has increased substantially over […]
Above and Beyond: Nutrition
By Megy Karydes Obesity affects approximately 17 percent of children aged 2 to 19 years, and the figure has nearly tripled since 1980. There are many possible reasons why this figure continues to grow including societal changes that promote inactivity and food consumption. One study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that […]
Swap This For That: Healthier Eating
By Megy Karydes “There are many ways to kick-start healthy eating,” says Kim Gracen, executive chef, Heartland Café in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Hint: It doesn’t start with the food we eat. “When we think of nourishment, most will correlate that to nutrition,” says Gracen. “However, we humans eat for many reasons, only one of […]
The Healthy Budget
It’s possible to eat well without overspending “Essentially, all produce is nutritious, regardless of whether it is fresh, canned or frozen,” says Melissa Joy Dobbins, MS, RDN, CDE, national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The remark may surprise some shoppers who insist that fresh, organic and local is the healthiest. However, “We […]
Probiotics
One Bug You Want On Your Side Our guts are teeming with billions of bacteria essential to our gastrointestinal health and our ability to ward off chronic disease. When these bacteria work in our favor, we don’t give them a second thought. But when our natural balance is off, many of us question the role […]
Chicago Health’s Mediterranean Salmon and Vegetables
A healthy dish cooked with citrus and herbs, fresh ingredients and big flavor. Perfect for an easy lunch or a light dinner. Serves 4. Per Serving: 345 Cal | 41 Carbs | 12g Fat | 21g Protein | 281mg Sodium | 11g Sugar Ingredients: 8 oz Salmon 2 cups Linguini 2 medium Zucchini (cut into […]
Pump It Up: All your heart-healthy ingredients are right around the corner
By Donna Shryer From spring’s first warm breeze through summer’s last blast of hot, hair-frizzing humidity, Chicago’s 77 communities serve up one food fest after another. Taste sensations drenched in fat, salt, sugar and calories may pump up your taste buds, but they weigh down your heart muscle and increase your risk for cardiovascular disease. […]
Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative announces major changes in Chicago
By Riley Andersen First lady Michelle Obama is kicking off the third year of her Let’s Move! initiative this week with a two-day national tour that includes a stop at McCormick place in Chicago on Thursday. The tour will promote the progress of the last two years and announce new ways to battle childhood obesity. […]
The Cost of Nutrition
School and community efforts help kids eat well on a budget For many families with school-aged children, the dreadful question during mealtime is chicken fingers or hot dogs? French fries or chips? What do you pack for lunch that will guarantee that your child will eat something so he or she isn’t starving by the […]
