Honey. You can think of it as “meal prep” for bees. Just like you might meal prep for the week ahead, bees work tirelessly during the spring to prepare food for the winter months. One might say bees are quite the overachiever, as they typically produce two to three times the hive’s honey needs per … Continue reading The bittersweet truth about honey’s health benefits
If you took a peek inside the average American refrigerator, chances are you’d come across some type of milk. Milk has long been a staple in many households. For people with allergies to cow’s milk proteins, plant-based milks made from nuts, seeds or grains are a useful alternative. Let’s look at our options from a … Continue reading Udderly confused: Which “milk” is best?
As a primary care physician, I get asked at least twice each week what I think about the ketogenic diet — does it really work? The short answer is yes, it works for some. The long answer is more complicated. Keep in mind, if you have any medical problems, especially chronic kidney disease, diabetes, high … Continue reading How to know if the keto diet is right for you
Weight loss is challenging. While we all want to find that magic fat-burning strategy that allows weight loss with unlimited calorie intake, that is just not realistic. To achieve a healthy weight, the secret is fueling for performance and getting better mileage out of each calorie we consume. Why do we eat? The answer should … Continue reading Weight loss: How to get better mileage from your meals
You may have noticed that plant-based eating has become pretty popular these days, and for good reason. But why is a diet derived from plants good for your health? And is this lifestyle right for everyone? As a dietitian, I’m here to tell you seven reasons why going plant-based can improve your overall health and … Continue reading 7 reasons to go plant-based
Traveling can be stressful as you try to beat traffic, navigate to your destination, or wait in line at the TSA security checkpoint. However, eating while traveling does not have to be stressful or unhealthy if you stick to simple, healthy snack ideas. When preparing your own snacks, some can be hearty enough to serve … Continue reading 3 healthy travel snack ideas
Every day, Americans get almost half of their added sugar consumption from drinks. And although recent USDA surveys show that we are drinking less soda, consumption of mid-calorie drinks like tea or vitamin water is actually on the rise. Sweetened drinks can add many “empty calories” that give us few of the nutrients we need. … Continue reading Sugar sense: How to make smarter beverage choices
Pie, gravy, potatoes, cookies — many of the foods traditionally served at holiday meals are also some of the hardest to digest. Unpleasant heartburn symptoms can put a damper on your holiday celebrations. For the more than 40 million Americans who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, these symptoms are even more serious. GERD … Continue reading Eat this, not that, to avoid holiday heartburn
Following a healthy diet can be tricky. With so many options available and so many conflicting diet plans, choosing the right foods isn’t easy. Fortunately, when it comes to carbohydrates, there is a tool to help separate the good from the bad. The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates based on how fast they raise your blood … Continue reading Not all carbs are created equal
We often focus on how to eat better but forget to focus on the why. Everyone always hears about what we need to do to live a healthier life, but the ‘why’ is important because it is what empowers us to change! In “How Not to Die” by Michael Greger, MD, the founder of nutritionfacts.org, … Continue reading Staying on the right beat with your heart health
