Posts

Using Food Labels to Track Your Intake of Carbohydrates

A section denoted "carbohydrates" can be found directly in the middle of the Nutrition Facts label. The amount of carbohydrates (carbs) per serving of a food is always listed in grams and typically followed by 2-3 additional lines containing…

How to Boost the Flavor of Your Foods Without Salt

Growing up in Chicago, I spent a lot of time at my grandma's house. I have very fond memories of tasting fresh cucumbers and tomatoes from her garden during the warmer months of the year and the cantaloupe and honeydew melons she bought from…

Five Strategies for Eating Well with a Lung Condition

When compared to the average person, individuals with lung conditions (chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema) use way more energy during breathing. Such breathing problems are primarily a result of narrowing and inflammation (swelling) of…

How Different Types of Fiber Affect Your Health

The average American diet is severely lacking in fiber. This is not at all a good thing, as eating a high-fiber diet promotes healthy weight management and substantially lowers the risk of developing diet-linked chronic conditions among which…

The Unique Nutritional Benefits of Eating Green Bananas

Bananas are by far among the world's most popular fruit. But, most people only eat bananas when they ripen from green to yellow since they tend to become softer and considerably sweeter in taste. This is unfortunate as bananas have a unique…

Micronutrients: The Nutritional Building Blocks for Good Health

I always emphasize that a nutritionally balanced diet is of the utmost importance for weight management, disease prevention, and overall good health. When most people think of such a diet, the first foodstuffs that generally come to mind are…

The Surprising Health and Nutritional Benefits of Shrimp

Many people completely avoid eating shrimp due to their relatively high levels of cholesterol. Although this is perplexing to me it's completely understandable, as cholesterol is among the most touted boogeyman in the medical community. But,…

Eating to Naturally Lower Your Cholesterol

"Can I lower my cholesterol if I eat better?" I hear this question time and time again. And, my answer is always the same, "If you exercise regularly and move more, maintaining good eating habits will put you on a sure path to a healthy…

Macronutrients: Three Key Essentials of Healthy Eating

If you're one who regularly seeks out the latest and greatest in health, fitness and nutrition information, you've likely heard the term "macros" tossed around. But, what does it actually mean? The answer is pretty simple. Macros is basically…

Vitamin D: Why You Need it and How to Get It

When it comes to bone health, calcium is typically the first word that comes to mind. But, with so much emphasis placed on this vital mineral, there's often very little discussion of vitamin D, which is by far the most important nutrient for…

Seven Easy Ways to Increase Your Calcium Intake without Drinking Milk

It's no secret that regular consumption of dietary calcium is critical for building and maintaining healthy bones and teeth. Adequate calcium intake is also important for overall good health as this vital mineral plays a key role in muscle contraction,…

Supplements Are No Substitute for Good Nutrition

Every once in a while I visit some of the main chain health food stores in order to stay in the loop with the latest dietary supplements available on the market. One thing's for certain, supplements are a multi-billion dollar global industry…

Mercury in Seafood: What to Eat and What Not to Eat

Those of you who either know or follow me are probably aware that I'm an absolute seafood fanatic. This is with good reason too, as seafood is an excellent low-calorie source of high-quality protein, health-promoting fats (omega-3 fatty acids),…

Five Simple Ways to Build a Healthier Pizza

Though pizza has its origins in Italy, it's indeed a staple food in many countries around the world. While you won't necessarily find it on a list of healthy foods, believe it or not, this popular dish isn't at all completely devoid of nutritional…

How to Make Candied Sweet Potatoes in a Healthy Way

A few years back one of my clients asked if it were possible to cook candied sweet potatoes in a "healthy" way? I chuckled a little at first, as the words "candied" and "healthy" generally contradict each other. But, after having heard her…

Seven Food Labeling Tactics That Are Making People Sick

For well over 20 years the eyes and ears of dieters, health enthusiasts and the general public have been continuously bombarded with confusing and oftentimes misleading packaging and labeling information courtesy of the food and beverage industry.…

Six Healthy Eating Habits that Promote Natural Hair Growth

Want to know why your hair isn't growing? Are you experiencing excessive shedding, breakage or other forms of hair loss and don't know why? While there are numerous inevitable factors associated with hair loss among women and men alike (genetics,…

Dietary Sugar: The Good, The Bad and The Unnecessary

Sugar is by far the most widely used additive in foods and beverages across the nation. If you're like many people, you may be taking in way more sugar than you realize. In fact, the average American consumes about three pounds of sugar in a…

Fueling Your Run: What to Eat Before a Race

Most marathons are held during the early morning hours when temperatures are mild. Although not always necessary, eating breakfast prior to a race can be quite beneficial, especially if your run covers a distance of 5 miles (8K) or more.…

Nutrition Basics: Your Daily Protein Intake

Protein is for everyone, not just athletes, bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts. It's one of three vital macronutrients and is primarily responsible for building, repairing, and maintaining virtually all cells in the body. Protein is also an…