Nutrition Science Archives

Winter Fitness Ideas for Teens

February 23, 2016 by Kitty Broihier

Does your teenager’s activity level plummet with the temperatures every winter? When my son was in high school he played sports in the fall and in the spring, but every winter he became much more sedentary—making it harder for him to be in good physical shape for his spring sport—not to mention inducing a fair amount of boredom. On the other hand, my teen daughter likes to snowboard whenever she has the chance during the winter; she also enjoys sledding. (For some reason, however, she does not enjoy shoveling snow though.) Not everybody likes outdoor winter activities (me included), but it’s recommended that children and teens get 1 hour of physical activity daily. Luckily there are options aplenty for both types of kids!

Is fasting safe and useful for weight loss?

February 11, 2016August 31, 2021 by Kitty Broihier

The act of fasting—abstaining from food for a specific period of time—is gaining in popularity among some fitness enthusiasts and weight-loss dieters as a means to reign in calorie intake, but it certainly isn’t anything new. Despite the recent interest in the subject among authors (The Fast Diet, The Overnight Diet, The Warrior Diet, The Alternate Day Diet, etc.), fasting has been practiced around the world for ages. Hunger strikes, religious fasting periods and extreme “cleanses” designed to “purify” mind and body are all variations of fasting (and for the record, I don’t recommend extreme “cleanses” or long term fasting—they can be dangerous). One of the biggest reasons—but not the only reason—that folks are becoming increasingly interested in fasting, is for help with weight control and weight loss.

Benefits of Winter White Vegetables

January 28, 2016January 12, 2016 by Kitty Broihier

If you’ve resolved to “eat more vegetables” or “cut out white foods,” this is your post. I get it, we all like to start fresh in the new year and that’s great. Really! I love a positive resolution like “eat more veggies” because it’s just more pleasant to think about adding something to your diet instead of taking something away, so kudos to you. Now you just need to do it, right? And for those of you looking to eliminate “white foods” from your diet, I’m guessing you mean foods made from white flour and sugar and regular pasta perhaps. Surely you can’t mean white vegetables? Let’s take a look at what’s great about the white vegetables that are plentiful during the winter months, and why they deserve a spot on your plate/in your bowl.

What do the Dietary Guidelines have to do with your diet?

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 by Kitty Broihier

The nutrition and food policy world was atwitter last Thursday when the latest version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans was released. I know, you’ve probably heard of them but really have no idea what they have to do with your diet and food intake. I’d bet we are all touched by the Dietary Guidelines in some way, even though lots of us don’t really notice.

Making a Change: 3 Ways to Start

December 29, 2015December 17, 2015 by Kitty Broihier

You’ve figured out a dietary or lifestyle change you want to make. You’ve gone through some of the Stages of Change already and you realize that now is a good time to make that change and you’re ready to prepare for taking action. Here are three tips to help you in the preparation stage because, you know, failing to plan is basically planning to…let’s just say that good prep is key to success.

How to Practice Hygge for Meaningful Holidays

December 8, 2015December 8, 2015 by Kitty Broihier

Gulping sandwiches while standing at the sink so that you can rush out to mail those last holiday packages. Ordering pizza (again) because you’re just too exhausted and time-pressed to think about—let alone concoct—a healthy meal from scratch. If either of these scenarios sounds familiar to you, you’re not alone. This time of year is crazy-busy for most people, for various reasons. I wrote about mindful eating last year. This blog post is different because it’s not about nutrition as much as its about enjoying special meals at this special time of year. It’s unfortunate that all of our holiday-related activities seem to take our minds and hearts away from the spirit of the holidays. With all the rushing around, wrapping, mailing, card-writing, party-going, cookie-baking (and oh yes, going to work in between all of that), it’s no wonder that many of us feel on the brink of losing what we are seeking during this season: peace, reflection, family and friends, generosity and joy.

Not So Sweet

November 24, 2015November 19, 2015 by Kitty Broihier

Whether you’re one of those folks who is still working your way through leftover Halloween candy you bought (or pilfered from your kid’s stash) or have already begun laying in a supply of seasonal candies selected from the massive display of treats at your local retailer, chances are this time of year brings more than the usual amount of sugar into your life. How much sugar is too much? It depends on whom you ask.

FDA Finalizes Groundbreaking Produce Safety Rules

November 19, 2015 by Kitty Broihier

It’s that time of year when more of us are cooking for friends and family, and being careful to prepare our food safely is important. (Okay, it’s important all year ‘round, of course!) Last week the FDA finalized some rules that will go further in making our food safer before it even reaches our kitchens. Foodborne illness outbreaks linked to fresh fruits and vegetables seem increasingly common, but these new requirements for farms and food importers should help curtail this dangerous trend.

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