If, like me, you’re not lucky enough to be jetting off to the sunny warmth of the French Riviera or Greece this winter, that doesn’t mean we have to lose out completely. Yes, I’m talking food here—we can cook like we’re in the Mediterranean, enjoying their tasty cuisine and giving our winter-chilled bodies a nutrition boost, too
Category: Nutrition Science
Troubleshooting Holiday Tummy Trouble
Does the holiday season give you more tummy trouble than usual? (And by this, I do not mean the increasing size of one’s tummy, but rather, increasing incidence of discomfort.) You’re not alone. With all the party food, higher-than-usual alcohol intake, and yes—stress—lots of times our GI systems bear the brunt of the season’s soirees. Here are a few ideas for minimizing tummy issues so you can feel healthy and ready for all the festive fun this season.
Holiday Spice is Nice (and Healthy)!
One of the best things about baking for the holidays (aside from eating delicious results, that is) is the aroma in the house, am I right? Part of what makes those aromas so comforting is the spices in those baked goods. Think gingerbread, apple pie, eggnog bread pudding, etc. And, though you might not have thought about it before, those same spices that make your holiday favorites taste so good are also good for you! What luck! So, as you ring in the season this year, here are a few more reasons to make room in your diet for holiday treats (as if any of us needed extra reasons…).
Are home cooked meals a thing of the past?
A recent article by three sociologists from North Carolina State University, called “The Joy of Cooking?” drew media attention this fall for its “tell it like it is” critique of the increasingly prevalent food and nutrition message that healthy meals need to be home-cooked meals. It’s a message we are seeing more of as people seek out more information about food quality, food sourcing and nutrition. And yet, it’s a message that may not resonate with some people, say the article’s authors—and for good reason. It isn’t very practical. Here are some of my thoughts on this topic—let me know what you think!
Trends From the Food and Nutrition Expo
As a Registered Dietitian, I travel annually to my professional association’s conference and exposition. This year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo took place in Atlanta, and having just returned, I thought I’d share what I observed from the exposition part of the meeting. The expo is the tradeshow part of the conference, where attendees get to taste new products and chat with manufacturer representatives about products. Here are three of the trends I found pervasive on the expo floor this year…
What’s a ketogenic diet?
Have you been hearing the term “ketogenic diet” thrown around on the internet lately and wondered exactly what it was? Here’s a quick look at the ketogenic diet and weight loss; as always, discuss weight control plans with your doctor and/or a Registered Dietitian before striking out on your own.
Same old, same old? Get out of that cooking rut!
If your usual rotation of meals has you feeling ho-hum about cooking, it’s time to shake things up. Variety isn’t just the spice of life, it’s a way to help ensure that you get a wide array of nutrients, thus improving your overall nutritional status.
Climbing out of your cooking rut isn’t all that difficult, but you’ll need inspiration and few ideas. Banish boredom from your kitchen and give yourself and your family a break from the usual Sunday spaghetti or taco Tuesday. Here are a few ideas I came up with…
Tips To Help Teens Tune Up Their Diets
As a mother of two teenagers, I’m well aware of the many things that parents need to keep in mind when it comes to their children’s health. Adding more to parents’ already full plates is not my intent. Instead, my goal is teaching teens to begin a reasonable amount of self-care that includes paying attention to nutrition. After all, I’m not in control of everything they put in their mouths anymore! Teaching my children to take care of their own health as they get older is part of my job.