Earlier this year, I attended a second annual meeting of supermarket dietitians. I attended the inaugural symposium as well. I really love this meeting. The supermarket dietetics field has huge potential for preventive health, yet we’re still fish out of water compared to the larger dietetics community. That’s why it’s so valuable to get together, share ideas, challenges and solutions. I believe it is important for these meetings to continue, and to share what we’re doing with the larger...
If you’ve ever felt sluggish, tired, hungry or distracted, you might just be dehydrated. As you can imagine, working out in the summer heat dehydrates the body even more quickly. Plus, dehydration lowers performance. Since working out feels great and comes with so many benefits, it’s important to find ways to stay hydrated and be active. We all know that exercise is good for us, but a reminder of just how good it is couldn’t hurt. In a nutshell,...
We’re wired to enjoy the sweet life. Nature knows this. Her answer: Sweet summer fruit. While it’s in season and in peak form, why look anywhere else to satisfy your sweet tooth? People have long cherished the treasures of summer. Long before poet T.S. Eliot mused, “Do I dare to eat a peach?”; and long before poet William Carlos Williams wrote “I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox and which you were probably saving for breakfast....
In a departure from my usual focus on food, this week I’d like to shed light on popular diet books. After all, maybe you’re looking for a late-summer read. Or maybe you’re thinking about losing those last 5 pounds for Labor Day festivities. Or maybe you’re thinking ahead to September, and getting a jump start on putting your healthy habits back on track. Or maybe you’re simply fascinated by diet books! Whatever the reason may be for perusing the...
Apples, oranges, broccoli and carrots may all be good for you (they are!), but if these are your only go-to fruits and veggies, you may be missing out on discovering the tastes, textures, and health benefits of lesser known gems in the produce aisle. Tickle your taste buds and give in to your fascination with food by getting to know mangosteen, pluots and fennel. Read more about them here, and then try them at home with quick and easy meal...
Not much could spoil an outdoor summer picnic or BBQ more than food poisoning. While it’s more common in the summer, the good news is that there are simple ways to keep food safe for enjoying al fresco on a sunny day. Test your food safety smarts with our 7-point quiz! Why is it important? Keeping food safe to eat for you and your loved ones is especially important in the summer months, the time of year when foodborne...
Summer can be brutally hot! When it’s humid and there’s more water in the air than usual, the body has a harder time cooling itself down. If the body over-heats, it can even be dangerous (always call your doctor or even 911 if you suspect heat stroke). Symptoms may include headache, nausea, high blood pressure, fatigue and fainting. At the very least, it can be uncomfortable. The good news is that there are simple preventative things you can do...
I challenge any willing takers to prove to yourself and those around you (I’m looking at all you role models out there!) that eating healthfully is possible, delicious and feels great. Keep reading for the reasons why a One-Day Fresh Food Challenge is important, and my meal and snack ideas to get you started. Why am I asking you to focus on just one day? As sure as a journey of 1,000 miles starts with a single step, the...
School’s out for summer! For some of us, the change in schedules means more family meals at home. Parents may be looking for new ideas that are healthy and easy to prepare; it certainly was a hot topic among parents last week at a nutrition workshop I hosted, so it’s been on my mind a lot lately! I’ve gathered some of my favorite ideas to share from MyPlate, USDA, American Dietetic Association, and some of my own from my...
Maybe you’re convinced that eating right is important, but are unsure of where to start. You’re not alone. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the nutrition news “noise” and lose sight of simple, yet powerful, ways to eat right and feel great. Over at FreshDirect’s blog, I’m on week four of National Nutrition Month, and the fourth installment of how to use the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 in real life to go from expert recommendations to everyday...
