For many reasons, I’m always glad when I can bid February goodbye and welcome the march toward spring. March is also National Nutrition Month️ when the experts at the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics walk us toward a diet that can help put spring in our steps.

This year’s theme is “Personalize Your Plate.” I like that. It means that...Read more

I just love the science of nutrition. It constantly changes as we learn more about how food and nutrients work in the body. And as we gather more information, experts tweak the recommendations for how we should eat.

Take the egg, for example. In 1968, the American Heart Association looked at the evidence that seemed to show that a high intake ...Read more

It’s only about the size of your fist. Yet every day your heart pumps the amount of blood that could fill a 2,000 gallon tank. Its job? To keep a constant supply of oxygen and nutrient-rich blood flowing through 60,000 miles of blood vessels to feed every cell and tissue in your body.

Unfortunately, we rarely give this amazing organ that is ...Read more

Reader Pat L. From Mt. Vernon, Washington, writes: “In today's paper there were two nutrition columns, yours included, that both said babies should receive nothing but breast milk for their first 6 months. But yours went on to say, ‘Studies show that gradually introducing (potentially allergenic) foods along with other new foods when baby is...Read more

Even before we are born, we need key nutrients found in fish and seafood. That’s according to the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020-2025 (DGA), which advises pregnant women to consume 8 to 12 ounces of a variety of seafood each week. Besides being an excellent source of baby-building protein, seafood provides nutrients such as ...Read more

When I was a young nutrition professional, I would regularly critique my mom on how she cooked for us when we were kids.

“You overcooked the vegetables,” I remarked to her on one occasion.

To which she answered, “My, it’s a wonder you kids ever grew up to live this long!”

Generations do find new ways to feed kids. Yet some basics of...Read more

After helping me put away Christmas decorations for another year, my younger daughter and I decided to have a tea party … just because. I retrieved my treasured china tea pot that my mom hand-painted many years ago and pulled two of my favorite tea cups out of the cabinet.

Using guidance from tea experts, I poured fresh water into the kettle...Read more

They’re here … the long awaited and debated 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). What’s the big deal? This document — updated every five years by the Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Health and Human Services (HHS) — represents the most current science-based advice on what and how to eat and drink for our best health....Read more

Yay! It’s a brand new year. A chance to begin anew. I’m especially excited about getting this weak body back in shape after recovering from foot surgery. Whatever your goals this year, here are some new ideas that can help us get going in the right direction:

Consider a daily multivitamin/mineral supplement. Yes, this is controversial, as ...Read more

I was pleasantly intrigued over recent headlines: “Study: Wine and Cheese May Protect Against Cognitive Decline.” “Study says wine and cheese may boost brain health.”

It might have been helpful to add “in some people.” According to the actual research paper, our individual genetics and family history of memory problems such as ...Read more

Reader B.M. writes: “I was recently diagnosed with severe osteoporosis. I've tried to eat well and stay active my whole life (I'm 73 now). Is there anything I can do to slow or reverse this?”

Dear B.M.,

Here’s the sober news: As we age, our bones tend to become less dense and lose strength. Osteoporosis or “porous bones” happens when...Read more

A column after my recent foot surgery that described the nutrients involved in healing brought some interesting responses. One was from S.F. in Wilmington, North Carolina, who actually sent me a photo of her toes peeking out from her holiday-red cast as she, too, recovers from foot surgery.

“THANK YOU for your very timely, informative article...Read more