ArcaMax

Dieting is nothing new to the U.S., but various diets come in and out of vogue. Remember Atkins, South Beach, the Zone, "eat for your blood type" and that recurring cabbage soup diet? Some of the diets making headlines now include paleo, ketogenic, intermittent fasting ... and the list goes on. So what makes a diet stick around, and, more ...Read more

Do we all worry about getting cancer? Hasn't it affected someone close to you in some way? My mother survived breast cancer twice. Two friends succumbed to ovarian cancer. Another very young friend is battling a rare cancer of the blood. The lifetime risk of cancer in the U.S. is 1 in 3, according to the American Cancer Society.

Here's the good...Read more

Too often, we focus on what NOT to eat rather than what TO include in a healthy diet. The "nots" often leave us feeling deprived and full of cravings.

I'm not one to promote certain things as superfoods, but I do think there are certain foods that should be included in a healthy diet. These are foods that have great nutritional benefits. My ...Read more

As a supermarket dietitian, I get quite a few questions about those who may have been diagnosed as prediabetic. What exactly does that mean?

Prediabetes means that your blood sugar level is higher than normal (typically over 100 when fasting) but not yet high enough to be classified as Type 2 diabetes (a blood glucose level of 126 or higher ...Read more

If you knew you could do just three things and lose weight, would you do them? Can it be that simple? No one diet works for everyone, but a look at popular diets finds they all have three things in common: eat more vegetables, eat less sugar and eat more whole foods.

If we just do those three things, we can lose weight. And the best part? You'...Read more

It's amazing that a little extra stress in your life can result in a few extra pounds. As the cortisol increases, so does our tendency to gain weight. The more stressed we are, the more likely we are to grab something -- anything -- and it may not always be the healthiest option. Maybe that's why our Apple watches tell us to "breathe" and why ...Read more

We all know fruits and vegetables are healthy, and most of us should eat more of them than we do. But how much is enough?

As a dietitian, I teach clients to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables, one-fourth with lean protein and one-fourth with whole grains, along with that cup of dairy. But "half" your plate can vary by plate size;...Read more

You've probably heard how important gut health is to your immune system and to lowering your risk for diseases. The trillions of bacteria that live in our guts are intimately intertwined with our metabolism. They play roles in digestion and nutrient absorption and help maintain our intestinal lining. They may even help preserve muscle as we age....Read more

Should you make the switch to plant-based burgers rather than meat?

At the grocery store where I'm a dietitian, our shelves are bulging with plant-based alternatives, including burgers. Fast-food and restaurant chains, including Red Robin, TGI Friday's, Carl's Jr. and Burger King, have also begun offering plant-based burgers.

Are they ...Read more

I think we've been looking at physical activity all wrong. We often link it with losing weight, but to be honest, it takes a lot of moving to lose a pound or two. As I've learned, the value of physical activity is that it makes you feel better, makes you move better, gives you that sense of joy.

The bottom line? Including some sort of ...Read more

Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, just might be one of those foods you want to always have in your refrigerator. Granted, it can be tricky picking the best one, but in general, a good Greek yogurt is high in protein and calcium and low in fat. Look for a yogurt with 13 to 15 grams of protein, less than 7 grams of sugar and less than 6 grams of ...Read more

I have a client wanting to try intermittent fasting (where he has long periods of not eating) as a way to lose weight. Does it work?

First of all, a word of warning: It's a diet strategy that can be dangerous for individuals who take prescription medication, those with diabetes or heart conditions and pregnant women. Before you try it, consult ...Read more