Discover the wonders of vitamin C in this comprehensive guide. From its vital role in immunity to debunking common myths, learn how to optimize your health with this essential nutrient.

Discover why the popular food mantra "if you can't pronounce it, don't eat it" is misleading. Learn how complex food names often represent essential nutrients and why you shouldn't judge a food by its pronunciation.

Learn the truth behind food date labels to reduce waste and save money. Discover the difference between Sell-By, Use-By, and Best-By dates and how to determine if your food is still safe to consume.

Explore the farm-to-fork journey and learn about the real people behind your food. Discover how understanding where your food comes from can empower you to make informed choices for a healthier, more sustainable future.

Explore the nuances of grocery shopping beyond the perimeter with expert insights. Learn how to navigate aisles for nutritious options and break free from conventional wisdom. Find balance in your shopping strategy for healthier choices throughout the store.

Discover expert tips for maintaining a balanced diet during social gatherings. Learn how to avoid overeating, make nutritious choices, and enjoy the occasion with moderation. Dive into strategies for navigating spring events like March Madness, Easter, and graduations while prioritizing your health.

Discover the truth about frozen foods! Learn about the benefits, debunk common myths, and find out which frozen staples this Registered Dietitian Nutritionist always keeps on hand. Dive into convenience, nutrition, and sustainability this National Nutrition Month®.

Discover the truth behind common misconceptions about heart disease and how to protect cardiovascular health. Learn about the evolving science and debunk myths about age, gender, red meat, and dairy while exploring plant-based diets for heart wellness. Join us in embracing evidence-based approaches to heart health this American Heart Month and beyond.

Explore the truth behind organic wine – it’s about vineyard practices, not health claims. Discover why organic wine isn’t a health elixir and how to make empowered choices.

With the new year less than one week away and another inevitable list of resolutions for a healthier life, today is a list of the top five things you can do now and for life to help ensure a healthier life. And you may think this is nothing “new” here. Of course, it isn’t, but oddly, this comes up perennially, so why not repeat it?

As we enter this last couple of weeks of the year and a couple more holiday celebrations, let’s talk about quality vs. quantity. Not about gifts, nor about time with family and friends, though it should apply. It is about food.

When it comes to food and our behaviors around the food, we need to stop thinking in black and white. It is NOT ONE food, one meal, or even one day that turns our health for the better or, the worse. But the consistency of that food, meal, or day over and over.

So often, I hear an argument that cooking “kills” nutrients. With all the cooking humans have done since the discovery of fire, we would have died from malnutrition long ago. And while I will not argue that malnutrition is a significant issue globally, I guarantee you that cooking or heating food isn’t the issue.

With the holiday baking season around the corner and so many people kicking wheat flour to the curb, I need to share the differences between these flours. There is nothing wrong with using wheat flour – either all-purpose white flour or whole wheat flour unless you have a wheat allergy or cannot eat gluten. Using a gluten-free or wheat-free alternative flour is fine and helpful. However, the belief that these other flours are healthier than wheat flour doesn’t hold up. In some cases, the calories and fat increase significantly. And the protein goes up marginally.

So many people will tout the benefits of chocolate without fully realizing and knowing the facts. Sometimes, I wonder if they are saying it to feel better and justify their chocolate habit. Like when people tell me that wine is good for the heart without knowing the facts. (Hint: there is much more to the story, such as overall dietary patterns and lifestyle.) But is chocolate good for you? It can be, but its type and form make a difference.

Is sugar a toxin? Can we be addicted to sugar? And should we detox from sugar?

If you are unfamiliar with sugar alcohol, I must first clarify that this isn't the kind of sugar found in distilled spirits, beer, or wine. Therefore, people who avoid alcohol – the drug – do not need to avoid sugar alcohol since they are not alcoholic substances. They are a substance that provides a sweet taste, but they provide half the calories of sugar (and the other carbohydrates) and do not contribute to tooth decay.

One of the more "feared" things in nutrition are low-calorie sweeteners. Low-calorie sweeteners are another name for non-nutritive sweeteners or what many people call "artificial" sweeteners. People swear they cause cancer. Contribute to weight gain. Have all kinds of adverse health effects. Years ago, there was a laundry list of aspartame's negative impacts–all untrue. What is the truth?

Added sugar sources have many aliases – and go by many names. Not all these are the white granulated table sugar that most people think of, but different forms of sugar. Some of these may be for flavor – adding sweetness to the food, but they also may have important properties in the preparation, baking, or mouthfeel of a food.

When people refer to sugar, they think of or refer to white granulated table sugar. And people will often assume or mistakenly think that if they use a sugar alternative – such as honey or agave nectar- they are making a healthier choice or something more “natural.” But are any of these healthier alternatives to white sugar?