Iced coffee beverages and frozen drinks are popular summer must haves, but what is meant to be a refreshing cool down in the hot weather is often filled with unwanted calories, fat and sugar.  When ordering your cool down beverages, it is important to recognize and avoid the “fat traps” associated with these drinks.  …

There is no denying the importance of regular physical activity in both losing weight and keeping it off.  But your weight might not be the only thing affected by your activity level.  According to a recent study conducted at Kansas State University, the amount of sitting time you engage in on a daily basis impacts…

The 4th week of July is designated as National Salad Week! What better time than now to whip out that salad bowl and your salad tongs?  Salads are light and refreshing, so it’s no wonder that National Salad Week is celebrated at the end of July.  There are many combinations and possibilities when you are…

Stress eating is commonly associated with weight gain by way of making poor food choices, eating larger portions or engaging in mindless eating as a result of stress-related emotions.  While you often attribute the weight gain to the food you’re eating, recent research has discovered that maybe it is the stress itself causing the weight…

If anyone knows me really well, they will know that I love ice cream. Yep, I am a registered dietitian nutritionist, and I am telling you that I love ice cream. And, I am so excited that the whole month of July is celebrated as National Ice Cream Month!   In 1984, President Ronald Regan…

Researchers have discovered that lifestyle and poor health choices early in life not only affect memory later in life, but also affect memory among younger adults as well.   A new study conducted by UCLA has shown that if you are depressed, don’t get enough exercise, or have high blood pressure, you may notice that…

Now is the time that all varieties of berries are at the peak of their season, which is why we celebrate National Berry Month in July!  There is no better time than the summer months to enjoy the delicious sweet flavor of these tiny fruits that can be eaten on any occasion.   In just…

Though this week USA was knocked out of the World Cup, tomorrow is the Fourth of July and Americans all around the United States are putting their patriotic side forward to celebrate Independence Day.   This day is a little different than your typical summer barbecue because today’s backyard parties typically include a lot of…

As we enter the month of July, I can only bet that you will be firing up the grill much more often than not for the next couple of months!  You may use the grill just for entertaining on the weekends, or use it religiously each night.  Or maybe you are a weekend camper or…

Weight loss can result in several positive changes other than just losing weight. Such positive changes include increased energy, better self-image and self-esteem, improved health, and decreased risk of disease.  Recent research has also found weight loss to improve mood and sleep in addition to the aforementioned positive changes. In other words, weight loss helps…

Do you love turkey? Turkey is no longer considered just the traditional Thanksgiving staple. As chicken’s slightly fattier cousin, turkey has really gained popularity over the last decade as a beef and/or pork replacement. This is because turkey meat is protein-rich, but leaner and contains less cholesterol than beef and pork.   National Turkey Lover’s…

Maintaining good eating habits and exercise is something that many seem to struggle with regardless of the season. For some, the summer brings increased opportunities for healthy habits. This is because exercise activities can finally be taken outdoors, and fruits and vegetables are more widely available. However, for others it may seem harder to maintain…

I love picnics. Although I have to admit, I don’t go on picnics as much as I’d really love to.   Picnics are a terrific way to relax and enjoy the warm summer weather.   Summer picnics are social occasions that date back to the Victorian Era as opportunities for people to socialize, enjoy the…

Father’s day is a time to celebrate all the great fathers in our lives. Whether you celebrate by barbecuing, going out to eat in a restaurant or enjoying an active day, there are ways to keep each of these activities healthy. Keeping them healthy doesn’t mean you have to take the fun out of the…

The week of June 9-15th is National Men’s Health Week.   National Men’s Health Week is a time for you to take initiative and really think about what your priorities are when it comes to your health.  Not only should you focus on setting goals this week, but also heighten your awareness of preventable health…

The dairy industry has made many contributions to the world and to public health over the years, which is why every year we celebrate National Dairy Month in June.  Dairy Month began back in 1937 as National Milk Month, as a means to promote drinking milk and stabilize the dairy demand when there was a…

Did you know that June is Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Months? The entire month is dedicated to the promotion of incorporating more fruits and veggies into your meals, the importance of doing so with regard to health benefits, and the recommended serving sizes. The promotion of fresh fruits and vegetables will also include safe selection…

Fruits and vegetables are known to contain a wide array of antioxidant vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that are crucial to your well-being. It has been thought that consuming a wide variety of fruits and vegetables may affect health through anti- inflammatory activity. There has been increasing evidence that certain types of vegetables, such as the…

Today is a national holiday in which we remember the brave men and women who have died while serving our country.  Over the years, Memorial Day has also taken on a secondary purpose as being the kickoff to warmer weather in which family and friends gather for the first barbecue of the summer. Though barbecues…

Did you know that May is National Asparagus Month? The whole month of May is devoted to celebrating this green, stalky vegetable. A look at the nutritional profile of asparagus quickly provides reason enough as to why asparagus is celebrated for a whole month.   Asparagus is a member of the lily family. There are…