March is National Nutrition Month® (NNM). NNM was created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and is a campaign to promote nutrition education with the focus of the campaign to highlight the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. NNM was initiated in 1973 as a week-long…

Are you increasingly seeing more and more low-sodium products on the grocery shelves? This is because the 2010 Dietary Guidelines emphasize reducing salt in your diet to less than 2300 mg for otherwise healthy people and to less than 1500 mg for those who are 51 and older, African American or have hypertension, diabetes or…

On Tuesday, exciting news hit the stands as it was announced on the cover of the New York Times that in the past decade, there has been a 43% drop in the rates of childhood obesity among 2-5 year old children in the U.S.  This has been the first extensive decline in the obesity epidemic…

Did you know that the month of February is National Potato Lover’s Month?  Though this tuberous vegetable is a food staple in Irish culture, you don’t have to be Irish to appreciate all that potatoes have to offer. Potatoes are a favorite in my home…give my husband and daughter potatoes with dinner and they are…

In the world we live in today portion sizes are growing, along with America’s waist sizes.   It has been known that consuming increased portion sizes and sugar-sweetened beverages are linked to obesity; but what about salt intake?  Many of us do not take a step back and think about the sodium content of our foods…

Did you know that February is National Cherry Month? This doesn’t seem to make much sense since cherries are typically in season from May to August. Although, with the availability of out-of-season fruits and vegetables increasingly more available any time of year, you are sure to find cherries somewhere in the middle of winter. Of…

Happy Valentine’s Day!  This day of love is one of the most popular nights to go out to dinner with the special person (or people) in your life.  Though going to a fancy restaurant may be nice, spending a romantic evening at home with a delicious homemade dinner for two might be the way to…

It is the second Monday in February, which is also known as Oatmeal Monday in the world of American food holidays! Today, let’s take some time to acknowledge the wonders oatmeal can do for your health.   Oatmeal is a great source of energy and makes for a power-infused, high energy breakfast to start the…

You are likely familiar with or have heard of omega-3 fatty acids, the essential fatty acid (essential meaning we have to eat it because our bodies don’t make it) found in cold water fish, walnuts and canola oil.  These polyunsaturated fatty acids play significant roles in reducing inflammation responses, blood clotting and plasma triglycerides and…

You will probably see a lot of hearts and the color red this month and it’s not because of Valentine’s Day. February is American Heart Month. This year marks the 50th anniversary of American Heart Month. If you haven’t already seen the campaigns, you will not be able to get through February without hearing about…

The Super Bowl is the biggest televised event of the year, with millions of Americans tuning in and hosting parties for the big game.  Aside from football, the main focus of many of these parties tends to be drinking alcohol and eating junk food.  Beer, chips and dip, Buffalo wings, greasy sandwiches and burgers are…

As you know, there are a vast variety of colas available on the market today.  Soda is a popular drink of choice despite criticisms for its high sugar content and links to obesity and other health problems in both children and adults. It is important to note that even though diet sodas contain less calories…

Fiber is a form of carbohydrate, also known as roughage or bulk. It is sugar or starch from plants. There are many great food sources of fiber including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Nutritional fiber supplements are another way to incorporate fiber into your diet. An example of a fiber supplement is psyllium, which…

There is no denying that this January has given us plenty of bitter cold days, which is why it is very fitting that January has been named National Soup Month!  Not only is a bowl of soup warm and comforting in these cold winter months, but a pot of your favorite soup is versatile, easy…

January is National Egg Month. I’m sure you are wondering what this means, right? National Egg Month is all about honoring the egg in different ways. You’ll probably see information about the egg carton, how to properly cook eggs and avoid salmonella, different takes on egg recipes, how to safely store eggs, and the health…

It is often assumed that Americans do not get enough vitamin D. I frequently hear stories about people going to their doctor for regular check-ups and come out with a recommendation to purchase nutritional vitamin D supplements in order to boost vitamin D levels in their bodies. The National Center for Health statistics conducted analysis…

Now is the time to get you and your family off the couch and start becoming more active because January is Family Fit Lifestyle Month!   Family Fit Lifestyle Month is an incentive designed to bring focus and encouragement to individuals and families to get fit together.  The USDA, USAF (United States Air Force) and…

Here we are again!  January, the start of a new year and the media bombardment of promises to help you fulfill your weight loss goals for this year.   You can’t read a magazine, listen to the radio or watch TV without a commercial or advertisement touting the latest diet, meal replacement drink, detox program…

This week, January 5th – January 11th, is National Folic Acid Awareness Week. Folic acid is a water-soluble B-vitamin that is necessary for proper cell growth, as it is involved in cell DNA production.  The National Council of Folic Acid organizes Folic Acid Awareness Week. The purpose is to educate consumers and health care providers…

Many people tend to fear the word “fat” and try to refrain from eating any at all.  However, not all fats are “bad” fats and our bodies actually need healthy fats to receive certain nutrients and maintain proper health.  With that being said, what foods provide these so called healthy fats and in what ways…