Plant-based diets have been highlighted as one of the top food trends of 2019. Population studies suggest that following a plant-based diet which is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals may help lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol, reduce your risk of diabetes, help maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of heart disease.1 But, population studies can’t tease out how diet may cause disease or specifically impact your health. Continue reading
America’s latest bottled health-craze, Kombucha, has consumers reaching for a fizzy, sweet-and-sour drink made with black tea. Some fans genuinely enjoy the vinegar-like smell and fermented taste while others include this beverage in their diet for its many purported health benefits. The jury is still out; is kombucha really worth all of the hype? Your Food Coach explored the topic and is bringing you the facts. Continue reading
Do you eat breakfast? If you answered no, you are not alone. Only 44% of Americans eat breakfast daily¹. The rest of us skip breakfast for a variety of reasons, such as lack of time and lack of options due to poor planning. Schedules continue to get busier, which limits the amount of time for preparing and eating. It may seem impossible to include breakfast in your busy routine, but it’s not. A little planning can make all the difference. Eating breakfast daily can be easy and beneficial for your health. Some easy strategies shared later in this post can help you fit breakfast into your day.
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Inflammation is one of those “buzz” words. It is usually seen as a “villain” and is blamed for certain health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. But, first we must ask, what exactly is inflammation? Is all inflammation created equal? Can the food we eat affect inflammation? How can we eat to promote health and avoid chronic inflammation? And, what can you do to stay as healthy as possible? Let’s begin at the beginning.
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Sugar is poison. High fructose corn syrup causes cancer. Just google it.
Putting sarcasm aside, too much sugar is a bad idea and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) isn’t better. But neither is inherently good or evil. Despite what the media may say, a little added sugar isn’t going to instantly kill anyone. Continue reading
These days it seems that conflicting messages come at us from all different directions. Choose a lucrative career, but make sure it’s your passion. Live life to the fullest, but don’t be irresponsible. Love your body size but don’t get too big, it’s unhealthy. For anyone who’s struggled with weight, this last one can be incredibly painful to hear. The confusing advice on weight loss and dieting only makes change even harder. In the last quarter century, the nutrients blamed for weight gain and glorified for weight loss have varied between fat and carbohydrate. Most recently, the Paleo and Whole 30 diets mark a shift towards a low carb/high fat approach to weight loss. But are they all they’re cracked up to be? Lets find out. Continue reading
Lately, it seems like everywhere you go you will see some sort of advertisement for a protein supplement in one form or another. Have you ever wondered if you need to supplement your protein intake? You may have noticed that many of these supplements claim to help boost your performance, increase muscle mass, speed up your metabolism, or have some other catchy phrase declaring some benefit. But, how true are these claims? Do you need to take a protein supplement? How much protein should you be getting? Why do you even need protein? I will try to address these questions. Continue reading
It’s all too common to just not feel very good. We’re stressed and tired, our backs hurt. A lot of us are carrying around extra weight. We have headaches and heartburn. Stomach troubles are always lurking. And there is a weird dry patch on your elbow. Yeah, a detox sounds like it might just do the trick. Continue reading
You’ve probably heard that food cravings have little to do with true hunger, but if they aren’t a part of our biological need for fuel, then how do they work? What kinds of foods do you “crave” when you are stressed or upset? Are they sweet or salty? Loaded with carbohydrates? Packed with fat? Drizzled in chocolate?
First, let’s talk about why these specific foods and macronutrients (e.g. carbs, protein, and fat) are commonly craved and then we can sift through some helpful ways to overcome the urge. Continue reading
Ever find yourself wondering which beverage to choose from the endless rows of choices available? It is especially hard when each one advertises that it will make you healthy, your hair shine, give you a special new specific nutrient that is going to keep you disease free, or some similar promise. Let’s clear up some of the confusion around these promoted-to-be healthy drinks that keep popping up and give you some tips so you can choose your beverages wisely. Continue reading