Category Nutrition Science

You might think that “comfort food” and “healthy” don’t go together naturally, and that might be. After all, many of our cozy favorites are not bursting with kale or quinoa. And sometimes you simply must have Grandma’s stuffed shells—just the way Grandma made it, made with regular pasta and lots of full fat cheese. That’s okay; I get it. If that’s what you want once in a while, that’s perfectly fine—enjoy. But if you’re one of those folks whose comfort food concoctions have become less a “special food” and more of a staple in your recipe rotation—you might want to consider a few easy recipe modifications in the name of healthfulness. These three basic tweaks are easy to achieve and go a long way toward moving your edible soothers onto the “everyday acceptable” list.

Does this sound familiar? You had an especially tough day at work, or broke up with your significant other, or the weather is dreary/damp/dreadful (maybe you’ve been snowed in three times in the last week?) or you’re down in the dumps for any of the other myriad reasons we all encounter, and your thoughts start turning to that specific food (or foods) that always makes you feel better…and later you stop and get that food at a restaurant or take-out joint, or purchase the required ingredients on your way home. Soon you’re “self-medicating” with the comfort food of your choice (and perhaps snuggling in your favorite comfy jammies for an extra measure of soothing). It’s okay: most of us have been there too

The swirl of publicity surrounding this simple broth is astounding. If one believes the proponents, daily bone broth consumption can prevent or cure all manner of ills, from aiding in digestion to repairing and strengthening bones to giving a glow to skin and a gloss to hair—and that’s just a partial list of the purported benefits. So does this old-fashioned food live up to the hype, or is the bone broth trend a load of bunk? Let’s take a look…

If, like me, you’re not lucky enough to be jetting off to the sunny warmth of the French Riviera or Greece this winter, that doesn’t mean we have to lose out completely. Yes, I’m talking food here—we can cook like we’re in the Mediterranean, enjoying their tasty cuisine and giving our winter-chilled bodies a nutrition boost, too

One of the best things about baking for the holidays (aside from eating delicious results, that is) is the aroma in the house, am I right? Part of what makes those aromas so comforting is the spices in those baked goods. Think gingerbread, apple pie, eggnog bread pudding, etc. And, though you might not have thought about it before, those same spices that make your holiday favorites taste so good are also good for you! What luck! So, as you ring in the season this year, here are a few more reasons to make room in your diet for holiday treats (as if any of us needed extra reasons…).

A recent article by three sociologists from North Carolina State University, called “The Joy of Cooking?” drew media attention this fall for its “tell it like it is” critique of the increasingly prevalent food and nutrition message that healthy meals need to be home-cooked meals. It’s a message we are seeing more of as people seek out more information about food quality, food sourcing and nutrition. And yet, it’s a message that may not resonate with some people, say the article’s authors—and for good reason. It isn’t very practical. Here are some of my thoughts on this topic—let me know what you think!

As a Registered Dietitian, I travel annually to my professional association’s conference and exposition. This year the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo took place in Atlanta, and having just returned, I thought I’d share what I observed from the exposition part of the meeting. The expo is the tradeshow part of the conference, where attendees get to taste new products and chat with manufacturer representatives about products. Here are three of the trends I found pervasive on the expo floor this year…

Have you been hearing the term “ketogenic diet” thrown around on the internet lately and wondered exactly what it was? Here’s a quick look at the ketogenic diet and weight loss; as always, discuss weight control plans with your doctor and/or a Registered Dietitian before striking out on your own.