Diet

Fresh herbs 2

Boost flavor and your health with herbs

Herbs, those fragrant culinary delicacies, offer so much more than just flavoring and garnishing our food.  Whether you buy them at the grocery store, a farmer’s market or grow your own, these tender plants harbor a wealth of health benefits just waiting for you to discover. Since ancient times, herbs have been used for medicinal…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Aug 26, 2019
Grilled meat and veggies

Guidance on healthy grilling 101

There’s nothing quite like firing up the grill distinguishing summer from all other seasons.  The sounds, smells and tantalizing taste of barbequed meat are one of a kind.  However, before you get to grilling nonstop, there can be some health drawbacks to this mainstream Americana ritual.  Should you forego grilling completely? Fortunately you do not….

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | May 22, 2019
High protein plant based foods

8 plant-based foods surprisingly packed with protein

Mention the word, “protein,” and images of cattle, chicken or fish come to mind. But are animal sources our only supply of this vital nutrient? The answer to this is “no.” While nutrition information keeps pointing to the importance of protein, animal sources are not our only and best source of this nutrient. Many plant-based…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Apr 30, 2019
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Simplicity key to lasting dietary and exercise changes

Life is complicated enough.  Why makes things more difficult when “keep it simple” applies to so many aspects of our lives and is a good mantra to follow. That’s why healthy eating and exercise efforts should be straightforward, accessible, natural, and simple.  In fact, simplicity is your key word for long-lasting health changes. If you’re…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Feb 15, 2019
Apple heart with stethoscope

Top 10 heart-friendly foods for lowering cholesterol

The amount of cholesterol in a day’s time can add up quickly.  But when we pay attention to our food choices, we can amazingly keep cholesterol levels in check. Most of us would rather treat high cholesterol naturally instead of relying on cholesterol lowering medications, if at all possible.  But depending on various circumstances and…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Jan 24, 2019
Black eyed peas

Get lucky with black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day

Looking for a great way to get your New Year off to a healthy (and lucky) start?  Try a dose of black-eyed peas. Black-eyed peas, also known as black-eyed beans, are one of the most nutrient-packed legumes around. Best known for bringing good luck, when you look at a black-eyed pea, it’s very apparent how…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Dec 26, 2018
Books for Christmas

Six Great Reads on Food & Nutrition to Give This Holiday Season

Let me guess – some of you are pulling your hair out over what to get a friend or loved one for Christmas.  You need IDEAS. How about a book? A gift of a book is good any time of year but getting a really good book around the holidays is especially nice.  I personally…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Dec 9, 2018
Avoiding holiday weight gain

Expert advice on avoiding holiday weight gain

The season of holidays is almost here beginning with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, and Valentine’s Day. Even the best intentions of staying on track with your healthy lifestyle habits can be derailed during this time. One of those healthy lifestyle habits at risk of derailing may include watching your waistline. How do you get…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Nov 19, 2018
snacking while watching tv

5 strategies to curb late-night snacking

You know the routine.  You eat dinner, clean up the kitchen and then settle in for the evening.  After a little while, you’re back in the kitchen, impulsively raiding the refrigerator searching for something to eat. But wait, you just ate not that long ago – why are you already seeking food only to take…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Nov 8, 2018
rules

8 So-called ‘Healthy Eating Rules’ you can ignore

Let me begin by saying I love my jobs and my profession.  However, one of the most frustrating and annoying things about being a registered dietitian is listening to flat-out bad advice from people with little nutrition knowledge. Everyone believes because they eat food, they must be a nutrition guru.  But when plain bad ‘healthy…

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By Cheryl Mussatto, MS, RD, LD | Oct 8, 2018