In 1992, the USDA introduced the food pyramid. The purpose of the food pyramid was to provide Americans with nutritional guidelines separating the “food groups” into hierarchal sections. These sections are smaller or larger based on the percentage a person should consume daily of each “group.” In effect, the pyramid represented an order of nutritional […]
When your baby approaches the 4 month mark, many parents are lured into the idea that it is time to start solids! This leaves many with a feeling of uneasiness and parents simply are stumped with what food to introduce and when. In this post, I break it down to a few easy principles. 1. […]
Store shelves are packed with treats, pumpkin-themed items are in abundance, and everyone knows Halloween is around the corner. From corn syrup-packed candy corn, to chocolate-filled skulls, bats and eyeballs, this is the time of year when kids are most tempted by holiday treats. Halloween need not be the demise of dietitians or healthy dieters. […]
Bones and Sponges, what do they have in common? I am teaching lessons on nutrition and healthy eating to the campers at JCYS Grand Slam Tennis Camp in Highland Park this summer. Last week, my lesson was about calcium and healthy bones. We did a relay race and the kids ran to fill up a […]
Photo: isayx3 from FlickrRecently, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) established new guidelines for Vitamin D. Also known as the “sunshine” vitamin, vitamin D is essential to maintain bone health. The vitamin functions to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in our body in order to keep our bones strong. Consuming too little vitamin D […]
Grilling season is here, the weather is warm, this is the perfect time to indulge in fish for a light, healthy dinner. Cedar plank salmon is one of our favorite summer meals. See here for instructions on how easy plank cooking can be. Omega-3 Craze The nutrition world is buzzing about the potential health benefits of omega-3 […]
Protein is essential to a child’s diet for many reasons. For one, protein builds and repairs tissues such as skin and muscles. Protein also makes antibodies that fight disease and enzymes that aid digestion. With picky eating habits, or restrictive allergen-free diets, making sure your child is getting the right amount of protein can be […]
When you think of “good health”, it is not just about what you eat, but also how much physical activity you and your children get every day! Recent research from Harvard’s Brigham and Women Hospital indicated that women require a minimum of one hour moderate physical activity each day to prevent weight gain. Here are […]
PREBIOTICS, different from PROBIOTICS, are found in certain foods and provide nourishment to probiotic bacteria. In other words, prebiotics are food for the beneficial bacteria living in your gut. In addition to stimulating growth and/or activity of beneficial bacteria, prebiotics have many health benefits for the host (YOU!). The most well-known prebiotic is fiber, which […]