Nutrition
Artificial Sweeteners: Simply Sweet or Surely Unsafe?
As a dietitian I am frequently asked, “are artificial sweeteners safe to use?”. It feels like nutrition research is constantly changing, so I understand the confusion. People choose to use artificial sweeteners for various reasons including diabetes or weight loss but most share the same concern about safety. Here, I’ll break down what we know…
Healthier Eating at Parties
Parties, family gatherings and big celebrations are usually filled with family, friends, and of course a feast of our favorite foods. Don’t let these derail your healthy eating habits. Follow these 6 tips to stay on track while still enjoying parties with people you love! 1. Did you know the average Thanksgiving meal is 4,500 calories! One…
Sweet Willpower
I’ve been talking about this topic much more frequently in sessions with clients: sugar. Many people struggle with finding a balanced way to enjoy sweets. “I don’t have any willpower”, I hear it all the time. Truth is, it isn’t an issue of willpower, it’s an issue of restriction. When we say sweets are “bad”…
Starting Solids Primer: Part 2
This is part two of our Starting Solids Primer. In part one we discussed when to start solids. Click here to start there. So you’ve determined your baby and you are both ready for them to start solids, and now you are wondering what exactly to do first. There are two common feeding styles you’ve likely…
The Power of Breakfast
I know you have heard it before but I will say it again: breakfast is the most important meal of the day! There’s good reason you hear this all the time. Numerous studies have shown that eating breakfast helps improve concentration, for children and for adults. It is also associated with reduced risk of obesity…
Starting Solids Primer: Part 1
As a pediatric primary care provider one of the most common questions I get is: How do I know my baby is ready to start solids? And if they are ready, where do I start? This week we are starting a three part series we are calling the Starting Solids Primer to answer all of those questions. …
A Winter Blues Fix: Healthy Delicious Soup
After the holiday festivities and indulgences are over, we have to weather the coldest part of winter in New England. One of my favorite ‘cleanse’ foods is a tofu vegetable soup that has a lots of green veggies, plant based protein in form of tofu and edamame, and a light vegetable stock. This is a vegan…
Is the Ketogenic Diet a Good Idea?
If you have been on the internet over the past year chances are you’ve heard something about the Keto Diet. Whether it be success stories, celebrity endorsements, Keto supplements or recipes, it is near impossible to ignore. So what is it exactly? Does it work? And should you try it? The Ketogenic (Keto) Diet is…
Starting Solids Primer: Part 3
Meal planning! In part 3 of our Starting Solids series we have ideas for which foods are good to start with whether you’re offering purees, doing baby-led weaning, or providing a combination. Starting at 6 months: 1 meal per day When parents/family are also eating Excellent first foods: Sweet potato (baked in logs or…
Fruits and Veggies that Won’t Break the Bank!
Most of us know that eating fruits and vegetables is good for us. It can do anything from reduce the risk of diseases like diabetes to help prevent the common cold. A healthy diet can work wonders! Many of my patients express concern over the cost associated with adding more fruits and vegetables to their…