Should You Eat Like a Caveman? The Paleo Diet

While rates of obesity in the U.S. remain at an all-time high, hip and trendy diets are a dime a dozen. One such diet suggests that we should ‘eat like a caveman.’ Does this approach have any scientific validity? Read on to learn more!...

Read More

The Alkaline Diet

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of free speech. Thus, anyone can write a diet book and make whatever ridiculous claims that they wish to make. A prime example is ‘The Alkaline Diet’ which is promoted by gullible celebrities, athletes, and others who either do not understand or choose to ignore basic chemistry. Read on to learn more!...

Read More

The Ketogenic Diet

Hip and trendy diets are a dime a dozen, and cycle in and out of popularity. Most lead to short-term weight loss rather than long term-weight control. Oftentimes, the only thing that changes is the name of the diet. One example of ‘same diet, different name’ is the ketogenic diet. Read on to learn more!...

Read More

Are you Nutty if You Eat Nuts?

Health-conscious parents and caregivers are always on the lookout for appropriate snacks for kids. When it comes to dietary ‘good fats’ and ‘bad fats,’ there’s a lot of myth and misinformation swirling around. In this blog, we take a careful evidence-based look at the role that nuts can play in a healthful diet for kids as well as adults. Read on to see good news for nut-lovers!...

Read More

Eat Yogurt to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Rates of type 2 diabetes (T2D) have been skyrocketing worldwide over the past 3 decades, including sharp increases among youth. In fact, it is estimated that T2D rates among children increased 4.8 percent annually from 2000 to 2009. Along with avoiding obesity, which is associated with T2D and inactivity, consuming a healthy diet also appears to be an important component for T2D prevention. Read on as we discuss some important findings from the Harvard School of Public Health showing that regular intake of yogurt is strongly associated with a decreased risk of developing T2D....

Read More

Dietary Fish Intake and Risk of Mercury/PCB Exposure

We hear the statement ‘fish is good for you’ quite often. At the same time, concerns are sometimes raised regarding the mercury and other contaminants that are present in some fish. In this blog, we discuss the current dietary guidelines, as well as the pros and cons of consuming various types of fish. As you will see, for most people most of the time, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, certain members of the population do need to be cautious about consuming certain types of fish. Read on for more info!...

Read More

Dietary Carbohydrate: Facts and Misconceptions

Many people have misconceptions regarding dietary carbohydrate. Rather than being the villain as portrayed in several off-the-wall popular diets, carbohydrate is actually essential for human survival, optimal bodily function, and disease prevention. However, it is very important to distinguish between the two major types of dietary carbohydrate; simple and complex. In this blog, we will take a careful look at facts and common misconceptions about carbohydrates. We also provide links to several previous blogs related to this topic....

Read More

New Studies Bolster Existing Support for Whole Grains!

When it comes to grains, misinformation abounds, particularly in how grains are processed for consumer consumption. The basic understanding between grains and whole grains means a world of difference. As September is Childhood Obesity Awareness month, it’s important to reflect on this important distinction and evaluate whether you and your family are truly eating for optimal health. Read on for The Cooper Institute’s Dr. Steve Farrell’s keen insights into this critically important dietary component....

Read More

New Evidence that Following the Mediterranean Eating Plan Decreases the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke!

With so many different diet plans and opinions floating around, it’s hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to what constitutes healthful eating. A large European study published in the world-renowned New England Journal of Medicine bolsters support for the Mediterranean Eating Plan....

Read More

Should You Be Nuts Over Coconuts?

Over the past few years, a number of claims have been made regarding the benefits of dietary coconut oil (DCO). Weight loss and improved heart health are among the most commonly purported health benefits of DCO. Because I’m a big proponent of the old adage ‘if it seems too good to be true, it probably is’, let’s take an objective look at what the science says. First off, while dietary saturated fats tend to increase blood levels of LDL-cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), not all saturated fatty acids are exactly alike. Dietary saturated fatty acids fall in two categories based on how many carb...

Read More

Should everyone be Concerned About Gluten?

Many individuals are going to great lengths to avoid gluten in their diets, and food manufacturers as well as restaurants are touting their ‘gluten-free’ products as being healthful. However, before you jump on the ‘anti-gluten’ bandwagon, let’s look at some basic facts....

Read More

High-Energy Protein Foods and Drinks: an Oxymoron?

An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which contradictory terms appear in conjunction. A couple of my favorite oxymorons are ‘jumbo shrimp’ and ‘pretty ugly!’ Some food and beverage manufacturers promote their products using terms such as ‘high-energy protein bar’ or ‘high-energy protein drink.’...

Read More