Category Archives: Uncategorized

I liked this article on 13 health buzzwords we’re sick of…. http://www.rd.com/health/13-health-food-buzzwords-were-sick-of/ Because I am sick of them, too, and throw in the word “artisan” to that list because all of these words have been overused in marketing and don’t always mean what a consumer thinks they mean. But, it got me to thinking aboutContinue reading

Americans love beef but some media headlines have frightened consumers into thinking that only “white” meat is healthful. A new study from Penn State University researchers shows that lean beef when part of a heart healthy diet can lower total and low density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) and even lower markers of inflammation. TheContinue reading “There is Good News on Beef”

I’ve managed to avoid the dreaded winter common cold; when I was teaching I almost always got a cold at the beginning of the semester when students brought those nasty cold viruses into the classroom. There about a billion colds in the U.S. each year, according to the CDC, but the good news for thoseContinue reading “Will zinc help you get over your winter cold?”

Marketers have set their sites on those of us in the 50+ demographic for 2012. Retiring baby boomers want to stay healthy and fit and many new products will be introduced promising better brains, healthier joints, and happier hearts. Leatherhead Food Research notes that glucosamine-fortified foods and beverages for joint health will become increasing availableContinue reading “Food Trends for 2012: Marketing Foods to 50+”

Athletes, especially female athletes, eat what I call the “beige food diet.” A typical recall from a female distance runner? Oatmeal, boneless skinless chicken breasts, soy milk, yogurt, bananas, granola bars, wheat bread, peanut butter, and maybe some beige sweets, like vanilla wafers. These athletes are not vegetarian but they fear red meat…specifically beef. ForContinue reading “Athletes and the Beige Food Diet”

As college students make their way to campus, college athletes are taking the field and hitting the gym for sports training and competition. Two questions that I’m being asked are, “is coconut water better than sports drinks?” and “should I make my own sports drink to cut down on sugar?” First, coconut water…although being marketedContinue reading “Coconut Water, Homemade Sports Drinks and Other Thoughts on Hydration”

My 3 great nephews joined a swim team for the first time…the Hartwell Hydros. They range in age from 6 to 9 years and it is fun to hear about their races and see the enjoyment they get from swimming. After watching a swim meet, here are some tips for parents whose kids are onContinue reading “Nutrition 101 for Swimmers”

It is interesting living in rural Georgia…for one thing, in Hart County, Georgia they don’t celebrate the 4th of July…they celebrate the “Pre-4th” complete with fireworks on the lake and festival on the town square the weekend before the 4th. At this year’s festival there was the usual foods…hot dogs, BBQ, snow cones, etc, butContinue reading “Celebrating 4th of July..Country Style”

MyPlate has generated a lot of buzz and I’m using it to show athletes how to eat for performance and good health. The USDA website contains loads of good tips on good nutrition but I’ve pulled out the tips that apply to athletes by showing them how eating by the plate method can deliver performanceContinue reading “The Athlete’s Plate”

Today the American Academy of Pediatrics released a clinical report (ahead of print in June issue of Pediatrics) on sports drinks and energy drinks for children and adolescents. I read the report and was interviewed by NPR, however, it appears I only made the cut for the blog article.http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/05/31/136722667/pediatricians-warn-against-energy-and-sports-drinks-for-kids#more The way this story is beingContinue reading “Warning: Read Beyond the Headlines on AAP Clinical Report on Sports Drinks”