From the RD: Keep It Simple, Silly
By Brittany Wonnell, MS, RD, CHWC This time of year, reflecting on what has and hasn’t worked when creating healthier habits can be common. Asking yourself, “why can’t I just eat less sweets,” or saying “eliminating soda seems impossible,” may be some conversations you have with yourself. No matter where you are on your road […]
Truth About Cholesterol in Women
By Valerie Beard, MD Riverview Health Physicians Good cholesterol. Bad cholesterol. What number should be high? Which one should be low? If you’re not quite sure, you’re not alone. Cholesterol is a lipid, or fat. Your liver produces roughly 75 percent of your cholesterol—only 25 percent comes from your diet. Nearly 20 percent of American […]
Eating for Two––And Is Coffee OK?
By Polly Trainor, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN When you’re pregnant, you’re eating for two, (or more with multiples!) but that means eating extra in a healthy way—not just more. But how much more is healthy? And is coffee OK? The general rule is that pregnant women should eat an extra 300 calories a day. […]
What Are Probiotics?
By Brittany Nelson, RD, CHWC Not all bacteria are bad for you. In fact, you’ll often see “good” bacteria—called probiotics—on labels in the grocery store and in the drugstore aisle next to your vitamins. But what are probiotics and how do they help you? The name probiotics comes from pro and biota, meaning “for life.” […]
Quantity vs. Quality While Eating Healthier
By Brittany Wonnell, RD, CHWC Often at the beginning of the year, we begin new resolutions that can include changing the way we eat. When thinking about defining which foods are “healthy” or “unhealthy,” it’s important to understand not just the quality of your food but also the quantity you’re eating. You can gain weight […]
How Diet Can Decrease Your Risk for Breast Cancer
By Katie Boscia, MS, RD, IBCLC, CDE There is no one food or diet that can prevent breast cancer. However, there are certain foods that can help boost your immune system and make you healthier, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer. Some foods can help decrease the side effects of treatment and help […]
Setting Your Child Up for a Healthy Heart
By Emily Ruden, MD Cardiologist at Riverview Health There’s no doubt that getting your kids to eat healthy can be a challenge. But setting a good example from a young age can not only shape their eating habits for later in life, but it can set them up for excellent heart health as an adult. […]
Put Your Phone Down—It’s Time for Dinner
By Katie Boscia, MS, RD, IBCLC, CDE Eating dinner together as a family can have several benefits for children as well as adults. In today’s busy world where everyone has different schedules, planning a dinner together will give you a reason to stop and connect. Sit down without distractions such as phones, mobile devices, television […]
Making School Lunches Healthy and Fun
By Katie Boscia, MS, RD, IBCLC, CDE It’s back to school time and with that comes packing kids’ lunches. Kids can get tired of the same thing every day, so use these tips to help make their lunches more appealing and get them to eat healthier foods. Use a cookie cutter to cut fun shapes […]
Recipes: Add Fruits, Veggies & Repeat
By Katie Boscia, MS, RD, IBCLC, CDE It can sometimes be difficult to get enough fruits and vegetables in our everyday diets. Here are some recipes that will help you increase your consumption. Apple Chicken Stir Fry Prep time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 lb boneless and skinless chicken breast, cubed ½ cup onion, […]