Do you need dairy in your diet? From milk to cheese, dairy has long been promoted as a vital part of a balanced eating plan. But is it essential? For as long as I have been a dietitian (and before), there has been controversy about dairy. Today I bring you nutrition benefits, considerations, and dairy alternatives.

You have heard of the Mediterranean Diet and may even follow some portions. But did you know that it isn’t just a diet but a lifestyle and way of living?

Do you eat asparagus?

What is the big deal with asparagus?

Why should we eat it?

And what about that “smell” that comes along the next day that reminds you that you had asparagus yesterday?

What do you think when I say you can EAT WHAT YOU WANT?

Some people have some automatic and negative thoughts about this.

Regarding food and our behaviors around food, we need to stop thinking in black and white.

Here is a fact: one food, one meal, or even one day of eating will not turn our health for the better or, the worse. But the consistency of that food, meal, or day over and over.

Eggs are Not Dairy

While stating eggs are not dairy may be evident to some people, more and more, there needs to be more clarity about eggs and what food group to which they belong.

Over the past ten years or so, I have seen and heard more and more that people are categorizing eggs in the dairy group.

Despite the popularity, is there a good reason to take vitamin C supplements? Many people will swear it helps prevent or cure a cold, boost immune function, or that they need it because of gaps in the diet, but is that true? Probably not.

So often, I hear an argument that cooking “kills” nutrients. With all the cooking humans have done since the discovery of fire, we would have died from malnutrition long ago. And while I will not argue that malnutrition is a significant issue globally, I guarantee you that cooking or heating food isn’t the issue.

Is fast-food “healthy”? Not really. But you may find yourself at a fast food place wondering if there are healthier options. If you go more than “once in a while” you may want to consider how you make healthier choices and help your overall health in the process. And not avoiding them completely. Because sometimes you can’t.

Eat What You Want and Eat What You Love People are dubious when I tell people that they can eat what they want. But why not? What is the reason? Are you allergic? Have an intolerance? Or it is a perception that you “shouldn’t” eat certain foods?

Could You Do a Vegan Challenge? No meat, dairy, eggs, animal anything for 30 days. This "challenge" got me thinking…Is it a "challenge" to be vegan?

It is peanut butter lovers month – and I am one of those people who identify as a peanut butter lover. I am a fan of the creamy form – not crunchy. But we all have our preferences, and there is nothing wrong with our personal preferences. Parents and caregivers should use creamy for small children to reduce the risk of choking. This year, I am providing my list of 15 ways to have peanut butter in your diet. There are no rules here; use as much or as little as you want.

What first comes to mind when I mention orange food? Fruits and vegetables? Candy? Cheese snacks? There are so many orange foods; fruits and vegetables are unsurprisingly the healthier categories. Right? But are there others that are good for us too?

This is the first in a series about sugar and all things sugar. Sugar in the form of glucose is THE fuel for the brain, the fuel for all our cells, and the fuel for our muscles. So, when people make a blanket statement such as “sugar feeds cancer cells,” that is true, but only because sugar feeds ALL cells in the body.

For many years, I’ve heard people spouting the benefits of coconut oil. There are all kinds of claims related to coconut oil and how it can prevent heart disease, treat Alzheimer’s disease, is antibacterial and antimicrobial, and can treat cancer. Even help hormone balance and cure diabetes? And help with hair and skin. Coconut oil is the best oil under the sun, and we should buy it by the bucketful. Or should we?

Of all the nutrients we need (carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water), water is our most essential nutrient. We can go days without eating and may not feel well and be uncomfortable, but without water or fluid of some kind, we can die within a couple of days (more or less) depending on our health status and environmental conditions.

While many of us know we need to eat our fruits and veggies, many of us have a hard time fitting them all in. I am always telling my clients to eat more fruits and veggies. But what exactly are the recommendations? Can it be done? And can we eat too many?

I find that one of the more polarizing food groups, even more than grains, is the dairy food group. People get all worked up when suggesting we have this as part of our regular diet/intake. And these same people eat cheese and yogurt. I am not making this up. The recommendation is to have three cups of dairy from pre-teen years through adulthood. And people think that I am recommending that they drink three glasses of milk a day. I am not. If that works, fine. But people hear “dairy” and assume it is milk in its liquid form. “Dairy” includes yogurt, cheese, and liquid milk.

People often talk about olive oil and the massive health benefits of this oil when consumed as part of a healthy diet. But we rarely hear about the olives themselves. Are olives also as healthy as the oil? Yes, and no.

People will often refer to “vitamin B” which is not an accurate statement. There are eight B vitamins all with different names, roles, and recommendations. And, most don’t need supplementing if you have a varied diet. Learn more about the different ones and which might need supplementing.

One of the more considerable challenges in conversation about nutrition is when people classify nutrients as a food group.

For example, when people refer to carbs and how bad they think they are and believe they shouldn’t eat them. I am surprised that people think we should not eat any fruits, vegetables, or beans?

Because carbs are a nutrient. And the nutrient carbohydrates include fiber, starch, and various sugars.