Cancer has many causes and contributors, including smoke, sunlight, and environmental issues. Then, of course, there is also the genetic predisposition. But one of the most significant risk factors is a lifestyle and overall diet pattern. The big thing is the overall healthy eating pattern. Here are five foods I tell people to include in their overall eating patterns to reduce the risk of many types of cancer.

There are many things to consider for your overall risk of heart disease. These considerations include lifestyle, family history, and regular checkups. Many people are unaware that heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. People think that if they aren’t “old,” they don’t have a family history, and because they drink red wine and eat dark chocolate, they aren’t at risk.

People say this all the time, “dark chocolate is good for your heart.” Okay – if only that were it. But it isn’t. There is so much more to this.

While there are many foods you can add to your diet for heart health, consider some simple swaps for things you are already eating. Not all foods warrant a trade or swap, but consider what you could do. Today I list five simple food swaps for your heart and your health.

Many things contribute to heart disease and heart health. Rather than what foods to avoid, which often comes to mind, consider what to add to your overall diet to reduce your risk of heart disease. Consider adding these foods to your daily (or weekly) routine.

February is American Heart Month. It is also Cancer Prevention Awareness Month. So this month, most of my articles/posts will address several things related to both disease classes. However, this post explains a bit more about what is considered heart disease (there are many things) and that cancer is not just one disease but many. Consider this article foundational for additional information coming in the following several articles.

Being a dietitian for over two decades, I guarantee that I have heard all kinds of reasons why people have challenges with healthy living. I know these are authentic and valid obstacles. I get it. Like many people, I have many roles, some running concurrently. I get it. I promise you I do. This is why I address what I hear are the top 5 obstacles to healthy living.

The case for meal planning. Now, don’t confuse this with meal prep – making the bulk of your week’s meals in one major cooking session at the start of the week. That is a different topic. Meal planning and meal prepping are two different topics. This is meal planning to save you time.

Are you frustrated with your scale and apparent lack of weight loss? Consider this: the number on the scale tells only part of the overall health story. Does it say anything about our overall health? Not really. It just shows mass, and changes in mass, day-to-day. That's it.

In the last post, I wrote about fueling fitness and how most people either don’t do it correctly or at all or believe it requires supplements. So today, I am giving the top five things to ensure you properly fuel, and recover from, your fitness.

One of the most significant issues I see when it comes to diet and exercise is that people need to fuel their bodies in preparation for exercise - but they don't. While doing a 30-45, or even 60-minute run or lifting session, there isn't a need to carbo load, pound protein, or take pre-workout. However, properly fueling will help with a productive workout and feeling like it is easier.

The previous post included the top five myths regarding weight loss. But I couldn’t stop there. This post includes five more myths: low carb, exercise, and that healthy food tastes like cardboard - does it?

While I am always promoting that people should focus on their overall health and mental and physical wellness, weight loss is still a big focus for many people – not just in January, but year-round. Many drastic measures to lose weight are temporary and will result in weight regain when old habits return. I have found that many weight loss myths persist. Here are the top five myths regarding weight loss.

As people start to eat healthier, they often find it overwhelming, time-consuming, and challenging. But it doesn’t have to be. Here are five ways to make eating healthier easier. And don’t worry - you don’t have to adopt all five immediately. Take small steps.

Here we are in January 2023, and once again, people say they would like to lose weight. Great. Now what? Whether this is your first, fourteenth, or 40th time embarking on a weight loss plan, you need to find what will work and is sustainable for you and your lifestyle. What is the reason, or reasons, for doing this? Why now? Because it is January? To look better, feel healthier, have more energy, or all of these? No matter the reason, consider small steps to reach more significant changes rather than a temporary overhaul.

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.

Have you noticed? The calories listed on the menu of your favorite restaurant? They are likely there, but they may have escaped your attention. But they aren’t on all restaurant menus? Why are they there on some menus, but not on others?

Not too long ago, I questioned which food group mushrooms go in. I tend to put them in the vegetable category over any other food group. I checked on the mushroom council website to double-check, they are not a vegetable, but it is okay to categorize them as vegetables for nutrition purposes.

Many people use the term “superfoods” to elevate the benefit of certain foods. Elevate may not be the correct term, but this is what I’m using in this case. I used to use the term superfood all the time, even going so far as to teach a class on various superfoods. I don’t use this term very often, and I don’t use the term functional food or nutraceuticals as often. But, again, this is because it can potentially lead to a health halo effect or people believing that if they eat these foods in these categories, they can still eat poorly in other areas of their diet.

Have you heard of IV therapy? IV therapy is getting intravenous fluids outside a medical or hospital setting for therapeutic use and not for medical "need." Anyone who's ever been to the hospital, emergency department, or urgent care (or even seen this sort of thing on television) knows that an IV is a common way for the medical staff to deliver medications and assist with overall hydration. IV therapy is available outside of this setting for apparently healthy people at medical spas, wellness centers, and even in your own home (not self-administered, but someone coming to your home to administer it). Is this something you should consider?