Choosing foods that support optimal health is important, but so is the cookware we us to prepare it. There are many cookware options, and our kitchens are likely stocked with an assortment of materials of varying age and condition, from stainless steel and ceramic, to non-stick and glass. Some materials … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Pumpkins mark the fall season with decorative flair on front porches and tabletops as well as in our favorite fall flavors—pumpkin spice has quite a following! It’s boosted pumpkin’s pizazz beyond pies and lattes to hummus, pasta, and even facial scrub. The most popular winter squash—pumpkin and pumpkin seeds—has a … Read More
Products that claim they can detoxify, clean, or clear your lungs can be made from herbal supplements, vitamins, essential oils, or antioxidants. These lung cleansers may come as pills, vitamins, teas, oils, or be inhaled. None of the products are FDA-approved, and neither the American Lung Association (ALA), National Center … Read More
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), air pollution can be dangerous to everyone at very high levels. It can be dangerous for people with lung conditions like asthma or COPD at lower levels. The daily AQI measures air pollution from ozone, particle matter, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Protein has been the buzzword in every food conversation for a few years now. As more and more people are trying on a plant-based eating pattern, the demand for vegan protein sources has never been higher. If the thought sounds less than exciting, or you’re looking to venture beyond tofu … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
What was once a simple decision between whole, low-fat, or skim milk, the list of choices now has a variety so vast, it’s dizzying. Whether made from nuts, seeds, legumes, or grains, plant-based milk has skyrocketed in popularity. Cow’s milk still tops retail sales, but nondairy “milk” brought in nearly … Read More
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, iron deficiency anemia affects from 4 to 5 million Americans. It is most common in children and women. Worldwide, iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency. [1] Iron is essential for health because it is needed to form proteins called hemoglobin … Read More
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, the flaxseed plant has been used since ancient times for its health benefits. In ancient Greece it was used as a laxative, while early Americans used the oil as a salve for cuts and burns. Today, flaxseed supplements are used … Read More
Oatmeal has been a popular choice for a healthy breakfast in America for over 150 years, but our busy schedules these days often prevent us from preparing it in the traditional way. Food manufacturers addressed the issue in the 1960s by introducing instant oatmeal, which cut the cooking time to … Read More
Liquid vegetables oils—for example, olive oil and soybean oil—are celebrated as healthy unsaturated fats. Unsaturated fatty acids, when substituted for saturated fats, support general heart health. But for cooking, baking, or dressing salads, what is the healthiest cooking oil? Many people would probably give the answer that olive oil is … Read More
