Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Ever feel the frustration of starting the day out on the wrong foot? This feeling is so familiar for many of us...but have you noticed how your day seems to go when you start it out on the RIGHT foot? For me, having a balanced and tasty breakfast (that requires … Read More
The Folklore. Serving up black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is said to bring good luck all year long. Tradition calls for the slow-cooked comfort of a pot of Hoppin’ John, the Southern soul food dish of black-eyed peas, collard or mustard greens, and rice. But there are many more … Read More
According to the National Institute on Aging, heart attacks and strokes are the biggest risks for senior citizens, but the disease seniors fear most is dementia. By far the biggest cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. What happens when a person has Alzheimer’s dementia is an irreversible and progressive loss … Read More
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, even though there is not much public awareness, Peyronie’s disease is quite common and may affect up to one out of eleven men. The reason this disease is getting attention now is a new injectable medication that is the first medication approved by the Food … Read More
I was quite sick with COVID-19 earlier this year, despite having been vaccinated. I have read that it is possible to be reinfected with Omicron more than once, but that a new antiviral medication can help. Can you tell me more about it? Research suggests that the antiviral medication you … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Greens powders have long been a fixture on supplement shelves. With a little help from social media, their popularity has exploded. The market for greens powders is estimated to reach nearly $400 million in the US—that’s double its value since 2018! A lot of us are giving them a try, … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Counting macros is a common phrase in the gym and among athletes. It’s more fine-tuned than simply counting calories among those who want to lose weight or gain muscle, but counting macros still means counting calories. The difference is a focus on the quality of foods eaten, rather than just … 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
Bruising is caused by breaks in tiny blood vessels that are beneath your skin but close to the surface, called capillaries. If you get a blow or bump hard enough to break some capillaries, bleeding will show up as a purple or red bruise. Over a few days, the bruise … Read More
Kristen N. Smith, PhD, RDN, LD
Food allergies are quite prevalent and affect more than 32 million people in the U.S. As a result, it’s now common practice to take precautions with common food allergens, such as wheat, peanuts, or tree nuts, to avoid a potential allergic reaction. But what about less familiar food allergens, like … Read More
