Browse Category: Nutrition

Good News: There are Healthy Benefits of Eating Dark Chocolate

If you like to eat chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth, there’s good news: dark chocolate is more than just a delicious treat—it’s also good for you! Take a look at some of the things dark chocolate can do . . .

Go Greek: Health Secrets of the Mediterranean Diet

Looking to improve your overall health? Then the Mediterranean Diet may be for you! Based on the traditional eating practices of people living in countries around the Mediterranean Sea (Greece in particular), the diet includes high amounts of fiber, low amounts of fat, a small amount of trans fats, and moderate consumption of alcohol.

Leafy Greens: The Lowdown on Why We Love Them

Simply put, leafy greens are some of the healthiest foods available. Packed with vitamins, these plants are a valuable and necessary part of a normal healthy diet. For preventing disease and restoring an ailing body to health, leafy greens are a natural choice that can’t be beaten!

Is Sugar the New Cocaine?

Mmmmm . . . sugar. It’s that magical ingredient that makes foods such as candy, cookies, sodas -- even bread --taste delectable. But have you ever considered that your attraction to sugar and sugary-foods might be out of your control? While the term “addiction” has been tossed around for years in regards to sugar, new research is showing that sugar’s addictive properties may be more dangerous that previously thought . . . even more so than street drugs such as cocaine. Keep reading for more information on this recent research.

Dark Chocolate Lowers Inflammation, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure

The media always enjoys writing funny, punny or even sunny headlines about the latest chocolate-for-health studies. Yet a recent Italy study about the benefits of eating dark chocolate suggests taking the cocoa plant quite seriously because it appears to be capable of lowering inflammation in the body. Inflammation has been increasingly associated with heart disease by constricting circulation in the blood vessels. The Italian researchers showed that dark chocolate can lower C-reactive protein in the blood. C-reactive protein or CRP is an accepted biomarker of heart disease and hypertension. Dark chocolate appears to contain several antioxidant substances called polyphenol and flavanols that disrupt the production of CRP. That’s a delicious thought.

Stevia is FDA Approved: Get to Know this Natural Sweetener

The increase in obesity, and consequently diabetes, in America has urged many manufacturers to create sugar substitutes in the battle for better health.  You can find them in your sodas, desserts and in nearly every gum on the shelf. But many of these sugar substitutes have not been proven safe, and may create potential health problems including everything from headaches and nausea to cancer. One possible alternative to popular sugar substitutes is stevia, a natural sweetener. What exactly is stevia? And is it safe? Let’s take a look . . .

How to Jumpstart Your Family's Day with Breakfast

Are you a breakfast eater? Not everyone is, and for different reasons. Unfortunately, there’s no getting around it: breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day! And, even if you are on the breakfast wagon, it can be challenging to feed a diverse group of tastes and interests first thing in the morning. How can you make sure everyone in your family is getting the nutrients they need? Keep reading for some healthy breakfast suggestions.

Not Just Fool’s Gold: Uncover the Powers of the Real Acai Berry

The acai berry has been known for its amazing benefits for health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes, poor sleep, digestive disorders, and arthritis, as well as for its powerful anti-aging properties and effectiveness in aiding weight loss. But lately certain acai products have come under fire by the Better Business Bureau due to false claims and lack of promised results. Celebrities like Oprah and Rachel Ray are outraged at the use of their names to endorse such products and are stepping in to aid in the fight. What’s the real story behind the acai berry? The following article will set the record straight about this superfruit and its numerous health benefits.

Don't Drink It: Diet Soda Puts Your Health in Danger

There are certain things on this earth that seem like a godsend. The wheel, cell phones, Astroturf . . .  the list goes on. In terms of foods and drinks, diet soda may seem like a godsend to some. After all, you get all (or most) of the taste without the calories. But is it really the next best thing since sliced bread? Not even close. Diet soda has been getting a bad rap for some time now, and emerging evidence against diet soda as a responsible choice continues to grow. Consider the following before the next time you hit the vending machine.

Smoothie Move: Make Your Own for Best Energy, Timing

As seen in the Alternative Health Blog, this article is part of our "Best of the Blog" series. The perfect smoothie? “If someone can hand you a smoothie as you walk in the door from a workout, that’s the ideal smoothie,” said Aimee Gallo, a Bastyr University-trained nutritionist and certified personal trainer who operates the Vibrance Nutrition counseling service in Seattle. Gallo advises her clients to make their smoothies at home, mostly because you can’t find the perfectly healthy smoothie at the local or franchise stands. Here's how to make the best smoothie at home!