You did it, finals are over and it is time for a couple of months away from the books. Whether you are working, taking a summer course, or have an internship lined up, chances are you will be traveling at some point during the summer months.
Let’s face it-when traveling there isn’t an abundance of appetizing and energizing snack options, and eating on the road can be a budget buster. With a little advanced planning you can satisfy your taste buds and save yourself some time and money. Read the rest of this entry »
You have heard the term “I slept like a baby last night” right? Have you ever wondered why children get better sleep than adults? The answer may have to do with how your lifestyle affects the balance of certain chemicals (neurotransmitters) in your brain that affect sleep.
Stress, lack of exercise, poor nutrition and the use of stimulants such as caffeine, tobacco, alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs, all seem to cause a degree of imbalance to chemical receptor sites in the brain that may lead to poor sleep. Read the rest of this entry »
They say that timing is everything and when it comes to eating, timing does matter. If we try to mimic our eating patterns based on our energy needs and blood sugar levels, it stands to reason that we should eat the bulk of our calories, at least carbohydrates, in the morning and mid-day to support energy and blood sugar needs. Read the rest of this entry »
The attractiveness of fad diets is that they promise a quick fix. One of the latest diets to gain popularity, The Fast Diet, is no exception. The title actually refers to fasting instead of the speed of results. The premise of the diet created by Dr. Michael Mosely and Mimi Spencer is to fast for 2 nonconsecutive days, and then eat whatever you want for 5 days. Fast days are defined by consuming 500 calories a day for women and 600 calories a day for men, with calories coming primarily from protein and lots of fruit and vegetables. Read the rest of this entry »
If you have seen any of the new yogurt commercials you are all probably familiar with the term probiotics, which are live cultures of bacteria that mimic the gut friendly bacteria that live in your intestinal tract. It may sound kind of gross that you have bacteria living in your intestines but they serve a purpose. Read the rest of this entry »
Usually when you talk about coffee, it’s about the aroma, the taste, the roast of the beans, and where the beans are from. The word “green”, other than how it’s grown, doesn’t usually enter into the conversation. Well, if you’ve checked the news lately, “green coffee beans” are all the rage, but not so much for drinking, but rather how certain extracts from these beans help with weight loss. Read the rest of this entry »
You know, your kombucha starter, which is lovingly referred to as a ‘mother’-a gelatinous mass of bacteria and yeast that’s necessary to make this fizzy, fermented tea. You may have seen kombucha at Whole Foods or even your yoga studio as it’s one of the latest “health food” crazes. Some feel as though this probiotic tea will help with digestion, hair loss, immune function and various other ailments. Its origins can be traced back to ancient China, NBC reports. Read the rest of this entry »
Did you know that when you’re eating mor chikin at Duke’s Chick-fil-A, some of the food comes from nearby places like Cambridge Inn, Lyons Farm, Duke Campus Farm, and Cosmic Cantina burritos? Their gelatos are local too! Read the rest of this entry »
As a nutritionist I am often asked “What is the best diet?” I always hesitate to answer and people wonder why I don’t have an immediate response. That is such a loaded question. I usually ask dozens of questions myself before I recommend a diet for someone. Best diet for what? What are your goals? Do you have any health issues? What have you tried in the past? Why is now a good time to start a new eating plan? Kinda makes them sorry they asked. Read the rest of this entry »