As a nutrition coach, people are always asking me what I think of a certain diet.    It’s not surprising.  After all, there are about 30,000 diets in existence so you are bound to come across one you haven’t heard of and want to get the skinny on it.    Many diets are what I call “repackaged”—meaning they are similar to an existing diet, but just have a new name and a few different tweaks.    Tom...

  According to the CDC, the US currently spends about $3.8 trillion every year on healthcare.  That’s up a shocking 30 percent from the $2.6 trillion we spent back in 2009 (adjusted for inflation).  So why is it that our rates of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune conditions and bone/joint disorders are either staying the same or going UP?  With all that money being thrown at healthcare, shouldn’t we be seeing disease rates decreasing?  And...

  I just read an article written by an MD talking about weight loss.  She mentioned that according to a recent poll, 72 percent of Americans want to lose weight, aiming for an average of about 40 pounds.    What makes this challenging, she states, is that only 14 percent of people who have lost weight have been able to keep it off for more than five years.  But then the rest of the article suggests...

  Christmas and New Year’s are truly the most wonderful time of year when we count our blessings and spend cherished time with loved ones and friends.  It’s a time for Christmas trees, cards, twinkling lights, wreaths, presents and…  Lots of FOOD!  Yes indeed, the holidays usually present several opportunities to indulge in foods and beverages that are not-so-great for your health (or your waist).  But never fear!    Because you CAN enjoy some tasty holiday...

  It’s been said that if you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it. I see this playing out all the time in my career as a nutrition coach, especially when the subject of fats comes up with my clients. I am reminded time and again that the average person is completely clueless about fats, particularly when it comes to butter and margarine. But the thing is, it’s not really their fault!  Instead,...

  In my professional practice, I’m sometimes entertained by the reactions I get when people consult with me about their health issues and the first question I ask them is, “How’s your diet?”  I frequently get the deer-in-the-headlights look, or they look down at the floor.  That good, huh?  Now, most people know that eating wholesome nutritious foods is important for good health!   But the problem is that there are sneaky little excuses that can...