SKN Blog

Here’s a quick meal that is tasty, high in fiber and pretty much ready- made.  Chop 3-5 plum tomatoes Enjoy Sweet Potatoes Frozen sweet potato fries, check the ingredient list for unnecessary ingredients like hydrogenated oils or sugar Or use Trader Joe’s fresh baked sweet potato “fries” in the refrigerator section Or scrub and bake your own in the microwave then dip in low fat sour cream and Cajun spice mix. Keep smaller s...

A study published this month in Pediatrics found that obese children as young as 3 years old have elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation in adults is an early warning sign for possible future heart disease. It’s alarming to see a relationship between weight status and elevated inflammatory markers in such young children! Again, this demonstrates that Parents and educators must act now to create healthier eating habit...

Just this past year, I have met 2 young women in my circle of friends with colon cancer. Colon and rectum cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in males and the fourth leading cause of cancer in females in the world. What can you do to help decrease your risk? 45 percent of colorectal cancer cases in the US are preventable. Here are some tips modified from the American Institute for Cancer Research: Do what you can to stay at a healthy ...

I can’t wait to go play baseball! It’s been quite some time since I’ve been out on the field. But, I’m ready to go! Especially, after my pre-baseball power snack or meal! It’s so important to fuel up right, before I play baseball in order to perform and feel my best! My mom is a runner, so she is always adamant that I “get in the proper food” before I play sports. She says eating and eating right before exercise is important to: ...

On my husband’s side of the family they have Age Related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of blindness.  So I’m always trying to get green leafy veggies in my family’s diet any way I can. Eating these foods most days of the week is important for prevention of ARMD. The only problem… they’re not big fans of green leafies that are readily available, prewashed and convenient - like spinach. So here was my solution this week�...

Many useless or dangerous products are being sold over the internet by unscrupulous individuals/companies. Here is a new example where someone made $12 million in 2 years fraudulently marketing dietary supplements over the internet: http://www.justice.gov/usao/mow/news2010/lor.ple.htm These individuals have been prosecuted. However consumers need to be aware of the dangers when buying products that claim to treat disease. Under federal law,...

Kids are rarely prescribed a diet, unless their weight puts them at a critical or immediate health risk. Changing the types of foods that the child eats and adjusting the portions are better steps to preventing or treating overweight. These approaches work best for growing children, emotionally and physically. Encourage your child to eat a healthy breakfast, to eat regular meals, and to engage in exercise most days of the week. Some research s...

Tonight like most nights –I wanted something quick, easy and healthy. There were left-over turkey meatballs from the previous night and an entire baked eggplant untouched. While cooking the meatballs I had put a large eggplant in the oven along with a sweet potato. If I’m going to heat up the oven I try to put more than one dish in there. In addition to conserving energy it’s a time saver for the next meal. I poked a few fork holes in the e...

Occasionally when working with parents, dietitians hear “My child eats a lot throughout the day and is still very thin. How can I beef him or her up?” Here’s my response:  First, keep in mind that in some states 1 out of 3 children is overweight or obese. It could be that your child is at a healthy weight for him or her personally. The same weight on one child may appear too thin or too heavy on another child. At your child’s welln...

Unless your in-laws (or parents, friends, etc.) happens to be a medical doctor or dietitian, you should seek real medical advice. Talk to your doctor and get his/her honest opinion. Even healthy kids can go through a chunky stage, but still remain within a normal growth pattern. It’s important to look at family history and track weight and height on a growth chart with your physician. If the physician is concerned, you can ask for a referral to...