Nutrition tips, food trends, healthy living, and travel — written by a registered dietitian who believes wellness should be practical, enjoyable, and grounded in science.
TikTokers have been harping on about toxic seed oils for a while now, with several prominent health influencers claiming that they're highly inflammatory. Is there any truth to their claims? Here's what the science says about seed oils and why they aren't as bad for you as you might think. If you're feeling a bit… Read More
Discover 25 healthy snacks from Costco to fuel you between meals and prevent hangry meltdowns. We became a Costco family when I was pregnant with our twins, and we haven't looked back! Although we don't get everything there, most of our groceries come from Costco, and I've come to appreciate buying in bulk for our… Read More
This barbecue chicken naan bread pizza comes together in minutes and offers all the comforting goodness of pizza without feeling too indulgent. Topped with barbecue sauce, chicken, red onions, and fresh mozzarella, each slice offers a delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors. We love pizza 🍕 in this house. My husband requests it every birthday… Read More
Made with a combination of sweet peaches, salty feta, and aromatic basil, this cold lentil salad comes together in minutes and is packed full of delicious flavors. I'm on a lentil kick at the moment. A couple of weeks ago, one of our girls was going through a teething spell and the poor thing sobbed… Read More
As a breastfeeding, working mother of twins, and dietitian, I've learned invaluable lessons over my kids' first 16 months of life. From making time to eat and hydrate to investing in wearable pumps and nursing-friendly clothing, here are my top 10 tips to help you navigate this challenging yet rewarding journey. As I sit down… Read More
Almost all of us will experience a head cold at some point. In fact, according to the CDC, the average adult experiences 2-3 colds per year. With another cold season already in full flight, here are a few immune-boosting suggestions for kicking the sniffles. A couple of weeks ago I picked up a nasty head… Read More
I love a good cheese plate. It’s my go-to starter for dinner parties and few weekends go by without an epic snack plate, even if it’s just for two. However, just like everything else, you can have too much of a good thing and there’s nothing worse than feeling uncomfortable full before the main course even… Read More
Looking for the perfect gift for a wellness enthusiast this holiday season? Search no more. I've rounded up my top wellness picks for a healthier, happier 2020. Holiday Gift Guide For Wellness Warriors 1: Gravity Blanket Weighted Blanket, $199. A blanket that warms you up and gives you a hug at the same time. Cozy… Read More
Struggling to find the perfect gift for a foodie family member or a budding home cook? I've scoured the internet for the best cool and useful gifts for the foodies in your life this holiday season. Many of these items I own and adore. Holiday Gift Guide For Foodies 1: AeroGarden Sprout LED, $89.95. Help… Read More
It’s easy to fall into the fast-food trap when you’re stuck in an airport with limited healthy options. Save money, and prevent hangry meltdowns by stashing a few of these TSA-approved snacks in your carry-on. I will be the first one to admit that staying healthy on the road can be a challenge. Over the… Read More
After a tough, lactic-filled workout it’s hard to fathom food, let alone down a steak. But getting high-quality protein and a little bit of carbohydrate is one of the best things you can do for your body after a high-intensity training session. Here's what you need to know about post-workout nutrition… Why You Need Protein… Read More
Made with a combination of lean ground turkey and Italian herbs, these easy meatballs are both comforting and nutritious. Eat them on their own or throw them on top of pasta or even salad greens. This dish is nothing short of baller! You may have noticed that we are pretty big on meatballs around here…. Read More
Hooray, it's FRIDAY! Here are a handful of ideas for making this weekend a healthier one: #1: Get some sun, but not too much. Sun exposure fosters vitamin D synthesis which helps ward-off bone loss, autoimmune conditions, some forms of cancer, and respiratory infections [1]. Vitamin D deficiency is rampant, and adding a little sun to… Read More
A couple of weeks ago I spent 5 days at the National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo in DC (aka FNCE). FNCE brings together dietitians from all over the globe to learn about the latest nutrition research and hottest food trends. Each year I comb the conference sessions and expo floor for the most… Read More
Jerusalem was our first stop in Israel and exceeded my expectations in so many ways. It’s an intense, bustling city, and a deeply religious place. We stayed just outside the Old City walls and spent most of the time wandering through the winding laneways of the Jewish, Christian, and Arab quarters. The diversity within the… Read More
Our trip to Israel and Turkey in June was our first excursion to the Middle East and one of our best adventures yet! We visited the Western Wall on Shabbat, swam in the Dead Sea, ate Israeli street food, and spent an afternoon at a hamam in Istanbul. It was a trip full of contrasts,… Read More
Over the last couple of years, I have flown back and forth to Philly a dozen times, maybe more. Each trip we've explored new coffee shops, cocktail bars and restaurant scattered amongst the brownstones, and skyscrapers. Here are some of my favorite foodie stops in Philadelphia. Over the last couple of years, I flown back… Read More
As many of you know, I have a full time gig at Yummly as the Head of Nutrition and Wellness. A couple of weeks ago, I spent 5 days in Vegas at the Consumer Electronic Show (CES). The show is MASSIVE, and brings over 170 000 people to Vegas, including many of the world’s biggest… Read More
Three weeks ago 13K dietitians (including me) descended on Chicago for the annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). It was a crazy couple of days, packed with educational sessions, social events, and meetings. I came home completely wiped, but buzzing with inspiration about the future of food. One of the best parts of FNCE… Read More
Lectins have been whirring around health circles for a while now, particularly among paleo enthusiasts. They have been dubbed as inflammatory, toxic and a contributing factor to various diseases. But is there any science behind these claims? I took a look. What Are Lectins? Lectins are carbohydrate-binding proteins believed to help plants ward off harmful… Read More
Recently, I took my first nutritional genetics test through Nutrigenomix in Canada. I’d been toying with the idea of getting tested for a while but finally, bit the bullet after taking a 5-week course on nutritional genetics through Monash University in Melbourne. Here’s what I learned about myself … My first encounter with nutritional genetics… Read More
The second and third legs of our Portuguese adventure were spent in Porto at the mouth of the Douro River, and Lagos on The Algarve. Once again, we were spoiled with incredible food, and fascinating sights, but this part of the trip came with another bonus: the beach! Check out the details below. Porto Porto–second… Read More
I was going to make this post something completely different, but then I got my annual physical results back. Everything was normal except one thing: my vitamin D levels. Admittedly, I am a little embarrassed about it. After all, I’m a dietitian. This should be my forté. But the truth is I am just as… Read More
When I told people that I had booked 10 days in Portugal I got a lot of ‘that seems like an odd choice’ looks. However, after exploring three cities I can safely say that Portugal is anything but boring. Vibrant and charming, with a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape, Portugal surpassed my expectations in almost every… Read More
Last week for the first time in years, I got hurt. I was on my normal recovery-day jogging loop when I felt a sharp pang shoot up my right calf. I stretched it out on a step and tried to continue on. It only got tighter and more painful. This was more than just a… Read More
It’s been an unusually cold and wet in San Francisco of late. In fact, we had a stretch mid-January where it rained almost non-stop for 10 days. I’ve been feeling cabin-feverish and restless, however, I recognize that the rain is much-needed in drought-stricken California. In the 2 years I've lived here, I can recall just… Read More
If you follow me on social media, you’ll know that I spent last week in Sydney. It was an ambitious schedule, but worthwhile trip nevertheless. Sydney always brings me a sense of calm as well a delicious food, more coffees than sensible, and a whole lot of love from family and friends. Self-Care in Sydney… Read More
Originally, I tried to squeeze my top 10 FNCE highlights into one post, but I quickly realized that each point deserved its own spotlight, and a rambling list just wasn’t going to cut the mustard. So, here I am writing part two of my FNCE recap. 6. Avocados are the best, and the serving size just got… Read More
Hello, from the skies of middle America. As I write this post I am flying back to San Francisco after spending 5 days in Boston for the National Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE). I am returning with new friends, a swag full of healthy snacks, and an expanded repertoire of nutrition knowledge. Technically I… Read More
Staying healthy away from home can be a challenge, especially if you're going somewhere new. Here are my top 5 healthy travel hacks… Last weekend I spent the weekend under the Texan sun at Austin City Limits (ACL). This is the third time I’ve been to Austin/ ACL, and it’s always a treat. Austin is a fascinating mix of hippies,… Read More
As I write this I am looking forward to my morning latte. I have only been a coffee drinker for a couple of years, but I have come to love the morning ritual. There’s something so comforting about hugging a cup of creamy, bitter goodness as I make my way to work. It’s one of… Read More
Every now and then I stop by the raw section of my neighborhood supermarket. I am not a rawist (or anything close), but there's an extra layer of creativity that goes into eating exclusively raw that I find fascinating. Maca powder is one of the raw ingredients that been on my radar for a while… Read More
Over the last couple of years you may have heard various bits and pieces floating around about the alkaline diet. Victoria Beckham, Kelly Ripa and Elle Macpherson are just a few celeb alkaline diet enthusiasts. But is there actually any science behind this increasingly popular eating pattern? Here’s my research-backed take on the most basic… Read More
This topic has received plenty of attention since the World Health Organization declared red meat a level 2A carcinogen in 2015. Level 2A carcinogen means that observational studies have shown that there is a positive relationship between red meat consumption and cancer and that there is strong evidence to show the underlying mechanism of action… Read More
