On April 10th, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) began investigating an outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157: H7 infections. These infections were eventually linked to Romaine lettuce grown in Yuma, Arizona. Since that time, the outbreak has spread to at least 19 states, including Ohio, with a reported 84 illnesses. Thankfully there have been no deaths related to this infection; however, there have been several hospitalizations. This outbreak has affected al

Tis the season for grilling! Grilling often involves meat as center stage, but those looking to improve health may opt for less meat and more vegetables. A veggie burger made with beans is an excellent option but is a drastic change for those who love a juicy beef burger. So, let me introduce the “blended” burger. The blend is part ground meat (beef or turkey are commonly used) and part mushrooms. Mushrooms have a ‘meaty’ texture which makes it helpful for substituting p

It's that time of year again, with the release of the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” list. EWG publishes this annual list of fruits and vegetables with supposedly “high” levels of pesticide residue and recommends that consumers buy organic versions of these foods. While the Dirty Dozen list has its own issues with how to interpret safe or unsafe pesticide residue levels, which we’ll discuss in a future blog, I’d like to address the seri

Fat is a part of a healthy diet, but are some fats better than others? What about coconut oil? Should you believe the hype? Catch up on coconut oil from Food Insight. Check out the claims about coconut oil and health here. #healthyhabitsloco #hearthealth #coconutoil #unsaturatedfats #saturatedfat

Olive oil is full of healthy fats and is a significant part of a healthy Mediterranean-style diet. But buying Olive Oil can be overwhelming and confusing. What countries produce the best olive oil? Should I buy extra virgin or would regular olive oil do? How do I know that the Olive Oil I’m buying is of good quality? How do I use it in cooking? Can I bake with it? The North American Olive Oil Association has a great resource with answers to all these questions and more.

April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month. Almost 50,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year, and only 57% will be alive in years (although this is an improvement from just 50% over the last 10 years). The rates of death for oral cancer is higher than cancers that we hear about more often, including Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, thyroid cancer, testicular cancer, and cervical cancer. Oral cancer is particularly dangerous because it is not often discovered until the dise

Breakfast sandwiches are a favorite at our house. How about yours? Build a healthy breakfast sandwich this weekend with these tips from Food Insight.org #breakfast #healthyhabitsloco #protein

Now that we’ve looked at the symptoms and causes of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) let’s talk about one of the most promising nutrition therapies for this sometimes frustrating condition. A FODMAP-restricted diet has been shown to be effective in about 75% of patients who suffer from IBS. FODMAPS may cause IBS symptoms by either pulling more water into the intestine (which can lead to diarrhea) or by contributing to gas, bloating, and pain as these short-chain carbohydrates

It’s the thing no one really wants to talk about, but it affects 10-15% of adults. It can be so disabling that those who suffer from it miss work, school, and social events. In fact, only the common cold results in more missed workdays. It can severely affect your quality of life. April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month, so let’s talk about it! What is it? According to the International Foundation for Functional Gut Disorders (IFFGD), IBS can be a long-t