It might be a morning ritual, an after-lunch pick-me-up, or a nightcap, but drinking coffee is a part of the day for more than 60% of Americans. About half of people in the United States also have at least one soda per day. Add in all the tea, chocolate and energy drinks and that’s a lot of caffeine consumed. So…
Organic, healthy, low-fat, natural and the list goes on – commercial food packages are filled with seemingly healthy terms. The truth is, there are plenty of foods packed with unhealthy ingredients that are deemed organic and natural. The best place to look decipher a healthy choice from an unhealthy one is the nutrition facts label and ingredient list. But even…
Plant-based milks have long catered to those with lactose intolerance, milk protein allergy and food restrictions. Lately, these dairy alternatives’ sustainability and health aspects have attracted more consumers to add them to their grocery carts in the form of milk, yogurt, coffee creamers and desserts. The nutrient profile of dairy alternatives varies among brands. It’s common practice to load sugar…
It’s no secret the pandemic has shifted family schedules – many parents are working from home, some children are attending virtual school and participating in fewer evening-time extracurricular activities and sports. A silver lining of the pandemic for some are family meals. In fact, research demonstrates a plethora of health benefits associated with consuming meals as a family. Along with…
Most parents have seen television commercials that seem to poke fun at the fact that children don’t want to eat their vegetables. Picky eaters push peas around their plates – but don’t try them. Cooked spinach brings a grimace. Roasted beets are strange enough to make them raise their little eyebrows. These attitudes may seem funny, but when some parents…
We all know the feeling of waking up after a night of not enough sleep – a groggy morning, followed by a long, long day. But not getting enough sleep doesn’t just affect your day to day life. Sleep has a much bigger impact on your overall health; and most of us aren’t getting enough. More than one-third of Americans regularly…
As May is National Women’s Health Month, it’s a good time to be aware of autoimmune disorders and also how they can impact women.
There are many reasons to consider shifting to a plant-based diet. A big one is heart health. Even people who have eaten poorly much of their life can dramatically reduce heart disease risks by shifting to a whole-food, plant-based diet. Even without becoming a vegetarian or vegan, shifting eating habits to include more fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and other plant…
As technology continues to advance, it has become more and more difficult for parents to unplug their children from the electronic world. With distractions like cell phones, laptops, television and video games, it is easy for kids to lose themselves in the lure of today’s gadgets. Is there any hope for parents trying to tear kids away from their screens?…
By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and certified health coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Running is one of the simplest and most popular forms of exercise. It doesn’t require expensive equipment or a gym membership to start. It’s a full-body workout that can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and help manage weight. Here are eight…
