How to Keep your Child with Food Allergies Safe at School

One in 13 children in the United States suffers from potentially life-threatening food allergies, and the number is rising. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the percentage of children with food allergies has actually increased by 50% since 1997. If you have a child with food allergies, you may be worried about …

The Language of Packaging Dates

Do you ever wonder what expiration dates on the packages mean in the grocery store? When you take something home and it is past the “use by” date, does this mean it is still OK to eat? Here are some tips on various terms related to packages, terms, and what they mean. • "Sell by" …

Asparagus

Asparagus is in season right now which means it is fresh and affordable making it a great way to add some vegetables to your day. Don’t forget we all need to consume at least 2 ½ cups per day of vegetables! Asparagus is a flowering perennial, a cousin to garlic. It is one of the …

Sugar Substitutes

As dietitians, we get asked quite frequently about sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners. Are they safe? What is the best kind to use? How much or how little should I be consuming? The list goes on. The general consensus is that sugar substitutes are safe however the FDA has set Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) levels …

July is National Ice Cream Month

Given those long, hot summer days it’s no wonder that July is known as National Ice Cream Month. Ice cream is a refreshing treat on those hot summer days. Did you know that ice cream has been around in America since the 1700’s and the first ice cream parlor opened in New York in 1776? …

The Star of the Month: Corn

As we hit the middle of August, the end of summer and going back to school are likely on everyone’s minds. But there is one good thing about this time of year and that is corn is in season! Although a lot of people may think that corn is off limits due to its high …

September is National Cholesterol Education Month

Were you aware that September is National Cholesterol Education Month? What exactly does this mean? This means it is time to become familiar with your bad or LDL cholesterol (also referred to as the lousy cholesterol). Too much in the blood is one of the main risk factors for heart disease and stroke which are …

Back to School Snacks

With the new school year starting, it is a good time to make sure you have healthy snacks on hand for your kids to grab after school. Having a snack after school can help your child focus and re-energize to play outside or work on homework. Kids typically turn to unhealthy snacks such as chips, …

Pizza Pizza!

Did you know that October is National Pizza Month? Everyone loves pizza but it is often thought of as an unhealthy food as it is typically high in calories, sodium, and fat. Of course there is room to enjoy pizza in moderation within every diet but if you are a pizza lover, it might not hurt …