Food and Diet. Find daily health food tips and ideas from Dr. David Samadi. Discover healthy food for healthy living. Explore major food issues and debates related to health such as buying and cooking with organic food, genetically modified food (GMO versus Non-GMO), nutrition, dieting epidemic, obesity, disease prevention, best digestion foods.
Recently, we evaluated a study that showed eliminating synthetic trans fats from ones diet may help improve memory. Researchers are still unclear whether or not its trans-unsaturated fatty acids or trans fats that interfere with memory by directly affecting the nervous system. They're also looking into whether or not the correlation stems from the cardiovascular damage which harms the brain as well.
Read MoreNutrition is key to metabolism. The pathways of metabolism rely upon nutrients that are broken down in order to produce energy. Years of overeating can cause your metabolism to slow down thus burning fat much slower. Essential nutrients supply energy (calories) and supply the necessary chemicals which the body itself cannot create. Food provides a variety of substances, essential for building, upkeep, and repair of body tissues, and for the efficient functioning of the body.
Read MoreDespite intense scrutiny of artificial sweeteners for years, the product continues to be popular with dieters, diabetics and many just looking for a sweet fix. Even in the face of declining soda sales, the market share of diet soda continues to expand, with the second most popular soda being a diet variety. At the same time, the global market for non-sugar sweeteners has had impressive sales in recent years.
Read MoreBone broth cocktails? Yes indeed, you heard that right. At first thought, adding bone broth to alcohol doesn't seem like the best combination. Also called "healing soup" many experts believe it fosters gut health and boost immunity. Most people concoct these recipes for the health benefits rather than the taste. There are many an ingredient (be it some exotic) that we might add to a cocktail but would you ever think to add bone broth? Wellness experts want you to start. Here's why.
Read MoreBeware of the health halo that falls over healthy grocery store chains like Whole Foods. There's a distinct difference between healthy and gourmet. Gourmet can make it seem healthy to buy a pint of organic, fair trade ice cream and eat the entire container in one sitting. But this is never going to be a good idea for your weight, regardless of non-GMO, coconut milk or the certified organic.
Read MoreHave you ever been told to “slow down” when eating? Or maybe you finish a meal feeling completely stuffed but don’t really remember how much you ate? If so, maybe you’re leaving out a very important part of what should be done at every meal and snack – mindful eating. Mindful eating is focusing completely on what you are eating without distractions which allows you to pay attention to the act of eating from biting into the food, the taste, the mouthfeel, chewing and swallowing. Mindful eating is also paying attention to the feeling of fullness that builds throughout the meal and allowing yourself to stop eating once you begin to feel full.
Read MoreYour best friend and ally in helping you reduce sugar intake has always been at your fingertips - the Nutrition Facts panel. Hopefully soon, with one small change, this trusted source of nutrition information will help you even further in slashing sugar to a more reasonable amount. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing that the nutrition facts label on packaged foods include the percent daily value (DV) for added sugars. Maybe it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it is and it’s been long overdue.
Read MoreWe rely on energy to get through the day, the week, the year. We know that losing out on sleep can leave you drained, but sleep deprivation is only one of a long list of possible reasons behind feeling exhausted. So, what can you do to boost your energy levels throughout the day? The best way to keep energy up is to eat well. The general rule of thumb for high energy foods are those high in fiber but low in glycemic index.
Read MoreWhat would we do without water – nothing! Out of the six classes of nutrients (water, carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals) water is undoubtedly the most important nutrient of all. Our bodies cannot store water or make it on its own and each day it must be replaced as we constantly lose water through our urine, feces, sweat, skin and lungs. Most of us could go for weeks without eating food but would last only a few days without water.
Read MoreOne of the easiest and healthiest ways to cook vegetables is to steam them. If you have an electric steamer or bamboo steamer, great but they’re not necessary. I just use a regular saucepan with a wire basket that fits inside and a lid that fits to place on top and you’re good.
Read MoreResearchers found that adherence to a modified Mediterranean diet decreased DNA damage than can lead to the development of tumors. According to the World Cancer Research Fund International, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. U.S: 1 in 7 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. American Cancer Society estimates a staggering 220,800 new cases and 27,540 deaths from prostate cancer in 2015.
Read MoreWhether you’ve tried coconut water or not, you have to admit, this beverage has been riding a tremendous tidal wave of sales. The growth of coconut water consumers has been no less than outstanding as this drink, referred to by Hawaiians as “dew from the heavens,” has been soaking up a sales growth of 30% annually. It shows no signs of slowing down and its popularity continues to crack wide open.
Read MoreProtein burns fat, builds muscle, keeps your fuller longer and continues to be one of the most satisfying food groups you can eat. Oh and did we mention there are some seriously delicious options? And now, new research shows losing weight highly depends on your protein intake and not just from the typical chicken but more veggies. The study published in Nutrition Journal found that plant protein intakes may play a role in preventing obesity. A little known fact is that protein is found in almost all plants.
Read MoreThe average American consumes approximately one third of a pound of sugar each day, translating into nearly 130 pounds of sugar per person every year. As a nation sugar usage exceeds 9 million tons a year. As for sugar, it is nearly impossible and unnecessary to remove completely from ones diet. Sugar is naturally found in most foods, however avoidance of refined process sugar is key to a healthier lifestyle. Try to decrease the number of steps between the original food source and your table. For instance instead of eating candy when craving something sweet, choose a piece of fruit. Fruit is a natural source of sugar paired with fiber, which will keep you full longer and improve digestion.
Read MoreThere are so many diets out there and weight loss tips. Many of them can work if integrated into a healthy lifestyle plan. We've talked about all types of weight loss strategies and trends recently on the blog. From intermittent fasting and weight loss myths to juicing and detoxing for losing weight, there are sure no shortages of tips. However many people make a lot of mistakes when they choose to go on a diet or lose weight. Here are the top 9 mistakes to avoid and a few tips to apply to your journey.
Read MoreCooking with healthy fats is something that has been explained over and over again in recent months. Healthy cooking oils are a great way to acquire those healthy fats in your diet. Think olive oil, coconut oil and others but experts are saying there is one common oil that actually may be leading to weight gain, soybean oil. For many years, this oil was considered a healthier alternative compared to oils that contain a lot of saturated fat. But now a new study concludes it may lead to more weight gain that fructose.
Read MoreExperts within the holistic and integrative medicine profession have spoken about drinks crafted from traditional herbs in the Ayurvedic principle helps people shrink belly fat. Carrying excess fat around the mid-section also known as central abdominal obesity means a type of fat called visceral fat, is more prevalent than it should be. Visceral fat gets stored within the abdomen and is what creates a bulge in the belly area. Because it is a more metabolically active fat, it increases inflammation and insulin resistance of tissues that increase the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and possibly certain cancers.
Read MoreJunk food and especially processed foods are just never going to be a good idea. They say everything in moderation, however with junk food, it's important to stay as far away as possible. The key is learning about healthier and more delicious options that still satisfy a sweet or savory craving.
Read MoreIt's no secret that eating out isn't always the best option for a healthy lifestyle. But it's not always avoidable, nor should it be (We're talking to you, foodies!) So how can you eat healthy but still enjoy dining in a restaurant? Here's our tips. Next challenge: summertime. You know what that means – outings, vacations……healthy eating? Of course. Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean healthy eating goes on vacation too. Traveling does mean more reliance on restaurants, convenience stores, airport food or other modes of eating. We may think our only eating options are burgers, hot dogs, fries and soft drinks. Surprisingly, this is not the case.
Read MoreAlthough most are preventable, foodborne illnesses continue to be a big problem in the United States. It seems as if every few months we hear about another food-borne illness outbreak, whether it is caused by the well-known culprits Salmonella and E. coli, or less familiar organisms like Listeria, or Vibrio. The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that there are almost 50 million illnesses linked to foodborne illness annually. Why are these outbreaks so common and how can you stay safe?
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