Let’s face it, preventing weight gain is a common concern for many people, and seeking advice from a registered dietitian is a great step towards maintaining your desired weight. Truthfully, getting older may make it difficult to stay the same size you were in your 20s or even 30s. Plus, gaining weight around your midsection…

Did you make a promise to eat better this year? I know it’s easy to be overwhelmed by the latest healthy eating trend, or the top “superfood” ingredient. However, good nutrition is really about consistently choosing healthier foods and beverages most of the time. I remind my clients and patients that consistency is the key…

This is the first year I’ve selected a few “things” I think would be perfect gifts for the holidays. I have tried and tasted all of these products except for one. The product I haven’t tried is a cookbook by Maya Feller because it’s not available until January 24, 2023. Pre-order your copy now like…

  This recipe is perfect as a side holiday dish. The pomegranate vinaigrette adds a bit of sweetness without added sugars.

  Simple, quick, and delicious vegan chocolate pudding to satisfy your sweet cravings.

This month we are celebrating the achievements and history of Black Americans as part of Black History Month. Food and nutrition are a part of our business and profession so I want to highlight foods from our Southern culture and African ancestors. You may have been told soul food is unhealthy. In fact, some think…

We are born preferring sweet tastes not bitter and sour tastes. This is the reason why children rarely say no to candy while refusing to eat broccoli. Bitter flavors indicated that a plant might be poisonous and sour ones prevented us from eating spoiled calories. Our taste buds saved us from fatal outcomes. But are…

Processed foods have gotten a bad rap. We have been told to avoid processed foods because it causes heart disease, weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and many other chronic illnesses. But did you know processed foods aren’t just a bag of potato chips, a cheeseburger meal at your local fast-food restaurant, or a box of…

What is National Nutrition Month®? An annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (aka The Academy). The Academy is is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. I’ve been a member of this organization for 15 years. In March, the Academy focuses on attention on healthful eating through National Nutrition…

Did you know? Just 1 in 10 American adults meet the daily fruit and vegetable recommendations. Not eating the daily recommended fruit and vegetable intake puts you at risk for chronic health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. You’re also at risk for certain cancers. Your body is missing out on important vitamins,…

I wanted to write a blog post about my life after the LEAP Dietary Program. It’s been 3 years since I completed the LEAP ImmunoCalm Dietary Program in 2017. I can’t believe it’s been 3 years! I thought it was time to give my readers an update about my health journey since a lot has changed…

September is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) awareness month. A time to raise awareness about issues related to polycystic ovary syndrome. I wanted to highlight this health condition because more women are contacting me to help them lose weight, reduce sugar cravings, and reduce other PCOS related symptoms. Here’s a brief overview of PCOS. What is…

During this pandemic, people are looking for special foods or dietary supplements to support our immune system and prevent illness. No one was to get sick. The immune system is complex and there is a lot to learn about the immune response. Not one specific food or dietary supplement will prevent us from getting sick.…

Did you know 77% of Americans report taking dietary supplements? You or somebody you know takes a supplement every day which may or may not be necessary. A few reasons we spend something like 35 billion on vitamins, minerals, botanicals, and other substances are to make up for missing nutrients and to give ourselves an…

Did you know breakfast is the perfect time to get most of your nutrients such as fiber, protein, carbs, and mono- and polyunsaturated fats? Breakfast should be easy, quick, and taste really good. Don’t you agree? Giving your body the healthy start it needs and keeps you feeling satisfied and ready for the day. Begin…

I’m concerned about the rapidly evolving risks of Coronavirus (COVID-19) a serious respiratory virus. The CDC recommends people at higher risk of contracting this virus to have an action plan including getting medications and stocking up on groceries. If you’re preparing to stay at home for an extended period of time, I want to make…

Go and grab a food item from your pantry or refrigerator. Look at the nutrition facts label on the back or side of the package. Do you notice something different? Yes? No? Maybe? There are changes to the nutrition facts label. It has a new look. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the changes…

Do you think vegans are healthier? Are they? Not so long ago, vegans were mostly hippies who ate nuts and berries and lived in places like San Francisco, California. Well not anymore. Professional athletes are vegans. Celebrities are vegans. Your next-door neighbor is a vegan. You may be a vegan. According to the online dictionary,…

It’s so natural to crave sugar. We are predisposed to like sugar from infancy. Babies smile and laugh after drinking something sweet and frown and cry after drinking something bitter. Sugar makes us happy. Eating too many high sugar foods every day such as soda, sweet tea, pies, candy, and my Starbucks hazelnut latte may…

It is that time of year again when the leaves are turning orange, yellow, and red, the temperature is cooler, and the sun sets at 6:00 PM. It’s also the time of year Fall and Winter fruits and vegetables are in season. My favorites are Honey Crisp apples, beets, and Brussels sprouts. I want to…

The new and improved Nutrition Facts Label is on numerous packaged foods and beverages to make it easier for you and I to make healthier food choices. By January 1, 2021, the updated nutrition facts label will be on every food and beverage product in the United States. Before I tell you what’s new about…

Have you heard about probiotics and prebiotics? Do you know someone taking probiotics or eating yogurt because they heard it was good for them? Probiotics is a more common word than prebiotics, however, both are beneficial to improving our gut health. Nutrition research is ongoing in this area to determine the effectiveness and safety of…

Yesterday morning I was live on a local radio station program: V-103 The Frank and Wanda Morning Show discussing what pescatarians eat, the health benefits, and tips to stick with this eating plan. I had a blast answering callers questions along with staff questions. My time on the show passed by quickly. I realized after…

Are you wondering what a plant-based lifestyle is all about? Heard about it through social media, the Internet, from your medical doctor, friends, family, or co-workers? Well, a plant-based lifestyle is not a vegan (no animal products) lifestyle or even a vegetarian (allows eggs and dairy) lifestyle. A plant-based lifestyle is somewhat similar but not…

There are so many plant-based milk alternatives I wasn’t able to write about in Part 1 so I’m giving you a breakdown of the remaining milk alternatives in Part 2: rice, cashew, hemp, flaxseed, and pea protein. As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I’m not against drinking cow’s milk at all. It’s rich…

Have you noticed the numerous plant-based milk alternative brands on the grocery store shelves? There are so many different options to cow’s milk for consumers to buy compared to 5 years ago. Plant-based milk alternatives can also be made at home. Homemade versions are not fortified with nutrients like calcium, Vitamin B12, or Vitamin D.…

Last month was very memorable for me because I celebrated National Nutrition Month by highlighted four female African American registered dietitians nutritionists making outstanding contributions to the food and nutrition profession AND I made my radio show debut on not 1, not 2 but 3 radio show segments! I felt truly blessed to be asked…

The dynamic duo, Wendy Lopez MS, RD, CDE and Jessica Jones MS, RD, CDE (no relation I think) of Food Heaven Made Easy are the final dietitians I’m highlighting for National Nutrition Month AND Women History Month. I reached out to four registered dietitians nutritionists (Andrea Postell, Marisa Moore, Basheerah Enahora, and Wendy & Jessica)…

Spring is here and I’m still celebrating National Nutrition Month AND Women History Month by highlighting several African American female dietitians blazing a trail as the food and nutrition experts. I reached out to four registered dietitians nutritionists passionate about making a difference in their communities, from coast to coast, and all over the world.…

I’m still celebrating National Nutrition Month AND Women History Month by highlighting several African American female dietitians blazing a trail as the food and nutrition experts. I reached out to four registered dietitians nutritionists passionate about making a difference in their communities, from coast to coast, and all over the world. I asked them to…

March is here! March for me means warmer weather (hello Spring!), National Nutrition Month AND Women History Month. I want to commemorate these events by highlighting several African American female dietitians blazing a trail as the food and nutrition experts. I reached out to four registered dietitians nutritionists (RDN) passionate about making a difference in…

“Eating healthy is way too expensive.” Do you know how many times I’ve heard that statement? Too many to count. Do YOU think eating healthy is impossible? I make a living teaching people how to eat nutritious and delicious foods to meet their budget needs. It’s not as difficult as you may think. However, saving…

If your New Year’s resolution was to eat better or start exercising you’re not alone. On average, more than 40% Americans make New Year’s resolutions. The beginning of a new year is a chance for a fresh start. An opportunity for self-improvement. If you don’t have a New Year’s resolution but want to make healthier…

What is LEAP? LEAP (Lifestyle Eating and Performance) ImmunoCalm Dietary Program was established by a team of health professionals including registered dietitians, physicians, immunologists, and others to treat health problems linked with food sensitivities. LEAP isn’t a DIET. The LEAP dietary program tells you what foods to avoid and which foods you should eat to…

Nutrition information can be conflicting and confusing. What is good for you today may be bad for you tomorrow and vice versa. Over the years I have heard countless rules pertaining to nutrition. Some rules are made to be broken and I’m going to tell you the rules I always break.   Rule #1: Drinking…

Salads are simple and quick to make as a main entrée, side entrée or a snack for busy individuals or families. Salads can be a part of a nutritious meal plan depending on the serving size and ingredients. Here are a few ways you may be ruining your salads and sabotaging your health: 1. Using…

Eating out should be an enjoyable experience. A time to get together with family members and friends to eat a delicious and satisfying meal. If you’re trying to lose weight or manage your weight, restaurants have made it much easier to choose healthier options by listing the number of calories next to the menu item…

Fresh blueberries are a treat during the hot summer months. This popular fruit is sweet, delicious and loaded with powerful antioxidants that can be paired with different foods to enhance flavor. A group of antioxidant compounds, anthocyanins, are responsible for the royal blue color and contributes to various health benefits like reducing blood pressure and…