A Consumer Reports investigation recently found that various protein supplements contain unsafe levels of lead. They evaluated both powders and shakes from plant, dairy, and animal sources. They tested multiple samples from different lots over several months. Many of those studied contained more lead in a single serving than what is considered safe to consume in a day. The word LEAD in gray on a black background. Think for a minute about how popular these products are. Protei

The last two decades have shown a surge in the cases of youth-onset type 2 diabetes. This used to be a disease of adults only and was called adult-onset diabetes, since it was not seen in children. It is now a pediatric disease. Type 2 diabetes in children is rising at a faster rate than type 1 and is a global problem. The word diabetes written on a chalkboard surrounded by a scale, glucometer, stethoscope, exercise equipment, and healthy foods. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is cause

The current recommendations for introducing three of the top allergenic foods in infancy, based on the latest studies, show a reduction in infant food allergies. These top 3 include eggs, peanut products, and milk products.  Pictured are several of the most common allergenic foods including peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, fish, and wheat. Previous advice recommended delaying the nine most common allergenic foods   Peanuts Eggs Milk  Tree nuts  Fish  Shellfish Sesame Soy Wheat

A child’s vegetable intake often declines with age. Achieving the recommended daily vegetable intake of 2-4 servings is difficult. There are things a parent can do that is the focus of this article. Why are vegetables important? Vegetables provide multiple health benefits including fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and plant-based antioxidants not provided by other foods. They help in preventing constipation and feed the gut microbiome. Eating vegetables adds fiber a

Adolescent soccer players running on field. Good nutrition is vital for kids' optimal growth and performance. ] Last week we tackled appropriate hydration for student athletes, this week we look at adequate nutrition, including macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). I also give ideas for pre-workout and recovery snacks. Macronutrients Macronutrients provide energy and help to build and maintain muscle. Carbohydrates (CHO

Keeping your child healthy and well-hydrated helps to optimize sports performance. They need adequate calories for their given sport and constant hydration, preferably with non-sugary beverages - water, water, water. Teenage soccer player hydrating with water - the best hydrator for athletes. This article will give guidelines to ensure optimum hydration for sports and calorie guidelines. Next week's article focuses on appropriate nutrition for their growing bodies and ensure

It is no secret that adolescents and teens are influenced by social media. Many influencers have no expertise in the subject matter they endorse. This is vastly true when it comes to dieting and eating habits promoted by individuals with no medical or dietary background, many of whom are thin young women, promoting potentially harmful eating habits with no scientific basis. Teen girls on social media from which they get much of their health and dietary information. I will out

Children eating a plant-based meal. There are many variations of eating: Vegetarian: excludes animals Vegan: excludes animals, dairy, and eggs Lacto-vegetarian: excludes meat, poultry, and fish but includes milk and milk products Ovo-vegetarian: excludes meat, poultry, and fish but includes eggs Lacto-ovo-vegetarian: excludes meat, poultry, and fish but includes milk, milk products, and eggs Pescatarian: excludes meat and poultry but includes fish, milk, milk products, and e

Now that we discussed improving the nutrient density of meals - let’s use that information to create meals and snacks for home and on the go. School and activities are back in swing! Just because you are eating in the car while rushing from one activity to the next does not mean the drive-thru is your only option. With some planning and preparation, you can feel good about what you serve your kids when away from home. Snacks can be just as nutritious as meals and serve as a m

Making meals that are  nutrient-dense  rather than  energy-dense  is easy and affordable. Nutrient-dense refers to foods high in...

One wouldn’t think in this land of plenty that children would be deficient in crucial vitamins and minerals. Deficiencies are found not...

What is Fiber? Fiber is a carbohydrate found only in plant-based foods - fruit, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Fiber...

If you or your kids are considering a juice cleanse or liver detox diet, think again. This article presents food for thought to outline...

Short answer…no. These drinks are loaded with caffeine, sugar, and other stimulants that are unsafe for children and teens. They also...

I recently read an interesting medical research article on a study done in Denmark on children with central (abdominal) obesity. The...

Why is Stable Blood Sugar Important? You may be familiar with how certain foods affect your blood sugar. Blood sugar, or glucose, gives...

I previously wrote about food contamination following an outbreak caused by raw onions on burgers. This was another interesting...

Group of young multi-cultural women. I recently returned from a Culinary Medicine conference in New Orleans, the birthplace of the program. Dr. Timothy Harlan, both a chef and internal medicine doctor, first helped develop this program at Tulane Medical School. He recognized the importance of food in preventing and treating disease, initiating a movement that many medical schools have now adopted. One of the more interesting topics, and relevant to what I write about, is the

Now that we are in to warmer weather, I am repeating a past article while I am attending a Culinary Medicine Conference. The rest of the...

Research is making it very clear that ultra-processed foods consumed frequently can lead to a significant decrease in mental function...