Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Chocolate has earned the title “health food” in the last decade. But like wine, coconut butter, almond flour and so many foods in the health and fitness world that are celebrated for their nutritional benefits, how healthy is it really and how much should you eat?
Confession: I rarely consume the recommended 2 servings of fish per week (8-12oz). This isn’t because I don’t like fish. On the contrary, I adore fish and most types of seafood including scallops, crab, and lobster! And all through pregnancy I have been dreaming of some really good sushi!! But, when you live with a spouse who dislikes, no, abhors any and all seafood, including it into the meal plan is quite challenging. But, I learned in those early months as a newlywed I can either view the glass as half full or empty. Right?!
Some foods don’t have a sexy name or an enticing appearance but such foods, like prunes, should not be underestimated for their tasty flavor and notable health benefits. My 1 ½-year-old daughter frequently asks for them by name at snack time! While they may have a reputation for helping people improve regularity, they have several other worthwhile benefits that may actually surprise you!
“I’m on a high fiber diet. When I get hungry, I buy more yarn.”— Unknown
Say the word fiber and these are some of the images that pop into our minds:
Sawdust
Cardboard
Bark
Celery
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Unfortunate for many, it often brings an unpleasant and quite unappetizing picture to mind. Maybe that is why fiber gummies, supplements, and mix-ins are so widely used. But ask me how to define fiber and I will describe scrumptious, tasty real food!
Take a look at almost anyone’s refrigerator door and you will likely find a bottle (or two or three) of their favorite salad dressing. Which one do you choose when you are at the grocery store? What makes you buy that one in particular? Maybe the manufacturer has cleverly marketed the products to give the perception that after eating some fresh salad greens lightly tossed with this specific dressing, a slimmer waistline will naturally result. Good luck!