Jen is the Manager of Nutrition and Healthy Living Programs at SAS Institute in Cary, NC. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and an Integrative and Functional Nutrition Certified Practitioner. Outside of work, Jen enjoys hiking with her family, practicing yoga and spending quality time with her dogs.
What do you do when you want that extra dessert or handful of chips, but you’ve reached a point where junk foods are getting in the way of your health goals?
Do you have a love-hate relationship with cookies, chocolate, potato chips, fill-in-the-blank? It’s important to know that there is nothing inherently wrong with you if you crave these foods. In fact, there’s plenty of science that explains why we reach for sweet, salty or savory foods over and over, but
Sauces, spreads and seasonings are a great way to add some zip to a meal, and it can be convenient to buy them instead of making them from scratch. Unfortunately, a lot of store-bought condiments and dressings (even many targeting health-conscious consumers) are filled will additives. From added sugars, MSG
If you’ve decided to make some changes this year, but you have yet to start or your resolution is fizzling out after a couple weeks of going strong, you are not alone. Even when we have the best intentions, stubborn old habits, day-to-day responsibilities and unexpected life events can sometimes
Have you seen the Instagram Reel that jokes that replacing your morning coffee with green tea can decrease what little joy you have left in this world by 80% or something along those lines? As a coffee lover and former green tea not-so-enthusiast, that one cracks me up every time.
Cholesterol is one of many factors that impact your risk of heart disease. Cholesterol itself is not the enemy, but when the types of cholesterol and the particles carrying them around are out of balance, it’s time to make some adjustments to decrease your risk.
Which came first — popularizing eggs as great breakfast choice or blaming eggs for high cholesterol levels? For a food created by nature, eggs sure have been put through the wringer! Let’s dive into the facts and latest research related to the great egg debate.
If you think the only redeeming quality of mushrooms is that they housed your favorite childhood tiny blue Saturday morning cartoon characters, think again, and give these tasty and nutrition-packed toadstools another try! When I came across this 2021 study that mushroom consumption is associated with a lower risk of
Whether you are looking for a gift for someone interested in making more meals at home, searching for something sweet for a friend with food allergies, seeking something sustainably sourced or perusing for a present you can make yourself, you’ve come to the right place. Check out the ideas below
Do you have a love/hate relationship with cruciferous vegetables? You love eating them, but your gut hates digesting them? Or you can’t stand the bitter flavor, but you would love to get the health benefits from eating them? Whether it’s your taste buds or your belly that has a crucifer
Are you bothered by a runny nose for hours after eating certain foods? Or brain fog or joint pain the morning after straying from your normal eating pattern? Do you avoid eating in unfamiliar restaurants for fear of the aftermath? If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you may have
If you can’t go more than a few days (or maybe even a few hours) without hearing the words “There’s nothing to eat” or “What else is there to eat?” chances are you live with a teenager. Between their increased energy needs during growth spurts and variations in day-to-day schedules,
Nut butters are a secret weapon for making fruits, raw veggies and oatmeal more satisfying. If you’ve branched out beyond peanut butter, you know store-bought nut and seed butters can get expensive and often contain added sugar and oils, so why not make your own? If you have some nuts,
Exercise and nutrition go hand-in-hand, and there is lots of conflicting advice out there about the best way to eat to power your workouts. If you’re just getting started, or getting back in the game after a fitness hiatus it’s important to separate the hype from tried and true tactics.
Whether you decide to limit or avoid meat, eggs and/or dairy for health, ethical, religious or environmental reasons, there are a few things you should know to ensure you’re getting the right balance of nutrients to optimize your health and energy now and for years to come.
Does healthy eating on a budget seem out of reach? You might think you have to sacrifice good nutrition to keep your food finances in check, but thinking that way can be a justification for purchasing cheaper, highly-processed foods. Such foods marketed as complete meals or sides often contain little
If your salt and pepper shakers are the only seasonings that have seen the light of day in recent weeks, it’s time to step up your game with homemade seasoning blends. They’ll soon become your secret weapon to making healthy, mouth-watering meals in a flash.
Jicama dickory dock. Eat this root vegetable — it’s not a rock. Chop it up and see How tasty it can be, Especially when you serve it with guac. Pronounced HEE-ka-ma, this unassuming tuber might be something you stroll right by in the produce section of your grocery store without
Whether you call it intermittent fasting, time-restricted eating, circadian-rhythm fasting or simply skipping breakfast, reducing the number of hours you eat in a day has been gaining in popularity over the past decade. It has been cited as a strategy to lose weight, control blood sugar, reduce the risk of
Injustice in the food system – I’ve put off blogging about this for too long for a couple of reasons — 1) it’s far too broad a topic to adequately tackle in one blog and 2) for fear of the discomfort it may cause people, myself included, as I want
Why all the fuss about hydration? H2O helps regulate body temperature, transports nutrients throughout the body and cushions joints. Not only that, but it is essential for flushing waste products and toxins from the body. Environmental pollutants, household chemicals, alcohol, medications and end products from your body’s natural chemical reactions
Spring is the time of plans and projects. ― Leo Tolstoy With all of the adapting you’ve done and adjustments you’ve made due to COVID-19, you may not have had a chance to appreciate that spring is in the air. Last Friday was the first day of spring, the season
Whether you are a regimented breakfast eater, a breakfast skipper or fall somewhere in between, we could all use some new ideas for breaking our overnight fast with something besides a pastry, a bowl of cereal or a bagel. All too often people grab what is most convenient during their
Who says that holidays have to be stuffed with belly-stuffing traditions? While the average American gains about one to two pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, weight gain, indigestion and post-meal sluggishness do not have to be on your wish list.
Most people buy carrots, beets, turnips and radishes to eat the roots of these vegetables, but they often come with the tops still attached. Loaded with B vitamins, vitamin K, potassium and fiber, it is a shame to throw the greens in the trash. So, what should you do with
If you sometimes sneak in a quick dinner while driving your kids to practice or a hold a sandwich in your left hand while typing the last few lines of your project with your right, then you are no stranger to distracted eating. Or maybe the big surprise ending to
When it comes to meals, how often do you find yourself pressing the easy button? If you are on a first name basis with the fast food drive-through checkout person or if the frozen pizzas boxes are starting to pile up, keep reading.
It’s that time of year again — picnics, parties, and backyard cookouts. The smells of summer are starting to permeate the air — fresh cut grass, honeysuckles, sunscreen, and the aroma your neighbors’ dinner floating from their grill into your nose.
