Foods That Boost Your Mood
What you eat can reduce stress, increase focus and protect your mental health.
Easy Ways to Drink More Water and Less Sugar
Stay hydrated without sacrificing flavor with these tips on how to enjoy more water.
Breaking Your Caffeine Habit
It may feel like caffeine is unavoidable, but these tips can help you reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake.
Fiber in Your Diet: Why You Need It
Learn which foods to mix into your diet to boost soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.
Lower Cholesterol with Food
By cooking at home and monitoring portions, you can lower your cholesterol.
The Truth About Fasts and Cleanses
There are many misconceptions about fasts and cleanses – before starting one, check out what experts in the Sutter Health network have to say.
Nutrition Topics
Recipe Hub
Sutter Health's team of doctors and dietitians have come together to provide patients with tools to cook healthy and delicious meals.
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How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays
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Ask an Expert
Joyce Giammattei, DrPH,RD, CDE
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
With all this talk about carbs being the enemy, is a low-carb diet appropriate for children?
Growing children should be encouraged to follow a healthy diet that includes all the food groups: lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy fats. Low-carb diets are restrictive in many of the nutrients ch... continue reading about With all this talk about carbs being the enemy, is a low-carb diet appropriate for children?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
My husband had triple bypass surgery last August and in December, a defibrillator was implanted. He's having problems gaining weight. They said that he can eat anything as long as he limits salt. Can he eat high-fat meals?
It sounds like your husband has been through a lot in the last year. There are several layers to your question and to your concerns.Generally, patients need to avoid salt if they have congestive heart failure o... continue reading about My husband had triple bypass surgery last August and in December, a defibrillator was implanted. He's having problems gaining weight. They said that he can eat anything as long as he limits salt. Can he eat high-fat meals?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I've been hearing more and more about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds -- that they can help regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. Any truth to this?
Chia is an edible seed that comes from the desert plant Salvia hispanica, a member of the mint family. They have a nutlike flavor. It is a cousin of the seeds (Salvia columbariae) once used to grow green hair a... continue reading about I've been hearing more and more about the nutritional benefits of chia seeds -- that they can help regulate blood sugar and promote weight loss. Any truth to this?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
I'm 56 and in very good health. My eating habits are normal, but I get bloated frequently. Can you give me some information on what may cause this and how to prevent it?
My first thought goes to the possibility of lactose intolerance (the diminished ability to properly breakdown lactose in the intestinal tract). Lactose intolerance can occur when people age and may also occur i... continue reading about I'm 56 and in very good health. My eating habits are normal, but I get bloated frequently. Can you give me some information on what may cause this and how to prevent it?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?
It is possible to get enough calcium in your diet without milk products, although it is more difficult. For absorption, calcium relies on other vitamins and minerals, so it is important to eat a balanced nutrit... continue reading about How can I get enough calcium when I am lactose intolerant?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Energy drinks are advertised to give a person a boost of energy. A lot of that claim comes from the effect of the caffeine and sugar content of the drink. Sugar content in energy drinks vary by brand, but somet... continue reading about My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I just discovered seaweed and really like it. I could easily eat it every day but I am concerned about how much is too much. Please give me guidelines and the types that are the safest to eat.
Seaweed is an algae that has unique health and nutritional properties. Types of seaweed available in the U.S. include:Nori. This kelp is rich in iodine, iron, and vitamin K and is high in protein. It's also a g... continue reading about I just discovered seaweed and really like it. I could easily eat it every day but I am concerned about how much is too much. Please give me guidelines and the types that are the safest to eat.
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
You should try to do both types of exercise. Both have benefits. Aerobic exercise is helpful to improve circulation and to burn calories and, if done long enough, to also help burn fat stores. When you do resis... continue reading about Experts say not to skip meals because it slows metabolism down. We are also advised to exercise to burn fat. Now they say you can't just do aerobics, you need resistance training. I'm training with weights and all I'm doing is getting bigger.
Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
The short answer to your question is that for healthy kids, melatonin is probably safe and effective in small doses, under the direction of a physician, for two to four weeks. Outside of these conditions, thing... continue reading about My sister-in-law's pediatrician recommended melatonin to help her three-year-old go to sleep at night. She says it works well. But how safe can this type of thing be for toddlers?
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