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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Sutter health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how to craft a fennel, citrus and radish salad to rev your metabolism.
Metabolism-Revving Curried Kale
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6 Ingredients and You're Set!
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How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays
Linda Shiue, M.D., of PAMF Internal Medicine, explains how to eat healthy and still enjoy your favorite foods.
Portion Distortion: How to Plan Healthy Meals
Debbie Lucas, a dietitian with Sutter Patient Education, discusses how to plan healthy meals with appropriate portions.
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?
Here are some general guidelines on food intake during pregnancy:Fish/Seafood:Eat no more than 12 oz of cooked fish a weekLimit tuna to once per weekAvoid shark, tile fish, or king mackerelAlcohol:Not recommend... continue reading about What foods should I avoid in pregnancy?
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
What are the health risks from not drinking water? My husband is terribly addicted to soda and any other drink that is not plain water. He drinks about a 1/2 cup of plain water a day.
There is truly an epidemic of soft drink consumption in our country, and your husband needs to cut down or cut out his substitution of soft drinks for healthy beverages. The fact that your husband is drinking s... continue reading about What are the health risks from not drinking water? My husband is terribly addicted to soda and any other drink that is not plain water. He drinks about a 1/2 cup of plain water a day.
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Is Stevia real sugar or is it a substitute? Sometimes I feel weak and shaky after being off sugar for a few days, and when I start using it again, I feel fine. Could I start using Stevia instead of sugar? Are there any real health benefits in doing this?
Stevia is a sugar substitute. It is made from the stevia herb, a plant that is native to northeast Paraguay and a member of the chrysanthemum family. Stevia is currently grown in many places including Brazil, J... continue reading about Is Stevia real sugar or is it a substitute? Sometimes I feel weak and shaky after being off sugar for a few days, and when I start using it again, I feel fine. Could I start using Stevia instead of sugar? Are there any real health benefits in doing this?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?
Your question is an excellent one, and a hot topic in the world of cardiology and preventive medicine.Vitamin D is not a true vitamin since we can manufacture it in our bodies, through the action of UVB rays th... continue reading about I read recently that a vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased heart disease. Should I be tested for this deficiency, and if I'm low, would a supplement take care of this increased risk?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
What are good snacks to eat throughout the day? Also - I don't like the taste of water. What can I substitute?
Snacking is a great way to help you feel more energetic. Most people need to eat something every three to four hours to keep their blood sugar levels steady.If you plan to eat your meal within one to two hours,... continue reading about What are good snacks to eat throughout the day? Also - I don't like the taste of water. What can I substitute?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
There is much ado about bone broth on the internet. Is bone broth a healthy food?
Bone broth is an ancient tradition but boiling animal bones has also become a current health craze. Bone broth, also known as stock, has been introduced as the next new superfood, claiming to help with everythi... continue reading about There is much ado about bone broth on the internet. Is bone broth a healthy food?
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
I have a formula that you can use to calculate the calories you will need for your ideal body weight. Get ready for some math! Let's start by looking at how many calories you would need per day just to maintain... continue reading about How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading about Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
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