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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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
I’m a 41-year-old woman who exercises regularly and eats healthy food. High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in my family. My blood pressure is borderline high. Are there natural ways to lower blood pressure without medications?
If your blood pressure is 130-140/80-90, then lifestyle modification should be your initial attempt to lower it. National Institute of Health guidelines include: Weight reduction if you&rsqu... continue reading about I’m a 41-year-old woman who exercises regularly and eats healthy food. High cholesterol and high blood pressure run in my family. My blood pressure is borderline high. Are there natural ways to lower blood pressure without medications?
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.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have been dealing with chronic pain from a back injury for a number of years. I read recently that vitamin D can help reduce pain. Is this true, and if so should I start taking a supplement?
Vitamin D can help with certain types of chronic pain, especially muscle and joint pains. However, before you start taking vitamin D supplements, it is important that you have your vitamin D level checked to se... continue reading about I have been dealing with chronic pain from a back injury for a number of years. I read recently that vitamin D can help reduce pain. Is this true, and if so should I start taking a supplement?
Ravin Agah, M.D., Ph.D.
Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group
Is it safe to take a low-dose iron supplement if you're not anemic? My teenage daughter is a distance runner, and her coach recommends them for girls on the cross country team.
Generally it is not recommended to take low-dose iron if you're not anemic. Excessive iron can be deposited in the liver and can cause problems. Runners often get "runners anemia" which is why some coaches reco... continue reading about Is it safe to take a low-dose iron supplement if you're not anemic? My teenage daughter is a distance runner, and her coach recommends them for girls on the cross country team.
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
I know I should eat more vegetables but I hate veggies! Especially those super healthy ones like broccoli and cauliflower. Are there good supplements I can take or some kind of yummy chocolate shake with hidden vegetables in it?
A vitamin supplement, or even a chocolate vitamin shake, usually contains 25% or more of some vitamins or minerals that our bodies need. However, most lack the natural beneficial ingredients from the plants the... continue reading about I know I should eat more vegetables but I hate veggies! Especially those super healthy ones like broccoli and cauliflower. Are there good supplements I can take or some kind of yummy chocolate shake with hidden vegetables in it?
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
Is it okay to take a joint pain supplement that contains glucosamine and scutellaria if I'm also taking prednisone?
In today's world we are learning more and more about interactions between medications, foods and supplements. It has been reported that grapefruit juice can interact with as many as 40 medications - some of whi... continue reading about Is it okay to take a joint pain supplement that contains glucosamine and scutellaria if I'm also taking prednisone?
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?
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.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
It is wise to be concerned about dietary supplements, since they are not regulated by the FDA. This then allows manufacturers of these products to make claims that are not well founded in medical science or stu... continue reading about I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
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