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Nutrition

Improve your diet and overall health with these nutrition tips, facts and guidance from experts in the Sutter Health network.

Breaking Your Caffeine Habit

It may feel like caffeine is unavoidable, but these tips can help you reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake.

Easy Ways to Eat Mediterranean

The Mediterranean Diet is a healthy lifestyle choice. We have a guide to make it an easy one, too.

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.

Organic Foods or Not?

Learn which fruits and vegetables are worth the splurge.

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

    • Nutrition Basics
    • Special Diets
    • View all Nutrition Articles

    Nutrition Guides

    • Sample Menu for Patients with Diabetes
    • Diet Comparison Guide
    • Energy-Boosting Diet Plan
    • Gluten-Free Diet Plan
    • Lactose Intolerance Guide
    • Mediterranean Diet Plan
    • Sugar Detox Diet
    • Thanksgiving Planning Guide

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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.

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    Portion Distortion: How to Plan Healthy Meals

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    Ask an Expert

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter West Bay Medical Group

    My calcium level is high. What foods do I need to cut down on? What about dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereal and eggs, which I thought were good for me? I'm on Tamoxifen and have been through chemo. Does that contribute to high calcium?

    The body regulates the blood calcium levels through complex mechanisms. Low calcium can be supplemented with vitamins and eating calcium-rich foods and dairy. High calcium, however is never from any specific fo... continue reading  about  My calcium level is high. What foods do I need to cut down on? What about dairy products, orange juice, fortified cereal and eggs, which I thought were good for me? I'm on Tamoxifen and have been through chemo. Does that contribute to high calcium?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    If you are a healthy person in her sixties, what is a safe number of eggs one can eat each week?

    Eggs can be part of a healthy diet in moderation. Eggs have gotten a bad rap in the past because of their high cholesterol content. A single egg contains around 210mg of dietary cholesterol. The American Heart ... continue reading  about  If you are a healthy person in her sixties, what is a safe number of eggs one can eat each week?

    Karen Handy

    Karen Handy, M.P.H.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I had lap band surgery and I have lost 65 pounds, but I am getting discouraged because my weight seems to have stopped there. How many calories should I have a day? I am limited to about a cup of food three times a day.

    First of all, congratulations on your weight loss so far! Unfortunately, weight loss plateaus are a frustrating and all-too-common occurrence, even with weight loss surgeries. If you hit a plateau in the first ... continue reading  about  I had lap band surgery and I have lost 65 pounds, but I am getting discouraged because my weight seems to have stopped there. How many calories should I have a day? I am limited to about a cup of food three times a day.

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    Is it healthy for children to be vegetarians or vegans? I am a vegetarian, but I have some concerns that my children (4 and 8) might not get enough nutrients.

    According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, vegetarian and vegan diets can meet all nutrient needs for infants and children. Diets for infants and children should contain enough calories to support gro... continue reading  about  Is it healthy for children to be vegetarians or vegans? I am a vegetarian, but I have some concerns that my children (4 and 8) might not get enough nutrients.

    Deborah Kurzrock

    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?

    Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese

    Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese, M.D.

    Sutter Medical Group of the Redwoods

    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?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    I am a 49-year-old recovering alcoholic and have three years of sobriety. Since I got sober I have not been able to control my sugar cravings. Is there any thing I can do?

    Congratulations on the hard work of addiction recovery. Sugar cravings are a problem for many people and can become all the more difficult when recovering from alcoholism. Research on food, mood, substance abus... continue reading  about  I am a 49-year-old recovering alcoholic and have three years of sobriety. Since I got sober I have not been able to control my sugar cravings. Is there any thing I can do?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    I had my gall bladder removed last year. I'm also diabetic. I know I'm supposed to eat low-fat foods. I know avocados contain healthy fat. Should I stay away from them or is it alright to eat them?

    It is perfectly all right to have avocado as part of your diabetic meal plan. Avocado is a monounsaturated fat, and an eighth of an avocado is a serving size. Fat is an essential nutrient that provides energy, ... continue reading  about  I had my gall bladder removed last year. I'm also diabetic. I know I'm supposed to eat low-fat foods. I know avocados contain healthy fat. Should I stay away from them or is it alright to eat them?

    Sue Hazeghazam

    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?

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