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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

    Related Videos

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    Heart-Healthy Lentil Soup

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    Metabolism-Firing Fennel Salad

    Sutter health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how to craft a fennel, citrus and radish salad to rev your metabolism.

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    Metabolism-Revving Curried Kale

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    6 Ingredients and You're Set!

    Knock out a nutritious, delicious dinner in 15 minutes using just six ingredients. Health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how.

    6 Ingredients and You're Set!

    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.

    How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

    Portion Distortion: How to Plan Healthy Meals

    Debbie Lucas, a dietitian with Sutter Patient Education, discusses how to plan healthy meals with appropriate portions.

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    Ask an Expert

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    I'm a 55 year old woman. Is non-fat milk or 1 or 2 percent milk better for me?

    I would suggest non-fat milk if you are not trying to gain weight and you are drinking milk as a good source of protein and calcium. All three varieties have the same amount of calcium and protein per serving. ... continue reading  about  I'm a 55 year old woman. Is non-fat milk or 1 or 2 percent milk better for me?

    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?

    Frank L. Anderson

    Frank L. Anderson, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

    That sounds like a product too good to be true and I would imagine persons suffering from celiac disease and lactose intolerance would be very receptive. Unfortunately these are two very different problems whic... continue reading  about  I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?

    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.

    Astrin Damayanti

    Astrin Damayanti, R.D.

    Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

    What are your favorite snack ideas for people with diabetes?

    Many diabetics will eat snacks during the day to keep blood sugar levels balanced, and keep meal portions under control. However, know that having diabetes does not mean that you have to snack, especially if yo... continue reading  about  What are your favorite snack ideas for people with diabetes?

    Pam Noonan

    Pam Noonan, MS, RN, CDE

    Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

    My husband has type 2 diabetes. He heard that tomatoes have too much sugar in them, however, most recipes for diabetics contain tomatoes or tomato products. How do tomatoes fit into a diabetic diet?

    Tomatoes often get a bad rap for having “too much sugar.” I hear this myth often in my diabetes education practice. Carrots are another vegetable that seems to suffer the same reputation. Tomatoes a... continue reading  about  My husband has type 2 diabetes. He heard that tomatoes have too much sugar in them, however, most recipes for diabetics contain tomatoes or tomato products. How do tomatoes fit into a diabetic diet?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    Is low carbohydrate or complex carbohydrate the best diet nutritionally?

    The best diet nutritionally is a balanced diet which includes carbohydrates, protein and fat in the correct proportions. Carbohydrates offer an immediate source of energy for the body. They provide the fuel for... continue reading  about  Is low carbohydrate or complex carbohydrate the best diet nutritionally?

    David S H Chang

    David S H Chang, M.D.

    SEBMF HMO Network

    My husband has bilateral hip and shoulder replacements, a result of having to take Prednisone after his kidney transplant 30 yrs ago. Needless to say, he has had every problem that Prednisone can cause. Could he benefit by taking glucosamine/chondroitin?

    Articular cartilage is the glossy, firm, smooth tissue that coats the ends of bones in the joints of our body, like the knees, hips, and shoulders. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are two naturally produced... continue reading  about  My husband has bilateral hip and shoulder replacements, a result of having to take Prednisone after his kidney transplant 30 yrs ago. Needless to say, he has had every problem that Prednisone can cause. Could he benefit by taking glucosamine/chondroitin?

    Deborah Kurzrock

    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?

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