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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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    How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays

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    Ask an Expert

    Deborah Kurzrock

    Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.

    Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

    What's a bigger dietary cause of high cholesterol -- animal protein like eggs and meat, or high-sugar foods and simple carbs? Seems like I'm hearing a lot more about the harm of sugar these days.

    Keeping your heart healthy is complicated. Many factors contribute to your risk of heart disease, including genetics, diet, physical activity and stress. Here are some tips to help you lower your blood choleste... continue reading  about  What's a bigger dietary cause of high cholesterol -- animal protein like eggs and meat, or high-sugar foods and simple carbs? Seems like I'm hearing a lot more about the harm of sugar these days.

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    I heard about “bulletproof coffee” – adding butter or another fat into your morning coffee. Are there really benefits?

    The "bulletproof coffee" trend is a new fad, and presented as a way to gain energy, stay mentally sharp, avoid morning hunger AND lose weight. However, there is no scientific merit to the claims being made. The... continue reading  about  I heard about “bulletproof coffee” – adding butter or another fat into your morning coffee. Are there really benefits?

    Karen Pantazis

    Karen Pantazis, M.D.

    Sutter Amador Hospital

    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?

    Joyce Giammattei

    Joyce Giammattei, DrPH,RD, CDE

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    Is there anything that can be done to lower my fasting blood sugar? I can control my postprandial blood sugar by limiting carbs during a meal, but my fasting blood sugar has been rising over the last year and it seems to be beyond my control.

    Blood sugar levels tend to rise in the morning for some people with diabetes. This is in response to the natural hormonal changes occurring in the early morning hours.In addition, the liver releases glucose dur... continue reading  about  Is there anything that can be done to lower my fasting blood sugar? I can control my postprandial blood sugar by limiting carbs during a meal, but my fasting blood sugar has been rising over the last year and it seems to be beyond my control.

    Frank dela Rama

    Frank dela Rama, R.N., MSN, CNS, AGN-BC, AOCNS

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    Is there any benefit to taking supplements such as Saw Palmetto to help reduce or prevent prostate cancer? I have read conflicting articles. I am 70 years old and have been on active surveillance for prostate cancer since early 2010.

    Unfortunately, studies on most nutritional supplements, such as Saw Palmetto, are not as robust as the average clinical research study. From what I have reviewed in the literature, we still don't know the exact... continue reading  about  Is there any benefit to taking supplements such as Saw Palmetto to help reduce or prevent prostate cancer? I have read conflicting articles. I am 70 years old and have been on active surveillance for prostate cancer since early 2010.

    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?

    Gary F. Milechman

    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?

    Astrin Damayanti

    Astrin Damayanti, R.D.

    Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

    I love all the bags of vegetables that come pre-washed and provide directions for steaming in the plastic bag they are packed in. How safe is this? I'm microwaving in the same plastic bag used to transport and store the vegetables.

    Plastic containers or bags are not created equal. Some are microwave-safe and some are not. The FDA carefully regulates these materials to ensure that they meet its standards and specifications. In addition, th... continue reading  about  I love all the bags of vegetables that come pre-washed and provide directions for steaming in the plastic bag they are packed in. How safe is this? I'm microwaving in the same plastic bag used to transport and store the vegetables.

    Toni J. Brayer

    Toni J. Brayer, M.D.

    Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation

    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?

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