Nutrignomics is a nutritional approach that takes your genetic makeup, and hence your predisposition to certain chronic diseases, into consideration. If a meal plan can be designed based on your genetic profile, would you be willing to stick to the plan? A study says that most people are not yet ready to embrace the concept.
Based on these interviews with experts and an extensive literature study, Ronteltap developed different future scenarios to put to the general public. A representative random sample generated a number of conditions that consumers would require before accepting nutrigenomics. The most important is freedom of choice: the …read more

This is the third of a series of blog posts on healthy breakfast ideas from Elizabeth Ward, who already shared with us easy solutions to squeeze in breakfast. Elizabeth Ward, M.S., RD is a multi-published nutrition consultant. Her latest book is The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids (Alpha Books, 2006).

Breakfast Idea #3: Fast-food breakfast sandwich. Scramble an egg in 1 teaspoon of margarine. Layer cooked egg with a slice of cheddar or Provolone cheese in a whole grain English muffin. Enjoy with 8 ounces 100% orange juice.
Health Benefits:

In addition to high-quality protein necessary for building cells and …read more

This is the second of a series of blog posts on healthy breakfast ideas from Elizabeth Ward, who already shared with us easy solutions to squeeze in breakfast. Elizabeth Ward, M.S., RD is a multi-published nutrition consultant. Her latest book is The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids (Alpha Books, 2006).

Breakfast Idea #2: Combine a packet of plain instant oatmeal prepared with low fat milk in the microwave with 1/4 cup raisins and 1/4 cup slivered almonds or chopped walnuts stirred in. Round the meal out with 8 ounces 100% orange juice.
Health Benefits:

Oatmeal helps keep blood cholesterol …read more

The following is the first of a series of posts on healthy breakfasts, contributed by guest writer Elizabeth Ward, M.S., RD, a multi-published nutrition consultant. Her latest book is The Pocket Idiot’s Guide to the New Food Pyramids (Alpha Books, 2006).
1. Excuse: “I don’t have enough time.”
Solution: No matter your lifestyle, mornings are often the most hectic time of the day. But there are easy ways you can squeeze in a nutritious meal every morning.

Shop for healthy breakfast foods like whole grain breads and cereals, low-fat yogurt and orange juice. Having these items on hand makes a morning meal …read more

The following post is a contribution from guest blogger Liz Lewis, a freelance travel and health writer currently blogging over at Healthbolt and Alzheimer’s Notes.
Author Michael Pollan argues that what we are eating these days is not really food (he calls it edible foodlike substances) and how we are eating it – alone, in the car, or in front of the television – is not really eating. Instead, he suggests that we should follow three simple rules – Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly plants. This is the whole premise of his new book In Defense of Food: An Eater’s …read more

In the previous entry, nutritionist and gourmet vegetarian Joy Pierson shares her insights on vegetarianism. However, no matter how convinced we are on the health benefits of going vegetarian/vegan, it’s often difficult to make the shift. Here are tips from Joy on how to “start exploring healthier food options without giving up the joy in eating”:
1. Don’t be afraid of new foods, such as tempeh, tofu and seitan (wheat meat).
2. Make changes that work for you, so you don’t feel deprived.
3. Make it an adventure, and learn new things along the way.
Read more of Joy’s tips from Capessa.

This video comes from Capessa and it features Joy Pierson, owner of Candle 79, a fine-dining vegan restaurant. In this video, Joy dispels the notion that vegetarian fares are bland and boring. As a nutritionist, Joy recognizes the link between food and prevention — even reversal — of disease. Here’s the video:

Sorry for being MIA the last few days. What can I say? I’ve been caught up with the holiday preparations and real life took over. I hope you all had a fabulous time, spending time with the people that matters to you, and that you’ve been eating sensibly the last few days. Nope, I’m not issuing a guilt-trip. Quite the opposite in fact– if you’ve been reading this blog religiously, you know that I’ve always seen food as good.
Enjoy the rest of the holidays, everyone!

With holidays coming up, here’s a book which might a humorous but info-packed gift idea for someone (or for yourself, too) who wants to incorporate more spicey goodness into their meals: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Spices and Herbs. Remember that herbs and spices confer to meals a lot of health benefits against cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, aging and other ailments.
Using spices and herbs—the key to any delicious meal—can be daunting with so many to choose from, not to mention the many possible combinations. In this book, a master chef and baker unlocks the key to the dazzling world of …read more

Here’s something for the health-conscious traveler: the Westin chain of hotels has teamed up with SuperFoods Partners LLC to create menus rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, such as banana oatmeal brulé, green-tea-infused salmon and molten dark chocolate cake. Steven Pratt, M.D., founder of SuperFoods Partners LLC is the author of SuperFoods Rx: Fourteen Foods That Will Change Your Life.
“We are proud to be the first hotel brand to embrace the SuperFoods concept,” said Sue Brush, senior vice president of Westin Hotels & Resorts. “Advancing the health benefits of the SuperFoods on our menus underscores Westin’s commitment to helping guests …read more