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.
Related Videos
Healthy Eating for Older Adults
Collaborative webinar with Cal Poly students and PAMF Health Education to educate the public on healthy eating.
Master Mushroom Barley Pilaf
Nail this nutritious, whole-grain dish with help from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
Heart-Healthy Lentil Soup
Master this hearty, fiber-rich soup with tips from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
Metabolism-Firing Fennel Salad
Sutter health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how to craft a fennel, citrus and radish salad to rev your metabolism.
Metabolism-Revving Curried Kale
Here's a simple, scrumptious dish that'll fire up your metabolism. Get the how-to from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
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.
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
Dorothy M. Coleman-Riese, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
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?
Sue Hazeghazam, R.D.
Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Energy drinks are advertised to give a person a boost of energy. A lot of that claim comes from the effect of the caffeine and sugar content of the drink. Sugar content in energy drinks vary by brand, but somet... continue reading about My kids drink those energy drinks every day. Is this bad for their health? How would I convince them of that?
Katerina P. Shetler, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?
Thank you for this very interesting question. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome suffer from abdominal pain, abdominal bloating, loose bowel movements or constipation. Patients with lactose intolerance and ... continue reading about Is the presence of lactose intolerance and/or irritable bowel syndrome typically associated with someone who may also be sensitive to gluten?
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?
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.
Steven Machtinger, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Group
My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
It may be that your child had a viral intestinal infection that has left her temporarily lactose intolerant. If she is otherwise growing well and has no abdominal pain, flatulence, or diarrhea when on a diet ex... continue reading about My child was diagnosed with lactose intolerance. Dairy makes her sick but she can eat lactose-free dairy products without issue. Is there something else that should be explored, or is my child a rare one year old with true lactose intolerance?
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 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, 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?
More Resources
![View Sutter's full resource library](/images/icons/medical-library-80x80.png)
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
![View information for Sutter Health Patients](/images/icons/patient-record-80x80.png)
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
![Tools and Quizzes](/images/icons/tools-quizzes-80x80.png)
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.