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.
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How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays
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Ask an Expert
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?
Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS
Eden Medical Center
Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
Research into the role of antioxidants in heart disease has been going on for a long period of time. To date there is no definitive evidence that antioxidant or vitamin supplements reduce the incidence of, or m... continue reading about Can antioxidants help prevent a heart attack?
Ronesh Sinha, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
What's the latest on cholesterol in the diet? Are eggs safe to eat? If so, how many in a week?
I am a proponent of the intake of natural and healthy sources of cholesterol, such as eggs, for most people. Eggs are an excellent protein source with all nine essential amino acids and less than 0.5 grams of c... continue reading about What's the latest on cholesterol in the diet? Are eggs safe to eat? If so, how many in a week?
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?
Astrin Damayanti, R.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
I recently noticed that some energy bars promote zero sugar but upon inspection, the nutritional facts included "sugar alcohols". What is sugar alcohol and does it count as sugar?
You may notice many 'no sugar added' or 'sugar free' labeled foods contain sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohol is actually neither sugar nor alcohol, it tastes sweets and its chemical structure looks like alcohol. The... continue reading about I recently noticed that some energy bars promote zero sugar but upon inspection, the nutritional facts included "sugar alcohols". What is sugar alcohol and does it count as sugar?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
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?
David S H Chang, M.D.
Surgery Center Division
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?
Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading about Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
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?
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