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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Ask an Expert
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I have been a vegetarian /pescatarian for over a year, and I keep reading that B-12 is one of the major vitamins that we lack on this diet. What foods can I consume that will help me sustain B-12 vitamins with a vegetarian/pescatarian diet?
The adult recommended intake for vitamin B12 is very low, but this is an essential nutrient so vegetarians (no meat) and pescatarians (include fish)should be aware of good sources. Vitamin B12 is needed for cel... continue reading about I have been a vegetarian /pescatarian for over a year, and I keep reading that B-12 is one of the major vitamins that we lack on this diet. What foods can I consume that will help me sustain B-12 vitamins with a vegetarian/pescatarian diet?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I am a vegetarian. I have unhealthy hair, dandruff, and hair loss. A recent blood test indicated my testosterone is slightly higher than normal. I started including egg and ground flaxseed powder in my diet. Can you suggest a diet to promote hair growth?
The following can cause increased hair loss: poor nutrition, genes, hormones, age, certain medications, stress, rapid weight loss and some medical conditions.I will address the nutrition component. Listed are s... continue reading about I am a vegetarian. I have unhealthy hair, dandruff, and hair loss. A recent blood test indicated my testosterone is slightly higher than normal. I started including egg and ground flaxseed powder in my diet. Can you suggest a diet to promote hair growth?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
Don't give up! As many women approach menopause they find themselves experiencing unexplained weight gain, especially around the waist and hip areas, despite their best efforts to watch what they eat and to inc... continue reading about I'm a very active pre-menopausal 50-year-old who eats right and works out four to six times a week. Why in the world can I not lose my belly cellulite and build more muscle? I'm ready to quit everything and just get fat and eat junk food!
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.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
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?
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?
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I exercise hard in the early evening and eat dinner after that. Each night at around 9:30, I'm ravenous. What is a good snack that will actually satiate the hunger without calorically unraveling the hard work of my work out?
Snacks with high fiber and water content, that also include some protein and just a bit of heart-healthy fat, will help you feel the most full and satisfied. That same fiber and water content will also keep you... continue reading about I exercise hard in the early evening and eat dinner after that. Each night at around 9:30, I'm ravenous. What is a good snack that will actually satiate the hunger without calorically unraveling the hard work of my work out?
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?
Brian G. Tang, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
Food jags, or when a child will only eat one food item at a time, is a common behavior in early childhood. It usually represents a way for children to show growing independence and is a normal part of their dev... continue reading about My 2 1/2 year old was once a great eater, but now wants to eat only cereal - plain Cheerios to be exact. He won't eat any dinner but complains he's hungry before bed, so I let him have some cereal. How do I break the cycle?
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