Category: Healthy Eating

Forget the “clean your plate” mentality.  Honoring hunger cues is a vital component of a healthy weight management program. Babies at birth are usually very efficient at honoring their hunger cues as any young mother can attest. What does a baby do when he is hungry?  He cries. What does he do when he is…Continue Reading Honoring Hunger Cues

  A “Whole Grain” contain three distinct parts: 1)  The Bran:  a fiber-rich outer covering 2)  The Germ:  the vitamin and mineral rich powerhouse that the grain sprouts out of 3) The Endosperm:  the inner portion of the grain Whole grains contain the bran, germ, and endosperm and are nutrient-rich. Refined grains only contain the…Continue Reading Finding Whole Grains

Grains seem to be under attack lately.  Diet books and headlines claim that they cause weight gain, inflammation, and virtually every chronic disease known today. And while individuals with celiac disease or gluten intolerance desperately try to find gluten-free alternatives, everyone else seems to be jumping on the “gluten-free” bandwagon.  One recent study suggested that the prevalence…Continue Reading Grains Under Fire

  Blue packets, pink packets, yellow, white, and brown… what is the best sweetener and why? In 1879, a German student accidentally discovered a sweet chemical while working in a laboratory in Johns Hopkins University.    This was the discovery of the first artificial sweetener which came to be known as saccharin. Over the years, other…Continue Reading The Search for the Perfect Sweetener

  FUEL 2014 began this week!  We are excited to be working with forty new Furman faculty, staff, and spouses. One of the first questions that I received was: “Do any restaurants in town serve FUEL meals?”   Hmmmm… a FUEL restaurant?!  I like the sound of that!  Any entrepreneur’s out there interested?   Eating…Continue Reading FUEL Meal Ideas When Dining Out

Ever wondered how to decipher all of the contradicting news reports about food and health?  Red wine– is it good or bad?  What about fats?  Carbohydrates?  Red meat? Here is an overview of the foundations of a healthy diet: Vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and fibers.  Because they have a high water…Continue Reading Foundations of a Healthy Diet

    Following the FUEL plate when dining out can be a little tricky at first.  I try to dine at restaurants that always have at least one healthy option.   This weekend, we stopped by one of my favorites:  Chipotle.  They have a large salad that you can top with chicken, pinto beans, and/or…Continue Reading Chipotle Salad with Chicken, Beans, and Brown Rice

I love the beginning of a new year.  It is a chance to start over, a chance for a new beginning.   I have been reorganizing my house, my office, my calendar, and my priorities. If healthy living is on your list of priorities this year, check out these top ten tips for eating well…Continue Reading Top 10 Nutrition Tips for 2014

Healthy eating starts at the grocery store.  Stock up on plenty of healthful choices and organize them so they are easily visible and accessible. My freezer happens to have four shelves– perfect for each section of the FUEL plate.  I load up on frozen vegetables at the top (because they are the best, of course),…Continue Reading FUEL: Stocking a Healthy Freezer and Pantry