Talking Turkey

We’ve all heard that the turkey in our Thanksgiving meal makes us sleepy. The theory comes from the fact that turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan that can be converted into several important substances, including serotonin and the hormone melatonin, a popular sleep aid.

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Healthy Summer Picnics

We are in the height of summer grilling and picnic season. Warm summer evenings seem to call us outdoors at mealtime, and weekend barbecues and family picnics at the park are a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. But picnic season doesn’t mean you need to abandon your healthy eating habits.

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Plant-Based Alternatives for Summer Grilling

It’s summer grilling season, and traditionally that means hamburgers and hot dogs. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend shifting away from animal proteins and increasing plant-based proteins for a healthier diet. But what do you do when many meals are cooked on the backyard grill?  There are a few options.

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Late Night Snacking

Snacking after dinner is one of the most difficult behaviors to change for many people looking improve their eating habits. Except for those who require a bedtime snack for medical reasons, most people eat more than enough calories at their dinner meal to carry them through until breakfast. 

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Chocolate & Healthy Eating

My friend gave me a plaque that read, “Chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes out of a tree. That makes it a plant. Therefore, chocolate counts as a salad.”

While that may be a stretch, it begs the question … how does chocolate fit into a healthy eating plan?

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