Low sodium intake linked to heart problems?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

This is crazy. A new study evaluating the link between salt intake and heart problems finds that people with low sodium intake also have an increased risk of cardiovascular issues. But the “low” sodium intake that was linked to increased risk was between 2,000 and 3,000mg per day…in other words, substantially higher than the American Heart Association’s recommended maximum intake of 1500mg. The risk declined slightly at higher intakes and then rose again when sodium intake got up around 8,000mg per day.

Study details: Too little salt may also increase risk of heart problems.

To me, this somewhat ridiculous finding confirms what I’ve long suspected: Continue reading “Low sodium intake linked to heart problems?” >

December 4, 2011November 28, 2011

Which Foods are Highest in Pesticides?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

I’ve talked in the past about the “Dirty Dozen,” those fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide residues. But a listener wants to know how much pesticide exposure we get from other foods like grains or dairy. I’ve got the scoop on pesticides in this week’s show. Read or listen to it here.

November 20, 2011November 15, 2011

The End of Dieting

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

The multi-billion weight loss industry has a dirty little secret: Dieting doesn’t work. To be sure, almost any diet out there will produce weight loss if you follow the rules. However, the majority of people who lose weight on diets will eventually gain it all back. Often, with interest. Don’t despair: I do have a solution! Find out more in this week’s show.

November 14, 2011November 15, 2011

Do Grains Decrease Colon Cancer Risk?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

Q. After doing some research, I have been trying to reduce my intake of grains. But the big thing in the news this week is a new study finding that fiber from grains reduces the risk of colon cancer and that fiber from fruits and veggies doesn’t have the same effect. Have you looked at this new research? Do you still recommend reducing grains?

A. Just to be clear, I’m not anti-grain. Although I suspect that most Americans consume an excessive amount of grain products (especially refined grains), and I believe that grains are not essential to a healthy diet, I still think that a healthy diet can include grains (especially whole grains).

I have, however, questioned the dogma on the “benefits of whole grains” on the basis that the research doesn’t really distinguish between the benefits of adding whole grains and the benefits of reducing refined grains. (The two virtually always go hand in hand.)

Does this new study change my position? Not really. Continue reading “Do Grains Decrease Colon Cancer Risk?” >

November 13, 2011November 9, 2011

Do Calories Really Matter?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

Some diet gurus claim that only “bad” calories cause weight gain. The implication (or in some cases, the overt claim) is that you can eat as much as you want without gaining weight as long as you follow certain rules. In my opinion, calories do count. But that doesn’t mean that you have to count calories in order to lose weight. Read or listen to this week’s show.

November 6, 2011November 6, 2011

Does Cooking in Cast Iron Add Iron to Foods?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

Marni writes: “I have heard that cooking in cast-iron pans can increase the iron content of some foods. Is this a safe source of iron and are there any foods that I shouldn’t cook in cast-iron?

Get the scoop on cooking in cast iron in this week’s podcast. Read or listen to it here.

November 1, 2011November 1, 2011

Is Eating More Often Really the Key to Staying Thin?

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

Can eating more often help you stay thin?

A study in this month’s Journal of the American Dietetic Association reports that people of normal weight eat more frequently (5 times per day on average) than overweight people (who average 4.2 times per day), suggesting that eating more frequently may be a key to maintaining a healthy weight. At least, that’s what all the headlines will say–and this will fuel the popular myth that eating more frequently “revs up your metabolism.”

How Your Smart Phone Can Make You Healthier

by Monica Reinagel, MS, LDN

If you have a smart phone, chances are you’ve experimented with some mobile applications, or “apps.” One of the most popular–and useful–categories of apps are those that help monitor and manage various aspects of your health. Find out how and why your cell phone can make you healthier in this week’s show.