Written by UConn Dietetics Student Caitlyn McDonagh There continues to be confusion about natural and added sugars in foods. Read on to become an expert! What are natural sugars? Natural sugars are the sugars that occur naturally in whole foods. Most natural sugars found in fruits are fructose, and in dairy products like cheese and […]
Holiday Party Tips to Avoid Mindless Eating
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Isabelle Wlodkowski The holiday season means gathering with friends and family, but it can also mean eating more than we usually do. At holiday gatherings food is often at arm’s length and one can easily be consuming more than they even realize. The food served is typically, higher in sugar […]
Fact or Fad? Exposing the Myths Behind Fad Diets
Written by UConn Dietetic Intern, Valerie Mason What is a fad diet? Fad diets come and go as new research and new trends start to come out. Diets that claim, “rapid weight loss” or “no exercise needed”, or “see results fast” are likely fad diets and making false claims. These diets are often promoted and […]
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month – What might a cancer prevention diet look like?
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Danielle Straub Breast Cancer Awareness Month is celebrated during October each year. During this month, you may see the selected color pink adorning the uniforms of your favorite professional football team, or you may see road races highlighting participant survivors of the disease. Your own town might be decorated with a […]
What are artificial sweeteners? And should I use them?
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Natalie Cyr What are artificial sweeteners? Artificial sweeteners are synthetic, or man-made sugar substitutes, and can be made from naturally occurring substances, such as herbs or sugar itself. These types of sweeteners are known to be more intense versions of sugar — meaning, they tend to be 50-200x sweeter than […]
Outdoor Food and Grilling Safety
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Sarah Anderson As the days get longer and the warmer weather is approaching, grilling and outdoor dining is right around the corner! Food safety is especially important when considering the warmer temperatures which provide an ideal environment for bacteria to grow. It is key to keep food out of the […]
Planning for a Patio Garden: Tips for Growing Easy Veggies in Pots
Written by UConn Dietetic Intern Aylin Kavgaci Growing your own food can be both joyful and rewarding. If you’re looking for a way to easily grow vegetables but don’t have a ton of space or gardening experience, setting up a patio vegetable garden in pots may be perfect for you! You can grow just about […]
Food or Supplements? Do we Need Expensive Supplements?
Written by UConn Dietetic Intern Alicia Farris Supplements can be beneficial for our health but can also pose risks according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)1. Doing your research on the supplements that you are taking is important since many are not regulated by the FDA. FDA is not authorized to review dietary supplement […]
Oils: Tips for Storage and Preventing Spoilage
Written by UConn Dietetics Student Karah Lewis Unsaturated fats such as olive, vegetable, and canola oils are cooking staples in many households. These oils often sit on our shelves, ready to be used in our recipes and delicious dishes. They seem to last forever, right? To the contrary, if not stored properly, oils may go […]
Is Organic Food Healthier than Non-Organic Food?
Written by UConn Dietetics student Ronnie Rivera Only 1 out of 10 are Americans are consuming the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables each day1. The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends adults consume ½ to 2 cups of fruit and 2-3 cups of vegetables per day2. Only 12.2% of adults meet the daily recommendation […]