Diet, Weight Control and Food Safety

Red Meat: The News is Not Good

Red meat has been found to increase cholesterol and risk of cardiovascular disease, but now new research is linking it to cancer and increased mortality. | more

Statins (cholesterol-lowering drugs) and the New Safety Warnings: What It Means for You

The FDA issued new safety warnings for statins in February 2012 about the increased risk for diabetes, memory loss and muscle pain, symptoms that we have been warning patients about for some time. | more

Arsenic and Lead in our juice (and you thought poisoned apples were only in fairy tales!)

Learn how much arsenic has been found in common foods and drinks (too much!)--and what laws are in place to protect your family from this known carcinogen (not many!). | more

Laser Liposuction—Weight Loss Tool or Scam?

As American waistlines have expanded, the attraction of a quick weight loss fix has increased. Diet and exercise are the key to safe weight loss, but for many of us, the results are discouraging. As a result, liposuction is the third most commonly performed cosmetic procedure in the United States, after breast augmentation and nose reshaping. However, the procedure can result in severe though rare complications including infection, cardiac arrest, blood clots, excessive fluid loss, fluid accumulation, damage to the skin or nerves, seizures, bruising, swelling, and damage to vital organs. Plastic surgeons often present laser liposuction as a safer, effective alternative which works by inserting a laser beneath the skin and liquifying fat. But does it work and is it really safe? | more

My Plate: A New Alternative to the Food Pyramid

The new USDA model, MyPlate, replaces the familiar "food pyramid" diagram that underwent several changes in the 19 years since it was first introduced. The MyPlate model shows the five food groups (fruits, vegetables, proteins, grains, and dairy) in a place setting. It is designed to be easier to understand in the context of a single meal than the more confusing pyramid. | more

Not-Quite-Everything you Need to Know about Lap-Bands

Lap-Bands help many people lose weight rather dramatically - some lose 50-100 pounds in the first 6 months or year. Are Lap-Bands a lasting solution to obesity? Not necessarily. Are they safe? Often they aren't | more

Kids Talk about Healthy Eating

Find out what kids have to say about eating healthy! | more

Guide to Healthy Eating: The New Food Pyramid

The new USDA Food Pyramid, which helps provide a guide to healthy eating, looks different from previous models. The old "building block" approach (see below on the right) has been replaced with stripes going from the base to the top, emphasizing the goal of including all types of foods in our meals. | more

How Do I Get My Child to Eat Healthier Foods?

Between parents' work schedules, after school activities, homework, and chores, you may find it impossible to make time for healthy meals that your kids actually want to eat. The challenge is even greater when kids get hooked on the pizza, soda, and chips provided at friends' houses, activities, and parties. Even the most conscientious parent may find it hard to avoid the temptation of fast food and favorite snacks. But there are solutions! | more

Ten Easy Tips to Get Your Family Eating Healthy

Does switching to healthier foods seem like an impossible chore? It doesn't have to be! Change your habits gradually with these 10 simple tips. | more