I've often told the story about my grandfather's peanut habit. He enjoyed a small handful every evening after dinner with a glass of wine. Peanuts have always been part of my diet, and a recent study confirms they may indeed help with blood sugar control, weight management and [...]
If you've been diagnosed with hypertension (high blood pressure), your doctor may have recommended some lifestyle changes. Diet, exercise, stress reduction and compliance with medication are all part of the plan. If you are already physically fit, you may be wondering how else you can improve your cardiovascular [...]
February is Heart Month so it's a good time to be mindful about any risk factors you may have. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US. It accounts for 1 in every 4 deaths each year. What are those risks? High blood pressure High [...]
Have you ever made an excuse for why you can't choose healthy foods to eat? I often get questions about whether DASH is difficult or too expensive to maintain. In my opinion, as long as you set small goals, it's not difficult. You can choose expensive foods, but [...]
As a dietitian who has studied heart diseases and diet for nearly 30 years, I thought it would be a good time to review some blood pressure basics (I'm also in the middle of editing a book on blood pressure and diet, so it's top of mind). Given [...]
May is High Blood Pressure Month - a time to bring awareness to your blood pressure. Have you had yours checked? It's normal for our blood pressure to fluctuate during the day, but consistent high blood pressure (called Hypertension) causes wear and tear on your heart, kidneys and [...]
The DASH Diet is the best eating plan to follow if you have high blood pressure, or have a family history of high blood pressure (also called hypertension). While adopting an entire eating plan can be daunting - especially if your current diet consists of subs, pizza, and [...]
Could eating walnuts increase the good bacteria in your gut? According to a recent study conducted at the University of Illinois, it may be worth adding more walnuts to your diet. The study was partly funded by the California Walnuts Commission, but as with any research, the funding [...]
"Eat your greens" said my grandmother. Growing up, my Italian immigrant grandparents always grew vegetables in the summer, and my dad followed suit. Now my husband is the gardener of the house. My grandfather built a "hot bed" in which he'd start some greens or small plants, like tomatoes [...]
In our book, Hypertension Cookbook For Dummies®, we don't just provide heart-healthy recipes, but discuss the important role lifestyle plays in controlling hypertension and reducing heart disease risk. Why worry about blood pressure? Well, when you have high blood pressure, your arteries weaken over time. High blood pressure [...]