chef pouring bottle of homemade kombucha into a cup

The 6 Best Drinks for Your Brain Health, Say Experts

By Kelsey Kunik / March 8, 2024 / Comments Off on The 6 Best Drinks for Your Brain Health, Say Experts

Brain health is top of mind as many of us look for ways to improve our memory and focus. There are plenty of specialty supplements on the market that claim to improve cognition and even to help prevent degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, but you can also support your brain with certain expert-approved drinks.…

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heart healthy frozen dinner options

The Best Heart Healthy Frozen Dinners, Says Dietitian

By Kelsey Kunik / February 27, 2024 / Comments Off on The Best Heart Healthy Frozen Dinners, Says Dietitian

Frozen dinners are the ultimate convenience food. Arguably more convenient than even fast food since leaving the house isn’t required. A full meal in one box, ready in two minutes, and served in its own box? The only thing not to love is the high sodium and additives that often come in these pre-packaged meals.…

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Slow Cooker Taco Lentil Soup

6 High Fiber Crockpot Recipes Dietitians Love

By Kelsey Kunik / February 25, 2024 / Comments Off on 6 High Fiber Crockpot Recipes Dietitians Love

Whether I’m using it for meal-prepping chicken or pork or letting a soup simmer all day, my crockpot gets a lot of use. As a dietitian, it’s one of my favorite kitchen appliances to keep things simple and healthy with as little work as possible—especially when it comes to getting more fiber in my diet.…

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avocado toast with beans and cucumbers

6 Best Breakfast Combinations for Your Blood Sugar

By Kelsey Kunik / February 14, 2024 / Comments Off on 6 Best Breakfast Combinations for Your Blood Sugar

Despite what magazines or social media may have told you, avoiding carbs altogether isn’t necessary to balance your blood sugar levels — especially if you have diabetes. But pairing carbohydrates with specific foods and nutrients, especially at breakfast, can help, giving you much-needed energy without the dangers that come with high blood sugar. Almost half…

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bowl of yogurt with chia seeds and nuts

The 7 Best Gut Healing Foods, Says A Dietitian

By Kelsey Kunik / January 4, 2024 / Comments Off on The 7 Best Gut Healing Foods, Says A Dietitian

When it comes to staying healthy and feeling your best, your gut is one of the first things you should pay attention to. A healthy gut keeps your digestive system working smoothly and may also affect your sleep, mood, and other body systems. What you eat plays a large role in gut health. Adding gut-healing…

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woman cooking healthy holiday meal

7 Healthy Holiday Habits You Can Easily Maintain This Season

By Kelsey Kunik / December 8, 2023 / Comments Off on 7 Healthy Holiday Habits You Can Easily Maintain This Season

The most wonderful time of the year can easily be the most stressful and hectic. If you find your calendar starts filling up and your to-do list is never-ending once November 1st rolls around, taking care of yourself might fall right off of that list. Especially when you have a few healthy holiday habits to…

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frozen burritos in the freezer section

We Tasted 11 Frozen Burritos and This Is The One to Stock Up On

By Kelsey Kunik / November 29, 2023 / Comments Off on We Tasted 11 Frozen Burritos and This Is The One to Stock Up On

Frozen burritos are one of the best convenience items to keep stocked away in your freeze, for any time of day. Of course, processed foods are often demonized as the culprit to our health problems, but as a dietitian and mom pulled in 10 directions at any given time, I love and rely on these…

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outside an Aldi storefront

11 Aldi Breakfast Foods Dietitians Swear By

By Kelsey Kunik / November 27, 2023 / Comments Off on 11 Aldi Breakfast Foods Dietitians Swear By

When it comes to stocking up for the most important (or at least first) meal of the day, there’s no need to overextend your grocery budget. Aldi, the discount grocery store with a cult following, has plenty of healthy breakfast options to choose from. Whether you’re in the mood for savory or sweet, you’ll find…

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air fryer sweet potato with butter and herbs

5 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes For Easy, Healthy Sides

By Kelsey Kunik / November 10, 2023 / Comments Off on 5 Air Fryer Thanksgiving Recipes For Easy, Healthy Sides

If you’re cooking Thanksgiving dinner in your own kitchen, it can feel like there’s not nearly enough time or oven space to get everything cooked on time. The biggest hurdle for me at holiday parties has always been keeping things warm until it’s time to serve. The air fryer has been a blessing in the…

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woman saying no to a burger

Replace Red Meat with These 5 Foods to Cut Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

By Kelsey Kunik / October 28, 2023 / Comments Off on Replace Red Meat with These 5 Foods to Cut Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Red meat has gotten a lot of bad publicity over the years for it’s potential effects on heart health, but new research shows cutting back on this particular type of meat could help reduce your risk of type two diabetes as well. The American Diabetes Association recommends the Diabetes Plate Method as an easy-to-follow guide…

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layered pumpkin dessert in jars with crunchy nuts on top

7 Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts That Still Taste Amazing

By Kelsey Kunik / October 26, 2023 / Comments Off on 7 Healthy Thanksgiving Desserts That Still Taste Amazing

After the turkey, green bean casserole, and big scoop of stuffing piles on your plate, you may be tempted to skip the Thanksgiving dessert table. While holiday meals are often filled with indulgence (it’s one meal, after all!), there’s nothing wrong with enjoying healthier versions of your favorites, as long as they still taste amazing.…

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drinking a warm cup of coffee cozy on the couch

5 Drinks to Sip on for a Longer Life, Say Dietitians

By Kelsey Kunik / October 7, 2023 / Comments Off on 5 Drinks to Sip on for a Longer Life, Say Dietitians

What you eat (and don’t eat) can add years to your life, but your drink of choice may be just as important for longevity. While there are no guarantees in life, we can all make choices to feel our best today and well into our old age. So while you’re filling your plate with foods…

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costco foods that help you destress

8 Costco Foods That Help You Destress, Say Nutritionists

By Kelsey Kunik / August 14, 2023 / Comments Off on 8 Costco Foods That Help You Destress, Say Nutritionists

Anything from global events to work, financial situations, family life, relationships, and physical health concerns can increase the stress in your life. And chances are that you’re not just dealing with one of these concerns. According to a 2019 Gallop Global Emotions Poll, Americans are experiencing the highest stress levels that they have in over…

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smiling woman holding a glass of milk

Do You Really Need to Worry About Hormones In Your Milk? Experts Weigh In.

By Kelsey Kunik / June 16, 2023 / Comments Off on Do You Really Need to Worry About Hormones In Your Milk? Experts Weigh In.

There’s no shortage of food fear today, thanks to wild claims made daily about almost everything on grocery store shelves. Whether it’s pesticides, additives, sweeteners, or hormones, there’s always something to be worried about. Do you really need to be worried?  Most of these claims are based on opinion, not evidence. When it comes to…

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Tandoori Tofu Sheet Pan Dinner

6 High Fiber Sheet Pan Recipes for Nutritious One-Pan Meals

By Kelsey Kunik / May 17, 2023 / Comments Off on 6 High Fiber Sheet Pan Recipes for Nutritious One-Pan Meals

Sheet pan meals are the ultimate busy weeknight super tool. With one-pan meals, you load all of your protein, veggies, and sometimes even your starches onto one pan. Could eating healthy dinners get any easier? While sheet pan meals are often high in protein, they often lack fiber, which comes from plant foods like vegetables,…

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woman holding a handful of vitamin D supplements

Yes, Vitamin D Toxicity Is a Thing. Here’s How To Avoid It.

By Kelsey Kunik / April 6, 2023 / Comments Off on Yes, Vitamin D Toxicity Is a Thing. Here’s How To Avoid It.

If you spend half of the year under clouds of snow or rain, taking vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, has probably crossed your mind. The lack of UV rays puts a serious damper on our body’s ability to produce this fat-soluble vitamin, leading many people to reach for a supplement. Fat-solubility is…

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plant based burger with veggies

Are Plant-Based Meats Really Healthier Than the Real Thing? We Asked Experts.

By Kelsey Kunik / March 18, 2023 / Comments Off on Are Plant-Based Meats Really Healthier Than the Real Thing? We Asked Experts.

While only 10% of the population identifies as vegan or vegetarian, the plant-based movement is as big as it’s ever been. With growing concerns for the environment, animal welfare, and health, and for more variety in food choices, many people are including plant-based meats and dairy alternatives in their regular meal rotations. There’s no question…

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fork and knife crossed over a slice of meat on a table

I Didn’t Eat Meat for a Year. Here’s Why I’m Eating It Again.

By Kelsey Kunik / March 1, 2023 / Comments Off on I Didn’t Eat Meat for a Year. Here’s Why I’m Eating It Again.

One in eight people will try a vegan or vegetarian diet, and 84% will ultimately go back to eating meat. Given those numbers, I’m basically just a statistic. But, being a dietitian and someone who has helped countless other people meet their nutrition needs, meal plans, prep, and feel their best with their preferred way…

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Seriously Smart Ways to Give Yourself a Boost When You Hit That Afternoon Slump

By Kelsey Kunik / February 27, 2023 / Comments Off on Seriously Smart Ways to Give Yourself a Boost When You Hit That Afternoon Slump

It’s 2 p.m., and you’ve read the same email line four times, your eyelids are heavy, and you’re dreaming of snuggling in your bed at home. Unfortunately, you still have two hours of work and a report due, and have to find some way to power through the rest of the afternoon.

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handful of blueberries

9 Foods To Eat Every Day for a Longer Life

By Kelsey Kunik / September 19, 2022 / Comments Off on 9 Foods To Eat Every Day for a Longer Life

Living a long, happy, and healthy life is a goal for most of us, but how exactly are we supposed to do that? While many determinants of life expectancy are out of our control, science tells us there are a few things we can do to increase the length and quality of our lives, and…

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