Keto Versus Intermittent Fasting: Which is Best?
Weight Loss Weight Loss

Keto Versus Intermittent Fasting: Which is Best?

When it comes to weight-loss diets, both the keto plan and an overnight intermittent fasting plan are effective weight-loss strategies — for the short term, anyway. People swear by one or the other, but as a wellness dietitian, I want to point out a few of the hidden costs of the ketogenic diet in contrast to some of the benefits of an overnight intermittent fasting regime. Just hear me out on this one!

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To eat eggs or not to eat eggs? That is the question!
Eggs Eggs

To eat eggs or not to eat eggs? That is the question!

Did you get wind of the latest egg health headlines saying that eggs were associated with heart disease? Before you consider eliminating egg yolks all together once again, let’s consider the study design. When we examine better-designed egg health studies, you’ll be putting egg yolks back on the menu. 

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How Your Valentine's Breakfast Can Enhance Your Romantic Evening

How Your Valentine's Breakfast Can Enhance Your Romantic Evening

Some people starve themselves during the day to “save calories” for their special meal. You're more vulnerable to overeat at dinner if you come incredibly hungry and food deprived. Feeling uncomfortably full can sabotage the rest of your romantic evening with your sweetie. You may not know that the type of breakfast you eat can help you from overindulging in the evening. Summary: eating breakfast on Valentine’s Day will help your romantic night out!

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5 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Eating Without Sabotaging Your Weight
Holiday Holiday

5 Ways to Enjoy Holiday Eating Without Sabotaging Your Weight

How many of you gorge yourself with food over the holidays with the thought that you will go on a strict diet the following day, Monday or even the next year? It's an all-or-nothing mentality that ends up making you heavier overall, less healthy, and disappointed with yourself. If you watch your weight, you know what I'm talking about! I have five tips to help you to enjoy your holiday food without sabotaging your weight or your mental state. 

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Best Way to Ripen, Cut, & Preserve an Avocado
Avocado Avocado

Best Way to Ripen, Cut, & Preserve an Avocado

Either in guacamole, as a replacement for mayo on a sandwich, or just plain with a little bit of salt, avocados are delicious and nutritious! Full of fiber, potassium, folate, vitamins K, C, B6, E, and monounsaturated fat, avocados are great for blood pressure and blood sugar control, as well as for keeping belly fat down. Do you need any more reasons to indulge?

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Plum Surprise!
Plums Plums

Plum Surprise!

Jack Horner was on to something; plums are delicious any way you eat them, and are especially good for your bones, blood sugars, waist size, cronic disease risk, and even your memory.

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Make Your Salads Healthier!
Salads Salads

Make Your Salads Healthier!

My challenge this month is to eat leafy greens every day. Even though this month is almost over, don't stop eating those greens! Make it a habit for life to help decrease cognitive decline as you age, boost your health, and keep body fat off.To help with this challenge, this week's Tuesday Tip addressed some tricks for making salads more nutritious. Here are the tips in a nutshell:

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Brain's Fountain of Youth

Brain's Fountain of Youth

It turns out that vegetables contain a range of nutrients and bioactive compounds like vitamin E and K, lutein, beta-carotene, and folate that help protect the brain. So not only are vegetables essential to keep us slim and disease free but also to keep our minds and memory sharp! Find out how many leafy greens you need to eat to possibly have thinking skills and memory 11 years younger as you age!

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Oyster October
Oysters, Seafood Oysters, Seafood

Oyster October

"Les Poisson, les poisson, 'ow I looove les poisson!" That Little Mermaid song is dang funny even if it is somewhat macabre... October is National Seafood Month! If you're new to Foods with Judes, you will soon find out I have a great love for our underwater friends, both to protect and to eat! Seafood has extremely positive effects on our health and brain function. You can learn more about why this is true, in addition to other clarifying mercury tidbits in a previous article, "Seafood Newsflash." I could go on for days about health benefits of different kinds of seafood, but this month's healthy challenge will focus particularly on oysters. Don't worry - you don't have to eat them raw.

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Fairytale Eggplants
Eggplant Eggplant

Fairytale Eggplants

I'm enchanted by the beautiful baby eggplants I found at the farmer's market in downtown Durham a couple of days ago. In addition to being the most adorable things ever, they are called "fairytale eggplants!" Whoever magically shrunk them did us all a favor. They have tender skins and only a few seeds. They're sweet and firm without the mushiness and bitterness found in the mama-sized eggplants.  So for all of you who love eggplant and even those who don't, these ethereal fruits are for you.

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Amazing Vegetable Avocado Soup

Amazing Vegetable Avocado Soup

If you're busy and enjoy high-quality delicious food, you'll want to try this month's meal hack. You'll be surprised at how well a little salsa and avocado can enhance the flavor of purchased vegetable soup from the refrigerator section at Costco or your grocery store. A delicious, hearty soup that is quick and fun!

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