Poor Diet Responsible for Significant Healthcare Costs
A study by Tufts’ researchers and others as part of the Food Policy Review and Intervention Cost-Effectiveness (Food-PRICE) project published recently in the journal PLOS Medicine found that suboptimal diet accounts for 18.2 percent of all ischemic heart, stroke, and type 2 diabetes costs in the United States. The study authors looked at the impact […]
Picking Pastas
The marketplace has seen an increase in pasta products made from seemingly more nutritious ingredients, such as whole wheat, legumes, or brown rice. But are these products really better (or even good) for health? Pasta Basics: Traditionally, pasta is made from milled durum wheat. Processing of the wheat to make refined flour removes the bran […]
Asian Noodle Bowl with Spicy Almond Sauce
STEPS Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the package. Three minutes before the pasta is ready add the broccoli to the pasta pot. One minute before it is ready add the snow peas and red peppers to the pot. While the pasta is cooking, […]
What to Eat with Diabetes
More than 100 million adults in the U.S. have diabetes or prediabetes. “Nutrition and weight loss are powerful tools in diabetes management,” says Richard Siegel, MD, co-director of the Diabetes and Lipid Center at Tufts Medical Center. Diet and lifestyle go a long way in preventing type 2 diabetes, managing the disorder, or even reversing […]
Spicy Shakshuka
STEPS Preheat oven to 400°F. Heat oil in ovenproof skillet set over medium heat. Cook onion, red pepper, garlic, chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne for about 5 minutes or until vegetables start to soften. Stir in tomato paste; cook for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low. […]
Q. Which is a better fiber supplement: psyllium or wheat bran?
A. Jessica Seltz, a dietetic intern at the Frances Stern Nutrition Center, answers: “Fiber, a complex carbohydrate that cannot be broken down during digestion, is found naturally in many plants, including legumes, whole grains, nuts/seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Fiber supplements can help boost fiber intake if diet is not sufficient. (Whether these supplements have the […]
Q. I want to eat less animal products. What are the best plant-based protein...
A. Lauren McAvoy, a dietetic intern at Tufts Medical Center, answers: “In general, animal foods tend to have higher protein levels per serving than plant foods, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to eat enough plant foods to meet your daily protein goals. It is recommended that protein provide between 10 and 25 […]
Diet and Kidney Stones
It is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone some time in their lives. Each year more than half a million people visit emergency departments to get treatment for kidney stone pain or intervention to remove larger stones. The prevalence of kidney stones in the U.S. has more than doubled since […]
Carbohydrate to Fiber Ratio Signals Nutritional Value of Grain-Based Choices
Researchers from Tufts University’s Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and their colleagues at the University of Sao Paula in Brazil have confirmed an easy method to determine which grain-based food products may be healthier selections when choosing processed foods. The researchers found that foods with at least one gram of fiber for every […]
Low FODMAP Diet Helps Lingering Symptoms of Controlled IBD
A randomized controlled trial published in January 2020 in the journal Gastroenterology found that a diet low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols) was safe and effective for managing persistent gut symptoms in people whose digestive symptoms linger despite controlled inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This four-week study conducted in the United Kingdom assigned […]
