According to the Institute of Medicine, Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, overweight and obese adolescents have an increased risk for physical comorbidities, including Type 2 diabetes and negative psychosocial consequences stemming from the stigma associated with being overweight. Parenting an adolescent in general is a challenge ...

The other day I overheard some people planning a pre-Thanksgiving Day pie auction. They were discussing the types of pies to have and someone made the comment that they needed to be sure to have sugar-free pies because people were always looking for things that were sugar-free. From candy to ...

This Friday, Oct. 26, four teams of culinary students from Southern Maine Community College and Washington County Community College will vie for the title of Maine’s first “Cutting Edge Chef.” The contest, called the premier culinary college competition, is part of the many activities of Portland’s Harvest on the Harbor ...

Although we have had a lot of rainy weekends lately, hopefully you’ve found a few dry moments to visit one of Maine’s apple orchards. An apple in itself won’t keep the doctor away, but apples are a welcome part of a healthy diet. They are low in calories and delicious, ...

As a dietitian, I spend a lot of time defending the egg, trying to reverse the damage that has been done to the egg’s reputation over the past several years. As a health professional I have the opportunity to clarify misconceptions and provide people with evidence-based information and recommendations regarding ...

Are there certain foods that can help you sleep? Does eating late at night interfere with sleep? There are some do’s and don’ts that can help improve your sleep. Some health care professionals don’t believe that there are any specific foods that can improve sleep, however, there is some research ...

A wonderful Maine treat that is in full season right now is the blackberry, also known as brambleberry, from “bramble,” meaning “prickly,” as anyone that has ever picked blackberries can attest to. The ancient Greeks used blackberries to treat gout and the English applied the leaves topically to relieve burn. ...

It’s a dilemma I’m faced with every time I go to the grocery store. Should I be buying organic fruits, vegetables and other foods for my family? I look at the cost and compare products. I want what is healthiest and safest for my family. However, who guarantees what is ...

Can you bake a cherry pie? Not to worry if you can’t. There are lots of ways to enjoy this red hot, functional fruit. A growing body of research suggests that the powerful antioxidants in tart cherries, responsible for the fruit’s bright red color, also provide anti-inflammatory properties and other ...