“Sexy” is likely not the first word that comes to mind when you hear the word fiber. But if slimmer hips and a flat tummy are your idea of sexy, well then, it’s time to rethink this power-nutrient! Fiber has become the latest nutrition buzz-word because aside from its numerous health benefits which include reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, diets high in fiber can actually help you to lose weight without hunger.  In a recent study, women who doubled their fiber intake from 12 to 24 grams per day, cut their calorie absorption by 90 calories daily. That’s a 9.4 pounds weight loss in a year!

I know most of you are aware of the alarming rate of childhood obesity in our country, but did you know that no U.S. generation has raised children who are likely to have a shorter lifespan than their parents — until now? A recent study found that approximately 80 percent of children who were overweight at ages 10–15 were obese adults at age 25.  And we know that obesity is linked to a variety of health problems, including heart disease, diabetes and even certain cancers – all major factors contributing to early death.

Valentine’s day is a day for indulgences, but don’t make it all about the sweets! The average American eats about 22-33 teaspoons of sugar each day — that’s 350-475 extra calories! A high sugar intake can also increase our risk for diabetes and obesity. Since February is heart health awareness month, I thought I’d put together a list of some nutritious red foods. Enjoy them this Valentine’s Day and all year long:

Though the body has a daily requirement of sodium (up to 2,300 mg), Americans are regularly eating nearly double that recommendation, which can lead to a number of health problems. So many of the foods we eat in restaurants and that are packaged or processed contain loads of salt. Until there are rules passed that uniformly lower the amount of salt in foods, we have to watch out for ourselves.

Over the past month, you’ve been bombarded with parties — holiday soirees, work events, and New Year’s bashes. I love parties (as I am sure most of us do)! But as a counselor, I find that many people have a difficult time not overeating at them. And how could you not? When you’re surrounded by an abundance of food, good people, and tasty beverages, it’s so easy to overindulge.

As we ring in the first week of a new decade, many of us are making New Year’s resolutions — some a bit unrealistic. If you’re a person who has never gone to the gym, it’s probably safe to say that setting a goal to go the gym every day from now on is not an achievable long term goal. When it comes to setting goals, all or nothing thinking isn’t always the best technique. Even as a dietitian, I too need to touch base with myself. This year, because I am getting married, I am more conscious than ever about my body, and when I hopped on the scale this week I was appalled by the number. My first instinct was to hit the gym for a few hours, but I had to take a minute to remind myself that excessive exercise isn’t the answer. If I want to take the weight off and keep if off I need to find my weak points and work on those.