There are many articles and studies out there that rave about the health benefits of a vegan diet, but how does consuming only plant-based products affect your gut health? I recently read a review article that explains the microbiota changes that have been observed among participants that follow a vegan diet (Wong et al., 2018). The authors breakdown the various changes according to diseases such as metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease.

I’m sure many of you have heard or seen about the new movie coming out, called Five Feet Apart, featuring two teenagers who have cystic fibrosis that find love in a hospital and are told they cannot be together because of their illnesses. Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder caused by a mutation that affects multiple parts of a person’s body, including their lungs, pancreas, and other organs.1 This condition can cause people to have difficulty breathing, growing properly, fighting off il...

Plant based eating habits have been on rise amongst Americans, but so has frequency of consumption of meat. The increase of meat consumption has been attributed to increased income and growth of an aspiring middle class. Various social factors may also be contributing to consumer’s hesitation to choosing a plant based diet. The study I have reviewed addressed these social factors as well as stigma associated with vegans.

Non-dairy milk is popular today as an alternative to animal milk (cow, goat, sheep, etc.). The popular types of non-dairy milk include soymilk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and rice milk. In South Africa, a new type of non-dairy milk was made from a Adenanthera pavonina (A. Pavonina) bean (Afolabi et al., 2018). It was originally grown and eaten by people in the Pacific Ocean but is now found all over the world (“Adenanthera pavonina (red-bead tree),” n.d.). In Hawaii and the USA ...

A common misconception held by both parents and children, is that kids don’t need fiber in their diet too. Many people associate fiber as something only elderly adults need. However, children in the United States only consume roughly half the Adequate Intake for fiber.3 This can be of concern when a child is gaining weight too quickly for their appropriate age range and may have other implications like constipation. Teaching your child to eat fiber will also benefit them when they get older, as...

Gastric cancer (aka stomach cancer) is a cancer that starts in the stomach and usually takes years to develop. It is the fifth most common cancer in the world, the second most common cause of death from cancer. The reviewed study analyzed other research to see if dairy, milk or cheese primarily, affects whether or not people develop stomach cancer.

In our society, there are thousands of books and websites that will tell you what you should and shouldn’t do when you are expecting a child. Many people will hold different opinions on what you should eat and what you should stay away from. Ultimately, regardless of what your doctor, dietitian, friends, or family say, the choice is up to you. So what should a pregnant women eat? It is important to first understand some basic principles of healthy eating and to be aware of foods and substances ...

Plant-based eating or otherwise known as veganism has been an increasing trend amongst today’s society. Whether people make this dietary change in relation to improvements in health or supporting animal welfare there are also various perceived barriers to choosing veganism. The study I have read discussed these barriers amongst a population in Finland, which similar to America is a western nation whose society has high living standards and meat consumption. The results of this study were gather...

Plant based diets are an increasing trend among today’s society, but have you ever thought what the actual statistics behind the benefits are? I recently read a meta-analysis study that reviewed research regarding the effects of a plant-based diet (vegan) on weight loss and obesity prevention (Turner-McGrievy, Mandes, & Crimarco, n.d.).

Did you know that in the 1800’s women were recommended to limit their food intake to smaller amounts than they were eating before pregnancy? The idea was to limit nutrients and calorie intake in order to restrict fetal growth so deliveries would be easier.1 Nowadays, doctors encourage women to increase energy intake based on their body’s needs, especially with nutrient-dense foods that are safe for pregnant women. However, what about what we eat before pregnancy and preconception nutrition?