Dr. Ann

Roasting is arguably the healthiest and tastiest way to prepare your veggies.  It preserves their nutrients while concentrating their natural sugars and flavors which makes them particularly yummy to even the pickiest palates.  Roasting also dramatically shrinks them in size (because it removes their water), making it easier to consume more in 1 sitting.  Based […]

  One of the most common questions I get from consumers is “should I buy organic?” The answer ultimately rests with your pocket book, your feelings towards the environment, and your comfort with pesticide exposure.  Here are the “organic facts” based on the best science to guide you in making an informed decision. Choosing organic […]

In an uplifting study performed by one of my favorite eating behavior scientists, Dr. Brian Wansink, vegetables proved to “make the meal”. We already know that including vegetables at mealtime is a healthy thing to do, but it appears vegetable’s virtues really do extend far beyond enhancing nutritional value with fringe benefits both for the cook […]

As an alternative to sandwiches or salads, or as accompanying side items, here are some additional wholesome, lunch bag-friendly options. Keep the three basic building blocks (smart proteins, fiber-rich carbs, and a calcium rich food) in mind to put together a winning a la carte lunch. -Finger-friendly or cut up fresh fruit—fresh strawberries or blackberries, […]

In as little as two weeks, a daily dose of a sugary beverage can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy young subjects. That was the riveting conclusion from a clinical trial that is the first to show a direct dose-response relationship between sugary beverage consumption and risk factors for cardiovascular disease. For this […]

  Sitting down for family meals proves to be a powerful avenue to boost kids’ fruit and vegetable intake. In a study involving over 2000 school-age children, even those sitting down for family meals just once or twice a week consumed significantly more produce than those who never ate together. Relative to children who rarely […]

Almond Oatmeal Pancakes Topped with Yogurt and Fresh Fruit Serves 4 Yep – this is a 100% healthy pancake recipe that is delectable. Ingredients 1/2 cup almond flour 1/2 cup oatmeal 2 omega-3 eggs 2 egg whites 4 ounces plain yogurt pinch of salt cooking spray For topping: 2 cups frozen blueberries or berries/fruit of […]

Building the Best Lunch To keep your children’s bodies and brains in peak performance mode and to safeguard against the ravages of unhealthy foods, be sure your child powers up with a nutritious lunch. The three basic building blocks for the best lunches include: Healthy protein Fiber-rich carbs, to include at least one serving of […]

In an attempt to evaluate the scientific efficacy of various interventions to boost intelligence in young children, researchers recently identified three effective strategies. For this evaluation intelligence experts did a comprehensive review of the best published studies. They noted the following IQ boosters: Supplementing the diets of pregnant women and newborns with omega 3 supplements […]

Produce Lowest in Pesticides These 15 forms of produce are so low in pesticides that conventional should be just fine: Onions Sweet Corn Pineapples Avocado Cabbage Sweet Peas Asparagus Mangos Eggplant Kiwi Cantaloupe (domestic) Sweet Potatoes Grapefruit Watermelon Mushrooms ____________________________ Bring the latest science of health and wellness into your company or organization when you […]

Some breakfast cereals contain more than 50% added sugar by weight! Don’t let the one gracing your cereal bowl be one of those! Based on a review by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a nonprofit research and advocacy organization, the 10 cereals with the highest sugar content (by percentage weight) are: Kellogg’s Honey Smacks (55.6%) Post […]

Here are some of the studies I reviewed relating to children’s health: In a study involving 312 middle school students, those with the highest fitness levels had the best grades and scored higher on standardized tests. (I have no doubt that the quickest and most powerful way to improve academic performance is with school-based exercise […]