Dr. Ann

I am a big proponent of regularly consuming whole soy foods as part of a balanced diet, and this excellent source of “green” protein just got a huge boost on the heart-health front. In a prestigious NIH-funded study of cardiovascular health involving over 5,000 young adults, those who had the highest daily isoflavone intake (isoflavones […]

Are you looking for more sweet reasons to include dark chocolate in your diet regularly? If so, you will be pleased to know that a new scientific review of 42 former clinical trials supports my strongly held notion that dark chocolate is truly a healthy dessert. In this new report, several benefits were attributed to […]

Ground poultry, like “ground turkey”, can have just as much fat as standard ground beef. Always choose ground turkey breast or ground chicken breast. They provide the least fat and calories. Many brands are 99% fat-free. RELATED Enjoy the Other Proteins from the Sea [VIDEO] Meats from Bad to Worse [VIDEO]

Plain yogurt is a superstar food and a staple in my families’ refrigerator. My 16 year old daughter, chef Lucie, has become obsessed with making things from scratch and was blown over by how easy it was for her to make “homemade” plain yogurt. And the rest of us were blown over by how divine […]

In a provocative report that puts a spin on “food for thought” – scientists uncovered a significant association between over-eating and memory problems. This evaluation included more than 1,200 elderly study subjects who reported how many calories they consumed daily. Those who reported consuming the most calories (2,143 or more daily) were more than twice […]

Cardiovascular researchers recently presented some alarming and ominous scientific findings that should be a huge wake up call for all of us, especially parents. For the report, scientists evaluated the presence of seven cardiovascular risk factors in a representative sample of 5,547 American teens between the ages of 12 and 19. The data was particularly […]

Improving your weight control may be as easy as getting enough shut-eye. Prior studies have shown a consistent link between sleep loss and increased hunger, and in a new study, scientists have identified specific changes in the brain that explain this relationship. The investigators had already shown in a previous study that a single night […]

Beans already make the cut as a superstar food, and when you eat them in a sprouted form you take them to a whole new level of nutritional WOW. The ancient culinary technique of “sprouting beans” provides many distinct enhancements. The process dramatically boosts the bean’s vitamin, mineral, and protein values while reducing its carbohydrate […]

Sesame seeds are exceptionally rich in key minerals. They house special plant chemicals from the lignan family that lower cholesterol and boost the activity of vitamin E. They provide heart-healthy fats. (I love tahini, a paste made from ground sesame seeds!) RELATED Carrot-Sesame Burgers [RECIPE]

Thanks to new labeling regulations passed in 2006, those terribly unhealthy trans fats have made a rapid exodus from the American food supply. But their departure has not been 100 percent, and sadly, they are still lurking in some processed foods. Based on my most recent scrutiny of food labels, this man-made toxic form of […]

Of all organs of the body, the brain is perhaps the pickiest and most demanding when it comes to the foods and nutrients that suit it best.  To boost your focus and concentration, include the following foods in your life regularly: Beans– canned, fresh, frozen, or dried, beans provide the brain a steady and robust […]

Great as a small meal or a side, this recipe by is sure to be a hit with every member of your family! Ingredients Vegetable-oil cooking spray 2 cups chicken broth 1 cup quinoa or brown rice 4 large red bell peppers 1 tbs EVOO 1/2 cup chopped onion 6 oz zucchini, quartered lengthwise then […]