Dr. Ann

I am a big believer in simple visuals for staying on track with healthy eating and was thrilled when the USDA adopted the “My Plate” icon to replace the confusing and essentially useless “food pyramid.” When I sit down to order a meal, I always aspire to create the “perfect plate” – with one-half of […]

Past studies have repeatedly identified snacking as a risk factor for weight gain. As such, it was disheartening to learn that Americans are snacking at an all-time high. Based on this evaluation, snacking accounts for a whopping 25% of our daily calories or an average of 580 calories a day! Even more alarming, half of […]

I wanted to share a recipe that my daughter and I threw together as a protein-packed side dish for dinner.  I served it with some Wild Alaskan Salmon and fresh green beans, but it works great alone as a light supper or lunch as well. Edamame & Veggie Extravaganza Serves 6 This is a wonderful recipe to take advantage of […]

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 […]

  Chocolate and dessert lovers rejoice! I have a recipe for a healthy chocolate sundae that will have your mouths watering. Simply take 2 scoops of “Purely Decadent” brand coconut milk ice cream (vanilla bean or coconut flavor) and smother it with 2 ounces of melted 72% (or higher) dark chocolate (I like Ghiradelli’s “Midnight Reverie”), and […]

Drink green tea – Known in my world as the true elixir of youth – drinking green or white tea is perhaps the easiest and most relaxing way to infuse our bodies and brains with age-defying antioxidants. Both provide over 4 thousand bioactive compounds including the famed “flavonoids” like berries and dark chocolate. One particular flavonoid […]

Did you know that combining certain foods can give you that much more nutritional bang for your efforts?  It is deliciously true.  Bringing them together provides a  synergistic boost to your health.  Here are some tasty and healthy dynamic duos: Tomatoes and olive oil Garlic and fish Tea and lemon Tomatoes and broccoli Turmeric and […]

Parsley offers a treasure trove of nutritional goodness for virtually no calories. In addition to delicious flavor, this refreshing herb is a wonderful source of vitamins A, C, K, and folate, along with the minerals iron, calcium, and potassium. What is most special about this healing herb however is its robust supply of flavonoids. Parsley […]

A “family’s influence” on a child’s nutrition is profound. In a report that included combined data from 17 earlier studies, researchers concluded that children and teens that ate 3 or more meals a week as a family were significantly less likely to be overweight and 20 to 25 percent less likely to eat junk foods and […]

Always include fresh fruit at your breakfast – make this a compulsive act. Frozen berries are especially healthy and easy at breakfast. Always include a piece of fresh fruit as your afternoon snack or as part of your snack. Eat a big colorful salad as part of a meal or as a meal entrée every […]

Taking in any amount of trans fats. Science knows no safe level of intake for this truly “toxic” form of fat. Strictly avoid all processed foods that list “partially hydrogenated oil” in their ingredients list. Eating “ultra-palatable” foods with any regularity. Foods high in fat and/or sugar and salt can directly stimulate the brain’s pleasure […]

As a busy working Mother 100 percent committed to feeding my family wholesome and nutritious home-cooked meals– I have mastered the art of efficient grocery shopping. Here are 4 time and sanity saving tips for your trips to the grocer that are guaranteed to improve the nutritional health of your loved ones. Ignore the dizzying array (60 plus […]