Dr. Ann

Like their bean cousins, lentils are cheap, versatile, filling, and power-packed full of fiber, B-vitamins, protein, minerals, and antioxidant polyphenols.  They provide more folate than any other food and have an edge over other legumes because they cook quickly, require no pre-soaking, and tend to cause less gas. Try one of my favorite lentil recipes: Simple Lentil […]

A randomized, controlled clinical trial found that including 3 servings of whole grain foods daily reduced systolic blood pressure on par with prescription drugs and could reduce the incidence of heart disease and stroke by at least 15% and 25%, respectively.  (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Oct 2010) Amongst 4,497 young adults followed for 20 […]

If you want to have healthy cholesterol levels I would recommend that you include some green tea with your repertoire of cholesterol-lowering foods. Sipping on green tea is one of my most cherished daily rituals so I was particularly inspired by a report that provided strong evidence that this is indeed a heart-healthy habit. For […]

Some foods are better for you than others and are true nutritional powerhouses! Here are five foods that are exceptional for you and that you should strive to include in your daily diet. Dark Leafy Greens Nuts Berries Whole Citrus Beans Dr. Ann’s Cure-All Kale Salad Serves 8-10 When I feel like I am coming […]

Here are some easy ways to save money while improving your weight control: Control your portions. This can reduce your grocery bill along with your restaurant bill and scientific reports find that consistently controlling portions may be the fastest direct route to weight loss.  Dump liquid calories (sodas, fruit juices/drinks, sport drinks.) These liquid sugars cost […]

Based on a growing and impressive volume of science, drinking coffee may come with a number of powerful health benefits including: liver cancer protection, diabetes protection and a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease. Thanks to this report, another healthy coffee perk may be protection from prostate cancer. In a study that included 48,000 men whose […]

Butternut Squash Soup This is a fabulous Sunday night soup for the cooler months. Ingredients 3 lbs butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 in chunks 1 large onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme leaves 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 4+ cups chicken or vegetable broth 1 1/2 […]

One of my biggest pet peeves is the ever-exploding selection of designer waters now available on the grocery shelves. Despite their labels that include ultra healthy words like “vitamin”, “fitness”, or “skinny”, there is no evidence that fortifying water with vitamins, minerals, herbs, or antioxidants has any health benefits. To the contrary, given the growing […]

Exercise is simply stellar for weight control. Check out all the different ways exercise can help you stay lean! Exercise burns calories. Exercise enhances insulin sensitivity (insulin action) which boosts calorie burning potential. Exercise builds lean body mass (muscle). The more muscle mass you have, the more calories you burn.  Muscles burn fat very effectively […]

Here are 5 superstar foods that I bet you do not include in your diet as often as you should! Canned pumpkin – 100% canned pumpkin (I love the Libby’s brand) is second only to dark leafy greens in terms of the nutrients it provides per unit calorie. It offers super-high (more than any other […]

Based on the latest science, the single most powerful predictor of functionality in older age is strength capacity. Let me repeat – as we age, maintaining muscular strength is the most important factor in maintaining independence. Unfortunately, the average person becomes more sedentary with age which accelerates the loss of muscles mass and strength that […]

Quick and Easy Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup vinegar of choice (apple cider, balsamic, rice, sherry, white wine, red wine, etc.) 1 heaping tsp. dijon mustard 1 tsp. honey Optional – Herbs or spices (fresh or dried) as desired (garlic, rosemary, basil, chives, curry, cumin, turmeric, dill, cilantro, etc.) I prefer […]