Dr. Ann

The only type of yogurt (or kefir) I recommend is plain and I recently discovered a delicious and healthy way to sweeten it. Take 1/3 to ½ of a diced ripe banana and microwave for 30-40 seconds. This softens it making it really easy to quickly blend into your yogurt and significantly boosts its natural sweet flavor. Try […]

Although it contains “sugar,” molasses also provides an impressive array of “healthy” goodies that give it a huge nutritional edge over other sweeteners. This bold and robust natural sweetener is chock full of health-boosting antioxidants and minerals. A single tablespoon provides over 35% of the daily value for manganese and copper and about 20% of […]

With the exception of occasional, modest use in diabetics, I do not use nor do I recommend artificial sweeteners.  Even though they will not elevate blood glucose or fructose levels like “real” sweeteners, they may indeed have other untoward effects in the body.   Although science supports their safety and lack of toxicity  (exception saccharin and […]

We are consuming record amounts of sugars in our diets. Based on the latest scientific reports, the average American consumes 350-475 calories a day of “added” sweeteners. That is the equivalent of 22-30 teaspoons! (“Added” sugars are those that are put into processed foods and beverages – not the “natural” sugars already present in foods […]

All carbonated beverages, including diet brands, are acidic in nature. The acids from carbonated beverages enter your bloodstream and are buffered by calcium. However, if the calcium levels in the bloodstream are inadequate, your bones will supply it. Studies have shown that even modest levels of cola consumption are associated with lower bone mineral density scores. And […]

Trans fats – This truly toxic man-made fat provides a quadruple insult to your arteries – clogging them more readily than any other food ever identified. Trans fats boost LDL (bad) cholesterol, lower HDL (good) cholesterol, elevate triglycerides, and incite damaging inflammation in your arteries. Strictly avoid them by staying away from stick margarine, shortening, […]

Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day so it’s important that what you are eating is healthy. So many cereals out there are anything but. Here are ten common brands of cereal that fit my guidelines for 5 grams or more of fiber and 10 grams or less of sugar per serving. Post® […]