Leanne Mccrate

Although food addiction is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, it is estimated that as many as 20% of Americans struggle with some type of food compulsion (2).

It’s normal to have attitudes about food. Just remember, food attitudes are a first-world luxury.

Have you ever endured the unpleasant experience of someone criticizing or ridiculing your food choices? One day at lunch, the dietitians were enjoying a party and dining on cheesy foods and decadent desserts. A coworker passed by and commented, “Maybe you all should take your name tags off, so no one knows you are dietitians.” She thought it was funny; I didn't.

We use aluminum in our everyday lives. In fact, it is the most abundant metal on the planet, and aluminum is even found in the air we breathe.

Leanne McCrate, RDN, LD, CNSC Dear Dietitian, My stepdaughter told me not to cook with aluminum foil, as it can cause health problems.

in February 2019. Researchers found a 16% to 24% decrease in rates of heart disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and colorectal cancer when comparing people with the highest dietary fiber consumption with those who ate the least amount. Furthermore, there was a 15% to 30% reduction in death from any cause in the high fiber group.

Dear Dietitian, My stepdaughter told me not to cook with aluminum foil, as it can cause health problems. Is this true? Is it safe to use plastic containers when heating food in the microwave oven? Thank you. Jesse Dear Jesse, We use aluminum in our everyday lives. Sources include medication, aluminum foil, aluminum cans, and cookware. In fact, it is […]

I've been reading conflicting information about milk. We've always heard that milk is good for your bones, but I've read that it does just the opposite, that the pH of milk causes us to lose bone mass. I've read it increases mucus production, making us more susceptible to infections. Also, I've heard that cow's milk is made for cows; that humans are the only mammals that drink milk after infancy, and therefore, we shouldn't need milk at all. Please clear this up. --Jake

Dear Dietitian, I just read an article that said a high-fiber diet helps prevent colon cancer, but other articles on this topic have said the opposite. Can you help clear things up? Joseph Dear Joseph, Scientific studies are often confusing because the results are different. Before something becomes clear in science, it has to be tested several times in different […]

We've all heard of trans fats by now, but what are they and what effect do they have on the body? “Trans” is a chemistry term that refers to the arrangement of molecules. In a trans formation, molecules are arranged on opposite sides of the carbon: carbon double bond.