Recent Nutrition Articles
So You Want to Go on a Diet?
Understood. Us too! Just a good re-set to lose weight, get back on track, break some recent habits, feel better, and start the year off right. There’s just one problem. Our RVNAhealth registered dietitian, Monica Marcello, MS RD, won’t let us. 😊 Why Not? “To be clear, explains Marcello, “I am not anti-weight loss. But I am anti-deprivation. And deprivation is a key element of most diets. As a registered dietitian, I want you to EAT! I want you to eat the foods that are going to make you feel great, give you energy, promote good health, and still allow joy in your life. That is going to be different for everybody.” Here are Marcello’s concerns about diets: Diets set you up for failure by neglecting your individual needs and promoting…
Have nutrition-related questions of your own?
Food for Thought
Many of us have had discomfiting moments with memory: the 'Doorway Effect' in which we can't recall why we've entered a room. Proper nouns that go missing, just when we need them the most. And other such lapses. And while there is no sure fire diet to prevent such decline,…
Back to School Fuel
It's back to school and for many a parent that means back-to-school lunches with all the trials and tribulations that go along with them. Here is RVNAhealth's registered dietitian and nutrition educator, Monica Marcello, MS, RD, with some ideas for keeping those lunches fresh and fun.
On the Road with COVID Vaccines
It was a busy weekend for RVNAhealth as we took our show on the road bringing COVID-19 vaccines — and food — to local events in Danbury and Ridgefield. In Danbury, we administered over 40 vaccines at the Assembly Church of God alongside our friends at the Community Food Rescue…
What’s Done is Done! Moving on to Summer Nutrition.
Summer brings many natural ways to improve habits. Take advantage of good weather to take more walks or hikes. Partake of the colors of the rainbow in the produce section of grocery stores, which making healthy eating easier - and fun!
A Tale of Two Diets – a Primer on Intermittent Fasting and the Ketogenic Diet
On Jan. 25, RVNAhealth Registered Dietitian and nutrition educator, Ava Safir, JD, MS, RDN, presented A Tale of Two Diets at Fit Club in Ridgefield, offering education and information on Intermittent Fasting and the Ketogenic Diet. The presentation was fascinating, covering the science behind the diets as well as benefits…
It's a Beauty, but is it Safe?
According to the CDC, handling poultry (chicken and turkey) incorrectly and undercooking it are the most common problems that lead to foodborne disease outbreaks linked to poultry. These outbreaks increase every November and December due to improper food handling at holiday parties and dinners. Follow these five tips to safely…
School Lunch Ideas
The Question: Help! I need creative lunch ideas for back to school. What do you recommend for a healthy school lunch? Meg’s Response: Packing lunch for your child — every single day — can be a challenge. And a chore! You want to provide nutritious food to fuel your child’s brain,…
A Healthier Take on Summer BBQ
Q: We love hosting summer cookouts. How can we make our favorite barbecue foods healthier? A: To put a fresh and healthy spin on your cookouts, skip the hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw and potato salad for lighter options that are trending now. Another reason to lighten up? Without all…
Ava Safir, JD, MS, RDN Joins RVNAhealth Nutrition Team
RVNAhealth is pleased to announce that Ava Safir, JD, MS, RDN, has joined our team as a Registered Dietitian. In this role, Ava will join RVNAhealth’s registered dietitian and nutrition educator, Meg Whitbeck, MS, RDN to provide nutrition services to RVNAhealth in-home and outpatient clients.
Deep Dive Into ... Water
We know! We need to drink more water. Every single day without fail and a single cup won’t do. Correct? Correct. For those of us who hydrate regularly, we know our bodies catch on. The more water we drink, the more we like it, the better we feel, the more…
Eating for Brain Health
June 2018: Eating for Brain Health My family has a history of Alzheimer’s Disease. I’ve read about different diets that can help reduce the risk. What are they and do they work? A healthy diet is certainly a good place to start in the prevention of many conditions, and brain…
The Salad Days of Summer
In the summertime, we like to keep it fresh and simple. This year, we’re kicking off the season with salad. Easy to make, easy to eat, and delicious to boot, salads are fast, inexpensive, and versatile. “Salads can get a bad rap,” says Meg Whitbeck, MS RDN, RVNA’s registered dietitian…
Seasonal Allergies and Nutrition
Is there a link between seasonal allergies and diet? I get this question all the time. And the short answer is YES! There is a relationship between a person’s diet/nutrition and their seasonal allergies and the connection can best be understood with an explanation of “Oral Allergy Syndrome.” Also known…
Arthritis and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
I know nutrition can help with conditions like heart disease and diabetes, but what about arthritis. Will changing my diet help my condition? I’m sorry to hear about your arthritis but am happy to report that there are definitely things you can do nutritionally to protect against the development of…
Introducing Meg Whitbeck, MS RDN
Meg Whitbeck with the men in her life: (l to r) her husband Drew and sons Luke and Parker One of the great things about Meg Whitbeck, MS RDN, is that even though she’s a registered dietitian and nutrition educator — and an excellent one at that — she doesn’t make…
Eating to Sleep
Are You as Tired as We Are?! The old concept that you can’t catch up on lost sleep is a dismaying one, particularly if you’re already a few months – or years! – behind. Fortunately, time and attention can help reverse the course and side effects of sleep deprivation. Which…
July 2018: A Healthier Take on Summer BBQ
Q: We love hosting summer cookouts. How can we make our favorite barbecue foods healthier? A: To put a fresh and healthy spin on your cookouts, skip the hot dogs, hamburgers, cole slaw and potato salad for lighter options that are trending now. Another reason to lighten up? Without all…
June 2018: Eating for Brain Health
My family has a history of Alzheimer’s Disease. I’ve read about different diets that can help reduce the risk. What are they and do they work? A healthy diet is certainly a good place to start in the prevention of many conditions, and brain health is no exception. While there’s…
May 2018: Arthritis and the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
I know nutrition can help with conditions like heart disease and diabetes, but what about arthritis. Will changing my diet help my condition? I’m sorry to hear about your arthritis but am happy to report that there are definitely things you can do nutritionally to protect against the development of…
March 2018: Meal Prep Saves the Day
“I hear about Food Prep Sundays and see people’s food prep photos on social media. Is food prep really what I need to do to reach my weight and nutrition goals?” The short answer is “yes.” Advance food prep is an important tool to have when it comes to meeting your health…
April 2018: Seasonal Allergies and Nutrition
Is there a link between seasonal allergies and diet? I get this question all the time. And the short answer is YES! There is a relationship between a person’s diet/nutrition and their seasonal allergies and the connection can best be understood with an explanation of “Oral Allergy Syndrome.” Also known…
February 2018: Eating for Heart Health
“There is so much conflicting information out there about how to eat for heart health. What do I really need to know if I want to avoid heart disease?” I love the timing of this question! Why? February is American Heart Month. If this time of year has you dreaming…
January 2018: A Fresh Take on New Year’s Resolutions
Hard to believe it’s that time of year again: time to take stock of the past year and make our resolutions for the year ahead. Are you thinking, “Didn’t I just make resolutions?” If last year’s goals fell by the wayside once post-holiday life kicked into gear, you’re not alone. …
December 2017: What happens in December … stays in December
At this time of year, I typically like to give advice on how to enjoy the holidays without going entirely off the rails. This year, however, I’m leaving you to your own devices to navigate the splendors of the season — I trust you! — and proceeding right on to…
Food for Thought
Many of us have had discomfiting moments with memory: the 'Doorway Effect' in which we can't recall why we've entered a room. Proper nouns that go missing, just when we need them the most. And other such lapses. And while there is no sure fire diet to prevent such decline,…
Back to School Fuel
It's back to school and for many a parent that means back-to-school lunches with all the trials and tribulations that go along with them. Here is RVNAhealth's registered dietitian and nutrition educator, Monica Marcello, MS, RD, with some ideas for keeping those lunches fresh and fun.
On the Road with COVID Vaccines
It was a busy weekend for RVNAhealth as we took our show on the road bringing COVID-19 vaccines — and food — to local events in Danbury and Ridgefield. In Danbury, we administered over 40 vaccines at the Assembly Church of God alongside our friends at the Community Food Rescue…
What’s Done is Done! Moving on to Summer Nutrition.
Summer brings many natural ways to improve habits. Take advantage of good weather to take more walks or hikes. Partake of the colors of the rainbow in the produce section of grocery stores, which making healthy eating easier - and fun!
A Tale of Two Diets – a Primer on Intermittent Fasting and the Ketogenic Diet
On Jan. 25, RVNAhealth Registered Dietitian and nutrition educator, Ava Safir, JD, MS, RDN, presented A Tale of Two Diets at Fit Club in Ridgefield, offering education and information on Intermittent Fasting and the Ketogenic Diet. The presentation was fascinating, covering the science behind the diets as well as benefits…
It's a Beauty, but is it Safe?
According to the CDC, handling poultry (chicken and turkey) incorrectly and undercooking it are the most common problems that lead to foodborne disease outbreaks linked to poultry. These outbreaks increase every November and December due to improper food handling at holiday parties and dinners. Follow these five tips to safely…