At a recent dinner the debate got heated over the various diets whirling out there now. One of my friends, a devout Paleo, said “I would bet on the Paleos in a fight. Vegans are wimps.” Is this the new Bloods versus Crips, I thought? Are feuding eating philosophies the new gang wars? Should we put the Ketos, the Plant Paradox people and Intermittent Fasters in a fighting pit and see who survives? People are getting so heated over which nutritional regimen they’ve chosen to follow that they will take it to the mat. The competition is the movement of the moment and people are taking sides.

MCT oil, every time I say it to someone I get the same response, “what is that?” MCT stands for medium-chain triglycerides, which are fats in most cases from coconuts. These triglycerides are shorter than most dietary fat, which means they do not need to be digested in the same way, making them a rapid source of energy. Additionally, MCT oil has been shown to boost weight loss, brain function, and promote a healthy gut biome.

Most people eat way too much sugar, many without even knowing it. Everyone knows that a candy bar, or a piece of cake, or a soda have a lot of sugar but how about your organic yogurt? Or the 100% real fruit juice you’re putting in your child’s lunchbox? Added sugars are coming from places that we don’t expect, and are way over our daily limits.

Looking forward to Halloween? It is easy to get wrapped up in the ceremony of eating endless candy, however just because it is a national holiday doesn’t mean our bodies give us a free pass to eat everything. Daily sugar intake should be limited to 25 g per day. This can look like one Snickers bar. When we choose to eat too much sugar from candy or even refined carbohydrates, like white bread, we get what I like to call the sugar hangover.

Nutrition myths are everywhere, from the age-old wait thirty minutes after eating to swim to if you swallow gum it will sit in your stomach forever, it is hard to know what to believe. As a nutritionist people are always asking what is right and wrong. Below are some of the most common questions I get.

Phytonutrients are the powerful components of plants that not only give them their distinct flavors and colors but also protects them from environmental stressors like pests and radiation. Lucky for us, by consuming phytonutrients, we can experience a wide range of health benefits. Studies have shown the connection between plant foods and a decreased risk for the development of chronic disease and certain cancers, improved detoxification, immune function, cardiovascular health, and estrogen metabolism.