Dole-nutrition-institute-jennifer-grossman

Finicky eaters, rejoice! We’re here to provide nutrition alternatives to certain oft-avoided foods.No more feeling guilty about leaving lima beans, eggplant or Brussels sprouts on your plate–at least not when you choose from some of the substitutions below.

Want a simple, cost-effective way to keep weight down? Connect the dots!

Former President Clinton wants today’s children to avoid the pitfalls and weight struggles that may have contributed to his quadruple bypass two years ago.

New government research demonstrates that guava deserves a place among the nutrient-rich elite.In fact, in one test, guava scored better than strawberries, spinach and broccoli.

What goes up must come down–but when it comes to overeating and acid reflux, what goes down may come up.

As DNN readers well know, fish benefits range from heart protection to Alzheimer’s prevention to reduced risk of certain kinds of cancer. Below, with the help of the DNI’s resident scientist Nick Gillitt, PhD, we’ve tackled ten misconceptions to bring you the real fish story.

men who consume an average of three or more alcoholic beverages a day were nearly 43% more likely to suffer a stroke.

New research busts the myth that excess weight won’t hurt you as long as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels are okay.

Choosing healthy, complex carbohydrates like fruit, vegetables, legumes and whole grains can support your workout in more ways than one.

Want to know how to make a minor scrape fade fast? Get out there and get active! Ohio State University researchers recently found that exercise can accelerate wound healing by as much as 25%.

Fish ‘Lunchers’ Consume Fewer Calories Later

Summer barbecues don’t have to be unhealthy.In addition to vegetarian versions of traditional hot dogs, burgers can be made from lean turkey, salmon or even beans.But what about condiments like ketchup, relish, mustard and mayonnaise?

Want the most nutrition value for your shopping dollar? Produce fits the bill.

By now you should know that the negative side effects of a low-carb, high-protein diet go beyond bad breath and what’s charitably called an “Atkins Attitude.”

You know you should drink extra water when exercising on hot summer days. What you probably didn’t bank on is the need for extra calcium.

Researchers were able to determine a “nutrient-to-price ratio.” Guess which foods provided the most relative nutrition for your money?

ew research from Rutgers University found that sulphoraphane suppressed tumor growth in mice carrying a gene connected to hereditary cancer in humans.

Are you among the 10% of Americans who fail to get enough vitamin C? If so, that nutrient deficiency could make it harder to lose weight.

California already boasts some of the toughest anti-tobacco laws in the nation, but two new developments edge it closer to becoming the land of the smoke-free.

“Low-Fat Diets Flub a Test” screamed headlines in response to the three studies published earlier this year, casting doubt on the anti-cancer and heart health benefits of low-fat diets.After years of dietary finger-wagging to cut fat intake, this about-face nearly sent confused consumers seeking solace in a tub of Rocky Road.

while obesity’s association with several types of cancer has been well-reported, there’s less awareness of the obesity-esophageal cancer link.

Does the prospect of spring cleaning have you stressed out? Then take heart — literally — from new research which suggests that ordinary, around-the-house activities like sweeping, gardening, dusting and washing might actually help lower blood pressure.

New research from Arizona State University shows that upping vitamin C intake boosts your body’s ability to metabolize fat.

February is famous for pink hearts, red roses and unfortunately, runny noses.Common colds aside, an average of one in five Americans gets the flu each year, and while most recover in a week or two, there are thousands of flu-related fatalities annually.

These leafy lovelies offer a bumper crop of possible health benefits — ranging from mental sharpness to weight management.

Citrus fruits — oranges in particular — are so commonly consumed that we tend to forget what nutritional powerhouses they are.

The most recent USDA Dietary Guidelines recommended that Americans triple their bean consumption.

A recent survey of 4,000 British men and women – half of whom were overweight or obese found little awareness of the serious health risks posed by excess weight. About half of obese and overweight respondents rejected the notion that healthy eating could reduce cancer risk while two-thirds did not believe exercise could reduce cancer risk.

.Attention to nutrient function should inform your approach to rebuilding the temple of your body.

The 18th century British writer Samuel Johnson once described oats as “a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.” Though disdained as horse feed for much of its history, this humble grain rose to health fame in the late 1980′s, as an “oat bran craze” swept the U.S. thanks to reports that oats could help lower cholesterol.

For those who diligently search package ingredient lists for trans fats lurking under sobriquets such as “partially hydrogenated oils,” spotting that worst fat of all just got easier. As of January 1st, federal law requires food manufacturers to declare how much trans fat their foods contain.

Yoga’s power to transform the body and one’s life is what draws many to the practice.Any process of rebuilding requires raw materials, and in the case of the body, that means the proper foods.Attention to nutrient function should inform your approach to rebuilding the temple of your body.Below we provide a list of top food sources of those compounds that can help speed healing, ease soreness, promote joint health and otherwise support your body as it reaps the benefits of yoga.

While being overweight is extremely bad for your heart new research suggests low-carb diets may cause cardiac damage over the long term. A study from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University linked the fatty fad diet with elevated levels of C-reactive protein, or CRP, a marker of inflammation associated with increased risk of heart disease.

It was once thought that womens greater sensitivity to pain was all in their heads. Turns out its all in their skin.

New government research demonstrates that guava deserves a place among the polyphenol elite.In fact, in one widely used antioxidant test (ORAC, an index related to polyphenol content), guava scored better than strawberries, spinach and broccoli.

“Labor saving” devices cut down on physical activity, allowing us to conserve calories we would otherwise burn. But technology, specifically the Internet, can provide not just information, but feedback and support empowering dieters with resources research says can fuel results.

The 70′s band “Hot Chocolate” is best known for a hit whose refrain is, “I Believe in Miracles.” Should you believe in the miracle of chocolate’s much-buzzed about health benefits?

Out of the 30 fruits and vegetables highlighted on our Superfoods website, cranberries are among the four featured foods which do double duty as both an Antioxidant Superfood and Superfood for the Heart.

Pain relief and healthcare savings are among the more widely recognized benefits of chiropractic care, while relatively little is known about the effects of treatment at the cellular level.

New research from Johns Hopkins suggests that exercise variety – as opposed to intensity in terms of total calorie burn – may reduce the risk of developing dementia later in life.

If your five-year-old is always jumping, running, rolling about — that hyperactivity could protect against excess weight many years down the line.

Since seeds pack such a powerful nutrition punch in their tiny packages, we thought it was high time to give you the low down on popular varieties.All values are for the small seed serving size of one ounce — a bit less than a quarter cup.

How often should you eat fish? Which varieties should you avoid?

Mandarin oranges are such a dainty and delicious delicacy — you may not think of them as a nutrition hero. But the juicy citrus fruit deserves superstar status thanks to phytochemicals possibly so powerful that they might help protect healthy tissues from some of the damage caused by radiation therapy.

This summer has seen much debate over proposals to expand the federal government’s role in health care provision.Little mentioned in the discussion is how soaring obesity rates — and related health care costs — would impact a new, taxpayer-financed system.One recent statistic stands out: from 2001 to 2006 health care costs for the obese grew almost three-times as fast as those for the normal-weight population.

We’re all familiar with the stereotype associating jollity with rotundity. But hearty laughter actually burns calories, which could help keep pounds at bay.

Whether you’re a serious athlete — or simply looking to make workouts easier — new research suggests beets might boost your stamina.

Sunburn, jellyfish stings and the occasional scrape are what usually come to mind when you think of beach hazards. Now there’s a new risk to the list: bacterial infection.

New research points to an inverse relationship between alcohol intake and levels of omega-3 — an essential fat that benefits the heart, brain, joints, skin — and mood.

there’s mounting evidence that certain foods may help to minimize colorectal inflammation, believed to precede the cancer itself.Most recently: Compounds found in bananas could help halt this process – reducing levels of inflammatory proteins by 57% , in one lab study.

Some folks find they have more “senior moments” as they age, and 69% of older adults say losing mental function is a top fear. Fortunately, there are fun – scientifically-proven – ways to strengthen your mind!

Many people think that parental efforts to control what kids eat are bound to backfire.But new research suggests that moms who meddle in mealtime choices may actually succeed in limiting kids’ unhealthy weight gain.

Add eggplant to your anti-diabetes arsenal to help keep blood sugar levels under control.

Want to build stronger bones? Then eat more tomatoes, watermelon, guava and red grapefruit.All contain lycopene, the red-pigmented antioxidant whose long list of possible benefits include heart health and protection against various cancers.

During the summer travel season you expect long lines, flight delays, crying babies — but what about having to “share” your seat because your obese neighbor needs more room?

Affecting one in 10 American children, asthma is the leading cause of missed school days. Fortunately, a recent study of Spanish children suggests that increasing intake of cucumber, tomatoes, eggplant and zucchini could reduce the severity of asthmatic symptoms by 62-81%.

Think multivitamins protect you against diseases like breast cancer? You may want to think again.

Lace up your running shoes to lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of blindness among those over 65.

We all know someone who never gains a pound, regardless of what he or she eats.While the ultra-thin may incite envy, some actually struggle with a different kind of weight problem, namely, trying to keep enough weight on.

There’s a reason why pineapple juice is popular in American hospitals — patients report it helps soothe a variety of symptoms, ranging from dry mouth to nausea.

The path to happiness appears to be lined with smiling friends, family and neighbors. So suggests a Harvard analysis of roughly 5,000 people over two decades, which found that contentment is contagious.

For the 16,000 Americans diagnosed with esophageal cancer each year, the forecast is too often discouraging, with only one in ten surviving beyond five years.

At a recent Atlantic Magazine Food Summit in Washington D.C., there was universal nodding and agreement to the idea that “the reason people are so fat is that healthy foods are too expensive.” Is this widely accepted conventional wisdom actually true — or could it be a distraction from a more fundamental economic challenge facing the country?

Intense, post-workout pain can make it difficult to move — much less maintain your normal exercise routine.Drug remedies, like COX-2 inhibitors bring their own set of risks (e.g., the now withdrawn Vioxx). Fortunately, new research is pointing to natural — and even delicious alternatives, like ginger!

Dieting can be difficult, presenting challenges such as hunger, monotony and waning willpower. While there’s no getting around the fact that slimming down requires work, new research suggests adding mandarins to your weight-loss arsenal might help fight fat — and titillate your taste buds!

When teens skip breakfast as a way to lose weight, they’re not only missing out on key nutrients, they’re increasing their odds of obesity.

If you are on the pill then you may want to eat more bananas, potatoes, turkey breast and wild salmon. All are top sources of vitamin B6, levels of which are lower among women taking oral contraceptives.

To keep diabetes at bay, eat your vitamin K — from sources like spinach, cabbage, broccoli and celery.

Fresh or frozen, in jars or snack bowls, peaches are so dizzily delicious no one pays much attention to their nutrition. That may be changing, thanks to two recent studies pointing to peaches’ anti-cancer potential!

New research proves less than an hour’s stroll through the countryside can boost cognitive recall by nearly 20% — triple the increase experienced by urban trekkers.

Though the creed of fat acceptance suggests focusing on your weight will endanger your happiness, new data defies such dogma.

Carrying excess weight can be a major headache — literally! A study of almost 20,000 migraine sufferers found that the more they weighed, the more likely they were to experience migraines.

Sometimes, getting children to eat fruit and vegetables can be no fun. Less fun for kids is constipation. Statistics suggest constipation is on the rise among school-age children, but new research demonstrates that increased produce intake could help prevent discomfort and support normal bowel health.

Water contamination presents a huge challenge globally. Natural alternatives (e.g., sawdust, peanut shells, sugar cane) have been employed with mixed results. But now researchers may have discovered a cheap, effective solution that can work even better than the chemical stuff: banana peels!

Dry eye is one of the most common disorders treated by ophthalmologists — and if you’re like most folks bothered by itchy, irritated dry eyes, your first impulse may be to reach for over-the-counter eye drops to get some relief.But new research reveals the potential of diet to alleviate this condition, specifically the possible therapeutic role of omega-3 fatty acids, found naturally in various fish, nuts and seeds.

You know it’s best to exercise most days of the week — so if weekends are the only time you have to work out, should you bother?

David H. Murdock, Chairman and Owner of Dole Food Company, appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” The show asked the question: Could it be possible to live to 150? Oprah talked to Mr. Murdock, 87, about his belief in the power of proper diet to dramatically extend the human lifespan.

Eating ice cream and other fatty foods during pregnancy could raise your child’s chances of becoming obese.

At a time when professional athletes are getting booed for steroid use, spinach is in the news for its steroid-like ability to bulk up muscles.

Take the stairs instead of the elevators — and you’ll dramatically increase your fitness levels! That’s the conclusion of a recent Swiss study in which 69 university employees were banned from using elevators for three months at work.

Blood pressure isn’t the only thing that rises along with stress levels — aggravation can also result in increased cholesterol. In fact, recent research suggests those under the most stress are 13 times more likely to have cholesterol high enough to increase the future risk of heart disease.

If you already view fast-food restaurants as a blight upon the urban landscape, consider that each one you see in your neighborhood could be raising your stroke risk by 1%. If you live surrounded by them, your stroke risk might be 13% higher than if you lived where they were fewer and farther between.

Those vitamin and mineral pills you’ve been insisting your kids take may be a waste of money — or worse.

Already recognized for their fiber prowess and heart-health benefits, raspberries are in the news again, this time for their anti-cancer potential.

Want to enjoy the health benefits of fish but worried about mercury contamination? Then eat more pineapple, bananas, mango, papaya and guava! Read more for the research.

Tired of tossing and turning at night? To enjoy more peaceful sleep, try trimming fat from your meals. New research links higher fat intake — especially at dinner — with lighter sleep, interrupted breathing and restless dreams.

Call it the countertop illusion: You grab a small bite, standing up by the counter. You’re eating light…right? Wrong. You’re actually setting yourself up to overeat later.

We’ve all heard obesity described as an “epidemic.” Now, reports on a new Harvard study characterize obesity as “contagious.” Researchers propose that obesity spreads — not through physical infection — but through the relaxation of social norms regarding appropriate body size.

It’s a discomfiting condition — one most sufferers are too embarrassed to discuss, yet chronic constipation (less than three bowel movements a week) affects roughly 6 million Americans, particularly women and the elderly. New research suggests kiwis can offer significant relief.

“Eat your colors” is the oft-repeated dietary advice, aimed at increasing your intake of disease-fighting phytochemicals that lend tomatoes, carrots and blueberries their bright hues.But what about white produce?

Regular consumption of red meat raises a number of health risks, ranging from cancers of the lung, prostate, pancreas and colon to endometriosis and asthma. Now, new research suggests even moderate meat consumption could significantly increase your chances of developing high blood pressure as well.

According to Professor David Nieman of Appalachian State University, whose preliminary research shows regular moderate exercise may boost immunity.

The growing popularity of cheap, all-you-can-eat buffets isn’t helping America’s obesity epidemic. But it turns out these eating extravaganzas bring out basic behavioral differences between obese and normal-weight individuals. While some differences are easy to guess (like who leaves more food on their plate) others (like napkin and chopsticks usage) might surprise you.

Good news about coffee consumption has been percolating over the past few years, with newly discovered benefits including reduced risk of Parkinson’s, type 2 diabetes, dementia and heart disease. Now researchers are exploring how coffee may affect men and women differently. The latest: Men are more sensitive to coffee stimulation.

Harvard researchers found that eating 5 oz. of nuts (including peanuts) weekly can lower the risk of gallstones by up to 34%. Nuts’ magnesium, fiber and phytosterols may help keep the gallbladder from overloading with cholesterol, which otherwise can crystallize into painful gallstones. Read on to find how nuts benefit other, unexpected aspects of health — from bones to beautiful skin.

Do your kids seem to be growing up too fast these days? That fear may be well-founded, especially when it comes to childhood obesity.Alarming new research suggests the vascular systems (veins and arteries) of obese adolescents are three decades older than the rest of their bodies!

A newly discovered link between low levels of vitamin D and depression may shed light on why winter’s wan sun leaves some feeling glum.

A new study substantiates the possible protective powers of produce.

There’s an e-mail circulating the web boasting various banana benefits — including hangover relief.While most of the claims (like this one) are based in fact, some are exaggerated, and other benefits are omitted.We’ve created our own scientific list by clicking here.

Stronger bones.This used to be the last supposed advantage of being overweight — which otherwise raises the risk of all manner of ailments, from diabetes to cancer to cardiovascular disease.But alas, emerging research shows that fat — far from being a guarantor of sturdier bones — actually undermines them.