Author: Monica Reinagel, MS, LD/N, CNS

Recently, a listener posted a question about powdered milk on my Facebook page. She was wondering whether it’s okay to use dried or powdered milk in place of fresh milk. Powdered milk is, of course, less expensive than fresh milk. It’s relatively non-perishable, lightweight, and portable. Many include powdered milk in their emergency food stores. In terms of nutrients like calcium, protein, and potassium, dried milk is comparable to fresh milk. Like fresh milk, dried milk is usually fortified with Vitamin A and D. You can add dried milk to powder to breads and other baked goods, soups, sauces, smoothies,…

Nutrition Diva listener John recently asked me to weigh in on a new FDA approved weight loss drug called Gelesis100.  The drug is not yet available to the public, but it will probably be coming onto the market very soon as a prescription-only drug under the brand name Plenity. I bet it’ll be hard to miss it when it does become available; there will probably be a huge advertising and marketing push. But is this new drug going to be the one that turns the tide against obesity? Previous pharmaceutical approaches to weight loss have all had major drawbacks. Stimulants…

I recently got a note from Diane, who was upset with me for supporting the consumption of dairy products. “No human should be consuming milk after they’ve been weaned from their mother’s breast,” she wrote. “It is completely unnatural. Cow’s milk is intended only for baby cows—and it’s cruel to take the milk away from the calves for whom it is clearly intended. Need calcium? Milk, which may contribute to osteoporosis and numerous other health issues, is the last place you should be getting it.” Before I respond to Diane’s remarks, I just want to repeat something I’ve said many…

A listener writes: “I have recurrent problems with candida or yeast. I have seen articles stating that I should eat less sugar and avoid foods that contain yeast, such as bread. How accurate is this advice?” I’m so glad you asked! There is a confusing mix of true and false information about candida diet and nutrition. Let’s sort fact from fiction. Candida albicans is a type of yeast that is commonly found both on and in the human body, where it generally causes no problems. Certain conditions, however, can lead to an overgrowth of this benign organism.The resulting infection is…

A recent survey by the American Psychiatric Association found that we are more anxious than ever, about health, finances, relationships, politics…you name it. On a scale of 1 to 100, this year’s national anxiety score is 51, which is a 5-point increase from 2017. There’s surely plenty to worry about these days. But anxious people tend not to be great problem-solvers. So, let’s at least make sure we’re not stressing out about things that we don’t actually need to worry about. As my contribution to the general well-being, here are ten nutrition concerns that you can probably cross off your…

When we think about taking nutrients into our bodies, we usually think about swallowing them, in the form of pills, powders, or that radical format known as food. For that matter, when we talk about nutrient absorption, we’re usually talking about the absorption of nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodstream. But a handful of companies are trying to change the way we think about nutritional supplementation. Instead of swallowing a handful of pills and worrying about whether or not they are being absorbed, why not bypass the digestive tract altogether and apply them directly to your skin? Nicotine,…

Turmeric is all the rage for its purported health benefits. Most of us know turmeric as a brilliant orange powder used in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking. It’s one of the primary ingredients in curry powder. And lately, “golden milk”—a sort of spicy turmeric tea—is trending in everyone’s Instagram feed. From a culinary perspective, turmeric adds a warm spiciness and a vivid hue to food. On the health front, turmeric’s big claim to fame is its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s also being studied as a natural hedge against Alzheimer’s disease. From a culinary perspective, turmeric adds a warm spiciness and a…

Coconut milk has become one of the most popular nondairy milk options, and it’s one that wasn’t even on the radar when I did my original comparison of non-dairy milks back in 2009. So, today, I’m going to do a head-to-head comparison between cow’s milk and coconut milk.  As you’ll see, it’s impossible to declare one as the clear winner—which one is best for you will depend on what your priorities and individual needs are. How Is Coconut Milk Made? All coconut milk products, whether in cans or cartons, are made by grating the meat of the coconut and pressing…

Once upon a time, the only people who might have had a canister of protein powder in the kitchen were body-builders and dieters on liquid meal replacement programs. Now, it’s become a relatively standard household ingredient. People are increasingly aware of the advantages of getting more protein in their diet. I’ve also talked about the benefits of spreading your protein intake out more evenly throughout the day.  And protein powder can be an easy way to bump up the protein content of breakfast and lunch, which tend to be much lower in protein than dinner.  This post includes suggestions for…

Whenever I talk about foods that can help control your hunger, I’m aware  of the fact that hunger is only one if the things that drive us to eat. Frequently, we eat simply because it’s time to eat, or because food is present, or because we’re bored, or blue, or procrastinating.  I’d even go so far as to say that, for many of us, hunger is only rarely our primary motivation for eating. If we only ate when we were hungry, then choosing foods that are good at satisfying hunger (such as those that are high in protein, fiber, and…