You ran out of oil. You have your grocery shopping list in one hand and you are armed with knowledge. Olive oil is the cardiovascular health darling. “It’s all I use,” says Magaly, one of my patients diagnosed with diabetes and high cholesterol levels. “It has no cholesterol,” she adds with an approving nod. Olive oil has once again garnished attention following the results of the Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet, the PREDIMED study. [...]

If you’ve turned on your computer, radio or television, picked up a magazine or newspaper, or chatted with a neighbor or family member, chances are you got a dose of nutrition advice. It’s just one of those hot topics. If you’re lucky, it’s reliable. The majority of the time, though, it’s what I refer to as Junk Nutrition. And just like junk food, it is here, there, and everywhere. [...]

Numbers are just numbers. But, the way you think about numbers can affect your feelings. For example, many people think the number 13 is unlucky. There's even a fancy term for people who are fearful of the number 13 - it's called Triskaidekaphobia. But the number 13 can also mean something good. For example, when you order 12 of something in a bakery, you usually get 13 of that item. That is known as a "baker's dozen." The point is that however you may feel about the number 13, it is only a number. [...]

You know the cartoon image -- an angel on one shoulder trying to convince you to be responsible, and a devil on the other tempting you to give in to desire. That classic battle is a fairly good illustration of the struggle many people with diabetes experience making eating choices every day. The imaginary angel and devil represent two parts of your brain, and food can stir up quite a debate inside your head. [...]

Phytonutrients (literally “plant nutrients”) are good-for-you compounds found in fruits and vegetables. They are also called phytochemicals. There are several categories and thousands of types of phytonutrients. Although only a small percentage of phytonutrients have been studied, many of them have been found to contain anti-cancer activity and other health benefits. A number of them can even help to reduce your risk of developing complications that are common in people with diabetes. [...]

Confused about cholesterol? Unsure which fats are good and which are bad? Wondering if you can eat eggs? Well, wonder no more. We’ll set the record straight on some of the “facts” and “fictions” about cholesterol and eating for a healthy heart. [...]