Foods That Boost Your Mood
What you eat can reduce stress, increase focus and protect your mental health.
Easy Ways to Drink More Water and Less Sugar
Stay hydrated without sacrificing flavor with these tips on how to enjoy more water.
Breaking Your Caffeine Habit
It may feel like caffeine is unavoidable, but these tips can help you reduce or eliminate your caffeine intake.
Fiber in Your Diet: Why You Need It
Learn which foods to mix into your diet to boost soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.
Lower Cholesterol with Food
By cooking at home and monitoring portions, you can lower your cholesterol.
The Truth About Fasts and Cleanses
There are many misconceptions about fasts and cleanses – before starting one, check out what experts in the Sutter Health network have to say.
Nutrition Topics
Recipe Hub
Sutter Health's team of doctors and dietitians have come together to provide patients with tools to cook healthy and delicious meals.
Related Videos
Healthy Eating for Older Adults
Collaborative webinar with Cal Poly students and PAMF Health Education to educate the public on healthy eating.
Master Mushroom Barley Pilaf
Nail this nutritious, whole-grain dish with help from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
Heart-Healthy Lentil Soup
Master this hearty, fiber-rich soup with tips from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
Metabolism-Firing Fennel Salad
Sutter health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how to craft a fennel, citrus and radish salad to rev your metabolism.
Metabolism-Revving Curried Kale
Here's a simple, scrumptious dish that'll fire up your metabolism. Get the how-to from health coach Jamie Dougherty.
6 Ingredients and You're Set!
Knock out a nutritious, delicious dinner in 15 minutes using just six ingredients. Health coach Jamie Dougherty shows how.
How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays
Linda Shiue, M.D., of PAMF Internal Medicine, explains how to eat healthy and still enjoy your favorite foods.
Portion Distortion: How to Plan Healthy Meals
Debbie Lucas, a dietitian with Sutter Patient Education, discusses how to plan healthy meals with appropriate portions.
Ask an Expert
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
I had lap band surgery and I have lost 65 pounds, but I am getting discouraged because my weight seems to have stopped there. How many calories should I have a day? I am limited to about a cup of food three times a day.
First of all, congratulations on your weight loss so far! Unfortunately, weight loss plateaus are a frustrating and all-too-common occurrence, even with weight loss surgeries. If you hit a plateau in the first ... continue reading about I had lap band surgery and I have lost 65 pounds, but I am getting discouraged because my weight seems to have stopped there. How many calories should I have a day? I am limited to about a cup of food three times a day.
Arfan Din, D.O.
Sutter Medical Group
I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
It is wise to be concerned about dietary supplements, since they are not regulated by the FDA. This then allows manufacturers of these products to make claims that are not well founded in medical science or stu... continue reading about I've been running for a number of years. I feel like I've sort of hit a plateau in my race times and performances. I'm considering taking dietary supplements, but I'm concerned about possible side effects. Should I be?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter West Bay Medical Group
I read on your site that calcium supplements are not advisable as it contributes to heart disease, but calcium ingested in food doesn't. I'm reluctant to take supplemental calcium, but have continued to take Vitamin D on the days I'm not in the sun.
A number of studies have shown that supplemental calcium is linked to both heart attack and kidney stones in some people. For this reason, women are encouraged to get their calcium from food and dairy products ... continue reading about I read on your site that calcium supplements are not advisable as it contributes to heart disease, but calcium ingested in food doesn't. I'm reluctant to take supplemental calcium, but have continued to take Vitamin D on the days I'm not in the sun.
Frank L. Anderson, M.D.
Sutter Lakeside Hospital
I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?
That sounds like a product too good to be true and I would imagine persons suffering from celiac disease and lactose intolerance would be very receptive. Unfortunately these are two very different problems whic... continue reading about I just purchased a gluten lactase enzyme medication that claims to let me eat anything safely. I have recently been diagnosed with celiac disease, and also feel lactose intolerant. Will this product work, or did I just waste my money?
Pam Noonan, MS, RN, CDE
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
My husband has Type 2 diabetes. He heard that tomatoes have too much sugar in them, however, most recipes for diabetics contain tomatoes or tomato products. How do tomatoes fit into a diabetic diet?
Tomatoes often get a bad rap for having “too much sugar.” I hear this myth often in my diabetes education practice. Carrots are another vegetable that seems to suffer the same reputation. Tomatoes a... continue reading about My husband has Type 2 diabetes. He heard that tomatoes have too much sugar in them, however, most recipes for diabetics contain tomatoes or tomato products. How do tomatoes fit into a diabetic diet?
Karen Handy, M.P.H.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
I have a formula that you can use to calculate the calories you will need for your ideal body weight. Get ready for some math! Let's start by looking at how many calories you would need per day just to maintain... continue reading about How do I compute my basic healthy calorie intake? What are some basic facts about how many calories a person needs to burn to lose weight?
Astrin Damayanti, R.D.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
I recently noticed that some energy bars promote zero sugar but upon inspection, the nutritional facts included "sugar alcohols". What is sugar alcohol and does it count as sugar?
You may notice many 'no sugar added' or 'sugar free' labeled foods contain sugar alcohol. Sugar alcohol is actually neither sugar nor alcohol, it tastes sweets and its chemical structure looks like alcohol. The... continue reading about I recently noticed that some energy bars promote zero sugar but upon inspection, the nutritional facts included "sugar alcohols". What is sugar alcohol and does it count as sugar?
Deborah Kurzrock, R.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
So many frozen fish entrees consist of pollock. How nutritional is this fish compared to cod, salmon, tuna, etc.?
Almost everybody eats Alaska Pollock but hardly anybody knows what they are eating. Alaska Pollock is known as the fish that doesn't get any respect. Pollock is the preferred fish of many restaurants, taquerias... continue reading about So many frozen fish entrees consist of pollock. How nutritional is this fish compared to cod, salmon, tuna, etc.?
Gary F. Milechman, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
My husband had triple bypass surgery last August and in December, a defibrillator was implanted. He's having problems gaining weight. They said that he can eat anything as long as he limits salt. Can he eat high-fat meals?
It sounds like your husband has been through a lot in the last year. There are several layers to your question and to your concerns.Generally, patients need to avoid salt if they have congestive heart failure o... continue reading about My husband had triple bypass surgery last August and in December, a defibrillator was implanted. He's having problems gaining weight. They said that he can eat anything as long as he limits salt. Can he eat high-fat meals?
More Resources
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.