Author Archives: ucdhealthyaggies

By Meigan Freeman, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor Probiotics, prebiotics, and now synbiotics? What are these biotics and what can they do for your health; or are they just another health scam that ultimately burdens your wallet? I’ll go through their purposes, food sources, and possible benefits. But first, let’s review our gut bacteria, anContinue reading “Are Probiotics a Scam?”

By Claire Benoist, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor Diet culture is a lot like the monsters that used to live in our closet and under our beds as kids: scary and intimidating. With those monsters, we could usually just hide under the covers and try our best to ignore the noises and shadows until weContinue reading “Problematic Diet Culture Vocabulary”

By Claire Benoist, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor Have you heard of MyPlate? MyPlate is one of my favorite tools to use as a nutrition peer counselor. I’m not a big fan of math or measuring. To me, figuring out how much protein 0.8g per kg of body weight would be or keeping track ofContinue reading “Choose MyPlate!”

By Meigan Freeman, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor Do all those new milks have you overwhelmed? Well I am here to help, because we all have 99 problems, but milk shouldn’t be one! I’ll break down the nutrition content of each milk, environmental impacts, and cost so you can make an informed decision of whichContinue reading “Oh My Milk!”

By Brandy Carrillo, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor With the warmer weather and blue skies, it’s common for many to enter a period of re-invention this time of year, through our own rituals of “spring cleaning” or starting new regimes to improve our health. With the ever-increasing rise of diet culture, advertisements for the latestContinue reading “Debunking the Master Cleanse”

By Wenjun Liu, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor When it comes to organic foods, there are two commonly asked questions.  The first is are they healthier and the second, are they safer than conventionally grown products.  Many of us used to believe organic foods had higher vitamin and mineral content. A recent systemic review onContinue reading “Is Organic food better?”

By Wenjun Liu, UC Davis, Healthy Aggies Nutrition Peer Counselor When it comes to organic foods, there are two commonly asked questions.  The first is are they healthier and the second, are they safer than conventionally grown products.  Many of us used to believe organic foods had higher vitamin and mineral content. A recent systemicContinue reading “Is Organic Healthier?”

By Meigan Freeman, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor Intuitive eating was developed by two registered dietitian nutritionists as an alternative to toxic diet culture. It focuses on taking care of your body rather than starving it, as many diets tend to do. From this revolutionary program branched many other projects, including Health at Every Size®Continue reading “The only ‘diet’ you need: Intuitive Eating”

By Brandy Carrillo, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor As we continue to practice social distancing and follow safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have found ourselves spending a lot more time at home. Because of this, I myself have started to bring out the inner chef within me and have done aContinue reading “Food Safety Tips and Tricks”