Old Orchard Blog

Article by Registered Dietitian Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO I recently began working closely with my Immunology/Allergy/Rheumatology department. The patients there are treated for a range of ailments including: multiple sclerosis, arthritis, allergies, and lupus. I had not been very…

Article by Registered Dietitian, Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO I have a colleague who recently let me know that she is unhappy with her weight. She reported that she has tried for years to lose weight and, despite her best efforts, she has been unable. She finally went to the doctor and was…

The holidays have come and gone. All the months of excited anticipation and preparation are over in (what seemed like) a blink of an eye. I usually call this time of the year my “blue mood” time. I generally feel a little sad and depressed during this period. Apparently I am not the only…

Article by Registered Dietitian Amy Bragagnini, MS, RD, CSO Healthy eating begins with a list (well, at least in this dietitian’s opinion).  So many people have the best intentions to improve the overall health of their diet…but then they make the mistake of going to the grocery store…

Tart cherries are filled with antioxidants and disease fighting vitamins and minerals. Research suggests that they may help lower risk of hypertension, improve sleep, aid muscle recovery, and help reduce joint pain.

One of my closest friends recently called me in a panic. “I just got my blood work done and I need your help, “she said. She told me that her total cholesterol was high, her high density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) was too low and her low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or…

I am participating in a “Maintain Don’t Gain” program run by my gym. We get points for doing various activities, attending classes, and completing extra credit workouts. I love this because it is helping motivate me to watch my food intake and increase my energy expenditure during a season…

After finishing cancer treatment, my patients regularly ask me, “what are a few things that I can add to my diet to help prevent my cancer from coming back?” I let them know that they need to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods. In addition, I suggest that they begin to…

Long held beliefs that resistance training alone can lead to weight and fat loss may need to be reconsidered. In a study conducted in North Carolina, researchers found that when it comes to weight and fat loss, aerobic training is better than resistance training for previously inactive…

With spring officially here, many people are considering the idea of becoming more physically active. As the snow melts and the sun shines, we are coming out of hibernation and naturally seek to move more. However, before you become more physically active, it is prudent to talk to your…