Ask A Nutritionist

One of the most uniquely nutritious vegetables, beets help support blood detoxification and athletic performance.

Find out why turmeric is receiving so much buzz these days and learn how to get the most benefits from this amazing spice.

A good breakfast can help us stay focused and energized throughout the morning and help us to eat healthier throughout the day.

Learn about the nutritional needs of men and find out which foods will help dudes abide to healthier lifestyle choices .

These tips for smart planning, organized shopping and well-labeled leftovers can really help stretch your food budget.

Ghee has a high smoke point and long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine and cooking. Learn about this clarified butter and discover 10 ways to use it.

Learn the best sources of plant protein and how much protein you should get daily.

Explore different ways to relieve heartburn, from foods to supplements.

Learn how much sugar the average American consumes compared to how much is recommended for optimal health.

Learn how these tart crimson jewels can protect our heart, teeth, stomach and intestines.

Excellent sources of potassium, fiber, vitamin C and beta carotene, winter squash may be the most versatile and nutritious ingredient to brighten up your winter meals.

Learn about prebiotics — soluble fibers that feed the good bacteria in our gastrointestinal tract — and find out which foods offer them in healthy doses.

Learn how eating local can improve your nutrition and which Northwest foods can protect against common Northwest health problems.

Discover the nutritional benefits of tempeh (it’s packed with protein!) and get ideas for incorporating it into your diet.

Make sandwich wraps with collard greens for a fresh, portable and healthy summertime option.

Find out the best food sources of vitamin E and why you need this fat-soluble antioxidant.

Choosing the right oil for the right recipe can be puzzling. Our glossary of basic terms will help you solve the mystery.

Explore five reasons to incorporate sea salts into your cooking and learn why they are a better choice for your health than refined table salt.

Find out the benefits of drinking herbal tea and discover 6 popular ingredients that offer a wealth of goodness.

Learn about the impressive health benefits mushrooms offer, whether they are fresh, dried or even found in a supplement.

Find out the single piece of advice our nutrition educators have for you in 2015!

Floral and pungent, ginger is a wonderful, warming, wintertime food that provides support for our immune, circulatory and digestive systems.

The health benefits of garlic and onions have been recognized throughout history. Learn about the antioxidants and immune boosters they offer plus find out how to maximize their flavor in cooking.

Learn why you need it, how to supplement with it and ways to make it more available in your cooking.

Learn about this delicious “supermilk” that offers all kinds of probiotics and other nutritional benefits.

Learn how much fiber you should be eating and find out where you will (and won’t) find fiber in everyday foods.

Eating healthy while on the road, in a hotel, or at the airport is a challenge but with some special planning and packing, it can be done. Here are our top tips.

Discover 12 simple things you can do to help fight inflammation.

What exactly should you be looking for when studying the nutrition label on food? Our nutrition educator decodes the small print.

Tea consumption is associated with longevity around the world. Learn how drinking tea can benefit your health.

Thanks to unique antioxidants found naturally in the cocoa bean, dark chocolate has been recognized as a health food.

Whole grain oats are one of the most economical, versatile and nutritious foods you can buy. Learn why.

Discover five tips for smart holiday feasting.

Are potatoes healthy? PCC Nutrition Educator Nick Rose discusses the benefits of this favorite tuber.

Salmon, easily the most iconic food in the Northwest, likely will become the first ever genetically engineered animal for human consumption.

Why is lycopene good? Discover how the antioxidant protects against prostate cancer, bone loss, heart disease risk factors and more.

Our bodies need more potassium than any other vitamin or mineral — more each day than calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous and zinc combined!

Can snacking on cherries help fight inflammation? We find out from PCC Nutrition Educator Nick Rose.

Do pastured eggs offer any nutritional advantages? Our nutrition educator tells all.

Is olive oil a good choice for high-heat cooking? Find out, and get to know several other healthy options.

Find out which offer the most health benefits in the kitchen.

So, just how careful do you need to be about your food allergy, intolerance or sensitivity at potlucks, restaurants and parties? Our nutrition educator shares tips and advice.

Enjoy kale, radishes, cauliflower and more every other day to significantly reduce your risk for several forms of cancer. Learn how to maximize their health benefits in the kitchen.

PCC Nutrition Educator Nick Rose explains the benefits, how to fit them in your diet, and shares some of his favorites.

Do spices offer any health benefits? You might be surprised how potent cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and other favorites can be.

Yes, we all need to eat more kale. But did you know carrots and other vegetables rich in beta-carotene are a close nutritional runner-up to leafy greens?

Quick, what’s for lunch? Our nutritionist provides her top suggestions for what to pack in that lunch box or brown bag.

Hydration for health: Reasons to drink up and creative ways to enjoy your water.

Learn about the amazing health benefits of hemp seeds and don’t miss our podcast that further explores a trio of super seeds — hemp, chia, flax — that is a great, plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids.

Learn about the health benefits of pasture-raised foods.

What are the benefits of eating “mostly plants” as author Michael Pollan suggests in his book In Defense of Food — “eat food, not too much, mostly plants”?

Are beer and wine good for me?

Get tips on how to make kitchen time an enjoyable experience for both parents and little cooks.

Do the health benefits of coconut oil make it worth to take as a supplement?

Learn how to satisfy your body’s calcium need.

What is the difference between a probiotic and a prebiotic? Do both offer the same benefits for my immune system?

Learn more about tryptophan, an essential amino acid found naturally in turkey and a variety of foods.

PCC Nutrition Educator Nick Rose writes about pumpkin seeds, their benefits and tasty ways to enjoy them.

PCC Nutrition Educator Nick Rose provides a variety of hearty, wholesome options suitable for vegans and any omnivore.

Is there a recommended amount of sugar not to exceed daily? Does it matter what type of sugar I eat?

Salmon is without a doubt the most iconic food here in the Northwest and also one of the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet.

Sweet summer berries offer plentiful benefits beyond great flavor. Learn how these small wonders pack a nutritious punch, from vitamin C to fiber in this column and podcast.

Plenty of fresh, delicious whole foods (and pancakes!) says Nick Rose, our nutrition educator.

Leika discuss eating tips for active people — including natural sources of potassium.

Learn about the nutritional advantages of sprouted seeds and grains. Also checkout a few of our favorites sprouted foods from our grocery aisles.

PCC Nutrition Educator Leika Suzumura explains the health benefits of dark chocolate.

Which foods offer the “sunshine vitamin” in abundance?