Tara Collingwood

When you hear ‘convenience foods’ what comes to mind? Let me guess, chips, cookies, fast food burgers and fries, and the like? Well, not so fast…foods that are convenient can be healthy too! Here are my top picks that will make your life easier. 

Canned Beans. A great source of protein, fiber, iron, and folate. Beans are a fantastic meatless option, and a perfect protein for athletes and pregnant women. We can all benefit from their high fiber content! To keep sodium levels in check, choose low-sodium when possible or simply give your canned beans a quick […]

“I didn’t realize how much I was eating!” I’ve heard it over and over from people having successes in working toward their healthy weight.  It’s easy to be unaware of the amount of food we pile on–especially if we just tend to eat what’s in front of us without paying attention to how much is there or how big the plate is to begin with.

We are creatures of habit, which can backfire on us if we aren’t paying attention. Our body has different energy demands each day, some days we […]

When I am stressed, I turn immediately to sweets—specifically chocolate.  Or ice cream.  Or some nice big hot out of the oven cookies.  Any of them will make me feel better—at least in the short term. There is actually good reason why we reach for these foods when we’re feeling down. Carbs release serotonin and endorphins in your body. Serotonin is responsible for regulating mood and endorphins are another type of feel-good chemical. However, although the refined carbs make you temporarily feel better, you end up with a sugar crash […]

It’s all about simplicity, one bowl, all the fixin’s for hearty and satisfying goodness. I love experimenting with new ingredients and finding fresh ideas, and what’s fresher than a salad? They transport well when I’m on the go, and help me get closer to my 5-a-day servings of fruits and vegetables. When I build salads I like to include vegetables (duh!), but also carbohydrates and protein so that my body feels at it’s best. Here are my tips for reinventing the traditional salad. -Turn your favorite sandwich into a salad. Why not go […]

The weight loss industry makes billions and billions of dollars every year telling us that by eating only bacon and eggs, grapefruit, or cabbage, we will get the body of our dreams. Fad diets are weight loss plans that promise dramatic results. South Beach, Atkins, Zone, the Hollywood diet etc. are all common fad diets that promise that the fat will simply melt away. 

The problem with fad diets is that they promote weight loss through unhealthy means and they can negatively affect health as well as athletic performance. Low carbohydrate diets fail to provide athletes or recreational gym […]

Your 4th of July may look a little different this year, but it can still be special and tasty! If you’re not able to hang with your loved ones, maybe you can do a virtual BBQ together and cook the same recipes and compare the end product!

I shop at ALDI all the time so I have partnered with them because it’s so much more affordable to get organics, fresh meat, non-GMO, gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options so conveniently! Of course, as a dietitian I make sure I always have veggies. One way to get the […]

This is a great time to try some new recipes because you might have more time to search up some recipes and add a few to your repertoire when life gets back to normal.

Here are some suggestions!

Meal 1:  You can make all 3 items at the same time.  The pork chops in the oven, potatoes in the air fryer, and veggies on the stovetop.

Baked Pork Chops
Air fryer French fries
Green beans (or veggie of choice) on skillet

Meal 2:  Stir Fry is a great way to use up any […]