Dietitians can provide great advice when it comes to losing weight, nutritional plans and addressing lifestyles factors about a patients wellness goal.

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In fact, many people turn to dietitians when theyre curious about trying a plant-based, vegan or vegetarian diet. Other folks are looking for low-carb, keto or high-protein diets. And occasionally, some people ask about the fruitarian diet, which involves eating primarily fruits.

But according to registered dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD, the fruitarian diet is one of the most restrictive diets out there and most importantly, is not often recommended or endorsed.

The fruitarian diet has a big risk of malnourishment, she explains Because of this, the diet is not usually recommended by dietitians because its just not part of a balanced eating plan.

People were likely looking to eat whole, natural foods from the earth, so they turned specifically to fruits. But because of the restriction and malnourishment factor, the diet has (thankfully) decreased in popularity over the years.

Fruits are packed with natural sugar in the form of fructose and many vitamins and antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene. Some research even shows fruits can reduce the risk of cancer and other chronic diseases.

So generally speaking, eating fruit (in moderation) is healthy for you and its often recommended to increase your intake of whole fruit (but not fruit juice) when youre looking to revamp your diet and eat healthier. Plus, fruit makes a great addition to meals as a natural sweetener and is a good snack to grab instead of chips or cookies.

That being said, even when you consider the benefits of fruit and why it should be included as part of a balanced diet, people should generally keep their fruit intake to no more than 25% to 30% of their diet to avoid nutritional imbalances.

A better dietary approach to being a fruitarian is the Mediterranean diet or a pescatarian diet (which is a vegetarian diet that includes fish). Both include a strong base of fruits and vegetables, along with other plant based foods like nuts, seeds, legumes, plant based oils and whole grains. Both diets limit dairy and sugar.

But what about weight loss on the fruitarian diet?

You might lose weight on the fruitarian diet, but I dont consider this a true benefit, because you are likely losing muscle, says Patton.

Instead, dietitians always recommend choosing an eating style or diet that you can stick with long-term.

Fruit-based diets can be very restrictive and can cause several health problems:

Before you start any new diet or nutrition program, Patton recommends talking with your doctor or meeting with a dietitian to discuss your goals and lifestyle. Together you can craft an eating plan that youre more likely to stick with long-term.

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The Fruitarian Diet: Is It Good or Bad For You? - Cleveland Clinic

If you have high blood pressure, know that you are not alone. With a whopping 116 million Americans having this condition (that's nearly half of all Americans!), finding ways to manage high blood pressure is a common goal for many.

So, how can all of these people manage their blood pressure safely and effectively? Of course, there are medications people can take that can lower blood pressure under the supervision of a health care provider. And when it comes to lifestyle choices, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress have all shown promise in the quest to maintain healthy blood pressure.

Your diet can also have a profound impact on your blood pressure. A tried-and-true dietary pattern that has shown promise for blood pressure management is the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet (aka the DASH diet).

To follow the DASH diet, people are advised to focus on eating more produce, whole grains, and beans. Fat-free or low-fat dairy products, fish, poultry, and nuts also make up a prominent part of this diet, as does limiting foods that contain high amounts of saturated fat and sodium. This diet also emphasizes the consumption of the minerals calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams of sodium a day, with an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 milligrams per day for most adults, especially for those with high blood pressure.

Many fast food menu items are notorious for being high in sodium and saturated fattwo "no-nos" when it comes to managing blood pressure. And, unfortunately for fast food lovers, data shows that eating fast food is linked to elevated blood pressure.

Yet, eating fast food isn't a rare occurrence for a large proportion of the population, with 36.6% of adults consuming fast food on a given day according to a report published by the CDC. Since 47% of Americans have high blood pressure, it is safe to assume that at least some of the people who are frequenting fast food establishments have this condition.

If you are a fast-food lover and you are focused on keeping your blood pressure in check, it would behoove you to stay away from these six fast-food menu items, as these are the six fast-food orders to avoid if you have high blood pressure.

PER 6-inch SUB: 340 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 55 mg cholesterol, 1360 mg sodium, 39 g carbs (2 g fiber, 4 g sugar), 24 g protein

Even if you are just getting a 6-inch version of this sandwich, you will be exceeding the 1,500-milligram sodium limit right off the bat, as this sub contains 1,990 milligrams per half a footlong. And while you can get a nice whole grain boost if you skip the white bread and a helping of heart-healthy veggies if you choose the right toppings, you will be better off opting for a menu item with less sodium per serving for surelike the Rotisserie style chicken salad, which contains only 470 milligrams of sodium per serving.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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PER 1 COBB SALAD WITH NUGGETS: 850 calories, 61 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 235 mg cholesterol, 2200 mg sodium, 34 g carbs (5 g fiber, 9 g sugar), 42 g protein

If you think that choosing a salad is the best menu choice if you have high blood pressure, think again! Sure, a salad is chock-full of heart-healthy vitamins and minerals, but at 2,200 milligrams of sodium per serving, this salad is a sodium bomb that should be avoided if you are managing your blood pressure.

If you are looking for something that is satisfying and also heart-healthy, Chick-fil-A's Greek yogurt parfait only contains 80 milligrams of sodium along with a boost of calcium, magnesium, and potassiumthree minerals that are emphasized on the DASH diet.

PER 1 ORDER: 1340 calories, 63 g fat (24 g saturated fat), 525 mg cholesterol, 2070 mg sodium, 158 g carbs (5 g fiber, 48 g sugar), 36 g protein

Surprised that a gigantic sandwich isn't the #1 menu item to avoid if you have high blood pressure? The Big Breakfast with Hotcakes clocks in at 2,150 milligrams sodium and contains highly-processed meats, fried potatoes, and super-sugary syrupall things that are contraindicated on any heart-healthy diet. Thankfully, McDonald's offers a delicious oatmeal to meet your breakfast needs.

RELATED:The #1 Best Breakfast to Order at McDonald's, Says Dietitian

PER 1 BURGER: 1160 calories, 81 g fat (334 g saturated fat, 4.5 g trans fat), 200 mg cholesterol, 1570 mg sodium, 38 g carbs (2 g fiber, 8 g sugar), 70 g protein

A single patty burger is nothing to feel sorry about eating. Beef contains many key nutrients that many of us need more of, including iron and zinc. But tripling your patty serving and topping each burger with cheese and other high-fat and high-sodium ingredients is a recipe for a sodium-ridden meal.

Dave's Triple sandwich clocks in at 1,570 milligrams of per serving, making it one of the saltiest menu items at this fast food joint.

PER 1 BURGER: 1190 calories, 83 g fat (24g saturated fat), 155 mg cholesterol, 2020 mg sodium, 52 g carbs (2 g fiber, 10 g sugar), 58 g protein

Double the bacon, double the burger, and double the cheese naturally means double the sodium. If you are a SONIC lover, their Bacon Double Cheeseburger contains 2,020 milligramsnearly the maximum amount of sodium allotted in an entire day!

Honestly, if you have high blood pressure, you will be hard pressed to find many menu items at Sonic that meet your needs, as most items are high in sodium or are fried. And while some of their desserts are sodium and fat-free, they are loaded with added sugars, which isn't something people who are supporting their heart health should be eating in large quantities.

RELATED: This Is the #1 Best Breakfast for Your Heart, According to a Dietitian

PER 1 KIDS MEAL: 570 calories, 27 g fat (10 g saturated fat), 40 mg cholesterol, 1850 mg sodium, 61 g carbs (3 g fiber, 7 g sugar), 22 g protein

Among all of the menu items at Bojangles, one of their kids' meals tops the list when it comes to having a heaping amount of sodium. Their 2-piece homestyle tenders kids meal contains 1,850 milligrams of sodium per servingfar too much sodium for a child, and borderline too much for an adult with high blood pressure.

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6 Fast-food Orders To Avoid if You Have High Blood Pressure - Eat This, Not That

Excess belly fat is a common problem, but it's more dangerous than you think. Hidden deep in your abdomen is visceral fat, which wraps around your organs and is connected to major health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, some cancers and more. Although visceral fat isn't talked about enough, it's a serious concern that can affect anyone and Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Dr. Jessica Cutler, M.D., Mercy Medical Center Weight Management Expert and Bariatric Surgeon who explains what to know about visceral fat and habits that help get rid of tummy fat. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Cutler explains, "Visceral fat refers to the fat that gets stored in and around your organs, as opposed to fat stored beneath your skin. When your body has extra energy to store, it starts by storing energy in the liver, which is designed to hold sugar in an easily-accessible form the body can draw on later when you need energy. Insulin is the hormone responsible for telling your body to store energy. If you continue to put energy into the system beyond what your liver can store safely as glycogen (sugar chains), it will instead be stored as fat. When your liver has a lot of fat stored, this becomes the disease known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or "fatty liver." Continuing to input more energy into the system without using what you've already stored will then lead to fat deposits in other organs and around your organs within the abdomen. This visceral fat, as opposed to fat stored under your skin, is associated more closely with diabetes, heart disease, and other unhealthy conditions."

Dr. Cutler says, "Everyone has some amount of visceral fat around their organs our bodies have evolved to cushion our delicate organs from trauma with a pillow of fat. Fat also shields the many blood vessels and lymph channels inside your abdomen. However, having too much fat stored there can lead to inflammation in the affected organs. Insulin resistance is a sign that your body has too much visceral fat. If you have type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, "metabolic syndrome," or elevated fasting insulin levels, your body is running out of safe space to store energy. It has to make more and more insulin to force sugar out of your blood and into your cells for storage. This is usually associated with visceral fat, because visceral fat is where the body looks next to store its extra sugar. You might notice signs of insulin resistance or an inflamed fatty liver on certain screening blood work done by your doctor."

Dr. Cutler advises, "Get the sugar out of your drinks. Drinks are one of the easiest ways extra sugar can sneak into your diet, and it's easy to chug down a whole drink without realizing exactly how much sugar was in it, and how much is now getting stored in your organs as visceral fat. Water, while not the most exciting drink, has no sugar. Black coffee (or coffee with a little creamer and no additional sugar) or unsweetened tea are also great choices."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Dr. Cutler reveals, "Diet sodas and artificial sweeteners are not as safe as you may think! Although they don't raise your blood glucose levels (blood sugar), because they don't contain glucose, most artificial sweeteners can still force your body to make more insulin, contributing to insulin resistance and visceral fat growth. They also tend to be much sweeter than table sugar and get you used to needing a high level of sweetness for foods to taste good. Cutting these out can be a difficult transition, but getting your body used to lower levels of sweet will really pay off in the long run."

Dr. Cutler reminds us, "Nature designed food as a complete package a sweet piece of fruit is wrapped in a peel full of vitamins, and a natural grain has a shell full of protein and fiber. When we remove the husks and peels from our food, all that's left is sugar. Eating food as nature intended, with protein and fat and fiber included in the whole package, will provoke less of an insulin response and therefore less storage of visceral fat. Legumes, whole grains, nuts and vegetables are great sources of unrefined fiber and nutrition."

According to Dr. Cutler, "There is really no such thing as a "healthy snack" (although some are certainly worse than others) just about anything we eat puts some amount of sugar into our bloodstream, which causes your body to make insulin, which tells your body to store that sugar in your liver (if it has any storage space left) or in visceral fat. Any time we graze and snack, even if it's a "low calorie" option, we wake up our insulin response and start storing energy, instead of using the energy we've already stored. It's okay for our bodies to go for a while without eating, even if your brain tells you that you're hungry. If you want to get rid of the visceral fat, you first need to use up all the sugar that's currently in your blood, and then all the sugar that's stored as easily accessible glycogen in your liver. Only after those stores are empty will your body get to work on burning your visceral fat. Snacking will halt that process."

Heather Newgen

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Surefire Habits That Melt Your "Visceral Fat" Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Getting older can be a frightening prospect, especially when it comes to one particular health concern: dementia. According to a 2016 survey conducted by the U.K.'s Alzheimer's Society, over 55 percent of people put off dementia screening for at least a year for fear of being diagnosed. Sixty-two percent of respondents "felt a diagnosis would mean their life was over."

Yet for all that worrynot to mention the urging of health authoritiesrelatively few people take proactive measures to maintain their neurological health. Now, experts say there's one simple thing you can do to slash your dementia risk by 30 percent and your Alzheimer's risk by 45 percent. Read on to learn how you can take your cognitive health into your own hands, and which other interventions can lower your risk factors even further.

READ THIS NEXT:If You Can't Do This, Your Dementia Risk Skyrockets, New Study Says.

While there is no one way to guarantee a dementia-free future, experts say several things can lower your risk. Useful interventions include maintaining a healthy diet and weight, quitting smoking, and keeping your alcohol consumption under the recommended limit, says the U.K.'s National Health Services (NHS).

Additionally, it's important to avoid or treat any health conditions that raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes, since these are known to increase your dementia risk. Maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels is key to reducing your dementia risk.

READ THIS NEXT:If You Do This at Night, You May Be at Risk of Lewy Body Dementia, Experts Warn.

In addition to these other interventions, there's one more easy way to slash your dementia riskand it appears to be the most effective one of all. "Doing regular physical activity is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of dementia. It's good for your heart, circulation, weight and mental wellbeing," writes the Alzheimer's Society, noting that both aerobic activity and strength training are beneficial. "Each type will keep you fit in different ways. Doing a combination of these activities will help you to reduce your risk of dementia."ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

In fact, a study which looked at the health habits of 2,235 men in Wales over the course of 35 years learned that when compared to not smoking, moderate alcohol intake, healthy body weight, and healthy diet, regular exercise had the single greatest impact on one's chances of developing dementia.

However, taking a comprehensive approach to lowering dementia risk is still advised, rather than focusing on just one factor. The study concluded that subjects who followed four or all five of these interventions were 60 percent less likely to later develop dementia.

The Alzheimer's Society notes that getting regular exercise during middle age is especially protective against dementia later on. "Several prospective studies have looked at middle-aged people and the effects of physical exercise on their thinking and memory in later life," their experts write. "Combining the results of 11 studies shows that regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of developing dementia by about 30 percent," they explain, noting that Alzheimer's risk was reduced by 45 percent.

The NHS recommends that you "follow the recommended guidelines of doing at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week, such as brisk walking, cycling, or dancing. You should also do strengthening exercises at least twice a week, such as gardening or yoga."

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Though many researchers have focused on the long-term, brain-boosting benefits of exercise, some studies suggest that you may be able to see improvements in as little as one month.

"In the short term, aerobic exercise can also improve the performance of healthy adults on thinking tests," says Alzheimer's Society. "Pulling together the results of 29 clinical trials, a month or more of regular aerobic exercise resulted in improvements in memory, attention, and processing speed when compared with regular non-aerobic exercise such as stretching and toning."

Speak with your healthcare provider if you have any questions about how to safely begin a new exercise regimen.

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The One Thing Experts Say You Need to Do to Slash Your Dementia Risk Right Now Best Life - Best Life

According to the World Health Organization, "Currently more than 55 million people live with dementia worldwide, and there are nearly 10 million new cases every year." Dementia, described by WHO as, " a syndrome in which there is deterioration in cognitive function beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing," Memory loss, difficulty speaking, repeating questions, lack of empathy, taking longer to complete routine tasks are common symptoms of dementia and although there's no cure, there are lifestyle choices to help prevent it. Eat This, Not That Health spoke with experts who share the causes of the disorder and risk factors you can change to lower the chance of getting the syndrome. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Jennifer Prescott, RN, MSN, CDP and founder of Blue Water Homecare and Hospice shares, "Dementia is a common term that describes a group of symptoms that affect memory, decision making and reasoning. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's Disease which according to the 2022 Alzheimer's Association Facts and Figures Report an estimated 6.5 million Americans 65 and older have Alzheimer's dementia. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's Disease, early diagnosis and treatment are important as there are medications that may improve quality of life and slow symptom progression in some cases. Once diagnosed, families may work together with healthcare providers to develop a care plan and map of how they want to live the rest of their life safely and with their wishes in mind."

Cole Smith, the corporate director of Dementia care at Brightview Senior Living explains, "Dementia affects overall health in a multitude of ways whether it's a change of appetite, lack of sleep, trouble with balance, walking or standing, or of course memory loss and confusion. Once a person is diagnosed with Dementia their life will change, and it is vital to ensure they are engaged mentally, physically, socially and seeing their doctors regularly to stay on top of this condition."

Prescott says, "Some lifestyle choices may raise your risk of developing dementia/Alzheimer's Disease. More studies continue to be done to see a direct correlation of habits and Alzheimer's Disease prevalence.

These risk factors/habits may include:

Quinn Kennedy, PhD, a Research psychologist who specializes in cognitive aging with QK Consulting shares, "Unfortunately, age is the biggest risk factor for dementia. For example, 5% of people aged 65 74 have dementia compared to 33% of those aged 85 year or older."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Chaye McIntosh, Clinical Director, ChoicePoint says, "Stress, depression and dementia are related. It is unknown whether depression leads to dementia or vice versa. But on the safe side, let's keep our stress levels down so the brain can be cognitively active for a longer time."

McIntosh shares, "People who are physically active have fewer chances of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease compared to people with a sedentary lifestyle. Also, physical activity reduces the chances of vascular diseases as well. Make sure to find a suitable exercise and burn those extra calories to prevent dementia."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests, "Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. Each week adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and 2 days of muscle strengthening activity, according to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans."

McIntosh states, "Mediterranean diet, consumption of fruits, a diet rich in antioxidants, and intake of fish or fish oil have all proved beneficial in reducing the risk of dementia."

Heather Newgen

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The #1 Cause of Dementia, According to Science Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

It is probably fair to say that extreme sports are not everybody's cup of tea. It might be that the idea of speeding down a steep icy mountain on participating in a triathlon may not be your thing. If you are somebody that enjoys these types of endeavors, safety needs to be the first priority.

Part of the way that athletes can stay safe while participating in extreme sports is to be able to participate at their optimum level. To make sure you are performing at peak levels, it is crucial to train and prepare before heading out on your next adventure. Here are some great tips for extreme athletes.

Make Sure That You Are Paying Close Attention to Your Diet

There is no getting around the fact that some necessary health tips for extreme sports include paying meticulous attention to what you eat and drink. This attention to detail consists of what you eat and drink before, during, and after any extreme activity.

For most normal athletes getting enough carbohydrates in their diet is relatively easy because, in general, most diets contain enough to get us through a typical workout. If you are doing something extreme that will last quite a while, you should plan on loading up on carbohydrates for at least 3 to 4 days before the activity.

Many extreme athletes turn to DFT patches from makers such as Le-Vel for increased nutritional levels, but they often wonder what is the thrive experience they feel in activities. Another choice is to turn to sugar to get the desired rush. While sugar is an excellent source of quick energy in everyday life, it is also something that can drastically speed up dehydration. When you are participating in extreme sports, the last thing you want to do is face the problem of dehydration. That is why it is important not to drink or eat anything with sugar for at least 30 minutes before you start an extreme activity.

If you are going to be doing a long and grueling extreme sport, you need to get into the habit of snacking while you exercise. Your body will most assuredly burn more calories than you will have available before your long workout, so make sure you are refueling during your work. This refueling can include sports bars, gels, and drinks that offer a great way to get this nutrition straight to your muscles.

Just as important as ensuring you have the proper fuel before and during your workouts, it is vital to make sure you reload your body after strenuous exercise. After a long bout of extreme sports, you'll need something that boosts your energy level over the long term.

This boost can come in the form of carbs that release much more slowly, such as vegetables, bread, and whole-grain pasta. Drinking things such as chocolate milk can also offer an outstanding balance of proteins and carbohydrates you need after a challenging workout.

While many athletes try to power up on proteins as much as possible, extreme athletes need this protein even more. That said, you can overeat protein and damage your body rather than help your body. If you eat a diet with plenty of lean meats, eggs, fish, beans, and nuts, you'll get all the protein you need for your extreme activities.

Stay Hydrated and Warm

Two other essential elements of effective and safe extreme activity are to make sure you get plenty of water and make sure you get warmed up before any activity. Your body will lose a lot of water during extreme sports, so make sure you're getting plenty of water in your body both before and during workouts. It is also essential to get plenty of warm-up time before your activity because cold muscles are much more likely to get injured.

Extreme sports can offer thrills that often cannot get found in other parts of our lives. To make sure you do them safely, follow these tips to put your body in the best possible position to achieve great results.

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Health Tips for Those Participating in Extreme Sports - Teton Gravity Research