Hi, I’m Christine. As a registered dietitian and diabetes educator at Johns Hopkins, I teach people every day how to eat smarter and live healthier lives. My blog will help you sort through what works and what doesn’t, while giving you tips to make healthy eating a natural part of your everyday life. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:09:47 -0800 Yahoo! http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13565/the-power-of-family-mealtimes/ Children in families who eat together are less likely to smoke, use drugs or alcohol, have an eating disorder, or be depressed — even their school performance often improves. Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:09:47 -0800 Christine McKinney M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13555/measuring-weight-loss/ For those of you who are obsessed with the scale, you know that your weight fluctuates every day. Even if you aren't scale crazy, you can notice these daily weight changes by how your clothes fit. No, you didn't gain 5 pounds from overindulging in pizza last night—but what is happening inside your body to cause the pounds to ebb and flow? Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:35:00 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13540/making-sense-of-food-labels/ Even though you may already be reading food labels, do you really know what you're reading? If you said "No," you're not alone. Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:25:18 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13488/diet-plays-a-big-role-in-reversing-heart-disease/ Heart disease is still the No. 1 cause of death for both men and women in America. But even if you already have heart disease or have had a heart attack, don't think it's too late for you to make some crucial changes that can greatly improve your health. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:57:19 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/13409/cooking-oils-know-the-basics/ Clients often mention that they're confused by all the different types of cooking oils available these days. "What is the best oil for cooking?," they ask. I start by telling them that it depends on what they're looking for. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:17:55 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/12836/the-high-fructose-corn-syrup-myth/ Realize that many other nutrition goals are more vital to your health that striving to attain a diet that's 100-percent free of high fructose corn syrup. Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:05:31 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/12817/dont-cut-nutrition-from-your-grocery-budget/ By choosing the cheapest food products, you may be compromising your health. Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:57:56 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/12788/foods-that-lower-your-health-risks/ More than one-third of shoppers are looking for functional foods; that is, foods that will reduce the risk of one or more health conditions. Tue, 27 May 2008 21:57:40 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/12694/do-you-need-a-vitamin-d-supplement/ Vitamin D deficiency can cause weakened bones and lead to osteoporosis. Recent research has now linked a vitamin D deficiency to breast-cancer progression. Fri, 23 May 2008 19:38:24 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E. http://health.yahoo.com/experts/nutrition/12693/vitamin-d-how-much-do-you-need/ The reason we need more vitamin D as we get older is that, as the body ages, the skin is less able to make vitamin D from the sun, and also the kidneys become less able to convert vitamin D. Fri, 23 May 2008 19:34:33 -0800 Christine McKinney, M.S., R.D., C.D.E.