dietitian Q&A
The Questions We Hear Most
You asked … and asked and asked! Here are the most common questions received by Hy-Vee registered dietitians—and the answers.
Elisa Sloss
RD, LD, Vice President, HealthMarket
Are fresh vegetables
better than frozen?
A vegetable in any form is packed with nutrients: vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Freezing is a safe way to increase the shelf life of nutritious foods without taking away or reducing their health benefits. So if frozen veggies are an easier and more convenient option for you, then by all means go for them. You’ll still get those key veggie nutrients.
Are sugar-free
foods better?
Unfortunately, sugar-free doesn’t necessarily mean “better for you.” To provide great-tasting flavors in sugar-free foods, food companies sometimes add artificial sweeteners and sugar alcohols, which can negatively impact nutrition. If you want to sweeten something without using processed sugars, try natural sweeteners like honey, molasses and pure maple syrup.
Should I go
gluten-free?
This age-old advice is just that—old! While eight glasses is a simple number to follow, the amount of water you need in a day is based on your personal lifestyle. For example, if you exercise often, live in hot and humid conditions, are sick or are pregnant, you’ll need to drink more water than those with different lifestyles. If you don’t feel parched or thirsty and your urine is colorless or light yellow, your body should be hydrated. If you do have concerns, reach out to your doctor or a Hy-Vee dietitian.
What does the “USDA organic” label mean on food?
If a food has a “USDA Organic” label, that means it has been grown and processed according to the national standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. To meet these standards, crops must be produced without conventional pesticides, synthetic fertilizers and other chemicals. For meat products to be organic, animals must be given organic feed, kept free of growth hormones and antibiotics and have access to the outdoors for grazing. If packaged foods have the “USDA Organic” label, it indicates they contain at least 95% organic ingredients.
Do I need to drink eight
glasses of water a day?
Should I avoid fruit because it has too much sugar?
The short answer is no. The body metabolizes fruit sugar differently than processed or added sugars. Everyone can benefit from eating more fruit, thanks to the vitamins, minerals, fiber and water they provide. Added sugars differ because they undergo processing and research consistently links them to diabetes and heart disease.
If I exercise, I can eat whatever I want, right?
The concept of “I run for cake” is cute, but it’s a little more complex than that. People are notorious for underestimating how much they eat and overestimating how much they exercise. The bottom line is, to lose weight, you need to be in a calorie deficit, meaning you’re burning more calories than you eat. The best way to accomplish that is to focus on healthy food choices and a lifestyle that includes exercise but doesn’t rely on it to cut calories.
Is vegetarian, keto or the Mediterranean diet (etc.) the best way to eat?
No matter the specialized diet, there’s not one best way to eat for everyone. The best meal plan or diet for you is one that meets all your nutritional needs and is something you can stick with for the long term. If you’re unsure of what that looks like for you, contact a Hy-Vee dietitian for help.
Find Your Dietitian
Learn Healthy Cooking
Want to learn even more about nutrition from a registered dietitian? Attend a cooking class hosted by one! Hy-Vee dietitians host Smart Carb Cooking, and the Healthy Habits program, which teaches what a healthy carbohydrate balance looks like.
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If you have been diagnosed with celiac disease or have a gluten sensitivity, then a gluten-free diet is an absolute must for you. For everyone else, there’s little evidence that shows a gluten-free diet offers any particular health benefits.