Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO, Author at FoodTrients

April 7, 2025

The Beauty of Essential Oils: Here’s Our Guide to the Top 50

Interested in how essential oils could enhance your life? Whether you’re a seasoned essential oil user or a novice, these health-promoting aromas have gained a lot of recognition as people turn to them to treat a variety of ailments, mental health and sleep concerns, and to replace fragrances and conventional home and body care products. Essential oils are produced by steam distillation or cold pressing to capture the aromatic (“volatile”) compounds in plants that give them their characteristic scent. They can be used for aromatherapy by inhaling the scents with a diffuser or by applying directly to the skin. Because […]

April 7, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Lemon Balm Is the ‘Bomb’ for Stress and More

Stress comes in so many forms and affects the body in different ways. There’s emotional stress, schedule or time-related stress, work or school related pressure, and even stress on the body from environmental toxins or other damage. A lot of this is unavoidable – it’s part of daily life – and the body has ways to adapt to it but if stress builds up, it can lead to disease, inflammation and unbalanced hormones. There are ways to help the body naturally adapt to stress in all forms and the powerful herb lemon balm has been used for centuries for this […]

April 7, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Rosemary Blooms with Healing Properties

You’ve likely noticed the herb rosemary being used in creative culinary ways from infused cocktails to ice cream flavors recently but did you know that it also has some healing properties in addition to being fragrant and delicious? A perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean, rosemary is related to mint and is used as a spice in leaf or oil form. You may even have it growing in your yard this summer as it is easy to cultivate, hearty, and sometimes even used in decoration or as a yard hedge. In manufacturing, rosemary is used for its fragrant scent in […]

March 17, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Rev Up with the Top 50 Foods for Energy

Whether you want to sleep better, work out more or lose some weight, most people are ultimately after one outcome from making health changes: more energy. Food is the fuel that provides us that get-up-and-go feeling so we can accomplish everything we want to tackle. From a light dose of caffeine to hydrating foods and those naturally packed with B-vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, or fat for fuel here is the ultimate FoodTrients® list of the top 50 foods that help boost your energy to live your best life. 1. ALMONDS Aside from the natural energy in almonds – protein and healthy […]

March 5, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Top 10 Teas for Calming, Sleep, and Anxiety

Going through a stressful time at work or home? Struggling to control your anxiety levels or having troubles falling or staying asleep at night? You could already have a natural remedy right in your kitchen that can make a huge difference: tea! While tea also has properties to calm inflammation, boost energy, or even support the immune system, it can also have a calming effect and help reduce anxiety. While there’s a baseline for self-care during stressful times; lean on your support system, seek professional help from a therapist or counselor, eat a balanced diet, hydrate, focus on sleep, and […]

March 5, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Top 10 Life-Extending Herbs for Longevity

Herbs have been used in traditional and folk medicines for centuries for treating illness. People throughout the ages also had something on their minds that we still do today…longevity. Some herbs do in fact have research indicating they help with healthy aging for a variety of reasons. Whether an herb is improving sleep, lowering stress, or boosting antioxidant status, they are likely working against biological processes that cause the body to age. DNA damage, free radical damage and dysfunction of the body on a cellular level all may contribute to aging issues including disease of the heart, neurological system, or […]

February 18, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

The Top 50 Foods To Eat for Your Heart

You have probably heard about “heart healthy” foods. So many whole foods are considered supportive of the cardiovascular system for a number of reasons ranging from fiber content to omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidant compounds. Because February is National Heart Month , we wanted to focus on foods that are good for your heart. Here is the ultimate FoodTrients list of the Top 50 foods we love for your heart. Mix and match these healthy whole foods to include them in your diet daily to support your heart. 1. Almonds Packed with healthful plant sterols, fiber, and heart-healthy fats, almonds may […]

January 24, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

The Top 50 Foods To Help Fight Diabetes

Need help fighting diabetes? The good news is that diet plays a major role in positively affecting health outcomes with this disease. Think beyond the blood sugars when assessing dietary management of diabetes — fat, fiber, and nutrients play a role in diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney health. While November is American Diabetes Month, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) hopes Americans will rally all year long behind the fight to end diabetes. According to the ADA, there are currently over 38 million Americans with diabetes. Nearly 98 million people in the U.S. have prediabetes. In the last 20 years, the number […]

January 15, 2025

Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO

Women’s Health at Every Age: Nutrition in your 60’s and Beyond

The years after the age of 60 for women can bring about a renewed sense of self and the opportunity to focus more deeply on health and longevity. The post-menopausal years can be a time of vibrant health if women continue to prioritize their nutritional and fitness goals, staying informed about the evolving needs of their bodies. Physical activity, with a focus on strength, flexibility, and balance in addition to meeting changing nutrient needs are critical areas to consider. If you haven’t caught up yet on our women’s health series, be sure to read our Foodtrients® pieces about women in […]