Diets Archives - Taft Draper

The Science of Seasonal Affective Disorder and Nutrition’s Role

Written by Taft Draper on October 6, 2025. Posted in Diets.

As the days grow shorter and Asheville’s mountains trade lush greenery for golden hues, many people begin to notice a dip in their mood and energy. While fall in Western North Carolina is...

Fall for Better Nutrition – 10 Quick Changes!

Written by Taft Draper on September 3, 2025. Posted in Diets.

There’s something about fall that inspires a fresh start. The air is cooler, routines are settling in after summer, and the season’s flavors bring both comfort and nourishment. It’s the perfect...

Is Your Gut Healthy? Signs of Imbalance and How to Heal Through Nutrition

Written by Taft Draper on August 16, 2025. Posted in Diets.

Gut health has become a buzzword in wellness circles, and for good reason. Your digestive system isn’t just responsible for breaking down food. It plays a vital role in immune function, hormone...

Savor the Summer: How to Stay Nourished While Enjoying the Season

Written by Taft Draper on June 18, 2025. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

At Taft Draper Nutrition I know summer is one of the most joyful seasons of the year—sunshine, backyard barbecues, trips to the lake, and long evenings with friends and family. It’s also a season...

Caffeine & Cortisol: Is Your Morning Coffee Hurting Your Stress Levels?

Written by Taft Draper on April 18, 2025. Posted in Diets.

For many of us, coffee is the sacred morning ritual that jumpstarts our day. That first sip feels like a warm hug, offering energy and clarity when we need it most. But have you ever wondered how...

The Power of Antioxidants: How They Support Your Overall Health

Written by Taft Draper on April 9, 2025. Posted in Diets. No Comments on The Power of Antioxidants: How They Support Your Overall Health

As a nutritionist, I often get asked about the role of antioxidants in maintaining health and preventing disease. Antioxidants are compounds found in foods that help protect our cells from damage...

5 New Year’s Resolutions for Your Nutrition

Written by Taft Draper on December 18, 2024. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

2025 is almost here, and with it comes an opportunity to nurture your body, fuel yourself, and start building habits that make you feel incredible. When it comes to nutrition, even small shifts...

Enjoying the Holidays Without Worrying About Calories

Written by Taft Draper on November 21, 2024. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

The holidays are here, bringing joy, laughter, and, of course, some of our favorite seasonal treats. As a nutritionist focused on creating balance, I know how easy it is to worry about calories...

Navigating Nutrition During Perimenopause and Menopause

Written by Taft Draper on October 16, 2024. Posted in Diets.

As women transition through perimenopause and menopause, the changes in their bodies can bring about a variety of symptoms, from hot flashes and mood swings to changes in metabolism and bone...

Essential Nutrition Tips for Sporting Events and Long Runs

Written by Taft Draper on October 16, 2024. Posted in Diets, Food Sensitivities.

Preparing for a sporting event or a long run demands more than just physical training—it requires a strategic approach to nutrition to ensure peak performance and optimal recovery. The right...

Warm Up and Heal: A Recipe for Healthy Chicken Soup for Winter Colds

Written by Taft Draper on December 11, 2023. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine, Recipes.

Winter brings the joy of snow, cozy blankets, and the comfort of hearty soups. But it also brings the dreaded winter colds. When sniffles and sneezes arrive, there’s nothing quite like a...

New Year’s Nutrition Resolutions – Now’s the Time to Start Making Them!

Written by Taft Draper on December 11, 2023. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

As the calendar turns to a new year, many of us begin to think about our goals and aspirations for the coming months. While we often focus on resolutions related to fitness, career, or personal...

Strengthening Your Immune System Through Nutrition: Expert Tips

Written by Taft Draper on December 11, 2023. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

As a nutritionist, I firmly believe that a healthy diet is the cornerstone of overall well-being. Our immune system, a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs, plays a vital role in...

The FODMAP Diet

Written by Taft Draper on April 12, 2023. Posted in Diets.

How a nutritionist can help with your gut health If you suffer from the discomfort associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), you’re not alone. There are different types of IBS: IBS-C is...

The Un-Sugar Coated Truth

Written by Taft Draper on March 6, 2023. Posted in Diets.

How Sugar Affects Your Health Sugar is in almost everything we eat, but the type of sugar we’re consuming makes all the difference in how our bodies react to it. Some foods like fruit,...

Natural Support To Fight Infections

Written by Taft Draper on November 2, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Most people think of synthetic substances when they hear the term ‘antibiotics.’ But despite their tremendous use in medicine today, antibiotics weren’t always made in a lab by smart folks in...

Autoimmune Paleo Diet and Hashimoto’s Disease

Written by Taft Draper on November 1, 2021. Posted in Diets, Food Sensitivities, Integrative Medicine.

It’s common knowledge that our nutrition plays a vital role in our health outcomes. Research links good nutrition to a longer life, better health, and a lower risk of chronic disease. But...

The Benefits of Collagen

Written by Taft Draper on October 31, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

You’ve probably heard of collagen before. For example: “Take a collagen supplement to keep your joints healthy.” But what exactly is collagen, how does it work in the body, and what benefits...

How To Prevent (Or Reverse) Sarcopenia

Written by Taft Draper on October 29, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Sarcopenia is a common condition among older individuals. It becomes increasingly pronounced after the age of fifty and can worsen our physical abilities and qualities of life. The good news...

Preventing Muscle Loss With Age

Written by Taft Draper on October 28, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Preventing muscle loss becomes more difficult as we age. Thanks to various factors, such as reduced physical activity and lower testosterone levels, people lose their muscle mass gradually. The...

Should You Try Intermittent Fasting?

Written by Taft Draper on October 27, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Intermittent fasting has gotten quite popular over the past decade. But what is it, how does it work, and what impact does it have on the body? More importantly, how would you go about trying...

Nutrition for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Written by Taft Draper on October 26, 2021. Posted in Diets, Mental Health.

We all obsess from time to time: what to wear, which route to take, how to approach a work-related issue, and more. For most people, arriving at a decision and moving on isn’t that big of an...

Nitric Oxide for Cardiovascular Health

Written by Taft Draper on October 25, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Curious about nitric oxide for cardiovascular health? We’ve heard the common heart-healthy tips: Exercise often Eat healthy foods Avoid processed foods (especially those with transfats) But...

What Is The Flexitarian Diet?

Written by Taft Draper on August 2, 2021. Posted in Diets.

Most people see diets as extreme ways of eating. For instance, carnivore and vegan diets come to mind. With the carnivore diet, you can (and should) eat all animal-derived foods. On a vegan...

Micronutrients 101

Written by Taft Draper on July 18, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

We need good nutrition to feel good, maintain optimal health, have a robust immune system, and ward off disease. That much is clear. But have you ever wondered why that is? In other words, why...

Pregnancy Nutrition

Written by Taft Draper on May 30, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

You’ve probably heard this a thousand times: Healthy nutrition is vital during pregnancy. Of course, healthy nutrition is always vital, but pregnant women should pay extra attention to what...

What You Need To Know About Food Addiction

Written by Taft Draper on April 18, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

Consciously or subconsciously, we link addictions to destructive behavior. Ask yourself this: What’s the first image that comes to mind when you hear the term addiction? For many,...

Nutrition and Mental Health

Written by Taft Draper on April 8, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine. 1 Comment on Nutrition and Mental Health

We all know that eating healthier foods improves our physical health. For instance, eating more fruits and veggies while also limiting processed foods can lower the risk of cardiovascular...

What Is The Ketogenic Diet?

Written by Taft Draper on March 22, 2021. Posted in Diets, Integrative Medicine.

What is the ketogenic diet? I’ve used the ketogenic diet extensively, and one thing is clear: It can work tremendously well for some people, so long as they have a clear idea of what they...