Health Expert Patrika Tsai shares health management news and commentary at HealthCentral.com. HealthCentral.com is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/56/index http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/56/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/profiles/c/56/index http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/57317/achieving-gain Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:40:29 -0500 Patrika Tsai While most Americans struggle to lose weight, there are some who are underweight and unable to gain enough weight to stay in the healthy range.  While certain individuals may inherently have a high metabolism, others may have an illness or chronic condition that prevents them from maintaining a healthy weight.  Cancer treatments, for example, may cause nausea and food aversions.  People with gastrointestinal or liver problems... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/57317/achieving-gain http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/53936/health-benefits Wed, 31 Dec 2008 09:15:20 -0500 Patrika Tsai When I was a child, my mother's cure-all for any ailment was ginger.  Ginger tea, chicken and rice soup with ginger, ginger candy, and ginger flavored dessert.  While I had always considered ginger to be a bit of an old wives' remedy, there is evidence that ginger may contain chemicals that actually can make you feel better.   People have been using ginger for centuries.  Ginger was originally found in Asia. It is a root... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/53936/health-benefits http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/51831/global-economy Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:57:51 -0500 Patrika Tsai What does eating local mean to you?  I picture farmer's markets with fresh produce and homemade goods driven from a farm no more than a few hours away.  I posed this same question to my mother and grandmother.  For my mother, local is picking vegetables and herbs from her garden as needed.  My grandmother who lives in a small Asian coastal town believes local means seaweed harvested and fish caught within hours of... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/51831/global-economy http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/46430/fall-fruits Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:57:07 -0400 Patrika Tsai With cold weather either arriving or already here in different parts of the country, many of the fruits we have enjoyed over the summer are on their way out.  However, fall brings a new set of delicious offerings that are important for health.  Eating produce that is in season has the advantages of being cheaper and more nutritious since the fruits will be at their peak freshness.  The following examples are just a few of the... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/46430/fall-fruits http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/43114/love-food Wed, 01 Oct 2008 18:52:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai As a physician caring for children in a pediatric obesity clinic, I spend a large amount of time listening to parents explain why their children are not eating healthy foods or exercising enough.  One theme that emerges across all cultures and socioeconomic classes is that food is an expression of love.  A grandfather may indulge his grandson in a daily ice cream from the neighborhood ice cream truck.  A mother bakes or buys... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/43114/love-food http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/38673/healthy-snacks Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:22:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai   School is back in session, and kids and parents are busy shuttling from class to sports practice and music lessons. Making sure that everyone has enough fuel to get the most out of school and extracurricular activities is an important responsibility as a parent. While chips and candy from a vending machine or French fries at a fast food restaurant are often tempting, they will not provide proper nutrition for young bodies and minds. Try... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/38673/healthy-snacks http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/35578/meat-protein Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:55:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai Protein is an important part of the diet. When we eat protein, it gets broken down into amino acids which the body uses as building blocks to make new proteins that the body needs to grow or maintain itself. Protein is found throughout the body including hair, muscle, and blood.   Meats such as beef, lamb, and pork are good sources of protein. However, poultry and fish are also excellent sources with less fat. Eggs and dairy are another... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/35578/meat-protein http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/32746/summer-safety Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:10:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai Summertime comes along with picnics, barbecues, camping, and other fun activities.  However, warm temperatures also increase the risk for foodborne illnesses that can put a damper on summer plans.  The following tips will help you and your family enjoy a healthy summer.   1. Wash your hands.  Many gastrointestinal illnesses are spread when people do not wash their hands well after using the bathroom.  Dirty hands may... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/32746/summer-safety http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/30055/tips-groceries Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:13:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai As food and gas prices continue to rise, grocery bills are taking a bigger bite out of the household budget.  When consumers have to worry about food costs, they may also struggle to maintain a healthy diet. However, it is still possible to have nutritious meals on a budget. Here are some suggestions to keep your both your waistline and your food bill trim.   1. Keep a grocery list. A grocery list allows you to minimize gas... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/30055/tips-groceries http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/26585/find-potassium Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:30:00 -0400 Patrika Tsai Question: My doctor says that my leg cramps are from being low in potassium. Are there certain foods that have a lot of potassium? Can I eat too much potassium?   Potassium is a mineral that is important for the body to function properly. Potassium is the element 19 on the periodic table and is represented by the symbol "K." Almost all the potassium in the body is found inside the cells rather than outside in the body's fluids like... http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/56/26585/find-potassium