Organization: Root Health Nutrition & Wellness Author: Erin Falco, RD, PRCFMP Date: 4/20/26 When we discuss supporting individuals on the autism spectrum, the conversation often centers on behavioral therapies. However, an emerging body of research highlights a critical, foundational piece of the puzzle: nutritional biochemistry. Understanding how the body processes vitamins, minerals, and proteins can offer profound insights into brain function, mood, and overall well-being.

Organization: Root Health Nutrition & Wellness Author: Zia Work, MS, RDN Date: 3/26/26 Are you dealing with poor sleep, night sweats, stubborn weight changes, or mood swings—and wondering what’s going on with your body ? You’re not alone! Hormonal imbalances affect nearly half of all women at some point in their lives, and the symptoms can show up in ways that are easy to overlook, and many may even be dismissed as “normal.” But here’s the truth: just because something is com

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Raye McDonald, MS, RDN Publish Date: 3/27/25 What is Hashimoto’s? Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder of the thyroid gland in which the immune system recognizes the thyroid gland as foreign and attacks it, leading to an increase in inflammation and a decrease in function of the gland. Hashimoto’s can cause both Hyperthyroidism, in which the thyroid gland is producing excess thyroid hormone, and Hypothyroidi

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 12/30/24 The arrival of a new year often comes with the pressure to set lofty resolutions, overhaul your habits, and strive for a "new you." While goal-setting can be valuable, the reality is that most resolutions fizzle out by February, leaving us feeling guilty or inadequate. What if this year, instead of chasing perfection, you chose to give yourself a break? Entering the new year wi

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 11/30/24 The holiday season is a time for family, friends, and festive feasts. But for those with food allergies or sensitivities, it can also bring challenges. With shared meals, hidden ingredients, and well-meaning but uninformed hosts, managing your dietary needs during the holidays requires a little extra planning and communication. Here’s how to enjoy the season while staying safe

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Zia Work, RDN Publish Date: 11/11/24 The vagus nerve is the longest nerve in the body, originating from each side of your ears and extending to your lower abdomen, where it ends in the GI tract. It is responsible for carrying information from the brain to the organs and vice versa; think of it as a highway for information transport. As the major parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) nerve in the body, it is responsible for

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Zia Work, RDN Publish Date: 11/4/24 Skin is the largest organ of the body, and it can tell us a whole lot about our health. Acne, rashes, hives, and dry patches are nuisances that most of us have experienced, but have you ever wondered what these external symptoms can tell us about what is going on inside our bodies? Skin is closely connected to organs and systems all throughout the body, such as hormones, metabolic hea

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Libby Killeen, Dietetic Intern Publish Date: 10/28/24 What is Diabetes? Diabetes is a condition when the glucose (sugar) level in your blood can become too high. Over time, high blood glucose can cause damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes, and feet. The Mechanism: When we eat, the body uses digested food as fuel to supply cells with energy. With type 2 Diabetes, the fuel has a hard time entering most cells. Some glucose

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition & Wellness Author: Libby Killeen, Dietetic Intern Publish Date: 9/9/24 Choosing a food that is sweet, creamy, versatile, and nutritious is not hard to do with the wide selection of different yogurts. Yogurt is a great option for breakfast, snack, and even dessert. Yogurt is packed wi th probiotics, a healthy bacteria that lives in your gut that boosts the immune system and aids in digestion. It is high in bone building calcium, which many

Organization: Erin Falco RDN, Inc. Author(s): Libby Killeen, Dietetic Intern Publish Date: 8/28/24 Snacks for Student Athletes When packing snacks for a sporting event, your goal should be to enhance rather than detract from your child's performance. Young student athletes are ideal candidates to learn the value of food as fuel during the busy hour between school and sports. Snacks benefit active children in a number of ways, such as, giving exercising muscles the energy (cal

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Author: Zia Work, RDN, MS Publish Date: 7/31/24 Do you constantly crave sugar or find yourself staring into the fridge or snack cabinet ready to grab anything you can get your hands on? Are you experiencing unintentional weight gain, mood swings or irregular periods? These are symptoms associated with a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) What is PCOS? PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder in women. It i

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Author: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 7/22/24 It’s hot out. We’re hungry. The last thing we want to do is turn on an oven, stove, or even a grill. So, how do we get the nutrients (and delicious flavors) that our body needs, but still keep from melting? Below is a list of balanced meal ideas (carbohydrates, fats, and protein) that will keep you full and fueled while beating the heat! Greek Salad Wraps Ingredients: Whole-gr

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Author: Helaina Cannon, Intern - Penn State University Publish Date: 7/1/24 Did you know that zinc plays a crucial role in your digestive health and metabolism? What is Zinc and why is it important? Zinc is an essential mineral that plays a huge role in many reactions within your body. Your immune system, digestive system, central nervous system, and metabolism all involve reactions that use zinc. When looking at the digestive

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Authors: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 3/5/24 As the seasons change and nature comes to life, so does the unfortunate rise of seasonal allergies. The sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion can put a damper on the joy of spring and summer. While over-the-counter medications are commonly used to alleviate symptoms, they can actually be damaging long-term to our gut health. In this blog post, we'll explore some more natural ap

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Authors: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 2/5/24 In the hustle and bustle of modern life, finding tranquility within the walls of our homes has become an essential pursuit. Transforming your living space into a haven of calm and intentionality can greatly contribute to your overall well-being. Below, we'll explore practical tips and mindful strategies to create your serene sanctuary! Declutter and Simplify: A cluttered space

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Authors: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 9/26/23 Halloween can be a really fun time for families…and also a bit stressful for parents. The concept of candy, when it comes to kids, can be difficult for parents to navigate. Do we let them have it? How much? How do we subvert a meltdown? In this post, we’re hoping to be able to assist you in helping your child through the Halloween festivities while keeping a positive view of

Organization: Root Health, Nutrition and Wellness Authors: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 9/1/23 Are you a parent or guardian of children who are heading into the back-to-school 2023 season? If so, then you might be feeling overwhelmed by the preparations that need to be made for this time of year. There is so much to do before that school bell rings! One important strategy to lighten your load this season is your meal prep strategy. In this post we will explore five str

Organization: Erin Falco RDN, Inc. Authors: Veronica Rechten, MS Publish Date: 8/1/23 “You are what you eat” is a very famous saying…but it’s also inaccurate. If we’re going to use the saying at all, it should be: “you are what you absorb .” Absorption is important because it’s possible to eat a variety of highly nutrient-dense foods, but not get the full benefit from these nutrients simply because they are not absorbed from those foods. Not absorbing enough of all the essent

Organization: Erin Falco RDN, Inc. Authors: Veronica Rechten MSc Publish Date: 6/29/23 When the body needs water our brains send the signal of thirst – an essential survival mechanism that maintains fluid balance. Having a pre-filled water bottle always on hand is one of the best habits we can practice to ensure proper hydration, but even with the super sleek containers available today, most people still do not achieve adequate water intake. This is important to note, as ever

Organization: Erin Falco RDN, Inc. Authors: Veronica Rechten MSc Publish Date: 5/31/23 In the hot and sweaty summer-time, we can see flare-ups of many different skin conditions like, eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis and acne. These are just a few examples of skin conditions that need nutrition in order to heal (spoiler alert: all skin conditions need nutrition to heal!) We often think of skin as something that is cared for from the outside. Special cleansers, lotions, creams, an