We’ve heard it many times that a healthy diet should include plenty fruits and vegetables. Also, variety is very important to get all the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.

Including folic acid in your diet is a key strategy for optimal health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. This is her message during National Folic Acid Awareness week, Jan. 9-15.

Enjoy Louisiana blueberries. They can help protect against diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

It's easy to find herbs and other dietary supplements, but much more difficult to find accurate information about them and their side effects or benefits, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

As baby boomers age, many reach for herbal supplements in hopes of staying young. Supplements can be harmful, cautions LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants is one part of a diet and exercise program that protects against chronic diseases, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. A recently published study bears out this claim.

Parkinson’s disease is thought to be the result of oxidative damage of the nerve cells in the brain. Since vitamins E, C and carotenoids are antioxidant nutrients, recent research looked at the relationship of these nutrients to Parkinson’s, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world. It’s the dessert with the highest fat content, but it's also a good source of calcium.

Americans each eat more than 16 pounds of fresh tomatoes a year and consume the equivalent of 79 pounds in processed tomatoes annually. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Figs are nutrient-dense, versatile and very easy to pack and transport. They add nutrients and minerals to your diet without adding any fat.