Dr. Michael E. Stevens, MD

I hope you have a fun, relaxing Labor Day. If you’re grilling out, check out these five tips for healthy summer grilling.

http://mdvip.mymedicalforum.com/conversation/tips-for-healthy-summer-barbecuing-and-grilling

Tips for Healthy Summer Barbecuing and Grilling When summer and Fourth of July rolls around, it’s time to fire up the barbecue grill. If you’re like most people, you love the taste of barbecued and grilled foods. On the other hand, grilling isn’t the healthiest cooking method. When yo

Discover the benefits of the MDVIP Wellness Program in my practice, which includes advanced health screenings and diagnostic tests.

https://www.mdvip.com/patients/benefits/annual-wellness-program

Annual Wellness Exam & Plan | MDVIP Invest in your health with the MDVIP Annual Wellness Program. Learn about how our doctors craft customized wellness plans to meet the needs of the patients.

For nights that I just want a light dinner, this recipe for Chopped Greek Salad with Chicken is my answer. It’s an easy to prepare dinner salad with substantial ingredients that make it a great a main course.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/chopped-greek-salad-chicken

Chopped Greek Salad with Chicken | MDVIP Chicken turns this Greek-inspired salad into a substantial main course. Feel free to substitute other chopped fresh vegetables, such as broccoli or bell peppers, for the tomatoes or cucumber. Use leftover chicken, store-roasted chicken or quickly poach a couple boneless, skinless chicken breasts whi...

For more than a century, heart disease has reigned as the leading cause of death in the U.S. The epidemic peaked in the mid-1960s -- heart disease deaths began slowly declining thanks to advancements public health, medical and first responder efforts. But progress began waning after 2011. Here’s why.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/despite-progress-heart-disease-still-leading-cause-death

Despite Progress, Heart Disease is Still the Leading Cause of Death | MDVIP To say that America has a heart disease problem is to put it mildly. For more than a century, heart disease has reigned as the leading cause of death in the U.S. It kills one out of every three men and a quarter of women or roughly 690,000 Americans every year. These are grim statistics, but they be...

During office visits you may have heard me mention triglycerides, a type of blood fat. They often take a backseat to cholesterol, but triglycerides can raise your risk for heart disease. Here’s what you need to know.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/other-lipid-what-are-triglycerides-and-7-cholesterol-questions-answered

Triglycerides and Heart Disease – How to Lower Triglycerides – Living Well - MDVIP Triglycerides are a lipid that can increase your risk of heart disease. Here’s what you need to know about triglycerides and how you can lower them.

I often advise my patients that plant-based proteins are lower in fat and calories than animal-based proteins and are high in fiber and nutrients. You get plant-based proteins into your diet with this recipe for Vegetarian Quinoa & Squash. It’s tasty, easy-to-make and can be used as a main dish or side that satisfies both vegetarians and meat eaters.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/vegetarian-quinoa-squash-casserole

Vegetarian Quinoa & Squash Casserole | MDVIP An aromatic mixture of garlic, paprika, cumin, coriander, allspice and cayenne flavors this vegetarian quinoa and squash casserole recipe. Frozen squash is a super-easy topping.

Occasionally on Sundays, I’ll make this Huevos Rancheros Verdes recipe for brunch. I like this particular recipe because it swaps the traditional red sauce for green tomatillo salsa, boosting the vitamin A and folate higher than standard recipes.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/huevos-rancheros-verdes

Huevos Rancheros Verdes | MDVIP Huevos rancheros or “ranch eggs” is a classic Mexican dish that is great for a quick dinner. Traditionally, it's made with a red tomato-based sauce. Here we use tart and tangy green salsa instead. Serve with: brown rice and slices of avocado. Ingredients 1 1/2 cups very thinly sliced romaine let...

If you have high blood pressure, you may want to eat more bananas. Why? Studies suggest that foods high in potassium, such as bananas, sweet potatoes and spinach, help lower blood pressure and prevent strokes.
https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/new-study-suggests-potassium-helps-lower-blood-pressure

Study Suggests Potassium Helps Lower Blood Pressure - Living Well - MDVIP Did you know that dietary potassium, found in fruits and vegetables like bananas, sweet potatoes and spinach can help control blood pressure? Read more on our blog.

If you’re prediabetic or have type 2 diabetes, you may have heard that eating six small meals a day instead of three big ones can help control blood sugar levels. However, a recent study suggests three larger meals may be more effective. Check out this blog.

https://www.mdvip.com/about-mdvip/blog/meal-timing-promotes-weight-loss-and-diabetic-control

Learn How Meal Timing Promotes Weight Loss – Living Well - MDVIP For years, experts recommended eating smaller meals more frequently for weight and blood sugar control. However, new studies are showing that eating three meals a day including a calorie dense breakfast is more effective.