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Renew Houston Fuel Up Columnist

Emma Willingham, MS, RD, LD

Emma Willingham is a Registered Dietitian who practices in an outpatient hospital clinic and through her private practice, Fuel with Emma. In her column, “Fuel Up,” Willingham writes about all aspects of nutrition. She specializes in sports performance nutrition, weight management and nutrition counseling, and aims to promote a resilient relationship between food, mind and body.

Stories By Emma Willingham, MS, RD, LD

This Halloween, let's talk about building healthy bones

What do you need to eat to build and maintain healthy bones? Our nutrition expert lays it out for you. Emma Willingham

Looking to up your protein intake? Here's what you need to know.

Many people associate consuming protein with being super active or building larger muscles; when in actuality, protein is one of the most important nutrients for physiological function and maintenance in all populations. Emma Willingham

Here's everything you need to know about energy drinks

For many, especially young adults and active individuals, energy drinks are the go-to. Emma Willingham

When fueling for game days, focus on three main time periods

Nutrition should be a significant component of a player’s game plan, which can elevate overall health, on-field performance and off-field recovery. By Emma Willingham

You may not be eating enough of these 5 nutrients

Potassium and Calcium and Vitamin D, oh my! Emma Willingham

You may not be eating enough of these 5 nutrients

Potassium and Calcium and Vitamin D, oh my! Emma Willingham

These nutrition tips will help parents and children start the new school year healthy and happy

With a fresh school year around the corner, it’s a great time to implement fresh nutrition ideas. Emma Willingham

Why women should eat seafood throughout their lives

By eating just a small amount of fish, you obtain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that provide systemic health benefits. Emma Willingham

CBD sourced from hemp may be a promising therapy in the future

CBD sourced from hemp may be a promising therapy in the future, but right now there is too much that we don’t know about it, writes Emma Willingham, the Fuel Up columnist. By Emma Willingham

5 nutrition tips to help you age well

Adopting lifestyle and nutrition habits including adding resistance exercise, protein and eating colorful vegetables are among the factors to help us age gracefully. By Emma Willingham

Are superfoods real? Be cautious of labels that promise...

The term “superfood” is broad, ambiguous and lacks a scientific definition. It usually describes foods that have high levels of specific or multiple types of nutrients or vitamins and minerals that are said to add health benefits to the... By Emma Willingham

Here are 6 healthy tips to lower your high blood pressure

To help decrease the risk of high blood pressure, here are six healthy habits to adopt. By Emma Willingham

How to maximize your supermarket savings

Let’s talk about ways to cut grocery costs before you shop, while you shop, and even after you shop. By Emma Willingham

Why the number on the scale doesn’t tell you the full picture...

Why the number on the scale doesn’t tell you the full picture about your health By Emma Willingham

10 viral TikTok food and nutrition trends to avoid

Don't try this at home, kids. Emma Willingham

12 healthy New Year's Resolutions that do not involve dieting

Let’s skip the “skip the donuts” this year, and dive into healthy ways we can improve our lives by adding new practices, rather than taking away what makes us happy. By Emma Willingham

How to eat mindfully during the holidays

For some, the holiday food environment can feel like a never-ending calendar of parties with many opportunities to indulge or even feel out of control. By Emma Willingham

Looking to boost your health? Pack in the cranberries.

Eat, drink and crab-berry! By Emma Willingham

Skip the whip: 5 healthy hacks for your holiday Starbucks order

Hear us out: Ever tried subbing in cold foam for whipped cream? By Emma Willingham

Good news: Exercising outdoors during this perfect Houston...

Being exposed to nature has repeatedly been linked to improvements in mood, decreased measures of physiological and psychological stress and even increased longevity. By Emma Willingham