Is coffee good for you? Should you be eating gluten-free? And are your late-night snacks making you gain weight? Check out my interview with JJ Virgin, fitness and nutrition expert and co-star of TLC’s Freaky Eaters, for the answers to all your nutrition questions.

Lots of college students, myself included, depend on coffee to get us through the day. Is coffee good or bad for you?

Here’s the thing: coffee is actually good for you. However, it’s the amount that matters. For example, I’m having a Venti Half-Decaf Americano now, which is fine, but five of them would not be. I remember a day when I was just drinking lattes all day, and that was way too much. Coffee can actually keep stress hormones around, which helps with focus and concentration. But too much can make you anxious and wired, and actually burn out the adrenal gland. Coffee is also one of the richest sources of antioxidants around, which is another reason why I tell people it’s good for them.

I’m always telling my Body Blog readers to eat breakfast! Am I right? Is breakfast really important? And how much should we be eating for breakfast?

The research is very clear on this. People who eat a substantial, balanced breakfast actually lose more weight and keep it off. For breakfast, you should eat 400 calories or more, and include clean, lean protein, healthy fat, and a high-fiber carbohydrate. If you don’t eat, your body eats itself. And unfortunately it’s not going to snack on your belly fat and butt, it’s going to snack on your muscles. I always tell people that breakfast really sets the metabolic tone for the day.

Will snacking make you gain weight? What kinds of snacks are best for you?

I am an anti-snacker. I do think that snacking makes you gain weight. You should really eat within an hour of waking up, every 4-6 hours after that, and 2 hours before bed. This whole eating every 2 hours thing is ridiculous. Every time you eat, you raise your blood sugar, which raises insulin levels, which is how your body stores fat. I never understood this snacking phenomenon, and I actually think it was created by the snack food industry.

The gluten-free diet is the newest health food craze. Will eating gluten-free actually make you healthier?

For the most part it can, as long as you’re not going to go eat that gluten-free cookie, because it’s still a cookie. 1/133 people actually have Celiac disease, and many don’t know they have it. Celiac is genetic, and something needs to happen to switch that gene on. But 30-40% of people have a gluten intolerance, which can cause gas, joint pain, bloating, and GI problems. I’m not a fan of gluten, I think it’s a rotten food. Everybody should do a trial, a real trial, where they pull gluten out of their diet for a couple of weeks. The change I’ve seen in many of my clients is amazing. Most of them drop 5-10 pounds right away, and they feel so much better.

What about soy? Is it really a health food?

I hate soy. First of all, 90% of soy is genetically modified. And genetic modification is turning food into Franken-food. Soy corn, eggs, diary wheat, and peanuts are in all processed foods. The real secret is to stop eating processed foods.

What about a vegan or vegetarian diet?

I think it’s a terrible idea. If you want to eat vegan, you’ve got to go on a higher carbohydrate diet, which raises blood sugar and insulin. We were not meant to be vegans and vegetarians, there were none in the wild. And eating that way leads to nutrient deficiencies. The one argument I’ve heard though, is that people will come to me and say that the meat industry, the way that meat is produced in this country, is so bad. And I do agree with that. I say you’re right, the commercially processed meat sucks. Beef that is loaded up with corn and injected with hormones is awful. Have to make sure you’re really comparing the right thing. You can go get clean protein. Clean proteins and lots of fresh, non-starchy vegetables are the key.

Do you have any tips for staying healthy during the holidays, with all the big meals?

The absolute best way to stay healthy during the holidays is to keep a food journal. We’ve known this for a long time. People who keep a food journal are able to lose weight and keep it off, even during the holidays. Another thing, and this is really underutilized, is to put in extra workouts. Have a challenge with a friend. See who can keep from gaining weight, throw a bunch of cash in, and say that whoever doesn’t gain weight gets the cash. It’s also a great time to hire a coach, or just have a friend so you can be accountable for your food choices and your workouts. And never eat the appetizers at a party! Keep your hands full, but not with food!

For more tips from JJ, check out her website, or pick up a copy of her book, Six Weeks to Sleeveless and Sexy.

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. When she’s not dancing or writing, she can be found exploring the city, and let’s be honest, spending way too much time on the internet. Follow her @garnethenderson.

A couple of weeks ago, my editor forwarded me a fierce press release and asked me if I wanted to interview Dr. Jennifer Landa. She’s a gynecologist/entrepreneur who specializes in helping ladies get their sexy back. She encourages her patients to make healthy lifestyle choices – working from the inside out – in order to have a more fulfilling and exciting sex life. How could I not take the opportunity to talk to someone whose entire career is based on empowering women to have better sex?

Why did you go into your field?
So many of my patients had complaints that were so frustrating to take care of. The tools in my tool box weren’t working well. Hormones don’t address the problems with my patients, anything from PMS to low libido. So many women suffered, but I wasn’t well equipped. I was looking at ways to help patients by studying lasers and injectables. I did more research and came to realize the best way to attack the problems is to start from the inside out. Make changes in your appearance, your energy, your mood through nutritional supplements and through hormonal balance. Better energy, better sex drive, and overall quality of life.

What’s the most common problem your patients face?
Fatigue is one of the most common, as well as inability to sleep, lose weight, and sex drive. 

Do college aged women often have sex drive problems?
I had problems with my libido starting at 28 years old. I do see younger women with trouble with energy and  sleeping, nutritional problems, and a poor sex drive. The biggest problem that causes all these issues is stress. Stress is a sex-killer and energy killer. Improving your stress management and nutritional care can improve your health. Eating fast food is a stress. Keeping your blood sugar more stable and keeping your meals balanced makes a huge difference in college aged women.

Why do sexual relationships go sour?
Especially in terms of women, if we’re not happy with our partner, we’re not going to be amorous. A lot of people don’t realize their relationship isn’t what they wanted. I frequently have women who come in and think it’s hormonal, but they tell me they’re not happy with their partners, sexually. When we talk about it in depth, and they realize they’re not feeling it, I make referrals for counseling. The large majority of the women I treat are in their 40s and 50s, and the novelty as worn off, and you’re busy building your own lives and careers. The biggest most important thing is that couples need to make the time to be intimate. Scheduling date nights and scheduling good sex is important. It’s so unromantic, but everything else in your life is on a schedule too.

What is the anxiety you come across most frequently?

I have to talk to women and couples about the expectation of the orgasm. A lot of women think they’re not having good sex if they’re not having an orgasm, or if they don’t have a vaginal orgasm. The estimates are that orgasms with no clitoral stimulation is at 20 percent. The women who have those are outside the norm. They’re the lucky exception.

Straight from a doctor’s mouth, orgasms are not the end-all/be-all. Take the pressure off yourself to reach an epic finish, and just enjoy the journey. And in case you needed another reason to work out, eat more healthily, take time to relax, and remember your vitamins, just think of how sexy all of those great lifestyle changes can help you feel. If you are interested in more of Dr. Landa’s philosophy, she has a book coming out in February.  I’ll definitely be checking it out,  because if 2012 is indeed our last year on earth, I want it to be sexy as humanly possible.

We all know that we college students don’t always put as much emphasis on our health as we should. Instead of eating right, getting enough sleep, and exercising, we pig out on junk food, pull all-nighters and get drunk. And while we know we should take care of ourselves better, it’s hard to make a change all at once.

Health Month helps get you on a path to better health, a little bit at a time.

With Health Month, you choose (from their selection, or create your own) certain “rules” related to your health that you want to live by for the next month, and then Health Month turns these goals into a game. Here’s how it works: you start each month with 10 “life points,” and the goal is to end the month with at least one point (you lose points by failing to follow your goals). Log onto the site every day to track your progress and keep your points level up!

And Health Month isn’t just about losing weight, either. While there are diet- and weight-related goals, such as remembering to go to the gym or avoiding sweets, there are also goals related to other aspects of your well-being, such as meditating, writing in a personal journal and keeping in contact with friends and family.

The genius behind Health Month is that by only setting short-term goals, it seems easier to achieve them. The healthier you is just a month away!

We’ve all heard that we should try to avoid the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen” (which is actually more like the “Freshman Seven”), but there are other important benefits to maintaining a good nutrition and exercise routine. The better you treat your body, the better you will feel. The better you feel, the more successful you’ll be in school and the more energy you’ll have for the really fun stuff. Read on to learn how you can use the latest discoveries in health and fitness to stay healthy, happy, and motivated this school year.

1.     Cut down on time at the gym with interval workouts.

Intervals have long been an important part of many exercise routines. But a new study has shown that intense interval workouts may be just as effective as time-consuming endurance training. The study divided its subjects, healthy college students, into two groups. One group rode a stationary bike at a sustained pace for 90 to 120 minutes three times per week. The other group pedaled as hard as they could for 20 to 30 seconds, with short breaks in between, for a total of about six minutes of intense riding per day. The result? The students who rode intervals showed just a much of an increase in their endurance as the students who did sustained training, and showed the same molecular indicators of increased fitness in their muscles.

So if you don’t hours to spend at the gym, you can still get a great workout with a series of short, intense intervals. In order for this to work, you really have to push yourself, so give those intervals all you’ve got.

2.     Exercise to reduce stress and feel more focused.

In the unforgettable words of Elle Woods, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot their husbands.” While you probably don’t have a husband, a good workout may keep you from freaking out on your roommate. It will also help you pay more attention and concentrate in class. So don’t say you’re too stressed to go to the gym! Working out or even just taking a walk will help you feel better and complete that mountain of homework more efficiently.

3.     Stock up on healthy snacks.

Busy schedules and late nights can lead to lots of snacking, which doesn’t have to be a bad thing. A recently published study, the most comprehensive look so far at the causes of weight gain, showed that what you eat makes a big difference. Some results were expected – the participants who gained the most weight over a 20-year period ate large amounts of french fries, potato chips, sugar-sweetened drinks, red meats and desserts. Most people who maintained their weight or lost weight ate lots of standard healthy foods – fruits, vegetables and whole grains. But, surprisingly, consumption of dairy had a neutral effect on weight gain and weight loss was greatest among the subjects who ate lots of peanut butter and yogurt.

So, you can replace fried and processed snacks with food that tastes good, but is still healthy. Try some peanut butter on a whole grain cracker, or naturally sweet fruit yogurt instead of potato chips and soda from the vending machine. Fueling your body properly will give you more energy and prevent weight gain.

4.     Fidget!

In my favorite study of the summer, researchers found that performing more “incidental movement” each day – from tapping a toe while sitting to walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator – helps improve cardiovascular fitness. This is great news for college students, since we spend so much time sitting. The study also found that some people are naturally more inclined to fidget throughout the day. If you’re one of those people (I definitely am), then keep it up! If not, start fidgeting! It’s possible to improve your health with the simplest, smallest movements, as well as larger changes like walking short distances instead of driving. Just try not to annoy your classmates by making noise or kicking their desks.

These days the type of milk to put in your cereal or pair with your latte is confusing. I hear more and more people in line with me at the ‘Bucks ordering their lattes with soy. At the grocery store, I see those around me grabbing for soy “chicken” nuggets, soy “sausage,” soy ice-cream and soy based cheeses and coffee creamer. I’m surprised that soy hasn’t infiltrated our pre-games with soy-tinis or soy beer. Though I’m sure that’s next.

On one hand, it feels like a GREAT move for people; stepping away from non-organic dairy and meat, both of which are often pumped with hormones and antibiotics and really are just not good for you (or the animals and the environment). But is switching everything out for soy products the answer?

Soy is found in just about EVERYTHING these days. So much so that soy consumption in the U.S. has skyrocketed since the early 1990s. Sales climbed from $300 million in 1992 to over $4 billion in 2008. It’s cheap to produce (mainly because the government subsidizes its growth) and is in tons of packaged products. Seriously, check your food labels in your cabinet; I’m willing to bet Soy Lecithin or Soy Protein Isolate (SPI) is in a lot of things you wouldn’t even think would have soy in it!

But despite its insane growth over the last few years, there has been tons of contradictory research on the benefits, or lack there of, of consuming soy products. First scientists said consuming soy could help reduce the risk for breast cancer. Then they said it could cause it. Some studies show it can inhibit your thyroid and others say it can cause fertility issues or premature puberty. And for the record, it makes some friends of mine (who shall rename nameless) break out like a 7th grader and incredibly gassy (neither of which are particularly attractive). Yet others tout its many benefits, saying the Chinese use it as a main staple in their diet and they are as healthy, fit and fertile as Angelina Jolie.

So which is it?

Well, both. The thing is, our Asian friends are eating fermented soy: miso, tempeh, and natto. Fermented soy increases the digestibility of the nutrients to the body. However, the majority of soy we consume in America is un-fermented. The soy we primarily consume contains isoflavones, which can cause us to have negative hormonal responses. Un-fermented soy has also been shown to increase the body’s needs for Vitamins D and B12, both of which are important for preventing osteoporosis.

And on top of all that, one of the most common forms of soy, Soy Protein Isolate (which is found in all the processed products we consume on a regular basis, including many foods where we’d NEVER expect to find it), is toxic! Sweeeet.

The thing is, when you process food, minerals are stripped out, Phytonutrients – aka the disease-fighting medicines found in foods – are destroyed (as much as 90% of the phytonutrient content is lost during processing) and the natural physical properties of foods are artificially altered in a way that can make them both dangerous and unhealthy.

So what should we do?

Well, cutting soy out all together may be unrealistic, but cutting back on your consumption of processed soy isn’t. Try to avoid soy milk, soy protein, soy burgers, soy cheese, soy dressings, soy flour, etc. You know, the things that are obviously soy. That way, when you consume it in other less obvious places, it won’t be such a big deal. Or, just to be on the safe side (and for other amazing health benefits), avoid processed foods (soy or not) all together, or at least just eat them in moderation.

At least until the jury comes back on soy once and for all.

Oh, and while you’re at it, let’s cut back on salt, too. K?

Have you ever stayed up all night studying for a final? Blood shot eyes, empty coffee cups, pages and pages of notes…you know, the works. Do you remember sitting there wishing you had diligently studied all semester long, gone to class or stayed awake during the Powerpoint presentation?

Yeah, me too.
Every. damn. semester.

Well, I’m here to let you know that just like studying, the same goes for good health and fitness. We can’t expect to do crash diets or spend 3 hours at the gym on one day to achieve our goal body. There’s no way that’s healthy or realistic. Just like school, it takes a little effort every single day in order to see maximum results. And with Spring Break and summer just a few months away, if you want to feel beach body confident by semester’s end you have to start now.

The secret to having the body you want is actually pretty simple. If you know and understand these three key factors in exercising, you’re off to a very good start.

1. Cardiovascular exercise burns off the layer of fat covering your six pack. You gotta get that heart a-pumping and that sweat a-drippin’ if you want to see some real results! The professionals recommend at least 20-30 minutes of cardio, 3-5 times a week. No, that does not include walking to your kitchen and back. Jump roping there? Okay, now we’re talking.

2. Incorporate strength training or weight bearing exercises into your fitness routine. Sure your abs are hidden somewhere in there, but in order to get them peeking through you have to work on strengthening them. Crunches or sit-ups are a great start! As you get more advanced in your routine, try incorporating full body planks or moves that create muscle confusion, like these challenging (and rewarding!) ab blasters.

3. Muscle burns more calories than fat! This is why #2 is muy importante. Muscles take more energy to function, therefore burning more calories even when you’re not doing anything. If you can build up lean muscle mass, then you are guaranteed to get more from your cardio workouts.

Of course there are more things to ensure a proper fitness routine, but if you want to get started in the right direction, these are the three things you must understand. Combined with a healthy diet, you are on the fast track to your dream body.

I know there are times when you’re going to feel like bingeing (these super cheesy, extra oily fries aren’t THAT bad at 2am, right?) or skipping the gym for a day (or week), but keep in mind how hard you’re working and why you’re doing this. Keep enjoying your life, but vow to make some healthier choices. Whether it be taking the stairs instead of the elevator or banning yourself from the kitchen after 10pm, simply making one change every day gets you closer and closer to your goal.

– Wanna get started? Check out some of my workouts here. I’ll be back next week with more! Tweet me your requests @jackelynho!

The Dos And Don’ts Of Thanksgiving Break: Brittany teaches us how not to make Thanksgiving weekend as regrettable as that one night freshman year when you decided Patron shots were a good idea. Comment on your favorite part of Thanksgiving and WIN A BIG PRIZE!

Your Thanksgiving Break Packing List: Don’t forget your fat pants (most people do.) And your bar outfit for Wednesday. Really, it’s soooo important for your high school social standing to pack right.

5 Things To Know About Being Home For Thanksgiving Break: College life is great, but there are some really amazing things about being at home again.  Here are some of the best.

Thanksgiving Dinner Will Wreak Havoc On Your Waistline: Kind of a buzzkill, but really valuable information.  No one wants to go back to school with an extra five covering up the Freshman 15.

Intro To Cooking: Cranberry Applesauce: A sophisticated take on your favorite baby food. You’ll wow your grandmother with this simple,easy recipe.

The Black Friday Go-To Outfit: Turn the mall into a runway with this fierce yet functional ensemble. Oh, we forgot to mention in the post you should probably bring protective eyewear.

College, I Thank Thee: It’s easy to forget during finals week, but college life is pretty fan-tastic – so let’s give thanks. Where else can  you walk of shame like it’s no big deal.

I’m Not Thankful For Thanksgiving: There are people who don’t love the holiday? Who knew?!

Life After College – Holiday Anxieties: There’s a reason suicide rates spike during the holidays. LOL. But seriously.

The Perfect (And Strechy) Outfits For Your Thanksgiving Dinner: No need to unbutton your jeans at the table this year.

Vegetarian Thanksgiving? Yes, Please: Tofurkey, anyone?

Green Up Your Turkey Day: So that next year you can be thankful for the ozone layer.

Thanksgiving Part Deux: Best ways to liven leftovers.  Ever.

The Weekly Ten: The Little Things I’m Thankful For: It’s the little, simple things in life that we need to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  For me, it could be simple as a clear, quiet street for me to walk on Sunday morning back to my dorm in my Jessica Simpson pumps.

Packing Light: A Few Basics To Get You Through Thanksgiving Break: How to pack lightly this Thanksgiving Break, because who knows what size maternity pants you’re going to need to pack on your way back to college…

Morning After: Mommy Has a Thanksgiving Message: Ok, we get it – the day before giving thanks is the biggest party day of the year.  Thanks be to ‘not seeing my Mom on the walk of shame that morning.’

Intro to Cooking: Thanksgiving at College!: If you’re too far from home this Thanksgiving and you’re sticking to off-campus-housing living, don’t fret!  There is hope in a world where you can create your own Thanksgiving Feast. Bon Appetite!”

Ten Things to NOT Bring Up at Thanksgiving Dinner: Ok, your life aint’ a Glee episode.  It’s not going to cut to the next scene after you say something like this.

Thanksgiving Dinner Will Wreak Havoc on Your Waistline: Ok, Panera Bread does it, it’s time to count the calories on the Thanksgiving Menu this year.

I make spectacularly healthy (or so I thought!) turkey sandwiches for lunch every day. Fresh bread, tomatoes, cheese, lettuce, turkey…. they are beautiful and healthy works of art. I’m constantly thinking of new ways to spice ‘em up. Sliced avocado? Swapping out provolone for some swiss? Perhaps a few slices of green apple? Turkey is my daily go-to; a healthy dose of protein that can be dressed up or down depending on what is (or, more likely, what isn’t) stocked in my fridge.

But it’s starting to look like my turkey days are dwindling. Sob. Researchers at Harvard and the more than one million research participants have found that much like tanning, drinking, watching TV, sitting on the computer and everything else I do in my daily life, turkey and other processed meats are officially BAD for us.

What the heck are processed meats? The powers that be define these as “any meat preserved by smoking, curing or salting, or with the addition of chemical preservatives.” Unfortunately, this covers bacon, deli meats, hot dogs, and more. Like Slim Jims and jerky. [Although, don't act surprised – did you really think Slim Jims came straight from chickens or cows or… wait, where do Slim Jims come from? Exactly.]

Anyway, they found that eating hot dogs, deli meat (even the super lean stuff!), salami, sausage, and bacon can increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes. And it doesn’t take much. Only two ounces of these processed meats per day will increase your risk of heart disease by 42% and diabetes by 19%! For your reference, two ounces is…

-  A few strips of bacon
-  One hot dog
-  Two slices of deli meat

And two ounces to me is an end to tasty breakfasts, pre-game chow and, of course, my lunchtime mainstay.

The good news in all this? Burgers and gyros are still OK; red meat doesn’t carry the same risks as our smoked and processed friends. Renata Micha, a researcher from the Harvard School of Public Health, says that on average, processed meats have “four times more sodium and 50 percent more nitrate preservatives” than red meat. So there’s that….

RIP, turkey sandwich. I already miss your smokey flavor, versatility, and how good I felt when I was making “healthy” lunch choices. I guess I will now just have to turn to other great sources of protein for my mid-day meal: grilled chicken, hummus, beans, and, I guess, the old elementary school favorite, peanut butter.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/19/dont-bring-home-the-bacon/?src=me&ref=health

I’m sure most of us (myself included) don’t really stop mid-bite to ponder the effects of different foods on our teeth.  And while it doesn’t need to be at the forefront of our thoughts, we should still think about them chompers from time to time.

I don’t know about you, but I would rather not spend countless hours, dollars, and shrieks of pain getting dental surgery because I didn’t take care of my teeth early on… and refused to give up my daily coffee/candy bar breakfast routine.

Read on for the food rules of healthy teeth.

Drink tea: A study from the University of Illinois found that drinking tea without added sweeteners can significantly reduce the incidence of dental cavities.  Scientists propose that this is due to the polyphenol content of the tea, but the evidence is inconclusive.  Reduce the amount of cavities in your mouth by drinking at least a cup of tea each day, preferably after meals.  Remember that tea has plenty of other health benefits other than for your teeth, so drink up!

Avoid sugary foods: This one’s a no-brainer, but I thought it was worthy to include regardless.  Study after study has found an association between high sugar intake and high levels of dental problems.  Remember that other carbohydrates such as bread and cereals can also contribute to cavities if consumed in high amounts, so aim for balance in your intake of carbs, protein, and fats. If you are going to eat sugary foods, you can improve your dental health by brushing your teeth immediately after food consumption.

Chew sugar-free gum: Gum containing xylitol has been shown to reduce the incidence of dental caries by stimulating saliva production in your mouth, which can decrease plaque build-up.  Just be sure the gum you’re chewing doesn’t contain sorbitol, as it has less beneficial anti-cavity effects than xylitol.  Pop in a stick after snacks and meals to fight plaque buildup and thus, harmful dental cavities.

Avoid over-consumption of dark foods:  These can include coffee, red wine, and dark sodas.  Tobacco also has a similar effect, so stop smoking if you want those pearly whites (and lungs…)

Brain food should be healthy foods that stimulate your thinking, but I mainly use it as an excuse to eat during finals.  When I started feeling sluggish after downing a bag of Skittles during my most recent study-a-thon, I decided to put down the bag of Sun Chps and look into what really constitutes “brain food.”

Here are the top 4 foods you should be eating to help stimulate your brain power in both the short and long term.

Fatty fish:  Fish high in omega-3 fats, such as salmon, bluefin tuna, and anchovies can help your brain in multiple ways.  A study in Finland determined that frequent fish eaters are less likely to be depressed than those that eat fish less frequently.  Another study found that eating fish or seafood at least once a week can diminish your risk for developing dementia later on.  This in no way means that you should pile your plate sky high with sardines in hope to avoid dementia.  While fatty fish contain high levels of omega-3s, they also contain trace amounts of mercury which can actually cause harm to the body in large amounts. To get just the right level of omega-3s to stimulate that brain, look to eat about 2 to 3 servings of fish per week.

Blueberries: Blueberries, along with other fruits and vegetables, have been shown to decrease the onset of brain degeneration due to Alzheimer’s disease.  Blueberries, due to their high phytochemical content, have also been linked to improved memory status and function.  Although blueberries are one of the best, other fruits and vegetables with high antioxidant contents can be just as effective.  Nosh on other (seasonal!)  fruits and vegetables to get your daily dose.

Coffee: Everybody knows about the energy-boosting effects of caffeine.  Caffeine is one of the quickest ways to give you a quick jolt of energy to get through studying, driving, or a long night.  What makes coffee extra great, however, is it’s antioxidant content.  Coffee is the single largest source of antioxidants in the American diet.  Antioxidants, like those in blueberries, can improve memory and brain function.  Just be sure that you don’t drink too much coffee as it can make you jittery and sleepless, which can actually decrease brain power. (Not to mention all that study time lost to frequent trips to the bathroom.)

Egg Yolks: This one is constantly moving on and off of nutrition’s s**t list.  While egg yolks are infamous for having a high cholesterol content, they aren’t all bad.  Egg yolks have the highest concentration of naturally-occurring choline, which can increase the function of acetylcholine in the brain.  Acetylcholine works as a signal between the brain and the body so it can carry out nerve functions.  It has also been linked to decreasing the onset of “senility” in subjects.  Scramble a few eggs in the morning to get your fix.