My colleague and friend Robert Ferguson, MS, CN, CEO of Diet Free Life, works tirelessly as a certified nutritionist and coach. He recently appeared on the Ricki Lake Show:

In the video we meet Steve, who has lost 200 pounds and wants advice about how to teach those same lifestyle changes to his daughter Jordan. When asked about what kind of dialogue needs to occur in the family to encourage these changes, he gives excellent advice. The trick is to talk in terms of energy and metabolism, while removing judgement from the equation completely. This way, instead of seeking approval, kids can focus on building a sense of holistic health.

Communication in the home is the most important element in teaching a healthy lifestyle. Kids are information sponges and have the capacity learn good or bad habits — this is why it is so important for parents to explain why yo-yo dieting is not the way, and to show how good habits can not only change the way you look, but also the way you feel.

To learn more, visit Robert Ferguson’s website DietFreeLife.com.

Most people know the danger of high cholesterol: It puts people at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions. But the good news is that you can lower your “bad” cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) and raise your “good” cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein, or HDL) — just by altering your diet. Here is a list of cholesterol lowering foods that are most effective at keeping your blood vessels and heart in tip-top shape.

1. Green tea
2. Red wine
3. Fruits and vegetables
4. Chocolate
5. Beans & oats
6. Nuts
7. Salmon & other fish
8. Olive oil
9. Yogurts

Read more about these ten 10 foods that reduce your Cholesterol at EveryDayHealth.com

Listen to Dr. Moshe Lewis, Yvette Scott, and Dr. John Cuniff discuss heart disease.
Click here to watch part 2 of "Heart Disease - A Silent Killer".

Part 1 focuses on:

• Learn about common risk factors for heart attacks.
• Salty foods and their role in heart disease.
• The benefits of Exercise

• Moshe Lewis, MD
• Yvette Scott, PN
• Dr. John Cuniff