This is definitely one of those topics that only gets more confusing the more you read. So, you need to have a philosophy about it and fit each new bit of information into your overall framework. That way, you're not constantly reeling from 'no carbs' to 'low fat' to 'grapefruits only' to whatever is in. Among physicians, there isn't any consensus about what is best for you. The only thing we can probably agree on is that no one diet suits everyone. In this section, over time, we hope to provide enough helpful information so you can make healthful decisions on your own.
In a nutshell, my philosophy is that fruits, vegetables, and whole grains should make up most of your intake. Lean protein such as fish, chicken, turkey or tofu, nuts, lentils. and beans should comprise the rest. The most important to me is eating 'whole foods' as they come out of the ground and limiting processed foods as much as possible. The food industry has studied and perfected combining the most tempting, and at times addictive, combinations of fat, salt, and sugar in restaurant and supermarket offerings. They know how to keep you coming back for more.
Varying what you eat can keep your meals interesting. I aim to include 'superfoods' such as spinach, tomatoes, pumpkin, blueberries, and hemp seed, which I think are delicious. Experiment with foods that contain antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, lycopene (think tomatoes), and beta-carotene (pumpkin and carrots). These and many others are beneficial when eaten in 'whole foods' but not when taken in pill form.
Of course, not one nutrition plan suits everyone, since food preferences or intolerance and medical issues must be considered.
But for the majority of people, if you eat whole foods and nourish your body and soul with a wholesome variety of nutritious foods, your mind and body will thank you. Often, people don't realize that fatigue, insomnia, depression, and other issues are closely tied to what we eat. In our posts in this section, we'll provide some practical information and keep you posted on the latest and greatest in nutrition news. Send us your questions!
A Summer Without Regret
The summer is ending soon and students in our area have begun to be back to school. Last Sunday, in The New York Times, I read “The Summer that Never Was” from Tim Kreider and, like him, I felt a subtle sense of melancholy. There are so many places in the world to explore, yet so little…
Six Things Parents Should Avoid When Guiding Teens About Sex
As an OB/GYN and an advocate for prevention of teen pregnancy and STDs, I�ve had plenty of opportunities to interact with parents on the topic of teen sexual health. Often, parents allow misperceptions and worries about what to say to their kids about sex become obstacles to effective communication. As a parent, you want to…
A Group Discussion About Obesity and Weight Loss
A response to Dr. Tran’s latest blog related one person’s lifelong struggle with obesity, but represented the voice of many. The story struck a nerve with many of our docs, either because of their personal journeys or those of their patients. It prompted further discussion within our group and those comments are excerpted below. As…
Are You There Yet? Weight Loss is a Journey
Are you one of the women who tend to get anxious every time you go for your physical exam? Do you hold your breath while the nurse is adjusting the scale to register your weight? Do you get upset when you ask for your weight last year and she informs you that you have gained…
Mediterranean Diet: New Orleans Style
New Orleans is a “foodie” city for sure. Fresh seafood, ripe ingredients, fragrant spices and cultural diversity add to the distinct properties of its culinary uniqueness. Having studied topics in culinary medicine and taken cooking classes at the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine, which is part of the Tulane School of Medicine, I understood the initiative for exploring the…
Five Ways to Become an Approachable Parent: Positive Parenting for Teen Sexual Health
One of the top questions I’ve encountered from parents as an Ob/Gyn and health educator is: “How can I get my teen to come to me with questions and concerns about sex?” While some parents and teens may have that near-perfect, open relationship that allows them to discuss sensitive issues like sex easily, my experience…
Living Your Moments–Follow the Fearless Road
Soon, my family will be leaving for Prague, Budapest and Vienna. I have been yearning to see this part of Europe for a long time. To me, Prague and Budapest always sound like some “exotic” destinations as compared to the rest of Europe. My husband and I have discussed many times about visiting the Christmas…
Cherishing the Moment
Yoga teaches us to be present on the mat. It also teaches us to take that same awareness of the present into our daily lives. We often tend to get stuck in the past or worry about the future. Why did I quit my job last year? How will I pay for my kids college?…
A Promising Path in Cancer Research
When my kids were little, I loved reading to them Arnold Lobel’s Frog and Toad books including “The Corner” in Frog and Toad All Year. In it, Frog assures Toad on a cold, rainy day that spring is just around the corner. Frog says that when he was younger, on a similar cold, rainy day,…
Path to a Meaningful Life: Teach Our Children to Give More, Not Yearn for More
Another school year is over. Quite a few of our friends’ children graduated from high school this year and are about to enter college in a few months. It was quite hectic in the last few months for my friends to help their teenagers decide which colleges would be most beneficial for them. In our…