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!
Sugar Can Be Your Friend
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How to ‘fuel’ the fire
I’ve always found it intriguing that the ellipticals and treadmills at the gym give options for working out in the ‘fat burn zone’. Isn’t all exercise meant to burn fat? And why would you try to stay at a lower intensity of exercise, where the ‘fat burn zone’ is, if you were trying to burn…
Salute to the Graduates
I know I am getting old when many of my bootcamp friends are having children graduating from high school or college. Dr Bawa’s son Simran just graduated from dental school. Josh, Dr Sheri Hamersley’s son, and Liam, Dr Mary Marovich’s son, graduated from high schools. My Linh, Dr Mimi Nguyen’s daughter, graduated from college and…
Food for Vision
According to a report published in February, 2012, Americans spend more than $25 billion a year on dietary supplements. However, as Linda pointed out in her previous blog, what to take and how much to take is unclear, and the evidence often contradictory. Millions of Americans take dietary supplements for eye health, weight loss, joint…
A calorie is not just a calorie, and a pound is not just a pound
For years, the mantra has been “a calorie is a calorie” Eat 3500 fewer calories or burn 3500 more calories or some combination of these two, and you will lose a pound. There is now a growing movement afoot that takes issue with that. Here’s my take on it. To some extent, the mantra is…
Greetings from Istanbul!
I’m on a long flight returning from a week in Istanbul, Turkey, trying to get my thoughts together. So much history, so much culture, wonderful food, great views, and widespread political protests. It’s a fascinating city, located on two continents. We were mostly on the European side, where the Old City and Modern areas are…
How good is your memory?
Most of us do not worry about our forgetfulness until we are in our “middle age”. We usually blame it on our busy schedules and how we remember only the “essential” things and thus forget the “little things” in our daily lives. I have noticed how even “brilliant” people like my husband David, a physician-attorney,…
To Take or Not to Take: Supplements?
“So tell me what kind of medicines you are taking?” I looked at my patient across the desk while she pulled out a long list. “Vitamin E, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, multivitamin, Zinc, Acai Berry, Coenzyme Q10, fish oil, Selenium, flaxseed, calcium, ginseng, rhubarb…” She proceeded to pull up multiple bottles that soon filled the…
Are You Ready for a Change?
We women are interesting. I know this for a fact because I have been an obstetrician/gynecologist for almost 22 years. I have seen thousands of women from all age groups and delivered thousands of babies. I have seen teenagers struggling with acne and sexuality, elderly women struggling with mobility and illnesses, and middle age and…
Have a cake and eat part of it too
Several weeks ago after Easter, I came back to the office and found all these plates of sausages,salami, deviled eggs, rolls on our kitchen’s table. Roxanne, my nurse, had her annual Easter Brunch at her house and brought the leftovers to work. Roxanne has always been a generous hostess. Her Easter brunches, with more than…