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 Grateful Ride through the Maddening 2020
Under our masks, my new patients and I do not know how we really look. My former patients and I recognize each other only through our eyes. We are moving through this maddening 2020 year, not knowing when we will be the next one to contract the invisible virus that could end all the plans…
Oasis Farms and the Cycle of Giving: a Productive Summer on Dr. Rajagopal’s Farm
What have you done to relax during this COVID-19 crisis? After all, there’s only so much walking or exercising we can do daily outside of work which, for most people, has been confined to home. Many activities have been frozen until a “safer” time. When will that safer time come, nobody knows. So far, this…
On Independence Day: Civil Liberty and the Wearing of Masks
So here we are, facing another big wave of Coronavirus in 36 states, with Texas and Florida leading the pack, having the highest case reports. Am I shocked? Not unless I have been away on another planet and did not get to follow the news for a month or so, about how this surge will…
Covid-19 and the New Normal: Are We Doing Our Part?
Tomorrow afternoon, my husband and I will attend a “ Zoom funeral” for one of his close friends who died of COVID-19 at Georgetown hospital last weekend. He caught the virus from his wife, a healthcare provider who caught it herself from an asymptomatic patient at the hospital where she worked. We also joined a…
Provide Emotional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Physicians Facing Psychological Trauma From the COVID-19 Crisis
The U.S. now has the highest number of COVID-related deaths in the world, with exhausted, frightened physicians managing the front lines. We need not only medical supplies but also emotional personal protective equipment (PPE) against the psychological burden of the pandemic. As a psychiatrist, my role in COVID-19 has included that of a therapist for my colleagues. I…
An Easter and Passover Message, in the Time of Coronavirus
This morning, one of our Lady Docs Corner Cafe dear friends, Dr. Joann Urquart, a cardiologist, sent us a link to a very well written and moving article by a movie producer and writer, Julio Vincent Gambuto, titled “ Prepare for the Ultimate Gaslighting.” This writer knows the human condition and psychology very well, as shown by…
Coronavirus Time: Mental and Physical Health for Those Not Infected
(Robyn Pashby, PhD- Psychologist) There are two pandemics. The virus makes the headlines, but the anxiety that is sweeping the nation just a few steps behind (or in some cases a few steps in front of) the virus has serious and lasting consequences. Much like the virus itself, the mental health impact of this situation…
In the Time of Coronavirus: Corona and Boundaries
Even before COVID-19 arrived, many of us were already diligent about washing our hands and avoiding contact with someone sneezing or coughing to avoid becoming ill. Many have always understood the importance of washing our hands before meals and coughing or sneezing into a tissue. So, what is different now? Researchers have discovered that many…