Healthy Diet

I remember the first time I read the Chinese proverb “May you live in interesting times”. I thought to myself…that’s a very nice sentiment. Then I found out that it is not really a proverb but a curse. My next thought was ‘that’s odd…it should be nice to live in interesting times’. Boy o’ boy...I now totally understand why it’s a curse! Say what you will about the year 2020..it was certainly ‘interesting’! The most contentious election in the life of anyone alive today, the pandemic, lockdowns, 30 million people losing their jobs, social unrest…Whoa…lets bring back the boring times

Amazing Breakthrough! Scientists have discovered a revolutionary new treatment. It makes you live longer, look younger and feel better. It decreases your risk of heart disease, cancer, and dementia. It improves immune function and helps ward off colds and the flu. What would you think if you saw that ad? Are you interested? Well, the breakthrough has already been discovered and it is called 8 hours of sleep every night! If you do even the slightest amount of research about promoting longevity you will quickly realize that adequate sleep is an absolute cornerstone for living long and healthy. I used

Before considering this question, let’s start by acknowledging that “Diet” is a 4-letter word! The answer is “it depends.” They do and they don’t. One thing I can say with certainty… a ‘diet’ that does NOT work is SAD….the Standard American Diet. So, anything that moves you away from SAD will be beneficial. Here are some past blogs where I’ve discussed SAD: Taste Buds Rehab The Micro…What? There are no shortage of diets out there: Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, South Beach, Atkins... you get the idea. These fit the definition of "the kinds of food that a person,

I want to discuss something that should be on your ‘never to do’ list. If you have had bariatric surgery, and frankly even if you haven’t, you should never ‘drink’ calories. I mean that in the very literal sense, btw. You should never consume calories in liquid form. So, first off, like all rules there are exceptions. The one exception to this rule, if you have recently had bariatric surgery you have been advised to consume your protein drink. This is obviously a liquid with calories (it has protein after all)… but other than that exception I would strongly suggest

Did I get your attention with my little teaser about the “Best” diet? Spoiler alert there really is no “best” diet for everyone. On the other hand, there is likely a best diet for you. What are the clues that what you are doing is really optimum for you? First off, we must acknowledge that diet is a loaded term, mostly because virtually everyone who has struggled with their weight has been on one and for most people the experience is frustrating. Instead of the word ‘diet’ let’s use the term ‘nutritional strategy’ or perhaps ‘eating plan’. There are only

Losing and maintaining weight requires mindful nutrition. Learning how to shop for nutrient-rich foods will keep your diet on track, and knowing how to read food labels means you can better manage what you eat. Wynnie Hoodis, registered dietician, shares her best grocery shopping trips. Map Your Shopping Path The first key to a successful shopping trip is having a list. Hoodis suggests jotting down what you want to buy for the week, detailing any needed ingredients for recipes you’re hoping to try. “You want to go with a list because the more you stick to that list, the less

Critical to the success of a bariatric procedure is how patients manage their nutrition going forward. Registered dietitians at Garden State Bariatrics and Wellness Center help patients who have undergone bariatric surgery plan their diets for optimal results. “I focus on the diet plan. We have general guidelines, but I do try to personalize it,” she explains. Just as procedures differ, and patients have particular needs, a bariatric nutrition plan that’s individualized garners great outcomes. General Guidelines Some aspects of bariatric nutrition are a given. Depending on the type of bariatric surgery, meal portions will be much smaller. Since patients

Snacking after bariatric surgery can be controversial. Some surgeons do not recommend snacking after weight-loss surgery while others find it helpful while you adjust to your new post-op lifestyle. However, everyone agrees that if you do snack, you need to have a plan so you do not end up making unhealthy choices. Having healthy snacking options available at work especially can help prevent you from succumbing to unhealthy temptations around the office. Having healthy snacks on hand can also help you stay fueled when you are in the middle of a big project and cannot leave the office or you

If you’re trying to live a healthier lifestyle, you’ve probably encountered many differences of opinion when it comes to a healthy diet. Some tout low-fat foods, others low carb, some eschew grain while others avoid meat. One thing just about everyone agrees on, though, is the importance of protein. Why is a protein such a big deal? Your body uses protein for a number of things. Proteins help build muscle, blood and internal organs, and hair and nails are made almost entirely of protein. It’s used by your body in building and repairing tissue, and it’s also used to make

The diet industry is a huge money-maker in the United States, and with good reason. Recent studies indicate that almost 40 percent of adults in the U.S. are obese, and about 17 percent of teenagers. When there are so many diets from which to choose, why are so many people still struggling with their weight? It could be because permanent weight loss requires more than just a diet: it takes a lifestyle change. Eat mindfully. Start reading labels, to get an idea of what you’re putting into your body in terms of calories, carbs, and sugar. Use smaller plates to