| What is missing with the insulin theory? The rest of the story. Insulin sensitivity,release and metabolism are controlled by numerous factors outside of the amount of carbohydrate consumed in the diet. Activity level,metabolism,food quality,stress,sleep and so on all affect insulin metabolism. All forms of exercise improve insulin sensitivity and this is independent of diet. Next time someone tells you not to eat carbs because they stimulate insulin,run the other way! The body is more complicated than that (Thank GodJ and no,you are not metabolically special if you are born in America and therefore, Continue reading Carbohydrates continued… I am reading an incredible book right now that discusses how the brain forms neural networks and ultimately how we develop our habits. Habits are something that most of us form subconsciously. It is an act that we have repeated enough times to the point that it has become our regular pattern. You may be wondering right now what the heck this has to do with nutrition. Everything. Every time we repeat something it makes this neural connection stronger and we seek to repeat it more. It doesn’t matter if these habits help or hurt us. The brain cannot distinguish Continue reading Brain/Body/Food Connection This is the most common question I get when people find out that I am a Dietitian. The answer is more complicated and contains more information than most people really want to digest. Food is complicated and all around confusing for most people. In one sense it is easy to say as long as you eat a mostly unrefined,natural diet you will be healthy. As Michael Pollin says,“Eat food,not too much,mostly plants”. Yet,if you are in a mental/emotional state of deprivation because you feel an underlying resistance to the way that you are eating it Continue reading What is the perfect diet for me? With all the programs to choose from food can become overwhelming and the pleasure is lost in the search for the perfect diet. Cultures all over the world thrive on various diets. This simple fact should give us (Americans) a clue that there is no “one way”to eat or “magic ratio”that is the answer. Most diet books and programs have been written by people who have found what works for them and assume that this is what will work for everyone. Not so. Some people feel great on an Atkins style approach and others thrive on a vegetarian diet. The Continue reading Simplicity + Satisfaction = Success Just got this email (Thanks Mom:),perfect timing… Q:Doctor,I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true? A:Your heart only good for so many beats,and that it…don’t waste on exercise. Everything wear out eventually. Speeding up heart not make you live longer;it like saying you extend life of car by driving faster. Want to live longer? Take nap. Q:Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables? A:You must grasp logistical efficiency. What does cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing Continue reading Doctor’s Advice At least,that is what a new study shows. Two to four cups of skim milk in your diet helped to ease constipation by raising levels of motilin and des-acylated ghrelin. Both of these gut hormones stimulate the bowel. However,ghrelin also stimulates appetite. That minor fact seems to have been left out of the article. A much easier way to alleviate constipation while reducing your appetite is to eat the 20-35 grams of fiber a day (from fruits,veggies and whole grains,not pills,powders or supplements). Don’t forget to drink water and exercise It never fails to amaze Continue reading Constipated? Drink Milk… This book is a new twist on the old with a little more freedom to include some additional carbohydrates (mainly veggies,some fruits and whole grains) once you reach your goal. The book reiterates the idea that carbohydrates are the root cause of obesity and the key to ending the weight struggle is a high protein,high fat,restricted carbohydrate diet. If this were the case,why is it that people in other countries can eat a diet based on carbohydrates and do not struggle with nearly the rates of obesity and its related disease conditions? Hint…inactivity,portion distortion,processed Continue reading The New Atkins for a New You Diet | |
