Eating For Health

So many people want to lose weight.   They try a fad diet and may indeed lose some weight.   But once off the diet, the weight returns and in some cases even more weight than before the diet started.   Making lifestyle changes can lead not only to a healthier you but maybe a drop in some of those unwanted pounds.   EatThis,NotThat has a good article, 20 Healthy Eating Habits to Lose Weight Right Now .   What are some healthy habits they recommend in this article? Weigh yourself every day – This may sound like a downer to some people, but getting on the scale every day can actually help you lose the weight and keep the weight off.   How?   Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that study participants who weighed themselves every day, lost more weight than participants that didn’t weigh themselves every day.   In fact, they found those who stepped on the scale every day actually lost twice the weight as those who never weighed themse...

Everyone knows that healthy eating promotes good health.   But did you know there are foods you can eat to promote good eye health?   The New York State Department of Health has a great article, Look to Fruits and Vegetables for Good Eye Health .   They note that eating more fruits and vegetables will improve eye health and help prevent some eye diseases.   Choosing foods rich in antioxidants is the key to better eye health.   (Fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health, see “ Why are berries and other fruit and veggies so good for your health ?”)   Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants but a number of other foods are also rich in antioxidants.    What antioxidants protect our eyes and what foods provide those antioxidants?   Lutein and Zeaxanthin – you may have seen commercials on TV that promote lutein.   If you look at the daily vitamin/mineral supplement you may be taking, you may find “lutein” listed.   T...

Have you ever had the energy blues?   Just no energy at all.   And many people want to lose some fat.   How can you up your energy levels and lose fat too?   I had a student in my class that worked full time and then went to class at night.   She noted she was often tired by the end of the day and often had little energy.   Then, she started applying what she learned in the nutrition class I teach like eating breakfast every day, eating at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day.   After a few weeks she explained that she had much more energy and was quite surprised at how much better she felt by just eating better. There is a group called Insider Nutrition Clinic and you can write to a dietitian and ask for advice.   A reader, a 29-year-old woman, wrote in and asked, “I want to lose fat and gain energy”.   The woman had 3 goals:   gain some energy, lose some fat and also build some muscle.   This reader has a desk job but does try t...

How can you boost your immune system?   The students in the class I teach are now asking about what they can do to boost their immune system.   This question was never asked before but in the age of COVID, people are now interested in finding ways to build a stronger immune system.   My husband shared a good article with me on this topic:   The 4 vitamin and supplements this doctor takes every day to strengthen her immune system .   I find it interesting that throughout this pandemic so little was being said about what we could do to live a healthier lifestyle including enhancing our immune system.   Well, this article gives you some ways to do so. Often health experts say that if you eat a healthy diet, you don’t need supplements of any kind.   I eat a healthy diet but I also take some supplements just to be sure I am getting all the vitamins and minerals I need each day.   Many Americans are not eating healthy diets and don’t take supplemen...