by kelsey | Dec 13, 2017 | Diet, Etc., Motivation, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
Everyone’s eating habits are a little different from each other’s. The differences are usually dependent on our daily schedules, routines, choices, preferences, culture, etc. Many factors play into our eating habits. Alot of us use food for other purposes than nourishing our body–could be a stress reliever, emotional purpose, enjoyment, etc. Typically these other reasons play into what and how much we are eating. Emotional eating can lead to obesity and disease so finding that balance and making healthy choices is especially important for success long term with wellness. Mindful or intuitive eating is a concept dietitian Ellyn Satter has explored greatly. She has some basics tips about this type of eating below and I wanted to share this with you as it really gives some food for thought as we examine our eating habits.
What is Normal Eating?
•Normal eating is going to the table hungry and eating until you are satisfied.
•Normal eating is being able to give some thought to your food selection so you get nutritious food, but not being so wary and restrictive that you miss out on enjoyable food.
•It is leaving some cookies on the plate because you know you can have some again tomorrow, or it is eating more now because they taste so wonderful.
•Normal eating is trusting your body to make up for your mistakes in eating.
•Normal eating takes up some of your time and attention, but keeps its place as only one important area of your life
For more information visit Ellyn’s site at : http://www.ellynsatter.com
As you work to improve your diet and choices think about these concepts and work at incorporating them into your eating habits and thought process! Mindful eating is an excellent concept and promotes life long healthy eating habits.
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Dec 12, 2017 | Etc.
The holidays are a fun and enjoyable time, but they can also be stressful and emotional. We also have the least amount of sunlight right now so that plays a role with our mood as well. It seems like a lot of people I have visited with lately are suffering from the holiday/winter blues. When you’re feeling the blues, it can really get you down in the dumps which can result in overeating, less activity, and depression. I personally feel I suffer from a little bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)but I have found there are a few things that spark my spirit so I hope they can help you as well!
Tips for Overcoming the Holiday/Winter Blues
•Get active! Activity produces natural endorphins that boost mood. I was exercising already, but to help ward off the winter blues, I have increased the amount of exercise and added some strength training to my routine. Try getting at least 30 minutes of activity in a day…if you can do more, the better.
•Eat Right: healthy eating will make you feel healthier inside and out. Aim to get at least 5 fruits and veggies a day, include whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats. Vitamin D has been proven to aid in SAD so be sure to get your 3 servings of low fat milk or dairy products. If you aren’t a milk drinker you may consider taking a daily multivitamin with calcium and vitamin D or a vitamin D supplement. Please ask your dietitian, pharmacist, or doctor for the correct dosage.
•Spice up your life: Sometimes getting a new shirt, going to the movies, reading a new and exciting book, or getting new tunes on your ipod will help spice up your life and add some more excitement to your life.
•Get out! Plan a family/friend trip to somewhere close or even tropical, bum around downtown Watertown, or plain just get out of the house! It’s easy to dwell in our sorrows by becoming a hermit and staying inside. We need to get out and get some socialization!
•Think Positive! Dwelling on the negatives can sure take a person down. Instead think about the positives in your life and the upcoming holidays. Tell yourself one positive thing about yourself and your selfworth daily. Focus on the blessings in your life!
•If you feel you are suffering from the blues very seriously then I encourage you to contact your physician for further assistance as we can help you with this!
Stay positive, eat right, exercise, and get out…those holiday/winter blues will be gone before you know it!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | Dec 6, 2017 | Cooking Tips, Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
One of the most challenging aisles in the grocery store is the cereal and granola bar aisle as there are so many choices and it’s hard to know what’s good and what’s not! For those regular followers of our blog, you probably know by now that you should choose a whole grain cereal, but from there…how do you decipher which choice is better than another?! Well, let’s start with the basics…you want to avoid any of the real high sugar cereals such as Lucky Charms, Cocoa Pebbles, etc due to their high levels of white, refined sugars.
Here are some tips to help you make a healthy choices:
• 8 grams (g) of sugar or less/serving, if the cereal contains 3 g or less of fiber/serving
• 16 g or less of sugar/serving, if the cereal contains 5 g or more of fiber/serving
Note: raisin bran contains 20 g of sugar/serving and is the exception to the rule—still a great choice due to its higher fiber content)
• Instant hot cereals should contain no more than 100-150 milligrams (mg) of sodium/serving. A better choice is cooking oatmeal the old fashioned way on the stove from the canister as the instant packets have a lot of sodium.
In addition, be sure to fully read the nutrition facts label and not rely on the manufacturers marketing claims as they can often be misleading!
A way to make breakfast a more balanced meal is to add a source of protein and a serving of fruit to your meal. With the balance of protein, fiber found in your cereal, and some natural sugars, you are set to start your day off in a great way!
-Kelsey
by Dan | Dec 3, 2017 | Exercise, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Well, we all have things that we were planning on doing, and changes in our schedule, or daily routine happens…or you get sick. That was me this week. I have a marathon coming up in January that I am trying to do some long runs yet, and this weekend was going to be one of my 20 mile runs. The weather was going to be great, and we still have no snow. But, I ended up starting to get sick on Monday, and as the week went on, it only got worse. The coughing was non stop, and by Friday, I had to stay home as every time I started talking, I was coughing. I went in to get myself checked, to make sure I did not have anything more than something viral. One of my nurses asked me, “What is going to happen to your exercise streak?”. Well, to be honest, at 8 AM, this was the last thing I was worried about. I ended up going back home, and slept until 4PM. Just what I needed. By then, I was so achy from laying all day, then I went for a walk on the treadmill. I did not have to worry about the weather, the wind, and I could control how fast I went. I managed 3 miles, slow pace, but actually felt better. Exercise streak intact! But, there was no way I was going to be doing a 20 mile run the next day. That is ok…I want to be healthy first! The weekend is now going to be in the past, and I will just plan, or change my plans, going forward. It is no different than anything else in life. Things don’t always go as we would like. You can either accept it, or dwell on it…or make excuses. Bottom line, you still have to deal with it. Adapt, and overcome. Tomorrow is another day…we hope! It helped running with the run club this AM as well. It always provides more motivation. I did not know how far I was going to go when I started, but told myself I would do what I felt comfortable doing. No excuses. Just keep moving. I am feeling much better, and hopefully I hit the peak of this a few days ago. As physicians, Sarah and I are always taking care of somebody else, but, we get sick too. You just make the best of things, and move on. It is always great having my own doctor at home all of the time too! Thanks Sarah for helping to take care of me…and hanging with me running this AM.
You keep pushing me, motiving me…loving me, even when I am sick, and crabby! Thanks for hanging with me. This is how we strive to survive. Be there for somebody, at some time, because sooner than later, you will have the favor returned to you!
Love ya Sarah! Thanks for everything you do for me! Keep moving everybody! Don’t make excuses, just do it!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3721 (Still intact!)
by kelsey | Nov 30, 2017 | Diet, Food, Weight Management, Wellness/Health
The gluten free diet has become a very popular fad diet and the low carb craze is coming back in full force. There are some important things to know and understand about gluten…check them out below:
1. What gluten is: gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Therefore, many pastas, breads, and cereals have gluten in them. It can also be found in many salad dressings, sauces, and beers. Gluten helps food to maintain their shape, acting as a sort of glue.
2. Who needs to avoid gluten: people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder, cannot have gluten. Their body’s immune response to gluten damages their intestinal wall, causing abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea.
3. Gluten and weight loss: people who choose not to eat gluten tend to avoid foods like bread, pastas, and cereals. These foods are also full of carbohydrates, which get broken down into sugars so that the body can use them for energy. Too many carbohydrates can cause your body to store the excess energy in fat, causing weight gain. If a person is avoiding eating these carbohydrate-rich foods, they will have to get their energy elsewhere, such as from fruits, vegetables, legumes, and lean meats. This healthy change in diet doesn’t have to mean cutting out gluten, just making healthier choices and practicing portion control. It is important to note that many gluten free packaged foods can be highly processed and a lot of times higher in fats or sodium so not always the healthier choice! A gluten free diet is only recommended for those who truly are gluten intolerant and should not be used as a fad diet!
-Kelsey
