Nutrition
Trying to Lose Weight? Size Matters. Try a bigger fork
According to an old Vermont adage, when you see a fork in the road, you should take it. This was good advice in Robert Frost‘s day; it is good nutritional counsel today. A recent study of restaurant diners showed that using bigger forks can help you avoid over eating. The reason for this is pretty cool: people who eat in restaurants usually have a well-defined goal of assuaging their hunger. This means they are more willing to invest the effort to meet their goal: they pay attention to food selection, they are nice to the waiter, they use their napkins, they pay the bill, etc. The big fork gives them a clear way to monitor progress toward that goal. According to...
Read MoreLet’s Move: Would you like fries with that?
Though the First Lady has a mission of improving the overall fitness of our nation, she has become the focus of derision over lunch. You see, Michelle Obama ate a burger. And fries. And a milkshake! Health and Fitness blogs were basically broiling last week over her very public 1700 calorie lunch. The political blogs called it hypocrisy. The news blogs called it ‘Burger-Gate.’ I call it inspiring. If Michelle Obama can eat a burger and fries and keep her spectacular focus and figure, so can I! The lesson in this politicized mid-day meal is that ‘perfect is the enemy of good.’ Sticking to a healthy diet over the long haul is good for your health...
Read MoreThe New Food Pyramid: What’s On MyPlate?
The new USDA food pyramid is a plate. It’s called “MyPlate” (there is probably an iPlate app already) and it makes sense… in some ways. It looks remarkably like the vegan power plate brought to us in 2009 by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. Hmm…maybe the country is starting to catch on? “MyPlate” is more accessible and reflects a better balance of nutrition, but nutritionists, health experts, and foodies are not completely thrilled with it. Here are a few sticky bits on MyPlate: It breaks the food groups up into four main food groups: Grains, Fruits, Vegetables, Proteins (and Dairy in a cup on the side)....
Read MoreGroup Cleanse Week Five: To Retox or Not to Retox
At the last meeting of the Group Cleanse at All Wellness we were excited and giddy. It was bitter sweet, like graduation. Some in the group look forward to returning to old eating patterns: dinner with family, pizza, eggs for breakfast… For others there is no turning back. The Cleanse created new sensitivity. Our bodies had built up a numbness to all the bad food we’ve eaten over the years. Now that we are clean, we are much more sensitive to what causes problems and to what makes us feel good. Personally, I find the vegan aspect of the cleanse very appealing. But after 21 days of sugar-free, dairy-free and gluten-free living, I wanted to experiment. I went...
Read MoreGroup Cleanse Week Four: Empowerment
The greatest takeaway from the Group Cleanse at All Wellness is empowerment. As we went around the room sharing our experiences, it became apparent that each of us was thrilled to be empowered to gain control over our health and well being. My personal experience was terrific. I was not alone. Here are a few poignant quotes from the group: - I got rid of acid reflux and irritable bowel syndrome. Gluten was the culprit. I’m staying on the Elimination Diet forever. - I was tired of feeling crappy. Now I am paying attention to what I’m putting in my body and I feel lighter. I’m going to stay gluten- and dairy-free. It makes me feel calm. My stomach feels...
Read MoreGroup Cleanse Week Three: A Clean Revolution right here in Vermont
Week 3 of the Group Cleanse (A.K.A. The Clean Revolution) at All Wellness featured the confluence of three auspicious events: a Skype conversation with Dr. Alejandro Junger, the release of Everyday Health’s Top Seven Diets of 2011, and the mysterious disappearance of 10 pounds from my bathroom scale. Let’s start with Dr. Junger on Skype. The group Skyped him from the the lobby at All Wellness. He is a very sweet man with an easy manner, a terrific accent, and an incredibly cute baby who joined in the conversation for a moment. His first question to the group was “How many of you are doing the cleanse to lose weight?” All but one of us raised her...
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