August 12, 2013  

 

Eating and food related topics will dominate the newsletter for years to come as the data keeps rolling in that food is our curse and our savior. 

 

In the Atlantic Magazine this month, David Freedman gives us a new solution to the obesity epidemic that throws the likes of Michael Pollan and and Dr. Weil under the bus. 

 

Mr. Freedman thinks that the solution to the obesity issue is to engineer "better and healthier" fast and processed food to help out those that will not quit eating it. He says that the slow food movement is only a benefit for the rich and educated. How is this a reality?

 

It used to be that poverty was synonymous with home cooking and staple inexpensive foods. Now it is a reality that few know how to cook and that convenience has replaced reason. 

 

Using processed, chemically laden food as the solution seems short sighted and business driven. What is the proverb? Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him how to fish and he will live forever. We need to culturally shift our societal expectations and get people to cook and eat FOOD again. 

 

If Mr. Freedman's desire is to truly have processed food companies become real food companies, then I am all for it. If we are talking about only weakening the nightmare that is fast food, then no thanks.

 

I encourage you to read the article. It is long but every opinion deserves to be heard even if you disagree with it.  

 

What are some barriers to adhering to a good nutritional program? 

 

1) Multiple caregivers that are involved in the mealtime process

2) Lack of cooking and preparing skills 

3) No parental oversight to food choices

4) Schools (most) that sanction 30 parties a year that are essentially sugar parties. Now it has to be store purchased making most of it processed and unhealthy

5) Psychological eating - huge issue

6) The inundating advertising machine for unhealthy food - cannot stop this one

7) Lack of structured meal times

8) Government subsidies of the staples of processed foods - corn, soy and sugar beets - keeping costs low

9) Food deserts especially in inner cities 

10) Technology driven taste buds that reject normal food

 

 

Dr. M

 

In response to a recently posed question regarding pregnancy and health of the fetus, I have proposed an up to date series of to do's for optimal health now. Start these changes before you are even trying to conceive.

1) Get checked for abnormalities of the gene MTHFR and plan to supplement your diet with extra methylated folic acid after discussing the supplementation with your OB. This gene is gaining steam as a trouble maker when you are missing a copy or two.

2) Eat an organic broad based diet that includes lots of vegetables and fruits. This is of paramount importance. 

3) Avoid acetaminophen and frankly all medicine where possible in the months prior to becoming pregnant and during the entire gestation. Acetaminophen disrupts chemical clearing enzymes in your body.

4) Strictly avoid chemicals at all times during this special period of life. 

5) Take probiotics with guidance from your OB.

6) Drink lots of clean water.

7) Avoid consuming large fish that contain higher amounts of mercury-grouper, shark, tuna, halibut etc.. Eat small fish like sardines, trout and salmon weekly.

8) Balance your stress as much as possible. try meditation, yoga, prayer, moderate exercise.

9) Sleep regularly for 8 hours and get 30 minutes of sun exposure daily.

10) Think positive about the conception and plans for the child.

Continually updating,

Vacation. Eat out at Zoe's.