Not many things get people as riled up as defending what they eat and why. At ELW, we are diet agnostic. What does that mean? Agnostic healthy eating is a diet in which no food groups are excluded, no nutrients are marginalized, and no special rules are followed, but in which the overall quality is[…]
Glycemic this and glycemic that. Does it matter? You’ll notice that they both begin with “glycemic.” That’s one tip that they have to do with sugars and carbs. Not only how much sugar is in foods, but more importantly, how it affects your blood sugar levels. In general, diets that are high[…]
Let’s finally put an end to the debate of raw vs. cooked. Of course, in the grand scheme of a well-balanced, nutrient-dense, varied, whole foods diet, the cooked vs. raw debate isn’t that critical for most people. Where this can become a consideration is for vitamin and mineral deficiencies (or “insufficiencies”). These[…]
Inflammation. It’s not just for health headlines. It’s a fact. Scientists are measuring levels of inflammation in our bodies and finding that it can be pretty bad for our health; this is especially true when it’s chronic (i.e. lasts a long time). Inflammation has been linked to obesity, heart disease, Alzheimer’s,[…]
We all have some level of stress, right? It may be temporary (acute), or long-term (chronic). An occasional acute stress usually won’t mess with your health too much. It is your body’s natural reaction to circumstances, and can even be life-saving. Then, when the “threat” (a.k.a. “stressor”) is gone, the reaction[…]
Oh, the words “blood sugar.” Do they conjure up visions of restrictive eating, diabetes medications, or insulin injections? Blood sugar is the measure of the amount of sugar in your blood. You need the right balance of sugar in your blood to fuel your brain and muscles. The thing is, it[…]
Stressed? Tired? Craving sugar? Can’t sleep? All of these can be related to the constant stress we feel in our lives. We know that stress can have a huge impact on our health and wellness. And, since your adrenal glands produce stress hormones, adrenal fatigue (or “HPA Axis Dysregulation,”) is a popular theme[…]
You probably know the negative health effects of eating too much sugar, especially “added sugars” like in pop, candy, baked goods, and many commercially-available cereals, just to name a few. Added sugar is hiding just about everywhere in the grocery store. Yes, ingesting refined sugar spikes your blood sugar and insulin, and increases[…]
If there was ever a call for “digestive health,” this is it! Yes, it’s true. Your gut is considered your “second brain.” There is no denying it anymore. And because of the new scientific discoveries about the vagus nerve, the enteric nervous system, and the amazing influence your gut microbes can have,[…]
You are positive that you’re not eating more food or “junkier” food but you’re still gaining weight. Is this possible? Yes! You are NOT crazy! And here’s why. We both know that the whole “calories in, calories out” argument is an overly simplistic view of weight. There’s definitely more[…]
Sometimes those holiday feasts are just amazing. And it’s not just the abundance of delicious food but also the people, the decorations, and the ambiance. It is way too easy (and common) to indulge on those days. But it doesn’t always stop there. Sometimes we overeat on regular days. Or[…]
Food intolerances or “sensitivities” can affect you in so many ways. And they’re a lot more common than most people think. I’m not talking about anaphylaxis or immediate allergic reactions that involve an immune response. Those can be serious and life-threatening. If you have any allergies, you need to steer clear of[…]
Yes, I’m serious! (And don’t you sometimes wonder anyway?) You already know that your poop can reflect your physical, and sometimes even emotional, health. You may get constipation or have diarrhea when you eat something that “doesn’t agree with you,” or when you’re super-nervous about something. And what about fiber and[…]
Do you get hot flashes? Are they mostly at night? Do they set the bed on fire (but not in that way)? Let’s get you some solutions! Before we do that, just some quick info on why hot flashes occur so we can try to effect the root cause of[…]
The words “weight-loss” and “snacks” often appear in the same sentence. But that might also bring thoughts of “tasteless,” “cardboard,” and “completely unsatisfying.” Right? Let me give you my best weight-loss friendly snacks that aren’t just nutritious but also delicious! What’s my criteria you ask? They have to be[…]