Stevia: Friend or Foe?

sugar free, healthy, low calorie, stevia, anchorage nutritionist, lose weight, weight loss, anchorage dietician,

Given the massive consumption of sugar around the world, and the now-not-debatable link with obesity, diabetes, renal failure of metabolic syndrome, and probably cancer, we still search for the Holy Grail of sweeteners: is there some sweet treat that doesn’t cause inflammation and weight gain like cane or corn sugar? Or that creates that delight without being so high calorie while providing no nutritional value? Is stevia the answer? Heck, we’ve even assumed man’s best friend needs sweet treats and begun imposing feeding them “low calorie” “diet” grain-based (that say “no empty calories”) pet foods sweetened with stevia. A type of plant native to Central and South America, Stevia … Continue reading

Those Crazy Cravings; What to do?

cravings, nutrition, whole foods, anchorage health coach, wellness, clinical nutrition, nutritionist, health coach, anchorage,

Cravings, cravings, cravings…although giving in to quick fixes may wreck your personal goals, cravings are really not bad. They are just telling you your body is missing something. While most of us have trained ourselves to believe cravings are bad, usually they are your body’s way of saying you are missing something important. This is as true of those horrific cravings when trying to quit smoking as it is of drug and alcohol cravings and, yes, those weird food cravings of pregnancy and more. In part, cravings may start because you may have decided to change your lifestyle and remove … Continue reading

Why We Get Fat (part 2)

www.successhealthcoach.com = successful weight loss

Debunking the “eat less / move more” weight loss program. In Why We Get Fat (part 1) I explained the radical change in mainstream nutrition advice starting late 1970’s: we were told to cut the fat out, eat fat-free, low-fat… you know “eat healthy.” The food industry complied. We got an infinite number of new “Heart Healthy”, Low-Fat, No-Fat, “diet” and more high carbohydrate convenience products than we could possibly need—always in a hurry these were supposed to be healthier for us, right? Carbohydrates were placed on the bottom of the food pyramid; the fundamental base of good nutrition. Grains … Continue reading

Why We Get Fat (part 1)

Exactly; why do we get fat? We all want to do the right thing, feel and look great, have more energy… We have listened to our doctor who says we have to lose weight for our heart, blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes… Nothing’s working; what do we do? Weight loss: what are we missing? Most of us at one time or another have tried calorie-counting, portion control, and despite all we did to deprive and control, we’ve felt the humiliation and self-invalidation of failing… The obesity epidemic: Why? A piece of history: Between 1980 and 2000, obesity rates doubled in the … Continue reading

Lose Weight: Turn Off the Fat Switch

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Lose weight: Weight Loss Remodernized Ancient nutritional theory says getting fat is simply a matter of too many calories and not enough exercise; that to lose weight we have to use willpower, cut calories / exercise more—any calories will do, just eat less of them. What if it’s wrong? If you are among the millions who’ve tried to lose weight by counting calories or low calorie diets know this: obesity does not result from gluttony and idleness, but rather because we have activated a “fat switch” similar to that used by animals in the wild to increase fat stores: it … Continue reading

7 Nutrition Truths for Optimal Health.

corn sugar and the obesity epidemic

Simple nutrition steps–Big health returns. One of my clients recently asked me to help improve her family’s health through diet—she talked about getting off the processed and starchy by home-cooking whole-grain pasta with Alfredo. OK, so what exactly is a healthy diet? Well, the nutrition truth basics are pretty simple: Everyone needs a mix of proteins, fats, and some (but not too much) carbohydrates from the right sources. We need enough vitamins and minerals. We need nourishing activities in our lives. But there are many long-held nutrition myths. Crowding out the false data and replacing it with nutrition truths may not … Continue reading

A Healthy Happy Holiday Menu

About this time of year we hear an awful lot about “the holiday 10,” the anticipated weight gain from all the festivities. Well, who says that has to happen? Of course… “you just gotta live…” Guess what? I believe in indulgence. And indulgent food can still be good for you, can still work within those goals for keeping slim and fit, and doesn’t have to cause the sugar rush and energy crunch of most holiday fare. For you, I’ve created a collection of wheat-free, refined sugar-free, and dairy-free recipes. Our menu follows and please let me know if you have healthy … Continue reading

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