6 minute read
Dr. Bridget Chufo
Eating in Times of Crisis Addressing the When’s, What’s, Where’s, Why’s and How’s of Eating
By Janice Lane Palko
For more than 40 years, Dr. Bridget Chufo has devoted her professional life to the study of weight loss and obesity and to guiding people to healthy eating practices and improving their lifestyles.
“Recently, I’ve come to a new approach with weight loss. I take the approach of helping patients make choices, deliberately about what they put into their mouths,” said Dr. Chufo, who is part medical professional, part psychological counselor, part motivating coach and part empathetic friend. “I want to help them choose the foods they want, not because it’s there or because everyone else is eating it or because it is a habit, but rather because they want to enjoy the taste of that particular food. When that choice is made, I want to help them understand it’s OK to enjoy it and not feel guilty.”
Unlike our cavemen ancestors, we, many times, don’t eat for fuel. Most of us, who are overweight, eat to “feed” our emotions. With the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Chufo has seen emotional eating increase, especially from feelings of stress and boredom. “This has been a very challenging time for most everyone, and for those who are struggling to lose weight and improve their health, it’s added an even greater challenge,” said Dr. Chufo.
Sadly, we’ve seen that many of those who are most vulnerable to the Coronavirus are those who have underlying medical conditions related to obesity and unhealthy diets. Those who are obese with respiratory, cardiac and diabetic conditions have faced a much greater incidence of complication and death.
Dr. Chufo has been studying weight loss and obesity since 1980. A Pittsburgh native and graduate of Vincentian High School, she earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Villanova University, a Master’s in Family Health Nursing from Duquesne University and a Doctorate in Nursing Research on Obesity and Weight Loss from New York University, with postdoctoral work at Duke University. She has helped thousands upon thousands of patients throughout the
Northeast and Chicago. She has been on most national TV news shows, offering her opinion and guidance and documenting the newest research. She has hosted a weekly cable news show on PCNC, has been featured on The Tammy Bruce Show and has also hosted an hour-long talk show on KDKA-radio every Saturday for 18 years with Rob Pratte.
Along the way, Dr. Chufo has garnered many awards and honors including being selected Woman of the Year by The Biological Institute and its Board of International Research. She was a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and one of Pennsylvania’s Best 50 Women in Business. In addition, she has been highly involved in the community. She has served on the boards of DePaul School for Hearing and Speech, The Hearing Center of Children’s Hospital and the American Liver Foundation. “I lived in New York City for many years, and though this is not a terrorist attack, what NYC is dealing with the suffering with the Coronavirus reminds me of how important health is to survivability. During the terrorist attacks of 9/11, we saw how hard it was for those who were obese to escape the towers, how they could not navigate the stairs or run away from the buildings. Like then, being obese or in poor health, comprises those with the virus too,” said Dr. Chufo.
But Dr. Chufo offers hope for those wanting to lose weight, improve their health and optimize their ability to survive the Coronavirus should they have the misfortune of contracting the virus. “I counsel my patients to avoid or decrease the amount of SADS – Starches, Alcohol, Dairy and Sweets,“ said Dr. Chufo. “These are the foods we turn to when we are bored or stressed. Few people settle down with a bowl of broccoli when they are upset. They turn to ice cream, cookies, pizza—I find pizza is the No. 1 comfort food and cheese, the most sought ingredient.”
In addition to gaining weight, when we eat SADS, we find that we feel fatigued, moody, and our sleep is not restorative. “Sugar is the main culprit. SADS convert to sugar. Dairy is classified in this group because it is high in fat and salt,” said Dr. Chufo. “We are finding that sugar and dairy are highly inflammatory to the body and major inflammation is the culprit in many health problems.”
Dr. Chufo often acts as a detective, trying to get to the root of what makes a patient engage in emotional eating. “So much of our emotional eating comes from when we were young. We associate food with feelings. If you were sad and your mother gave you a cookie to cheer you up, guess what you turn to when you are feeling down? If you made good grades and were rewarded with candy, how do you think you want to celebrate when you are an adult?”
During her counseling sessions, she estimates that 10% of the time is spent talking about food per se, and what has been eaten, and the rest of the time is spent exploring the choices made and what was happening when the food was consumed and different future alternatives. Her approach to weight loss is three pronged: “I counsel lifestyle changes related to food, prescribe supplements that elevate the metabolism, makes one not hungry physically or emotionally, gives energy and reduces inflammation, all of which impact weight loss significantly. A couple of supplements are coined ‘willpower in a capsule’ and the ‘fat-seeking missile.’ All supplements recommended accelerate weight loss and make one feel good, be healthier, and can be taken with most all prescription meds. Patients are advised to see Dr. Chufo weekly. This accountability works in a marvelous way,” said Dr. Chufo.
Dr. Chufo knows that everyone is an individual and tailors her program accordingly. She treats everyone from children to seniors. “I’ve always approached weight loss in a holistic way because it works. I look at the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and financial aspects of one’s weight loss journey because this is not a diet; it is a lifestyle change to maintain forever,” said Dr. Chufo.
To enlist Dr. Chufo’s help in your quest to lose weight, all you need do is give her a call. Her Weight Loss & Wellness Center is in the Pine Tree Shoppes at 11279 Perry Highway, Pine Township. She will sit down with you and get to know you, what your life is like, what your schedule is like, why you want to lose weight, what will change with the weight gone, and then she will customize a plan for you. After the weight loss is achieved, she stays with you for a time as a safeguard to maintain the loss. Dr. Chufo corresponds with patients in person, by phone, Zoom, text and email. ”I counsel patients who live out-of-state and even out of country.”
