HOLISTIC

Physical Health

Is This Weight-Loss Friendly?

In today’s technologically connected world, I often receive and see awesome recipes from health enthusiasts, and those recipes all look delicious indeed. However, if weight loss is a goal for us, we need to understand that healthy does not equal weight-loss friendly. For instance, acai bowls are all the rage nowadays. While the acai berry is certainly healthy, and an acai bowl can be packed with nutrition, it’s also loaded with sugar. Consider what that appealing bowl contains: Acai berries, bananas, strawberries, mango, kiwi, cocoa nibs, almond butter, and coconut—and that’s just some of it. Are these components healthy? Most definitely. Weight-loss friendly, especially given their quantity? Absolutely not. Sugar is what drives weight gain. This does not mean that eating fruit is unhealthy. Fruits are incredible edibles. They contain antioxidants, fiber and loads of nutrients. However, eating too many fruits daily in place of healthy carbs, fats, and proteins will most definitely lead to weight gain.

As another example, let’s take a look at commercially prepared protein bars. While these are great snacking options for athletes and for anyone who isn’t trying to lose weight, they’re by far not weight-loss friendly. A typical protein bar contains honey, nuts, peanut butter, and many added ingredients that may be healthy but will not aid in one’s weight-loss journey. Rather, when you’re looking for that nutritious snack until your next meal, opt for a real fruit or a protein-packed yogurt with no sugar.

Shaindy Oberlander, BS, INHC, a graduate from Mercy College and IIN, runs her functional medicine–based nutrition practice in Toms River, New Jersey, and virtually. Shaindy has tracks for teens, nursing and pregnant mothers, and women peri/post menopause, and tracks for women suffering from hormonal issues. She can be reached at 347.228.1198 or via her website at www.benefithealthprogram.com.

Women’s Health

Targeting the Thyroid

Thyroid autoimmunity, known as Hashimoto’s disease, is extremely common and on the rise. Symptoms of low thyroid function include difficulty losing weight and/or weight gain, feeling cold often, low energy levels, constipation, and hair loss. Plastics and heavy metal contamination are strongly linked to this condition, which can trigger inflammation in the thyroid gland and cause the body to attack its own thyroid gland. Avoiding contamination of food with plastics, as well as testing for heavy metal contamination, is an integral component of treatment.

Low dose supplementation of iodine using kelp flakes in the diet is often helpful, as well as avoiding fluoride and bromides found in processed salts. Antioxidants such as selenium in Brazil nuts, and dietary or supplemental vitamin C can tone down inflammation in the thyroid gland and lessen the “fire” that leads to an autoimmune attack on the gland. Following an anti-inflammatory diet plan that incorporates known anti-inflammatory foods such as berries, flax seed, extra virgin olive oil, leafy greens, and colorful veggies with very minimal processed foods and animal/dairy proteins is helpful in Hashimoto’s cases. Moderating the stability of blood sugar levels by choosing a diet containing minimally processed plant-based foods and healthy fats can also help bring down inflammation and reduce the autoimmune attack on the thyroid gland.

Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE, is a dietitian whose mission is to improve lives by empowering individuals to use nutrition to improve their gut health and hormone balance. She is a recognized expert on IBS/SIBO and has developed the Gut Dietitian training protocols on IBS and IBD for Registered Dietitian education. She writes, lectures, and counsels extensively on IBD, IBS, PCOS/fertility, and thyroid health, and is the founder of the gutdietitian.com virtual practice and co-founder of the Belly app.

Spiritual Health

Ultimate Comfort

This year, with Shabbos Nachamu following right after Tishah B’Av, we’re granted an immediate consolation for our deep mourning. Whether we’re aware of it or not, all the anguish and pain we feel in our life is a result of the Churban, of our being banished from our Father’s table. When we were zocheh to be there, our connection to Hakadosh Baruch Hu was real and whole. It’s that connection that our neshamah yearns for every day in galus.

But on Shabbos, Rav Shimshon Pincus teaches, quoting various sefarim, our connection with Hakadosh Baruch Hu is so palpable that it’s akin to being within the walls of the Beis Hamikdash. With so many distractions out of reach for us, this is our opportunity to take advantage of the koach of the day in order to feel His connection more deeply. Especially on Shabbos Nachamu, we can draw the greatest comfort we seek from strengthening our relationship with Him. Whether it’s taking a few extra moments at hadlakas neiros to daven that we feel this connection, paying attention to the emunah-infused words of Kiddush, or using the time on this leisure day to take note of the many gifts He sends our way, we can tap into the healing, comforting experience of being in the Beis Hamikdash.

In addition to her work as a writer, teacher, and counselor, Mrs. Shiffy Friedman is the founding director of LAHAV, an initiative that spreads awareness about the pathways to connection, contentment, and inner peace through Torah. To receive her free thought-provoking messages on the topic or to learn more about LAHAV, please write to info@lahavinitiative.org. Shiffy is currently teaching an 8-week series based on Chovos Halevavos, Steps to Serenity, on the Nishmoseinu hotline at 718-759-1111. She is also teaching a 14-part series on Mesillas Yesharim, Journey Inward, on Inspire by Wire at 718-906-6451.

If you’re a health practitioner and would like to contribute to this column, please write to info@wellspringmagazine.com.