Fun & Flexible Foodie Friday & A.N.S.

Happy Fun & Flexible Foodie Friday!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Successful leaders work with their followers to solve problems rather than pretending they have all the answers. I’m sooo excited to launch our ANS: ASK Nutri-Savvy ADVICE. My good friend and colleague, Lauren O’Connor, is a passionate and incredibly knowledgable Registered Dietitian.
A number of you asked super-smart questions and she has answered a few to begin: We plan to do this every month so please keep sending your questions!

Q: I just streamed a documentary called “Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead” where this man basically drank vegetable juiced drinks for something like three months as a detox. Could that be healthy?? I’m looking for a good, healthy detox and would love some suggestions. – Reece

A: First I’d like to impart that the body naturally goes through its own processes to cleanse and eliminate toxins.

By consuming a healthy diet rich in fruits & vegetables, whole grains, including lean proteins – and yes  – healthy fats, our bodies are best served in terms of energy and overall functioning. When people “fast”, not only do they slow their metabolism, but often feel less energetic because they are not meeting their body’s needs. And certainly, moodiness and crankiness come to mind, not to mention many trips to the bathroom.

Sure certain cleanses contain antioxidants and nutrients the body can use, but that doesn’t mean they are supplying all the nutrients necessary for optimal health. Often people gain weight rapidly after because they can’t slowly maintain a gradual transition toward a regular diet of whole foods.

Cleanses may appear to be a “quick fix”, but in the long-term it is often not realistic for lasting weight loss, nor proper health.

Second, if you are going to do a fast, and I certainly am not promoting or recommending it, see your doctor first to make sure you have no health issues that can be contra-indicative to “juice fasting”. While juicing vegetables and fruits sounds utmost to your health, a person with low iron levels can become anemic.

If you tend to have low (or high) blood sugars, supplying yourself with concentrated carb “sugars” may not be the best way to keep you blood sugars level, especially when you’ve stripped the fruits and/or vegetables of their fiber.

Just vegetables? You probably won’t like the taste of the rich leafy greens without the sweetness of carrots and/or beets (adding concentrated “sugars” to the mix). Besides freshness is important, so you’ll have to drink the juice right away or soon after (think machine, clean-up, proper sealing, relatively short storage); and you are still missing out on some lean proteins and healthy fats, which support and strengthen your body’s tissues, your brain function, and slow your digestion – keeping your blood sugars more level.

Still wanting to do a cleanse?

Perhaps you are considering “a jumpstart into a healthy lifestyle routine”?

Prepare yourself for the “fast” by gradually eliminating rich, highly processed foods and integrating more natural, raw foods (or lightly steamed).

Following the fast, slowing add in foods as your body can tolerate after the fast by including broths, lightly steamed veggies, soft fruits and some carbs like whole grain brown rice and oatmeal. Remember abrupt transitions can cause the body to feel at dis-ease, and generally don’t progress into healthy long-lasting changes.

My recommendation: You might find that, overtime, by weaning off highly processed foods (going for more natural whole grains) and increasing your fresh fruit and vegetable intake drinking plenty of water, and going easy on red meat (opting for more fish, lean poultry plant proteins), may do the trick to help you feel better, leaner and more energetic (and eliminate the desire to “juice fast”).

*The next Q&A addresses a liquid fast I’ve tried myself and discusses the benefits and limitations:

Q: What do you think of detox dieting like the master cleanse and/or juice fasting? Is there really any benefit in doing this type of fasting?

A: In 2009, I wrote a review on the master cleanse. It was one I had tried myself and found relatively simple and inexpensive.

While I don’t recommend or endorse any type of juicing or “detox cleanse” diets, what I did like about the “cleanse” what that the author, Stanley Burroughs recommends working yourself into the fast with a simple “raw food diet.” and eases you off of it gradually, integrating healthy foods as your body can tolerate post all-liquid regimen.

While the “lemonaid concoction” provides important nutrients such as vitamin C, Maganese and Zinc – important for immunity and, let’s face it, lots of water, which certainly most of us don’t consume enough of; what it lacks is protein, healthy fats and other essential vitamins and minerals.

Protein is important for growth & repair, maintaining muscle mass (lean muscle supports your metabolism), and supporting your organs’ function.

Like healthy fats, it helps control hunger and your blood sugar levels.

Lauren O’Connor, MS, RD is a registered dietitian and owner/nutritional consultant for Nutri-Savvy. Her approach and motto: “Savor, Taste and Enjoy…Nutrition”. She focuses on building healthy values and choosing a wide variety of foods, allowing for all foods – even sweets, in moderation. O’Connor is a member of the American Dietetic Association (ADA). As a nutritional expert, she’s contributed to various online media including ABC News, Everyday Health, iVillage, Shine by yahoo, Shape, LivingInThin, FitSugar and Multiples & More.