Relationships September 13, 2016
Nowadays, a diverse collection of diet crazes are on the cover of nearly every magazine. Emblazoned in huge letters, the latest diet advises how to lose 10 pounds in 10 easy steps in 10 days. The downside? These men and women as thin and trustworthy as the paper they’re printed on.
With all these different trends, it can be difficult to discern which is the healthiest plan. But not to worry – Dr. Michelle Israel is here to show you the way.
Dr. Israel is an LA based practitioner who provides top-notch award winning care for patients of all ages. She is a UCLA and UC Irvine alum and an active member of the American Medical Association. Read on to learn how to move away from that tub of triple chocolate ice cream and toward brighter, healthier, plant-based horizons.
AVOID FAD DIETS.
While that flashy trend diet may seem like your best option, according to Dr. Israel, it’s extremely unhealthy.
“Many of these fad diets promise fast weight loss which they can accomplish simply by dramatically cutting back on daily caloric intake. Diets like the Cookie Diet deplete you of essential vitamins and minerals leading to malnutrition. Some, like the Atkins, heavily promote animal protein and are low in fiber. This combination can increase heart disease and the risk of certain cancers.”
She added, “These diets can cause malnutrition and/or vitamin deficiencies which from a vanity standpoint can lead to hair loss, rashes and acne.”
WATCH THE WINE.
While having a glass of wine on a hard day can be a relief, too much alcohol can prevent a truly healthy lifestyle and can cause weight gain. Research consistently shows that drinking alcoholic beverages increases a woman’s risk of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.
Alcohol can increase levels of estrogen and other hormones associated with hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer. Alcohol also may increase breast cancer risk by damaging DNA in cells. Compared to women who don’t drink at all, women who have three alcoholic drinks per week have a 15 percent higher risk of breast cancer. Experts estimate that the risk of breast cancer goes up another 10 percent for each additional drink women regularly have each day.
While this doesn’t mean you can’t occasionally treat yourself, Dr. Israel says that in order to lose weight, “Don’t drink alcohol at home. Save the glass of wine or cocktail for a social event.”
SPACING OUT WHILE SNACKING OUT.
Snacks at any time of the day can be dangerous. Not being mentally present while eating is always a bad idea.
“Not paying attention (distracted on [your] phone or watching TV) to food while eating can lead to overeating. Try turning off the TV and hanging up the phone. Concentrate on what is on your plate,” Dr. Israel said.
This can also apply to meal timing. Not eating breakfast and eating too close to sleeping is a bad idea. According to Dr. Israel, the latter can “interfere with sleep and poor sleep can lead to overeating the next day!”
EAT THE RAINBOW.
Contrary to what you thought in Kindergarten, vegetables aren’t poison. Eating a “rainbow of vegetables” is one of healthiest things a person can do, according to Dr. Israel. This, coupled with a diet low in simple carbs and animal fats, is best.
“Foods rich in vitamins C and A (such as broccoli) are important for skin cell turnover and collagen production to promote a more youthful appearance. Leafy greens such as spinach and kale are high in vitamin K and also contains calcium and magnesium – a combo that may help slow the breakdown of bone that frequently occurs with age,” says Dr. Israel.
DON’T SKIP THE SLEEP.
While eating is an important part of staying healthy, not getting enough sleep is a crucial element of feeling good. Seven to nine hours of sleep is the recommended amount for adults 18-64. Dr. Israel states, “Lack of sleep can increase daytime calorie consumption, can lead to high blood pressure and of course affects our mood.”
TAKE SOME TIME.
The whole point of getting healthy is to focus on your own health. Dr. Israel states, “Not making enough time for themselves: women need to learn how to say ‘No!’ and avoid running themselves ragged. I always recommend that women set aside at least 30 minutes a day just for themselves. Whether that involves going for a walk, watching a TV show or just meditating (my personal favorite), it is imperative to set aside that time.”
EAT LIKE AN ADULT.
If you’ve got little ones in your life, this one applies to you. Eating off your kids’ plate can, according to Dr. Israel, cause eventual weight gain. “Even just adding an extra 50 calories a day can lead to a 5 lb weight gain over one year,” she says.
To combat this, “Use rubber gloves when handling your kid’s dishes to avoid nibbling on their leftovers.”
And to close, Dr. Michelle Israel offers one last piece of advice you may not have heard before: no matter how fabulous your Louboutins are, always walking in your heels may be affecting your health. “So many of my patients regret wearing their stilettos to work daily for years. They now suffer from painful hammer toes, back pain or arthritis. Limit heel size to 1.5 inches or less daily to reduce your risk,” says Dr. Israel.
Overall, living a healthy life requires more effort than simply “eating less.” Losing weight calls for a complete lifestyle change – from the amount of sleep you get to the amount of snacks you consume to controlling the leftovers you eat – and Dr. Michelle Israel is here to help.
