Nutritional News

Glycemic Index- Why is this important?

By Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

Glycemic Index is one way that we can assess how our bodies are processing the sugars in the foods we eat.  A high glycemic index food is like getting sugar at higher bursts like getting lots of water from a water hose.  A low glycemic index food is like getting sugar as you can handle it, like taking sips from a sippy cup. For example, a 100-calorie snack can have a low or a high glycemic index, but each snack provides 100 calories. Your body reacts to each 100-calorie snack differently because the speed at […]

By |November 15th, 2012|Nutritional News|1 Comment
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Nutrition: The Key to Preventing and Curing Chronic Diseases

My column usually discusses integrative approaches to various diseases but I want this month to take a serious look at the most common issue causing our chronic and sometimes acute illnesses. This is our diet. This includes what we are taking in as well as what we are not taking in.  Did you know we could prevent 40% of cancers with diet alone?  Imagine if we had a drug that could do that – everyone would be taking it!

Take a minute to look in your pantry or refrigerator.  Are there sodas?  Artificially sweetened beverages? Fried food?  What about greens?  […]

By |October 19th, 2012|News, Nutritional News|0 Comments
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An Apple A Day . . .

By Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

As much as we love seeing our patients, we want our patients to be well and free to live the life they want to live. The apple has been used in the classic adage: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Interestingly enough, apples have some interesting properties to help keep your doctor’s job to a minimum. Apples are in season in late summer through the fall and are found in everything from fruit salad to pies to stuffing. The apple is also a relative of the rose family so if you have any […]

By |October 10th, 2012|Nutritional News|0 Comments
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There’s No Food in Your Food: Aiming for Nutrient Dense Foods

by Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

Most people are not strangers to the appeal of a bag of Cheetos or a packet of Oreos.  But we don’t often take the time to think: What am I getting from this food?  The answer is calories, artificial flavors, salt, sugar and some chemical additives.  Nutrients are sometimes added, but not to the levels and variety that whole foods (such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains) provide. How do you feel after eating 200 calories of Oreos versus 200 calories of a fresh bean and avocado with mixed greens salad?  We all know that the […]

By |June 11th, 2012|Featured Health Issues, Nutritional News|0 Comments
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Sugary Drinks are not Sweet for your Health

By Jennifer Lee, DO, MPH

Sugary soda drinks were originally sold in pharmacies at “soda fountains”.  They were touted as health aids that had “mineral water” flavored with herbs, spices and fruit extracts.  Now they are made of mostly chemicals and sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup and have less nutrient value than their “soda fountain” predecessors.  American consumption of sodas has doubled over the past 30 years.

Of course, now we have more than just sodas.  We have flavored water, sports drinks, and sugary frappucinos.  There is sugar everywhere in our drinks. The biggest problem with drinking sugary drinks […]

By |April 3rd, 2012|Nutritional News|0 Comments
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