KarshGroup Health & Wellness

08/26/2020

Are you up to date on the new, updated Nutrition Facts Label? Check it out!

What's new about the new Nutrition Facts label? Watch this Q&A with Susan T. Mayne, Ph.D., Director of FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, th...

12/06/2017

The idea is to protect these lands for ourselves and future generations!

11/20/2017

More relating to Fructans...

Understanding what fructans are and how they fit with the low FODMAP diet can be tricky. Fructans like to lurk in a variety of foods, from fruit and veggies right through to cereal grains. They are also added to processed foods. This article is going to explain what they are and how to avoid them.

11/20/2017

Interesting!

A team of researchers with several members from the University of Oslo in Norway and one with Monash University in Australia has found that the familiar bloating many people experience after eating foods containing wheat may be due to sensitivity to fructan, not gluten, as is commonly believed. In t...

11/15/2017

Good to know!

11/08/2017

One more reason to buy organic! Consult the Environmental Working Group's "Dirty Dozen" list for guidelines on the toxicity of whole foods - fruits and vegetables (look for the full list of about fifty foods). Check our EWG's other Consumer Guides.
https://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides #.WgOBgGhSxPY

Eating fruits and vegetables with high amounts of pesticide residue—such as strawberries, spinach, peppers, or grapes—may reduce women’s chances of conceiving and bearing children, according to a n…

11/08/2017

Something to keep in mind!

Food package claims like “a good source of fiber,” “low-sodium,” or “no high-fructose corn syrup” don’t necessarily mean that the food inside is healthy. Suc...

11/08/2017

Here's an idea.....

11/08/2017

What can we do? ...take responsibility, and take action!

10/30/2017

From the Organic Consumers Association

In November 2015, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally took steps to ban chlorpyrifos, an agricultural pesticide known to be especially harmful to farmworkers and children.

07/31/2017

Healthy Pizza?
Here's a list of six suggestions from Dr. Andrew Weil, regarding making healthy pizza. He says, "Pizza is a classic comfort food that has been around for centuries. It is fairly easy to make at home, and when you do, you control the ingredients and therefore the health benefits. whether you bake pizza at home of have it delivered, use the following suggestions to maximize pizza's health benefits:
- Choose whole-wheat crust made with bits of grain, not just whole-wheat flour; if this is not an option, opt for the thinnest crust possible.
- Use organic, high-quality varieties of cheese.
- Avoid sausage or pepperoni - they are high in sodium.
- Go for the veggies - they are naturally high in fiber and antioxidants, and will help fill you up while still satisfying your taste buds.
- Use fresh herbs - a no-calorie, no-sodium way to add flavor and zest.
- Top with red pepper flakes - they are naturally anti-inflammatory!"

Check out www.drweil.com for more resources.

07/31/2017

Good to know!
If you opt for the Ketogenic/low-carb approach, check with your physician to address any cautions with existing health issues you may have and monitor cholesterol. Choose healthier proteins and fats in reasonable amounts. I have used it as a short term (1 or 2 week) kick-start, and then phased into a more balanced diet (see the Harvard School of Health "Plate").
I first started adding-back berries (organic strawberries, blueberries and blackberries) because of their better glycemic load, as well as better-for-you carbs like sweet potatoes and quinoa. Bread and similar foods are very "costly" carbs and can quickly reverse your progress, so, as you start balancing after the kick-start, be very cautious.
Weigh yourself each day (write it down), and note how what you've eaten relates to your progress and make corrections. Then compare your last-day-of-the-week total with the week before.
The biggest challenges I see are
(1.) controlling quantity of food,
(2.) controlling addictions/cravings for salt, sugar, and bread,
(3.) Sticking to your plan with daily menus, and
(4.) drinking enough water.
Other helpful things:
(1.) make the evening meal your smallest meal, and finish before 7pm.
(2.) track your water consumption — minimum of 4 or 5 of the 17oz water bottles per day (plan to achieve that well before bed-time!). I use the "Daily Water" app (don't count coffee/tea with caffeine because they're diuretics, nor any sodas or juices).
(3.) Whenever you feel the urge to deviate from your plan, get on a scale and check your weight, then drink 8oz of water (half a standard size water bottle). Getting on the scale will snap you back to reality, and the water will help with feeling better (when you aren't drinking enough water, you get dehydrated, which makes you feel sluggish, tired, empty and dull-headed — plus other symptoms frequently associated with being hungry!).

[For questions, more info, message me.]

Ketogenic diets may have some benefits but are controversial. At the very least, it’s difficult to stick with and could cause other health issues.