MYTH: "A calorie is a calorie is a calorie."

I was so happy to read about the new Weight Watchers program that was announced a couple of weeks ago, in which the old point system was overhauled, and the whole idea of "a calorie is a calorie is a calorie" was upended. Prior to this change, followers could eat whatever foods they want, as long as they remained within their allotted number of points--based on their body type--for the day or week. Although followers may have been consuming fewer calories than before enrollment in the program, they often forfeited healthy, nutrient-dense foods to "save" for unhealthy, energy-dense foods such as desserts and alcohol.

On the other hand, the new system categorizes fruits and most vegetables as point-free foods. Smart idea! Although fruits and vegetables are low in calories, they are still there (even celery...and just to clarify, there is no such thing as "negative calories"). However, they are full of fiber and water and will fill the stomach with tasty nutrients and minerals, leaving less space for the not-so-healthy (and not-so-filling) food that we Americans love. As nutrient-dense foods like fruits and vegetables fill us up, consuming foods that are high in fats, sugars, salt, and refined carbohydrates trick our bodies into wanting more, more, more! See David Kessler's book The End of Overeating for more on the chemical effect of these foods on the brain, causing overeating.

As Weight Watchers has allowed for so many Americans to get on track to a healthier weight, I hope it has the same great influence under its new program, as it allows for greater awareness of nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. Hooray!

Read about the new PointPlus program here: "Weight Watchers Upends its Point System," NY Times 

DISCLAIMER:  Do not proceed to eat fruit and vegetables all day long. Yes, you will lose weight, but you will be miserable from the bloating, cramps, and great deal of time on the toilet. Rather, include fruits and/or vegetables in every meal to fill you up, but it is important also consume whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins for the body to build strength and energy! Try to construct meals that include a little bit of each of these, and you will be happy and healthy.

Ahh, the spa...

While on a spontaneous getaway this weekend, I was ELATED to hear that I was staying just thirty floors above a Canyon Ranch spa and restaurant and that I was to take advantage of it as I pleased. After the most mind-numbing, muscle-soothing, full body rubdown known as the "Canyon Ranch Massage," I was offered--in typical Canyon Ranch fashion--to choose a card that would catch me in my state of withdrawal from life outside of my comfy robe and path to the steam room and instill me with a few words of wisdom. The card chose me, however, reinforcing in my mind a similar notion to that of my November 22 post, which was just what I needed while on a vacation from my routine. I thought I would share it with you, so that you might find it applicable to you on this day.

Eating habits improve with practice. 

Don't expect to be comfortable with new ways of eating immediately.

Take it step by step.

Although I stress routine in my own life and to others as essential for learning your body's needs and the diet that is right for it, I also recognize the great pleasure and health benefits (for your body and your mind) that can be had from a break. So, for me, these words are a reminder that even when I breaking from the routine, if I truly listen to my body, I can loosen the reigns, feel great, and not feel guilty on the plane ride back to reality...a great lesson learned before the holiday eating begins! Enjoy the spiced nuts and eggnog while you can!

"Using Food to Teach Wellness"

I am happy to announce that I will officially be attending the Natural Gourmet Institute's chef's training program beginning at the end of January. As I have pondered the thought of going to culinary school for a while now, I never actually thought that I would (1) find a time when I could devote 7 hours, five days a week, for five months to completing it and (2) actually be able to justify the crazy time commitment without wanting to become a CHEF...in a restaurant. Although I love being in the kitchen and, more importantly, love to serve others good food, I do not want to forfeit my social life and hours of sleep to doing it. Rather, I want to help others understand the importance of eating good food by facilitating their own discovery of eating well and cooking for themselves. Therefore, I am seeking the knowledge and credibility of both pursuits, dietetics and the culinary arts, by studying to become a registered dietitian AND a trained chef! I feel so fortunate that I have been given the time and resources to not only discover my passions but also to lay out the groundwork for a career in which I can practice them too. "Using food to teach wellness," as the director of career services at Natural Gourmet Institute stated in the Detroit News article published Friday discussing the school's philosophy, which has served as a model to a Michigan hospital planning to open a culinary school. I have to admit that I was somewhat peeved to read that Henry Ford Hospital on the west side of Detroit is planning to open a culinary school next year that will be geared toward educating dietitians in the practice of nutrition in the culinary arts, as I have found it enjoyable to be referred to as a "black sheep" in the dietetics program at NYU for my interest in practicing within the food service industry. Although hundreds of others will be squeezing into the niche that I seek to exploit once I hit the job market, I am overjoyed by the humongous impact that is clearly going to be made with this newfound recognition of food and its power amongst health professionals...woohoo!