Posted 10/14/2009
Make Tonight Pasta Night!
Adding fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
There’s never been a better time to switch to whole grains. You can pick from several brands of whole grain or whole grain–blend pastas. You can even find whole wheat lasagna noodles in some supermarkets. If you’re just starting to venture into whole grain pasta, start with Barilla Plus—it looks and tastes the most like white pasta—and graduate to the 100% whole grain brands when you are ready. Read More >>
Posted 10/08/2009
The New Surgeon General Is Overweight
People struggling with weight may relate to her
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
President Obama’s pick for the new surgeon general, Regina Benjamin, MD, is generating some controversy. She appears overweight. Here at My Family Doctor we have a little argument going on whether this should matter. Read More >>
Posted 09/21/2009
Make Your Own Frozen Entrees
And save money while improving your health
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
For a little bit of food and a whole lot of packaging, a frozen entree can run you anywhere from $3 to $5 apiece. But you can make your own frozen meals by using microwave containers that are about the size and shape of typical frozen entrees. This is a big health bonus if you need to limit your sodium, because most frozen dinners are loaded with it—some even have as much as 1,500 milligrams (enough for an entire day). Read More >>
Posted 09/03/2009
Weekly Health Tip: How to Stick to Your Decisions
Announce your plans
By James Hubbard, MD, MPH
Have trouble making decisions and then sticking to them? Reading A User’s Guide to Therapy: What to Expect and How You Can Benefit might help you overcome that problem. Read More >>
Posted 09/03/2009
Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
Studies point to humor’s benefits
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
More studies need to be done, of course, but it sure looks like there are some potential health benefits to filling as much of your day as possible with laughter and positive emotions such as joy, hope, and optimism. Read More >>
Posted 07/21/2009
Common Sense Advice on Health, Happiness, and Longevity
Suggestions for living a long, happy life
By Eli Goodman, MD
One of the more pleasant aspects of my professional life is to read excellent medical journals and publications. I read, skim, or speed read quite a few, mostly in my own specialty of internal medicine. (Yes, "internal medicine" IS a specialty.) Read More >>
Posted 07/01/2009
My Two Cents on Condiments
’Tis the BBQ season
By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD
You know what I’m going to say, right? That the creamy dressings and spreads based on mayonnaise tend to be the most caloric and highest in fat grams. I’m talking about condiments like mayonnaise, tartar sauce, and “special sauce.” Read More >>
Posted 03/26/2009
What Is Polypharmacy?
No drug is completely risk free
By Eli Goodman, MD
Polypharmacy simply means too many prescription drugs. It is a legitimate diagnosis, and it is itself a disease state—one that physicians should more frequently assess and more frequently try to help their patients avoid.
While appropriately used pharmaceutical agents are beneficial and often life saving, NONE are completely risk free. The very first fact one learns on the first day of medical school (and one of the most important concepts in all of medicine) is this: "Any medicine can cause any side effect, at any time"—even months after its discontinuation.
Read More >>Posted 03/23/2009
Is Obesity Really That Bad?
Yes! In every way and at any age
By Eli Goodman, MD
Overweight and obesity are both terms for ranges of weight that are greater than what is generally considered healthy for a given height. These terms identify ranges of weight that have been shown to increase the likelihood of certain diseases and other health problems. Without going into great detail in terms of weight ranges, there are some "rules of thumb."
If your waist is too big, and/or you are out of shape and a woman who weighs more than 170 pounds or a man who weighs more than 250 pounds, you most likely are overweight or obese. Your physician can help you determine by how much, since individual variables should be considered. Read More >>Posted 06/20/2008
Speak the New Language of Nutrition: Discover Food Synergy!
By Elaine Magee, RD, MPH
Do you want to catapult your health to a higher level? Yes? Then it’s time to discover the power of food synergy.
FOOD Synergy is my twenty-fifth book, and it’s the one that means the most to me. In fact, I won’t rest until I’ve done everything in my power to spread the word about this book. Why? Because it’s an exciting and revolutionary look at a new language of nutrition. It’s the absolute first book on the market to discuss the science of food synergy. Read More >>
FOOD Synergy is my twenty-fifth book, and it’s the one that means the most to me. In fact, I won’t rest until I’ve done everything in my power to spread the word about this book. Why? Because it’s an exciting and revolutionary look at a new language of nutrition. It’s the absolute first book on the market to discuss the science of food synergy. Read More >>
