21 Questions for an Integrative Nutritionist
January 19, 2010 - Linda Grasso
Just about everyone is thinking more about nutrition nowadays. How can we be as healthy as possible? How can we eat foods that will help not hurt us - now and in the long run? How can we maximize our energy? I'm constantly reading about nutrition trying to educate myself, but sometimes I get confused with all the different opinions. With that in mind, we turned to Integrative Nutritionist and SheSez contributor Elissa Goodman. We asked her 21 simple questions about nutrition in the year 2010 - do's and don'ts - and things we can do to enhance our bodies and our health by merely choosing the right foods.
1. What exactly is an
integrative nutritionist?
An
integrative nutritionist is someone who advises people on the alternative and
holistic world of nutrition. This approach to nutrition integrates a variety of
different dietary theories: new and old, Northern and Eastern, as well as Southern and Western. The approach emphasize the importance of
health and wellbeing, but it tends to go one step further and delve into the
personal side of diet, not to mention the social and political aspects.
2. When is it
time to hire a nutritionist and how much does it cost?
It's time to hire a nutritionist when you feel that you need guidance handling your health or want to be educated on how to enhance your wellbeing. Some people may only meet with a nutritionist once and can take the recommendations from there - applying them as needed. Other people, particularly those with related health conditions, may need regular, ongoing visits.
Since nutritionists bring a varied range of
experience to their jobs, the rate they charge for their services also differs.
Rates may also vary depending on whether the nutritionist runs a private
practice or works as part of a healthcare clinic or in some type of facility or
health club setting. The hourly rate for
a private nutritionist consultation typically costs from $100 to $375.
3. What's the
one thing we should not eat in 2010?
Don’t eat ANYTHING with high fructose corn syrup
(HFCS). New research shows that consuming HFCS actually causes the body to grow
fat cells and contributes to the early-onset of diseases like heart disease and
diabetes. Moreover, traces of mercury have been found in almost half of the
commercial HFCS used in the United States. HFCS is found in everything from
soda to bread, and is a large factor in our country’s quickly rising rates of
obesity. The solution is to read food labels! HFCS is not only found in common
foods like cookies and candy, but also shows up in chips, breakfast cereals,
salad dressings, and sauces. . Knowing that HFCS doesn’t only make you fat, but
also makes you sick, should help you avoid fast-food and soda this year!
4. What's the
one thing we should eat?
You SHOULD eat is sweet potatoes! They are
like a nutritional All-Star. They’re one of the best vegetables you can eat –
loaded with complex carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins A and C, potassium, iron,
calcium, and fiber. Studies have found that the single most important dietary
change for most people, including children, would be to replace fatty foods
with foods rich in complex carbohydrates – like sweet potatoes!
5. Is there
value in drinking alkaline water?
That’s
a hard question to answer. Yes, I believe there is some value in drinking
alkaline water. More than 70% of our body weight is water so you want to take
in the best product you can, right? The issue I have – is whether it’s worth
such a hefty monetary investment. A great deal of research has been conducted
on the effects of alkaline water on the body’s response systems. Some reports
from studies do suggest that structured or clustered water with a high pH can
help the body resist disease and slow aging. Having said that, many of the
alkaline water systems are grossly overpriced electrical devices with price
tags of $4000. Pus, not all of their scientific evidence is credible.
6. Should I buy one of those expensive Kangen systems? If not, what's the best
kind of water to drink?
Spending thousands of dollars on a “miracle”
water machine isn’t something I’d recommend to my clients. The word “kangen” in
Japanese means “return to origin” and is simply a marketing term.
The
Enagic water ionizer has a filter and ionizing chamber just like all other
alkaline water ionizers. Basically, Kangen water is simply another name for
ionized, alkaline water and may not be worth the investment. Any water that has electrolytes is the way you want to go!
Kale
7. Why is kale
such a good veggie to eat?
A member of the Brassica family, kale is a
great food if you’re looking to protect your health and enjoy a delicious food
at the same time. Kale can optimize your cells’ detoxification and cleansing
ability, as well as promote lung health, protect against cancers, and act as a
very good source of fiber. Kale offers antioxidant protection and immune
support with its healthy dose of vitamin A and C. Leafy greens like kale also
are rich in vitamin E – which slow the loss of mental function with aging.
8. Can you give me a couple of simple, tasty ways to serve it?
#1: Sauté kale with onions (sauté onions 2
minutes before adding Kale) and add a few drops of tamari (soy sauce) to mellow
the flavor
#2: Combine steamed chopped kale, pine nuts
and feta cheese with whole grain pasta drizzled with olive oil
9. Which type
of fish has the most nutritional value?
Wild salmon has the most nutritional value of
any fish we eat. Fish are a great source of protein and contain healthy fats
that will reduce your cholesterol and improve your health. Wild salmon contains
omega-3 fatty acids that help keep your heart healthy and may even improve your
mood. The best salmon to eat to get the most omega-3s would be Wild King
salmon, also called Chinook salmon.
10. Is conventional wisdom still that one
should only eat red meat once a week?
Yes, I recommend eating red meat around 5 times a month. Most people
are concerned about red meat because of its fat and cholesterol content and how
it can affect their heart. Eating leaner cuts with less saturated fat is key
for a healthier cardiovascular system.
11. Do you believe in all the health
benefits touted by makers of Acai juice?
I’m skeptical. Acai berries are marketed to
be one of the elite superfoods with anti-aging and weight loss properties. The
actual Acai berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit and comes from the Acai
palm tree, from native to Central South America. There have been studies
showing that Acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity (even higher
than cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry). However,
these studies are ongoing and so far, Acai berries have no known health benefit
that’s any different than that of other similar fruits.
12. Is there any
bottled salad dressing you love that’s healthy?
To be honest, no bottled salad dressing is healthy. The simpler the food, the
healthier it is. Many dressings at the supermarket are filled with tons of
ingredients you’ve never heard of. Vinaigrettes are one of the healthiest ways
to flavor a salad. The basic Vinaigrette ratio is:
¼ acid; ¾ oil, salt+pepper. My all time
favorite dressing that I use on almost everything is an extremely simple blend
that I buy at Joan’s on Third in Los Angeles. Its basic ingredients are: vinegar,
mustard, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and spices!
13. Should I really buy everything organic?
It’s not necessary to buy everything
organic. You only need buy organic when the foods are susceptible to toxicity.
The most toxic foods (and the ones that should be bought in their organic form)
are strawberries, raspberries, peaches, pears, apples, grapes, potatoes,
celery, and spinach.
14. What don’t I
need to buy organic?
On the other hand, for foods that are least likely to be toxic, it's not necessary to buy organic. Those include: mangoes, papaya, pineapple, kiwi, bananas, sweet peas, avocado, broccoli, and asparagus.
15. Favorite healthy restaurant in LA?
My favorite healthy restaurant in LA is a
contemporary macrobiotic cuisine called M Café de Chaya. They have balanced,
nutritious, and creative dishes built on the foundation of Michio Kushi –
prepared fresh daily using only the finest ingredients without any refined
sugars, eggs, dairy, red meat or poultry.
M Café draws influence form all global culinary traditions and I just
can’t get enough of it!
16.
Favorite healthy restaurant in NY?
Pure Food and Wine Restaurant (a trustworthy friend told
me about this restaurant).
17.
Favorite unhealthy restaurant in LA?
I must admit that an unhealthy indulgence for me in LA is The Cheesecake Factory. Their generous portions with unlimited, inventive menu selections make it impossible not to leave completely overstuffed.
18.
Best thing to eat for energy
Almonds are the best quick snack you can eat
when you feel a low energy slump to lift your energy levels. Almonds contain
good amounts of iron and B vitamins, helping your brain, muscles, and nerves to
function properly. It is important to combine almonds with some source of
vitamin C, so that the body can actually absorb these nutrients (vitamin C
helps the absorption process of iron and vitamin B). So eat almonds with a
piece of fruit and reap the benefits of more energy!
19.Best thing
to eat for great skin
You are what you eat. Doctors say the less attention we pay to what goes
in our mouth, the more problems we may see cropping up with our skin.
Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries and plums all are high in antioxidant
content and are wonderful for your skin.
20.Best thing to eat for great sex
Dark
chocolate! Studies have found that women who consume at least one cube of chocolate daily report
significantly greater desire and better overall sexual function than
individuals who do not. The reasoning behind it is that high-flavonoid
chocolate consumption has been linked to improved circulation.
21. How many
cups of green tea should one drink each day?
The more
green tea consumed daily, the greater the benefits, with 5 cups being the upper
limit. If you are sensitive to caffeine, or suffer from insomnia, 5 cups of
green tea is probably going to be too much for your system. If you are pregnant
or trying to get pregnant, you should definitely limit your green tea
consumptions to two cups a day because it can decrease the absorption of folic
acid and iron.
Elissa Goodman runs a private practice in Los Angeles. For more check out her website www.elissagoodman.com.
Great and informative interview!!!!! Thanks Linda. All the best, Joan
Posted by: Joan Estes-Lindskog | January 19, 2010 at 08:09 PM
Very useful and helpful information.
I feel we should also ensure that our fresh food is FRESH as it starts to lose its nutritional content very quickly.
Posted by: How To Improve Immune System | January 24, 2010 at 09:59 AM
Great article! Because of this, I now know how good a dark chocolate is for sex! LOL!
Posted by: ask doctor online | February 01, 2010 at 11:10 AM
Nice interview. I agree with many of the points, but do think Kangen water is well worth the investment-- it's just made with the highest quality components. It's the only ionization machine recognized as a medical device in Japan.
Posted by: My Kangen Power | February 03, 2010 at 08:04 PM
Hi, Elissa. Can you recommend a good quality water system?
Posted by: Lisa Schlager | February 08, 2010 at 07:51 AM