Tag Archive for: food

Heart-Healthy Foods for September

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As we transition into the crisp days of fall, it’s an excellent time to focus on heart health by incorporating nutritious, seasonal foods into our diets. September brings a bounty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and other heart-healthy options that can help support cardiovascular wellness. By making mindful choices, we can enjoy delicious meals while also taking proactive steps towards a healthier heart.

Incorporating the right foods into your diet can make a significant difference in your heart health. Here are some heart-healthy options to enjoy this September:

Fruits

  • Apples: High in fiber and antioxidants.
  • Pears: Rich in fiber, which can help lower cholesterol levels.
  • Grapes: Contain resveratrol, which can help reduce inflammation.
  • Plums: Good source of vitamins and antioxidants.

Vegetables

  • Kale: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
  • Broccoli: High in fiber and vitamins C and K.
  • Brussels Sprouts: Contain fiber and antioxidants.
  • Carrots: Good source of beta-carotene and fiber.

Whole Grains

  • Oats: Can help lower cholesterol levels.
  • Quinoa: High in protein and fiber.
  • Barley: Helps reduce cholesterol and improve heart health.
  • Brown Rice: Rich in fiber and beneficial nutrients.

Nuts and Seeds

  • Walnuts: Good source of omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Almonds: Rich in healthy fats and fiber.
  • Flaxseeds: High in omega-3s and fiber.
  • Chia Seeds: Contain omega-3s, fiber, and protein.

Fish

  • Salmon: High in omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Mackerel: Another great source of omega-3s.
  • Sardines: Rich in heart-healthy fats.
  • Trout: Packed with omega-3 fatty acids.

Legumes

  • Lentils: High in fiber and protein.
  • Chickpeas: Great for heart health due to their fiber content.
  • Black Beans: Contain antioxidants and fiber.
  • Kidney Beans: Rich in nutrients that support heart health.

Healthy Fats

  • Olive Oil: Contains monounsaturated fats that are good for the heart.
  • Avocado: Packed with heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
  • Canola Oil: Another good source of monounsaturated fats.

Herbs and Spices

  • Garlic: Can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol.
  • Turmeric: Contains anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Ginger: Helps reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation.

Next Steps

Taking care of your heart involves more than just a balanced diet; regular check-ups and personalized medical advice are also crucial. At NOAH, our healthcare providers are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal heart health. If you have any concerns or need guidance on maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle, request an appointment with a NOAH provider today. Together, we can create a wellness plan tailored to your needs.

Help and Support for Eating Disorders

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The earlier an eating disorder is detected, the better the chance for recovery. It’s important to be familiar with the signs and symptoms of disordered eating. The first step towards positive changes is to recognize disordered eating behaviors. The second step is to reach out and tell someone that you trust. You can tell a close friend, family member, or a healthcare professional. Starting this conversation can be challenging, but you’re doing the right thing by asking for help and support and you should be proud of yourself.

Resources

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) website offers a screening tool to determine if it’s time to seek professional help for an eating disorder.

For support, resources, and treatment options, individuals can contact the Helpline at (800) 931-2237. NEDA provides online forums accessible 24/7 for individuals and loved ones seeking to connect and communicate about the eating disorder recovery process. Additionally, they offer a support group finder to locate in-person and online support groups.

Managing an eating disorder requires a multidisciplinary approach involving a medical doctor, therapist, family members, and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN). How can a Registered Dietitian help? Nutrition counseling is essential, and an RDN can assist individuals in challenging distorted thoughts about:

  • Body image and weight.
  • Exploring emotions and fears related to food and hunger.
  • Achieving goals without fear of judgment.

It’s important to have a strong support system when recovering from an eating disorder. Schedule an appointment with your NOAH provider to help you make and stick to healthy habits.

Signs of an Eating Disorder by Mina Goodman, RDN

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“There are some signs and symptoms of disordered eating that can be a bigger problem such as an Eating Disorder.”

National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

Eating disorders are a serious mental and physical illness that can affect anyone. It’s important to know what to look for when it comes to signs and symptoms of an eating disorder so that you are able to get help as early as possible and begin the recovery process. Not everyone will display the same signs and symptoms at once. It’s also important to note that there are both emotional, behavioral and physical symptoms to be on the watch for.

Common symptoms include:

  • Refusing to or discomfort with eating certain foods. This may lead to restrictions or food rules against whole categories of food (e.g., no carbohydrates).
  • Preoccupation with tracking weight, food, calories, carbohydrates, fat, and other nutrients.
  • Impaired immune functioning causing more frequent colds or illnesses.
  • Maintaining an excessive or rigid exercise regime – despite weather, fatigue, illness, or injury.
  • Signs of stealing, hoarding food, disappearance of large amounts of food in a short time period or a lot of empty wrappers and containers indicating consumption of large amounts of food.
  • Spending hours thinking about what food might be served at upcoming events.
  •  Intense anxiety, depression and/or distress if unable to exercise.

To learn more about eating disorders we recommend going to https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/warning-signs-and-symptoms. If you, or someone you know displays any of these symptoms, give us a call. At NOAH, we offer behavioral health consulting and traditional outpatient counseling programs where highly skilled and trained behavioral health staff work alongside our medical, nutrition and dental teams to assess, diagnose and effectively treat the core-symptoms of our patients.

What is an Eating Disorder? by Rhyan Geiger, RDN

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An eating disorder is a mental and physical illness that can affect people of all genders, ages, and weight. An eating disorder is a psychological condition that causes unhealthy eating habits to develop. At times it may present as an obsession with food, body weight or body shape. 

“20 million women and 10 million men in America will have an eating disorder at some point in their lives.”

National Surveys

The symptoms of an eating disorder can vary but the most common include:

  • A severe restriction of food.
  • Food binges.
  • Purging behaviors like vomiting or over-exercising.

In severe cases, eating disorders can cause serious health consequences and may even result in death if left untreated. At NOAH, we offer behavioral health consulting and traditional outpatient counseling programs and services where highly skilled and trained behavioral health staff work alongside our medical, nutrition and dental teams to assess, diagnose and effectively treat the core-symptoms of our patients.