Archives for July 2014

This week I got the chance to interview Lindsey Riddle, a certified integrative health coach from Nourished Coaching. She is an amazing coach full of nutrition expertise! So naturally I thought I should pick her brain and share her genius! I will be doing a series based on her knowledge on eating right, snacking, health advice nuances, and more. Her outlook on nutrition is simply inspiring and beneficial for all of us to know!

Today, there are so many confusing articles and research on how to lose weight, be healthier, and feel better. Yet, many of them contradict each other and end up being a confused jumble in your head! Let’s dive into all of these health controversies (breakfast, cleanses, Gluten, vitamins) and find some answers!

Vitamins – To take, or not to take?

In light of current controversy over this topic, are you a fan of taking vitamins?

I don’t suggest a lot of vitamin supplements, or any supplements for that matter, in my practice. When a person is consuming adequate amounts of whole foods — vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, seeds, etc. — in their food routine, they are often covered. There is a lot of research out there that shows that the nutrients found within whole foods often work together to enhance the benefits of one another — they team up to help you get the most vitamin/mineral bang-for-your-buck, so to speak. When you isolate a vitamin into a compound, you miss out on that.

Having said that, there are definitely circumstances where a person will benefit from enhancing their diet with supplements. I recommend working with a health practitioner in determining what’s best for you, your health state, and your bio-individuality before implementing them though.

Breakfast- Largest Meal?

Is breakfast really the most important meal of the day?

That depends. (Nutrition is so fickle!) There was a recent study in the Journal Obesity that showed that participants who ate most of their calories in the morning lost more weight than those who ate most of them at night. Then again, I have some clients who have proved the opposite — not to mention there are probably studies out there stating the opposite, too.

I believe and work from the premise of bio-individuality. Simply put: one person’s food or lifestyle routine is another person’s poison. What works for one person, doesn’t necessarily work for another. Is breakfast important? Heck ya! But is it the main meal you should focus on? Maybe not. This is where I would recommend that you get really curious about your food routine and do a little experimentation to see what fuels you best.

Cleanses

What are your thoughts on cleanses?

I’m skeptical to recommend them because the body is a delicate, complex machine that works hard to maintain constant balance. That balance can be very easily thrown out of whack. I have tried various cleanses and have had some scary side-effects that I didn’t feel equipped to manage on my own. I think if they are regulated by a health-care professional that can monitor the body (for example: blood work), then they are definitely helpful for the body. But I think they are a little too unregulated for my liking.

Go Gluten-Free?

Thoughts on everyone going gluten free if not gluten intolerant?

I am not a fan of gluten as it is a highly inflammatory and difficult to digest food substance for celiacs, gluten intolerant individuals, and non-gluten-intolerant individuals alike. It’s a complex subject, but the way in which wheat (i.e. gluten) is grown today is totally different than how it was once grown. This has changed the protein so much so that it’s difficult for our bodies to 1) recognize and 2) break down. Most people experience noticeable changes in their bodies when they reduce or eliminate gluten from their diets.

More posts to come with Lindsey! Connect further and check out Nourished Coaching here, and here.