Principles for a Healthy Lifestyle and Optimal Weight

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Researched and accepted dietary principles may guide the individual to finding a healthy and appropriate lifestyle for themselves. I have laid out a few of these that within my studies, experience and analysis of current articles in peer-reviewed journals with an understanding that each human is unique. Unique in their metabolism/physiology, in their emotional and stress (psychology) and in their struggles and challenges with daily living.  Therefore, it goes without saying that there is no single “diet” or “lifestyle” that works for the masses. Each […]

Continue Reading »

Tips to avoid gastrointestinal distress for training/racing

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD If you think you are alone when your first focus for any race is gastrointestinal distress, you are not. Are you always plotting your day based on where the bathrooms are going to be (even the ones along the course), or always having to get to races early knowing that you will be standing in the line multiple times, and do you plan your training days around where the pit stops have to be.  Believe it or not, athletic GI distress affects more than 60% […]

Continue Reading »

Emotional Eating: Awareness and Control

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Emotional (or stress) eating has always been a hot topic, mainly because one can find themselves turning to the pantry or fridge for a source of comfort, even though the appetite stimulant hormones are not active. How it can be controlled, comes with an understanding of what it is and why it happens and then developing an appropriate strategy on how it can be controlled. Recognizing signs of emotional eating may seem obvious, like feelings of stress, anger, or sadness drives you to eat.  Underlying […]

Continue Reading »

THE KETO DEBATE FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Ilana Katz MS, RD CSSD I recently revisited a movie “Sleeper” (Woody Allen) since there was something interesting in the concept about a man waking up after a 200 year sleep. Recommendations for weight loss looks very different in that 200 year gap.   On awakening, the sleeper finds that not only are deep fried foods good for weight loss, they are also considered healthy.  An AHA moment. perhaps? Are we in a movie? Covid may make it feel this way, but weight-loss these days has a movie-like feel to it […]

Continue Reading »

Go with your Gut   –   GI Distress from a different perspective

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Since a big part of my work with athletes involves reducing the risk of Gastrointestinal (GI) distress I thought a different perspective of the GI environment and how to nurture it would be rather informative.  The organisms and their metabolic processes themselves, the majority of which live in the colon, are referred to as microbiome and they dramatically effect human health in general, not just for athletism. The microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms ranging between bacteria, fungi, viruses, and others., all of […]

Continue Reading »

How to Form Lifestyle Habits

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Challenges are embraced, and once decided upon require the extra effort to ensure getting to the finish line. Does your resolve weaken before success? Do you risk stalling?  Do you focus on outcome instead of process? Do you consider yourself an “all-or-nothing” individual?  If you answer “yes” to either of these two questions, you may need to make more of your efforts habit-forming rather than forced.  Athletes who are consistent with good habits are the most successful. Athletes, or anyone for that matter, sustain momentum […]

Continue Reading »

STRATEGIZING FOR HYDRATION

ILANA KATZ MS, RD, CSSD Remaining hydrated is a key element to optimal performance.  Even a 1-2% drop in body weight due to fluid loss can drastically affect endurance. As a sports nutritionist, I train many athletes to be aware of the importance of hydration. However, to simply have the fluid available is no good if it is not consumed. So although this topic may be a tangent to sports nutrition itself, it may offer some great tips, particularly beginners who may either struggle with balance on the bike, or […]

Continue Reading »

Get Rich Quick : Create your Own FAD Diet

I am currently designing a class for my students on the Red Flags of Fad Diets.  I have been fascinated over the latest and greatest lengths dieters will take for the quick fix. My creative juices got involved: Here is my first Lecture… — GET RICH QUICK This is 100% guaranteed.  A idiot-proof guide to make tons of money. It has never failed. Create your own FAD Diet.  All you need are the right tools… Here are the secrets. INTRODUCTION Please note: This is a do it yourself project. It is […]

Continue Reading »

Body Temperature: a Metabolic Thermostat

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD   It seems the climate in most areas is a topic of conversation these days. It’s not that we are making small talk with weather conditions, but the unusual climates are setting in. Freezing way before winter starts, or a few hot days emerging in the midst of a cold spell, and vice versa for Summer. So how does a cyclist (or endurance athlete) know how to dress, or even eat accordingly, when they could experience four seasons in a matter of hours. In this […]

Continue Reading »

FUEL SAFE ZONE

protein cookies 1 c (4 scoops) vanilla whey protein powder 1 c almond flour 1 c almond butter 1½ c unsweet applesauce 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt sweetener optional, and for taste: Recommend to use a stevia based one and about 1 Tbsp is perfect amount for the recipe. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Use as a batter and shape into cookie size on a baking sheet (3″ diameter, can roll into a ball and press slightly down to flatten). Bake at 350 […]

Continue Reading »