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 […]

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Eat to beat Cramps

The physiology of cramps can be complex. Nutrition may or may not have a role to play behind the why!! Stretching out and massaging muscles can certainly be a good start but this is often NOT enough, since electrolyte balance plays a major role in muscle function and recovery. Key nutrients include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. On a personal level, having participated in master’s swim meet, while training for Ironman races, it is not uncommon for me to observe swimmers gathering at the lanes end in-between sets to […]

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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 […]

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Miraculous Magnesium

The USA has the highest rate of dairy consumption, yet it also has the highest rate of osteoporosis. Does this not seem preposterous? It was this observation that got me reanalyzing some metabolic pathways involving calcium. During this research, I also noticed a high percentage of my clients that report calcium supplementation recommended by their doctors. I certainly agree that calcium supplementation has its place in our diet, but only if calcium sources are limited. How I arrived at this premise is described here, and it involves a trace mineral […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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