Candy, candy everywhere

Beginning with Halloween we enter the dreaded dessert and candy season. It begins with Halloween and continues through New Years'. Whoever decided that “holiday” should be equated to lots of sugar was not interested in preserving your good health.

It’s difficult to go anywhere this time of year without seeing candy or sugar-laden coffee drinks. Whether you visiting your bank, dry cleaners, or even your place of work, a bowl of candy is often present as a temptation.

How much sugar are you eating?

The World Health Organization suggests getting no more than 5% of your daily calories from sugar. Added sugars, not the natural kind you get from fresh fruit, should not exceed 12 grams on a given day. That equals 3 teaspoons.

To put that in perspective, 1 can of Coke, 12 ounces, contains 39 grams of sugar, more than 3x your daily allowance.

Starbucks Frappuccino contains 20 grams of sugar.

A Snickers bar also contains 20 grams of sugar.

Try looking upon sugar and dessert as something that will cause you to gain weight, feel tired and moody. Conjuring up that picture starts to make it seem much less appealing, right?

What’s in your food?

Knowing what’s in the food you eat is a critical first step to getting healthy. Of course, my favorite foods are the ones that have no ingredient list – think spinach, kale, blueberries… you get the idea.

But you may have noticed that much of the holiday candy you encounter don’t have ingredient labels. Due to their miniature nature, if you don’t have access to the original box or bag, you really don’t know what you’re eating.

The moral of the story is that unless you know what’s in it, don’t eat it!

Decide how you want to feel

This is the time of year for you to make a decision about your health, an important decision that will result in one of two possible scenarios:

1. You enjoy the last quarter of this year and begin the New Year feeling great, healthy and excited about all that you’re going to accomplish.

2. You begin the New Year feeling horrible – you’ve gained weight, you’re tired, grumpy and feeling down about how terrible your body feels.

You are in control of your health

It may be obvious which of the above you’d prefer, but do you realize that every time you put something in your mouth you are influencing how you feel physically and emotionally?

I have been treating patients for over 25 years and therefore have lived through over 25 holiday seasons treating them.

The patients who have made the choice to eat well and enjoy the holidays without sabotaging their health have done beautifully.

The patients who have decided that they’d rather “enjoy” holiday food and treats to the fullest, tended to regret that decision when they were feeling sick, had gained weight and were feeling depressed about it all.

Feeling healthy is its own reward

Having great energy to do what you want, when you want, think clearly, and not need medication is something most people want. If your good health gets compromised by what you eat, it’s time to get that known – to yourself and those you surround yourself with.

Patients can get upset and don’t know how to handle it when others tell them to “have a little” of food that makes them sick. Others have “friends” or family who chastise them that they’re “too good” when they’re simply eating the foods that don’t make them ill.

It can be stressful. Have you ever had such an experience?

I’ve told patients throughout the years that if a ‘friend’ doesn’t stand by you when you explain that food makes you ill, then they’re likely not a very good friend. I’m not saying that friends and family don’t need some explanation of why you choose to eat the way you do, but once that’s occurred if they don’t honor that decision, then I think the friendship should be re-evaluated. Does this sound harsh? It’s not meant to. I just really want to give you some information so that you can enjoy this holiday season and begin the New Year healthier.

I promise you that no piece of candy or holiday cookie that contains something you shouldn’t eat is worth compromising your health – they’re simply not THAT good! And don’t worry, we can help you make and/or find some yummy treats that won’t make you ill.

Are you frustrated with your health?

Some people get to this time of year and decide they’ll wait to get healthy in the new year. I can promise you that those who decide to start right away always comment on how glad they are they made that decision.

We have a simple mission here at Root Cause: regain, retain and reclaim your health by identifying what’s at the root of your symptoms. We won’t just drug you to mask symptoms, but rather will get to their true cause and reverse them through dietary, nutritional and lifestyle means – drugs are only a last resort, and usually temporary when needed at all.

If you’re not feeling your best, don’t put up with it. You’re not “too old” or “destined” because of your genetics. Let us help you.

Discovering your ideal diet is a mainstay of our program, as is the evaluation of nutrient levels, food sensitivities, infections, toxins, genetic predispositions, and hormonal imbalance.

Each program is tailored to you; it addresses the exact imbalances creating your symptoms.