Health
Habits
Food
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I absolutely love helping people find answers to their food and health questions. The only problem is that there are so many of you I can’t keep up.
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Cheers,
Darya
1,842 responses so far
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Howdy Darya! I read about all these people that exercise and are always hungry. I have the opposite problem. I am rarely hungry. I do pilates, yoga, weight training, zumba, all types of exercise…Sometimes I will do 3 classes back to back, and not hungry. I hydrate constantly. Any thoughts on an eating pattern? Thanx!
Might be hormone related, but I’m honestly not sure what your question is.
Hi Darya! Could I ask if you follow a natural no chemical hair routine or you don’t worry about such things? Also, do you use heat on your hair? Thanks!
I use all of the chemicals and all of the heat on my hair. The alternatives are unacceptable to me. I won’t pretend vanity isn’t the reason.
Darya – love the new podcast! This is my first week reading through your site and i’m loving all the material! The one thing i could not find info on was keto diets (outside of Dr. Parkers work – which seems a bit detached from ‘true keto’).
I follow Kevin and Tim and have read a ton on the net and pub med about the benefits, how to test/catalog blood tests and which foods fall into the diet. That said i have yet to find a straight forward breakdown of the diet for first timers. My main concern is maintaining my activity level and continuing to put on lean muscle while on it (slow carb has me at 10% body fat and i think keto would improve performance further). I want to dive in but need a precise game plan and guardrails to ensure success. What are the best 1-3 books/articles that you would recommend to solidify my knowledge base?
I recognize with the podcast, website and other projects your time is beyond limited but any advise you can provide would be greatly appreciated!!
Best,
Rob
Sorry, this is beyond my pay grade.
Hi Darya,
I am very intrigued by your recommendation of Butcher Box. Are you currently only endorsing The All Beef Box? I hadn’t heard of them and will be ordering a box today. Thanks!
They do a good job with all of their sourcing so all the boxes get my thumbs up.
Hi Darya!
Do you have any advice to stop and/or prevent binge eating? I have struggled with this problem for nearly 8 years. It has gotten progressively worse–bigger binges and more often. I have seen therapists, practiced yoga, read books, practiced mindful eating, eaten more carbs, etc. Nothing seems to help.
I feel like I have done everything. It gets worse if I am stressed out or bored. I feel like I am now conditioned to overeat/binge during different emotional periods. How can I break this cycle?
Thanks!
Hi KCS,
Some of the podcasts may shed some light on the situation. If you’re still stuck feel free to email me about private coaching.
Darya
Hi Darya,
Thanks for the work you do!
I have a question that I’m hoping you can help me with.
I work as an environmental educator at a local nature centre. I get to spend my days mostly on my feet teaching local school groups science both inside and outside. I was recently been promoted to an education coordinator position, which is great career-wise but unfortunately it’s an office job. I’m trying to figure out how to adapt my healthstyle now that I won’t be on my feet walking and hiking all day.
I’ve thought about potentially going out on the trails during my lunch break, but that usually means I’m scarfing down my food pretty quickly, which isn’t very good either! Do you have any tips for successfully adapting to a more sedentary lifestyle?
That’s a tough one. I bought a Stir kinetic desk for myself, and am generally really good about squeezing in extra movement whenever possible (it all counts). I recommend tracking your steps in some way to help you figure it out.
Hi Darya,
I just discovered your website and it’s been such a great resource!
I’m a freshman in college and I transitioned to eating healthy a few months ago after a DISASTROUS first semester of all you can eat cafeteria eating! I started in order to lose a few pounds but after diving into research, I became super interested in nutrition, especially sugar consumption. I went from barely eating vegetables to eating at least half a plate every meal, and I love them!
For me, the difficulty is keeping these habits as a long-term lifestyle without feeling like I’m restricting myself since I’m surrounded by cafeteria food everyday I don’t let myself eat. My cafeteria isn’t the typical gross food– it actually has a decent salad bar and makes everything from scratch, but most dishes are full of refined grains. So I try to make my own meals when possible using the panini press for grilling vegetables and plain chicken breasts. I’ve developed some go-to healthy meals like lettuce wraps to eat in the cafeteria. The problem is, it’s gotten very repetitive and I have to stay on my meal plan. I also do not have a car to get groceries.
I’ve realized that willpower is not the answer for a long term healthy lifestyle, but I have to exercise it so often to stay away from all that yummy fried fare.
Some days, I savor my meals and I don’t need willpower, but other times, I can’t help but feel like I’m constantly depriving myself. I watch my friends eat pizza, fettuchini alfredo, hamburgers, etc (all of which I love) every meal–plus cake and cookies to finish it off. Sometimes in order to prove to myself that I’m not restricting myself I’ll cave and have pasta or something, but then I feel guilty. Plus I have to use willpower to fend off all the junk food snacks in the dorm. It’s everywhere!
Basically, I enjoy eating healthy, but I still feel exhausted having to limit my desserts/unhealthy meals to one or two per week. This makes me feel unhappy and I don’t know if it’s sustainable.
Do you have ideas for how I can live the lifestyle of feeling free to eat whatever I want…without actually doing it when I have so much junk food around me?
I have faith that you can figure this one out on your own.
Hi Darya,
Over the past few years my sweet tooth has tremendously increased; I’m very convinced I have developed a sugar addiction. I would like to cut back on sugar and artificial sweeteners as well. If I were to tackle one at a time, which would be the best one to start with, real sugar or the artificial sweetener like that found in my diet soda(that I also seem to be addicted to)?
I have faith that you can figure this one out on your own.
Be careful with the labels you use about yourself. Personally I’d always choose real sugar over fake sugar. The goal is to eat foods that taste good.
Hi Darya,
I’m really enjoying reading all your posts, listening to your podcasts and I just put a hold on Foodist at the library. I have been a chronic dieter my whole life. My Mom first took me to Weight Watchers when I was 15 and I have had a pretty messed up relationship with food ever since. I’ve been on all the diets. I’m pretty sure I have binge eating disorder, or at least have definitely had problems with binge eating in the last 10 years. I’m 35 years old, 5’6″, and at my lowest point I weighed 130 lbs after a stint on South Beach. Now I weigh about 185 lbs. I think my ideal healthy weight that is manageable and maintainable is around 150 lbs.
For the past year I have been on a journey to reestablish a healthy relationship with food and my body. I read Intuitive Eating and have been seeing a counselor who specializes in eating disorders. I have been actively working to build healthy habits, like getting enough sleep, cutting down on alcohol consumption, and cooking more at home. I haven’t binged in about a year. I have essentially stopped dieting. But recently I started using Weight Watchers online to count points again. I find it’s helpful to monitor and track what I’m eating, to see patterns, etc. I’m being very cautious about using it more as a tracking tool rather than a restrictive dieting set of rules, and so far, I feel like it’s working. Especially because I’m not going to meetings and weighing in (an external motivator that I’m pretty sure contributed to my binge eating behaviour).
I wonder what you think about this? I know you are emphatically anti-diet, but I can’t seem to find much about Weight Watchers on your site and am wondering what you think about it. Especially with the new points system, which for the first time takes sugar into the equation so that foods high in sugar cost more points. My question for you is, do you think this will lead me back into the restrictive diet mindset? Or do you think using WW points as a tracking mechanism can be part of a healthy, “foodist” healthstyle?
Thank you so much for all you’re doing and for any thoughts you may have about this question.
Heidi
You’re the expert on you, Heidi.
Hi,
Simple question when posed to other “health” and “medical” experts the answer is usually skirted:
Do even the healthiest smoothies (green ones for instance) adversely impact one’s glycemic load?
It has always seemed to me that reducing and concentrating anything, even when preserving the associated fiber, is hitting your system all at once rather than the time it would have taken to chew each of the ingredients.
Since smoothies are a nutritionist’s favorite way of moralizing “shakes” with healthy ingredients I wonder if the real answer about their glycemic impact is ever really addressed.
Love to hear from you on this,
Michael
Why so worried about glycemic load?
Hi Darya,
This question is about periods. There, awkwardness out of the way.
It seems the second I get my period, my healthstyle goes out the window. I am ravenously hungry. I spend roughly four days with meals that never fill me up and cravings that won’t go away. And I’m not exactly craving raw broccoli.
I feel frustrated with myself and my pizza and my gummy bears. (I don’t even like gummy bears). And it will take me another few days, sometimes even longer, to get back on track.
Is my cycle just a placebo? An excuse for me to go hard on processed food or is something else out of balance?
How can I stop this habit instead of this habit stopping me?
It’s up to you to figure out what your brain and body really needs. Be honest with yourself and try things until you feel you’re doing the best you can in your situation.
Hello Darya
My name is Kyle Matthew Santelices. A literature teacher from the Philippines.
First of all, thank you for your work on Foodist. It’s really quirky (which I like) but also well done in terms of its synthesis of things in the essence of a “summer tomato”. I appreciate it.
Though I only came in contact with your ideas in 2014, I use some of the psychology resources in your book for my humanities classes. 🙂
So, with all this, I see a lot of overlap with your academic and personal practice of “healthstyle” with what John Berardi of Precision Nutrition is doing. Could you spare some thoughts?
[link removed]
Thank you so much and I hope I’m not disturbing that much.
God Bless
Thank you for your kind words, but I’m not sure what your question is.
Hi Darya! I have learned so much from ST and am really benefiting from your new podcasts – they have helped me see my health goals in a longer term view. Thanks for all of your work!
But…I experience what is probably a pretty common issue. I do well staying healthy and exercising during the week, but, when the weekend comes, all of my food-related home court habits fly out of the window (and I gain back any weight I’ve lost during the week).
I usually exercise 5-6x per week (2-3x yoga, 2-3x rock climbing, outside one day during the weekends if possible, which also takes away the normal habit patterns). My home court habits also seem to get lost on my rest days during the week. What do you recommend to not overeat on rest days or weekends? How do I develop home court habits for the weekend when there’s less structure?
Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks, Isabelle.
Go back to the basics. Figure out your triggers and rewards.
Hi Darya! I am keen on eating more grains, beans, nuts and lentils. However, there seems to be a lot of conflicting information on the internet about whether to soak, how long to soak for and the use of acids to reduce phytic acid.
Is phytic acid really bad for you (prevents absorption of vitamins and minerals etc) and does soaking significantly reduce the amount of phytic acid?
How do I know which ones require soaking and which ones don’t?
One last qn. Does sprouted wheat make bread healthier?
Sorry for the bombardment of qns. Thanks in advance 🙂
I think the science on phytic acid is exaggerated by many people. Beans and grains are real, healthy foods in the context of a varied diet. Cooking them solves most of the issues people worry about.
hi darya! so im on a mission right now for my church for a year and a half in argentina, before my mission i had losta lot of weight by creatign healthy habbits that worked for me adn i was sooo grateful for eveerything i learned from your blog. 6 months into my mission im back at where i was before and it sucks. being ona mission comes with a ot of stress (that i put on myself) and reallly hard ot eat healthy. we eat with people here almost everyday for lunch adn almost everything is fried and the sweets here are soooo goooood adn its hard! i walk about 25000 steps on average and exercise every mornign, but its just hard and im stuck. im also with a companion 24/7 adn its suppper hard having my own habits when she eats super bad. if you have any tips for me i would really appreciate it!! thank you!!
Sounds like you need to build some new habits, including some that involve eating with other people.
hi darya! so i am on a mission for my church for a year and a half in argentina. before my mission i had finally lost a bunch of weight i had gained up at school through creatign healthy habbits adn i was soo happy with wherei was at. 6 months into my mission and i am back to where i was before. its supppper hard. i have a companion 24/7 who doesnt eat healthy which is hard, adn we eat with families almost everyday for lunch, adn everything here in s uppper unehealthy adn fried. i have lost all of my habbits and i feel super gross and just it suckks you know. i also put a lot of stress on myself which i know is making it worse. i walk on av 20000 steps a day adn exercise almost every morng. i just dont know what to do! i have gone back to alwaaays thinking about food adn i eat when im not hungry becasuye its comforting to me, which also sucks. if you could pleeease giev me some tips i would reallly appreciate it. thank you!
Hi Darya! I love your blog and podcast; they’re inspiring. I always feel super amped and positive during and for an hour or so after listening to them…and often space on my intentions for mindfulness after a few hours, or by the end of the day.
Do you have any ideas for reminding or accountability systems for mindfulness or healthy eating? are there any aps you dig? I’m reluctant to use a MyFitnessPal-style ap since calorie counting is a slippery slope to me, but so you have any recommendations for systems that aren’t, like, putting post its on my work computer to not shove trail mix into my mouth without asking myself why I want it first?
Thanks!
There are dozens of triggers built into your days. Maybe try keeping a habit journal for awhile to figure out what they are? Don’t stop at food habits. Anything is fair game.
Hi Darya,
Hope you are well!
I’m eating more healthy and natural foods and exercising and I’ve lost 2 stone (much more to go I’m afraid). At the gym, it was recommended to me that I start taking protein shakes but I’d like to keep things more natural. My local store gives me the option of:
– Soy Protein Isolate
– Pea Protein Isolate
– Hemp Protein
Does any one of these jump out at you as better than the other? I’ve read some mixed studies (most of which you debunked in a blog post) about Soy Protein but they seem to be from some (5) years ago.
Thanks and keep up the great work, looking forward to more podcasts.
I don’t recommend isolated proteins at all.
Hey, in your lifehacker interview you mentioned how meditation stopped you from clenching your jaw at night. I too have the same problem. How did you notice you were no longer clenching your jaw while you slept, and that meditating was responsible?
Thanks,
taylor
First, I realized that I was also clinching my jaw during the day when I would get stressed. Meditation helped me realize I was doing this and relax and breath into it instead.
I would also sometimes notice my jaw hurt in the morning or I would wake up clenching so strongly it was shocking. I don’t know how I never noticed it before it’s so obvious to me now. Once I was aware I just stopped doing it. If I go too long without meditating though, I notice the habit starts trying to creep back.
Hi Darya,
I’m sure you have a lot of comments so I’ll try to keep this inquiry brief. I have recently graduated with a degree in public health and I want to merge writing with health, and blogging is a really appealing option. What is your advice for pursuing this route (even internships etc)? It would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I’m don’t typically give out career advice here, but if I were you I’d find a bigger, multiple author blog that you respect and apply for a position there to see if you like it.
Hi Darya,
I think we have all heard about brain foods, diets that can make you smarter, or eliminate what some people refer to as ‘brain fog’, but I was wondering if you could tell me as a neuroscientist if there are any studies that show this to be true? Also, if there are any positive findings, can you tell me what they are? Because I could use some help! JK 😉 (but seriously tell me)
Typically brain fog is a result of poor blood sugar regulation. Avoiding refined carbohydrates, eating Real Foods and getting regular exercise/not being sedentary is best way to control that.
Long-term, it’s prudent to include sufficient omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins to help keep age-related cognitive deficits at bay.
I can’t stress enough the importance of exercise though.
Hi Darya,
Do you have any suggestions on how to start doing strength training? I go to the gym 3 times a week and mostly do cardio. On the days I don’t go to the gym I do about 20 mins of yoga at home.
I started seeing a personal trainer once a week a few months ago, however, I’m not learning how to work out on my own at all. At least, I’m no longer as intimidated by all the weight machines. However, I still feel incompetent on how to build a workout routine and overwhelmed by the number of differing opinions online.
I’m not a fitness expert, but this is what I do:
http://summertomato.com/my-weekly-workout
It doesn’t need to be too complicated. Anything that helps you strengthen all the major muscle groups at least once a week is what you’re shooting for.
Hi Darya,
I found this blog just yesterday. I have a huge problem with my digestion. I haven’t been diagnosed, but I would say I have chronic constipation. I have trouble evacuating my bowels regularly and when I do, it is in the form of pellets. This happens every day and I know it’s not a good sign. Every now and then I have a normal bowel movement and it makes me so happy. The problem is that I don’t know what I did right to achieve it. Seems like my digestion is a complicated balance of fiber, water, exercise AND stress management. And nothing stresses me out more than not being regular. Please help, this has been going on for years now 🙁
This could be a bunch of different things. Have you tried probiotics? VSL #3 has worked wonders for many people I know. Fat intake (more) and salt balance can also have an impact.
I tried Culturelle and it worked for the first days only.
Where can I get RMR done? I would rather test than use a formula. Thanks
I don’t even know where you live. I would try Google.
I am having trouble losing weight despite vigorous workouts and aerobic and strength training several times a week. I am tired most days and am 30 pounds overweight although I am on my 60s.i M fairly healthy and do not have diabetes but do have hypertension mild. I can snack but usually on fresh fruit and low fat yogurt. Can you give me any new advice? Thank you and love your blog! Keep going with care and health. Jl
What vitamin D brands do you recommend/use?
thanks!
I use Carlson drops http://amzn.to/2ahpy8r
Awesome, thanks for writing me back.
You might want to know, that Gmail interpreted notification for your response as spam.
Have a good day!
Hi Darya,
My husband has hypothyroidism and takes synthroid. I’ve started researching the condition and found many people recommend a gluten free diet to manage the condition because of the autoimmune component. Is there scientific grounds for this?
Thank you
Ava
If I were you’d I’d search Pubmed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed
Hello,
I recently increased my activity level from previously being practically sedentary. Two months ago I took a body composition analysis “test” (where you stand on a scale, and it tells you what percentage of your body is fat, fat-free and such and so forth). Around the same time, I increased activity. Now I took the test again, and it said I lost muscle and bone mass! I lost 3.6lb of muscle and .2lb of bone. What happened? How do I reverse this?
My first guess would be that you aren’t eating enough protein to sustain muscle mass.
Hey Darya,
You suggest limiting desserts. What do you think constitutes a dessert (icecream? banana with peanut butter and a couple of chocolate chips?)
Thanks
Anything with 15+ g of sugar is a good rule of thumb.
Hi Darya,
I’m a big fan of your work, so thank you for what you do.
Recently I revisited a favorite post — “Home Court Habits” — and in it you discuss reaching and maintaining your “ideal weight.” It’s a concept we encounter often on the site. My question for you is, how did you determine your ideal weight?
I am a healthy weight for my height and age, and I like the way I look in most clothes. But I have a nagging desire to be “just a little” more fit — i. e. to lose an inch around my belly — because I believe that I’d look and feel even better. Of course, I realize that almost every American woman wants to lose 5 lbs, so my desire to lose that weight is tempered by my desire to avoid falling into that trap of never being satisfied.
What defines “ideal” when considering one’s goal weight?
Thank you,
Beth
Funny you should ask http://summertomato.com/how-to-discover-and-reach-your-ideal-weight
Hi Darya,
Could you recommend a daily multivitamin? The link to the product you recommended in the past is dead.
Megafoods One Daily http://amzn.to/2bMSE0k
Hello Darya,
I would like to know your point of view about protein powder use in cooking. I personnally do not have enough protein intake per day and though of it as a way to sustain my sport practice (adding a scoop to pancakes preparation for example & in any case not as meal replacement ).
What is your view on it ?I thank you in advance for your answer,
Have a nice day,
Chloé
I don’t recommend the use of processed foods for health, including protein powders. Some protein isolates have been linked to cancer, which alone is cause for concern. Personally I’d eat eggs instead of pancakes if you’re seriously worried about your protein intake.
Hi Darya!
First off, I’m so grateful I found your blog and your book; they have been so helpful in changing my view of eating and what it means to live a healthy life.
I was wondering if you have any tips for people who do rotating shift work (as a nurse, I have to flip between day and night shifts). I have recently been growing in practicing mindful eating and choosing whole foods, which something that I have not always done. When I’m short on sleep from flipping my schedule, I slip right back into my unhealthy habits. Do you have any tips for sticking with mindful eating when you are unavoidably tired? Thanks for taking the time to respond!
Hi Rachel,
Shift work is really tough as it throws off your circadian rhythms and your body never really knows when it should be hungry, sleepy, active, etc., so you end up chronically hungry and fatigued. Unfortunately I haven’t seen much science about how to handle these irregularities, only that it’s difficult. I also don’t have any first hand experience with it, so don’t have any non-science recommendations based on experience. I wonder if there is an online community for people who work shifts and have come up with solutions that work for them?
It’s such a tough one. Please let me know if you come up with any insights.
Best,
Darya
Hi Rachel, I always google any questions I need an answer to and I did this for you 🙂 The Sleep Foundation has a great article on ways to eat healthy whilst doing night shifts. Hope this is helpful to you.
https://sleepfoundation.org/shift-work/content/tips-healthy-eating-and-exercising-when-working-shifts
Jane
I was listening to your most recent podcast about overeating at dinner parties. I have THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! I am great 90% of the time, but what Julie was saying is exactly the issues I have. When uncovering the reason behind it you mentioned scarcity as a potential cause. I think this is the reason I do this as opposed to equating it to something emotionally (as was Julie’s reason).
I was just curious what you were going to say or thinking when it came to scarcity being the reason. What would potential solutions be in that context?
Welcome back!
Acknowledge and accept the feeling, distance yourself from it, then reconnect with your current values.
Hi Darya! I struggle with feeling like I need to spend some extra time in the gym every time I get Starbucks… which has become a daily habit, if I’m being honest. Is that a “healthy” mindset, or is that something I should be concerned about? I know that every person is different, but do you think it is possible to have a healthy lifestyle and still enjoy a daily latte? (For reference, I typically get a vanilla sweet cream cold brew, tea latte, or my latest obsession is the coconut milk mocha macchiato, all around 200 calories.) Or do you have any tips and tricks for making my Starbucks drinks more nutritious?
I’m not sure what your question is. Sounds like you’re mainly struggling with the guilt of doing something you enjoy. You can’t make junk food healthier. Drop the guilt and just ask yourself if the indulgence is worth it.
Hi Darya,
I have just discovered you and have read foodist and listen to your podcast.I suffer from anxiety and have noticed a collation between it getting worst and my eating habits. I find if I get anxious I eat sugary stuff I crave then I eat more bad stuff because I am feeling down. Is there any way to break this cycle. I am convinced if I can change my habits it will help my health no end.
Thank
Suzanne
Yep, that’s how it works and yes there is a way to break the cycle, but it requires doing some deep personal work. Feel free to email me about private coaching if you’re interested.
Hi Darya,
How much meat do you think a female can eat a day if they want to lose weight?
Thanks!
I can’t tell you this, it’s something you need to figure out for your own body through trial and error. It will also be related to what else you’re eating and how much/how you exercise.
HI Darya,
What are your thoughts on Vega Protein Powder [link removed]? It’s a quick and easy way for me to get protein and I add water, a banana and 2 cups of spinach. Is this route still consider a “Processed Food” route or is this a good alternative to having the time to make eggs (which I love) but lack the time most mornings to do so between working out and getting my 5 kiddos up and ready. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.
Protein powder is definitely processed food. It’s not something I’d recommend, but of course you have to make your own decisions about what works for you.
I recently discovered Purewod – “Paleo Protein Powder”. I know it is processed but from my research it is the best one I’ve found filled with only “real” ingredients. It is a bit too sweet for my taste but other than that, it is amazing so far!
Hi Darya,
How long did it take for you to start losing weight when you added back in carbs?
I’m a female that is not overweight, but would like to lose 5-10 pounds. I was doing a ketogenic diet and lost some weight, but then decided to try your principles and add grains / beans back into my diet. In the past two weeks I’ve already gained 5 pounds! Was this your experience when you first started eating carbs again? What would you recommend?
Thank you!
Allison
Hi Allison,
If you were on a ketogenic diet it would be expected for you to immediately gain a significant amount of water weight when you add back carbohydrates (the first thing that happens on low carb is water loss). I wasn’t doing keto when I added back grains (I still ate fruits, etc.), so I didn’t gain weight. I slowly lost weight, the first 5 lbs over about 6 months. Then a few more pounds over the next few years. What was amazing was not the rate of weight loss (obvs), but that I was eating 3 meals a day that were actually satisfying and was happy and not hungry for the first time in my life. The weight loss was an incredible bonus from that perspective. Everyone is different though, so you’ll have to figure out what works for you.
Good luck,
D
Thank you!
I am a long time subscriber to your blog and classes. I’m sure you’ve answered this before, but I’m having trouble finding that in search. I love fresh juice – I have a wonderful blender that juices the whole veg/fruit and keeps all the pulp in – I know that’s a good way to use juices. I also love to buy juice at a stand where they use whole fruits and vegs., but separate the pulp. These are more refreshing than my homemade sludge. Are they just awful to drink? I worry about the sugar hit. I buy mostly veggie juices – lemon or lime or apple are usually the only fruits. Thanks.
Juice is fine once or twice a week. It’s only a problem if it’s a problem ya know?
Thanks – that’s pretty much what I concluded and after I sent this I did find a nice writeup by you on the subject. Cheers!
Hi Darya,
Thank you so much for your wonderful website and podcast! My approach to food is very much in line with what you discuss and value and I love the For the Love of Food articles you send out. I recently completed a Whole30 which I did in order to reduce my sugar cravings and stop relying so much on cheese for various meal components. I enjoyed it, but since we eat pretty healthy and unprocessed food in general, I did not find it life-changing. I haven’t bought any chocolate yet, which is great and I’ve been more mindful about my food choices.
I’m trying to figure out how to moderate my food choices from now own. We ate out (which isn’t typical) last night and ate a lot of chips and salsa, so I’m not feeling the best today. How do you go into the holiday season or eat out on special occasions while ensuring you feel good about your choices? I have strong home court habits, but I don’t want to avoid indulgent foods forever! It’s sometimes hard to know what’s worth it and what’s not, and when you don’t usually eat certain foods, you feel blah afterwards! I want to enjoy my healthy choices and the occasional unhealthy ones, but my mind and stomach are not always aligned.
Any thoughts on Whole 30 or how to live more happily in moderation would be helpful!
Hello Darya. 🙂
I’ve recently shifted into a completely raw vegan diet. I ate a lot of fast food before and I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time so now in the middle of it. I’m experiencing mild discomfort in my stomach which would make sense since my body’s not used to such a raw diet.
I’ve been reading a few things on your page and found that you suggest to transition slowly. Which I didn’t do. But since I’m already in it, I don’t really feel like returning to cooked food.
Now for my question: is it dangerous for me to keep eating raw without a slow transition first? Also, I’m guessing it will but I might as well ask: will the mild discomfort go away over time and if so how long do you think it’ll take?
Thank you so much for your time and I hope you’re having a great day!
Hi –
I am wondering about sprouted bread like Ezekiel and sprouted rice like TJ sprouted rice … are these good options or just marketing? I do like to eat them, but could go without them if they are just a different type of “sugar.”
Thanks.
Hi! Working on leaving the diet/calorie counting mentality behind and re-learning how to enjoy food again. I too live in NYC – what are your favorite restaurants here? Favorite farmers markets/store to shop for ingredients?
Thanks!
Hearth! Eataly!
Darya-
I am a student at BYU currently studying dietetics. I regularly listen to the Art of Charm podcast and I was absolutely stoked when I saw the description when you were a guest for the show. I absolutely agree that weight and health has so much less to do with dieting/ knowledge of nutrition and so much more to do with psychology, environment and triggers. Even though this is the position I take on it, I have found SO little information out there about it, much less potential future careers that can help people improve their health without just telling them what to eat. So obviously I loved everything you had to say on the show, and I am now currently reading Foodist. I was just wondering how I can be like you- that is, find a career more to do with food psychology and encouraging healthy eating behavior and habits as opposed to prescribing diets and preaching calories in vs out. I would love to hear your insight or even just direction to where I could find more information on it. This is what I want to do!!!! Thanks!
Macey Bell
Great to hear Macey! We need more people like you. I have some stuff I’m working on that I think you’ll really like. Stay tuned via the newsletter 😉
Hi Darya,
I have learned so much from your blog, podcast and The Foodist. Thanks! I have noticed you never talk about smoothies? Is there a reason I should not make healthy smoothies? My usual include 1/2 banana, frozen berries, spinach, carrots, raw oatmeal, chia seeds, flax seeds, almond butter and almond milk. I premake baggies of all the ingredients besides the almond milk and keep in the freezer. They are a quick breakfast. Any reason it is not a healthy breakfast?
Sharon
If it works for you it is fine. I don’t speak about smoothies on ST because they have lots of calories, much of which is from sugar. Drinking calories is generally not aligned with a weight loss diet (they aren’t as satiating), and many of my readers are trying to lose weight. If weight loss is a goal of yours, smoothies would be one of the first things I’d recommend cutting back/out. If not, no need to worry about it.
Hi Darya,
I know a multivitamin is a part of your healthstyle and that you’ve posted articles on supplements showing some protective benefit in regards to cancer, but I’m wondering if starting them might be risky when precancerous cellular changes are already present, such as high grade cervical dysplasia? I’ve read conflicting studies and wonder where you think the science points…
Thanks,
Megan
Hi Megan,
There might be some risks from supplements in your case, but unfortunately the details on that are out of my wheelhouse without me doing a ton of research. These days there’s almost every custom supplement you can imagine if you are able to figure out your optimal dosage of the risky elements. Best of luck.
Darya
Hello,
Do you have any suggestions for food tracking apps that reward “Foodist”-style choices (i.e.: non-processed foods), rather than focus on calorie or carb or fat counting? I’ve found I’ve had the most success with apps that give me positive feedback for eating well, but everything on the market right now that I can find is purely calorie-in, calorie out style. I want to be positively reinforced for eating avocado, not shamed! Thanks!
I’m not familiar with any apps that only support real food consumption, but the Mindful Meal Challenge FB group may be a good place to ask.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindfulmealchallenge/
Hey Darya,
I’m interested in fermenting vegetables (I LOVE kimchi!)… is it really as simple as throwing some vegetables in a jar with salt, and waiting until it tastes good? What dangers should I be aware of?
I’ve got copies of Sandor Katz’s books on the way… but I don’t think I’ll be able to wait 🙂
<3 Pat
There are a few devices that can really help. The Perfect Pickler is a great starting fermentation kit. Alternatively one of those clay or ceramic containers that has a weight and a water seal is nice to have. You want to make sure the veggies stay below the liquid line as much as possible (hence the weight), and keep contaminated air out (hence the water seal) as best you can.
I’m interested in eating more in tact grains, and saw my local grocery store has pearl barley… after some research, it looks like that’s not what I want.
What should I be looking for? I’ve seen “hulled barley” and “barley groats” mentioned online as the least processed barley… are those what I want when I’m looking for barley?
Any of those are fine. There is a little bit of processing, but it’s certainly not bleached flour 🙂 Other wonderful grains are farro, rice, oats, quinoa, wheat berries, etc.
Hey Darya,
I’m watching the documentary Hungry for Change and it’s somewhat overwhelming to me. The thought that my entire diet must eliminate sugar is terrifying to me and I truly mean terrifying, I am aware that I am addicted to sugar and I am working on this. The thought of eliminating sugar angers me though I get pleasure out of baking, eating those foods and sharing them with others. I am having a hard time finding balance with this my lifestyle and my wants.
I am a chronic dieter and from that over years I am 60 pounds over a weight that is healthy for me. Though I have a lot knowledge I still struggle with changing my eating habits. I do have a few questions;
Is detoxing really necessary?
Is juicing really important or necessary?
I don’t believe in detoxes or juicing. If you search Summer Tomato for those terms you’ll find articles explaining why. There’s tons of info on ST, in my book and in my podcasts that will show you how you can get healthy and lose weight without resorting to such extreme tactics. Don’t panic, we got your back 😉