By Dr. Michael Wald

Many nurses work odd hours and in stressful and rushed environments. For this reason, it is easy to fall back onto prepackaged foods for meals – and not just the odd meal, but regularly.

1. In your opinion, when nurses eat pre-packaged foods, are they doing themselves a favor because at least they are eating food that may be nutritious, or could they be causing more harm than good?

Millions of Americans consume packaged foods daily and are unwittingly doing themselves far more potential harm than good. Packaged foods placed in plastic trays and wraps may contain a large number of harmful chemicals. Bisphenol-A is just one example of a harmful chemical that has become ubiquitous, as it is found in practically any form of flexible plastic such as water bottles and other soft drinks. Bisphenol-A has been associated with causing or contributing to a variety of cancers including breast and ovarian. Prenatal toxicity and resulting developmental abnormalities have also been associated with Bisphenol-A. Even behavior in general can be adversely affected in mammals exposed to Bisphenol-A. Plastic wraps and foam trays used on many forms of foods all contain Bisphenol-A. Remember, when these foods are heated up, Bisphenol-A leaks into the food for millions of people to consume. These chemicals leach out into the food during microwaving and heating. Never heat or microwave foods in plastics. Instead, place these foods in glass, steel or ceramic bowls. Many of these chemicals are suspected carcinogens and/or endocrine disruptors.

Certain packaged food items can become bacterially, viral or parasitically contaminated even before they are packaged. Common infectious contaminants include tapeworms, Rotavirus, E. Coli and Salmonella. Most people will not experience any ill effects when these contaminants are present, but others might experience significant illness including vomiting and diarrhea or even death. The fewer people that handle your food before it is packaged and consumed the better off you are. Prepare foods yourself and reduce the chance of infectious contamination.

2. Could the contents of these types of foods actually add to their stress levels while at work? Stress comes in many forms: physical, mental, chemical and structural may be considered the main types. Foods ideally provide the nutrients our bodies need to make it through the day sustaining our mental clarity and energy. Packaged foods containing neuroactive chemicals may affect behavior and mood; packaged foods high in saturated fats may affect circulation and overall digestion altering our ability to manage daily stress of all types. In short, poor diet can adversely affect one’s ability to effectively manage all forms of stress.

3. In your opinion, what are the worst types of pre-packaged foods nurses could be bringing to work?

Many packaged foods claim on the label to be fat-free. Even if they are fat-free, they are almost always loaded with sugar. Also, fat-free is a term that means the food may be lower fat than another product, but is not actually fat-free at all.

Candy should never be an option. The average American consumes at least 175 lbs of sugar each year! Sugar consumption is associated with fatigue, headaches, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), hyperglycemia or diabetes, joint pains and brain-fog.

Fruit juices should generally be avoided. Fruit juices cause a fat increase in blood sugar that might make you feel good in the short run (the very short run), but then blood sugar drops due to a huge insulin surge by the pancreas to compensate for high blood sugar. Consumption of foods such as fruit juices can increase the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Day to day symptoms often include low energy, headaches and brain fog.

Stay tuned for part 2 of this article shortly…..

– Dr. Michael Wald, aka The Blood Detective, is the director of nutritional services at Integrated Medicine of Mount Kisco, located in Westchester New York. He has appeared on ABC World News Tonight with Diane Sawyer, Channel 11 PIX, Channel 12 News, CNN, The Food Network and other media outlets. Dr. Wald earned the name Blood Detective for his reputation to find problems that are often missed by other doctors. He earned an MD degree, is a doctor of chiropractic and a certified dietician-nutritionist. He is also double-board certified in nutrition. He has published over a dozen books with three additional titles due for release late 2013 including: Frankenfoods – Genetically Modified Foods: Controversies, Lies & Your Health and Gluten-A-Holic: How to Live Gluten Free and the Blood Detective’s Longevity Secrets. Dr. Wald can be reached at: www.intmedny.com or www.blooddetective.com or by calling: 914-242-8844.