By Dr. Michael Wald
Continued from part 1 of this article…..
Packaged cheese pizza is often loaded with heart disease promoting trans fatty acids. Both microwaving and baking packaged pizza increases the saturation of oils in the pizza, which adds to higher cholesterol levels. Fats are digested slowly, and refined white bread and tomatoes sauce does not help the digestive process; large amounts of blood are diverted to the gastrointestinal system away from the brain, resulting in dramatically lowered energy, attention span and sleepiness.
Frozen packed foods from popular weight loss plans are, generally speaking, much healthier in comparison to most store bought packed foods. Packaged foods in general contain high amounts of saturated fats, trans fats and high sodium levels. Preservatives and various coloring agents are of questionable health benefits and many are known to increase the risk of certain cancers.
4. Might there be some types of nurses who would be okay eating these foods, while it might be horrible for others?
For someone who is in a rush, how can freshly prepared foods compare with prepackaged foods? Prepackaged foods, for the reasons mentioned above, are really never a good choice. In the short term you are getting a lift from the calories and nutrition, but you might also become fatigued, get a headache, or suffer from one or more of the other health problems that can result from the long-term consumption of packaged foods (i.e., hormonal problems and increased cancer risk). If you prepare healthier alternatives yourself, make sure to package them in ceramic, stainless steel containers or Ziploc Baggies.
5. Do you have any quick suggestions for nurses who are hungry, want to eat well, but don’t have the time to prepare elaborate meals to take to work?
It is possible to eat healthily and quickly. Here are my top pics for quick, healthy foods.
a. Dried fruits and nuts are great sources of healthy (unrefined, process) carbohydrates that help maintain an even level of energy which is essential for nurses. These foods are a rich source of fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats (unsaturated). Use nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews and sunflower seeds – all raw! If you eat roasted nuts, you are consuming unhealthy saturated fats that may increase cholesterol levels and heart disease risk.
b. Eat low fat yogurts with lots of fruit mixed in – add blueberries, strawberries, peaches, apples, whatever fruits you like, into the yogurt even beyond what should already be in there. Adding nuts and granola with no added sugar supplies a healthy source of B-vitamins, fiber and carbohydrates.
c. Choose a health bar like Cliff Bars – they are my overall favorite pick for busy people. You can eat it all at once or take a bit here and there to keep your blood sugar levels steady throughout the day, which will help to maintain your mental focus and energy.
d. Prepare a healthy salad with dark greens (not that iceberg stuff…no nutrition in there at all!), sliced onions, carrots, and tomatoes. Sprinkle some sunflower seeds on it and top it all off with a healthy low-fat salad dressing.
e. Snack on Fruit. All fruits are fine as they all contain fructose, a form of sugar that is handled well by most people including diabetics. Grapes are glucose, a type of sugar that is available very quickly. Both green and purple grapes are fine to snack on throughout the day, but have some of the other health stuff mentioned in this article as well – otherwise, your energy might tank as the glucose increases the blood sugar quickly, but it may plummet just as fast. Purple grapes are higher in antioxidants than the green ones.
References
1. Birth Defects Res B Dev Reprod Toxicol. 2010 Dec;89(6):441-66., Bisphenol A: developmental toxicity from early prenatal exposure., Golub MS, Wu KL, Kaufman FL, Li LH, Moran-Messen F, Zeise L, Alexeeff GV, Donald JM., Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment, Reproductive and Cancer Hazard Assessment Branch, Sacramento, California, USA. [email protected]
2. Environ Res. 2008 Oct;108(2):150-7., Effects of developmental exposure to bisphenol A on brain and behavior in mice., Palanza P, Gioiosa L, vom Saal FS, Parmigiani S., Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva e Funzionale, University of Parma, Viale Usberti 11A, 43100 Parma, Italy. [email protected]
3. IUBMB Life. 2010 Oct;62(10):746-51.,Is bisphenol A a weak carcinogen like the natural estrogens and diethylstilbestrol?, Cavalieri EL, Rogan EG., Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198-6805, USA. [email protected]
– 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.