
Tag Archives: organic
Korean Barbecued Ribs



OK, so I can’t get the meat that I normally get, so I’m just getting whatever they have. Last week it was OsoBuco, that was delicious! This week it was Korean ribs. I didn’t know what Korean ribs were, but I ordered them anyway. I’m glad I did.
Continue readingAll Natural Pesticide & Weed Killer



To all of you people who are not using all natural pesticide and weed killer to spray your yards, please stop! It is completely and utterly unnecessary to spread these chemicals on your lawn!
Continue readingSuper Simple Barbecue Sauce



I made the best barbecue sauce and it was also the easiest barbecue sauce I have ever made. Maybe my standards have been too high. Lol
Continue reading
News You Can Use-Week of June 22nd-28th, 2015
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of June 22nd-28th, 2015.
NEWS: Do You Have An Undiagnosed Eating Disorder?
An eating disorder is a time bomb waiting to go off—and it may be about to go off in your life. An eating disorder is a time bomb waiting to go off—and it may be about to go off in your life. Before you can do anything to defuse this bomb, you must first acknowledge its existence. Some of the most common eating disorders are anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and compulsive overeating. LEARN MORE
NEWS: FDA Finally Bans Artificial Trans-Fats, But Danger Still Lurks
This week, the FDA finally announced that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) are no longer classified as GRAS (generally regarded as safe). Therefore, these oils can no longer be used as ingredients in foods manufactured, sold or served in the US. LEARN MOVE
NEWS: General Mills Is Ditching Artificial Colors
General Mills, the company behind Technicolor cereals like Lucky Charms and Trix, has announced that it is getting rid of artificial colors in its breakfast cereals. LEARN MORE
NEWS: Parents’ Denial Fuels Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Not only was the 16-year-old boy 60 pounds overweight, but a blood test showed he might have fatty liver disease. At last, his mother took him to a pediatric weight management clinic in New Haven. But she did not at all like the dietitian’s advice. LEARN MORE
NEWS: Is The New Whole Foods Label Better Than ‘Organic’?
Earlier this week, like any insufferable Brooklynite, I found myself in need of some baby spinach. A little pressed for time, I chose to forgo a run to my normal grocery store for a quick trip to my neighborhood bodega. LEARN MORE
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News You Can Use-Week of March 30th-April 5th
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of March 30th-April 5th.“
Milk, Calcium, and Bone Health
Even if you live under a rock, you know that in the US the current recommendation for most of the population is to enjoy 3 servings of dairy a day, including milk. One of the most well funded and persuasive ad campaigns of the three decades has been the Got Milk campaign led by the National Dairy Council. Parents are encouraged to provide milk for their kids’ growing bones and schools serve milk with every meal. LEARN MORE
Why Sleepy Shopping May Lead to a Bigger Waistline
Imagine you just pulled an all-nighter studying for an important exam, worked a double shift through the night, or were up all night with your child who has the flu. The next morning, you find yourself hungry and suddenly remember the lone jar of mustard sitting in your fridge so you decide to stop at your local grocery store to stock up for the week. Stop! Step away from the automatic doors, maybe grab a healthy bite out, and embark on this mission afresh after getting some rest. LEARN MORE
Anorexia Affects More Men Than Previously Thought
Zachary Haines was 16 years old when a physical examination put his 5’7”, 230-pound body within the obese range. Soon after, Zachary began working out and watching his diet, entering his junior year at high school 45 pounds lighter. LEARN MORE
4 Steps to End Emotional Eating
When Kami waltzed in the room, I cringed. She had her head held high, and offered me a firm, confident handshake and a brilliant smile. Dressed to the nines in a size two expensive summer dress and high heels, her persona screamed, “I am the Martha Stewart of Corporate America on a Weekend Getaway.” She was stunning, and looked more put together than I’ve ever felt in my whole life. LEARN MORE
Yes, You Can Get Addicted to Exercise
People are often astonished to discover exercise isn’t always a panacea. Because physical activity confers so many benefits to our muscles, bones, liver, heart, and brain—not to mention its powerful mood-boosting effects—the notion that it could be hazardous to our well-being may seem ridiculous. Unfortunately, for approximately 3 percent of the population, striving to stay fit does them more harm than good. LEARN MORE
What to Do When Organic Isn’t an Option
Whether you’re stuck in a food desert or have a tight food budget, you don’t need to be exposed to dangerous pesticides. LEARN MORE
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
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Eating Disorder Pro Podcast: Homemade Versions Of Everyday Products
On this week’s episode I spoke about every day products that you can make yourself!
Have you ever looked on the ingredients list of those products you put in and on your body every day? Well I have, and there are chemicals in them that are terrible for you, so I researched and tried homemade versions of these products. All of them are easy to make and a lot better for you than store bought ones!
This week I’ll take you through all of the ingredients and the step by step process on how to make homemade toothpaste, hand sanitizer, wipes, and a facemask!
If you missed it, you can tune in HERE.
What We Covered
1:00- Tonight’s Topic
1:50- Why You’d Want To Make Your Own Products
3:03- Humans Cells
5:44- Caller Joe
8:42- Colloidal Silver
9:43- Microbiomes
11:55- Fluoride Toothepaste
12:50- Is Fluoride Good For You?
13:19- Ingredients In Common/Popular Toothpaste
16:17- Products You Can Purchase That Are Good For You
18:19- Benefits of Coconut Oil
21:34- Recipe For Squeezable Toothpaste
23:56- Importance of Lavender
25:10- Recipe For Hand Sanitizer
27:39- Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure
29:31- How To Make The Towels For Wipes
31:07- Recipe For The Wipes
36:14- Ingredients In Pampers Wipes
38:33- Electric Toothbrushes And Waterpicks
40:37- Benefits of Vinegar
41:55- Tea Tree Oil
44:35- Papaya And Pineapple Facemask
45:34- Recipe For The Facemask
47:10- Maji N Mongo
48:51- Wellness Mama Website
Dr. J. Renae Norton is a clinical psychologist, specializing in the outpatient treatment of obesity and eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, bulimarexia, and binge eating disorder (BED) and the Director of The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the Director of The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Let’s Connect!
Like me on Facebook
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship. This information is not necessarily the position of Dr. J. Renae Norton or The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity.
News You Can Use-Week of December 8th-14th!
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of December 8th-14th!”
Obesity Shortens Life By Eight Years, Warn Scientists
Obese young people could be shortening their lives by more than eight years and storing up a future of ill health, scientists have warned. LEARN MORE
Eating More Green Vegetables May Aid Heart Health, Reduce Risk Of Obesity, Diabetes
Eat your greens, they’re good for you.” This is statement that many of us heard as a child while pushing vegetables around the plate in disgust at dinner time. But it seems our parents may have had a point; three new studies reveal that a chemical called nitrate – found in green vegetables including spinach, lettuce and celery – may aid heart health and reduce the risk of obesity and diabetes. LEARN MORE
Maybe We Just Shouldn’t Ever Buy Grocery Store Chicken
The latest scandal in supermarket chicken comes from Canada. This time, a supermarket was reported to be re-labeling its chicken to have a later sell-by date, based on nothing more than a smell test. Should we maybe just stop buying supermarket chicken altogether? LEARN MORE
Is the Propellant in Pam Cooking Spray Harmful?
Do you use zero-calorie oil sprays? You know, of course, that they do contain some calories. FDA loopholes allow the manufacturers to round the calorie count down to 0. These oils-in-a-can also contain an ingredient you may be interested to learn more about: Propellant. LEARN MORE
Slow Down!
Common sense says if you eat slowly over the course of, say, a 20-minute meal, you’ll eat less than someone who eats quickly over the course of that same meal. This approach to healthier eating has been confirmed by a report published in a May 2014 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, wherein 22 studies on eating rate and calorie intake were reviewed. LEARN MORE
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
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News You Can Use-Week of September 22-28

“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of September 22nd-28th, 2014!”
The Lure of Forbidden Food
How hard will your child work for food? LEARN MORE
Probiotic Logic vs. Gut Feelings
The label on my bottle of Nature’s Bounty Advanced Probiotic 10 says it contains 10 probiotic strains and 20 billion live cultures in each two-capsule dose. The supplement provides “advanced support for digestive and intestinal health” and “healthy immune function.” LEARN MORE
Unexpected Sugar-Spiking Foods
When trying to reduce sugar in your diet, it’s easy to point fingers at the usual suspects: sodas, jellies, desserts. But not all sugars are that obvious, like sugar in ketchup, salad dressing, or pita bread. LEARN MORE
5 Reasons to Befriend Your Local Beekeeper
September is National Honey Month, which means that there’s more of an excuse than ever to find something to spread it on. But to fully appreciate honey, it helps to know about all that honey and honeybees contribute to your daily diet. LEARN MORE
11 Surprising Reasons Organic Is Better for You
Ever find yourself eyeing up the organic label, wondering if it’s actually worth it. According to a huge new review study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, it is. LEARN MORE
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
The Eating Disorder Pro Podcast – Genetically Modified Foods with Jeffrey Smith
Join us next Tuesday March 26th at 7 pm EST as we talk with Jeffrey Smith about the dangers of genetically modified foods. We’ll be taking your questions LIVE at 646-378-0494. You can tune in HERE.
To learn more about Genetically Modified Foods, be sure to check out this blog article! You can also watch Jeffrey Smith’s documentary “Genetic Roulette” online.
Here’s a bit of background info about Jeffrey Smith from the Institute for Responsible Technology.
“The leading consumer advocate promoting healthier non-GMO choices, Jeffrey M. Smith, is the author of the world’s bestselling and #1 rated book on the health dangers genetically modified organisms (GMOs). His meticulous research documents how biotech companies continue to mislead legislators and safety officials to put the health of society at risk, and the environment in peril.
His first book Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of the Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating masterfully combines the art of storytelling and investigative reporting. His second book, Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods, is the authoritative work on GMO health dangers. It includes 65 health dangers, linking GMOs in our food to toxic and allergic reactions, infertility, and damage to virtually every internal organ studied in lab animals. The book expertly summarizes why the safety assessments conducted by the FDA and regulators worldwide teeter on a foundation of outdated science and false assumptions, and why GM foods must urgently become our nation’s top food safety priority. Former UK environment minister says the revelations in Genetic Roulette may “change the global course of events this century.”
Mr. Smith has counseled leaders from every continent, campaigned to end the use of genetically engineered bovine growth hormone (rbGH or rbST), and influenced the first state laws in the United States regulating GMOs. An admired keynote speaker around the globe, Mr. Smith has been described as “a life-changer”. Mr. Smith has lectured in 30 countries and has been quoted by world leaders and hundreds of media outlets including, The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC World Service, Nature, The Independent, Daily Telegraph, New Scientist, The Times (London), Associated Press, Reuters News Service, LA Times, Time Magazine and Genetic Engineering News. Mr. Smith is also a popular guest on influential radio shows and television programs, such as the BBC, NPR, Fox News, Democracy Now and the Dr. Oz Show.
Former US National Institutes of Health scientist Candace Pert describes Jeffrey as “the leading world expert in the understanding and communication of the health issues surrounding genetically modified foods.”
Mr. Smith has united leaders to support, The Campaign for Healthier Eating in America, a revolutionary industry and consumer movement to remove GMOs from the US food supply. He is the executive director of the Institute for Responsible Technology, producer of the films Hidden Dangers in Kids’ Meals and Your Milk on Drugs—Just Say No!, writes an internationally syndicated column, Spilling the Beans, has a regular blog on the popular Huffington Post, and is followed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
The Institute for Responsible Technology’s Campaign for Healthier Eating in America mobilizes citizens, organizations, businesses, and the media, to achieve the tipping point of consumer rejection of genetically modified foods.
The Institute produces a wide range of consumer education and advocacy tools for its visitors and newsletter readers, including the nation’s most popular non-GMO in-store brand publication, the Non-GMO Shopping Guide.
The Institute informs policy makers and the public around the world about the risks and impacts of GMOs on health, environment, agriculture, the global economy, and the problems associated with current research, regulation, corporate practices, and reporting.
Mr. Smith lives with his wife in Iowa, surrounded by genetically modified soybeans and corn.”
Let’s Connect!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2013, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2013, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Misleading Food Labels!



Photo credit: yisris via Flickr/Creative Commons
Organic, light, multigrain, reduced fat, all natural, no added sugar. With all the food labels on our grocery store shelves, it can be quite difficult to make healthy choices when it comes what we put into our shopping cart! You are not alone in this confusion; according to a Nielsen survey 59% of consumers have difficulty interpreting food labels. This year, in Europe, significant changes are being made to the way foods will be labeled. Nutrition facts will be displayed on the front of food packages and identified with a “red light, yellow light, green light approach”; red will indicate that something is unhealthy, yellow will indicate that something is moderately unhealthy, green will indicate something is healthy. Below is a list of the most misleading food labels on our grocery store shelves.
- “All Natural” – The FDA has not defined the label “all natural”. It usually means that the product doesn’t contain artificial color, artificial flavors, and synthetic ingredients. The term “all natural” can be easily manipulated by food manufacturers. For example, some food manufacturers argue that High Fructose Corn Syrup is “all natural” because it is derived from corn.
- “Multigrain” – Products labeled “multigrain” are highly processed, most nutritional value is lost through processing. Many of our grains, in the US, have been genetically manipulated through hybridization. As a general rule, I try to stick to ancient grains. There are several companies that make great products using ancient grains. One of my favorites is Jovial Foods, they make cookies, pasta, and flour.
- “No Sugar Added” – If you are trying to cut back on carbs, items with this label might be appealing. These products can still be high in natural sugars and could be sweetened with maltodextrin (a form of MSG). Below is a label for “no sugar added” Juicy Juice Apple Juice; no sugar added, but 26 grams of sugar per serving!
- “Sugar Free” – Products labeled “sugar free” must have less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving. These products are typically sweetened with neurotoxic artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
- “Zero Trans Fat” – Trans-fats are fats that have a hydrogen atom added to prevent the product from breaking down on the shelves (or in our bodies, for that matter). Trans fats in foods are like “BIG SUV’s trying to park into ‘compact’ parking spaces of our cells that are reserved for healthy Omega-3 fats (DHA). When this happens, our neurotransmitters responsible for focus, mood and memory have a hard time finding and recognizing their receptors due to the inflammation of the membranes on the brain cells caused by the consumption of trans-fats.” Currently, the FDA does not require trans-fats to be listed on nutrition labels, if the product contains less than 0.5 g of trans-fats per serving. If you are really serious about keeping all unhealthy trans-fats out of your diet, be sure to check the ingredients list for “hydrogenated oils” and/or “partially hydrogenated oils”. These ingredients are actually trans-fats.
- “Free Range” – The terms “free-range”, “free-roaming”, and “cage-free” are not currently regulated by the government. “Free-roaming” and “cage-free” chickens live a cage-free life and are allowed to roam freely, as long as it is within the four walls of their barn. “Free-range” chickens live in slightly better conditions; they are allowed to leave the barn, but many times the areas they have access to usually are dirt-surfaced or concrete-surfaced areas. The term “pastured” means that the eggs came from chickens that are cage-free in a grassy pasture. Eggs from pastured chickens are generally more nutritious since the diet of the chickens includes bugs and earthworms.
- “Fat-free” – When food manufacturers remove all the fat from a product, that product becomes unpalatable. Oftentimes, food manufacturers add flavor back into the product using harmful ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (MSG). These products can also be loaded with sugar, which is easily stored in the body as fat.
- “Gluten-free” – Unless you are a celiac or have gluten intolerance, there is no real benefit of eating gluten-free products. Many people associate gluten-free diets with weight loss. A study at the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center showed that 81% of people on a gluten-free diet gain weight and more than 40% of those on a gluten-free diet are overweight. According to blogger Diana Herrington at care2 make a difference, there are several drawbacks associated with gluten-free products:
- They contain too little fiber.
- They contain too many carbs.
- Gluten-free products are expensive; on average 242% more than products containing gluten.
- They contain a lot of bad carbs that cause digestive issues and have a high glycemic index. These carbs also don’t usually contain many nutrients.
- They contain too many calories; almost TWICE as much calories as their counterparts.
- They lack important nutrients such as iron, calcium, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folate.
- They often contain xanthan gum that is derived from corn, soy or wheat. Corn and soy are the most genetically modified crops in the United States.
- They contain many unhealthy sugars.
- “Organic” – “Organic” – If a product is labeled “organic”, it contains at least 95% organic ingredients; the remaining 5% can be non-organic. If a product is labeled “made with organic ingredients”, it contains at least 70% organic ingredients, the remaining 30% can be non-organic. Be sure to check the food labels to find out what non-organic ingredients the product contains! To be organic, it must say 100% organic.
- “Fat-free or low-fat milk” – There are several dangers associated with eating low-fat or fat-free milk (for tips on choosing the healthiest milk, see my article HERE)
“A study at Harvard found that women who ate two or more servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy per day, like skim milk or yogurt, had 85% higher risk of infertility than those that ate full-fat dairy products.”
-Chris Kresser“Low fat milk causes weight gain. This is how farmers fatten pigs. If they give them whole milk, the pigs stay lean. Low fat milk is missing all the vitamins that you get in the fat. The industry has figured out that they make a lot more money on butter and butterfat if they put it in ice cream. So they take the cream out of the milk, put it into ice cream. They would much rather you spend the money on ice cream, than on butter or buttercream; they make a lot more money.”
-Sally Fallon, Weston A. Price Foundation“A note on the production of skim milk powder: liquid milk is forced through a tiny hole at high pressure, and then blown out into the air. This causes a lot of nitrates to form and the cholesterol in the milk is oxidized. Those of you who are familiar with my work know that cholesterol is your best friend; you don’t have to worry about natural cholesterol in your food; however, you do not want to eat oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, to atherosclerosis. So when you drink reduced-fat milk thinking that it will help you avoid heart disease, you are actually consuming oxidized cholesterol, which initiates the process of heart disease.”
-Weston A. Price Foundation, Dirty Secrets of the Food Processing Industry“Let us get rid of one fallacy which is that skim milk is actually milk that has had the cream skimmed off the top. That actually sounds logical but it is not how is done, at least not in this modern world. That process would not remove all the cream so what is done in modern processing is the milk is spun around with centrifuges, eventually completely separating the cream (fat) and milk. It is first clarified, then separated, then pasteurized (or ultra-pasteurized), and then finally homogenized. This over-processing has now removed every healthy vitamin, living enzyme, and natural mineral. Welcome to your now-dead beverage……Skim milk will not support life. So by removing the cream you have essentially turned the milk into something completely useless, especially the pasteurized variety as you have not only removed the healthy fat but you have also as stated removed the living nutrients.”
-Raw Milk Truth“Researchers from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute conducted a study that monitored the dietary habits of more than 20,000 Swedish women for a decade. It turned out that women who consumed full fat milk or cheese had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than the rest of the group. The results were convincing enough for the researchers to recommend that a glass of full fat milk every day will cut weight gain by 15%, and a portion of full fat cheese each day will cut weight gain by 30%. Alicja Wolk, professor at the Karolinska Institute stated, ‘The surprising conclusion was that increased consumption of (full fat) cheese meant that overweight women lost weight.’Yet skim and 1% milk is pervasive in school lunch programs, and throughout the American diet. If you summarize the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid you see an emphasis on grains plus skim milk, the very combination that fattens hogs so efficiently! In fact, the USDA recommends we start the low-fat habit early: children as young as pre-school are recommended to consume non-fat or low fat milk, yogurt and cheese. With a food pyramid like this it’s little wonder we face an obesity epidemic from childhood onward.”
-Ann M Childers, MD. Life Balance Northwest“Guess what they feed a pig if they want to make it as fat as possible as fast as possible?
Low-fat milk, because if they give the pig milk with fat in it, the pig gets satiated. It’s satisfied and won’t eat any more. But if they give it low-fat milk, it will eat the grain they feed it forever because it’ll have a deficiency of fat.
Now think of what we’re eating for breakfast in this country…
If you don’t want to get fat you’re told to drink low-fat milk, and corn or wheat or oat-based cereal.
It’s the prescription to make you as fat as possible as quickly as you can get there. You’ll never stop wanting to eat because you’re never getting any food that causes satiation.
Americans are told to eat a diet that is scientifically designed to make you as fat as possible as fast as possible.”
-Dr. Al Sears, MD. Power for Healthy Living
- “Contains no MSG” – Currently, the FDA regulations state that an ingredient can contain up to 98% MSG before the ingredients have to state that the product contains MSG. There may be autolyzed yeast, hydrolyzed protein, natural flavoring, carrageenan, sodium caseinate, maltodextrin, and numerous other ingredients that contain or create processed free glutamic acid (MSG) during the manufacturing process. You can get a complete list of aliases for MSG HERE.
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2013, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2013, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – December 27 2012-January 3 2013
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of December 27-January 3 2012!”
Weight Gain and Artificial Sweeteners [Study]
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543
Read About Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – November 27-December 4 2012
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of November 27-December 4 2012!”
Extra fruit may not ward off daily hunger
U.S. diets not up to U.S. standards: study
Food allergies may be caused by pesticides in tap water
New Study – Artificial Sweeteners More Fattening than Sugar!
Kaiser Permanente Warns Millions of Members: Avoid GMOs
Study finds U.S. leads way in high fructose corn syrup consumption and diabetes rates
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – November 5-12 2012
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of November 5-November 12 2012!”
Pro-smoking smartphone apps are the new trend for kids
The Path from Weight Gain to Insulin Resistance to Diabetes
Deficiency in fatty acids can have negative influence on human health
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543
Read About Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – Oct 1 – 9 2012
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of October 1-October 8 2012!”
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
How to Choose a Healthy Yogurt
High in protein, rich in calcium and delicious, there’s no wonder as to why yogurt is becoming an increasingly popular part of the American diet. But the benefits of yogurt don’t stop here! According to an article published by Fitness Magazine yogurt can also:
- Aid in weight loss and fat loss
- Provide the body with good-for-you bacteria
- Provide the body with vitamins such as potassium, phosphorous, riboflavin, iodine, zinc, vitamin B5, and vitamin B12
- Help the body recover from workouts faster
- Prevent high blood pressure
- Improve immune system function
- Improve dental health
As the popularity of yogurt increases, so does the number of varieties of yogurt in the dairy case. Are all varieties of yogurt created equal? How can you be sure you are choosing the healthiest yogurt? Of course, the healthiest yogurt would be homemade. But what if you want to buy a store-bought variety? Here are some tips!
1. Choose yogurt that is organic. Keep in mind, the yogurt may not always be labeled organic. Some of the smaller dairies do follow all organic principles but just might not be able to afford to purchase the USDA “organic” label. You can usually find this information by calling the dairy directly or by visiting the dairy’s website.
2. Choose yogurt that is grassfed. Grassfed dairy contains more Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA). CLA causes an increase in lean skeletal muscle tissue, and decrease in stored body fat. Studies show that individuals that include CLA in their diets may:
- reduce their risks of developing certain cancers, osteoporosis, high blood pressure and heart disease
- experience an increase in metabolism
- lower their cholesterol and triglycerides
- lower their insulin resistance (a Penn State study found that CLA mimicked synthetic diabetes medication)
- experience a reduction in belly fat, especially in the overweight and obese
- experience an increase in lean muscle
3. Choose yogurt that is made from milk from an A2 Beta Casein cow (Guernsey is best, but there are other breeds such as Brown Swiss and Jersey etc.). This information is sometimes more difficult to find, in most cases you would have to either contact the dairy directly, but sometimes the dairy does include this information on their website. If you want to play it safe, goat milk yogurt or sheep milk yogurt will always contain A2 Beta Casein.
4. Avoid “fat-free” or “low fat” yogurt. Here are a few reasons that I avoid fat-free and low-fat dairy:
“A study at Harvard found that women who ate two or more servings of low-fat or non-fat dairy per day, like skim milk or yogurt, had 85% higher risk of infertility than those that ate full-fat dairy products.” – Chris Kresser
“Low fat milk causes weight gain. This is how farmers fatten pigs. If they give them whole milk, the pigs stay lean.Low fat milk is missing all the vitamins that you get in the fat. The industry has figured out that they make a lot more money on butter and butterfat if they put it in ice cream. So they take the cream out of the milk, put it into ice cream. They would much rather you spend the money on ice cream, than on butter or buttercream; they make a lot more money.” -Sally Fallon, Weston A. Price Foundation
“A note on the production of skim milk powder: liquid milk is forced through a tiny hole at high pressure, and then blown out into the air. This causes a lot of nitrates to form and the cholesterol in the milk is oxidized. Those of you who are familiar with my work know that cholesterol is your best friend; you don’t have to worry about natural cholesterol in your food; however, you do not want to eat oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, to atherosclerosis. So when you drink reduced-fat milk thinking that it will help you avoid heart disease, you are actually consuming oxidized cholesterol, which initiates the process of heart disease.” -Weston A. Price Foundation, Dirty Secrets of the Food Processing Industry
“Let us get rid of one fallacy which is that skim milk is actually milk that has had the cream skimmed off the top. That actually sounds logical but it is not how is done, at least not in this modern world. That process would not remove all the cream so what is done in modern processing is the milk is spun around with centrifuges, eventually completely separating the cream (fat) and milk. It is first clarified, then separated, then pasteurized (or ultra-pasteurized), and then finally homogenized. This over-processing has now removed every healthy vitamin, living enzyme, and natural mineral. Welcome to your now-dead beverage……Skim milk will not support life. So by removing the cream you have essentially turned the milk into something completely useless, especially the pasteurized variety as you have not only removed the healthy fat but you have also as stated removed the living nutrients.”
-Raw Milk Truth
“Researchers from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute conducted a study that monitored the dietary habits of more than 20,000 Swedish women for a decade. It turned out that women who consumed full fat milk or cheese had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than the rest of the group. The results were convincing enough for the researchers to recommend that a glass of full fat milk every day will cut weight gain by 15%, and a portion of full fat cheese each day will cut weight gain by 30%. Alicia Wolk, professor at the Karolinska Institute stated, ‘The surprising conclusion was that increased consumption of (full fat) cheese meant that overweight women lost weight.’
Yet skim and 1% milk is pervasive in school lunch programs, and throughout the American diet. If you summarize the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid you see an emphasis on grains plus skim milk, the very combination that fattens hogs so efficiently! In fact, the USDA recommends we start the low-fat habit early: children as young as pre-school are recommended to consume non-fat or low fat milk, yogurt and cheese. With a food pyramid like this it’s little wonder we face an obesity epidemic from childhood onward.” -Ann M Childers, MD. Life Balance Northwest
“Guess what they feed a pig if they want to make it as fat as possible as fast as possible? Low-fat milk, because if they give the pig milk with fat in it, the pig gets satiated. It’s satisfied and won’t eat any more. But if they give it low-fat milk, it will eat the grain they feed it forever because it’ll have a deficiency of fat.
Now think of what we’re eating for breakfast in this country…If you don’t want to get fat you’re told to drink low-fat milk, and corn or wheat or oat-based cereal. It’s the prescription to make you as fat as possible as quickly as you can get there. You’ll never stop wanting to eat because you’re never getting any food that causes satiation. Americans are told to eat a diet that is scientifically designed to make you as fat as possible as fast as possible.” -Dr. Al Sears, MD. Power for Healthy Living
Secondly, the body needs fat soluble vitamins in order to digest protein. Vitamin A is one of the vitamins it needs; this is most common in animal fat. If the body isn’t getting fat soluble vitamins from the food it is trying to digest, it’s going to start pulling vitamins from the liver. The liver of those recovering from eating disorders and obesity is already under a lot of stress so fat free/low fat sources of protein are not the way to go, if attaining maximum health is the goal. Additionally, those with eating disorders such as anorexia are usually quite deficient in vitamin A; there is also a high prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in the obese population.
5. As with all food choices, when choosing a yogurt you should try to find the least processed variety. If available in your area, yogurt made from raw milk is ideal. In many areas, raw milk yogurt is not available, so try to find a variety that is lightly pasteurized.
6. Be sure to check the ingredients label for unwanted ingredients such as agave syrup, artificial sweeteners, high fructose corn syrup and monosodium glutamate (MSG). Be sure to check for hidden sources of MSG such as skim milk powder, natural flavors, gelatin, pectin (Truth in Labeling provides a list of all hidden sources of MSG). Typically, unflavored yogurt is your safest bet. You can always add your own organic fruit, or maybe a bit of coconut nectar if you find it is too tart.
Currently, one of my favorite brands of yogurt is Erivan. It has no added thickeners, stabilizers, or milk solids. The cows on Erivan Dairy are primarily grassfed; any supplemental feed is fertilized organically. Calves are fed their mother’s milk. According to the Erivan website, the yogurt is made from “a choice blend of the freshest raw cow’s milk, pasteurized only once – just before culturing”. Erivan also notes that since the yogurt “is incubated in its own container, valuable whey, containing minerals, vitamins and protein is not lost.”
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – July 22-29 2012
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of July 22-29 2012!”
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
News You Can Use – July 8-15
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder and obesity treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your weekly news update for the week of July 8-15 2012!”
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Health Effects of Coffee
“I’ve been treating eating disorders (ED’s) and obesity for nearly 25 years and have always had good outcomes. My rate of success improved dramatically, however, when I discovered the critical role that processed food plays in causing as well as in preventing recovery from Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, (a combination of the two) Binge Eating Disorder (BED,) Emotional Eating and Obesity. To this end, I find it of great importance to provide both my patients and readers with relevant nutrition information to aid in their recovery. You can view all my Nutrition, Fitness, and Health articles here.”
This year coffee consumption in the United States has jumped ahead of soft drink consumption by more than 10%. The United States imports 35% of the world coffee bean supply to keep up with our consumption of over 400 million cups of coffee per day OR 4500 cups of coffee per second. The increasing popularity of coffee shows no sign of stopping; in 2010 56% of Americans consumed coffee, now in 2012 64% of Americans enjoy the beverage. How healthy is it to consume that much coffee? How are coffee bean farmers keeping up to our demand?
Up until 30 years ago, coffee beans were traditionally grown in shady, tropical, bio diverse environments. As demand began to increase, farmers had to find methods of increasing yield. This is where scientists stepped in to lend a hand. A fancy, new variety of coffee bean plant was developed that had the potential to produce more than three times more coffee beans. Problem solved, right? Not so fast. There was one major requirement that these plants needed to thrive, a sunny environment. Farmers were strongly encouraged USAID and other international development agencies to clear their land of rainforest plants that previously provided shade and begin to exclusively use the new sun-tolerant coffee bean plants.
Since sun-tolerant coffee bean plants were introduced, coffee bean plants have become one the most heavily chemically-treated crops of ANY agricultural commodity. When farmers cleared their land to create ideal growing conditions for the sun-tolerant plants their soil quality became extremely poor, resulting in the introduction of chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth. According to the CS Monitor, more than 250 pounds of fertilizer is used per acre of land. The new full-sun growing environment resulted in an increase in insects, weeds, fungus, pests, resulting in the introduction of an insane amount of pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides. What effects do these chemicals have on our health?
When pesticides are applied to any crop, they are applied in a fat-soluble base, so that they won’t wash off of the plants. Fat-solubility makes these chemical extremely difficult for the body to eliminate. If the body does not have enough resources to break the fat-soluble substance into a water-soluble substance, it moves the toxins into stored body fat until resources are available. As we consume more and more toxins, our bodies are forced to create more fat to store the toxins in. This especially becomes an issue for people that participate in physical exercise. When we exercise, our body dips into our stored body fat for energy, forcing our body to process the toxins in the fat without the right nutrients to do so. This results in scarring or cirrhosis of the liver.
Does this mean we should eliminate coffee from our diets altogether? Not necessarily. Should we avoid non-organic coffee? Most definitely. There are a small amount of organic coffee bean farmers that still use the shade-tolerant variety of plants. As of 2003, organic coffee only represented 0.6% of coffee consumption in the major coffee consuming countries. Starbucks has introduced some organic coffee blends, but at this point it only accounts for 2.3% of the beans they purchase and sell.Let’s Connect!
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Sources:Real Food Summit – Paul Chek – Eating Whole Foods for Body, Mind and Soul
Eggs: Free-Range, Free-Roaming, Cage-Free or Pastured?
Grain Products, Plant Protein Products, Processed Grain Byproducts, Roughage Products, Forage, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin Supplement, Calcium Pantothenate, Choline Chloride, Folic Acid, Manadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex, Methionine Supplement, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Chloride, Zinc Oxide, Ethylenediamine Dihydriodide, Sodium Selenite.
How does the nutritional value of eggs from chickens that are raised in confined areas compare to eggs from pastured chickens? Eggs from pastured chickens contain:
- 1/3 less cholesterol
- 1/4 less saturated fat
- 2/3 more vitamin A
- 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
- 3 times more vitamin E
- 7 times more beta carotene
I found these statistics on the Mother Earth News Website:
- In 1974, the British Journal of Nutrition found that pastured eggs had 50 percent more folic acid and 70 percent more vitamin B12 than eggs from factory farm hens.
- In 1988, Artemis Simopoulos, co-author of The Omega Diet, found pastured eggs in Greece contained 13 times more omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids than U.S. commercial eggs.
- A 1998 study in Animal Feed Science and Technology found that pastured eggs had higher omega-3s and vitamin E than eggs from caged hens.
- A 1999 study by Barb Gorski at Pennsylvania State University found that eggs from pastured birds had 10 percent less fat, 34 percent less cholesterol, 40 percent more vitamin A, and four times the omega-3s compared to the standard USDA data. Her study also tested pastured chicken meat, and found it to have 21 percent less fat, 30 percent less saturated fat and 50 percent more vitamin A than the USDA standard.
- In 2003, Heather Karsten at Pennsylvania State University compared eggs from two groups of Hy-Line variety hens, with one kept in standard crowded factory farm conditions and the other on mixed grass and legume pasture. The eggs had similar levels of fat and cholesterol, but the pastured eggs had three times more omega-3s, 220 percent more vitamin E and 62 percent more vitamin A than eggs from caged hens.
- The 2005 study Mother Earth News conducted of four heritage-breed pastured flocks in Kansas found that pastured eggs had roughly half the cholesterol, 50 percent more vitamin E, and three times more beta carotene.
- Twenty cents, people. How does that compare to other foods of a similar nutrient density?
- Raw grass fed organic butter ($8 per pound): 50 cents per ounce
- Raw grass fed organic cream ($7 per pint): 44 cents per ounce
- Pasteurized grass fed butter – ($5 per pound): 31 cents per ounce
- Grass fed organic ground beef ($4 per pound): 25 cents per ounce
- Grass fed organic beef liver ($3 per pound): 19 cents per ounce
- Raw grass fed organic milk ($10.50 per gallon): 8 cents per ounce”
Take my new Eating Disorder survey!
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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible. Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Eating Disorder and Obesity Therapy Tool: Eating Organic on a Budget
“Making informed nutrition and fitness-related decisions can be somewhat overwhelming for those in therapy for eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, bulimarexia, binge eating disorder) and obesity. To this end, I’ve compiled a set of handouts to provide handy reference guides to both my readers and clients. You can view all my Nutrition and Fitness Handouts here. Be sure to check back frequently, as I am always adding new handouts to my list!”
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has recently published a list of conventionally-grown produce that are highest in pesticide residue, and a list of conventionally-grown produce that are lowest in pesticide residue. Foods that are highest in pesticides should either be avoided or purchased organic; foods that are lowest in pesticides are not as necessary to purchase organic.
The foods that are highest in pesticide residue include:
- Apples
- Celery
- Strawberries
- Peaches
- Spinach
- Nectarines – imported
- Grapes – imported
- Sweet bell peppers
- Potatoes
- Blueberries – domestic
- Lettuce
- Kale/Collard greens
- Onions
- Sweet Corn – should be purchased organic, if you are concerned with GMOs
- Pineapples
- Avocado
- Asparagus
- Sweet peas
- Mangoes
- Eggplant
- Cantaloupe – domestic
- Kiwi
- Cabbage
- Watermelon
- Sweet potatoes
- Grapefruit
- Mushrooms
Let’s Connect!
Take my new Eating Disorder survey!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Sources:
//www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/
Recipe: Tunegg Salad
1/2 cup diced organic onion
Toss with:
Nutrition (Entire Recipe)
News You Can Use – Feb 26 – March 4 2012
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your news update for the week of Feb 26- March 4 2012!”
Kids Don’t Mind If You Put Veggies In The Cake
Don’t Believe the Lie: Organic Farming CAN feed the world
Combat High Blood Pressure with Yoga Exercises
The Top Ten Worst Sources of Aspartame
Organic Raw Dairy vs Pasteurized Milk (Infographic)
Aspartame Withdrawal and Side Effects Explained – How to Protect Yourself
Recipes for Health – Arugula Pina Colada Smoothie
The Benefits of Sadness – Why Sadness Isn’t Always Something We Should Seek to Avoid
Two Healthy Games for School Kids
The FDA (Sort of) Approves Industry’s Front Pack Nutrition Label
New Nutrition Labels, Now on Meat
Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!
Let’s Connect!
Take my new Eating Disorder survey!
Twitter @drrenae
Contact Dr Norton by phone 513-205-6543 or by form
Inquire about booking Dr Norton for a speaking engagement
Read About Dr Norton
View video about Dr Norton
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Your Health in the News – Dec 12 – 19
“As an Eating Disorder Professional, I know that many of my clients that are in treatment for Anorexia, Bulimia, Bulimarexia, Binge Eating Disorder or Obesity are overwhelmed by all the information in the news about our health. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to all of us at The Norton Center for Eating Disorders and Obesity. From my eating disorder treatment center in Cincinnati, here is your news update for the week of December 12-19 2011.”
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
Dairy Aisle Confusion
“Making informed nutrition and fitness-related decisions can be somewhat overwhelming for those in therapy for eating disorders (anorexia, bulimia, bulimarexia, binge eating disorder) and obesity. To this end, I’ve compiled a set of handouts to provide handy reference guides to both my readers and clients. You can view all my Nutrition and Fitness Handouts here. Be sure to check back frequently, as I am always adding new handouts to my list!”
With all the varieties of milk available in grocery stores today, it is very difficult to know which type of milk is the healthiest. In this post, I hope to provide both my patients and readers with some insight to make the decision-making process less stressful.
Today’s milk is much different from the milk our grandparents and great-grandparents drank. Much of the milk in stores today:
- comes from cows that produce A1 beta-casein
- comes from grain-fed cows
- is pasteurized (and in some cases ultra-pasteurized) and homogenized
- contains synthetic vitamins, antibiotics and growth hormones
- has dry milk added to improve consistency
We can avoid some of these unhealthy aspects of today’s milk by consuming milk from grass-fed cows when possible. Milk from grass-fed cows has many health benefits, including but not limited to:
- it contains five times more conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
- it contains the perfect ratio of essential fatty acids. This can reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, autoimmune disorders, allergies, obesity, diabetes, dementia, and mental health disorders
- it contains more beta-carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin D than grain-fed milk
So, what kind of milk should you buy? I’ve created a handy, quick-reference guide to use when making your decision.
The Cornucopia Institute recently did an in-depth investigation of over 100 organic dairy farms throughout the United States. They ranked each dairy based on organic farming practices and ethics. I’ve summarized some of the findings for some of the organic dairy farms that sell milk in the Cincinnati area (for readers outside of the Cincinnati area, you can find more dairy farm ratings here)
–Traders Point (milk and yogurt) was the only dairy farm in my area that was rated ‘Outstanding’ (5 out of 5 cow rating) (Snowville Creamery was not included in the report)
-Dairy farms that were rated ‘Excellent’ (4 out of 5 cow rating) include:
- Kalona Supernatural (milk and cheese)
- Julie’s Ice Cream
- Organic Valley
- Wallaby (yogurt and ice cream)
- Whole Foods 365 Organic Milk
- Stonyfield (yogurt and milk)
- Helios Kefir
- Lifeway Kefir
–Ben and Jerry’s Organic Ice Cream was the only locally available ice cream that was rated ‘Very Good’ (2 out of 5 cow rating)
-Dairy farms that were rated ‘some or all factory-farm milk or unknown source, but better than conventional’ (1 out of 5 cow rating)*
- Kirkland Signature Organic Milk (Costco)
- Naturally Preferred Organic Milk (Kroger)
- Meijer Organic Milk
- Trader Joe’s Organic Milk
- Archer Farm’s Organic Milk (Target)
-Dairy farms that were rated ‘Ethically Deficient’ (0 out of 5 cow rating)* include:
*There were no ‘1 cow rated farms’ or ‘0 cow rated farms’ that agreed to participate in the investigation, so score was based on information that was publicly available
Although milk has changed over time, we can still make healthy decisions by becoming informed consumers. Thanks to institutes like Cornucopia, we can gain much knowledge about where our food is coming from.
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com)’.
Sources:
www.foodrenegade.com/healthy-milk-what-to-buy/
www.eatwild.com/articles/superhealthy.html
www.cornucopia.org/dairysurvey/index.html
photo used under creative commons license, flickr user kakie
Is Your Shampoo Affecting Your Weight Management Goals?
When we think of managing our weight, the areas of our lifestyle we look at are usually diet and exercise. Right? What if there was something lurking in your shower that was the culprit for some of these excess pounds? Obesogens; agents that when absorbed, contribute to obesity. Our world is full of them. They lurk in everything from the foods we eat to the receipt for things we purchase.
According to Leah Zerbe of Rodale, obesogens are “chemicals and compounds in our environment that disrupt hormones, making it hard to maintain a healthy weight”. Obesogens mimic estrogen, causing the body to send a signal to convert stem cells to fat cells. In addition to affecting our endocrine (hormone) system, research shows that obesogens may also cause cancer, birth defects, infertility, insuline resistance, ADHD, autism, and high cholesterol. The main sources of obesogens are pesticides, BPA, personal-care products, vinyl, non-stick products, PCBs, soy and nicotine.
Pesticides, which are designed to disrupt the hormone systems of pests, also affect the hormone systems of humans. Some genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are even designed to create their own pesticides.
So, what is the solution to this seemingly impossible situation? There are several easy things we can do to reduce the amount of obesogens we are exposed to. There are also some more difficult things that will require more of a lifestyle change.
- We can purchase organic foods and avoid GMOs.
- Eliminating processed foods is also important, because they often contain soy and corn. Soy and corn are two of the most commonly modified crops in the US.
- In situations where organic produce is not accessible, a wash and rinse with a water and vinegar spray will remove many pesticides.
- To avoid BPA, choose fresh, jarred or frozen foods instead of canned. Cans are often lined with BPA to avoid a chemical reaction between the contained food and metal of the can. Some companies do not line their cans with BPA, but the chemical the do line the cans with has not been in use long enough to be deemed “safe”.
- Also, try to avoid getting receipts, whenever possible. Receipts are printed with thermal printers, and BPA is used during this printing process.
- Avoid using plastics. Use metal water bottles instead of plastic, use glass or stainless steel food storage containers.
If you really want to get serious:
- Vinyl contains obesogens called “phthalates”. Many shower curtain liners are made of vinyl. We can used hemp shower curtain liners as an alternative. Hemp is naturally anti-microbial, and has a much longer lifespan than vinyl.
- Non-stick coating is found on many products, including cookware, microwave popcorn bags, fast food packaging and non-stick cooking sprays. We can avoid being exposed to this obesogen by using stainless steel or US-made cast iron cookware, popping popcorn in coconut oil on the stovetop, and using healthy oils (such as coconut or olive oil) to cook our foods.
- Personal care products and household cleaners contain many obesogens, including phthalates, petrochemicals (petroleum products), and parabens. The ingredients “fragrance”, “parfum” and “perfume” are 95% petrochemicals. By eliminating products that contain “fragrance”, we can eliminate up to 700 petrochemicals from our lives. When shopping for personal care products and household cleaners, avoid any products containing ingredients ending in “eth”, such as “sodium laurETH sulfate”.
- Anything ending in “eth” was produced using petrochemicals. Also, avoid any ingredients containing the words “methyl”, “propyl”, “butyl”, “ethyl”, “mineral oil” or “paraffin”, these are all parabens. Some products use a “natural” preservative called “grapefruit seed extract” but petrochemicals are used to derive this extract from the seed.
According to “green beauty expert”, Paige Padgett, good quality safe personal care products are available. Some companies that make these products include: Jane Iredale, Eco Nvey, Primitive, Suki, David Babaii, and Prima Vera. Seventh Generation makes safe household cleaners. Visit www.paigepadgett.com and www.rodale.com for additional suggestions for safe personal care products and household cleaners. Rodale also offers tutorials on creating your own household cleaning products.
Sources
Paige Padgett – Green Beauty Expert (//paigepadgett.com/)
Croxton, S. (2011, July 21). The Organic Manifesto. Underground Wellness Podcast. Podcast retrieved from www.undergroundwellness.com
Michaels, J. (2011, April 8). Fat is not the enemy and green beauty. Jillian Michaels Radio Show. Podcast retrieved from www.jillianmichaelsradioshow.com
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’
17 Most Important Foods to Eat Organic
1. Baby Food. The very young are extraordinarily susceptible to pesticides. Here are some organic baby food brands, Earth’s Best, Tender Harvest, and Healthy Times, which are available for your baby’s safety and health. Or better yet, make your own baby food by cooking and pureeing organic produce. See “Make Your Own Baby Food”.
2. Strawberries. Enjoy them while they are in season from local organic farms or buy frozen organic strawberries from your local whole market.
3. Rice. Domestic rice has mega-doses of pesticides, and now, the chemicals companies are producing “pharm” rice a crop used to produce and store pharmaceuticals. Buy organic rice where you can find it! Store it in an airtight container. It stores very well.
4. Green and Red Bell Peppers. Super sources of Vitamin C, but wrought with pesticides if grown “conventionally”. Buy organic, or, better yet, grow your own. Seeds of Change has a plethora of organic seeds, and pepper plants prove to be a hardy bunch!
5. Got Milk? We hope not, at least, not from conventionally raised cows. Today’s commercial brands are loaded with antibiotics and growth hormones. Make sure your milk and other dairy is from organically-fed cows without the extra rBST, rBGH and antibiotics.
If you are feeding your child goat milk, and/or goat products, be aware that our science community has now genetically-mutated a goat to spin silk in her milk. See the New Scientist article.
6. Corn. Corn is typically not a scale tipper when it comes to pesticide residues. But, take into account that 75- 90% of all domestic corn has been genetically-modified, that the average American eats 11 pounds of it, that most cooking oils include corn oil, and that most everything is sweetened with corn syrup, and suddenly, buying organic corn and corn products, makes more than a little sense. Eat local organic corn in season and freeze some for later, or, leave some kernels to dry, and plant them in the spring.
7. Bananas. This tropical favorite has a short window of ripeness and a very long distance to market (quick, how many local banana farms does your town have?). All of which adds up to a lot of heavy chemical dousing along the way.
8. Green Beans. Over 60 different pesticides are used on green beans. Even beans used in baby food have been found to be contaminated.
9. Peaches. Nothing beats a peach. Until you realize that they often have the highest rates of illegally-applied pesticides. Isn’t that just peachy . . .
10. Apples. A decade after the dangers of Alar were exposed, apples are still soaked in pesticides. Put only organic apples in your pie.
11. Cherries. Cherries, so expensive, so rich, so fabulous, . . . so heavily doused in poison. Make sure that the cherries in your Cherries Jubilee or Bing Cherry Ice Creams are as clean and wonderful as they were meant to be.
12. Celery. Why would anyone think of spraying the heck out of that innocuous little stem vegetable?! But they do. Stay organic, the taste of organic celery will amaze you and make you a celery-nibbler once again.
13. Apricots and Grapes. Apricots, Peaches and Grapes, what would summer be without them? Less toxic! Keep conventionally grown fruits and veggies, and their pesticide residuals, out of your system or minimize them with a vegetable rinse, such as the one by Healthy Harvest.
14. Soybeans. If you are not yet a label-reader, it is time to start. Everything you buy, from bread to cookies to crackers to margarine to dry mixes, has some sort of soy product in it. Most soybean in the USA is genetically-modified. So, why the fuss over modified soy?
Monsanto, in an effort to increase the use (and profit potential) of Round-Up Ready, spliced the herbicide into soybean plant DNA. Two problems with this action.
1) No matter what you or I do, we can never wash RoundUp Ready herbicide off the soybean–ever. It is “permanently imbedded”.
2) It appears that soy increases production of estrogen. High estrogen levels facilitate the potential for contracting various cancers and for hastening puberty in young children. Although the jury is still out on whether soy consumption, in general, is beneficial, or whether only fermented soy should be consumed, never, we mean NEVER, consume foods laced with poisons.
15. Potatoes. Mashed potatoes are delicious and worth the calories, unless they’re laden with pesticides or have been genetically-modified.
When genetically modified, potatoes impair the immune system and shrink the brain, liver and heart.
So, mash a clean, real, organic potato and forgo the new-fangled monstrosity.
Got soft, green-sprouting organic potatoes? Don’t toss them,bury them!
16. Raisins. Concentrated little grapes, concentrated levels of pesticides.
17. Cucumbers. Ever wonder why this delicious crisp vegetable was loosing its appeal on your palate? Yep! The answer is, once again, pesticides. The answer to pesticides, is, once again, go organic, or grow your own.
Sources:
Kids Organics – Most Important Foods to Eat Organic (//kidsorganics.com/10%20Most%20Important%20Foods%20to%20Eat%20Organic.htm)
Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.
© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2011, Dr J Renae Norton. //edpro.wpengine.com’