Timi Gustafson's Blog | The Healthy Diner - How to Eat Right and Still Have Fun Home Page of the Timi Gustafson R.D. Blog About Timi Gustafson R.D. Sign up for RSS Feed Become a Contributing Writer to this Blog Contact Us

Archive for December, 2008

In Pursuit of Happiness

The French are different from us. When I first saw Paris, I was instantly enamored with this magnificent metropolis – like, I would imagine, any first-time visitor would be. What impressed me most, however, was not the grand architecture, the rich history, the cultural versatility. Rather, it was the ability of the Parisians to maintain a sense of tranquility, even leisureliness in the midst of all the razzle-dazzle of big city life. The countless street cafes along the crowded boulevards are filled with patrons nursing espressos or wine at all times of the day. There are inner-city farmers markets where you can haggle with the locals over the price of just harvested vegetables or fresh fish, as if you were out in the country.

People take time for the things that matter to them the most. Interrupting someone’s lunch for any reason is sacrilege. An hour or two for an afternoon nap, especially during the summertime, is considered as some sort of birthright. Visitors unfamiliar with these customs may think of such behavior as laziness. And yet, when you compare statistics, the French are counted among the most efficient and productive workers in the world. It’s all part of what they call “savoir vivre” – knowing how to live. Read more »

New Year’s Resolutions – Weight Loss Once Again or For Good?

Most dietitians are not fond of January. Yes, we get a lot of business this time of the year, but it’s not a pretty picture. For so many of our clients “the most wonderful time of the year” is often followed by a period of misery and regret. The holiday celebrations have left their mark again – mostly around the waistline – and it can be hard to muster enough resolve to take up the battle of the bulge once more.

We all know that failure is a part of life and, to some degree; we find that to be acceptable. Of course, we’d rather think of ourselves as successes. Failure is the plight of others. Especially my generation has been brought up to believe that there are always bigger and better things in store for us and that our best days are still ahead.

I am no exception. Throughout my life, I never questioned the importance of achievement. I’ve always considered myself as a disciplined, goal-oriented person, someone who was able to roll up her sleeves and do whatever it takes to get the job done. As a wife, a mother, a homemaker, a professional and later as an entrepreneur, I’ve tried my best to fulfill expectations – those of others and, even more so, my own. I even used to organize my aspirations by drawing up flow charts, listing my goals and strategies of their realization.

Over the years, however, I managed to become a little wiser. I still believe that having goals is healthy and even necessary if we are to function at all in this world. Yet I don’t pursue my aspirations any more with the same rigor. Rather than focusing on the road ahead and mainly living in the future, I now try to stay present in the moment. I’ve learned through trial and error – sometimes the hard way – that there’s not much in life I can have total control over, so I just as well get comfortable with the surprises.

I know, of course, that we cannot exist without concern for the future. We need to believe in something that reaches beyond the here and now. We long for the day when we will be happy, win the lottery, find the right partner and have all our dreams come true. Perhaps there’s a good reason why so many people worship celebrities. At least they let us experience vicariously seemingly perfect lives.

Even now I’m not without dreams – not yet. I know what I still want. But I’m also keenly aware and full of gratitude for the countless blessings I’ve already received. It’s the latter that I build my hopes and desires on. My past experiences – failures as well as successes – serve me well as my foundation to deal with the things to come. Or, as one of my clients once put it in much more compelling terms: “Since I can’t undo my past, I might as well make use of it for the future.”

It gives me comfort to know that the desires I still have left in me are the product of everything that came before. Rose Kennedy had it right when she said: It doesn’t matter what happens to you. It only matters what you do with it. Perhaps these are silly notions that come with age. If they sound ridiculous – I still prefer good thoughts to bitterness.

So, here is my proposal for a good New Year’s resolution: First: Don’t look back, at least not with regret. Don’t despair over all that went wrong, didn’t work out, turned out to be disappointing, etc. If you tried and failed – good for you. You learned something. Second: Don’t lose sight of the big picture. It’s not about the little things; it’s about what they add up to. Third: Take action. Once you know what you need to do – do it! Never mind the circumstances from where you start. Other than all that, be happy! Live in the moment! Good luck and have a happy New Year.

Children with Food Allergies

Dear Timi,
My 2-year-old son has been diagnosed with multiple food allergies, that require the exclusion of peanuts, most dairy products and certain fruits from his diet. I’m concerned that he does not receive all the nutrients he needs to grow up and be healthy. What can I do to optimize his diet while managing his allergies?

Dear Reader,
You are not the only parent facing this dilemma. There are more than 3 million children in this country who suffer from food allergies and, according to the Center for Disease Control, the numbers are rising. Allergies to nuts, milk and shellfish are the most common, but certain meats, rice, corn and even wheat are also found to be intolerable for an ever-increasing number of young people. There are many theories why this is happening.

Among others, one possible reason may be that the diagnosis of food allergies itself is wanting. Most allergies are diagnosed by a blood test to determine the presence of antibodies which the body builds as a reaction to certain foods. However, a blood test that finds allergies to particular food items does not necessarily determine the extension of the allergies it detects. The reason is that similar proteins exist in different foods which are indistinguishable through a simple blood test. Consequently, children who test positive for allergies to peanuts may also test positive for soy or beans; allergies to milk may also show allergies to beef, etc..

A better way to diagnose food allergies would be to have your child try foods that may be “suspicious” but have not yet been proven to cause allergic reactions – under the supervision of a doctor or allergist. Keep in mind that some allergies may worsen if children are overprotected from certain foods and then develop a higher sensitization than they would have with normal exposure. Many allergies are not lifetime conditions. Some become more tolerable in limited amounts, some can be outgrown altogether with age.

In the case of your child, I would recommend that you have additional allergies tests done if the diagnosis to date has only been based on blood tests.

Dear Reader – December 2008

Timi Gustafson, R.D. As a lifestyle counselor, I listen to many people who suffer from health problems that are clearly related to stress. Many among them are high achievers who enjoy challenges and take great pride in their accomplishments. And yet, when asked what they would like to change in their lives, most of them respond that they would want more time for themselves. When questioned further what they would do with that extra time, the answer is almost always the same: Having more quiet time for myself.

Having time for ourselves is not a luxury item we can’t afford because we are too busy dealing with life’s demands. Making time for ourselves is as essential for our health and well-being as is healthy nutrition and physical exercise. It is not sufficient to spend time doing other things than what we would strictly call “work.”

Every so often, we need stillness, we need winter seasons in our lives. Like nature, we must be able to hibernate and become dormant. We must allow ourselves to withdraw from the world around us, so we can rejuvenate.

So, this Holiday Season, after the whole razzle-dazzle has died down, I suggest that you go out, breathe the cold fresh air and learn to be still for a little while. It will do you good… I know it from experience.
Go to Newsletter of December 2008…

Living Life to the Fullest – But How?

A new wave of bestselling books and popular TV shows is currently flooding the market. The basic gist is to remind us that there are lots of things for us to do “before we die.” The underlying view is that, although life is short, we should not have to leave this world before we have experienced everything it has to offer, or at least as much as possible. And now there’s help! It’s all just a matter of smart planning. The best way to accomplish this, we’re told, is to make a list of about a thousand personal goals – such as climbing a very high mountain, seeking enlightenment through ancient teachings or writing a cult novel – and get cracking before time runs out. I understand that this message is not exclusively geared toward the aging baby-boomer generation since making plans and setting goals are important at every stage in life.

I’m all for good planning, especially where it matters. I like things being in order and getting the job done in a timely manner or preferably ahead of schedule. I dislike surprises and I positively hate chaos. Most of the time, I consider these characteristics as assets – and they are, except when the unforeseeable happens and then there is no plan. I had to learn that lesson the hard way. Read more »

Expect Miracles This Year

Unless you’ve been stranded on a remote island without media access, you must have heard the bad news by now: Oprah Winfrey has gained weight again. How could she let this happen? She knows, of course, that it’s all her own fault, so the tabloids report, but millions of her fans empathize. How could they not? Many of them have been through this themselves, and probably more than once.

Well, the New Year is here and there is always time for another round of resolutions. Every year, it seems, it’s the same ritual: First the joyous holidays, then the great reckoning.

For us health counselors business is good right now, but it’s nothing to be giddy about. Especially for those who are dealing with weight problems, this can be a hard time of the year. People seek help and guidance like remorseful sinners willing to confess their misdeeds and receive their penance. You can detect a real sense of personal guilt. Many fault themselves for having failed their own expectations – and probably those of others. They blame themselves for being too weak and unable to muster the necessary will power and stamina – as if it were so simple.

In my own practice, I believe that challenging people to take responsibility for their actions is in principle a good thing. But I doubt that dispensing blame and stirring up guilt is the right approach to help them deal with their shortcomings. It may be rather counterproductive. Fear of failure itself may turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I’m aware that these are complex issues and that there are no simple answers. Nevertheless, for this year’s resolution season, I want to make a few suggestions for a new start:

First: No more negativity! Blaming yourself doesn’t get you anywhere. You don’t have to make excuses for your past actions (or inactions). But exposing yourself continuously to negative messages, whether they come from yourself or others, will only keep you from generating the energy you need to promote change. Instead, focus on the positive changes you can make from hereon in. Don’t start with a wait-and-see attitude. Be optimistic! What do you have to lose? There’s no reason why things can’t be different this time. Look to the future and expect good things. (And, while you’re at it, don’t let anyone else dash your hopes.)

Second: See the big picture! Health problems, and especially weight problems, can develop for reasons you’re not necessarily aware of. There may be a number of factors at play, some of which you may not be able to change or control right away. Perhaps you are dealing with stress issues. Stress, in particular, can be a major cause for weight gain. Also, your immediate environment and living conditions may not be conducive to certain lifestyle changes. Some ideas may be outright impractical or unaffordable at this point in time. Perhaps, there are family members, colleagues and friends involved who are affected by your actions and who may be less than supportive. Look realistically at your life’s situation, your surroundings, your habits. They all may contribute to the obstacles you’re facing in your struggle to make changes.

Third: Take the right action! If you have been unsuccessful with your efforts so far, try something different. Don’t take the same approach you tried before. It makes no sense to expect different results this time. Learn from your failed attempts. That way you are in a much better position to start anew and move in the right direction from hereon in.

So, this time around, I want you to expect that miracles will happen – or, better yet, that you will make them happen. Oprah calls that “self-empowerment.” A good attitude and high hopes for the future may help her and the millions of her fans to get their groove back too.