By Michele Tenney
Here’s To Your Health
Michele Tenney
When working with my clients on exercise and nutrition, many ask me what the best way to eat is: eating five or more small meals a day or fasting for 12 to 15 hours a day.
The answer is yes. There are many myths about the way we should eat and the timing of when we eat. One example is eating smaller meals as a means to increase your metabolism. While it is true that you increase your metabolic rate in doing so, the rate is only slightly increased.
Another example would be intermittent fasting. This term is used to describe several eating patterns where no or few calories are consumed for certain time periods that can go from 12 hours or several days on a regular basis. While fasting has proven to be a successful method for overweight adults, there are potential impacts on gut hormones and reported risks of extended fasting such as nausea, dizziness, decreased bone density and thiamin deficiencies.
Yet another eating pattern may be timing nutrient intake. This may be a great way for professional athletes to eat to support muscle recovery; however, for the average person who just wants to look and feel better it’s not a realistic lifestyle.
My clients also will ask me about protein shakes and the like. My response is to investigate what the ingredients of those powders are because quality counts. I believe food is medicine and make my shakes out of exactly that: food. I’ll throw whatever I have in the fridge in the way of veggies first, one piece of fruit, some ginger, maybe even a half a lemon with the skin, water and some almond milk, then start my blender up. My preference for protein is plant-based to avoid the potential for hormones in milk.
There is no one Holy Grail. Every person has their own DNA which makes them unique in every way. What works for one may not necessarily work for another. What is important is that you eat healthy more often than you don’t. Get the proper amount of sleep every night. Stay hydrated and lower your stress levels.
Let this be your year for optimal health. The Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce Chamber Health and Wellness Committee will be hosting a Zoom meeting March 3 at noon to discuss ways to stay healthy over the winter. I and two others will be speaking on this subject and we really hope you can join in for the discussion. Here is the link to register for the event.
Here’s to your health.
Michele Tenney is a certified personal trainer and nutritionist and wellness coach. She is the chair of the Healthy Lifestyles Committee for the Orange Elementary School System and is a member of the Orange Board of Health. She can be reached at 203-668-2969 or by email at Hmgbrd3@gmail.com.