What is "Nutrition"? | Blog of the Basics

After over 14 years in clinical practice as a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist focused on GI and Liver diseases, what I thought I already knew has become even clearer: Physicians are provided very little formal training on nutrition and diet, nor on their overall impact on one's health, disease states, and wellbeing.

An actual leftover lunch of mine

We all know the basics: Eat a high fiber, low-fat foods, etc. Yet we all need reminding.

I will use this evolving blog as a tool to share, educate, remind, and redirect people to healthier, cleaner eating, with the goal of a sustainable plan and overall better quality of life.

Here are some of the Basics:

Eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein

Portion control

You can eat—but moderate salt, fat, and sugars

Exercise (even on any level) is necessary for a long life

See the recent posting from CNN

Basic enough concept. Read the labels. Too long? Can you not pronounce it? Comes in a bag? Likely it is processed foods. More and more data is being published showing how unhealthy "processed" foods are.

What I tell my patients when asked: "How do I lose weight?"

1. No white flour 2. No white sugar 3. Nothing in a bag

Even I needed resetting and coaching.

Last October, I started to reassess how I ate. How much. How often.

I went to a "coach." Even as a Gastroenterologist—I needed coaching on how to "reset" my "healthy" eating, nutrition, and dietary choices. I needed accountability.

I lost 15 pounds in 3 months and ~5% body fat with accountability. Maintaining it today with minimal weekday exercise. I saw it work on others. Then it worked for me.

 This is me. October 1st to December 31st. Some meals I made.