Avenues to Wellness

• Good science should have practical applications.

Note: The study from JAMA Neurology was incorrectly stated as a 2023 study. This study was published in 2019.

In this episode of the Avenues to Wellness podcast, host Tamara Fidler discusses the growing concerns surrounding seed oils, which are prevalent in many diets today. She explains what seed oils are, their industrial processing, and the health risks associated with their high omega-6 fatty acid content, potential trans fats, and susceptibility to oxidation. Tamara also offers practical tips for choosing healthier oils and mitigating the negative effects of seed oils in our diets.

takeaways

• Seed oils are extracted from plant seeds and are common in diets.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler explores the question of how bad eating processed food really is, especially considering that many of us grew up on processed foods in the 80s and 90s. She defines processed and ultra-processed foods and discusses the cumulative effects of eating processed foods over time. She compares the quality and quantity of processed foods from the 80s to today and highlights the changes in additives, preservatives, and portion sizes. Tamara emphasizes the importance of making conscious choices to prioritize whole, minimally processed foods in our diets.

Takeaways

• Surviving doesn't necessarily mean thriving. The health impacts of processed foods are often subtle and cumulative, taking years or even decades to manifest as chronic conditions.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler explores the history of the Body Mass Index (BMI), its limitations, and alternative measures for assessing health. She discusses how BMI was originally developed as a tool to assess the average body weight of populations, but over time, it has been used as a screening tool for individual health risks. However, BMI doesn't differentiate between muscle and fat, doesn't account for fat distribution, and doesn't consider factors like age, gender, or ethnicity. Tamara suggests alternative measures such as waist to hip ratio, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and metabolic health markers. She concludes by emphasizing that BMI is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to assessing health.

Key Takeaways:

• BMI was originally developed as a tool to assess the average body weight of populations, not for individual health assessment.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler discusses the difference between health span and lifespan and why it's important to consider both as we age. She explains that health span refers to the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities. Tamara highlights the importance of health span for quality of life, healthcare costs, mental and emotional well-being, and productivity and independence. She also provides tips on how to extend our health span through a healthy diet, regular exercise, mental health activities, preventative healthcare, and quality sleep.

Takeaways

• Health span refers to the period of life spent in good health, free from chronic diseases and disabilities.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler discusses whether it is more expensive to eat healthy food than junk food. She provides evidence and research on the subject and shares mindset shifts that can help navigate this issue. Tamara explains the historical shift in food production that led to the current situation and challenges we face. She emphasizes the importance of falling in love with cooking at home again as a primary shift to bring healthier, affordable food back into our lives. Tamara shares a personal story and highlights the benefits of home-cooked meals.

Takeaways

• Healthier food generally costs more than less healthy options.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler discusses the impact of elections on physical and mental health. She introduces the concept of election stress syndrome and explores the evidence linking elections to health issues. Tamara highlights the increase in hospitalizations for cardiovascular diseases and the rise in mental health challenges during election seasons. She provides strategies to manage election stress, including setting boundaries for news consumption, seeking support from mental health professionals, and practicing mindfulness. Tamara emphasizes the importance of educating oneself about the voting process and candidates to reduce anxiety.

Key Takeaways:

• Elections can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and health coaching. She discusses how AI, specifically chat GPT (developed by OpenAI), can be leveraged to support wellness goals. Tamara identifies four primary ways to use chat GPT for health and wellness: creating tailored meal plans, tracking progress, generating custom recipes, and accessing advanced health coaching through Health Coach GPT. She emphasizes that AI can complement human interaction and provide new avenues for achieving health goals.

Takeaways

• Artificial intelligence, specifically chat GPT, can be used to support wellness goals.

In this episode, Tamara Fidler discusses the all-or-nothing mindset and the importance of embracing the gray area when it comes to making changes to our health. She shares a personal story about her sister's experience with Parkinson's disease and how a health coach helped her see the possibility of feeling 10% better. Tamara explains that black and white thinking can be detrimental to our sense of self-efficacy and motivation, and provides tips for embracing the gray area, such as noticing absolutist language, celebrating small victories, and talking to ourselves like a friend. The episode emphasizes the need to eliminate absolutist thinking for lasting change and a healthy mental state.

Takeaways:

• The all-or-nothing mindset, or black and white thinking, can be a barrier to making lasting changes to our health.

Chapters

In this episode of Avenues to Wellness, host Tamara Fidler discusses the health risks of a sedentary lifestyle, particularly the dangers of prolonged sitting. She explores the comparison between sitting and smoking, highlighting the higher number of people at risk due to extended sitting. Fidler explains the negative effects of sitting on posture, blood flow, metabolism, and overall health. She provides practical tips for incorporating more movement into daily routines and emphasizes the importance of a mindset shift to see oneself as someone who moves. The episode concludes with a reminder of the key takeaways and the need to consciously counteract the sedentary trend.

Chapters