CLEAN Food Network

Is your thyroid broken?The thyroid is a small gland that is part of your endocrine system. It's responsible for making hormones that control your metabolism (how your body makes energy, burns fat).When your thyroid is not making enough thyroid hormone, you may experience symptoms of sluggish metabolism. These include fatigue, weight gain (and can't lose weight), constipation, cold hands and feet, dry skin, nails and hair, muscle pain, and insomnia. To treat these symptoms, you might be prescribed a thyroid hormone medication, which is the number-one most prescribed drug in the U.S. Are there any dietary recommendations that can help with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's disease? Because Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease, gluten can be an irritant (cause inflammation in the gut and thyroid gland). Iodine-rich foods such as seaweed can also inflame the thyroid gland and make the condition worse. Other food sensitivities include dairy, eggs, sugar, and processed carbs. The most important factor to keep in mind is to make sure you work with a functional medicine practitioner who can find the causes of the autoimmunity.Nikolas R. Hedberg, DC, joins host Lisa Davis to explain what hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's are, as well as the best way to approach thyroid disease.

It can be challenging to eat healthy on the road, but being prepared can make a huge difference.Summer is a popular time for family road trips and other travel.It can be challenging to eat healthy on the road, but being prepared can make a huge difference.Michelle Dudash, Chef and Clean Eating Expert, joins host Lisa Davis to share some of her favorite portable snacks and mini meals.Wherever you end up, ask if there's a farmer's market nearby. These markets are becoming increasingly popular, and you can find fresh, local produce for little cost.Aim to bring along summertime fruits and vegetables that have high water concentration to help prevent dehydration (which can negatively impact your digestion). Cherries, watermelon, nectarines, peaches, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes are great options.Protein snacks can help with satiety. Nuts, seeds, pistachios, pecans, and walnuts are easy to transport. Tuna and salmon pouches also provide much-needed potassium. Dark chocolate can be just enough for your dessert... not only are you getting the benefit of antioxidants, but you'll save money because you won't be ordering that $10 piece of cake at the restaurant. Oatmeal cups are perfect for breakfast. All you need is hot water. Add in nut or seed butter or dried fruit to give it a little extra flavor.

Whether you're suffering from something like celiac disease or just don't feel "well" when eating gluten grains, there are plenty of great options you can turn to instead.Whether you're suffering from something like celiac disease or just don't feel "well" when eating gluten grains, there are plenty of great options you can turn to instead. Camilla V. Saulsbury is a freelance food writer, recipe developer and cooking instructor. Her culinary focus is translating food and flavor trends into fresh, innovative, and delicious recipes for the home kitchen. Camilla joins host Lisa Davis to share her favorite gluten-free grains, as well as some simple ways to prepare these grains.Amaranth was a staple food of the pre-Columbian Aztecs in Mexico and Peru. A growing body of research indicates that amaranth can help fend off a variety of cancers. Amaranth should be considered a functional food in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Chia seeds were once a power food of the ancient Aztec civilization. Superior in protein quality to wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, amaranth and soy, chia also offers a disease-fighting arsenal of antioxidants. When combined with liquid, chia seeds swell and form a gel that can be used as an egg substitute in baked goods.Despite its name, buckwheat has no relation to wheat whatsoever. Rather, this naturally gluten-free grain is the seed of a plant related to rhubarb. The benefits of buckwheat also extend to its mineral and antioxidant composition. Recent findings suggest that buckwheat actually has a glucose-lowering effect.Millet’s history as a cultivated crop dates back to 6000 BC in China, where it was once considered one of the five sacred crops and was, for thousands of years, the primary grain of northern China. High in fiber and protein, millet helps to keep the digestive tract operating smoothly and lowers the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Millet is one of the only grains that is alkalizing to the body.Oats are one of the most nutritious, powerful foods you can eat. Oats lower cholesterol, boost immunity, accelerate wound healing and improve the functionality of antibiotics. What really sets oats apart is how they benefit digestion.Quinoa is classified a super-food by nutritionists and a “super-crop” by the United Nations. The National Academy of Sciences calls quinoa “one of the best sources of protein in the vegetable kingdom.”Rice is one of the most ancient cultivated foods. Beyond being naturally gluten-free, brown rice is rich in antioxidants and minerals such as selenium and manganese. Like many other whole grains, brown rice is high in fiber, which assists in weight loss and maintenance, digestive health and stabilization of the body’s blood sugar levels.Sorghum, an ancient cereal grain that’s a staple crop in India and throughout Africa, has long been considered a safe grain alternative for people who cannot tolerate gluten. Sorghum promotes a healthy metabolism, thanks to its high magnesium and copper levels.Teff, native to Ethiopia and smaller than any other grain, has origins that can be traced back between 4000 and 1000 BC. Teff is high in resistant starch, a type of dietary fiber that benefits blood sugar management, weight control and colon health.

Energy bars can be a great option for providing an easy pick-me-up. But, many of them are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients.Energy bars can be a great option for providing an easy pick-me-up.But, many of them are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients. What if you could make your own energy bars with little effort, little cost, and the reassurance of knowing exactly what's in them?Camilla V. Saulsbury's new book, Power Hungry: The Ultimate Energy Bar Cookbook, has a simple premise: do-it-yourself power bar recipes that maximize taste and nutrition, minimize cost, and eliminate junky additives. Jam-packed with the best good-for-you ingredients (think whole grains, fruits, nuts) and all-natural, high-quality proteins, these recipes cover protein bars, endurance training bars and gels, granola bars, raw bars, and more.Salty-Sweet Trail Bars, Morning Maple Bars, Flax Your Muscles Bars, Quinoa Chia Apricot Bars, Black Bean Protein Brownies, Green Tea & Ginger Bars, Greek Yogurt Muesli Bars, 5-Minute Protein Truffles, Carrot Cake Action Bars, and Sticky Sesame Energy Bars with Raw Chocolate Drizzle are just a few of the yummy recipes the book includes.Camilla joins host Lisa Davis to share some of her other recipes from the book, as well as just how easy it can be to make these bars in your own kitchen.

Jonny Bowden's Truth About Fat Loss Summit features the advice from 38 leading health and wellness experts.Jonny Bowden, PhD, CNS, recently held his Truth About Fat Loss Summit, featuring the thoughts and advice from 38 leading health and wellness experts.Bowden joins host Lisa Davis to share some of the top themes of the summit.

Microbiome. The composition of gut bacteria (which you can influence by the foods you eat) affects so many factors related to weight gain/weight loss. Probiotics can help.

Hormones and how they affect their metabolism.

Stress can make a disease worse, cause the outbreak of a disease, result in weight gain. Stress also affects the brain.

Adding more healthy fats to your diet can help address many of the metabolic issues you might be facing.

Sugar, processed foods, and toxic fats are the root causes of disease.

Whatever your health goals might be, there are simple swaps you can make to turn your junk food to joy food.It’s tough sticking to a diet when you’re craving foods like BBQ ribs, creamy pasta, and chocolate milkshakes. But, bestselling author and TODAY Show nutrition expert, Joy Bauer, is fresh from her kitchen with news: you can have your cheesecake and eat it too.Whatever your health goals might be, there are simple swaps you can make to turn your junk food to joy food by using everyday ingredients that are simple, delicious and good for you. Joy joins host Lisa Davis to share some of her favorite recipes and ingredient swap ideas from her newest book, From Junk Food to Joy Food: All the Foods You Love to Eat... Only Better.

You can make a huge difference in your skin health by eating a clean food diet.You can make a huge difference in your skin health by eating a clean food diet. Acne is triggered by hormones, but your diet and what you eat can influence those hormones. Dairy and sugar are the biggest culprits for poor skin health.Other food sensitivities, such as gluten, can also trigger inflammation and cause outbreaks. You may want to try an elimination diet in order to discover which foods are causing the issue. Use a naturopath or a nutritionist to help guide you through the stages of elimination. Acne can also be tied to emotions, such as anger, sadness and depression.Listen in as Makato Trotter, ND, shares the worst foods for acne and other skin issues, as well as which foods can make a positive impact on your skin.

If you're suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes, it can feel depriving to not be able to indulge in some of your favorite comfort foods.If you're suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes, it can feel depriving to not be able to indulge in some of your favorite comfort foods. However, there are ways you can modify your diet and still eat things that give you fulfillment. Laura Cipullo, RD, joins host Lisa Davis to share tips from her new book, The Diabetes Comfort Food Diet.

1. Mixed Meals make diabetes easy.All meals should have a carbohydrate, protein and fat. This allows for a slower breakdown of the macro-nutrients and thus a slow and steady absorption of sugar our bloodstream. 2. Fill with fiber but not too much. Fiber known as insoluble fiber cannot be absorbed and therefore does not count towards the carb grams at that meal. If a meal has 50 grams of carb but has 10 grams of fiber, your body will likely only absorb 45 grams of carbohydrate. Too much fiber (especially fake fiber) can cause bloating, gas and belly discomfort. Think beans, sprouted grain bread and whole wheat pasta. 3. Have a helping of MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids).Choose fats that work with your body, such as omega-3s and MUFAs. Salmon, avocados and olive oil are good choices.4. Don’t despair, "All Foods Fit," even when you are diagnosed with diabetes.Most important is when to eat and how many grams of carbs. Think salmon, with broccoli and a slice of pie.5. Stop depriving and start spreading the carbs. You can even eat a grain with dinner and still have dessert. Curb carbs to either 45 grams/60 grams at the meal. For example, separate dinner and your evening snack to ensure your carbs are spread proportionately and to prevent a blood sugar spike. 6. START Here.Identify your level of readiness: Shock, Tip Toe, Achieve, Repeat or Time and move forward with the action plan created for you. Make this a lifestyle change by figuring out if you are even ready to make changes. If you are in the state of shock from getting diagnosed with Diabetes, there is no expectation that you are going to be losing weight in the next weeks. You need to get to Action before you make real behavior changes. 7. Be wise about weight.Weight loss can be healthy and long-lasting with diet and exercise changes. Research shows a 5-7% weight loss is reasonable and effective in preventing diabetes.

Why are mangoes such a super food?Mangoes are truly a super food. Research has suggested that mangoes may have the following health benefits:

Prevent Cancer

Lower Cholesterol

Clear the Skin

Improve Eye Health

Alkalize the Whole Body

May Help with Diabetes

Promote Healthy Sex

Improve Digestion

Help Fight Heat Stroke

Boost the Immune System

Julie Johnston, defender on the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League and the United States women's national soccer team, joins host Lisa Davis to share some of her favorite ways to eat mangoes, as well as why she favors them in her training for the Olympics.

Could going gluten-free do more harm than good?A gluten-free diet is one of the most recent diet trends to join the long list of promised ways to lose weight and get healthier.But, according to Rory Jones, science writer and Adjunct Professor of Narrative Medicine at Barnard College of Columbia University, there are many misconceptions surrounding these diets.For instance, people who go on a gluten-free diet without the help of a professional nutritionist can easily develop vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Treating these with supplements can cause even greater physical problems, as supplements are an unregulated business and pills may contain allergens (wheat, nuts), toxic substances, many times the amount of a substance, or even none of the listed ingredients.Instead of realizing weight loss, a gluten-free diet can cause weight gain, as gluten-free food often contains much higher amounts of fat, sugar and additives to improve texture and taste.If gluten is not actually causing your medical issues, without a proper diagnosis you will probably continue to get sicker on a gluten-free diet.Going gluten-free diet leads to less microbiotic diversity, which has been implicated as a factor in a number of diseases.Gluten-free foods often contain higher levels of heavy metals, such as arsenic and mercury. This holds real potential danger for children.Finally, restrictive diets cause brain stress that can affect thought, mental performance and the responses of various organs, thereby impacting your long-term health and well-being.

Listen in as Jones discusses why going gluten-free may not be in your best interest.