Body Composition/Weight Management | Optimal Nutrition For Life

RESOLUTIONER OR NOT?

Published on December 31, 2023

Time to Chime on the Time to Shine Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD As we start off a new decade, many are making resolutions for the new year and the new “you” and then many become “resolutioner” haters simultaneously. I have been seeing both sides and wanted to chime in with my own $0.02 worth. There are many polls that throw out stats of how many people tend to make new years resolutions (it so happens an average of ~50% of Americans make new year’s resolutions based on weight, fitness […]

Principles for a Healthy Lifestyle and Optimal Weight

Published on December 21, 2023

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Researched and accepted dietary principles may guide the individual to finding a healthy and appropriate lifestyle for themselves. I have laid out a few of these that within my studies, experience and analysis of current articles in peer-reviewed journals with an understanding that each human is unique. Unique in their metabolism/physiology, in their emotional and stress (psychology) and in their struggles and challenges with daily living. Therefore, it goes without saying that there is no single “diet” or “lifestyle” that works for the masses. Each […]

FUEL YOUR WORKOUTS!!

Published on December 12, 2023

Did you know that most recreational athletes that sign up for an endurance endeavor with a main goal for weight loss, are in fact flabbergasted that even with the increased physical activity, weight loss does not come easy, in fact many even gain weight. There are a number of reasons for this: 1. the positive reason is because the new athlete may be losing fat, but gaining muscle fiber. Muscle being denser than fat, offsets the scale from budging, but the athlete is getting leaner… HOWEVER, this is not the […]

POWER MUFFINS

Published on November 18, 2023

Another great muffin recipe from my sports nutrition kitchen: FLOUR, ALL-PURPOSE 1/3 cup WHOLE WHEAT FLOUR 1 cup OATMEAL, DRY regular or instant 1 cup PROTEIN POWDER, VANILLA 3 tbsp SUGAR, BROWN packed 1/2 cup SUGAR, GRANULATED 1/2 cup BAKING POWDER 1 tbsp BAKING SODA 1 tsp CINNAMON, GROUND 1 tsp SALT 1 tsp ALLSPICE, GROUND 1/2 tsp CARROT grated 1 ¼ cups RAISIN, SEEDLESS 1 cup MILK, 1% 3/4 cups BUTTERMILK, LOWFAT ½ cup RICOTTA CHEESE, LIGHT ¼ cup SWEET POTATO, MASHED canned ½ cup CANOLA OIL ¼ […]

Bone Injury in Athletes with Inadequate Calcium Intake

Published on November 8, 2023

A Personal reflection! As many of my friends and clients know, I have been dealing with a broken finger on my left hand. I have had multiple surgeries, the last being at end of 2017. Not happy with the result. First words from orthopedics mouth were my bones are in a disastrous state. Really, me, fitness model (well almost, right, lol), nutrition expert (we all know what that means, right?) and even “the professor.” Well, needless to say, pain and bone issues are persistent. My checklist of appropriate solutions has […]

Eat to beat Cramps

Published on August 1, 2023

The physiology of cramps can be complex. Nutrition may or may not have a role to play behind the why!! Stretching out and massaging muscles can certainly be a good start but this is often NOT enough, since electrolyte balance plays a major role in muscle function and recovery. Key nutrients include sodium, potassium, magnesium, chloride and calcium. On a personal level, having participated in master’s swim meet, while training for Ironman races, it is not uncommon for me to observe swimmers gathering at the lanes end in-between sets to […]

Emotional Eating: Awareness and Control

Published on June 25, 2023

Ilana Katz MS, RD, CSSD Emotional (or stress) eating has always been a hot topic, mainly because one can find themselves turning to the pantry or fridge for a source of comfort, even though the appetite stimulant hormones are not active. How it can be controlled, comes with an understanding of what it is and why it happens and then developing an appropriate strategy on how it can be controlled. Recognizing signs of emotional eating may seem obvious, like feelings of stress, anger, or sadness drives you to eat. Underlying […]

THE KETO DEBATE FOR WEIGHT LOSS

Published on May 31, 2023

Ilana Katz MS, RD CSSD I recently revisited a movie “Sleeper” (Woody Allen) since there was something interesting in the concept about a man waking up after a 200 year sleep. Recommendations for weight loss looks very different in that 200 year gap. On awakening, the sleeper finds that not only are deep fried foods good for weight loss, they are also considered healthy. An AHA moment. perhaps? Are we in a movie? Covid may make it feel this way, but weight-loss these days has a movie-like feel to it […]

Make Weight Loss for Your Overweight Child a Family Affair

Published on April 21, 2023

Obesity can be a huge obstacle in a child’s development, both physically and emotionally. Children suffering from obesity can experience isolation, bullying, or poor self-image in their relationship with their peers. This can also be a fundamental detriment to a child’s ability to maintain a strong and healthy relationship with their family. Because of the emotional, physical, and familial on the line, making your child’s weight loss a family project is not only a good idea, it is nearly critical to your success. This guide will help you get both […]