Registered dietician Staci Small, M.A., R.D. owns The Wellness Philosophy, Inc. located in Greenwood (a short distance from Indianapolis). Her company slogan is "Enhancing Life through Personalized Nutrition Care." She took the time to answer the following questions about families, wellness, and many of the trends that she is seeing in her clients.
Examiner: What, do you feel is the biggest concern for families today as it relates to wellness?
Staci: A large majority of busy families do not take the time to plan healthy, well balanced meals at home. We rely greatly on convenience foods which are usually heavily processed and full of chemicals. We should be focusing on eating less processed, real food. Real food rarely comes out of a box. For optimum nutrition, Americans need to focus on wholesome foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole, minimally processed grains and free range, grass fed meats. Organic foods should be considered as much as possible.
Examiner: What, do you feel is the biggest concern for families today as it relates to nutrition?
Staci: We as a society underestimate the negative effects that nutrient deficiencies have on our health and wellness. Most Americans do not give a second thought to the possibility that they may be deficient in nutrients that are essential for good health. A nutrient deficiency can often be diagnosed during an in depth review of clinical signs and symptoms if performed by a professional who is trained to recognize them. Testing is also available to assist in the diagnosis of such an issue.
Often, supplementation with quantities much higher than the recommended daily intake is necessary to replenish nutrient stores. Some of the most common deficiencies that I see in my practice are Vitamin D, Vitamin C, magnesium, and essential fatty acids (omega 3). Work with a Registered Dietitian to determine specific deficiencies and what dosages are safe for you.
Examiner: What are the most concerning trends that you most often see in your business?
Staci: I see clients of all ages and multiple conditions in my practice. A few of the underlying conditions that I assist my clients with are IBS, food sensitivities and microbial imbalance in the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract. One of the most concerning trends that I am seeing in these clients is frequent use of antibiotics without replenishing proper microbial balance. Many healthcare professionals do not recognize a Candida (yeast) overgrowth as a legitimate issue. It’s basic microbiology. Microorganisms compete for space on all surfaces, including the wall of our GI tract. If you wipe out bacteria, other microorganisms are allowed to take over. Our bodies rely on good bacteria to aid in the digestion process. If those bacteria are not present, we begin to see all kinds of issues with digestion, absorption and inflammation in the gut.
Examiner: What practical advice do you have for a family to improve their wellness?
Staci: Involve the whole family in planning meals, grocery shopping and working in the kitchen. Our children learn by example. If we are only teaching them that dinner comes from a drive thru, we will continue to see our society’s health decline due to nutrient deficiencies, obesity and other chronic diseases that result from poor quality diets. Make food fun by challenging children and adults to “eat their colors”. Enjoy fruits and vegetables of all colors for a wide variety of nutrients.
Incorporate regular activity into your day. Make physical activity fun by including all family members. Going for a bike ride or walk with the whole family seems less like exercising and more like fun, family time. (Examiner note: please refer to the following articles for ideas on how to incorporate family physical activity in the Indianapolis Area: Exercising with Infants & Toddlers in Indianapolis, Family Fitness 101, Preventing Childhood Obesity, Work within your Target Heart Rate).
Focus on reducing stress and getting adequate sleep.
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