“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants”, Michael Pollan’s seven words to healthy eating represents the most reasonable nutrition advice we can give to patients. Plant-based diet is the healthiest, safest and most environmentally friendly diet to consume. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of vegetarian diets in terms of reducing the risk of cancer, hypertension, stroke, heart disease… Adding a small amount of animal protein to a plant-based diet prevents vitamin Continue reading “Is Keto Safe?” →

3 months after sleeve gastrectomy, a patient of mine lost 65 pounds and so did her husband on whom I did not operate. My patient was on a typical post gastric sleeve diet consuming 900 calories a day with excellent appetite control. Her husband was similarly enjoying great satiety while consuming a high fat diet amounting to at least 2500 calories a day. Continue reading “A Bariatric Surgeon Perspective on Keto Diet” →

Major food companies like Kraft Heinz, Nestle, Campbell Soup and J.M. Smucker are reporting weak sales in the US market. American consumers are turning to healthier meals and snacks. The demand for fresh and healthier food is rising and food makers are struggling to adapt. For many years, processed food rich in sugar, salt and hydrogenated fat has been easy and cheap to produce and sell. Hard pressed consumers living in a fast pace modern life were easily sucked in the “buy one get one free” promotions for TV dinners. As processed food replaced traditional food home cooking vanished. Continue reading “Is Food Consumption Changing in the US?” →

It is the beginning of a new year, and for most Houstonians, weight loss is a priority. The new year resolution for a healthier lifestyle is synonymous with a good diet and the question of what plan to follow for year 2018 assails most of us. Indeed, deciding what to eat on a daily basis has become a dilemma for most of us. Should we adopt a high protein or vegan diet? Should we buy organic or conventional apples? Should we eat butter and cheese or avoid dairy products altogether? Is sugar bad for me even in moderation? And how about soy products, food additives, frozen meals… Continue reading “Best Diet for 2018” →