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Dr Oksana Aron Medical Weight Loss Blog

Weight Loss Motivation. Weight Loss Results.

Dr. Aron brings you fun and important weight loss tips, exciting diet recipes, medical weight loss breakthroughs, and a steady source of weight loss motivation.

Her medical weight loss program provides real results for overweight and obese persons seeking non-surgical medical treatment, with lasting results.

Call now — 718-491-5525 or visit WeightLossNYC.com

Dr Oksana Aron Medical Weight Loss Center

7032 4th Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11209, Directions to office

How to Shop for Healthy Foods

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Jan 16, 2024

Choose Your Future

You start off with good intentions, but you may not always grab the healthiest items at the grocery store. These quick tips show you how to shop smart so you buy the healthiest options.

Women shopping at health food store
Weight Loss Nutrition

Fruits and Veggies

Think colors of the rainbow when selecting fruits and veggies. As in, find items of all different colors to ensure you’re getting a variety of key nutrients (not to mention adding variety to your diet).

Dairy

If you eat dairy products, try to find the low-fat options rather than whole fat. Also, avoid buying sweetened dairy products such as yogurt with fruit, which may have a lot of sugar added to it.

raspberries
Favor Fresh Fruits

Bakery Items

Read the ingredient lists carefully. Stay away from anything with hydrogenated or partially hydrated oils, which are unhealthy transfats. Grab whole-grain or whole-wheat items instead of ones made with white flour. Also important: choose items high in fiber (the more the better).

Meats

With meats, the leaner the better. For pork or beef look for the word "round" or "loin", which means a leaner cut, and watch out for white marbling, which is fattier and has more calories. For lunch meats, go with the lower fat, low-sodium options.

Seafood

Fish choices with the pinkest hue are higher in omega-3 fats. And those with clear eyes; moist, shiny scales; and clean scent are your safest bet (a fishy scent is not a good sign!).

Choose whole, fresh ingredients over processed food items. If it somes in a box with a label it is most likely heavily processed. Spend most of your grocery time in the fresh produce section…

Frozen Foods

Frozen food products can often be the unhealthiest, so shop this section with caution. Check the sodium and fat content as well as number of calories. A healthy frozen food product would contain a good balance of the following: a variety of veggies, lean protein, moderate amount of healthy carbs and no more than 800 mg of sodium.

Grocery Guidance

For personalized weight loss diet guidance, work with Dr Oksana Aron Medical Weight Loss Center for actionable, verifiable medical advice on fast and easy weight loss with physician supervision.

Source: Fitness Magazine

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Quality Calories vs. Junk Calories

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC

Finding Healthy Calories

We all know when calories add up, so do the pounds. But where those calories come from is even more important. That’s why it’s vital to choose quality calories over empty ones for everything you eat.

green vegetable pasta
Weight Loss Nutrition

What to look for

Ingredients

Look to see what is in your food. Even though the package says it’s only 100 calories, if they include hydrogenated oils instead of far-healthier olive or sunflower oil or bleached white flour instead of whole grains, then it’s junk.

Fiber

We all need roughly 25 grams a day of fiber, which not only helps with regularity, it can keep us feeling fuller and more satisfied than foods without it. Fiber in turn keeps you from overeating and helps you consume less overall calories.

Sugar

If the sugar content is high, then it’s not good for you. If you’re going to eat sugar at all, make sure it’s natural and comes from fruits or vegetables instead of refined sugar in processed foods. Too many sugars in your diet cause you to gain weight.

Fat

Fat is actually a necessary part of a healthy diet — as long as it’s unsaturated. Watch out for trans fats and saturated fats, which will make you fat!

Vitamins and Minerals

Check to see what kinds of vitamins and minerals are in what you’re about to eat. If it has none, then you know it has no nutritional value. Healthy snacks and foods, however, will have at least some.

Get More Guidance

Still confused about low calorie-diets? Learn more how Dr Oksana Aron medically supervised diet plan can get you on the right path to healthy weight loss results.

Start your journey with your initial consultation with Weight Loss Medical Expert Dr. Oksana Aron.

Source: SelfGrowth

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Banish That Belly Bloat

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Jan 10, 2024

What floats your bloat??

Knowing which healthy foods help you lose weight isn’t good enough — you also need to know which types of food make you bloated and appear heavier than you really are so you can steer clear of them.

Belly bloat
Your Food Choices Matter

What’s the main culprit of a bloated belly? Sodium. You know, having too much salt in your diet, which typically comes from processed and/or junk food in your diet.

Top Ten Troublemakers

The top 10 sources of food that contribute to belly bloat, according to the CDC, Centers for Disease Control

  1. Bread
  2. Cold Cuts and Cured Meats
  3. Pizza
  4. Poultry
  5. Soups
  6. Fast-food Burgers and Sandwiches
  7. Cheese
  8. Pasta
  9. Meatloaf and other meat dishes
  10. Salty snacks (potato chips, pretzels)

Not only can many of these foods add pounds, but they can make you look bloated and larger than your true size. Additionally, too much salt intake can lead to other health problems such as high blood pressure. By avoiding the less healthy foods in this list or at least limiting your intake, you can keep the weight off and the bloating away. Also, be sure to eat mainly whole, natural foods that aren’t processed for a healthy weight and size.

Tips for cutting down sodium

  • Season your food with spices instead of salt
  • When a recipe calls for salt and you are already using other ingredients such as canned tomatoes that contain salt, leave it out
  • Select foods that are “low-salt” or “no-salt.”

    But be careful: foods marked as “reduced sodium” may still contain a lot of it. Aim for no more than 200 mg of sodium per serving.
Weight Loss Meals
gooey pizza

Weight Loss Consultation

Today can be the beginning of a healthier you. Start working with Dr Oksana Aron, Medical Weight Loss Doctor in Brooklyn, for personal guidance on your proper diet and nutrition to lose weight quickly under physician supervision.

Visit Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center website: WeightLossNYC™ to learn more, and schedule your weight loss consultation today.

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Yes, You Do Need Carbs in Your Diet

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Nov 27, 2023

Facts not Fads

Some fad diets are low-carb or involve cutting out carbs entirely. That’s not exactly healthy, though, according to doctors. In fact, our diet must contain some carbs in order to get enough nutrients daily.

Carbohydrates are necessary for your body to obtain quick energy, while healthy fats and proteins are more of a long-term fuel source. Carbs are typically about 50 to 60 percent of your daily diet to get enough calories, nutrients and energy to your body, though with medical weight loss programs this value may vary.

Simple? or Complex?

Your carb intake should include healthy complex carbs, which take longer for your body to break down compared to simple carbs. Also, complex carbs give your body a nice, steady flow of energy. Simple carbs, on the other hand, cause you to experience energy peaks and crashes.

bowl of cereal
Weight Loss Diet Plan

Whole Foods, Whole Fiber

Popular examples of carb sources include:

  • whole-grain breads
  • whole-grain or lentil/chickpea pasta
  • barley, bulgur, buckwheat, quinoa, oats
  • brown rice, faro
  • whole fruits and berries
  • vegetables
  • beans, lentils, legumes

Read the Labels

Remember to read food labels to verify whole grain versions of these items, or better yet, preparing fresh whole grains and produce at home.

So, eat your healthy carbs--incorporating them into your healthy meals along with good proteins to reduce insulin spikes and hunger crashes--for a well-rounded diet. Be sure not to load up on too many carbs, though, which will cause you to gain weight. As with everything else, balance is the key here.

Need More help?

Still confused on what a healthy carb is, or how many carbs are healthy or unhealthy? Make an appointment with Dr. Oksana Aron today to discuss a healthy, weight loss plan by calling 718-491-5525, or booking online via WeightLossNYC.com

Sources: EverydayHealth, diet.weightlossnyc.com, Image: Grant Cochrane, FreeDigitalPhotos

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Tomato Power

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Jul 7, 2023

Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a popular and tasty fruit/vegetable - on their own, or cooked into sauces and other preparations. Any way you slice them, tomatoes add up to a great nutritional boost and healthy meal helper.

tomatoes and tomato sauce
Tomatoes are high in vitamin C
  1. One cup of tomatoes gives you 2.2 grams of fiber … 8 percent of the daily-recommended level.
  2. Vitamins! One tomato gives you a whopping 28 percent of your daily vitamin C requirement. One cup of tomatoes gives you 15 percent of the daily-recommended B6 and 12 percent of recommended iron.
  3. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a phytonutrient that has numerous health benefits, like lowering prostate and breast cancer risk, and aids in healthy skin. Hint: Cooked tomatoes offer the highest lycopene levels.
  4. Tomatoes contain a lot of water, making them filling. A sliced tomato with [many variations] … makes a satisfying low-cal snack.
  5. …[Tomato juice] may lower levels of inflammatory compounds. Inflammation is associated with many chronic diseases, such as cancer, arthritis and diabetes&helip;

Even stirred up as tomato sauce, you can find bottled tomato sauce comes chock-full of vitamin C and antioxidants like lycopene, revered for reducing oxidative stress in the body. If in a hurry, choose an organic tomato sauce (bottled in glass to avoid BPA). Look for very little added sugar, a downside of many bottled options.

Make it your own

Whether store bought or home-made, you can dress up your own recipe for success by stirring in some toasted walnuts for flavor boost, or adding cooked lentils for protein punch:

Just one half cup of cooked brown or green lentils contains a whopping 9 grams of protein. As with walnuts, you can use cooked lentils to [enhance] the sauce without adding any saturated fat or isolated soy proteins. Like other legumes and beans, lentils contain ample iron, which will be made more bioavailable in combination with the vitamin C of the sauce’s tomato base.

Mix up your tomatoes so many ways to get their potent nutritional benefits while filling yourself up with solid natural produce.

Read More from Dr Aron on Weight Loss Diet and Nutrition

Start Losing Weight with Dr Aron’s guidance

Visit WeightLossNYC.com to learn more and book your initial consultation and start losing weight with her expert physician supervision.

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Weight Loss Dieting and Nutrition

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC May 8, 2023

Boost Your Diet

With reduced caloric intake, it is essential that nutrition improves to account for the reduction in food quantity.

Digestive enzymes break down ingested food into usable proteins, fats and carbohydrates to provide nutrition and healthy metabolic processes. With aging or illness, digestive processes may also decline, leading to nutritional deficiencies and inflammatory conditions.

Digestive enzymes are classified based on their target substrates:

  • Lipases split fatty acids into fats and oils.
  • Proteases and peptidases split proteins into small peptides and amino acids.
  • Amylases split carbohydrates such as starch and sugars into simple sugars such as glucose.
  • Nucleases split nucleic acids into nucleotides.

A special formulation of 8 natural digestive enzymes which helps to supplement these important enzymes that play a vital role in digestive health:

With weight loss low calorie dieting it is essential to provide maximal nutrition to each meal to maintain proper body function and metabolism.
Digestive enzymes are essential for nutrient intake

Natural sources of Digestive Enzymes

Several natural sources of digestive enzymes are beneficial to our health.

These natural sources of digestive enzymes aid in the efficient digestion process and may also provide other health benefits due to their fiber content and micronutrient value.

  • Fruits and vegetables such as papaya and pineapple contain proteolytic enzymes that help break down proteins into smaller compounds for easier digestion.
  • Fermented foods contain lactase which is an enzyme that helps digest lactose, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, and kimchi.
  • Honey is a popular source of amylase — an enzyme that breaks starch down into simple sugars.

Different types of Digestive Enzymes

Knowing what types of enzymes are available can be a helpful tool when looking into how to break down the best food you consume.

  • Amylase helps break down carbohydrates, and are released from the pancreas and small intestine, aiding in the digestion of starches, such as bread, cereals, and pasta.
  • Betaine helps break down fats and is found in foods like beef, eggs, and dairy products and assists in proper digestion these types of foods.
  • Bromelain, found in pineapple, helps break down complex proteins allowing us to benefit from their component nutrients.
  • Diastase, also produced by the pancreas, helps break down complex carbohydrates, and helps us absorb and properly utilize these types of carbs.
  • Papain is a digestive enzyme derived from the papaya plant that helps break down proteins. Papain helps us to digest meats, poultry, and fish easily.
  • Pancreatin is another digestive enzyme that helps break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Pancreatin is produced by the pancreas, aiding our bodies in breaking down these essential nutrients.
  • Pepsin is one of the main digestive enzymes which helps digest the proteins in food. Pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller parts to enable absorption into the body.

Additional Digestive Enzymes

  • Cellulase is essential for breaking down cellulose fiber found in many plant-based foods and extracting nutrients.
  • Lactase breaks down the milk sugar lactose. Some people have trouble digesting dairy products and lactase supplementation can help reduce symptoms.
  • Proteases also break down proteins to be used as essential building blocks for many processes in the body.
  • Lipase targets fats, helping us both extract necessary energy from them and break them down into forms we can use more effectively.

Weight Loss Nutrition

Work with Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center to target your weight loss goals and structures needed to reach your goals.

Dr Oksana Aron is a physician specialized in medical weight loss — helping people lose weight who have struggled with other methods and need clinical help.

Sources: Legere, Wikipedia, WeightLossNYC.com

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What's in your diet?

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Feb 10, 2021

Healthy Diet Plan

Food awareness is important for all of us. Whether or not you are trying to lose weight, you still need to be concious of the calories you consume and quality of the nutritional content.

Nowadays, with food labels as available as they are, they don't always capture the complete picture of the quality of your food, most notably the source and processing of the ingredients, as well as informed knowlege of the additives and non-food ingredients therein.

person eating junk food
Keeping a food diary can provide powerful insights into your habits

Best Steps

Your best diet plan starts with choosing real foods with minimal processing, and solid nutritional value. Ideally, if you like to cook, you are able to steer yourself to healthier recipes and freshest ingredients. If cooking is not an option for you, you can still work within your plan and fill in as many healthy options as able, such as a fresh salad bar instead of packaged foods, etc.

Food Journal

Keeping a food diary can be a powerful insight tool, as well as a habit tracker, for what, when and how you are eating. Choose a method that works best for you:

  • Paper Journal This may be the easiest way, as you can just jot down what you are eating and other observations, and go back to fill in any details when you have more time.
  • Online (free) The USDA provides a national database that is most often the source for many other websites, tools and apps. You can access their database to get current food facts, via their MyPlate app.
  • Other apps Many third party food trackers are available if you are more inclined to do your research for which one suits your personal style and needs. Some are visual, some more technical, some incorporate fitness tracking and more. Ideally what will work best is what is easiest for you to maintain on the go, and not be bogged down trying to keep up with a fussy app. Popular apps include Lose it and My Fitness Pal and many more popping up every year.

Thick and Thin

Most importantly now is what to log in your journal (or app). Hopefully, as Dr. Aron advises, you are eating at a mealtime in a relaxed setting, eating mindfully not rushing thoughtlessly at your desk or tv. You can facilitate this in your log:

  • Why am I eating
  • How hungry I am
  • Where I am eating
  • How I am feeling
  • and of course, What am I eating

Include portion sizes and calories as minimal facts, with fat and other elements as you wish to track. Consider any condiments, and snacks and more — be honest with yourself, this is a guide for you only.

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Fat-Burning Lipotropics, B Vitamins, and Weight Loss

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Feb 1, 2021
B Vitamins and fat burning
green vegetables

What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are a group of … compounds which are essential for normal [function] but which are not synthesized … by the body and [must be included] in small quantities from the diet. In total, humans require adequate amounts of 13 vitamins: four fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and nine water soluble vitamins, which comprise vitamin C and the eight B vitamins… {NIH}

Lipotropics

  • Improve appetite suppression & increase fat burning
  • Increase energy & mental clarity
  • Improve sense of well being
  • Improve skin, hair, and nails
  • Decrease inflammation
Lipotropics are a class of nutrients that target body fat and aid in its metabolism. Particularly, choline, inositol, and methionine have clinically shown to increase fat metabolism thus aid in weight loss. {NIH}

Along with B vitamins, these may be administered to intensify fat burning. B vitamins help convert energy from the compound protein, carbohydrates, and fats you eat.

What are B Vitamins?

These vitamins help a variety of enzymes do their jobs, ranging from releasing energy from carbohydrates and fat to breaking down amino acids and transporting oxygen and energy-containing nutrients around the body. {HSPH}

  • B1 (Thiamine): Conversion of carbohydrates into energy and glucose metabolism. Important in nerve, muscle, and heart functions, as well as brain and digestive systems.
  • B2 (Riboflavin): Breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates; maintaining the body's energy supply; assists in blood circulation and thyroid activity.
  • B3 (Niacin): Helps lower LDL cholesterol
  • B5 (Pantothenic Acid) Production of blood cells, skin, hair, and eyes; assists functions of the nervous system, liver and  digestive system.
  • B6 (Pyridoxine): Improve mood and promotes brain health
  • B7 (Biotin) Metabolizes food components into energy; and aids in blood glucose levels, insulin resistance and glucose tolerance.
  • B9 (Folate, Folic acid) Helpful in a number of domains including memory loss, sleep problems, nerve and muscle pain, also in prevention of high blood pressure and heart disease.
  • B12 (Cobalamin) Improve mood and symptoms of depression and provides an energy boost -- helps with fatigue and weakness.

B-ring it on

Vitamins help the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat. They also help in development of core components such as red blood cells. B vitamin deficiencies can also cause disease. Your best plan is to seek out foods that naturally contain the vitamins and nutrients your body needs for normal, healthful, growth and development.

Learn More

Dr Oksana Aron can help guide you to proper food choices to aid in weight loss and fundamental good life practices. Visit weightlossnyc.com to learn more about her medical weight loss programs and also for additional online weight loss resources.

Sources: NIH, HSPH, WeightLossNYC.com

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How to Squash those Holiday Cravings

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Nov 25, 2019

Butternut Squash Healthy meals are easy

eat healthy vegetables

Filling up on veggies is a top rule for anyone wanting to eat healthier, yet that doesn't have to sound boring. Check your favorite produce store for winter squashes, including the amusing shaped butternut squash. Like its cousin the sweet potato, it's often overlooked as a starch, yet the orange interior reflects it is rich in beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in your body.

One cup of Butternut Squash (cubed and cooked) yields 127% of the US RDA for Vitamin A, with 80 calories, 4g sugar, 21g of carbs. Far more favorable than mashed potatoes with (or without) gravy! Factor in the 7g of fiber and you're on your way to RDA daily mark of 25-30g fiber per day.

Beta carotene, as one of the team members of antioxidants, on its own offers many nutritional benefits. Butternut Squash also has ample potassium (more than the benchmark banana) plus 30% of your daily RDA of Calcium. Other minerals at hand include Iron and Niacin, along with Vitamin E.

Winter Wondering

Other winter squashes you can try - (measuring nutrients to the one cubed cooked cup)

  • Acorn Squash has more fiber and potassium, though less vitamin A than Butternut. 9 grams fiber per cubed cooked cup, potassium (896 mg).
  • Pumpkin Squash has both alpha and beta carotene. Alpha carotene also converts vitamin A in the body; Pumpkin Squash has twice as much of alpha than Butternut.
  • Spaghetti Squash is yellow and can even be used as an alternative to spaghetti. Lower in calories and carbohydrates than the other squashes mentioned here, but also lower in fiber. As a pasta substitute though, you'll consumer only 42 healhty veggie calories not pasta carb 200 calories.
Feeling Preppy

Summing it up with preparation, all of these can simply be sliced and roasted, with familiar spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, or clove or allspice. For easier prep you can often buy these pre-cut in stores, though caution on canned variants due to added sugars. You can even puree squashes to make satisfying soups and sauces too. Some folks even suggest smoothies, accompaniments such as apple, nut butter and soy or almond milk.

Hungry for More

Learn more healthy dieting and meal structures from Dr Oksana Aron at WeightLossNYC.com

Sources: Consumer Reports, Pexels

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What Type of Diet is Right for You? Mediterranean? Ketogenic? Vegan?

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Oct 13, 2018
Green Vegetable

Fact not Fad

There is no shortage of diet names to confuse us all. We want to be healthy and want to go beyond just a gimmick or trend. Dr Aron surely knows fact from fad, she prescribes diets to all her patients. So here are some simple facts about what makes a diet healthy, and why it should matter to you.

“Diet is the single most significant risk factor for disability and premature death.” — American Family Physician

Well … That seems like a pretty good reason to care about your diet.

be happy and healthy


Diet Characteristics

Across the board evaluation of clinically viable food plans favor higher percentage of vegetables, limiting sugars, and replacing processed grains with whole grain sources. Important to note is that juices are not considered a proper replacement for real fruits and vegetables due to their higher glycemic index and loss of healthy fiber in processing. Likewise, potatoes fall into the carb camp not as veggies.

Making the proper substitutions can be challenging yet the clinical outcomes are meaningful in that your diet can push back on risk factors for cardio-vascular diseases, high blood pressure, obesity, and of course, diabetes.


healthy lifestyle choices


What to do next

Fundamentally, maintaining proper nutrition is key, via proper balanced diet and appropriate food choices. Dr Aron can advise you of any items you are not sure if suitable for your weight loss progress as well as for your life.

Visit her medical practice at WeightLossNYC.com to learn more.






Sources: American Family Physician; Twitter author jokes

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Food & Nutrition: Tomato Power and Pals

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Dec 1, 2016

Top Tomato Tips

healthy

Tomatoes are a very popular fruit, or vegetable… No matter how you slice it they are a very versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be enjoyed raw or cooked in so many ways including juice and sauces, grilled, and in salads. Also the variety of tomatoes from heath beefsteak to pop sized cherry bites give all the more encouragement to include them in your diet.

Some fun facts

  1. One cup of tomatoes can provide:
    • 8 percent of your recommended daily fiber intake
    • 15 percent of your daily B6
    • 12 percent of your iron
  2. Sorry oranges! One tomato can provide 28 percent of your vitamin C for the day
  3. Cooking tomatoes can provide the highest levels of lycopene, a nutrient known for many essential health benefits
  4. Hydration too: fresh tomato juice can provide antioxidant benefits, just caution on high sodium store bought brands. Eating raw tomatoes also can fill you up due to the high water content.

Healthy Buddies

Lentils

Adding cooked lentils to your tomato sauce can provide much needed protein (about 9 grams per half cup lentils) as well as iron. This also aids in making a heartier, more filling sauce without the negatives of other means.

Shredded Kale

Lightly cooked kale adds a big nutritional boost to any dish. Including into your tomato sauce a few minutes before serving can rock your vitamins A, C, And selenium, plus dozens more antioxidant flavonoids

What’s in your Diet?

If your are looking for healthier meal plan to help you lose weight fast without suffering, check out Dr Aron Medical Weight Loss Center at WeightLossNYC™ today.

Phone: 718-491-5525 or Web: WeightLossNYC.com

Some links to more of our tomato related blog posts

Source: Organic Connect

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Nutrition is Important: New York City Summer Program (PSA)

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Jun 19, 2015

Nutrition is Important for your Child

Your child’s future depends on the choices you make today. NYC has announced their summer program for school age children to receive meals across all NYC boroughs.

We wanted to share this important announcement to all NYC families from New York Summer Food Program. Please refer to their website and details below for complete information about nutritional meals for NYC kids this summer, or contact your school’s parent coordinator.

Thank you,
Dr. Aron and Staff, WeightLossNYC.com

New York City Summer Food Program for Kids

Families can download the free app by searching “SchoolFood” in the app store. Families can also find locations by visiting schoolfoodnyc.org, texting “NYCMEALS” to 877-877, or via 311
NYC School Food App

From: Division of Family & Community Engagement
Subject: Summer Meals Start on June 27

Dear Parents:

We are excited to share with you news about our annual Summer Meals program for all New York City children. The Summer Meals program is crucial to ensuring that New York City children are well fed beyond the end of the instructional year.

Summer Meals provides free, healthy breakfast and lunch to all children—regardless of New York City residency—ages 18 and under at hundreds of locations around the City. Children do not need to register or show any kind of documentation or ID to enjoy a delicious meal.

This year’s Summer Meals program will launch on Saturday, June 27, one day after the last day of school for New York City students. Starting June 27, breakfast and lunch will be available at hundreds of public schools, community pool centers, NYCHA complexes, libraries, and other locations throughout the five boroughs and spread across neighborhoods. Additionally, there will be four mobile food trucks offering meals seven days a week throughout the summer at locations frequently visited by children and families.

We encourage you to share this multilingual flyer about our Summer Meals Program with your constituents. Schools were also encouraged to distribute this flyer, which provides information on the program, including our first-ever, free SchoolFood App (for both Apple & Android), an easy way for families to locate Summer Meals sites near them. Families can download the free app by searching “SchoolFood” in the app store. Families can also find locations by visiting schoolfoodnyc.org, texting “NYCMEALS” to 877-877, or via 311.

Thank you for partnering with us to make the Summer Meals program a resounding success for our children and families.

Best,
http://www.schoolfoodnyc.org/

This is a public service announcement from NYC, we are not responsible for the content or media presented. All rights reserved.

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Using Calories to Your Advantage

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Aug 10, 2013

Weight Loss Nutrition

Maintaining a healthy weight and/or losing unhealthy weight is a science. What does it all boil down to? Calories, plain and simple.




You don’t have to obsessively count every single calorie, but here’s some food for thought if you want to lose weight or simply want to maintain it.

To lose weight, you need to consume less calories than the ones you burn (via exercise or typical daily activities).

To maintain your weight, you just need to consume the exact number of calories that you need and burn daily.

Figure out how many calories you need

Here’s a quick formula to estimate calorie needs on a daily basis:

Your Weight X 12 = Number of calories needed for weight maintenance

To lose about 1 pound per week: Reduce intake by 500 calories/day

Weight Loss Tip:

Make sure you’re filling up on healthy calories and not junk food.

Need help coming up with a healthy diet program you can actually stick to?

Call Dr. Aron 718-491-5525 today and get started


http://WeightLossNYC.com
Source: abcnews

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11 Celebrity Weight Loss Secrets?

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC May 21, 2013

Dr. Oksana Aron recommends taking a fresh look at the foods you eat every day is an important healthy start. Keep switching out some of the unhealthy items in your diet with healthier ingredients, you will feel and see the difference in your diet.

There are No Secrets, Just Healthy Facts

Media love to hype up celebrity diets, but you don’t need an endorsement to read up on healthier food options for your diet.

healthy dieting options
Healthy Dieting Program

Healthier foods, healthier you

On the quest for foods that help you lose weight? Or are you in a meal planning rut? Look no further than the following healthy foods to incorporate in your next meal to mix it up and drop some pounds. The only celebrity here is you, making famous food choices to build a healthier you.

  1. Black Beans

    An excellent non-meat source of protein, 1 cup of black beans give you 15 grams of protein to keep you full and satisfied
  2. Green Tea

    It boosts your metabolism and may even prevent fat absorption
  3. Cucumbers

    Cucumbers help you feel full and satisfied, but are low in calories
  4. Olive Oil

    Its healthy monounsaturated fats lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol
  5. Bran Cereal

    A high-fiber alternative to other breakfast cereals, it can help you cut calories and stay fuller
  6. Pears

    With 5 grams of fiber, they're as filling as they are delicious. They also contain pectin, which helps lower bad cholesterol.
  7. Dark Chocolate

    Its antioxidants may help boost your metabolism
  8. Wild Salmon

    Salmon can keep you feeling full and satisfied with its high levels of omega-3s
  9. Eggs

    Eating eggs for breakfast can lower your daily caloric intake by 400 calories.
  10. Low-Fat Mozzarella String Cheese

    With no carbs and lean protein, it helps you feel full.
  11. All-Natural Peanut Butter

    Its piceatannol content helps block the formation of fat cells.

Lose Weight Fast Diet Plan

You can lose weight quickly by calling us at 718-491-5525 for your initial consultation. By taking a holistic approach to your unique needs, Dr. Aron will help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

“Today’s diet is tomorrow’s body” — Oksana Aron, M.D.

Medical weight loss is the only clinical solution recommended by the American Society of Bariatric Physicians.

Visit Dr Aron at WeightLossNYC.com

Cite: rd.com; besthealthmag.ca; everydayhealth.com

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7 Weight Loss Nutrition and Beauty Tips

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Aug 7, 2012

Beauty is truly skin deep

The most common goal of following a healthy diet and exercising routinely is to lose weight and help you to get your body looking great. However, most people don’t realize there are so many other countless benefits of following a strict diet and a good workout plan, other than just dropping the pounds. One of the best kept secrets of following a good diet is the huge impact it has on your complexion, which keeps you looking younger.

Cutting back on certain foods can really improve the aging of your skin. The breakdown of sugar, for example, can really damage your collagen, which helps your skin to look smooth and firm. Try cutting back on your daily sugar intake or using substitutes, such as all natural sweetener. Also, hormones that are in certain foods such as dairy products, beef, and even poultry can contribute to acne breakouts. Eating grain-fed beefs and poultry can help make a huge difference in your skins complexion.

weight loss fitness

The many benefits of dieting and exercising

Exercising correctly is equally as important as doing it routinely, and is also a huge plus for your skin. Doing cardio on machines such as the treadmill can be beneficial in burning calories, but weight training helps to tone muscle and prevent sagging. Also, a yoga class is a much better work out to help relieve stress, as well as losing weight. Cutting down your stress level has a large impact on the aging of your skin, and relieving your tension. High tension levels can cause terrible skin breakouts, so try adding in a few yoga sessions to your weekly work outs.

Low Calorie dieting is a good way to lose weight but you can also make your diet beneficial to your body in other ways. Eating foods that are healthier and higher in vitamins can help improve your skin by making it smoother; capable of healing faster, harder to bruise, and can even improve some chronic skin conditions.

Nutrition and Weight Loss Diet Plan

Dr Oksana Aron will guide you to healthy weight loss with her nutritionally sound low calorie diet program, can direct you to lose the weight you want to lose every week. Call WeightLossNYC.com today at 718-491-5525 for more information or to schedule your first appointment with Dr Aron.

Call WeightLossNYC™ today at 718-491-5525

Related reading: 8 Diet and Exercise Mistakes That Age You, Prevention, 2012.

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One Thing You Should Give Up to Lose Weight

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC May 4, 2012


Fast food = fat food

Let's start off by calling fast food exactly what it is: fat food. The only thing is, there's very little food in fast food, as it has no nourishment. It's something that you shouldn't merely cut back on -- it's something that has no place in your diet. Read on for some convincing details that may change your mind if it's a weakness for you.

The facts

What's in fast food? A lot of fat, calories and sodium -- far more than you need. In a recent study, the average fast food lunch contained 827 calories, when the average person only needs about 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day.

The non-ingredients in fast food

Not all foods are created equal, especially when we're talking about fast food. A recent OrganicAuthority.com article by Kimberley Stakal makes a sobering point about not getting what you think you'll be getting at fast food restaurants.

Take scrambled eggs from McDonald's, for instance:

They’re just eggs, right? Sure, if by “just eggs” you’re also including sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid, monosodium phosphate and nisin (all preservatives), as well as liquid margarine (which is made from liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils [trans fats], salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil [trans fats], soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate [preservatives], artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate and beta carotene [color]).


Someone trying to eat right may think, "I'll just buy some scrambled eggs at McDonald's while on the go. Eggs are good for you, aren't they? At least it's not a cheeseburger and fries." But then you're getting a whole lot of other non-ingredients with those eggs that will only cause you to gain unhealthy weight, up your blood pressure and put you at risk for a whole host of other ailments. Choosing one fast food item over another still isn't helping you.

The verdict?

Avoid fast food at all costs. What you think is cheap and convenient now will only cost you far more in the long run, including your health and medical costs. Remember: fast = fat!

Eat, think and be healthy. Learn how to lose 10 to 20 pounds or more per month. Give us a call at 718-491-5525 to schedule your first appointment.

Source: OrganicAuthority.com

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10 Important Reasons to Cut Sugar

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Apr 10, 2012


Sugar's toll on your health


The bitter news that the average American eats 130 pounds of sugar a year explains why obesity and other weight-related health problems are on the rise. Sugar causes weight gain and can also affect your health in the following negative ways, which is more than enough convincing evidence to show that sugar has no place in your diet.

What the research says about sugar

  1. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of childhood and obesity
  2. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of childhood sickness
  3. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of Type 2 diabetes
  4. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of hypertension
  5. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of heart disease
  6. Sugar is blamed as a culprit of rising rates of number one killers such as heart disease
  7. Sugar increases blood levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol
  8. Sugar increases risk factors for cardiovascular disease
  9. Sugar helps cancer cells grow
  10. Sugar is addicting and has a drug-like effect on the brain

The sugar solution

Your solution to avoiding the above health problems is to cut sugar from your diet. As the evidence shows, sugar is toxic and has no health benefits. It's not only harmful to your health, but it can also be addicting, so even a small amount could potentially lead you to wanting more, which can make you gain weight and also put you at risk for serious health conditions.


Foods with hidden sugar

In addition to avoiding processed and packaged foods that are high in sugar, look out for foods with hidden sugar in them. You'd be surprised which ones do contain sugar: bread, yogurt, sauces and peanut butter.

Are you frustrated with fad diets or dieting with no direction? Learn how to lose weight the fast and healthy way with WeightLossNYC! Call 718-491-5525 for your first appointment.

Source: cbsnews.com

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Can Granola Bars Make You Gain Weight?

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Mar 21, 2012


Snacking 101: The granola bar

A granola bar can be the perfect healthy snack for an afternoon pick-me-up or a post-workout nosh, but if you pick the wrong kind, you may be grabbing something that is just as bad as a candy bar. Here, we explain what to look for when checking out granola bars in the snack food aisle.

What's in your granola bar?

Always check the nutrition facts and list of ingredients on your granola bars. If it contains a lot of sugar, fat and calories, then it's probably a candy bar in disguise. Some granola bars even contain just as much sugar and calories as bad-for-you candy bars, so beware.

Your ideal granola bar

Look for a granola bar that has less than 5 grams of sugar per bar, not per serving, to make sure you aren't getting too much of a sugar fix. Also be on the lookout for fat and calorie content, as chocolate and peanuts are common contributors to all of the above. Natural and organic granola bars are also a better buy because they aren't going to contain artificial ingredients. Still, check the ingredients to be sure of what's in your granola bar!

Tip: Make your own healthy, quick snack by mixing plain granola with a small amount of fruit for no-sugar-added natural sweetness.

Source: shapefit.com

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What You Should Know About 'Vitamin' Drinks

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Mar 15, 2012

Vitamins + Sugar = ?

Adding vitamins to popular sugary drinks, from Vitamin Water to Coca-Cola is all the rage right now.

These drinks may even have a healthy-sounding name, but don't be fooled by the slick packaging. These drinks still aren't good for you or your weight. If you look closely at the nutrition facts, you'll quickly realize what you'll be getting: lots of sugar and calories that can cause weight gain.

Vitamin Water, for example, contains 13 grams of sugar per serving, 32.5 grams per bottle; and more than 100 calories per bottle, which actually contains 2.5 servings.

Additionally, the added "vitamins" offer no real benefit to you:

Because the sugar found in Vitaminwater or Coke is made from a refining (or purifying) process, it contains no nutrients or vitamins beneficial to our health. It instead acts only as a source of energy -- once anything with sugar is ingested, the sugar skips digestion by passing through the stomach wall and raising blood sugar levels. Since your body is programmed to keep its blood sugar at a certain level, the pancreas secretes insulin to balance everything out.

If you aren't exercising these calories off, you will gain weight from drinks with added sugars and calories.

The best choice for quenching your thirst still remains: pure, unadulterated water. Your body needs it to function, it can also facilitate weight loss and it contains no harmful additives. Getting the right nutrients in your body means eating a healthy diet full of delicious natural foods. A multivitamin should only be a supplement to your already healthy diet.

Lose weight the safe and sane way, and call us at 718-491-5525 for your first appointment at WeightLossNYC.

Source: HowStuffWorks.com

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Dine Out and Still Keep the Weight Off

Author: Oksana Aron, MD Source: Weight Loss NYC Mar 9, 2012

Frequent dining out at restaurants can pack on the pounds and lead to obesity, but there is a way to counter the weight gain: mindful eating.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found in their six-week meditative study called "Mindful Restaurant Eating" that female participants actually lost weight when dining out.

Here are the facts from the study:

Overall, 35 perimenopausal women aged 40 to 59 years of age were studied. On average, the intervention group lost 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs) during six weeks while eating out one to two times a week. They also reduced their daily caloric intake by about 297 calories after completing the intervention...

Participants learned how to plan before dining out and calculate fat and protein counts in restaurant meals. They also did meditative exercises that focus on sight, smell and texture of food to enhance enjoyment and focus on hunger, satisfaction and what their triggers are.

What these meditative exercises involved were simply using sound judgment and being aware of your body in order to lose or maintain weight. No meditation is necessary, but if you pay attention to your hunger -- and eat to satisfy yourself, not out of boredom or emotion -- and be mindful of what you eat, you will be on your way to a trimmer you.

Learn how to lose weight the smart way. Make your first appointment with WeightLossNYC today. Call 718-491-5525!

Source: NYDailyNews.com

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