You probably already know that diabetes and obesity in the United States have reached epidemic proportions, but you may be surprised to learn that many, if not most, cases of diabetes are preventable. How? The best strategy for preventing diabetes and obesity is to learn how to conserve your body’s insulin supply. Continue reading
Author Archives: Dr. Sukol
Leaves, Buds, and Stems: Cruciferous Veggies
A few years ago a patient came into my office complaining of migraines. He said, “You might think I’m crazy, doc, but I only get these headaches when I eat certain vegetables.” Which ones? It was hard to be sure. Salads gave him a headache only sometimes, and usually only in restaurants. Cole slaw gave him a headache no matter where he ate it. The list seemed completely random, and included Brussels sprouts, watercress, broccoli, and radishes. I grinned like an amateur holding a royal flush. The patient was naming only cruciferous vegetables. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Stuffed Pumpkin & Braised Onions
My kitchen counter is once again covered with pumpkins and onions, so it must be getting close to November! Here are two unusual and extraordinary recipes to use up your pumpkins and onions. If you have time, try to make the onions the day before, because as good as they are, they taste even better the next day! And they are great recipes for holiday celebrations, too. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Fennel-Vegetable Soup
The people I work with are always coming up with the most sublimely delicious recipes, and this is one. If you’ve never eaten fennel, you are in for a delicious treat. When eaten raw, it’s crunchy and sweet, a bit like celery with a faint whiff of licorice. But when cooked, it’s a different vegetable altogether. Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: ButterNutmeg Soup with Ginger
Chef Ira brought me a big bag of ginger, and I found something wonderful to make with it. The color of autumn, it’s made with butternut squash and nutmeg, which is why I decided to call it “butternutmeg” squash soup. Take some to work for lunch, try a bowl for breakfast, or start dinner with a cupful. It also makes a beautiful addition to a special celebration. You can enjoy this recipe any time!
Try Nourishing Yourself with Joy
Today we’re talking about diets. To diet is to restrict oneself, to deny oneself pleasure. Well that sounds kind of miserable. No wonder diets don’t work. Who would want to do something that makes you feel bad?
Dieting is a logical consequence of the assumption that overweight is due to overindulgence. But there is a fault — a big, fat one — within this assumption: If it were true that overindulgence were the cause of overweight, then denial would be an effective and viable option for losing weight. But it is not, of course, which is why you have probably noticed that diets virtually never work. Continue reading
Sage Advice for a Healthy New Year
Some of the most valuable gifts we receive are the words of wisdom that are passed along from one generation to the next, and the holidays are a meaningful time to think about them. A few years, ago, around these holidays, a few of my friends at work got talking about our grandmothers’ old-fashioned expressions, beliefs, and bits of sage advice. You may think these expressions as quaint and old-fashioned, but they are so much more than that. These sayings are the collective wisdom of our ancestors, the ones who survived to pass along their words of wisdom to the younger generation. Here are a few for which I am most grateful. Continue reading
Insulin: A Very Good Place to Start
Here is why it’s important to use less insulin: The fact is that insulin is not your friend. You need it to live, but you want to use as little as possible. You want the levels of insulin in your bloodstream to stay as low as possible. Like sugar. The lower the better (within reason, say 80 to 99 for fasting blood sugars). When it comes to insulin, you want your levels to remain as low as necessary to do the job, not zero of course, but on the low side. Why is that? There are a number of reasons. Continue reading
One Step At a Time
Some time ago, Gene [not his real name] the computer guy showed up at my office for the first time in a while. Right away, I knew something had changed. I said, “You’re looking very well! How are you doing, Gene?” He responded with an uncharacteristic grin, and answered with an observation that all of us know, but few believe (despite numerous confirmatory personal experiences!). I sat up fast when he said, “Diets don’t work.” Continue reading
YOUR HEALTHY PLATE: Pea Salad with Mint & Lemon
My family is growing like a garden of sweet peas! My own children have met their beloved partners, who have brought us to meet to their own extended families, and we could not be happier.
So this past weekend we found ourselves in attendance at an annual Labor Day party in the middle of Pennsylvania. Lasting late into the night, there was more delicious food than the eye could see, a climbing structure for the kids, a blessedly beautiful bocce court, and an annual tournament for all. We sat happily among everyone on the sidelines, absorbing the rules of the game, enjoying the earnest efforts of the younger players, applauding the antics of the dozen or more toddlers, and feeling very appreciative of the love, warmth, and hospitality. Continue reading