Over the course of this series, I have discussed a wide range of subtopics surrounding one’s relationship with food. First, I started with an overview of diet culture. This is because it is important to understand the underlying psychology of our society’s beliefs around food that affect eating behaviors. Concerningly, diet culture’s harmful messages...
Two Types of Eating Behaviors that Look Healthy, but Could be Dangerous
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 5)
Here I go again… In this post, I’m continuing the topic of eating disorders (ED). It may be an unpopular subject and not very trendy, but I’m still going to talk about it. Why would a naturopathic and functional medicine doctor who specializes in mood, women’s health, and gastrointestinal issues still be so focused...
The Different Types of Eating Disorders: Do You Recognize Any of These Symptoms?
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 3)
We live in a time where “health” marketers and influencers have used destructive dietary memes to manipulatively, or unintentionally, reinforce their protocols and restrictive nutritional practices. Concerningly, these current popularized approaches to nutrition, health, and fitness, if not scrutinized, could be perpetuating and fueling health anxiety, false anxiety, and eating disorders. The rise in...
Are You at Risk for the Most Underrecognized Mental Health Disorder?
Understanding Eating Disorders Educational Series (Part 2)
We are living at a time where “health and wellness” marketing preys upon our insecurities. By worshipping thinness, portraying unattainable beauty standards, and promoting purification of the body as a sanctity, restrictive food practices are being manipulatively and dangerously applauded. What is even more damaging is that many health influencers, intentionally or unintentionally, are...
Is That Potato Chip A Drug? Could You Be a Food Addict?
Unlike alcohol or drugs, food is essential for life. Though some diet culture enthusiasts may disagree, we need a balance and variety of all foods in our diet to thrive physically, emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Previously, I discussed the damage that diet and wellness culture have had on healthcare and society. I purposely covered...
When Living in Wellness Culture Becomes a Sick Society
What if striving to be healthy was actually making you sick? If you are: living with the belief that you have to eat perfectly, or close to perfect, to avoid disease and/or operating within a wellness and diet culture mindset … you may be doing more harm than good to your mental and physical...
How Mind-Body and Integrative Medicine Can Change Your Genetic Destiny for Better Health
Did you know that meditation, yoga, and mind-body practices can make you healthier? The evidence has been exploding on the many associations between mindset, lifestyle, and mindfulness-based practices and better brain and body functioning, so this is probably not surprising. Now, for a not-so-obvious connection: Did you know that these techniques can also change...
Purpose and Spirituality in Medicine with Essentially Everything About Essential Oils
Right now, we are in the midst of a fear epidemic. It can be hard to detach ourselves from the addictive nature of the news, social media, and advertising, all of which perpetuate this contagious, negative emotion. Yet, if we stay stuck in this amygdala hijack, it is to our own and society’s detriment....
How Fear Harms the Mind-Body & Using the Power of Hope and Belief to Heal from Trauma: Mindset as Medicine 3
In the previous articles in this series, I’ve highlighted how past traumas can negatively impact our mind and body. Furthermore, the unrelenting stress from the current state of our world can add to these effects. This has led to a rise in mental and physical health issues. We have the opportunity to lessen the...
Dissolving the Mental Blocks to a Positive Mindset Part 2: Rewiring the Brain to Heal from Trauma
Staying positive and looking for the good things in life is challenging during a global health crisis, foreign war, and economic uncertainty. Add in the rise in polarization, social disconnection, and an unprecedented increase in mental health issues and it almost seems impossible. Survival and functioning day-by-day forces most of us to push forward...