Nutrition may be your missing link? At Advance Physical Therapy, we are interested in more than the parts of you that hurt. We want to know how your whole system is working together (or not). Because of this, we often ask about your general fitness, hearing and vision. In addition, we will likely ask about your breathing, clenching and your dental history, your stress levels, and challenges at home or at work. When these issues seem problematic in the big picture, we can collaborate with other providers for additional support.
We are therefore tremendously pleased to announce our recent collaboration with nutrition specialist and certified health coach, Rachel Khani. Rachel will be offering a free seminar at Advance Physical Therapy on Monday, March 6th at 6 pm.
After her presentation, Rachel will be available for questions and provide opportunities for additional support.
I asked Rachel to give an example of how nutrition may be affecting our patient’s. She offered this real client scenario and included some helpful tips:
“Here’s what you may feel…..You wake up in the morning with aching joints. There are dark circles are under your eyes and your face is puffy. In addition, your stomach feels bloated and uncomfortable. And to top it all off, you notice a breakout on your skin.
For one of my clients, this was a daily experience. Her energy was being drained by the foods she was eating, leaving her depleted and miserable. She was left frustrated and overwhelmed by the end of her demanding work day, as she tried to push through her body’s cry for help.
Yet, changing your diet can feel equally overwhelming. We are unsure of where to start, trying to sort through the mountain of conflicting nutritional advice out there.
Here are a few of the foods that I frequently see zapping my clients energy and leaving them feeling bloated, irritable and exhausted.
1) Wheat, Corn and Rice. These foods are highly processed and refined, making them the main culprits in an instant blood sugar high.
TIP: Instead of lunching on pasta or a sub sandwich, try a baked chicken breast stuffed with guacamole and a side of garlic green beans. If I have a lunch meeting, I will often suggest an Asian restaurant, where I can order a stir fry with extra veggies instead of rice.
2) Dairy. The lactose and casein in dairy foods are indigestible to some people, especially those starting from a place of poor digestion. Dairy foods can cause inflammation as well in those that are sensitive.
TIP: Coconut milk and almond milk are not only creamy and delicious in everything from coffee to ice cream, they are also powerhouses of healthy fats and minerals. The brand SO Delicious even started a line of coconut and cashew milk ice cream that is absolutely divine!
3) Soy. One of the most commonly genetically modified foods, and unfortunately added in some form to a majority of packaged and snack foods. In Asian culture soy is usually only consumed in fermented form, which makes it more digestible. Otherwise, the quantity of soy consumed can cause hormonal imbalance and mood swings.
TIP: Swap out packaged snacks for a handful of toasted pecans, lightly salted cashews, an apple with almond butter, or a green smoothie. There are so many delicious snack options that can travel with you, so let the pre-packaged snacks die.”
My client had a lot to say after we crowded out these energy-draining foods with delicious options. She began to overcome years of sleep issues and gain sufficient energy to begin speaking and presenting her work throughout the state!
“I now fuel my body with more energizing foods that sustain me throughout the day, and I identified food sensitivities that had become bothersome.”
-Georgette H., Pathologist, Wake County, NC
Often it is one simple change that has the greatest impact on improving your energy and health every day. I’m delighted to be working with Advance Physical Therapy to provide support in shifting your lifestyle habits and finding solutions to your health challenges.
Please join me on March 6th for the Free Seminar on Monday, March 6th at 6:00. Feel free to reach out to me with questions at rachel@rachelkhani.com.
I look forward to meeting you soon!
Rachel Khani
AADP Certified Health Coach
