Healing Nutrition https://www.durangoherald.com/section/columnists-healing-nutrition/feed/ Stay informed with the latest breaking news, local stories, sports, business, weather, and community events from Durango, Southwest Colorado, and the Four Corners region. Fri, 10 Jul 2026 11:03:16 -0600 en-us 30 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/your-winter-metabolism/ Fran Sutherlindu1-i-syn But one question remains: Does your body truly need more comfort food this time of year, or just more warmth? It’s true that thermogenesis – the process by which the body generates heat – increases slightly in cold... Tue, 11 Nov 2025 16:40:59 -0700 AC881167-5511-4C38-B48F-C6662DA5D1D3 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/nurturing-your-inner-garden-for-better-health/ When people talk about “gut health,” it can sound mysterious – like some hidden switch that controls your whole body. But in my nutrition practice, I see every day how the trillions of microbes living in our intestines shape the... Mon, 06 Oct 2025 18:10:20 -0600 6DA53073-143E-47E5-A704-9BF3B7B6636D https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/the-diet-that-fights-inflammation-and-why-it-matters-for-your-arthritis-and-beyond/ We hear a lot about the Mediterranean diet and its many health benefits. So, what makes this eating pattern so powerful? At its core, the Mediterranean diet is one example of an anti-inflammatory diet. The big question is, “Can an... Tue, 09 Sep 2025 17:05:16 -0600 AFCAE848-525D-4B25-8B2E-BEFFC571B067 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/stop-the-guilt-how-to-enjoy-treats-while-staying-on-track/ Have you ever noticed how often we feel the need to justify eating a treat? Recently at a salon, I watched each person approach a box of doughnuts at the counter, saying things like “It’s Friday, I’m having this” or... Fri, 04 Jul 2025 00:42:23 -0600 963FCA16-11D8-4E63-AD13-3DDF0D201C02 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/leveraging-nutrition-for-better-sleep/ A lot of your daily life – what you accomplish, how you interact, how you react – is dependent on our energy and how we feel throughout the day. The food you eat and the quality of your sleep both... Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:39:10 -0600 E45F83D5-E301-4B85-AEBE-2FB7A3577B3F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/glp-1-drugs-and-weight-loss-helpful-tool-or-magic-bullet/ GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide have exploded in popularity, with millions of Americans turning to them for weight loss. But are they the magic bullet for sustainable results? The short answer is “no,” but they can be a powerful... Tue, 13 May 2025 17:37:38 -0600 BE53BAA9-ECD4-4449-8606-88B5A028321F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/gut-check-foods-to-ditch-for-a-healthier-microbiome/ The microbiome is a vast (trillions) culture of bacteria in your digestive system that all work together to maintain health. Your microbiome begins forming at birth and builds as you interact with the world around you. In fact, you have... Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:11:31 -0600 2AE51FB9-E554-4D18-9776-C09399FC8A91 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/from-goals-to-habits-how-smart-goals-can-transform-your-health/ The New Year is already in the rearview – are your health goals keeping up? I’ve heard the same thing repeatedly from clients: “I know what to do, but I just don’t do it.” Sound familiar? We know we should... Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:45:45 -0600 10B9F5F0-F850-442C-9CFC-45E3B375856B https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/post-gallbladder-removal-digestive-support/ Have you had your gallbladder removed and still suffer from symptoms like loss of appetite, nausea, diarrhea, constipation or weight gain? The gallbladder works in tandem with the liver, storing bile (essential for dietary fat digestion). Healthy bile flow is... Tue, 11 Feb 2025 13:07:55 -0700 3394EF3F-7CC2-43B1-9A19-B795A8FD33EF https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/emotional-eating-strategies/ Do you find yourself reaching for food when you’re stressed, sad, tired, or anxious? If yes, then you could be an emotional eater. As a dietitian who has worked closely with emotional eaters for years, let me tell you that... Mon, 06 Jan 2025 21:45:45 -0700 3E2EBCE1-82C1-4686-A278-C0525350C10F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/insulin-resistance-the-pre-cursor-to-diabetes/ November is National Diabetes month, and it’s a great time to raise awareness about diabetes and to learn how to prevent or delay Type 2 diabetes, especially if it runs in your family. Well, let me start by saying diabetes... Tue, 12 Nov 2024 19:58:36 -0700 A7CA976A-77C3-4848-AF86-142833F8BBE4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/vegetable-oils-the-hidden-dangers-in-your-kitchen/ When it comes to vegetables, it’s generally not difficult to determine which ones are good for you, right? Unfortunately, this simplicity doesn’t carry over to vegetable oils. Today, let’s simplify the complex world of vegetables oils. Vegetables oils are edible... Wed, 09 Oct 2024 06:00:00 -0600 31174A17-A4A3-466D-B009-D6CA45CEF4CA https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/balancing-act-the-immune-systems-role-in-gut-health/ Do you suffer from symptoms such as gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea? If so, it’s important to understand that these gut problems are NOT normal. They are your body’s immune system telling you that it needs help! Today, I’ll talk about... Tue, 10 Sep 2024 17:59:31 -0600 5AED5238-949D-40A6-B1B1-1588E475002B https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/boosting-brain-power-through-nutrition/ We’ve all experienced it, that moment when you can’t think of the word, and you just sort of babble as you try and get your thoughts straight. This mental “clouding” has been labeled brain fog. It slows you down and... Mon, 12 Aug 2024 13:14:34 -0600 BB427661-3982-46FD-BDD0-3D18A8CC4BE7 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/ditch-the-evening-snacks-to-sleep-better-and-feel-your-best/ Do you know that feeling? The one where you’ve finished a healthy dinner and then thought to yourself, “I need a snack.” Then, before you know it, the entire bag of chips or carton of ice cream is gone and... Tue, 09 Jul 2024 11:32:21 -0600 EECC7BEB-E381-495C-9D8D-C25C9B95FB48 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/overcoming-dieting-frustrations-navigating-common-struggles/ Diet overwhelm is all too common: the lack of results, the difficulty of adhering to restricted eating plans, social pressures (welcome summer!), and emotional eating struggles all play a role in your success. With the rise of social media influencers... Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:51:29 -0600 3CA5395E-E174-4348-B48F-CD81ECFA6895 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/finding-balance-in-your-eating-habits-not-fads/ The potential for diet overwhelm is real, and common struggles of unsatisfying results, difficulty of adhering to restricted eating plans, social pressures (welcome summer!) and emotional eating all play a critical role in your success. With the rise of social... Wed, 12 Jun 2024 21:51:18 -0600 66F3DF4A-7771-46C0-9FD3-6FE48EC6AF02 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/nourish-your-liver-the-key-to-sustainable-detoxification/ It’s springtime! Let’s all pull out the green detox juice to rinse away all the winter’s guilty pleasures. Green juice and smoothies are healthy, nutrient-dense additions to your diet, and I’m a big fan of them. But, here’s a little... Wed, 10 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0600 7F329ECF-2050-4BC9-8666-930112FF2606 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/eat-to-heal-transforming-your-body-through-nutritional-wisdom/ Have you ever considered that the food you eat could be the most potent medicine for your body, or conversely, a slow poison that undermines your health? If you’re plagued by digestive issues, fatigue, or hormonal imbalances, the answer might... Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:00:00 -0700 D3062ADA-2185-43EA-808F-F5495B5FF4FC https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/harnessing-power-of-protein-for-diabetes-prevention/ November is National Diabetes Month. Do you have a family history of diabetes? Do you have parent, grandparents, uncles, aunts with insulin resistance, prediabetes or diabetes? If so, today’s column is just for you. If you’re worried about insulin resistance,... Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:47:07 -0700 711FAFE5-9C50-4DFF-A6A6-0BAC552F545B https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/stop-counting-calories-seriously/ Every dietitian just lost faith me with the title of this article, but hang tight, it gets better. Calorie counting became all the rage starting in the mid to late 20th century, fueled by advancements in nutrition science, the emergence... Tue, 17 Oct 2023 18:09:30 -0600 13D0ACC8-536E-45BB-BE89-520131C214C2 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/ibs-the-truth-behind-the-myths-and-the-power-of-diet/ Irritable Bowel Syndrome, commonly known as IBS, is a term many of us have come across. But what exactly is it? The Mayo Clinic describes IBS as an intestinal disorder; however, its exact root causes are tough to pin down.... Tue, 12 Sep 2023 15:35:08 -0600 19A6694A-8748-44C3-9DD4-9C531885248F https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/from-refined-sugar-to-natural-options/ To be successful in reducing your sugar intake, it’s crucial to substitute it with healthier alternatives. This not only helps to reduce your cravings for sugar but also aids in resetting your taste buds to enjoy more naturally sweet foods... Sat, 12 Aug 2023 23:20:04 -0600 E9672ECB-504C-4379-832E-052C5847D616 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/navigating-cholesterol-insights-for-balanced-health/ High cholesterol increases the risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death in the United States. According to recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an alarming 86 million Americans grapple with unhealthy cholesterol levels... Sat, 08 Jul 2023 17:45:30 -0600 77522B99-1905-4A68-AA34-4CCC98E4596C https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/vegetable-oil-the-harmful-truth/ Contrary to popular belief, the mere fact that vegetable oil is derived from vegetables does not make it beneficial to your health. Part of the blame for this is attributed to the food companies marketing their products in ways that... Wed, 14 Jun 2023 17:20:22 -0600 D5741F3E-C0D8-4966-BFEE-35BA4B9727C3 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/is-food-thy-medicine-or-thy-poison/ Is food your medicine and supporting your health and healing, or is it your poison working against you and making you feel worse? If you struggle from aches and pain, digestive discomfort, headaches, or migraines, then food could be thy... Tue, 09 May 2023 20:20:27 -0600 42915B70-43E4-4A96-8EDB-3B98BE9481C4 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/should-eggs-be-part-of-diet-for-optimal-health/ Eggs have been a staple food for humans for thousands of years and for good reason. They are packed with an abundance of nutrients important for health. Eggs could be labeled a superfood for these reasons: First, they have a... Tue, 11 Apr 2023 16:19:04 -0600 DC1F4554-6B99-4EBE-9A8E-571D7DC1FA16 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/it-takes-a-system-not-just-a-goal/ Are you working hard toward your health goals or are you stuck in a state of “where do I start?” In coaching thousands of clients over the years, almost all come to me saying “I know what to do, but... Fri, 10 Mar 2023 21:15:51 -0700 B53CEC8F-57AB-4589-B89D-FC67945C64C2 https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/binge-eating-and-nutrition-therapy/ Do you lose all control in the presence of certain foods? Do you eat until you are uncomfortably full or even when you’re not hungry? Have you been diagnosed with Binge Eating Disorder – BED? If any of these are... Tue, 07 Feb 2023 18:28:51 -0700 94BFAC8B-F77C-4A5C-BBF4-3B1B07C8D87B https://www.durangoherald.com/articles/columnists/carbohydrates-how-much-do-you-need/ Your age, level of physical activity, muscle mass, medical history and lifestyle preferences should all play a role in determining your carbohydrate level. If you have more muscle mass, you will metabolize carbohydrates much healthier and need carbohydrates to build... Wed, 21 Dec 2022 00:43:19 -0700 7FEAE426-8740-4720-8335-B52F88A68656