Don’t Eat a Day’s Worth of Food in One Meal!

How much food is too much food? Some would say it’s a matter of opinion, but most doctors and nutritionists agree, for the average adult, 2,000 calories is the ideal daily consumption level for a healthy lifestyle.  The average American might not even know what 2,000 calories looks like. But thanks to this comprehensive and fascinating report from the New York Times, you can see just how easy it is to go over your daily recommendation in a single sitting. 

The obesity epidemic has a lot to do with processed foods and fast food restaurants. You probably already know that a meal at McDonalds isn’t the most healthy way to go, but did you know that combo meal might be an entire day’s worth of calories? At Burger King, a Double Whopper, large soda, and fries brings you to 2,130 calories. Meanwhile, even “healthier” options like Chipotle burrito nets you 2,010 if you get chips and guac with a drink. Don’t fool yourself into thinking fast food is the only way to do it, either. With the generous portions most dine in restaurants provide a single dish could put you well over. The Farfalle with Chicken at the Cheesecake Factory weights in a whopping 2,410 calories. 

Want a great way to keep your calorie counts under control? Just cook at home, and try to assemble meals yourself from fresh ingredients. It might take a little longer than going out, but it’ll be well worth it for your health, and here at Dr. Feiz & Associates we believe your health is what matters the most. 

Shrink Obesity Down to Size

According to a recently released report, the worldwide obesity epidemic is costing the health care system about as much as smoking. Not only is obesity costly financially, it is costly emotionally, as it can take years off of a person’s life.

Just like smokers, no obese patient will question the fact that they need to make a change to secure a healthier future, but adapting to a healthy lifestyle is extremely difficult. Luckily, bariatric surgery from Dr. Feiz & Associates has been proven time and time again as the best way to give patients the tools they need to start eating right. Bariatric procedures are not a golden ticket to weight loss, but they do give the patient a major advantage in the constant battle against hunger and dietary control.

Not only is Dr. Michael Feiz an expert surgeon who patients trust, him and his staff give patients expert dietary and post-surgical advice to ensure that they get on the right track to controlling their obesity. Everyone agrees that obesity is a growing problem, but with the help of Dr. Feiz & Associates, you can shrink it down to size.

The Case for a Long Healthy Life

For a lot of people, healthy eating can feel like a drag. Food is something that we all love, and, just like most of the things we enjoy the most, it’s far too easy to slip into overindulgence. Though the specific reasons for obesity are highly varied and can involve a variety of factors depending on the individual, one issue can make recovery difficult. Many who suffer from severe obesity state that they aren’t concerned with the long term health effects because they would rather enjoy life in the moment. Nevertheless, here at Dr. Feiz & Associates, as healthcare professionals we’re very familiar with the dangers of severe obesity, and want to help convey the need for treatment.

The risk factors associated with obesity are very well known and include a significantly increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. These life threatening issues may seem like a long term concern, however living in the moment, and avoiding the issues is not a good path to take. In addition to shortening your life span, severe obesity can significantly deteriorate the quality of life and leave an individual suffering with for years with difficult issues. Rather than living in pain, and difficulty, the clear choice to make is one toward improvement. Weight loss surgery in Los Angeles performed by Dr. Feiz is one of the best ways to get improve you quality of life for a healthy, long, and peaceful existence.

Fruitcake

If you're old enough to remember The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson then you might remember the joke Mr. Carson repeated that there was really only one holiday fruitcake -- it was just being sent from one person to another and never, ever eaten. At Dr. Feiz & Associates, we sometimes wonder what would be the health benefit if all sugary/fatty desserts were treated with such disdain, or never eaten at all!

Yes, we know it's a pipedream. We humans are hardwired to desire sugar and fat laden foods, an extremely powerful vestige of the very long periods of human history in which calories were relatively hard to come by. Even so, there would be less need for the constant pleas for Americans to take up a more healthy lifestyle if we could all cultivate more of a take-it-or-leave-it attitude towards the most fattening holiday comestibles.

After all, the point of a holiday celebration is to spend time with family and friends and, for very many of us, there is also an important spiritual and religious meaning to the holidays. No part of that demands the over consumption of holiday treats. So, at your family holiday feast this year, maybe pretend that that second (or third) helping of stuffing or egg nog you don't need is fruitcake. Not bad tasting, really, but do you really need to eat or drink that?

If, on the other hand, your weight issues are a well beyond a little holiday overindulgence, then you can call us to find out more about weight loss surgery in Los Angeles. It might just be the best gift you've ever given yourself.

Enjoy Your Holidays

People who are concerned about their weight, particularly those dealing with severe obesity, sometimes make the mistake of letting their legitimate concern with healthy eating get in the way of their holiday celebrations. That's not to say we don't understand the basic issue facing people who need to make significant changes in their dietary habits.

So much of our concept of holidays and celebrations is tied up with food (and beverages), it's easy to see how those of us who need to be most mindful about consuming them might be tempted to try their best to ignore the holidays. However, depriving yourself of the fun and companionship involved in celebrating a holiday is not our idea of a healthy lifestyle. The trick, of course, is to find a way to focus on the aspects of holiday celebrations that don't involve high calorie foods and beverages...and  the good news is that love, friendship, and family have zero calories!

Of course, if you've recently embarked on the path towards surgical weightloss, or are considering doing so, it's possible you could benefit from a little extra support around holiday time. At Dr. Feiz and Associates, we're here to provide that support to our patients old and new. After all, just because it's holiday time doesn't mean you can give a weight loss doctor a call!

 

Avoiding Overeating to Win Thanksgiving

That time of the year is upon us, and for people dealing with severe obesity, it’s a time of temptation. There’s nothing quite like a Thanksgiving Day feast, but the problem with the holidays is that it’s a time of encouraged overindulgence. As families across the nation loosen their belts, many of us who are attempting to embrace healthy eating struggle through the holiday season. As an experienced bariatric surgery center, here at Dr. Feiz & Associates we understand how trying a day like Thanksgiving can be, and we’re here to help with a few quick tips you can use to stay focused, and avoid overeating. 

In terms of temptation, one of the most difficult aspects of Thanksgiving is the sheer amount of food that we’re exposed to. Between mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, and of course that huge turkey centerpiece, there are a lot of ways to lose discipline. Portion control is one of the best methods to keep your diet. There’ll be a lot of food, and you should go ahead and try everything. Just don’t take that much of each. Grab a plate, and take a little of a lot. By serving yourself such a large variety of food, it’ll feel like you’re eating more than you actually are. 

There are a few tricks you can try that could help if you think your appetite might get the better of you. Because the sensation of hunger is very often actually a sign of dehydration, try drinking a glass of water right before the meal. Afterwards, you might realize you’re not as hungry as you thought. Also, use a smaller plate, like a salad plate, to serve yourself which will help you keep your portions under control. Remember, now is always the best time to begin a weight loss journey. Dr. Michael Feiz can help you along the way.

There's So Much to Do!

Goodness knows, we're just as busy as everyone else at Dr. Feiz & Associates. We understand that sometimes life can keep throwing you so many curve-balls it might seem as if taking a break for even the most important kinds of health treatments are next to impossible. Indeed, for people who never seem to have the time to even cook for themselves -- often an important component of healthy eating, taking the time to get a potentially life-saving weight loss procedure might seem next to impossible.


Yes, time is a limited commodity, but that works in more than one way. If we fail to invest time in our health now, we may pay a steep price in terms of the time we have to enjoy life later on. We're not only talking about lifespans being shortened by the many health risks of severe obesity, we're talking about quality of life issues. You might survive a stroke, for example. However, even under the best circumstances, a strokes means losing countless hours of your life in recovery and rehabiliatation...a process that may now always be complete.

So, yes, we're all busy but taking advantage of the skills of a top bariatric surgeon like Dr. Michael Feiz is the kind of investment that can reap enormous rewards later on. There might be too many things to do, but sometimes you have to do for yourself.

Staying Ahead of the Mental Game

Many who start the weight loss journey think all they have to focus on is eating less, or counting calories, or hopping on the treadmill a few times a week. However, bariatric surgeon Dr. Michael Feiz recommends his patients learn not just about healthy eating and exercise, but that they also study how to make positive changes in their lives. Any patient of Dr. Feiz' must pass a psychological exam before they have weight loss surgery in Los Angeles at his practice, as well as have regular counseling. Why? Because often, food is a vice for overweight or obese individuals.

To learn how to break this vice, Dr. Feiz & Associates strongly urge overweight individuals to study how to make behavioral changes in order to lose weight effectively, and keep it off for good. Positive affirmations every day are a good start, and stopping the excuses to put off weight loss. Dr. Feiz also recommends that weight loss patients continue counseling once they reach their goal weight; as many people find it easier to lose weight than to maintain a healthy weight.

If you're interested in learning more about your weight loss options, or if you're considering bariatric surgery, don't hesitate to call Dr. Feiz & Associates in Los Angeles. Call 310-855-8058 today to reach Dr. Feiz' Beverly Hills weight loss center, and ask about FREE consultations!

Dr. Feiz Helps you Find the Treatment for Your Needs

A recent study published in JAMA Surgery compared the results of two common bariatric weight loss methods - laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding. For some the results may be surprising, though they also reinforced the importance of undergoing treatment from an experts like Dr. Feiz and his team at Dr. Feiz & Associates.

Fox News reports that in the study, it was discovered that adjustable gastric banding resulted in greater weight loss than Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. However, that's not the end of the story - because gastric banding also led to increased complications. "Our study adds to the confidence that doctors can talk to patients about these procedures," says Dr. David Arterburn, one of the researchers in the study.


Though complications are relatively rare, they can occur during weight loss surgery, which is why it is important to settle for nothing less than the best when you're seeking weight loss surgery in Los Angeles. Dr. Feiz can help each patient figure out which bariatric surgery is right for them, as well as giving advice on how to ensure they live a healthy lifestyle.

If you're considering weight loss surgery, get in touch with Dr. Feiz and Associates today for a complimentary consultation.