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Natasha Uspensky in November’s Marie Claire!

Natasha Uspensky in Marie Claire  |  The Organic Beauty Blog
I’m so excited to be mentioned in the November issue of Marie Claire magazine (with the cover graced by none other than my beloved Ashley Greene)! Geraldine Campbell, writer, fellow foodie and soulful searcher, wrote about her experience working with me on changing her relationship with food, focusing on filling her life with healthy foods and behaviors, instead of the damaging dieter’s mindset of restriction.

Geraldine writes of her journey:

Determined to lose the weight without falling into the pattern of past diets, I sought out New York-based nutrition counselor Natasha Uspensky, a former opera singer whose approach–enjoying food rather than turning it into the enemy–made me feel like I might be able to lose weight and keep my boyfriend.

Sadly, saying yes didn’t mean a diet of croissants, full-fat ice cream, and red wine.  Not that these are entirely off-limits, but Uspensky posits that if we fill our lives with healthy foods and behaviors, we won’t even want the bad stuff.  If I had a nutrient-packed berry smoothie instead of skipping breakfast, I wouldn’t feel tempted to raid the office kitchen with all its animal crackers and chips.  I wasn’t convinced, but I was ready to give it a try.

Under her guidance, I cleaned my kitchen of unhealthy foods (including, yes, a jar of master fat) and filled it with leafy greens, brown rice, almond butter, a few bars of dark chocolate.

I started cooking more, preparing meals like quinoa and black bean salad.  It didn’t taste overly healthy (by which I mean bland and cardboard-like) and I found (truly) that the better I ate, the less I craved meaty, cheesy dishes.  I felt empowered by my healthy choices, and I was bounding out of bed at 6:30 am, hangover-free and ready to face the day.

…I’ve also lost–and kept off–much of the courtship weight without feeling deprived.

I am so proud of Geraldine for her amazing progress, after completing my Two-Week Cleanse and just a couple of sessions! Pick up the issue today to read the full article!

Natasha Uspensky in Marie Claire  |  The Organic Beauty Blog

Excerpt from: Campbell, G. (November 2012) The Dieter’s Dilemma. Marie Claire, 256

3 Diet Myths to Toss

Originally posted on The Daily Zeel! 
3 Diet Myths to Toss | The Organic Beauty Blog
The field of nutrition is a relatively new one, which means there is tons of seemingly contradictory information floating around, much of it with science to back it up! This can be incredibly confusing and frustrating to someone just looking to get healthy and eat well. Though there are several different approaches to eating that can be equally beneficial to different people with varying body types, activity levels and needs, there are definitely some major diet myths and trends that everyone can stand to cut out in spring 2012, along with last year’s harem pants and formaldehyde-ridden keratin treatments.

DIET MYTH #1: All calories are created equal

The biggest problem with most calorie-counting diets is that they are based on the premise that a calorie is a calorie – and less calories equals greater health. There is so much wrong with this principle. Eating a 2,000 calorie diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and clean proteins is not the same as eating the same number of calories in “low-cal” snack foods, refined carbs like pizza and pasta, and saturated fats from meat.
Yes, lowering your overall caloric intake will help you lose weight, but it is your intake of powerful micro and macronutrients that will help you lower cholesterol, blood pressure and cancer risk while staying slim and healthy long-term!
Low calorie snack packs and other diet foods that allow you to eat smaller portions of unhealthy foods do absolutely nothing for your health, and may even thwart your efforts at losing weight by feeding your body empty calories (i.e. calories without any nutritional benefit) that don’t really satisfy your hunger.

DIET MYTH #2: Carbs are the enemy

Carbohydrates are finally starting to come back after their widespread blacklisting through the dark times of high-protein diets, but there are still so many people out there who avoid carbs like the plague. The problem with this approach is that it holds healthy whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and buckwheat to the same negative standard as refined, bleached flours and starchy foods. While processed carbs like cookies, pastries and other white flour foods are definite diet busters, whole grains are loaded with fiber, protein and minerals, and are actually a major ally in weight loss!
Eliminating all carbs and grains from your diet often times leads to serious cravings, nutritional deficiencies and digestive problems – that is totally not the answer. Try to cut the white carbs, but feel free to adopt a more balanced diet with some whole grain breads, brown rice and even quinoa pasta!

DIET MYTH #3: Fats cause weight gain

Fats are another food group that have gotten a terrible rap over the last few decades. The truth is, America’s obsession with low-fat food has had no small part in the obesity epidemic and distorted relationship with food that grows more and more serious each year.
Fats are a vital part of a healthy diet, and are super important for energy, brain and heart health, weight management, and even healthy skin and hair! But as with carbs, not all fats are the same. Saturated fats found in meat and dairy need to be eaten in moderation, and trans fats found in processed and fried foods are terrible for your health, leading to more than just ballooning waist lines. Healthy, mono- and polyunsaturated fats found in nuts, avocadoes, fish and olive oil, on the other hand, are wonderful foods that keep you fuller longer, and help you live a longer, healthier life.
The bottom line is that a restrictive, unsatisfying diet is not the answer for long-term, sustained weight loss. As with all things in life, the key with healthy eating is balance. Although every body is different, with different needs regarding caloric intake and protein (not to mention varying levels of sensitivities to foods containing dairy and gluten), a safe bet across the board is to opt for a balanced, whole foods diet full of brightly colored vegetables and fruits, whole grains and healthy fats. Restricting your diet or eliminating an entire food group may shock your system into losing weight initially, but it also deprives it of vital nutrients, satisfaction and long-term stability.
Forget these diet myths, and make 2012 your healthiest year yet!

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