theconnectionsnj.com PAGE 34 DINING OUT HEALTH & WELLNESS nch o A Pi f... Travel Worthy Trail Mix* • 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips • 3 pitted dried dates • 3 dried apricots • 1 cup breakfast cereal (< 9 grams sugar; > 5 grams protein; > 4 grams fiber) • 1-ounce nuts (no sugar-coated varieties; can be raw or roasted) Submitted by: Lori Kolodin, RD, MPH LSKnutrition.com ENJOY! *This is not a low-calorie snack but rather a portable one to take to on the go which provides protein & ber which can help manage hunger. Mix all together in a small plastic bag or reusable container. Easy to take with you on the go. (makes 2 servings) ebruary in the northeast is the last frontier of winter (for most of us). We can soon count down to more daylight and less frost. There is almost a “pre-spring” in our step as we approach Valentine’s Day mid-month. This holiday is a reminder of love, chocolate and friendship. Friendship is the inspiration behind this month’s Food for Thought column. In 2012, I met with a new patient who wanted to lose weight. She lived nearby with her husband, two young sons and two large dogs. I vividly recall the session as this woman possessed a dynamic personality along with her oversized black eyeglasses and sense of humor. We became instant friends, as I helped her journey back to wellness via healthy eating, and made her accountable for regular exercise as she commissioned a trainer. Fast forward to spring 2024 when Grace (name withheld) introduced me to The Connection and the Food for Thought column was born. The following is an interview explaining the impact I had as a registered dietitian/nutritionist on Grace’s wellbeing. LSK: How would you describe your experience with me? What is something that the public isn’t aware of? G: Nothing but a pleasurable experience. At times a bit of a negotiation; or maybe something on a trial basis. We agreed to disagree when weeks passed may or may not have worked, in either of our favor. The goal of me getting healthier and the unexpected result of losing 42 lbs. at the height of my success was working. The bonus of making a new friend was just the ‘icing on a cake’ – my cake!...But now I have a whole mental file cabinet of information that I carry with me to every meal and every workout and every physical or nutritional decision I’m making in my life. And you think it costs a fortune for this? Our insurance companies would rather keep us healthy than treat us later so copays were nominal. LSK: What was the best advice? G: Best advice was to always try to forgive myself for the mistakes I made and to continue to move forward in something that was not an overnight journey. I won’t even say it was a lifestyle change. It was more of a mental mindset change and how I looked at each day along with my food intake and my exercise output-simple equation! LSK: And the worst advice? G: The worst advice was to choose between a cocktail or dessert when dining out. LSK: Ha-ha, that’s still one of my favorites and I understand that it doesn’t work for everyone. This was a pleasure to go back and reminisce. I’m glad that you have been able to apply what we discussed well over a decade ago, and that the principles remain current today: no fads, no quick fixes, just a gradual awakening to comprehend what works and what does not FOR YOU. Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD is the owner of LSKNutrition, a nutrition counseling practice serving individuals and families for over 25 years. Her office is in Martinsville and virtual sessions are an option. More information can be found on her website, LSKNutrition.com. Sweet Connections By Lori Kolodin, MPH, RD you have been able to apply what we dis FOOD THOUGHT for F
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