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Dr. Jack Soltanoff's Pages

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Good Sense, Good Diet, Good Health

BOYNTON BEACH - "Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may diet" may sound trite but does have considerable merit. The question is how to diet and for how long at this time of the year.

How does one combine good sense, good health, and yet still celebrate and enjoy traditional New Year festivities?

It doesn't make much sense to inflict damage upon the body by digestive upsets or by increasing arthritic pains, high blood pressure, sinus or skin conditions or aggravating one of the many chronic complaints so prevalent today.

The sickness, physical discomfort, even stupor that can arise after indulgence in just one New Year's evening gives rise to the question: Is it really worth it?

It is difficult for anyone not to make some concession to the holiday spirit by bending a few health rules. But to be convivial and a "good fellow" it is not necessary to drink too much alcohol - or even to drink at all.

To enjoy a New Year's day feast also need not imply indulgence or gluttony. Even with the over-abundance of food available, the temptation to eat to excess can be avoided.

We all know.the aftermath of over-drinking and over-eating can be unpleasant. Even if an acute reaction such as nausea, diarrhea, headache, etc. is avoided, that bloated sensation can be uncomfortable and even depressing.

The "morning-after-the-night-before" is another consequence of over-indulgence.

A compromise which, will avoid all of these unpleasant symptoms (and avoid an undesirable weight gain) is possible.

Over this extended holiday period it is essential to put some order into one's dietetic regime.Self-discipline and moderation are not only mental and physical victories but can be a wonderful boost to anyone's morale.

The plan that follows not only avoids digestive upsets and damage to health but is also an advantage to hard-pressed housewives who also deserve a holiday:

No cooked breakfast or refined starches: fruit only. Chose liberally from apples, grapes, grapefruit, oranges and/or dried fruits.
At parties, either limit your drinking or accept fruit juices as an alternative. Cut down on the tidbits (pastries, sandwiches, etc.) and nibble on nuts, cheese and celery or wholegrain crackers.
No fried foods.
Avoid pork products and trim fat away from beef or lamb. Turkey or chicken may be stuffed with nuts, onions and herbs.
Avoid those complicated dinner mixtures. It is not necessary to have soup, turkey with four or five vegetables followed by rich pies, puddings, tea or coffee and a sweet apertif, all at one sitting

Following these rules can help avoid painful gastric distress and will make your New Year a more relaxed and enjoyable time.

I sincerely hope the new year will see further progress toward greater awareness by Americans of the direct relationship between diet and health.

I wish you all every happiness plus a healthy and peaceful New Year.

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