Newsletter - March 2014

• Extra daylight. Springing forward for daylight saving time feels rough the day after, but the benefits are far-reaching. In addition to giving us more time to spend outdoors and serving as a natural mood booster, that extra hour of light may help reduce traffic accidents and fatalities.
• A healthier home. During warmer weather, open your windows and let the sunshine in while you spring clean and organize your home. Not only will a more streamlined space help you feel more in control of your day-to-day life, it could also make you fitter.
• A spring-cleaned diet. Get rid of your cold-weather diet with a dose of fresh spring produce. Peas, asparagus & kale are just a few of the fresh foods that reach their peak during spring.
• Outdoor exercise. If winter is too cold and summer is too hot, spring is just right for outdoor exercise. Whether it’s an after-dinner walk or an early-morning run, longer days and moderate temperatures are perfect reasons to take your workout outside.
• The return of America’s favorite pastime. For sports fanatics, no season is sweeter than the one that starts with NCAA March Madness and goes through opening day of Major League Baseball. And all that time obsessing over team sports has benefits, such as the emotional perks that come with social interaction and feelings of community around a sports team.
• No more winter skin. Gone are the freezing temps and harsh winds that wreak havoc on your skin and hair. It can be tempting to skip moisturizing once you no longer feel like you need it, but remember that sun protection with a daily SPF of at least 15 is essential year-round.
• Spring break! Whether spring vacation means relaxing by a beach or a more local staycation, getting away at the end of winter has definite health benefits. Participating in leisure activities at home or away can reduce risks for diseases and help manage stress!

Happy National Nutrition Month!

Sharon George, is our Certified Nutritionist and Registered Dietitian with the New York Bariatric Group. She has been specializing in Bariatric Nutrition since 2003. It’s Sharon’s responsibility to meet with each of the surgeon’s patients before surgery to help educate them on the special nutritional guidelines they will need to follow after bariatric surgery. In reality she becomes a patient’s personal dietitian. Sharon helps each patient in making appropriate post bariatric surgery diet changes to improve their nutritional lifestyle by guiding them in their meal patterns based upon their personal preferences, along with the specific procedure they underwent, such as the differences between post lapband diet and post gastric sleeve diet guidelines. Although every patient receives a comprehensive nutritional manual to use as a reference to whichever surgery they are having we recognize that in the beginning patients benefit from having someone that they can work with in selecting menu options. Here at the New York Bariatric Group they get that help. In Sharon’s own words “I try to meet with all our patients throughout their first year after having their surgery to make their experience positive and healthy.”

“I see my job as being part supporter, educator, cheerleader and friend to each of our patients as they start their weight loss journey. It gives me and everyone here at NYBG a great sense of satisfaction when we hear another one of our patients has been able to achieve their personal goals with our help.”To schedule an appointment with Sharon, please call 800-633-THIN.