NEEDS Offers FREE Wellness Counseling!

Did you know that NEEDS’ professional wellness educators offer complimentary wellness consultations over the phone and can answer any questions that you have over email? Take advantage of this phenomenal service by calling 800-634-1380 or emailing info@needs.com.

Our Clinical Nutritionist Christine Carlson and our Naturopathic Doctor Jennifer Morganti are here to help you! Get to know our wellness educators:

Jennifer Morganti, ND
Director of Education

Dr. Jen received her Naturopathic degree from Bastyr University, one of the four accredited naturopathic schools in the US. She has been working in the Dietary Supplement and Natural Health industry for over 15 years. Dr. Jen’s passion is to make natural health information accessible to anyone who is interested in optimizing their health and to promote positive, healthy aging. Throughout her career, she has brought new dietary supplement products to market, provided advice on FDA regulations, and educated consumers nationwide through writing and speaking engagements.

Christine Carlson, BS, CN
Wellness Educator

Christine Carlson, BS, CN, is a New York State Certified Nutritionist and a biofeedback practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in holistic health. She helps individuals optimize their health through nutrition and lifestyle changes. She focuses on a variety of health issues including digestive problems, allergies and sensitivities, immune dysfunction, osteoporosis, weight problems, stress management, depression, and more.

Artificial Sweeteners Not so Sweet

By Carol B. Blair, BS, DiHom, CNC

Artificial sweeteners are the rage because people think they can use all they want without gaining weight. However, studies show that these artificial sweeteners actually increase the appetite as well as the risk of metabolic syndrome and obesity. In addition to that, they come with a number of side effects. Let’s briefly discuss two of the most common artificial sweeteners: Splenda and Aspartame.

Splenda (aka Sucralose) is the newer of the synthetic chemicals which is made from sugar and covalently-bound chloride. A 2009 study showed it is absorbed by fat because our body has no way of breaking down the covalent bond; therefore, the body attempts to store it in the least harmful place–-fat cells. It also reduced good intestinal bacteria by 50%! Since good gut bacteria are strongly linked to the immune system, you are setting yourself up for health issues by consuming Splenda. Among its other many side effects were decreased red blood cells, migraine headaches, heart palpitations, wheezing, and reduced sperm production. At higher doses, it caused brain lesions and spontaneous abortions in rabbits.

One of the most dangerous products on the market is the sugar with Splenda that is being fed to kids!

Aspartame (aka NutraSweet and recently renamed AminoSweet), has been around longer but it isn’t any safer. In fact, it was once listed by the Pentagon as an agent for chemical warfare! The FDA receives more complaints about aspartame than all other additives combined.

Due to the fact that aspartame creates excitotoxicity (nerves fire excessively), most of the complaints are neurological–migraine headaches, mood disorders, and even hallucinations. Brain lesions have also been found in animals fed aspartame. In fact, I had a customer a few years ago who had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (with brain lesions) but when she got off the diet soda that contained aspartame, all of her symptoms went away. She was actually suffering from aspartame poisoning!

So if you want to keep your weight down and your health up, do yourself a favor and avoid the artificial sweeteners.  Instead, look for those sweetened with Xylitol and/or stevia. You could also buy unsweetened flavored sparkling water and just add the amount you need.

Maintaining Hydration

By Laurel Sterling, RD

In the summer, we tend to be outside more with physical activities, mowing lawns, gardening, parties, going for walks, and just plain having fun! We must remember not to ignore or dismiss our thirst mechanism. Typically when people think they are hungry, they actually are more than likely thirsty. Many times headaches are the result of dehydration, and one can feel dizzy, shaky, and lethargic when they are dehydrated. Sweating, stress, illness, and medications are ways we can lose our precious electrolytes.

Our bodies are made up of about 70% mineral water. It is recommended to drink at least 8 glasses (64 oz) of water a day or half your body weight in ounces. Water increases your body’s efficiency by eliminating toxins, assists in weight loss, helps prevent muscle and joint pain, bloating and constipation, and it maintains healthy skin. Remember, for every one caffeinated product you drink, you will need to drink TWO 8 oz. glasses of water to offset it because caffeinated products are diuretics.

A simple way to maintain proper hydration would be to just drink more good ol’ water, but those who are very active outside in the heat may need additional support.

There are some great drinks like Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water that contain electrolytes to assist in rebalancing the body. Also, one could use E-lyte which is an electrolyte concentrate. This product can be diluted in water or other broths. Use caution with this product with children, those with high blood pressure, and people that are on a sodium-restricted diet. Other options are ConcenTrace Trace Mineral Drops that would be added to water.

Keep Kids on Track Over the Summer

By Laurel Sterling, RD

Summer time is a time of the year that schedules change for many of us, and it is easy to get off track in many areas of our lives. We stay up later with the sun being out longer so our sleep is off. There are wonderful parties, picnics, and BBQs that we attend and as a result our eating is not as optimal as it could be.

For our children, we tend to have them involved in activities and camps over the summer to keep them busy and out of mischief. I feel this also is a perfect time to get them more involved in things like gardening, cooking, juicing, etc.

My 6-year-old daughter Lily LOVES to help out in the kitchen. This is a great time of year with all the fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables to get children more interested in juicing and cooking. At my house, we have cilantro, basil, and several mints growing in our herb garden right outside our kitchen door. Lily loves to make up her own juice recipes. Some are amazing and others….well…..let’s just say we are still experimenting with them!

Using more fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables from your own gardens really gets kids connected to where there food comes from. They can see the entire “Farm-to-Table” process right in their own backyard! My daughter picks blackberries from the bushes in our yard, and we use the berries to make smoothies with a protein powder. Vega Bodacious Berry and Lifetime Life’s Basics Plant Protein Mix Natural Vanilla Flavor are my two favorite protein powders to use. They are loaded with so many vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, fiber, and more! These are a great way to sneak in additional nutrients that may be lacking from your child’s diet. You can also add Nature’s Way Liquid Coconut oil to your smoothie for some healthy additional fats, which are great for increasing cognition. Don’t we all need some of that?!

So let’s keep those kids on track, get them more involved with cooking, and make them healthier at the same time!

More great tips are available on www.kidseatright.org.