Snack Time | A cereal killer, pooping like a champion, and boosting you sex IQ
March 2024 — My monthly round up of health and wellness news
It’s Snack Time, my monthly roundup of fascinating health and wellness news. It could be a headline, podcast, product discovery or resource that could support you on your health journey. Think of this post as a platter of quick digestible bites meant to nourish and educate for those who don’t have a lot of time but want to stay informed.
Let Them Eat Flakes
Big Food strikes again. Last week Kellogg’s CEO Gary Pilnick gave an interview with CNBC stating that cash strapped consumers should just eat cereal for dinner and the Internet exploded with outrage. This campaign, by the brand best known for Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes and Rice Krispies, started back in 2022 when they encouraged low income families to “give chicken the night off,” and substitute with a bowl of their cereal (which increased in price by 28% in 4 years).
As you can imagine, leading doctors, dentists, nutritionists and wellness advocates are vehemently opposed to this recommendation of eating ultra-processed refined grains and excessive sugar for breakfast let alone dinner, given the alarming rates of metabolic disease and diabetes in this country. Marianne Williamson reframed the initiative in another way: “It’s exploiting the hungry for financial gain.”
Watch: Interview with former Big Food and Big Pharma executive Calley Means discussing, “How Processed Food Companies Have Taken Control of University Research & Government Recommendations,” The Model Health Show. It’s an illuminating conversation about a rigged food system created by our tax dollars that has fueled the obesity epidemic. Or, just watch this South Park excerpt for the punchline about the problem with nutrition in this country.
Poo-la-la!
Not the sexiest topic but it’s estimated that most Americans aren’t getting enough fiber in their diets — just 4% of men and 12% of women meet health recommendations of 21-38g per day. Our ultra-processed diet today has stripped out most of the natural fiber in many whole foods. What does this mean? Besides not being able to poop to our full potential, we suffer from bloating and constipation as well as increase our risks of chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer. Adding whole or minimally processed plant based foods such as legumes, whole grains, nuts and vegetables can help.
BUY: Move over Metamucil. A newly launched super digestive supplement called Yay Day promises to help you with both a sound night of sleep and an epic morning poop. Formulated with prebiotic fibers such as oat fiber, psyllium husk, inulin and flaxseed powders as well as magnesium and digestive enzymes, a glass of this citrus flavored, low sugar drink helps to feed the gut microbiome and promote healthy elimination.
How Smart is Your Sex?
Last night in LA, Dr Emily Morse aka Sex with Emily, spoke with Jennifer Zuccarini at Fleur du Mal about the topic of sexual intelligence and ways we can experience more pleasure in our lives. Some take-aways:
Communication is lubrication: Get curious and talk about sex with your partner, preferably anytime and anywhere except in the bedroom or during the act. It can be hot to ask for what you want and more successful during a low stakes moment.
Be you own best lover: It’s important to be responsible for your own pleasure and orgasm. Solo sex will help you understand what turns you on and gets you off so you can guide a lover.
Sex is more than intercourse: It can include anything that is pleasurable and all enjoyable sensations. Go explore.
Desire can be cultivated: Sometimes we need to be intentional to find that spark. Find a ritual, set the stage or dress up or undress to drop into the moment and get out of our heads.
READ: Smart Sex by Dr Emily Morse for her expert, insider tips on improving your sexual literacy with toys, positions, breathwork and more. After the event, Dr Emily sent us home with her book, a vibrator, lube, mushroom aphrodisiac chocolates and Fleur du Mal panties. How’s that for homework?
All writing is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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