Portland Direct Primary Care
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Beyond 7 minutes

I trained as a Family Doctor so that I would be ready to help patients with any challenge. The old school family doc used to take that skill set out into the community on house calls, sports sidelines, and town hall meetings. At some point the job description was boiled down into a job that started and ended with a 7 minute office visit. That setup is not good for patients, and it's not good for doctors. In this column I hope to start to push the boundary of where the doctor patient interaction takes place - onto the page, into the community, and beyond 7 minutes.

Food as Medicine Forum Notes

Notes from January 2023 Food as Medicine Forum with Dr. Oren Gersten, and Jason Gootman MS, health coach

  1. Here’s the information Dr. Oren shared about an herbal remedy for respiratory infections.

  2. Here’s the information Dr. Oren shared about the relationship between processed meat and cancer.

  3. Jason’s goal setting workshop

    Guidelines

    1. Feel free to work by yourself or in a group of any size.

    2. Let’s keep our conversations respectful even when our opinions differ.

    3. If you’re struggling with a significant challenge, feel free to approach us afterward.

    Workshopping Format

    1. Harvesting answers

    2. Clarifying and amplifying answers

    3. Feedback and suggestions from Oren and Jason

    Question 1

    With regard to food, what are you 100-percent sure cultivates well-being for you?

    Examples

    • When I drink plenty of water, I feel great.

    • Paleo really works for me.

    • I have my best weeks when I plan out my meals.

    • I feel my best when I eat mostly plant foods.

    • I have a much better day when I make time for breakfast.


    Question 2

    With regard to food, what are your biggest uncertainties and obstacles?

    Examples

    • I’m so addicted to sugar.

    • I’ve been on and off more diets than I can count.

    • Why are the recommendations on what’s nutritious always changing?

    • I have no time to cook.

    • When I’m stressed, I go off the rails.


    Question 3

    With regard to food, what kinds of support do you find most helpful?

    Examples

    • I value being able to ask questions of an expert and being able to trust their answers.

    • It really helps when my life partner is supportive.

    • I do well when I have an accountability buddy.

    • I do well when I have someone to keep me on track and challenge me to do my best.

    • I value expert guidance that’s backed by both scientific evidence and experience.

    The One Thing I Commit to Doing to Improve My Well-Being

    The One Thing I Commit to Doing to Get the Support I Need to Improve My Well-being

 

A few upcoming events:

 

  1. Save the date for Tuesday, April 11th from 5 to 6:30 p.m. New York Time for another Community Wellness Forum presentation when Oren and I will be presenting Movement as Medicine.

  2. Save the date for Thursday, March 16th from 12 to 1 p.m. when I’ll be presenting How to Permanently Overcome Yo-Yo Dieting (synopsis below). Please reply to this e-mail to be added to the early-registration list.

  3. Save the date for Thursday, June 15th from 12 to 1 p.m. when I’ll be presenting How to Permanently Overcome Emotional Eating (synopsis below). Please reply to this e-mail to be added to the early-registration list.

 

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How to Permanently Overcome Yo-Yo Dieting

 

  1. The physiological problems created by dieting that lead to yo-yo dieting

  2. The psychological problems created by dieting that lead to yo-yo dieting

  3. Practical strategies for mitigating and eventually permanently overcoming yo-yo dieting

  4. How to turn acts of self-care into positive habits you have for the rest of your life

 

How to Permanently Overcome Emotional Eating

 

  1. Why nutrition strategies and willpower aren’t enough to overcome emotional eating

  2. The science of addiction as it relates to food including junk food and sugary food

  3. Practical strategies for mitigating and eventually permanently overcoming emotional eating

  4. How to turn acts of self-care into positive habits you have for the rest of your life

Oren Gersten, MD