A diet that doesn’t involve eating less? That recommends delicious-sounding foods that will make your skin better, your heart healthier and your jeans fit better? Yes, that’s right, and it’s all part of the easy-tofollow plan laid out in “The O2 Diet: The Cutting Edge Antioxidant-Based Program That Will Make You Healthy, Thin, and Beautiful,” by New York mom Keri Glassman. The nutrition contributor to the CBS Early Show and a contributing editor to “Women’s Health” magazine, Glassman is also president of the Manhattan-based nutrition counseling and consulting practice, Nutritious Life. In her new book, she shares the surprising benefits of indulging in everything from blueberries to chocolate facials.
What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve never really liked the whole will power and deprivation thing— don’t eat this, you can’t have that. To me it’s always been about putting good things in your body, and it’s not just about food. When people work with me, I obviously ask them what they eat, but in their first session I also ask them how many hours of
sleep they get, how much water they drink, what’s their exercise
routine, what they do in their free time. All of those things play a
huge role in a nutritious life.
The 02 diet is based largely on making sure one eats enough antioxidants. What are antioxidants and why are they good for us?
Antioxidants
protect us from free radicals, single oxygen molecules that can cause
damage in our bodies. They can come from everything—pollution, bad
diet, smoking—and can lead to wrinkles, poor immune function, heart
disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, and other problems. You usually find
antioxidants in nutrient-rich foods that are also good for you for
other reasons.
You
mention a lot of different foods in your book, but what would you say
are some of your favorites that are rich in antioxidants?
That’s
hard and my list always changes, but let’s stick with these:
artichokes, which are also high in fiber— you can eat them slowly
before your meal to fill you up; green tea, because it’s also relaxing
and calming; blueberries, which are good for memory; cinnamon, which
can help control your blood sugar, and you can put it on an apple and
it can actually cut out cravings for sweets; plus, nuts, which are very
satisfying and can help a dieter stay full—my favorites now are
pistachios, walnuts and pecans.
The
02 diet consists of a fourweek plan, which kicks off with a four-day
cleanse. But the cleanse isn’t just about diet—you also factor in
pampering and even sex. I’m all for that, but how do they help cleanse
one’s system?
The
pampering part is really to help with relaxation. When you relax,
you’re less stressed, and your body creates less free radicals. Plus,
some of the products I recommend—like the Light and Dark Creamed Mask
with chocolate as an ingredient—may also be adding antioxidants
topically to your skin. With sex, not only does it help your weight
loss, but researchers know that oxytocin, the hormone secreted in the
neurons of the pituitary glands and released by both men and women
after orgasm, cuddling and even simply by holding hands, acts as a
soothing antioxidant.
For
moms who are already so busy and feel overwhelmed by a complete diet
overhaul, what are three tips you can give them for staying healthy?
First,
be prepared— that’s 85 percent of it. Think ahead and plan for the
week. On Sunday, make up a list of 10-15 grocery items and plan out
five different dinners. It sounds so basic, but not many people do it.
Second, for that busy mom, always have a snack for yourself—don’t just
pack for the kids. Last, don’t eat off your kid’s plate—either commit
to splitting that grilled cheese and fries and then not eating your
meal or don’t touch it.
