- 10almonds
- Posts
- The FDA Just Redefined "Healthy"—But How?
The FDA Just Redefined "Healthy"—But How?
Plus: how to *actually* start a healthy lifestyle in the new year
The 10almonds Team
December 22, 2024
Happy Solstice👋
For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Winter Solstice is here a) here’s to getting some good sleep in during the long night b) remember to view the sky for mental health benefits during the brief hours of daylight (subject to availability; it’s been raining sideways where this writer lives).
In today’s email we cover healthy eating priorities, new year’s plans, and the neurobiology of glucose metabolism.
Today’s sponsor Lumen is offering a way to learn about and keep track of your body’s metabolism; breathing into the device once per day gives it all the info it needs. It’s quite nifty; check it out!
Recommended Reading
 | NEW TODAY: The FDA Just Redefined "Healthy"—But How?Sometimes, companies can rules-lawyer regulations in ways that are not necessarily in the public’s best interest: |
 | It’s The Trickiest Time Of The YearAn addiction expert shares insights about festive drinking that might often go unconsidered: |
 | How To Stop Revisiting Those MemoriesUsually we want a better memory, but what about the things we’d rather erase? That is, in fact, also an option: |
Watch and Learn
How To Actually Start A Healthy Lifestyle In The New Year
Dr. Faye Bate cuts through the trends to give advice that’ll last past January the 2nd:
Prefer text? The above video will take you to a 10almonds page with a text-overview, as well as the video!
Our Sponsors Make This Publication Possible
Your Holiday Health Hack is Here
The holidays are a time for celebration, family gatherings, and plenty of festive treats. But it can also be challenging to stay aligned with your health goals. That’s where Lumen comes in.
This revolutionary device analyzes your metabolism through a simple breath test, giving you real-time insights into what your body needs to thrive.
With personalized guidance on how to fuel your body, Lumen helps you balance indulgence with smart nutrition choices.
Whether you're preparing for a big holiday feast or winding down after a day of festivities, Lumen’s tailored advice will help you make decisions that support your metabolism and overall wellness.
Make this your healthiest holiday yet with Lumen:
Please do visit our sponsors—they help keep 10almonds free
This Or That?
Vote on Which is Healthier
Yesterday we asked you to choose between artichoke vs asparagus—we picked the artichoke (click here to read about why), as did just 27% of you!
Now for today’s choice:
 |  |
Click on whichever you think is better for you!
Bonus (Sponsored) Recommendation
We know 10almonds readers love learning in a convenient, bite-size fashion. Here’s a list of some other newsletters our readers also enjoy; check them out!
One-Minute Book Review
Sweet Spot for Brain Health: Why Blood Sugar Matters for a Clear, Fog-Free Brain – by Dr. Sui Wong
At 10almonds we often mention that “what’s good for the heart is good for the brain”, but at least in part, it’s because (as this book makes very clear), “what’s good for the blood is good for the brain”. After all, our brain uses about 25% of our energy, and that energy is delivered there by the blood. And if it doesn’t get enough nutrients, oxygen, etc, and detritus isn’t taken away, then problems happen.
Dr. Wong discusses Alzheimer’s as heavily driven by metabolic problems such as diabetes and even pre-diabetes, and sets out to put in our hands the guidebook to not only not doing that, but also, actually making sure our brain gets proper nourishment without delivering that as intermittent sugar spikes because we opted for a something with very fast-acting carbs to perk us up energetically.
More than most books on the topic, she talks a lot about the neurobiology of glucose metabolism, so that’s something that really sets this book apart from many of its genre.
The style is narrative, explaining the body’s processes in a clear fashion, without skimping on science. There are definitely words that your average layperson might not know, but they’re explained as we go, and there are frequent recaps of what we learned previously, making for ultimately easy reading.
After all the information is given, there’s also a guided “12-week challenge” with a theme-of-the-week for each week, to integrate a new lifestyle adjustment each week in a progressive fashion so that without needing to drastically change many things at once, we get where we need to be in terms of healthy habits.
Bottom line: if you’d like to do right by your brain and while you’re at it say goodbye to blood sugar highs and lows, then this book is an excellent guide for that.
Penny For Your Thoughts?
What did you think of today's newsletter?We always love to hear from you, whether you leave us a comment or even just a click in the poll if you're speeding by! |
Wishing you a wonderfully restorative weekend and a joyous Solstice,
The 10almonds Team
