Make It Happen Monday

Your weekly dose from the

The Healthy Living School®

Ultra-Processed Foods: The Hidden Weight Gain Trap

Welcome back to Make It Happen Monday, your weekly dose of insight and action from the Healthy Living School!

Ultra-processed foods make us eat more and gain more weight—a lot more weight! That was the undeniable conclusion of a groundbreaking clinical trial.

In this study, researchers placed seven healthy young men on one of two diets for a week. One diet consisted entirely of ultra-processed foods, while the other was made up exclusively of whole, real foods. Importantly, both diets were identical in total calories and macronutrient distribution (protein, fats, and carbohydrates).

To ensure precision, all participants were housed in a metabolic ward where their food intake could be closely monitored. Each participant followed both diets, with a one-week washout period in between.

The Results?

When consuming the ultra-processed food diet, participants ate an average of 814 more calories per day and gained 2.4 more pounds compared to when they ate whole foods.

Even more telling? They chewed significantly less per calorie consumed on the ultra-processed diet. This means processed foods are easier and quicker to eat, requiring much less effort—leading to mindless overconsumption.

What This Means for You

Ultra-processed foods are uniquely fattening! Several factors make them a recipe for weight gain and obesity:

✅ They’re easier and faster to consume, making it effortless to overeat.

✅ They fail to trigger satiety signals, leaving you hungry for more.

✅ They activate the brain’s reward (addiction) centers, driving cravings and compulsive eating. (1)

Take Action!

To dive deeper and get the motivation you need to ditch ultra-processed foods for good, check out my free mini e-course: ➡️ How to Overcome the Greatest Diet Disaster

Also, don’t miss this riveting video/podcast featuring world-renowned obesity expert, Dr. Robert Lustig—a must-watch for anyone serious about reclaiming their health!

Keep scrolling to read about a simple, delicious way to boost your health and longevity plus a wonderful event happening this Wednesday!

Join the Next Plum Hill Retreat

Thursday, March 20th

What You Get

🍏 A front-row seat to Dr. Ann’s signature presentation on healthy eating to include the fascinating topic of Time Restricted Eating. In this intimate group setting, you’ll have plenty of time to engage and ask questions.

🌷 A tour of the family garden with Dr. Ann's caterer-farmer daughter Lucie! See her beautiful work here.

🥗 An ultra-delicious and nutritious homemade meal. Join Dr. Ann and Lucie in the kitchen for a cooking lesson to learn how they prepare one of their favorite lunches.

🌿 A nature walk on the property

⭐️ As a bonus, all attendees will receive access to the online course, Dr. Ann’s Magnum Opus

Click here for details!

🍏

Schedule a Private Consultation

WHAT'S INCLUDED

A brief phone call assessment (up to 15 minutes). This is a courtesy call to help Dr. Ann select the program that is best for you as well as to customize the sessions for your specific needs.
Access to one or more of Dr. Ann’s online courses which offer comprehensive training in the area needed ($250-$350 value).
The Private Consultation (1-hour session) via Zoom or in person.
Downloadable, digital handouts of everything covered in your session.

SEE DETAILS HERE

Olive Oil: A Daily Drizzle for a Longer Life

Want a simple, delicious way to boost your health and longevity? Pour on the olive oil!

A fascinating new study out of Italy suggests that consuming more olive oil may significantly reduce the risk of dying from chronic diseases.

Researchers followed nearly 23,000 Italian adults (average age 55) for over 13 years, noting their reported intake of olive oil at the beginning of the study period.

The results were telling:

✅ Those who consumed more than two tablespoons of olive oil daily were 20% less likely to die than those who consumed less than two teaspoons.

✅ Higher olive oil intake was linked to a 23% lower risk of dying from cancer and a 25% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Why Olive Oil is a Health Superstar

Extra virgin olive oil isn’t just any oil—it’s packed with powerful anti-inflammatory polyphenols and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats that protect your brain, heart, and overall well-being. No other oil offers this unique combination of benefits!

How to Make the Most of Olive Oil

Make extra virgin olive oil your go-to oil for everyday cooking and meal prep:

Drizzle it over salads and always use it in homemade dressings.
Sauté and roast veggies with it for maximum flavor and nutrition.
Toss pasta with olive oil for a simple, healthy finish.
Dip whole-grain bread in extra virgin olive oil instead of butter.

A little olive oil goes a long way in supporting a longer, healthier life. So, why not make it a daily habit? Want to dive deeper into the wonders of olive oil? Listen to this fabulous podcast! (2)

See you next week for another Make It Happen Monday!

This Wednesday

I want you to know about a special virtual event hosted by The Sophia Institute! This Wednesday, Dr. Rediger will open his two-part series on "The Four Pillars of Healing and Well-being". Jeffrey Rediger MD, MDiv, is a best-selling author, a licensed physician and psychiatrist, and on the faculty of Harvard Medical School.

In this seminar, Dr. Rediger will bring us the results of his 19 years of research into the lives of the true Olympians of health and wellbeing – those with medical evidence for recovery from incurable illness. He discovered that spontaneous healing is not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.

Save Your Spot!