Dr. Melina Jampolis, the San Francisco author and physician, is best known as CNN’s diet and fitness expert. She’s bringing her expertise to the Women’s Fitness and Diet Summit at the Jewish Community Center in San Francisco on May 2. The event benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
How did you get involved with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society?
Unfortunately, I lost a good friend of mine to leukemia last year. The most interesting thing for me, because I’m a nutrition doctor, is that the blood cancers are among the few cancers that aren’t prevented with lifestyle choices. So research is even more important in this case.
What is your philosophy about losing weight?
I try to apply the best science and nutrition has to offer and try to give people practical, real life strategies. There are ways of eating where you’re not hungry all the time, where you’re not suffering. Nobody stays on a diet the rest of their life. It’s not a quick fix.
How did obesity get to be a national problem?
Part of it is the food processing industry. All the highly processed corn products, our bodies aren’t really built to respond to them. The types of foods we’re eating are nutrient-poor, but calorie-dense. We’re also burning hundreds of fewer calories than 50 years ago. We shop online, we date online. Everything in our society is promoting obesity instead of combating it.
What are your most powerful weight-loss tips?
The most important thing is always having a plan.
