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nutrition productivity energy stress yoga wellness stress management mindfulness action
Biography
I am Samantha Attard, PhD, and my mission is to help you become a happier, healthier human.
This mission is why I :
- researched nutrition and earned my PhD in public health.
- trained and teach as a Vinyasa yoga instructor.
- studied and follow the best nutrition and wellness practices from Western and Eastern medicine.
It’s led to knowledge and deep insights that can have a powerful impact on your life.
I pursued my PhD in Nutrition so I could finally learn what people are "supposed" to eat. I dove into massive epidemiologic studies to tease out the causes of diabetes, hypertension, and excess weight in populations across the globe.
But do you know what I discovered? I found out that there is no one "right" diet.
We all have individualized needs.
We all have different preferences and barriers in our quest to live a healthy life.
We all need to learn to listen to our bodies to figure out what it is that makes us actually
feel good.
I realized that even the most advanced scientists in the world can't pin down an exact diet that's best for everyone! So, I returned to my previous studies of Ayurveda (the ancient Indian medical system) and Traditional Chinese Medicine for explanation.
Both Ayurveda and TCM recognize that we all have individual needs. There is a season and a rhythm to our lives. We all require our own set of habits and routines that allow us to function at our best.
I recognized an exciting opportunity to bring this ancient wisdom into a modern context. I combine a rigorous training in modern nutrition with a deep understanding of nutrition practices that have withstood the test of time.
The best part is that I get to use this knowledge to benefit YOU! My years of studying Eastern and Western nutrition culminate in a wealth of knowledge that can help you figure out how to make your body feel it's best.
This information is too good NOT to share! I am so immensely grateful that I get to work with you to help you discover your best path to wellness and ease.
With some smart, insightful strategies, you will be a powerful force of happiness and health. Happy Healthy Human provides blogs and ebooks, an online community, in person and online workshops, as well as health and wellness coaching that makes wellness personal again. We help you clarify what happiness and health means for you and then implement a plan to achieve your customized goals. It’s a one-two punch that will leave you feeling calm, connected, and confident.
Experience
CEO
Happy Healthy Human
April 2014 - present
Happy Healthy Human provides the information, resources, and services that busy professionals need to live their best life!
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer
American University
August 2015 - present
Education
UNC Chapel Hill
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
2010 - 2015
Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art
Bachelor's Degree
2006 - 2010
Other
Certifications
Courses
Introduction to Nutrition
American University (HPRM 205)
Colitis, or inflammation of the colon, is an annoying, painful condition that can greatly reduce your quality of life. While there is no one prescribed diet for all individuals with colitis, there are a few common food groups that trigger symptoms.
These foods to avoid include alcohol and caffeine.
Some studies have shown that individuals with colitis benefit from a low-FODMAP diet. FODMAP stands for fermentable oligo, di, monosaccharides and polyols.
Foods that are eliminated on a low-FODMAP diet include lactose (dairy), gluten, beans, and sugar alcohols like sorbitol. You eliminate all of these foods for 4 to 6 weeks, and then slowly add foods back in, noticing when your symptoms return.
Following the low-FODMAP diet is a great way to figure out which foods are triggers for you, and gives you a process to determine which foods are the true cause of your symptoms.
It’s very helpful to go through the FODMAP elimination diet with the help of a trained practitioner, so you can receive guidance on the proper foods and timing of the elimination diet!
Is cutting carbs the best way to lose weight?
Also, is there really a difference between "good" carbs and "bad" carbs?
Does it matter what time of day you consume your calories?
I usually hear people said that having a big meal in the morning is the healthy or having 5 to 6 small meals a day. But I also hear others said that it doesn't matter when you have your meals, as long as you have enough calories intake in one day. What's your opinion on this?
What sparked your interest in Vinyasa yoga?
... and how does Vinyasa yoga differ from "regular" yoga, hot yoga, or any of the other types of yoga that are out there?
If you're just starting out with yoga, I mostly recommend that you go to a dedicated beginner's class, or work one-on-one with a yoga teacher (most of us do private sessions). This will make sure that you're learning the poses and doing them safely, rather than just trying to copy the person in front of you.
As you learn the foundational poses, you'll be able to try different styles of yoga (Vinyasa, Iyengar, Power Flow, among others), and see which style feels best for you!