BLOOM (TAMPA) – Dr. Anya Szigeti, DC, DABCI, MBA—a Holistic Functional Doctor, CEO, and Founder of Back to Health Functional Medicine and The Szigeti Method, and best-selling author of You Can’t Outrun Your Fork—recently joined Bloom host Gayle Guyardo to discuss the power of wholesome eating. Dr. Szigeti’s approach to health and wellness centers on simple, nutrient-dense foods that fuel the body, especially after her own health challenges, including a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Her goal? To make wholesome eating achievable and impactful for everyone.
Why Wholesome Eating Matters
Dr. Szigeti emphasizes that eating whole, nutrient-dense foods is foundational to overall health. She believes in a “food as medicine” approach, noting, “I’ve learned over and over through my own health struggles that ‘You Can’t Outrun Your Fork.’ I’ve experienced the healing power of food and witnessed it with my patients.” By reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods and focusing on natural ingredients, people can achieve greater energy, mental clarity, and a balanced mood throughout the day.
Simplifying Wholesome Eating
One of the keys to successful dietary change, according to Dr. Szigeti, is to start with breakfast, often one of the most challenging meals to tackle. In a world where “breakfast” foods are packed with sugars and preservatives, Dr. Szigeti advises focusing on high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients: “Any time we hand over control of our food preparation to someone else, we hand over control of health to someone else,” she says.
Dr. Szigeti recommends that every meal or snack include four essential components:
- Healthy fats – from organic sources like coconut, nuts, and seeds.
- High-quality protein – for sustained energy.
- Antioxidants – to fight inflammation and support immune health.
- Plant-based fiber – for optimal gut health and satiety.
A Doctor-Approved Wholesome Breakfast Recipe
Dr. Szigeti shared one of her go-to breakfast recipes on Bloom, a nutrient-dense bowl packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients that support thyroid, gut, and immune function.
Warm Quinoa & Oats Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1/4 cup steel-cut gluten-free oats
- 1/2 can coconut milk
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp raw maple syrup
- 3 tbsp chia, flax, or hemp seeds
- Raw nuts, berries, and additional seeds for topping
Instructions:
- Cook quinoa according to package instructions using water.
- Mix 1 cup cooked quinoa, steel-cut oats, coconut milk, cinnamon, maple syrup, and seeds.
- Allow to soak for at least 2 hours or, ideally, overnight. Enjoy warm on a chilly morning!
“Nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods like this bowl energize and keep you satisfied,” Dr. Szigeti says. “It’s a delicious way to support your health while avoiding the inflammatory effects of processed breakfast products that spike and crash your blood sugar.”
Embracing Wholesome Eating for a Healthier Life
For Dr. Szigeti, the journey toward health isn’t just about lengthening life; it’s about enhancing the quality of life through daily food choices. Her message is simple: by returning to wholesome, unprocessed foods, we can reclaim control of our health and wellness. “Who doesn’t love a warm, delicious bowl of goodness on a chilly fall or winter morning?” she adds.
