Getting Real About the Foods We Eat

Written & Edited by: Dr. Will Haas, MD, MBA & Dr. Ashley Eskew MD, MSCI

Last updated: December 20th, 2022

Have you ever wondered if your doctor actually practices what they preach? 

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Sure, it’s fairly obvious at times…

But for those medical professionals who seemingly have it all together, what really goes on outside the office? 

If you’ve read the Decoding the Fertility Diet series, you know that we think food is a pretty big deal when it comes to your reproductive health. And to get the most out of healthy eating, it’s important for it to be easy and enjoyable. 

So, for this week’s post, we’ve decided to get real about the foods that we eat and share what healthy eating looks like around our household – both today and in years past.

Top 3 Favorite Foods Growing Up

It’s easy to look at where someone is now and think to yourself that you’ll never get there. 

“It’s too hard to live my life like that.” 

“I don’t even know where to start.”

“Why didn’t I know to do that.”

Truth be told, there’s always an evolution behind how someone got to where they are, and the same couldn’t be more true than for healthy eating. We certainly didn’t always grow up with perfect eating habits, even with the best intentions of our parents (we love you guys!)

Dr. Haas’ top 3 favorite foods growing up:

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    Oreo cookies. I could come home after cross country practice and demolish an entire roll before sitting down to do my homework.

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    Goldfish. Pre-workout snack of choice in high-school. If I only knew how to fuel my body then, I might have been able to run a bit faster.

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    Peanut butter. You know the kind I’m talking about… the creamy version in a red-topped jar made with trans fat and sugar.

Dr. Eskew’s top 3 favorite foods growing up:

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    Fruit snacks. Gushers, fruit roll-ups, and fruit by the foot…oh yes. Nevermind the partially hydrogenated cottonseed oil, carrageenan, and Red number 40. I definitely counted these “fruit snacks” toward my recommended daily servings of “fruits and vegetables”

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    Lucky Charm’s. You know the box with just the charms. I definitely ate just marshmallows and 2% milk for breakfast. The thought of it now actually makes me a little nauseous.

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    Cheeze-its. Girl did I love some of these. They were my standard afternoon snack. I figured if it had “cheese” in it then I was probably getting a little extra protein and dairy which had to be good for me.  Needless to say, an entire serving only had 3 g of protein.

There you have it… even two health-conscious doctors didn’t always have it together.

Dietary Changes We’re Focused On

Opening yourself up to new possibilities is a must for personal growth and development. And this is beyond important when it comes to incorporating new foods into your diet. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid of changing old habits. 

Here are some of the things that we are working on changing in our kitchen…

Dr. Haas’ nutrition goal: Learning to prepare more meals with omega-3 rich fish besides just salmon… there really is only so much salmon you can eat. 

Dr. Eskew’s nutrition goal: Trying to eat more fresh produce that’s in season. There is such a HUGE difference in taste when something has only been on the shelf for a few days before it gets to your grocery cart. Shopping at local farmers’ markets and obtaining in-season produce is a great way to boost nutrition, taste, and diversity in my diet! 

Team OvulifeMD goal: Making better restaurant selections when deciding to eat out. It’s one thing for the food to taste good, it’s another for it to taste good and be healthy. 

Top 3 Favorite Foods Right Now

Everyone has food items that they can’t live without. Sometimes they change.  Other times they remain the same year in and year out. 

Here is what we can’t seem to get enough of right now…

Dr. Haas’ top 3 favorite foods at the moment:

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    Dark chocolate granola, the homemade kind Dr. Eskew makes for me on occasion!

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    Curry chickpea salad – a great substitute for the tired mayonnaise chicken salad.

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    Beet and carrot salad with pomegranate juice marinade topped with mint.

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Dr. Eskew’s top 3 favorite foods at the moment:

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    Oven-roasted chickpeas… I’m a sucker for salty savory snacks and this one satisfies that need! Plus it’s high in fiber and a great source of plant-based protein that can be mixed with almost anything to make a meal out of it

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    Kale salad. Yes yes, I know, kale was the fad superfood 10 years ago but I’m still having a moment with it. I find new ways to prepare it every week!

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    Veggie stir fry with tofu and rice noodles. Again so many different ways to prepare sauces to top off a stir fry and they’re so quick to prepare! Keeps it one of my go-to meals.

kale salad

# 1 Comfort Food

Okay, what’s a life worth if you can’t indulge every now and again? 

Yes, some nutrition experts will tell you that it’s best not to give in to temptation and others suggest incorporating cheat days. 

We advocate for something a little different – find comfort food that’s actually good for you and provides your brain with a little dopamine boost when it’s needed most. 

Dr. Haas’ # 1 comfort food: Dark chocolate almond butter sandwich. A dollop of almond butter in between to pieces of Lindt 90% dark chocolate. Seriously, I eat this more than I probably should.  

Dr. Eskew’s #1 comfort food: Dried mangoes with 90% dark chocolate and almond butter or natural peanut butter– best dessert ever.

Final Thoughts

This was definitely meant to be a lighthearted piece with a little glimpse into our lives outside of doctorly work. But, hopefully, you picked up a few pieces of wisdom that you can incorporate into your fertility journey and beyond.  

Remember, it’s important to nourish your body with pro-fertility foods but keep it real with the food that you eat. 

With Love & Empowerment,
Dr. Ashley Eskew and Dr. Will Haas

Let us know your #1 comfort food in the comments below.

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