Ayala laufer-Cahana MD's Page

A few years ago, a large study of more than 150,000 women helped clear poor, vilified coffee of the suspicion it was contributing to hypertension.



But while that 2005 study found no connection between even many daily cups of coffee and high blood pressure, it pointed a finger at another suspect (indeed –one of the usual suspects): It found that soda intake—regular and diet alike—was associated with higher blood… Continue

We like to eat. We especially like indulgent foods – desserts, snacks and tasty treats.



We’d love to believe it’s okay to heap our plates with foods we perceive as “healthy".



In fact, studies have shown time and again that foods perceived as healthy or foods with a health aura drive us — if only subconsciously — to eat more. Foods with "low… Continue

First Mom Michelle Obama said to food makers recently: “If there is anyone here who can sell food to our kids, it’s you. You know what gets them to drive their parents crazy in the grocery store.”



We parents are quite aware of a TV ad when we see one, but marketing efforts go way beyond direct advertising on TV and internet games. Kids are exposed to slick… Continue

Oh, how things change.



It wasn’t that long ago when I had newborns—they’re now a tween and teens—and the unspoken competition between new moms was how well our babies gain weight, how high they plot on the percentile charts and how quickly they outgrow their clothes. Chubby was cute, and—it’s embarrassing to say—many breastfeeding moms were encouraged by medical personnel to add-on some formula if the baby wasn’t gaining weight at a remarkable pace.



I was already a… Continue

I meant to share a recipe earlier in the winter, and here we are with the exuberance of spring unfolding, the days getting longer and the joys of fresh produce coming back to the gardens and markets. So I’d better hurry up and offer my ginger carrot and miso soup—a delicious way to transition from winter to spring—before it gets too… Continue