Dr. Hyman is on vacation, so today's blog is a guest editorial prepared especially for The UltraMetabolism Blog subscribers by the health editors of www.SixWise.com...

There's no doubt about it. Christmas, Hanukah, New Year's Eve and the other holidays that occur during this season are a time for family bonding, reflection, and fun.

But when you're committed to health and fitness, this can also be a frustrating time of the year.

That's because you can find yourself surrounded by bad food choices.

And the temptation to eat these foods -- and lots of them -- feels like it's everywhere, from office holiday parties to gatherings with family and friends.

If you've ever overindulged during the holidays, you're probably all too familiar with the results.

Most of us slightly overestimate how much we gain during this season.

Imagine eating 12 pounds of food a day -- and still staying thin and healthy.

Sounds crazy, right?

Well, that's exactly what our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate for millennia!

And they didn't have any obesity or chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, cancer, or dementia.

Of course, I wouldn't advise anyone today to eat 12 pounds of food, because the food in our society lacks one major secret ingredient that our ancestors ate in nearly all their food -- fiber!

Fiber has so many health benefits that I've made it the entire focus of this week's blog.

But before I tell you about what fiber can do for you, let's a look a little more at the history of fiber.

Wouldn't it be great if you could boost your metabolism without even changing how much you eat?

Well, you can!

It's true.

You can rev up your metabolic engine, feel more satisfied when you eat, burn more calories, and lose more body fat -- all without even changing how MUCH you eat. 

Recent studies show how three key things -- all of which I discuss in UltraMetabolism - can accomplish these goals.

The first is meal timing and meal frequency; in other words, when you should eat and how often.

The second is the role of protein in controlling appetite centers in the brain, increasing caloric burning, and reducing belly fat and weight.

The third is the role of green tea in turning up your fat burning thermostat.

What do all these things have in common?

They all stem from one central idea: an increase in thermogenesis, the creation of heat in the body -- literally, turning up your metabolic fire. 

Can your body affect your mind?

By making different food and lifestyle choices, can you rid yourself of depression, boost your mood or even improve more serious conditions such as ADHD, autism and more?

In my experience, the answer is YES and I'll show you precisely how in just a second.

But first, let me tell you about one of my patients, Sarah.

She's a very vibrant, smart young woman of 18 who had just finished high school with honors and was admitted to a top university.

Even more exciting, her passion for theater and acting had recently landed her the lead role in a real movie.

The future ahead of her was bright and full of possibilities. 

So why had Sarah's distraught mother brought her to see me?

Well, over the previous few weeks, she had sunk into a debilitating depression. 

Are you eating food that's bad for you just because it costs less?

That's an excuse I hear often -- and I'll admit there's some truth to it.

The issues behind our economy and why some foods cost less than others are complex, but I'll try to simplify it here.

There are two main points to remember:

First, the true cost of unhealthy food isn't just the price tag -- in fact, the real costs are hidden.

(More on that in a just a minute.)

Second, eating healthy doesn't have to cost more.

Sure, it seems cheaper to eat a burger, fries, and a soda from McDonald's than to eat a meal of whole foods. 

But there are healthier options.

I will give you suggestions to help you eat well for less -- and save you money and suffering.  You are not destined to be fat if you are poor!