‘Eat Your Catfish’ Review: A Family Is Divided by ALS in an Uncompromising, Emotionally Raw Documentary - Variety

A close-quarters study of the daily trials of living with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease — co-directed by the patient’s son with equal parts adoration and despairing frustration — “Eat Your Catfish” is a documentary every bit as tough-minded as its title is unexpectedly playful. That, as it turns out, is not a disconnect when it comes to Kathryn Arjomand, a New York mother of two who has been living with the neurodegenerative condition for years, and handles it with a blend of frank anger, exhausted acceptance and offbeat humor. Citing as inspiration the “wild overacting” of Julia Roberts in “August: Osage County” — where the line “eat your catfish” does indeed appear — Kathryn resolves to live as “a more dramatic version of myself.” Not everyone, least of all her negligent husband Saeed, is on the same wavelength.

That Julia Roberts allusion is the closest this determinedly minimalist film gets to any kind of gloss, as directors Noah Arjomand (the aforementioned son), Adam Isenberg and Senem Tuzen fashion a fly-on-the-wall setup that allows us to enter Kathryn’s life from her restricted point of view. With the camera usually mounted behind her wheelchair, we rarely see her face. Instead, her presence is felt via her own voiceover, delivered in turn through a Tobii speech-generating device, by far the most hi-tech element in this affectingly lo-fi enterprise. That modesty of scale shouldn’t prevent “Eat Your Catfish” from making an outsize impact in the documentary circuit following its IDFA premiere.

Though Kathryn’s previous, able-bodied life as an academic translator and doting mother to Noah and daughter Minou is glimpsed via archival family photos, “Eat Your Catfish” doesn’t dwell on her personal or medical history, preferring to focus on her efforts to live in the moment. She’s candid about the challenges of doing so, detailing her considerations of assisted suicide, and in one gut-wrenching scene, calmly dictating an email to her children with instructions for and after her death. “Get my body to a crematorium in a plain wooden box or a large IKEA bag,” she instructs with typically mordant wit — an asset that survives even the tone-flattening delivery of her speaking device.

For Kathryn, her interest in her children’s future is what keeps her alive. “Love makes life totally compelling,” she explains, and the film’s structure duly pivots on the familial milestone of Minou’s wedding, an event that brings her excitement and anxiety in equal measure. Otherwise, days of joy are increasingly few and far between in the large, book-lined apartment she shares with Saeed and a 24-hour cycle of carers, with the latter giving and inspiring markedly more affection than the former.

The film’s most challenging scenes address the bitter discord between Kathryn and her startlingly callous husband, often with Noah — who takes on much responsibility for his mother’s care — as an exasperated mediator. Saeed’s impatience with his wife’s disabilities and unwillingness to learn her needs make for some of the most discomfiting marital arguments ever captured on screen, in fiction or otherwise.

“I just want to live peacefully with people around me who actually like me,” Kathryn says. It’s a wish so simple as to be entirely heartbreaking, though “Eat Your Catfish’s” persuasive first-person perspective also details her frustrations with her own person — from her ever-weakening body to limited means of communication that simply can’t keep pace with her sharp, steely intellect.

In lieu of that ability, the filmmakers have given her full agency and expression in a portrait that never treats her as a victim or a martyr. Splitting shooting and editing duties between them — with Arjomand having captured thousands of hours of palpably intimate footage, before deferring to his co-directors’ more objective editorial eye — they have fashioned an unusually unsentimental, everyday document of ALS, tender in the expressly painful manner of a fresh bruise. One subtly pointed scene depicts Kathryn watching “The Theory of Everything,” the Oscar-winning prestige drama centered on the same disease. She makes no comment, but none is needed: Compared with her daily ordeals, the misty-eyed Eddie Redmayne vehicle may as well be science fiction.

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Eating Habits to Avoid For a Better Immune System, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

For many people, the scariest thing about winter approaching isn't the thought of digging out those snow boots and braving the increasingly bitter weather: it's the return of cold and flu season. While washing your hands thoroughly, avoiding crowds, and steering clear of anyone you know to be sick can all help reduce your risk of coming down with something, those measures may not be enough to keep you safe. In fact, many of your eating habits could be putting a damper on your immune health, making it harder for you to fend off those nasty bugs going around.

If you want to protect yourself, read on to discover the eating habits you should avoid for a healthier immune system, according to experts. And for more ways to improve your overall health, check out The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

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They say variety is the spice of life—and it just so happens to be one of the best ways to boost your immune system, too. In fact, Amanda Sauceda, MS, RDN, CLT, says that a lack of diversity on your plate could be crippling your immune health.

"If you're eating the same thing over and over, it could be a potential downer for your immune health. With 70% of your immune system in your gut, you want to look to your intestines to boost your immune system. You want a gut microbiome that has a healthy variety of bacteria which means you need to feed those gut bugs with different types of foods," Sauceda explains. "An easy way to get variety is to eat different colored fruits and veggies and foods across the food groups."

RELATED: Popular Foods That Improve Your Gut Health, Says Science

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If you're depriving the beneficial bacteria in your gut of adequate prebiotic fiber, you could be doing your gut health a disservice along the way.

"Prebiotics are the fuel for probiotics (the good bacteria in our gut)," says Kara Landau, RD, a gut health expert dietitian and founder at Uplift Food. "A diet lacking prebiotics starves our gut bacteria, causing a lack of diversity within the microbiome. Poor gut health, in turn, increases the inflammatory markers in our body and decreases the immune response." If you want to boost your microbiome, make sure to check out these dietitian-approved ways to get more prebiotics in your diet.

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While practically everyone indulges their cravings for sugary treats or fried food from time to time, eating too much sugar and fat can have a profoundly negative effect on your immune system.

"A poor diet can lead to the immune system becoming overloaded and result in a pro-inflammatory state. This inflammation is linked to a number of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. A diet that is high in refined sugar, high in saturated fats, and low in fiber can lead to this inflammation," explains Sheetal DeCaria MD, an integrative physician and wellness expert at Revitalize Medical Center.

RELATED: Best Eating Habits to Strengthen Your Immune System, Says Dietitian

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It's not just the sugar and fat content in your food that may be negatively affecting your immune health, however. Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, from Balance One Supplements, says that packaged food products loaded with additives can have a similar effect.

"Processed foods are those made from refined carbohydrates, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and other ingredients to enhance shelf stability, flavor, and texture," explains Best. "When we eat foods like this in large quantities they can irritate the gut, cause an imbalance in gut bacteria, and ultimately leads to chronic low-grade inflammation. This inflammation can lower the body's proper immune response and lead to an increase in acute and chronic illnesses."

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While limiting your caloric intake may help you lose weight, doing so can also have a detrimental effect on your immune system.

"With any caloric restriction, the body's metabolic rate lowers in efforts to conserve energy for vital processes. In doing so, processes like immune support decline," says Rachel Fine, RDN, owner of To The Pointe Nutrition. "One such reason is the body's inability to efficiently absorb specific immune-boosting micronutrients, such as vitamins A and E, both of which require adequate body fat stores for absorption, storage, and utilization," Fine adds.

If you want to give your immune system a leg up, check out these Drinking Habits Experts Say Boost Your Immunity, and for the latest healthy living news delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

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The #1 Worst Breakfast to Eat If You Have Diabetes, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Over 10.5% of the U.S. population has been diagnosed with diabetes as of 2020, and over 34.5% of U.S. adults are prediabetic, making diabetes an extremely serious issue for Americans today.

Although fixed factors like age, genetics, and environment can affect your chances of getting diabetes, things like high blood pressure, living an inactive lifestyle, and a poor diet can increase your chances as well.

If you already have diabetes, things like exercise, insulin, medication, and a healthy diet can help you live a healthier life with your diagnosis. Foods that can raise your blood glucose levels, like things high in sugar and low in fiber, can be dangerous to eat for those already living with diabetes.

According to Courtney D'Angelo, MS, RD, author at GoWellness, one of the worst breakfasts to eat if you have diabetes is cereal and milk.

Here's why sugary cereal and milk may not be your best breakfast choice, and for more healthy eating tips, make sure to check out Eating Habits to Avoid If You Don't Want Diabetes.

RELATED: Sign up for our newsletter to get daily recipes and food news in your inbox!

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Why are cereal and milk potentially harmful to those with diabetes? The answer lies in the potential amounts of carbohydrates and sugar.

"Traditional cereal and milk for breakfast have the potential to drive up your blood glucose levels, especially if you choose a cereal with little to no fiber," says D'Angelo.

Because diabetes greatly affects the way your body can process blood sugar, this may be a breakfast you want to stay away from.

Getting enough fiber can help you control blood glucose levels, so if you're wanting to still eat cereal, make sure you choose one high in fiber like Cascadian Farm cereal or Magic Spoon. D'Angelo also suggests switching it up for something like oatmeal with nuts on top.

"With this breakfast, you're getting whole grains with fiber and protein," says D'Angelo. "As a bonus, nuts like almonds contain healthy monounsaturated fat, which research has shown can provide a steady blood sugar for your next meal."

For even more tips for diabetics, read these next:

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Invasive green crabs are threatening local species. The solution? Eat them - NPR

Invasive green crabs are harming habitats in the pacific northwest. A solution? Researchers say catch 'em and eat 'em. Scott Simon talks with marine scientist Shon Schooler.

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Beef Hawawshi sandwiches from the Eat, Habibi, Eat! cookbook - Eat North

If you’ve been lucky enough to explore the vibrant culinary scene in the Middle East, it will come as no surprise when we tell you that the excellent array of street food fare you can find is among the best in the world. 

In the Eat, Habibi, Eat! cookbook, chef Shahir Massoud shares more than 100 recipes from throughout the Middle East that are bursting at the seams with bright, bold, and balanced flavour profiles.

In terms of comfort food, few street food snacks hit the spot like a savoury sandwich with a slight kick of heat, and this beef Hawawshi rendition from chef Massoud is the perfect example.

“This Cairo street food staple is simple and versatile—a must-have for your sandwich repertoire. Baking the beef mixture and sandwich together marries the flavors and allows the rendered fat to crisp up the pita,” chef Massoud explains. “If you don’t want to bake your own Egyptian Whole Wheat Baladi Bread, or can’t find the true Egyptian pita (check your local Middle Eastern grocer and ask for baladi bread), just substitute whole wheat pitas instead.”

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Can Americans be convinced to eat less meat? - The Economist

AT THANKSGIVING Americans express gratitude for family, the harvest… and a big, juicy turkey. Americans consume the most meat per person, but that’s not good for the planet. Could they cut back?

The Economist’s Jon Fasman and his sons prepare the Thanksgiving turkey. We go back to a nationwide contest to find the perfect chicken. And Caroline Bushnell from The Good Food Institute discusses how to wean Americans off meat.

John Prideaux hosts with Charlotte Howard and Jon Fasman. Runtime: 39 min

We would love to hear from you—please take a moment to complete our listener survey at: economist.com/USpodsurvey

For full access to print, digital and audio editions as well as exclusive live events, subscribe to The Economist at: economist.com/uspod

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The #1 Best Eating Habit After 50, Says Dietitian — Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

What happens when you turn 50 besides having your friends tell you it's "the new 40?"

You start seeing the symptoms of chronic illness show up in family and acquaintances, if not in your own health. Diseases start to rear their ugly head, the result of a buildup of nutritional insults over the first half of your life, warns registered dietitian nutritionist Isa Kujawski, MPH, RDN, who holds a masters of public health in nutrition and dietetics and owns Mind, Energy, Awareness Nutrition. For example, metabolic disorders like high blood pressure, obesity, pre-diabetes, and type 2 diabetes are lifestyle-related, driven by poor food choices that cause tissue-damaging chronic inflammation.

If you're 50 or over, the best eating habit you can adopt to reverse those simmering health problems is filling your plate with anti-inflammatory foods at every meal, says Kujawski. She's talking about "plant foods that once were alive and have their own immune systems," she says.

"Colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with polyphenols and antioxidants that repair and restore damaged cells."

The importance of eating anti-inflammatory foods after 50.

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Inflammation can be a good thing; it's the immune system's response to foreign invaders like pathogens. But it is also triggered by eating inflammatory foods like processed foods, fried foods, baked goods, red meats, as well as smoking and drinking excessive alcohol.

RELATED: 14 Inflammatory Foods That Cause Weight Gain

This chronic low-grade inflammation is persistent; it never goes away and ultimately can damage the body. Chronic low-grade inflammation has been linked to heart disease, stroke, cancer, and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Anti-inflammatory foods protect against disease

Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet can turn the tide on chronic disease, says Kujawski. The number one food to start eating at almost every meal, she says, is dark leafy greens.

"Spinach, kale, Swiss chard, dark greens are nutrient-dense. Go for anything that's pigmented and deep in color like blueberries, beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, parsley, and cilantro. They're easy to incorporate into any meal."

RELATED: The Best & Worst Greens to Eat—Ranked by Nutritional Benefits.

Anti-inflammatory foods support mental health as you age

Those same anti-inflammatory foods are important for maintaining good mental health as you age, too. "Many mental disorders can be a manifestation of deficiencies in B vitamins, folate, and vitamin D," says Kujawski. "Without those nutrients, your neurons won't be firing properly for key processes, and you may experience a domino effect of brain fog, anxiety, depression, and even dementia."

Eating a high-fiber diet is another important eating habit to follow over 50.

Another anti-inflammatory nutrient that's a must for the 50-plus crowd is dietary fiber. Fiber is critical to a healthy microbiome in your gut. "The gut and brain are so connected," says Kujawski.

"Foods influence the microbiota, which in turn can even create serotonin in your gut that regulates your mood."

For a flavorful way to further fight chronic inflammation, check out The #1 Best Spice to Reduce Inflammation, Says Science.

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