top of page
Derrick W. Spell, MD, FACP
Search
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
May 2, 20213 min read
2021 - This Is Your Year!
2020 was a difficult year for all of us. Our usual daily routines were disrupted thanks to the coronavirus. We spent more time at home...
46 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Aug 16, 20204 min read
Fish - What's the Catch?
Patients and family members often ask me for dietary advice. They frequently inquire about my personal dietary preferences and beliefs. ...
119 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
May 15, 20205 min read
Not Milk?
I grew up on a small, rural farm in the 1970’s and 80’s. My family raised cattle along with other traditional farm animals. Meat,...
165 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Mar 22, 20202 min read
Use The Quarantine & Lent To Your Advantage!
Growing up in a Methodist family, we didn’t really observe Lent. However, I am quite familiar with the concept of Lent since I live in...
135 views2 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Mar 15, 20203 min read
The Bite-Sized Blog on Toilet Paper
Coronavirus, or COVID-19, has spread to more than 100 countries over the last several weeks. The World Health Organization categorized...
223 views1 comment
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Mar 6, 20204 min read
Don't Waste 1 Day on the "Whole30" Plan!
Many overweight people try to lose weight at the beginning of each year. A new year frequently means another fad diet. A current,...
58 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Feb 9, 20204 min read
Heart Healthy Eating Tips
Today we know that obesity increases the risk of developing heart disease. You are more likely to have long-term complications from...
41 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Jan 25, 20203 min read
What Are The Blue Zones?
In Dan Buettner’s book The Blue Zones Solution, he describes five regions in our world that have extraordinary lifespans. Experts...
72 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Jan 12, 20204 min read
More Tips for Eating Out!
Today, most communities have a variety of local ethnic eateries. Since most of them are not large chain restaurants, nutritional...
43 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Dec 30, 20195 min read
How to Dine Out Successfully
One of the most important skills to learn for effective weight management is proper dining at restaurants. Eating out is never the...
57 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Dec 1, 20192 min read
Holiday Eating Survival Guide
The 2019 holiday season is here! It is time to celebrate with holiday parties and family events. Unfortunately, these gatherings can be...
61 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Nov 14, 20193 min read
Fruit: Can an Apple a Day Really Keep the Doctor Away?
I recently saw a new patient who asked a lot of questions about fruit. She had been convinced by her friends that she should not eat...
86 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Nov 2, 20194 min read
Sugar – The True Bad Carb
Most Americans eat large quantities of simple, refined carbs (sugars) and small amounts of complex carbs and fiber. In fact, over half...
40 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Oct 7, 20193 min read
The Various Benefits of Exercise - Part 3
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends exercising a minimum of three times per week to facilitate weight loss. If possible,...
31 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Sep 13, 20194 min read
The Various Benefits of Exercise - Part 2
The numerous advantages of regular exercise are irrefutable. The first question for most people includes how to get started and what...
37 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Aug 25, 20193 min read
The Various Benefits of Exercise
Exercise has been recommended by doctors for thousands of years. Hippocrates was the first documented physician to recommend exercise as...
55 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Aug 9, 20193 min read
Proteins - The Final Chapter
What is a protein? The word protein comes from the Greek word proteios meaning "of prime importance." Proteins are complex molecules...
56 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Jul 21, 20193 min read
Adding the Right Proteins - Part 2
There are additional protein contributions from plants that we did not discuss in the previous blog. For instance, the so-called...
53 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Jul 7, 20193 min read
Add the Right Protein to Your Meal
My newest pet peeve is restaurants that ask if you’d like to add “a protein” to your meal. Protein is a macronutrient, not a food item! ...
86 views0 comments
Derrick W. Spell, MD FACP
Jun 29, 20193 min read
Veto the "Keto" Diet
Carbohydrates, or carbs, have been ridiculed for decades. Recent trendy diets that advocate “low-carb” eating include the Atkins Diet,...
287 views1 comment
bottom of page