Daily Diet Blog

October 31, 2006

KFC the First Pioneer in Trans-Fat Ban?

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 1:44 pm

You’ve probably heard all the hubub about this transfat ban that’s got restaurants in NYC scurrying to get their food up to par to meet with new standards on transfats that were imposed in the city.

Nutritionists have called for bans on this extremely unhealthy fat, and called it a food violation that should be akin to having animal droppings in food as well as other unsavory health violations.

In an honorable move, it looks like one of the unhealthiest fast food joints of them all, KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken may be the leader in pre-empting this new ban.

The fast food restaurant chain which boasts some of the highest fat offerings in it’s deep fried, breaded chicken and other high fat offerings, is eliminating trans fat frying oils starting with their original recipe chicken.

They are switching to a soybean oil that is trans fat free, and should offer a healthier benefit to consumers instead of the heart stopping, artery clogging stuff. The Wendy’s burger and fries chain, also switched their deep fried goodies to a fat that has no transfats, and McDonalds did say they planned to follow suit, but they have not done so yet.

 

 

October 29, 2006

Obesity Medication Also Helps Diabetes

Filed under: Prescription Diet Aids, Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 3:23 pm

There is a new medication on the market that was initially meant to treat obesity, also helps to control the blood sugar levels in people that have type 2 diabetes, and has prospects of hope as a newer, better diabetes treatment since there is a severe shortage of “good” diabetes treatments.

The new drug is called Acomplia, and not only can it help obese people shed excess weight, presumably partially through the control of their blood sugar and subsequent control over appetite, but also may help reduce the risk of heart disease in type 2 diabetes sufferers.

Diabetes is heavily linked to being overweight, and actually just the simple fact that a person is overweight significantly increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so this new drug might be able to help nip both in the bud, so to speak.

But it’s more than that - people who are put on this drug will still be encouraged to lead a more active lifestyle, as well as to monitor their diet, watch their fats and sugars, and do all that stuff that makes thin people thin, it’s just that they’ll get a little more help in the form of a pill to quell hunger and equalize the blood sugar.

October 28, 2006

Exercise Pyramid Guide Coming Soon?

Filed under: Health News — EatingToLive @ 7:01 am

Just like the infamous food pyramid that is actually pretty much ancient nutrition advice by now (although they do say it’s updated about once every five years), especially now that we know how to eat right and how to combine foods much better than we used to, there is soon to be an exercise guide set forth by the US government for people to follow, just as they would the basic nutrition guidelines of the food pyramid. 

The Exercise Guide is coming to fruition in 2008 sometime.  The Bush administration announced that it would implement this new exercise guide as a deterrent against obesity and the increasing illnesses and health conditions that go along with lack of exercise and poor eating habits. 

They hope to not only accomplish making a healthier America, but also to quell the rising health costs that have forced health insurance companies to jack their rates up, and cost the government millions in health care costs. 

But what good is this guide going to do if people don’t use it?  It is estimated that at least one quarter of the US population is inactive, and at least one half does not get adequate exercise, not by a longshot. 

Lack of exercise leads not only to health conditions and poor energy levels, but also contributes to depression, muscle pain, and other issues related to immobility.  Basically, your muscle is not being used, and it is a vital part of burning calories efficiently, as well as maintaining a pain free body.

The US government, through it’s arm of administration and bureaus, is trying to create a culture of health and well being, and hopefully this will get us one step closer to that ideal. 

October 27, 2006

Ephedra Ban Appeal Failed?

Filed under: Dietary Supplements, Herbal Supplements — EatingToLive @ 5:26 pm

I just got an email from a nutrition company (won’t mention names) from whom I’ve bought some health and diet products from before on the appeal to the ban on ephedra which failed.  By appeal on the ban, I mean there were people fighting hard to lift the ban on ephedra and not make a it a permanent ban, despite the obvious health risks involved with this potentially dangerous stimulant.

They’ve sent me a couple of emails appealing to my senses of getting on board to buy something that would soon be banned, but little do they know, I’ve had terrible experiences with ephedra, before it was banned and you could find it in virtually every OTC diet aid in your local drug store. 

Supposedly, the appeal to reverse the ban on ephedra was refused by the FDA on October 16th, a mere 11 days ago. The Federal Court of Appeals in Denver, CO ruled that the previous ruling to ban ephedra across the board did not violate the law. The companies which sell ephedra ephedra products have run out of appeals and the days of buying ephedra are supposedly over and done with, completely. 

It never fails to surprise me how long these bans take to truly take effect once and for all.  I really thought ephedra had been banned for good a while ago, especially since I have not seen any in any of the stores I visit, and it is widely known this natural herb for dieting has been banned……

October 26, 2006

Obesity Reaches Epic Proportions

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 8:45 pm

My heart just sank when I read the latest statistics of obesity, not only in the US, where obesity is becoming an epidemic, but nationwide.  The statistics are nothing short of ridiculous.  The obesity epidemic has reached such epic proportions the the amount of obese people significantly outnumbers those that are starving or malnourished both in the US and in third world countries. 

That’s not the most disheartening figure though.  Even worse, and even more reality we don’t want to hear is that a staggering 1 billion people in our population are obese.  That’s one billion out of a total estimated world population of about 6 billion people. 

The World Health Organization, or WHO, has now classified obesity as a global epidemic, and many say the epidemic may one day actually affect world economies if it is not put in check right now. 

The trend is disturbing, since even countries with typically svelte peoples are becoming heavier and heavier as their food becomes richer and more abundant, as well as more processed and refined, all of which is harder for the digestive system to process and can result in obesity. 

China is a perfect example.  In fact, it was reported that about 20% of Chinese are now considered overweight or obese, and it was never this big of an issue in many of their country’s regions.  Chinese women are even reporting their breasts are getting bigger (Chinese women were always known for genetically having smaller frames, and along with that, smaller chests). 

October 25, 2006

West Virginia Church Focuses on Fighting Fat

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 9:54 pm

West Virginia, known as one of the least health conscious and most obese states in the US is probably not the place you’d expect to see a church and a church leader preaching for and spreading the word on health and the meaning of obesity.

The church is actually a catholic church based in the Wheeling area of W VA, and the Bishop of the church wants to concentrate on getting a healthier congregation, and a healthier state at that.  The Catholic church reportedly does support public health, but this church is actually making it part of their referendum, addressing it more directly and with a focus on overall health, including spirituality and mental health. 

Now if only every church could do this, we may be able to actually successfully fight obesity eventually…oh wait then everyone would have to go to church.  Well, it was a nice idea, but I guess every little bit of the population segment we can get to is one step closer to public health and the elimination of obesity. 

October 24, 2006

Freshmen 15 Goes Further than Thought

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 4:14 pm

We’ve all heard the infamous term of the “Freshmen 15″ pounds that every girl and guy that goes away to college typically gains during their freshmen year in college.  Recent studies are coming up with a little more solid evidence as to the credibility of this longtime cliche about going away to school and sacrificing some body image for it.

It was found that college men gain significantly more weight in their first few years of college than women do.  That’s right I said “years”, not year.  The freshmen fifteen actually goes beyond the freshman year in college and eeks out into the sophomore and junior and senior years of college as well, with the pound increments going down slightly with time, but nonetheless still present. 

Freshmen students typically pack on the most pounds in their first year because many times they are surrounded by the freedom to eat whatever they want, and in college towns the fare ranges from pizza to other fattening favorites like fast food such as McDonalds and Wendys. 

Not to mention, many time the cafeterias at colleges offer a meal ticket with an amount on it that allows students to get pretty much whatever they want, from steakums to ice cream. 

Most students when they’re on their own don’t have the judgment necessary to make the right choices, and choose the wrong foods in these cafeterias rather than the right ones, like salads and veggies.

In these new studies involving almost 400 college students, both men and women, it was found that women gained less than men in college, which was opposite of what was once thought.   

October 23, 2006

Excess Fat Increases Cancer Risk and Spread

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 9:17 pm

It’s long been known that excess body fat, especially when concentrated in certain areas, namely the belly, increases the risk of heart disease substantially, and may have implications for increasing the risk of hundreds of other conditions and diseases.  Well, now it’s been proven in studies that excess body fat decreases the body’s abilities to fight cancer adequately.

A study was done with mice and the end result with these mice was that the mice with higher amounts of body fat, or a higher BMI, were less able to fight cancer cells and more likely to have rapidly multiplying cancer cells (which means yes, they are less apt to survive this awful disease). 

The study was done on mice with skin tumors, and the leaner mice with less body fat mostly due to exercise and reduced calorie consumption were much more able to kill off the cancer cells naturally than the mice with more “junk in their trunk”.

The hypothesis is that fat cells may actually emit compounds that sabotage the body’s main tumor fighting cells.  This is just another reason to stay healthy by getting enough exercise and reducing fat intake, as well as eating a calorie reduced diet. 

We will see much more of this research related to obesity and weight factors in the health arena, as the government is increasingly funding this type of research after WHO declared obesity to be a global epidemic.

October 22, 2006

Metabolism and Weight Loss

Filed under: Weight Loss — EatingToLive @ 7:34 pm

Metabolism is such a buzz word these days.  How many times have you heard that ultra thin man or woman, who doesn’t seem to have an ounce of fat on their body say “Oh, I’ve always had a high metabolism”?  It is frustrating for some who actually may have a lower pre-set metabolism and more of a predisposal toward obesity and weight gain, to hear this. 

You think, well why can’t I be blessed with a fast metabolism?  Why do I have to watch every single thing that goes in my mouth, lest I blow up over night?  Well, there are ways to rev up your metabolism, and it’s actually the very key to weight loss, the “holy grail” of staying thin, that everyone talks so much about.

The first and most obvious way to speed up your metabolic rate (which means this is the rate at which your body burns calories), is to get regular, fairly vigorous aerobic exercise.  Aerobic exercise is fast walking, whether on a treadmill or outside, running, biking, swimming, rowing, elipitcal machines, recumbent bikes, and other forms of activity where you are getting your heart rate up, your body temperature increases, and you burn more calories and expend more energy for shorter bursts of time. 

Regular aerobic activity sets the stage for a higher, more effective metabolic rate, or burning of calories, and gets you on the path to physical endurance and sleekness much faster than being a couch potato.  This may be a hard pill for many to swallow, especially those that do not like to exercise, but I promise you once you get over that hump of getting used to it, you will never want to “not” work out again in your life.

Another way to keep your metabolism running at optimum speed is to avoid skipping meals.  Eat many small, healthy meals or snacks per day.  Do not allow yourself to get past the point of hunger or shakiness.  You are only sabotaging your metabolism and setting yourself up for a more drastic weight gain in the future.

Staying hydrated by drinking your eight glasses of water a day can also help your metabolism by making the digestion process easier and more efficient, and allowing your body to focus its energy more on burning excess calories, instead of digesting difficult foods.

 

October 21, 2006

Why Eating Out is Usually Detrimental to Weight Loss

Filed under: Diet and Weightloss News — EatingToLive @ 8:22 pm

A survey was recently performed of chefs in top restaurants, to see if calorie content in the meals they cook was even part of their equation when they determined what meals to make and if they would be liked by consumers.  Only about one in six chefs said that calorie content (aka meal portions and fat content etc) mattered to them at all when they dreamt up their restaurant’s concoctions and fare.

What does this mean for you, if you’re concerned about calorie consumption and keeping your weight down or at least maintaining a healthy weight and healthy body? 

Well, it means quite simply that unless you are specifically ordering off the light menu, which discloses the calorie, fat and fiber content of a meal at a good restaurant, you are probably consuming upwards of a 1,000 calories or more at a restaurant meal. 

This is over one half of the recommended daily calorie intake for many body types, and when it’s consumed all in one meal, it can wreak havoc on the metabolism and the appetite. 

If you think of a restaurant meal, you have to take into consideration that there is usually some kind of bread and salad or soup served before the actual meal, and because you are paying a good price for the food, you are more inclined to actually consume more than you would normally at home. 

This means more calories, and more fat, and bigger thighs and bellies for us Americans.  Portion control and calorie control are a big part of maintaining a healthy weight.  This means eating out less can translate into a healthy body, heart, mind, cholesterol and blood pressure level, and countless other health benefits that can be gained by low fat, low calorie home cookin’. 

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