Archive

Archive for October, 2009

High Fructose Corn Syrup Linked to Hypertension

October 31st, 2009

Fructose intake was calculated based on a dietary questionnaire, and foods such as fruit juices, soft drinks, bakery products, and candy were included. Dr. Jalal’s team found that people who ate or drank more than 74 grams per day of fructose (2.5 sugary soft drinks per day) increased their risk of developing hypertension. -medicalnewstoday

MY COMMENT: I know- I just posted a study that indicated high fructose corn syrup might not be so bad- however this study provides evidence to the contrary- at least in terms of hypertension. 74 grams is close to 2 x 12 ounce sodas.

Health Risks ,

Soft Drink Tax Not Working

October 20th, 2009

Current state taxes and levies on soft drinks are slowing consumption, but not enough to curb the obesity epidemic in the United States, researchers say. -everydayhealth.com

MY COMMENTS: Not enough-you can still load up on soda cheap at any fast food restaurant.

Weight Loss News ,

Portion Size and Obesity

October 17th, 2009

Pre-Teen Girl Holding Watermelon SliceIn one of several studies on portion size and consumption, 180 adults were served either a 9-ounce or a 13-ounce portion of macaroni and cheese at a restaurant. The adults who were served the 13-ounce portions ate 43 percent more — for an additional 172 calories — than did the adults who were given the smaller portions. -everydayhealth.com

MY COMMENT: The increase in food and beverage portion size has played a significant role in the obesity crisis. Subltle increases have been going on for years, contributing a steady increase in average calorie intake. Check out the Portion Distortion Quiz.

Weight Loss News, Weight Loss Science ,

Almonds- A Handful a Day!

October 6th, 2009

close-up of almonds mixed with walnuts and pistachiosScientists have noticed for many years that people who regularly eat almonds tend to weigh less than people who do not – even though they tend to eat more calories over the course of a day -medical news today
MY COMMENTS: Almonds and other nuts are also a good source of protein, healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and Vitamin E. In the study, subjects ate 56 grams (just under 2 ounces) of almonds per day.

Weight Loss News, Weight Loss Science ,

Forget Willpower-

October 3rd, 2009

Man pushing lawn mower“One man said he didn’t like mowing the lawn, and he didn’t have to do it when he was heavy.” -webmd

MY COMMENT: No doubt if I had to carry around 100 extra pounds I wouldn’t want to cut the grass either- then again I’ve run 50 marathons and they weren’t easy either. Sometimes you have to learn how to deal with discomfort in order to achieve success.

Cutting grass does count as a workout!

Exercise, Weight Loss News

Is Your Willpower Limited?

October 3rd, 2009

new research suggests that one big reason people fail to follow through on their exercise plans is that they have used up their willpower on other tasks.

The study examined the theory that people have limited stores of self-control, or willpower, in any given day.

Just like the money in your wallet, the theory goes, willpower is a finite resource that can’t be used on one thing if it is already spent on another. webmd

MY COMMENT: Not sure I am buying this theory- at least they suggest that you can improve self-control with practice.

Weight Loss News, Weight Loss Science

High Fructose Corn Syrup May Not Be So Bad

October 1st, 2009

There are three different types of HFCS – one that is 55 percent fructose and 42 percent glucose (most commonly found in soft drinks), one that is 42 percent fructose and 58 percent glucose (usually used in food products), and one used for specialty applications that is 90 percent fructose and 10 percent glucose.

Pure fructose on its own – not HFCS – has been linked to weight gain in some animal studies, and this could be where some confusion arises, but Erickson and other industry members have repeatedly pointed out that the HFCS used in foods and beverages is not dissimilar in its makeup to sugar (sucrose), which contains 50 percent glucose and 50 percent fructose. Therefore, compared to sugar, the HFCS commonly found in foods is actually low-fructose, she said.

-Confectionary News

MY COMMENT: Very enlightening! The bottom line is, no matter what the percentages are, we still consume too.

Research, Weight Loss Science

Eat to Live Long

October 1st, 2009

GREAT FALLS, Mont. — So what does the world’s oldest man eat? The answer is not much, at least not too much.
Walter Breuning, who turned 113 on Monday, eats just two meals a day and has done so for the past 35 years.

“I think you should push back from the table when you’re still hungry,” Breuning said. -usatoday

MY COMMENT: Who knows, but my theory is the key to longevity is eat to meet but not exceed your energy demands. In other words, if you exercise a substantial amount, it would be ok to bump up your calorie intake and eat some dinner! I also advocate “grazing” on healthy snacks to keep your blood glucose stable and appetite in check.

Nutrition ,

30 Minutes a Day is the Minimum!

October 1st, 2009

Despite 14 years of public education campaigns, only one-third of Americans know about national recommendations for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise a day, and fewer than half meet that goal, a new study has found. -everydayhealth

MY COMMENT: For effective weight loss and maintenance, it’s more like 60 minutes, however that depends on your level of intensity. Don’t forget, you can also “accumulate” minutes throughout the day.

Exercise, Weight Loss News , ,