Really? - The Claim - Diabetes Makes You Sensitive to Heat - Question - NYTimes.com
"One of the complications of diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2, is an impaired ability to adjust to rises in temperature, which can cause dangerous increases in body temperature during the summer. The underlying problem, nerve damage, occurs in 60 to 70 percent of Americans with diabetes; it can affect nearly every organ in the body, including sweat glands. When nerve damage keeps the sweat glands from working properly, the body fails to cool down as the mercury rises."
Here's the revelation! Being thin and healthy, eating what you like yet liking yourself, and controlling your weight without fixating on it for the rest of your life is not about natural gifts, but about the gift of knowing how.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Surprisingly Unhealthy Foods!
Food Label Foolishness
What to eat? Seems like a simple question, but trying to decipher food packaging may vex the savviest eater. Do you browse the grocery aisles trying to discern the “best” pasta, cereal or bread? Most healthy eaters know the obvious: there’s no fruit in “Froot Loops” or even fruit juice in “fruit drinks”. But what about “grown up foods”? You know, those labeled as “whole grain,” “all natural” or “healthy”?
Multi-grain: “Multi-grain” does not mean whole grain—a savvy consumer chooses “100% whole grain” ignores the front of the label, focuses on unrefined ingredients, and is assured of getting all of the good nutrition contained in whole grain’s kernel—including vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber.
Low Glycemic Index: The GI ranks foods based on the how quickly they elevate blood sugar levels compared to the same quantity of a reference food (pure glucose or white bread) but this doesn’t indicate the amount of fiber in the food. A medium baked potato has a higher GI (85) than a Snickers bar (55), and who’d say a candy bar is better than a baked potato? In the context of “healthy” ignore the GI and focus on whole foods, with fiber, in portions that are right for you.
Natural: Although “natural” should mean no artificial colors or ingredients, there’s no guarantee the product is desirable. Read the package from back to front - the ingredient label first! A tea labeled “100% Natural” sounds appealing, but most contain filtered water, high fructose corn syrup or other type of sweetener and lemon flavoring—not natural at all.
Organic: Some foods are preferable organically raised, but in terms of calories, all types of sugar, organic, high fructose corn syrup, honey, cane sugar or white, maple syrup, or agave nectar—all have approximately 16-20 calories per teaspoon, and negligible nutrition—said differently, they are empty calories. For example, I was recently shopping in the cereal aisle and noticed "organic toaster pastries". Compared to the 'regular' Pop Tarts, they contained just as much sugar, and were made from refined flour...just like the original! Organic doesn't necessarily mean healthier--read the ingredient label (after the serving size).
“Free” foods: Yes, we want to be free to eat what we like, but foods labeled “low fat” or “fat free” does not make it calorie free. A “sugar free” or “fat free” cookie may have a similar calorie count compared to the regular, so always, read the serving size first.
Note: “Fat Free” means less .5 g of fat per serving, “low fat” or “light” means less than 3 g of fat per serving, and “reduced fat” means 25% less than the reference food.
Yogurt: Plain, low fat or nonfat yogurt is a delicious low fat source of calcium, vitamin D and magnesium and protein. Don’t be distracted by “organic” and “natural” yogurts: added sugars, “granola” and nuts can transform healthy to like candy. Yogurt should have but two ingredients: milk and live cultures. Keep it simple, and that goes for kids’ yogurts too.
Granola: Granola may be “natural” but it’s also a typically calorie-dense food, not nutritionally desirable if it’s full of oil and sugar. Stick with a high fiber, lower sugar cereal.
“Miracle” Juices: The front of juice packages appeals to your quest for good health with words like “immune promoting” and “antioxidants” and picture fresh fruit: however no studies link juice to disease prevention, and juice lacks fiber, with calories equivalent to soda. Eat whole fruit for more energy and fiber, and save your calories for fullness.
"Energy" bars: – Another name for “energy” is “calorie”, and these are more akin to candy bars than nutritious snacks. For sustainable energy, grab a cup of 100-calorie yogurt: stir in a cup of crunchy low-sugar cereal; enjoy a fresh-fruit smoothie with nonfat yogurt, milk and berries; or pack a tuna sandwich on whole wheat with an orange (who says you have to have cereal for breakfast? Have lunch for breakfast and breakfast for lunch).
Microwave popcorn: Popcorn is a great snack, but not when loaded with hydrogenated fat (trans fat), or artificial flavors and preservatives. Make popcorn better with an air-popper and for a heartier snack, toss the hot popcorn with some grated cheddar cheese.
Read beyond the packaging and make weight-wise choices. Always shop with a list, never shop when you’re hungry, and read the ingredient label first, three smart strategies to help you keep the focus on healthy, good for you foods (that taste good, too!) Making weight control second nature means shopping purposely, refusing to be swayed by advertising, and taking the time to enjoy the flavor of real food! Your payoff will be better taste, improved nutrition and good health.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Los Angeles Journal - L.A.’s Most Popular Gym Is the City Itself - NYTimes.com
From the NY Times, taken from the LA Journal:
A great story, motivational too!
Los Angeles Journal - L.A.’s Most Popular Gym Is the City Itself - NYTimes.com
A great story, motivational too!
Los Angeles Journal - L.A.’s Most Popular Gym Is the City Itself - NYTimes.com
Cooking with the Experts
This professional kitchen experience was fabulous, and fun! We tried out some delicious recipes, incorporating fresh herbs from the CIA garden, beef from independent ranchers, fresh fruits and vegetables grown locally too.
My three days in California were all they should be...weather-wise, cool nights, sunny days. Attending LiveWell2010 with peers and colleagues...new friends and old, with lots of great, fresh food, and interesting and informative research promoting higher protein values for most healthy Americans...to maintain healthy weight, keep bones strong.
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