populardietingblog.com

3 Giant Snack Mistakes

Sherry — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:21:52 +0000

This weekend, you may find yourself shopping for snacks for the Super Bowl or for the week ahead. If you’re trying to find a few healthy options, you’ll want to avoid making one of these giant snack mistakes.

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The Calorie Control Council Responds to Inaccurate Allegations in the Nature

Sherry — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:17:33 +0000

02/02/2012

Read CCC's Response

“The toxic truth about sugar” is based on selected research

ATLANTA (Feb. 2, 2012) – The article “The toxic truth about sugar”¹ incorrectly uses the terms fructose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) interchangeably. Often confused with high fructose corn syrup (which contains nearly equal amounts of glucose and fructose and is handled by the body in the same way as sucrose), fructose has a low glycemic index, and does not cause surges and dips in blood glucose levels. Fructose is the sweetest of the nutritive sweeteners, so less is needed to sweeten foods and beverages, resulting in calorie savings. Although dietary fructose consumption has increased in recent decades, relative consumption of fructose compared to other sugars has remained constant.

The research presented in “The toxic truth about sugar” is selective and does not reflect the totality of the scientific literature on fructose. Studies alleging untoward health effects of fructose have been based on studies in which animals or humans were fed unrealistic amounts of fructose (up to 60% of the diet) or epidemiological studies which cannot demonstrate cause and effect. Two recent reviews have concluded that not only does fructose not cause relevant changes in biologically significant measures like triglyceride levels or bodyweight,² but that there are benefits to be gained from moderate levels of fructose in the diet.³

Lustig has published papers proposing a hedonistic parallel between sugar and alcohol^4-5, and his premise in the current article is based on the authors’ theory of a habituation or addiction to sugar in humans. However, this effect has never been demonstrated scientifically in a randomized, controlled human trial. There is no need to make dietary changes as a result of a theory, especially if that theory is in contrast to scientific research findings.

Obesity is a multi-factorial issue. Placing a ban or tax on sugar is unlikely to reverse obesity or metabolic syndrome. Weight maintenance and health involve many factors, such as healthful eating habits (including balance and moderation), exercise and long-term commitment. There is no scientific evidence that one component of the diet, such as fructose, is responsible for weight gain, metabolic syndrome or diabetes.

References

Lustig RH SL, Brindis CD. The toxic truth about sugar. Nature. 2012;482:27-29.
Dolan LC PS, Burdock GA. Evidence-based review on the effect of normal dietary consumption of fructose on development of hyperlipidemia and obesity in healthy, normal weight individuals. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010;50(1):53-84.
Livesey G. Fructose ingestion: Dose-dependent responses in health research. J Nutr. 2009;139(6):1246S-1252S.
Garber AK LR. Is fast food addictive? Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2011;4:146-162.
Lustig R. Fructose: Metabolic, Hedonic, and Societal Parallels with Ethanol. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110:1307-1321.

Press Name:

Beth Hubrich, MS, RD

Theresa Hedrick, MS, RD, LD

Press Phone:

404-252-3663

The Calorie Control Council Responds to Inaccurate Allegations in the Nature

Sherry — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:17:33 +0000

02/02/2012

Read CCC's Response

“The toxic truth about sugar” is based on selected research

References

Lustig RH SL, Brindis CD. The toxic truth about sugar. Nature. 2012;482:27-29.
Dolan LC PS, Burdock GA. Evidence-based review on the effect of normal dietary consumption of fructose on development of hyperlipidemia and obesity in healthy, normal weight individuals. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2010;50(1):53-84.
Livesey G. Fructose ingestion: Dose-dependent responses in health research. J Nutr. 2009;139(6):1246S-1252S.
Garber AK LR. Is fast food addictive? Curr Drug Abuse Rev. 2011;4:146-162.
Lustig R. Fructose: Metabolic, Hedonic, and Societal Parallels with Ethanol. J Am Diet Assoc. 2010;110:1307-1321.

Press Name:

Beth Hubrich, MS, RD

Theresa Hedrick, MS, RD, LD

Press Phone:

404-252-3663

People-Pleasers are More Likely to Overeat

Sherry — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:13:02 +0000

If you are a people-pleaser, a person who goes out of their way to make other people happy, you are at higher risk for overeating in social situations. A new study conducted at Case Western University found that college students who identified themselves as people-pleasers were not only likely to overeat in social situations, but were also likely to regret their decision at a later time.

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Diet Soda and Vascular Events Study Seriously Flawed

Sherry — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:12:56 +0000

02/01/2012

Find Out Why

ATLANTA (Feb. 1, 2012) – Findings presented in a new study titled “Diet Soft Drink Consumption is Associated with an Increased Risk of Vascular Events in the Northern Manhattan Study” examining a possible link between diet soft drink consumption and risk of vascular events is critically flawed.

The Calorie Control Council cites the following as serious limitations of the study:

This study was observational, so it was designed to show an association, not prove cause and effect.
The study was conducted on a specific urban population with an average age of 69. Those participants may suffer from an increased vascular risk due to age; thus the study findings are unlikely to be relevant to the general population. The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health notes that one of the risk factors for heart disease and stroke is being 55 years and older for men and 65 years or older for women.
Subjects who frequently consumed diet soft drinks were also more likely to have high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, increased triglycerides, larger waist size as well as a higher body weight to height ratio, and previous cardiac and vascular disease initially, which may have been the reason they were drinking diet soda.
Although researchers tried to control for many variables, it is entirely possible that other factors not control for that may have influenced results. The authors admitted, “some residual confounding… may be present.”
Even though the authors noted a link between daily diet soda consumption (at least one drink a day) and the rate of vascular events, statistically, that association was very weak. Curiously, there was no link between “light” diet soda consumption (for example, 6 drinks per week) and vascular events.

Low-calorie sweeteners are some of the most thoroughly studied food ingredients in the food supply. The safety of low-calorie sweeteners has been reaffirmed time and again by leading health and regulatory groups worldwide. For more information about low-calorie sweeteners, visit: www.caloriecontrol.org. For more expert opinions discussing this study, click here.

Press Name:

Beth Hubrich, MS, RD

Theresa Hedrick, MS, RD, LD

Press Phone:

404-252-3663

Obesity Help is More Likely to Come from a Lean Doctor

Sherry — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:38:31 +0000

If you are looking for obesity help, your best bet may be to find a doctor with a healthy BMI. A recent study published in the Journal of Obesity found that physicians with a normal BMI are not only more likely to discuss weight with their obese patients, but those leaner doctors also feel more confident about the advice that they give.

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From Obese to Extremely Fit

Sherry — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:37:53 +0000

Randall weighed 270 pounds when he decided to get in shape. One and a half years later he was extremely fit and participating in an Ironman competition.
Thanks much for sharing this!

Hi Isadora!

I made this video just for my friends, family, and relatives as a reminder that it’s never too late and anything no matter how difficult is possible if you believe. I’d like to share it hoping it would help other people believe in themselves as well and lead towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.

For me, I can still remember like it was yesterday 270 lbs I attempted to run not even 1/4 of a mile I was winded down like I was going to have a heart attack and every car was stopping asking if I needed a ride. A year and a half year later I was treading water in Ironman Cozumel about to embark on a 140.6 mile journey, smiling and thinking to myself how I enjoyed everything along the way.

Avoiding Sugar Can Change Your Life

Sherry — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:37:48 +0000

The countdown begins. Today is Saturday and Monday begins the juice fast/feast (depending on how you look at it).

All those little bouts of purging sugar from my kitchen ended badly. I kept caving. How is it possible to go almost 3 years without sugar and then have this much trouble quitting again?

My hope is that with 2 months of juicing I will know better than to dabble with sugar. If I play with sugar, it wins. If I abstain from sugar, I win.

Quitting sugar changed my life once. I know quitting again will have the same profound affects. It’s what motivates me this time around. Valuable lesson learned? I really can’t balance moderation with sugar, I wish I could. It’s easier to just go without it 100%.

Check out this interview:

How Avoiding Refined Sugar Changed a Woman’s Life

Brown Fat Theory Provides Potential Weight Loss Breakthrough

Sherry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:16:39 +0000

New research supports a brown fat theory that may provide scientists with a weight loss breakthrough. In mice, brown fat is tissue that burns large amounts of fat and creates significant weight loss. Until recently, scientists didn’t know if adult humans carry this fat or if it behaves the same way in human bodies that it does in mice. But a small study published this month in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, provides new evidence that it does.

Brown adipose tissue, or BAT, is literally fat that is brown in color. The tissue has more mitochondria that standard white fat which gives it a darker color. Mitochondria are the energy production centers in the body. Unlike white fat, the mitochondria in brown fat uses fat for energy and burns larger quantities of it than other tissue.

Brown Fat Theory in Humans and Mice

In mice, studies have shown that an increase in brown fat created significant weight loss because the tissue burned substantially more fat and calories. Two things created an increase of brown fat in mice: exercise and exposure to cold air.

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One Very Successful Year of Weight Loss

Sherry — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:16:37 +0000

Megan Marquez and her husband lost a combined 174 pounds in one year. The first photo here was taken at Christmas in 2010 and the lower photo is from Christmas 2011. Thanks much for sending in your story!

Good Morning,

My name is Megan Marquez. I have been morbidly obese since I was a teenager (I’m 36 now). My husband and I have been married for 16 years. We have two amazing, young children. We decided to finally take control of our weight for our children’s sake and for our own health. We did not use any pills, tricks, concoctions or fads. For the first time in our adult lives, we simply did what every doctor tells their patients to do; maintain a better diet and get regular exercise.

We started slowly, cutting out junk food completely and taking short walks. We both used an app on our phones to log our food intake every day. As the weight started coming off, we increased our exercise. I now use an elliptical machine every evening for 30 minutes. I couldn’t have done 2 minutes in 2010.

It has been an unbelievable year of weight loss and personal growth. Combined, my husband and I lost about 174 pounds in 2011. We are continuing our new lifestyle into 2012. We both feel and look substantially better. We had the greatest support of our families and co-workers. My weight loss caused two co-workers to also improve their diets. For the first time in my adult life, I am able to shop at non-plus size stores. Our young children are very proud of us. What a great feeling!

The reason I am contacting you is that I truly believe changing your life is in your own hands with real support. I promise, if we can do it, anyone can.