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Diet reads worth taking a look at
2007-08-28 20:44:00
The market just seems to be flooded with books about dieting, losing weight and overall nutrition and health.Do you need some help sifting through the fads to find books that speak the truth?Check out this article on 6 currently popular diet books that are worth reading.Have any of you bought these? What are you thoughts on them? Post a comment and let all of us know your opinion...
More About: Diet , Worth , Taking , Wort

Tips for solving the "What's for dinner?" dilemma
2007-08-24 17:36:00
Is the thought of preparing dinner enough to send you to thenearest phone to order take out? Ever dream about how much moreyou would enjoy sitting down to a healthy meal with your family ifthe drudgery of meal preparation was gone from your life?Well, imagine this...Cranberry Chipolte Pork, Grilled Herb Shrimp,Tuscan Smoked Chicken, Arroz con Pollo, Beef Satay Skewers, Garlicand Balsamic Marinated Sirloin Roast, Pesto Cheese Ravioli withChicken, Asian BBQ Pork Roast, Cajun Shrimp Pasta and StuffedFlounder with White Wine Sauce. Or what about Quiche Loredo,Szechuan 5-Spice Stir Fry, Grilled Salmon with Lemon and GarlicButter, Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Tomato-Garlic Aioli, ChickenPiccata or Pork Medallions with Mustard Sauce?Sound like menu items from an upscale restaurant, don't they? Could be, but did you realize they could also be the items found inyour freezer?That's right, even if you are not a gourmet cook, you can ordermeals like these to be delivered right to ...
More About: Dinner , Tips , Dilemma , Dile

What to do to prevent weight re-gain
2007-08-22 21:37:00
You've worked hard to get those pounds off. You should be proud of yourself.Did you realize, though, that you are not done?Sadly, too often people who have lost weight think their success means they can go back to their old eating habits. Trouble is the weight comes right back on. Don't believe me? Ask anyone who has tried the Atkins diet and then started eating carbs again.What to do? Researchers with the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) recently completed a study in which they investigated the factors which affect weight re-gain in people who have lost a substantial amount of weight. (Results were published 6/12 online with the print article due to appear in the July issue of American Journal of Preventative Medicine.) The findings were interesting.All of the 1310 US adult study subjects were individuals initially considered overweight or obese but who lost at least 10% of their body weight. This amount of weight loss can result in substantial heal...
More About: Weight , Eight , To Do , Weigh

Another reason to eat fish
2007-08-22 02:09:00
Eat more fish. We've been reading and hearing about the benefits of eating fish several times a week. By fish I mean the "fatty" varieties such as salmon, herring, farmed rainbow trout and mackerel.Why? These fish contain high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to benefit your health in a number of ways. Arguably the most important being a reduction in the incidences of heart attacks and strokes. Recent research has also pointed to the anti-depressant effects of these fatty acids.A study reported on in the May, 2007 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology indicated that individuals who consumed abundant omega-3's in their diets are less likely to develop macular degeneration. Of the participants taking part in this study, those who ate the most fish were 39% less likely to develop the most devastating form of macular degeneration.Remember that you don't have to be a fish lover to reap the health benefits of omega-3's. Fish oil supplem...
More About: Reason

Trans fats: Are you getting more than you think?
2007-08-20 19:37:00
Trans fats have been getting a lot of media attention in the past several years, as food manufacturers are now required to list trans fat content on the label of their products.Why the concern?Because trans fats are used so extensively in processed snack foods such as baked goods, chips and crackers, many Americans are consuming way too much trans fats in their diets.You probably are aware that trans fats have been known as the "bad guys" because of their role in elevating LDL cholesterol. In fact, because of this and the effect this has on developing heart disease, the American Heart Association has recommended that a person's intake of trans fats not exceed 2gm per day.The law enacted last year requiring food companies to put the trans fat content of a food on its label no doubt has helped people monitor their trans fat intake.But, did you know that even though a food label states the product has 0gm of trans fat, legally it can contain as much as 0.5gm? Keep in m...
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Food cravings...what do they mean?
2007-08-17 17:10:00
You may have heard that if you get cravings for certain foods it means that you have a nutrient deficiency. Your body is trying to tell you to eat a food rich in that nutrient.Sorry to burst your bubble if you believed that was true. Come on now, do you really think that yearning for chocolate is caused by magnesium deficiency?Cravings are actually a desire to feel good.How? High fat, high calorie foods (a.k.a. junk food) causes the body to release "feel good" chemicals. That's why when you are feeling especially stressed or anxious, you decide to head to the nearest Dairy Queen for a large M&M blizzard!Its interesting that women tend to crave cookies, ice cream, and other sweet foods, while men are more likely to reach for a bag of Doritos or go to Burger King for a Whopper.Its possible that hormones play a role; PMS often brings on carbohydrate cravings for women.How do you keep cravings from controlling you, rather than you controlling them? Here's a...
More About: Food , Ving , Ravi , Ravin

Weight Loss Supplements: What works, what doesn't
2007-08-16 01:46:00
Ever thought about taking a supplement to help you lose weight? You are definitely not alone.There are so many supplements on the market these days, each claiming to be "the one". Which claims are bogus, and which really have some scientific basis behind them?It can be hard to know.I've got something to help...an ebook which summarizes the pros and cons of a number of popular weight loss supplements. The best part is, its free! Sign up today to receive your free copy...click here.What you find out may really surprise you.
More About: Weight Loss , Weight , Supplements , Works , Loss

Raw oyster contamination
2007-08-14 22:19:00
Its the latest food recall...raw oysters from near the Hood Canal area of WA State. Click here for all the details from the FDA.
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A simple weight loss tip
2007-08-14 21:57:00
Have you ever really paid attention to how fast you eat? Try it for a meal or two. It may prove to be eye opening. In our fast paced culture with too much to do and not enough time to do it in, we often squeeze eating into the rest of an overcrowded schedule.I'm sure you know what I mean. Ever eaten lunch in your car as you drive to your next appointment? Does breakfast consist of a muffin or scone from Starbuck's that you eat at work as you read through your email?Ever think that habits such as these could account for weight gain?Its true. Eating fast, particularly while you are engaging in another activity is one of the easiest ways to overeat, packing on more calories than you realize.Why? It takes some time for the message to get from your brain to your stomach that you are full, so its time to stop eating. In fact, it takes roughly 20 minutes.For some of us, that probably means we have finished eating long before the 20 minutes is up. Our bodies don't get ...
More About: Weight Loss , Weight , Loss , Simple , Eight

Another food recall...
2007-08-07 18:39:00
For those of you who missed the news from several days ago, another food recall is underway. This time its for canned French cut green beans, the 14.5 oz size, manufactured by Lakeside Food s.Here's a list of the ones sold nationwide under a variety of labels that are affected:Albertson's, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.For more details concerning the recall, click here.
More About: Recall , Food recall

Back in the saddle again
2007-08-07 18:16:00
That's right, back home after a fabulous 3 week vacation!During our travels across country and back, I ate at some mighty fine restaurants. One that I would highly recommend if you are ever in the Wisconsin Dells area is R Place Italian Restaurant. A 5 Star in my opinion!Its a cozy little spot, wedged inbetween some larger, more commercial hotels and restaurants, right on the main drag, the Wisconsin Dells Parkway. Everything, from the garlic bread and minestrone soup appetizers down to an array of pasta dishes followed by sherbet, was quite tasty. The service was friendly...the chef even personally introduced himself to each table, inviting comments on his creations.When does that ever happen?Check it out...if you like Italian food, you won't be disappointed!
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On the road...
2007-07-23 00:15:00
For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, you probably have been wondering why I haven't posted in over a week.I have been traveling with my family, coast to coast. We left WA State last week, and made it all the way to Central PA yesterday. All of us have been struck by the wonderful diversity of our country in the 3000+ miles we have covered in the last 9 days. Friendly, friendly people and great food, everywhere we stopped!In case you are wondering, I am definitely indulging in the local food favorites of each area we have stayed in.Tonight we are headed over to the Penn State University campus (I got my undergrad degree there) where we will indulge in one of my favorites...ice cream! The Food Science Dept. here makes and sells practically the best I've ever had. Only problem is, its not low fat!!But as I tell my clients, its all about moderation. I'll opt for lower fat food choices tomorrow to compensate...
More About: Road , On The Road , The Road

Food recalled due to botulism
2007-07-19 14:36:00
The latest food recall involves canned hot dog chili sauce, specifically 10 oz. cans of Castleberry's, Austex and Kroger brands. Here are the details on the products involved:Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000101)Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030099533)Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10-ounce can (UPC 1111083942)Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 7526665830)Cattle Drive Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001515)Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 0788015360)Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15-ounce can (UPC 4125095229)Castleberrys Chili With Beans, 15-ounce can (UPC 3030001015)Castleberrys Barbecue Pork, 10-ounce can (UPC 3030000402)Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10-ounce can (UPC 7526604112). All products have "Best Buy" dates from April to May, 2009.Four people from Illinois and Texas are hospitalized with severe food poisoning as a result.If you have any questions regarding these or any other products ...
More About: Food , Recalled , Food recall

Drink less, lose more?
2007-07-16 15:54:00
A recent study reported on in the International Journal of Obesity found that individuals who had more of their lunch calories coming from liquids, as opposed to the same calories from solids, actually consumed more calories throughout the rest of the day. Quite interesting.What is unique about this study, is that this effect was observed regardless of the content of the liquid--be it carbohydrate, protein or fat.This means that if you replace some of the calorie-containing beverages you drink with solid food instead, you many end up consuming fewer calories by day's end. This changes could be as simple as choosing an apple as opposed to drinking apple juice.Could this help you fight those late night munchies? Perhaps.For more details about the study and how it was conducted, click here.
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Want to save $199?
2007-07-11 00:29:00
I know, you are probably asking yourself why a nutritionist would write a blog entry about saving money.The truth is, it is about saving money, saving money by NOT buying the latest diet craze to hit the market. (This one is even worse than the Chelsea Clinton weight loss patch I wrote about yesterday.)Have you heard about it? The Martha Vineyard Diet Detox...for only $199 you can lose 21 pounds in 21 days. Its pure rubbish.Sure, anyone who only drinks water, tea, vegetable juice and some green powder the company sells, plus uses cleanses and enemas is bound to lose weight.Is your health worth it? Will the weight loss be permanent? Weight loss that occurs this rapidly will be gained back very quickly...alot is just water weight anyway. If you have ever followed a fad diet in the past, one that has made some sensational claims like this one does, you know what I mean. This whole "cleansing the toxins" out of your system is just utter nonsense. Anyone who has had some...
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The Chelsea Clinton weight loss patch
2007-07-09 21:24:00
It appears the US consumers are not the only one who buy into fad dieting/weight loss gimmicks. This one is really over the top...In Beijing, China a weight loss patch is being advertised as one that Chelsea Clinton used to drop over 25 pounds in just one month. How does it work? The manufacturers make big claims for this one...put the patch on the spot of your body that you want to lose fat from, do nothing, and watch the fat literally be dripped out of your body.Sounds pretty hokey, right?Apparently not to those who bought into the advertising. In several months alone, sales of this "wonder patch" topped the US equivalent of $25 million!!When the patch was tested by putting it on a warm surface, the "fat" began leaking out of the patch itself. Imagine that.
More About: Weight Loss , Weight , Loss

Salmonella risk prompts food recalls
2007-07-05 17:52:00
The latest in what seems to be a growing number of food recalls involves a snack food called Super Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks. This follows on the heels of last week's recall of Veggie Booty Snack Food .These recalls are apparently due to an ingredient used in both products that is suspected of being contaminated. In 17 states, over 50 people have contacted salmonella from eating the affected snacks.Symptoms of salmonella poisoning include fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, nausea and vomitting. It can be especially problematic, even fatal, among people with poor immune function, the elderly or small children.The manufacturer, Robert's American Gourmet, is recommending that consumers who have either of these foods in their homes throw them out immediately. Reimbursement is available by calling 1-800-626-7557.
More About: Salmonella , Risk , Nella , Ella

Ever wonder what an RD does?
2007-07-02 18:03:00
If you have, check out the following 5 minute video, recently released by the American Dietetic Association:video.google.com/videoplay?do cid=-3259616576941210986

Choosing reliable diet and nutrition books
2007-07-02 17:49:00
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the huge number and variety of diet and nutrition books on the market, each claiming to have the answer for you?I'll let you in on a little secret...so do I!Often I'll head over to the local bookstore and check out the current selection of nutrition-related offerings just so I know what is out there and what to recommend to my clients.So...I'm happy to announce the latest addition to my website, which I am trusting will be of benefit not only to my clients, but anyone who is interested.Click here for the new Recommended Diet and Nutrition Products store recently added to my website. (And no, I'm not just pushing Amazon.com, however they do have great prices and great service :HAPPY:)I welcome your thoughts and comments on the books I recommend. Have you read any of them? Please post your opinion...we'd all love to hear what you think.
More About: Books

Its a start...
2007-06-27 00:21:00
That's right, only a start.What am I referring to? The edict from the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) that was issued a couple of days ago to companies that manufacture dietary supplements. Beginning August 24th, all of the ingredients used in their products need to be tested for purity. Smaller firms will have 3 years to phase into compliance, while the larger ones have until June.On the plus side, this action is intended to keep impure or contaminating substances out of herbal and dietary supplements. A step in the right direction.On the downside, this action does not go nearly far enough. There is nothing addressed about the efficiency, potency or safety of supplements. Unlike foods or drugs, manufacturers do not have to prove their products are safe prior to being sold, thus there are many supplements sold that are potentially harmful. Additionally, claims about the product's effectiveness do not need to be proven.Unsuspecting consumers buy these supplements...
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Let them eat soup!
2007-06-25 21:25:00
Here's an interesting study reported on in the April 14,2007 issue of Appetite.Researchers at Penn State investigated the effect that eating soup prior to a meal had on subsequent food intake during the meal. For one day a week for 5 weeks, 60 adults were given different forms of soup before eating lunch. The types of soup included broth and vegetables served separately, pureed vegetable soup, chunky-pureed vegetable soup and chunky vegetable soup.Results were quite interesting.Participants ate 20% fewer calories at each meal that followed eating soup, regardless of the type of soup eaten.For those who want to cut calories...let them eat soup!
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Once its off, keep it off!
2007-06-20 21:21:00
Anyone who has tried to lose weight knows that the battle isn't over once the weight is off...maintaining that weight loss can actually be the tough part!Researchers with the National Health and Examination Survey (NHANES) recently completed a study in which they investigated the factors which affect weight re-gain in people who have lost a substantial amount of weight. (Results were published 6/12 online with the print article due to appear in the July issue of American Journal of Preventative Medicine.) The findings were interesting.All of the 1310 US adult study subjects were individuals initially considered overweight or obese but who lost at least 10% of their body weight. This amount of weight loss can result in substantial health benefits, such as reduced risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Results showed that weight re-gain was associated with a sedentary lifestyle, i.e., those who had greater "couch potato-like" habits, losing a greater percentage o...
More About: Once

Toss Your Salad with Spritzy and Spraychel
2007-06-19 23:11:00
The folks at Wishbone have really hit on a big one with their new line of Salad Sprit zers.Haven't heard about these salad tossers?Salad spritzers are the latest additions to the low calorie salad dressing line up...and by low, I mean low! 1 calorie per spray. (yes, you read that right...its spray.)All it takes is 8 - 10 spritzes of this spray salad dressing on your lettuce, and voila, you have flavor! And at 8 or 10 calories, that is quite a bargain.Available in 7 flavors (my fav is the Red Wine Mist), you can be sure to find one that suits your taste buds.Check out the adorable video series, Spray s in the City, on Spritzy and Spraychel's flog (that's right flog--blog in the fridge.) Check it out here, its a hoot!
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New Healthy Snacks
2007-06-16 00:20:00
When you hear the word "snack" what image comes to your mind first? Probably something along the lines of chips, pop, candy or cookies...right? Before you reach for that unhealthy fare when you get a snack-attack, try thinking healthy. Here are a few new options you may want to try.Glenny's, the distributor of Soy Crisps, has just launched a new line of "good-for-you" treats, brownies and blondies. Available in a variety of flavors such as peanut butter brownie and blueberry blondie, these healthy snacks are 75% organic and contain 100 calories, 7g of fiber, 4g protein, and 11g sugar. Check out this page with complete nutritional information. (Check out the bonus diet tips written by RD's, too!)For another new healthy snack choice, try a SOYJOY Nutrition Bar. With four flavors including berry, apple, mango coconut and raisin almond, you can be sure to find at least one that suits your fancy. Each bar contains 130 - 140 calories baked with whole s...
More About: Snacks , Healthy , Heal

Winning After Losing, a short book review
2007-06-14 20:09:00
Isn't it incredible how many diet and nutrition books are currently being written and sold these days? Looking for a reputable weight loss book in this absolute sea of reads can truly be an exercise in frustration. Book s about how to maintain a healthy body weight after weight loss are few and far between, however. I recently read through the book, Winning After Losing: Keeping Off the Weight You've Lost--Forever, by Stacy Halprin. Surprisingly enough, this easy read contained some very helpful information.And Stacy should know. Once weighing in at 550 pounds, she now maintains a healthy body weight. Her transformation hasn't been a easy journey, as anyone else who has lost a large amount of weight will tell you. Keep in mind this book isn't so much about the technical aspects of losing weight, like calorie counting, exercise, etc., although that is briefly touched upon. This book has to do changing your thoughts, examining what causes you to overeat and how ...
More About: Book Review , Review , Short

Olive oil fights inflammation
2007-06-07 02:08:00
Research conducted at the Monell Chemical Sciences Center in Philadelphia has found just that. In fact, their work showed that the active ingredient in olive oil, oleocanthal, was more effective at blocking enzymes that cause inflammation than ibuprofen was.Interesting indeed.These scientists go on to speculate that this may be another reason why the Mediterranean diet (high in olive oil) is such a healthy way to eat.An article in today's NY Times has further details. Click here to find out more.
More About: Olive Oil , Fights , Olive , Live O

New potential supplements for cancer, flaxseed and ginseng
2007-06-05 04:21:00
The National Center for Health Statistics says that Americans spend between $36 billion and $47 billion dollars each year on supplements and other alternative therapies.Unfortunately, the action of many of these complementary medicine products just doesn't stand up to the claims made about them. In many instances uses for a particular herbal or dietary supplement are based on anecdotal evidence, evidence which hasn't been substantiated by well designed clinical studies.Two new studies on the benefits of both flaxseed and ginseng in cancer treatment were recently reported on.Click here to read the details.
More About: Cancer , Supplements , Ginseng , Supplement , Tent

Got the blues? Serve up some salmon!
2007-06-02 22:44:00
Eat salmon to feel better? Sounds fishy doesn't it? (no pun intended)Well, its true. At least that is what researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found.It appears that people who have less omega-3 fatty acids in their blood tend to be more pessimistic and impulsive than their counterparts who have higher blood levels.What's the connection between omega-3 fatty acids and salmon?Salmon, and other fatty fish such as mackerel, are rich sources of omega-3's.A follow up study to this work was recently reported on at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society. These same U of Pittsburgh researchers found that in a group of 55 healthy individuals, those who consumed the most omega-3's actually had a larger volume of gray matter in their brains! This is the area of the brain from which mood and behavior stem.Interesting, but does this mean you should run out and stock your fridge with salmon?Its probably a little premature to go overboard with this, be...
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Foodnetwork.com adds interactive cookbook
2007-05-31 23:59:00
Check out the newest addition to Foodnetwork.com...an interactive cookbook featuring mouth-watering, nutritious foods prepared by Ellie Kreiger, RD.Here's the link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyrecipes Just think, now you don't have to wait for the "Healthy Appetite" TV show to come on, its on 24/7!I think this is a great new idea for those of you who love cooking and cooking shows. What do you think? Check it out and post your comments.
More About: Interactive , Active , Tera , Dnet , Cookbook

Lycopene and Prostate Cancer Study
2007-05-31 23:49:00
If you know a male, over 18 years old who lives near the University of Illinois, the National Cancer Institute needs them! Participants are currently being recruited for a study designed to investigate a possible link between lycopene and prostate cancer.Click here to find out more information if you, or someone you know, is interested.
More About: Study , Prostate Cancer , Stat , Prostate