Diet & Fitness Blog

Diabetes is growing in epidemic proportions in this country, and those numbers show no signs of slowing down. In fact, the U.S. Government reported last Tuesday that the number of Americans with diabetes has grown to 24 million -- a full 8 percent of the population.

According to a report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those numbers represent an increase of 3 million people in just two years. As if these numbers aren't alarming enough, approximately 57 million Americans currently suffer from pre-diabetes.

“These numbers leave me speechless," says Tracey Ryan, eDiets Manager of Nutrition Support. "That 24 million Americans have diabetes is shocking enough, but what is more saddening is the thought that 57 million more are on the verge of developing diabetes if they don’t make changes, and quickly."

Fortunately, Tracey says there are some things you can do to lower your risk for diabetes.

"It is extremely important to be aware of your risk for diabetes, but being proactive is just as important, if not more,” Tracey says.

Perhaps the best way to decrease your risk for diabetes is to start exercising. Exercise can help control your blood glucose, lower your blood pressure, and improve your blood cholesterol. It also reduces your risk for heart disease and stroke, by strengthening your cardiovascular system. Perhaps most importantly for people with diabetes, participating in regular physical activity helps insulin work better, increases flexibility and improves blood circulation. Recent research shows that just about any type of exercise improves blood glucose control.

“If you are at risk of developing diabetes it is time that you made some changes to the way you eat and how much physical activity you do," Tracey says.

According to the American Diabetes Association, losing even a little bit of weight can help people with or at risk for diabetes by lowering insulin resistance and lowering blood glucose levels. Tracey suggests following a healthy meal plan similar to the Living With Diabetes plan on eDiets.

"Making sure you round out your diet with lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables in combination with a moderate amount of exercise should help you to lose some weight, and at the same time reduce your risk for diabetes,” Tracey says.

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Labels: diabetes, news, study

It's not a topic that people regularly talk about amongst friends. You can't just bring it up over a pint of beer after work or during a casual conversation about the weather -- it's somewhat personal.

So, when the subject does make it into my conversations once in a blue moon, I always get the same reaction from people: "You're uninsured? That sucks, man."

Yes, I am uninsured. And yes, it does suck.

Unfortunately, I am in good company. Last week, a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that about 54 million Americans were uninsured at one point during 2007. More than 30 million Americans reported being uninsured for at least a year prior to being surveyed by the CDC.

Sure, there are plenty of benefits to health insurance, such as peace of mind, but what is a person supposed to do when it can't be afforded? With rising gas and food prices eating up disposable income, even a low premium can prove devastating to a low-income individual or family. Eligibility requirements for Medicaid further complicate matters.

Case in point: My father died two years ago from a stroke. Medical expenses totaled about $31,000, and he was uninsured. Left to foot the bill, my mother and I had no means of paying the exorbitant costs. Luckily, though, charity care offset the charges, taking a weight off our shoulders.

Not everyone can be so lucky, though. If there's one lesson that experience taught me, it's that one's health shouldn’t be taken for granted. It's one thing to be poor, but it's a completely different (and unfortunate) situation to be poor and unhealthy. I still don't have health insurance for myself (I'm a contract worker), but consider getting insured if you can spare the money or talk to your employer about it. The peace of mind is worth it.

Labels: news, study

By Shawn McKee
Staff Writer

A couple of months ago, I wrote an April fool's gag about the government stepping in on the obesity epidemic in America and enacting an anti-obesity law. Some people realized it was a joke and thought it was funny. Others weren't so quick to catch on and were outraged. But my goal was to spark conversation on a touchy subject -- which I did.

To whit: Should the government step in?

Some said yes, some said no, but everyone held passionate views. So when I saw the New York Times article, "Japan, Seeking Trim Waists, Measures Millions," I was instantly curious. Had Japan done what some Americans believe was necessary to stop this growing problem? Did the Japanese even have an obesity problem? Would they have a catchy tune to help illustrate the issue and give the people something to dance to?

The answer to all of these questions seemed more mysterious than the origins of the ninja… But I was ready to find out.

The law, which took effect two months ago, breaks down like this: Companies and local governments must measure the waists of Japanese citizens between the ages of 40 and 74 (about 44 percent of the population of Japan, or 56 million people).

If people are over the prescribed waist size -- 33.5 inches for men, 35.4 for women -- then they are given dietary guidance first and "re-education" after six months if the dietary guidance isn't effective. (Re-education sounds a little too Clockwork Orange for me.) If companies fail to have their employees meet these new weight guidelines they could face huge fines.

Many complain these guidelines are too strict and that the government is simply trying to shift the cost of healthcare to the private sector -- most Japanese are covered by public healthcare or through their work.

However, proponents think this new law will help to stop the ballooning cost of healthcare for Japan's ever-increasing elderly population, as well as stop the spread of several weight-related diseases with the focus being on metabolic syndrome -- a precursor to diabetes and heart disease.

With such drastic measures to stop Japan's ballooning beltlines, they must be facing some serious weight woes. But how bad is it? According to Japanese statistics, the average waist size for a Japanese man is 32.8 inches and 28 inches for a woman. If you're wondering how we stack up here in the United States, the average waist size for men is 39 inches and 36.5 inches for women.

If you ask me, and I'm considered overweight by Japanese standards at a 34-inch waist, I think they need to lighten up in over there (not literally), but maybe we could learn a thing or two about coming together as a nation to stop this growing epidemic.

I'm not sure if it will work, but something needs to be done. So, I'll leave you with a few of the lyrics from Japan's anti-metabolic syndrome song that's sweeping the nation and got my toes tapping. I couldn't make this up if I wanted to:

Goodbye, metabolic. Let’s get our checkups together. Go! Go! Go!
Goodbye, metabolic. Don’t wait till you get sick. No! No! No!

Do you think the Japanese have the right idea? Would an approach like this work here in the States? Let us know what you think and comment below.

Labels: news, weight

"This is a first encouraging finding in what has been unremittingly bad news," Dr. David Ludwig from Children's Hospital in Boston told the Associated Press. "But it's too soon to know if this really means we're beginning to make meaningful inroads into this epidemic."

The latest findings are based on a study of more than 8,000 children between the ages of 2 and 19. According to the report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 32 percent of children in this country are overweight, 16 percent are obese and 11 percent are extremely obese. The good news is that these statistics stayed the same in 2003-04 and 2005-06.

Experts believe that if these findings do turn out to be valid, the numbers may be leveling off because more parents and teachers are finally getting the message and emphasizing nutrition and fitness for kids. Now, I would like to believe that we are finally making forward progress, but the realities of childhood obesity in this country are still extremely grim.

"Without a substantial decline in prevalence, the full impact of the childhood epidemic will continue to mount in coming years," Dr. Ludwig says.

Do you think parents should be held accountable for overweight kids? And, what do you do to keep your own kids active? --Glenn Mueller, senior writer/editor

Labels: kids, news

Labels: news

Labels: food, news

Last week, one of my co-workers, Mr. Blog-Champ-in-Training -- if you must know -- asked me a random question (he's full of those by the way.) The question was if the Cookie Monster is changing his name in an attempt to lead a healthier life.

The Veggie Monster? Could it really be true? Horrified, I quickly Googled this (a frequent procedure I have for answering random questions that come up). After doing some research, I learned that back in 2005, the folks at Sesame Street decided that my beloved Cookie Monster needed to clean up his act.

Apparently, the phrase "C" is for Cookie" has been replaced by "A Cookie is a Sometimes Food"... What? Scandalous, if you ask me.

Since then Sesame Street has kicked off the "Healthy Habits for Life" programming, which encourages young viewers to be more active and lead more nutritious lives. My favorite blue-furry friend also sings about fruits and vegetables and teaches kids about "sometimes" foods and "anytime" foods.

Growing up I always loved the gooogly-eyed Cookie Monster and was never influenced to mimic his sugar-indulging ways or pipe-eating antics. He was just a cool monster that had a slight weakness for cookies. Is that so bad? Does changing the Cookie Monster's image from cookie-lover to sometimes-cookie-lover help lower childhood obesity rates?

What do you think? Is Sesame Street being too overprotective or politically correct? Or is this the right step in setting a healthy example for our kids? Share your thoughts with us by commenting below.

And just for old times sake, this blog post was brought to you by the letter "C" for Cookies! Om nom nom nom!

Labels: celebrity, kids, lifestyle, news, nutrition

I don't know about you, but it costs me a small fortune to fill up my tank. And by small fortune, I mean about $50. I use about a tank and half a week. You do the math… It isn't pretty.

What makes it worse is that my car needs premium gas. "Oh, that's no big deal," I told to myself as I cruised off the lot in my brand-new convertible sports car. Pfft! No big deal my butt. Premium gas averages about $4 a gallon around here in South Florida!

Gas prices just keep getting higher and higher, and it seems like Americans are just going to be a broke bunch if it keeps up. Broke… and in better shape.

A recent study from Washington University in St. Louis found that for every additional $1 per gallon in gasoline prices, U.S. obesity rates will drop by 15 percent over 5 years. With the cost of driving getting so ridiculous, many Americans will look to other transportation options -- like walking or cycling.

They'll also change their eating habits, opting for leaner meals at home over richer restaurant fare. In fact, Starbucks is expecting a drop in sales and major chains like Domino's Pizza, Ruby Tuesdays, and even higher-end Ruth's Chris and Morton's steakhouses are serving fewer patrons.

I don't know if I'm ready to give up eating out sometimes, but over the past couple weeks, I've been seriously considering buying a bicycle, and have even gone so far as to try and calculate how long it would take me to bike enough miles to make the price worth it. By my calculations? Not that long.

Do you know how much healthier I'd be by then? Figure if I biked to the gym and to a couple errands a week, I'd be getting an extra 20 minutes of exercise a day easily. All those extra burned calories could really add up! Plus, if I threw in a walk or two somewhere close, I'll burn off even more.

So, when you think about it, maybe this whole rising gas prices thing isn't so bad in the long run. By driving less, we'll be getting healthier, living a little greener (you're welcome, Earth) and saving some money while we're at it.

P.S. Don’t worry, little convertible... I’m not ready to give up on you forever just yet. See you when I get out of work. :)

Labels: health, money, news

That's something my dad always used to say when we would complain about eating the same leftovers repackaged as something different. And, well, times were tough. I always had enough to eat, but it got old eating so much chicken.

Times continued to be tough as I left for college. It was an amazing feat that I could live on such measly means. I worked, but $6.25 an hour doesn't go very far. Plus, most of my monthly food budget was guzzled down during late night beer runs and Saturday afternoon football games. My priorities were a little different then.

I mostly subsisted on tuna sandwiches, ramen noodles, macaroni and cheese, PB&J, pizza and beer -- primarily pizza and beer, though. It wasn't the healthiest diet, but I was in college and, like I said, my priorities were different then.

Now, as the country teeters on the edge of recession, gas prices hit astronomical numbers and food prices force me to cut the frills from my food purchasing, I find myself all grown up, living on my own and realizing how difficult it really is to make ends meet.

Times are tough.

However, I still have my health (another of my dad's favorite sayings), and I think that's crucially important to remember. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine keeps some sense of normalcy as prices spiral out of control.

Since we're all about eating healthy here at eDiets, I thought now would be the perfect time to share some terrific tips to savvy shopping. You can't just stop buying food if it gets too expensive -- that's not an option. However, if you maintain a certain level of food flexibility, you can still eat healthy, delicious meals without blowing all your dough.

"You have to be flexible when it comes to meal planning, switch things around and make substitutions to really make your dollar stretch," explains eDiets Director of Nutrition Services Pam Ofstein.

Pam recommends looking for sales on protein sources first. Substituting skinless dark meat chicken for white meat can save some money without adding too much fat to your meal. Pork can also be an inexpensive meat alternative. It is, after all, "the other white meat."

"The key with any kind of meat is trimming the fat and watching portion sizes," according to Pam, who recommends trying pork loin or a nice lean pork chop.

One area you shouldn't be flexible on is planning.

"Planning is the key. If you can plan your meals, it's much easier to eat healthy on a budget," Pam says.

So here's Pam's 5-point plan to keep your waist thin and your wallet fat:

1. The scoop on the coupon. Check the newspaper and Internet for advertised savings and specials before you make your grocery list. This is a good way to find places to cut costs and get an idea of what you want to eat for the upcoming week.

2. Plan your meals. This will let you know exactly what you're going to need, which is essential for the third step:

3. Make a list, check it twice. A list will tell you exactly what you're going to need, give you a good idea of what you will spend and keep you on track when you go to the store. If it's not on the list, it's not in the cart. This step will also help limit trips to the grocery store, which will limit your chances to make unnecessary impulse purchases -- which can account for as much as 40 percent of what you buy, according to industry insiders.

4. Generically challenged. Pam recommends trying store brands, which can be significantly cheaper. Many of the store brands are made in the same factories, by the same companies as the pricier nationally known brands. What you pay for is the branding and ad costs. Check the ingredients and you may be getting essentially the same thing for less money -- without sacrificing quality.

5. Little numbers make a big difference. Most supermarkets will display a "price per unit" on the shelf's price tag. This number gives you the exact cost of what you're paying per unit -- whether it's ounces, pounds or portions. It's the easiest way to compare prices regardless of package size. Just because you're buying in bulk doesn't mean you're necessarily saving money. In fact, if the larger portion spoils before you finish it, you're actually wasting money.

Pam offers one final tip to avoid impulse purchasing:

"Never go to the store hungry. You will buy things you don't need. Eat, then shop. Impulse purchases are almost never healthy and usually unnecessary and expensive."

Hopefully these tips will help you stretch your food dollar a little further, and just remember: It could be worse. Times were really tough in my grandfather's day. Not only was money tight, but he had to walk uphill, both ways, in the snow just to get to school. Now those times were really tough.

Do you have some supermarkets secrets to save money? Share your tips here and help to be healthy on a budget.

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Labels: food, news, tips

In case you missed it, the last issue of the UTNE Reader included an extremely provocative series of articles about America's war on obesity. In spite of the health risks associated with being overweight, the editors of this alternative publication argue that our approach to fatness is at least as unhealthy as being fat. "Sizeism remains the only truly socially acceptable form of discrimination on the planet," writes Courtney E. Martin, author of Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body.

While the authors make some alarming generalizations about the dieting industry as a whole, they definitely bring up an insightful point about our cultural bias against fat. "To be fat in our culture is to be labeled not only a glutton, but also a vessel of disease," writes associate editor, Hannah Lobel.

"Short of burning obese people in effigy, it's hard to imagine how we could stigmatize fat more in this culture. Body hatred is regarded as a feminine virtue."

Now, I have worked at eDiets for over five years, and I honestly believe we provide a valuable public service. We help countless numbers of people to transform their lives. But the most important reason to eat nutritious foods and exercise is to protect your own health. It is really all about looking and feeling your personal best-- not trying to meet some unrealistic expectation.

The magazine cites a poll of 10,000 ELLEgirl readers, in which 30 percent said they would rather be thin than healthy. That's downright disturbing! In our superficial culture that often values form over substance, I don't doubt that people are often discriminated against because of their size and appearance. However, I hope that doesn't deter people making the ever-important decision to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Do you agree that we have an unfair bias against fat in this culture? Have you ever felt discriminated against because of your size? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

Labels: news, study, weight

Labels: health, news, nutrition, study

Today, the senate and house will vote on a bill insiders have dubbed "The Fat Tax." It's a revision on a healthcare bill that would make being obese a punishable offense. Obesity is defined in the bill as "more than 20 percent over one's ideal weight based on age, height, sex and build."

Most "initial contacts" would result in nothing more than a verbal or written warning, according to government insiders. However, it is up to the officer's discretion as what to do next. In certain situations -- in the presence of children or someone morbidly obese -- the officer would have the jurisdiction to issue a citation or even order the offender to join a weight education and management class.

Someone who refuses their rehabilitation, or is repeatedly ticketed, could lose certain rights and privileges -- like their driver's license -- and even spend time in jail.

"We're paying more than $78 billion per year on healthcare for the overweight and obese," explains Debra Brumback, who was one of the sponsors of the amendment. "I think people need to be held accountable for their actions. This bill will do that."

The amendment was attached to the "Feeding Ordinance on Obesity Legislation," that has been nearly a decade in the making. The bill itself is highly controversial and has found ardent opposition from groups like PETF, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Food.

"This is ridiculous! It's just another example of the government infringing on people's rights and putting their fingers in everyone's pies -- literally," exclaims PETF spokesman Frankie "Bag of Doughnuts" Winters. "I eat a half-dozen doughnuts every morning for breakfast. I'd like to see the government stop that. They shut down one doughnut shop, another one pops up across the street."

Most agree that education is the key to keeping Americans healthy, so much of the money saved on healthcare and made from fines paid would go to bringing back physical education in schools, teaching nutrition and making healthier snacks available in school vending machines.

"We have a growing epidemic in this country. Most people do struggle with their weight and, I think, will welcome this government assistance and intervention," according to Brumback, who weighs in at a svelte 125-pounds. "I mean, when I put on my freshman 15, I would have never lost that weight if I hadn't had to get three physical education credits and lost that weight in Racquetball 1113."

This all leads to myriad ethical questions about where the government's jurisdiction ends when it comes to the individual. If the bill passes, there is also a concern about certain "unhealthy foods" being considered contraband and a black market for certain goods developing much like prohibition did in the early part of 20^th century and creating another niche for organized crime.

Has the government gone too far? Is this the answer to our obesity crisis? Do they have a right to step in and dictate your weight? Will you fight for your rights?

Shawn McKee graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a BA in Journalism and has written for The Broward and Miami New Times. He loves a good prank, joke or trick. Don't believe everything you read. Happy April Fool's Day!

Labels: fun, news

The tax man cometh! Will you be ready? There is a popular old expression that tells us, "nothing in life is certain except death and taxes." Well, believe it or not, tax season is just around the corner once again. If you’re like the majority of people out there, you look forward to filling out that tax return about as much as getting a root canal… without the Novocain. The bad news is that it is not very likely that gnomes or elves will do the work for you.

The good news is that the Internal Revenue Service gives obese Americans who are trying to lose weight under doctor's orders the opportunity to lighten their tax loads. Several years ago, the IRS began allowing certain individuals to deduct unreimbursed, itemized medical expenses exceeding 7.5% of their adjustable gross income -- including the costs for a prescribed weight loss program.

"The IRS ruling took a lot of people by surprise," the American Obesity Association's executive director Morgan Downey told CBS News. "This takes a different approach from the normal kind of urging everyone to diet and exercise as a lifestyle recommendation because it recognizes obesity as a major medical problem."

But is our government doing enough to keep its citizen's healthy? Do you think the IRS should offer more incentives for people to slim down and stay in shape?

Tell us if you think you deserve a tax break for the high cost of healthy living! Also, what items would you like to be able to deduct from your taxes? Diet plans? Meal delivery? Dietary supplements? Exercise equipment? Cast your vote below!

Labels: health, news, weight-loss

As Election Day draws closer, the question on the minds of most Americans is: Which candidate would make the best fit as the next president of the U.S.? But here at eDiets, we are more concerned with finding out who's fit to be president… Or, to put it another way, finding out which of the candidates would make the most physically-fit president.

Savvy voters are -- and should be -- concerned with the total package. Since we're not exactly qualified to rate the candidates on their political records, we'll stick to what we know best: fitness and health. Does it really matter if the person in the White House eats healthy and works out? I mean, as long as he or she is a good leader, so what if our next President likes to eat junk food and lie around on the couch all day?

There's no question about the fact that the president of the U.S. is a role model. With our great nation in the grips of an obesity crisis, we at eDiets think the ideal candidate should be someone who will lead by example!

Though he didn't get his party's nomination, Mike Huckabee is a former Baptist minister, who also likes to preach the gospel of healthy living. You may not know this about him, but the former Arkansas governor dropped 105 pounds a few years back. He also launched an intriguing initiative in his home state to fight obesity and reward those residents who get in shape and stay that way.

"I needed to lead by matter of example and I had a huge obesity problem. I was letting down my own personal faith," Huckabee tells eDiets. "I felt I was not being good toward my own body by not taking care of me."

Whoever moves to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue next year will have some big running shoes to fill! Our current president has made exercise a regular part of his life. When a knee injury sidelined the commander-in-chief from his beloved running regimen, George W. Bush found other ways to keep fit.

"I exercise nearly every day and I feel better for it," President Bush tells eDiets. "It helps me deal with the demands of being the president and commander-in-chief. In the past, I liked to get in a good run. However, because of knee problems I have turned to lower-impact exercises, like the elliptical trainer and lifting free weights. Recently, I have taken up mountain biking."

We'd like to know who you think would make the most physically-fit president.

Hillary Clinton?

Barack Obama?

John McCain?

None of the above?! Well, unlike at the polls, you can still cast your vote for the candidates who didn't get their parties nomination… or, write in your own. You don't even need a voting booth.

Just post your vote here!

Labels: health, news

The government's hope is that we'll put our windfall back into the economy, so what better time to invest in your health? A few extra bucks can jumpstart a flagging fitness program, keep your diet on track by allowing you to indulge in healthier food -- not that healthy food should ever be considered an indulgence! Or you might want to stop putting off that expensive doctor visit for a physical.

So I've brainstormed my top 10 favorite ideas for healthy, $600 investments. What are you doing with your money? Leave your comments and let me know if your cash will go toward bettering your bottom -- or just your bottom line!

What you can do w/ $600:

1. Join a gym. With 600 bucks, you'll have plenty to cover any membership fee, plus monthly dues for about a year if you pay an average $30 per month. Shop around for the best deals -- the YMCA is just as good as the fancy gym with all the swanky perks. Don't pay for more than you need.

2. Hire a personal trainer. eDiets' fitness pro Raphael Calzadilla says to expect to pay around $50-60 per hour for an ACE-certified trainer. Your rebate check can get you up to 12 hours of training at that rate.

3. Fill your freezer with healthful vegetables, frozen fruit, lean meats, breads -- whatever you like and whatever will keep you eating healthfully for months. Have good-for-you foods ready to defrost so that you don't have to get takeout or hit the drive-thru. Stock some healthy indulgences that you might not eat all the time, like pricey tuna steaks, edamame and even sorbet or frozen yogurt!

4. Set up a home gym. You can buy all you need to get fit for about $100. Invest in fitness balls, fitness bands, mats, a jump rope, dumbbells and lots of fun DVDs. Add a nice elliptical trainer or bike with the extra couple hundred, and you're all set. If you want to take it outside, then you might like to have a pedometer to measure steps and an iPod to keep you entertained.

5. Buy a new fitness wardrobe. Trade in that stretched-out sports bra and holey sweats for sleeker, sexier workout wear, and you might see your motivation spike. A great pair of athletic shoes is a must, and they can run $100 and more. Seriously, those Reebok high-tops were cool in 1986; now they're just tragic. Invest in your appearance, and your physique will benefit!

6. Take a class. Now's the time to check out those classes you've seen advertised but weren't motivated to join. Try out a funky dance class, a striptease class, belly dancing or whatever looks interesting. You'll meet other fitness-minded folks and get fit in the process!

7. Get a full physical. Whether you're insured or not, getting a full physical can be a very expensive necessity. Add all the bloodwork and tests that ensure your cholesterol, blood sugars, etc. are at the right levels, and you've run up quite a tab. It's well worth it, though.

8. And while we're talking about your health -- If you have a smoking habit, then use your extra cash to quit for good. With the help of new drugs like Chantix and even older ones like Wellbutrin, you'll have a great start. These drugs aren't cheap, though, and insurance may or may not cover them. However, the cost of breaking the habit is far less than the cost of treating smoking-related illnesses like emphysema, cancer and heart disease. Plus, cigarettes are expensive -- if you smoke a pack a day, then expect to save more than $1,100 per year after you quit!

9. Alternative forms of transportation -- Invest in a great bike and ride it everywhere you can. You'll reap fitness benefits, help the environment and spend less money on gas!

10. Have fresh, local produce delivered. Save yourself trips to the supermarket's costly, substandard, out-of-season produce section. Invest in a weekly delivery service or co-op, with which you can receive organic, fresh, local fruit and vegetables. Six hundred smackeroos should cover about 6-8 months of delivery, depending on your area and variety that you choose. It's a great way to enjoy tasty, fresh produce while supporting local farmers.

Of course, you don't have to spend the entire check on any of these ideas. Save a bit for the new wardrobe you'll need when you lose that extra weight!

Got any great ideas on how you'll spend the cash? Tell us!

Labels: health, money, news

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