Diet & Fitness Blog

It seems to me that many of us have tried some very odd ways to lose weight. And we all have diet horror stories.

Me. I’ve done some stupid things to lose weight. I’ve been struggling with my weight since I stopped playing hockey when I got out of school. Since then, I’ve tried just about every diet under the sun looking for that magic bullet to get my weight off.

While I know that, rationally, no magic diet exists, I’m constantly hearing horror stories. People tell me about all sorts of diets they have done.

Sometimes the conversations go like...

“Oh! OK, I get it now. You mean all I have to do is go to the Amazon Jungle, jump in the river, get covered in blood sucking leeches... and then I lose weight?”

“I got it!”

“You mean I drink three fruit and veggie juice boxes a day... and then I lose weight?”

“Right!”

“So what you do is eat a bowl of rice and a banana 3 times a day... and then you lose weight?”

“I can do that!”

In truth, two of the three diets above I actually did (guess which one I didn’t?).

By far, the worst diet I went on went like this...

“You mean I drink this liquid protein from a bottle that looks like a shampoo bottle... and then I lose weight?” (NOTE to readers: it tasted like shampoo, too!) That one actually landed me in the hospital suffering from dehydration.

Twenty-six years later, what I learned comes down to this (sounds easy right?):

1. Eat less calories than you burn!

2. Exercise!

3. Get your head on straight!

So let’s play a little game. What’s the weirdest, silliest or just plain stupidest diet you have ever done? What’s the craziest diet you’ve heard about? We want to hear your experience.

Go ahead. Share...

Post it below, in the style with “… and then you lose weight?” at the end for bonus points!

Jim

My name is Jim Gilbert and I approve this message!

Labels: diet, quiz

If you had to choose between your life and your weight, which would you choose? It's a tough question, but one that some people find themselves facing...

A 2004 study in General Hospital Psychiatry showed that 5 percent of patients surveyed would never take medication that caused weight gain… even if it was for a life-threatening condition.

It really made me think. In our world, a huge amount of emphasis is put on how people look -- oftentimes, I think, too much. Because, when it comes down to it, I personally would rather be alive and breathing than thin and dead. But apparently, some people disagree.

The choice seems simple to me, but what do YOU think? If a medication you needed would cause you to gain weight, would you take it? Comment here and share your view.

Labels: health, quiz, study, weight

What's the RIGHT way?

…YOUR way!

So we all have that one thing that has to be juuuuuust right, else it's juuuuuust plain wrong. Rationality goes straight out the window when it comes to this thing, yet despite your best efforts, you can't help it. After all -- you're right!

You know that "thing"... It might be different from my thing, or your husband's or your neighbor's thing, but we all know you have at least one thing.

Mine is the dishwasher. I need it to be loaded in a very specific way, or it's all wrong and the dishes just won't get clean. They just won't. Period. If you put something in my dishwasher, you better do it right, or I'll have to do it all over again for you.

Maybe your thing is the toilet paper. I hear this is a big one! How WRONG is your world when you go into the bathroom and the toilet paper is coming from underneath the roll instead of over the top of the roll? To some it may feel so wrong that they may even go so far as to take it off the holder and put it back on the "right" way.

Is there a "right" height for your shades or blinds? Do they have to be a specific few inches from the window sill, else the entire room be thrown out of balance? How's that closet of yours looking? Does it have to be organized by clothing type? Better yet -- color? Lest it's simply IMpossible to find anything? Ever?! CD organization technique has been known to spawn the need for marital counseling, and I have an acquaintance that simply CANNOT leave the house without having ironed every stitch of clothing on his body. No, really!

So let's fess up here guys. We all have a few things in this life where "my way is the only way" rules around the roost… Live in shame no longer! OWN your way, and let's hear just how right you are!

Labels: lifestyle, quiz

Let's face it: People love to give advice! It doesn't matter whether you are trying to pick a diet, find a workout program or make just about any other important decision in your life. Whatever you are thinking about doing, it is unlikely that you will ever encounter a shortage of advice from friends, relatives or just plain nosy observers. But the mere fact that so many people are willing to give advice doesn't mean that most of it is worth taking!

That's why asking people for the best advice they've ever received is such a golden interview question. In fact, many authors have created best-selling books merely by compiling great advice. Even Donald Trump used this tactic once. And The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received is one of the Donald's most popular book titles to date.

I guess it wouldn't be fair for me to introduce a topic like this without sharing a piece of advice that I have found to be worth its weight in gold. When I was learning to play golf, I used to get extremely frustrated anytime I would hit a bad shot. I would lose my composure and my entire mindset would start to change. Even if I was playing really well up until that point, all of my confidence would melt away after one really bad shot. Then my father told me to put the bad shots behind me.

This is a piece of advice that I now apply to all aspects of my life… including weight loss and fitness. Like many of you, I am trying to lose weight right now. In fact, I subscribe to the eDiets DeliciouslyYours meal delivery program, and I struggle to make the time to get to the gym.

What is so frustrating for me is that I reached my goal weight a few years ago. I even managed to stay within my ideal weight range for over a year. I really thought I had this whole healthy lifestyle thing figured out. But gradually I let those extra pounds creep right back on. I have lots of explanations, for this but no real excuses!

Psychologically, I find that the battle to lose weight is much more difficult for me this time around. The fact that I lost the weight and gained it back is torturing me inside. Every time I see my pooching belly in the mirror, I want to erupt in a fit of rage. But then I hear my father's voice in my head telling me to put the bad shots behind me.

So, how about you? What's the best advice you've ever received? Let us know by posting a comment below. I can't promise that it will ever be included in a best-selling book, but we may include some of your comments in a future eDiets article.

Labels: quiz

By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

If you could eat only ONE food for the rest of you life, what would it be?

Don’t ask me how this popped in my head (honestly, you probably don't want to know), these random thoughts usually just come to me at the weirdest times. But no matter whether it was in the shower or during American Idol, I started thinking about which food I would pick if I had to eat the same thing forever, from now on.

And you know what? The answer was simple: bread and butter.

I could live on bread and butter (and I'm pretty sure I basically did growing up). Some of my earliest memories are of my grandfather buttering my bread for dinner -- "You want super-butter?" YES! Of course I want super butter; the more the better.

Give me a loaf of bread and some butter and I'm happier than a pig in, well, you know. I would eat it for breakfast and dinner, lunch and snack, in my house or with a mouse, under the table or with Betty Grable… OK, that's just silly, but you get the point. Bread, do you take Butter? I do. Butter, do you take Bread? I do. (The perfect marriage!)

So if you could pick only ONE food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be? Share with us by commenting below!

Labels: food, quiz

I'm often surprised by the food and diet hype that's out there in the media, on television and in magazines. Some of it is close to the truth and some is so far from veracity that it's unconscionable, in my opinion. Sometimes it's hard to tell hype from truth. Test your Nutrition IQ with this quick quiz.

TRUE/FALSE:
1. Unless you eat organic, you're taking chances with your health.
2. Sugar makes kids hyperactive.
3. Fat-free cookies have less calories than the regular version.
4. Eggs are high in fat, so you need to limit to only three to four per week.
5. Brown sugar is a healthier sweetener than white sugar.
6. High-potency vitamins are better than a multi-vitamin.
7. You must not eat protein and carbohydrates in the same meal.
8. Eating before bed causes weight gain.
9. Drinking liquids with your meal decreases nutrition absorption.
10. Grapes have more carbs than other fruit.

2. Sugar makes kids hyperactive -- FALSE
The National Institutes of Health cites research that shows neither link between sugar and hyperactivity nor any link between food additives and colors and behavior. In fact, one study shows a decrease in activity after a high-sugar snack or meal. Scientists theorize that behavior is a result of interactivity between parents or caregivers and children. An occasional sweet treat is a normal part of growing up, but make it occasional and special.

3. Fat-free cookies have less calories than the regular version -- FALSE
Fat-free does not mean calorie-free. Fat-free cookies often have higher amounts of sugar added to replace the texture and volume lost by removing fat, and may contain the same or even more calories than the original. Read the portion size of one serving, and then how many calories per serving, and compare the fat-free cookie with the regular for an accurate reading.

4. Eggs are high in fat, so you need to limit to only three to four per week -- FALSE
Eggs are relatively low in fat and saturated fat; a large egg contains only approximately 5 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of it saturated, and 2.5 unsaturated. The American Heart Association recommends preparing eggs without added saturated fat or trans-fat, (butter or margarine).

5. Brown sugar is a healthier sweetener than white sugar -- FALSE
Most brown sugar is just white sugar, either colored with or with molasses added. While molasses has slight nutritional value (iron), it's insignificant. White sugar, brown, honey, concentrated fruit juice, high fructose corn syrup, or cane juice -- there are many ways to say sugar. Sugar is essentially the simplest form of carbohydrates, and should be used sparingly.

6. High-potency vitamins are better than a multi-vitamin -- FALSE
Experts say that "high potency" are unnecessary unless you're diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, and in doses higher than the Recommended Daily Allowance, some vitamins may actually be harmful. Nutrients are carried throughout the body in the bloodstream and are used as needed, and excess is excreted. Unless you suffer from a medical condition that must be treated with supplementation, stay healthy by eating a varied and balanced diet to maintain vitamin and mineral stores that can last for weeks or even years, depending on the nutrient involved.

7. You must not eat protein and carbohydrates in the same meal -- FALSE
Eat a balanced diet and allow your body to function as it's supposed to. Your body is a digestive machine that releases the enzymes necessary, depending upon what you eat. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth -- protein needs teeth to grind it, but the digestive juices in the stomach begin the process, and fat needs enzymes in the small intestine to digest.

8. Eating before bed causes weight gain -- FALSE
If you're eating what you need to maintain your weight, it really doesn't matter when you eat it... as long as you're not eating more than you need. We don't recommend you eat a large meal just prior to bed, because it may not be digested easily when lying down! A small snack is best, such as a glass of milk or cocoa, and a piece of fruit. Stay within your daily meal plan's parameters to avoid weight gain.

9. Drinking liquids with your meal decreases nutrition absorption -- FALSE
Drinking liquids with your meals is a matter of preference, not nutrition. If you're trying to lose weight, a large glass of water between meals can help control hunger pains, and drinking before your meal can take the edge off your appetite.

10. Grapes have more carbs than other fruit -- FALSE
The serving size of fruits is relative to their volume, so if you're going to eat a lot of grapes you'll be taking in a lot of carbs. But, a serving of grapes is about 15 small green grapes, or about three ounces; 1/2 of a grapefruit has about 15 grams of carbohydrates, as does a small apple, a 1/4 cup of applesauce, or 3/4 cup of blueberries.

Nutritionist Susan L. Burke is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian, and a Certified Diabetes Educator who specializes in both general and diabetes-related weight management.

Labels: fun, nutrition, quiz

These true-or-false questions may shed a little light on some of the more misunderstood and mysterious foods, as well as their effect on your diet.

TRUE OR FALSE

All fats are bad, and following a low-fat diet is the best way to lose weight.
False: Fat is necessary for energy, especially for active and growing kids, for hormone function, vitamin absorption and transport. Fats add flavor to your food, but fat contains more than twice the calories -- per gram -- than protein and carbohydrates. Fat is more concentrated in calories, so to lose weight on a calorie-controlled diet -- you need to eat less fat.

Nutritionist Susan Burke, suggests you choose your fats wisely: "nuts, avocado, seeds and fatty fish contain immune-promoting monounsaturated fat and omega-3 fatty acids."

The only good thing about fiber is that it gets you regular in the restroom.
False: While that is one benefit, fiber also helps to lower the risk for heart disease and cancer. Also, a diet high in fiber translates into increases in the intake of fruits, vegetables and whole-grain foods. Fiber helps fill you up, without adding calories. Foods high in fiber are generally lower in calories, fresh and can help you maintain your weight loss, according to Susan.

Fresh vegetables are better than frozen.
False: In fact, frozen vegetables can be healthier than fresh depending on how long the fresh vegetables have been sitting in the market. Frozen vegetables are processed at their peak nutritional value, whereas it could take days, even weeks, for fresh vegetables to be transported. It could be even longer before you cook them. Health experts recommend you eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily -- fresh or frozen.

Tomato sauce is a better cancer fighter than raw tomatoes.
True: When tomatoes are heated -- like in sauce or the processing of ketchup -- the benefits of lycopene are enhanced because it's more easily absorbed by the body than when in raw tomatoes. Studies show that the body uses lycopene for protection against breast cancer, prostate cancer and heart disease.

The benefits of grapes come from a valuable nutrient called grapetine, which is necessary to keep the squishy substance in your eyeballs replenished.
False: Grapes are full of beneficial nutrients and antioxidants; however, grapetine is not one of them. In fact, it's not real at all. A study from the Journal of Nutrition shows that eating fresh grapes may prevent the accumulation of harmful oxidized cholesterol and those naturally occurring antioxidants in fresh grapes, known as polyphenols, are believed to be responsible for this positive effect.

One polyphenol in particular, resveratrol, has demonstrated its ability to help protect against arterial wall damage caused by "bad" (LDL) cholesterol. Another polyphenol, tannin, was shown in a Canadian study to eliminate disease-forming viruses and tumors. Grapes also include high levels of caffeic acid, which is a strong cancer-fighting agent.

Mushrooms are good for more than just making tie-dye shirts groovy.
True: Mushrooms are an underappreciated, low-calorie food rich in nutrients. Mushrooms surpass all other items in the produce category in selenium, which was shown in one study to decrease prostate cancer by 60 percent. Also, mushrooms are an excellent source of three essential B-vitamins: riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid.

Additionally, mushrooms are an under-recognized source of potassium, which has been shown to help regulate blood pressure, keep the right balance of water in fat and muscle tissues, and ensure the proper functioning of cells. One 3-ounce portabella mushroom cap provides more potassium than an orange or even a banana.

The banana is an appealing fruit, packed with nutrients, that won't cause you to slip off your diet.
True: Bananas are a great source of vitamin C, potassium and dietary fiber. Potassium is an essential mineral for protein synthesis and the building of muscle because it stimulates nerve impulses for muscle contraction. Since bananas are sodium-free and very rich in potassium, they can be eaten as part of a diet to reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Plus, bananas contain a good supply of vitamin B6, which is significant in the production of antibodies in the immune system, as well as helping in protein metabolism, red-blood-cell formation and functioning of the central nervous system. Bananas have no fat, cholesterol or sodium.

Eggs will kill you with their high cholesterol content.
False: An egg is high in cholesterol, but all that cholesterol does not go directly to your bloodstream and arteries. Actually, in healthy people only a small amount of the cholesterol in food passes directly into the blood. In fact, most of the cholesterol that circulates in the blood is created by the liver in response to saturated and trans fats in the diet, which does translate into an increase in heart disease.

Eggs are good for you -- inexpensive and loaded with nutritional benefits. For about a dime, an egg has 6 grams of protein, healthful unsaturated fats, key vitamins and minerals such as iron and riboflavin, and it is low in saturated fats and free of trans fats. Eggs are also a good source of choline, which has been linked with preserving memory, and lutein and zeaxanthin, which may protect against vision loss.

Figs are not just good for filling Newtons.
True: Although, the Fig Newton is the third most popular cookie in the U.S., with Americans consuming more than 1 billion per year, the fig is also a fruit -- and it's good for you. Research at Rutgers University reveals that dried figs contain omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids, plus a number of phytosterols, which decrease natural cholesterol counts. Figs are also good for your bones because of their calcium to phosphorous ratio, which is ideal for the absorption of both minerals. Half a cup of figs contain as much calcium as a half-cup of milk.

Now you know, and as my old friend GI Joe says, "Knowing is half the battle."

Labels: diet, food, nutrition, quiz, weight-loss

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