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Why Are We So Fat?

A headline from Yahoo! Heath caught my attention: “Why are American’s so fat?” Well, why are we? According to this article, written by David Zinczenko, it’s because we are consuming far more calories than we need. And I agree with that. Each time I open my Shape or Women’s Health magazine, I am learning about consuming too many calories and how to cut them down. I even started using a calorie counting website to help me figure out what exactly I was putting in my body.
According Zinczenko’s research, the food we eat is often filled with extra calories, especially in mass produced foods. Sure, that can help make the food taste better, but it’s only bad news for your pant size- and your health. Zinczenko helps uncover which foods contain more calories than necessary, and where to find healthier options of the same food.
One example is a new favorite food of mine. I recently tried guacamole and fell in love at first bite. I thought the guac was healthy for me (it comes from avocados after all) but that’s not always the case. The truth about premade guacamole dip is that it often times lacks a punch of real avocados. When you see the word “dip” after guacamole, you can assume that is contains less than 2 percent avocado, and is instead filled with chemicals and fillers. So where can you find real guacamole dip? Zinczenko suggests Wholly Guacamole to buy in stores, or making it yourself. Avocados are filled with fiber and mono-saturated fats (good for your heart) and can be easily made from home. Scoop out the flesh of two avocados, combine with two cloves of minced garlic, a bit of minced onion, the juice of one lemon, chopped cilantro, one medium chopped tomato, and a pinch of salt.
Be sure to check out the full article filled with more foods that could be upping your calorie intake!
Source: David Zinczenko, Yahoo! Heatth

Worst Appetizers For You

When I go out to eat at a restaurant, I usually order an appetizer so I don’t get as much food. I don’t eat a lot in one sitting, and I don’t like being wasteful, especially for a meal that isn’t so yummy reheated. Lately, appetizers are looking more and more like entrees, huge chunks of food filling my plate- and my stomach! It can be even worse for some diners that order an appetizer in addition to their main meal- they can consume between 500-600 calories by choosing to get both! So how can you avoid this situation? The writers of the best-selling book Eat This, Not That! have put together a list of some of the worst starters you can order at restaurants. Be prepared before you order, and if you just have to order both and appetizer and entrée, try splitting the entrée in half right when you get it. Put one half in a to-go box, that way it won’t be on your plate so you can mindlessly pick at it even when you are full. Yahoo! Health also helped list some appetizers you should think twice about before ordering. Check out these worst appetizers:
Worst Kid’s Side
Bob Evans Smiley Face Potatoes
524 calories
31 g fat (6 g saturated)
646 mg sodium

Worst Drive-Through Side

Arby’s Large Mozzarella Sticks
637 calories
42 g fat (19 g saturated)
2,047 mg sodium

Worst Chicken Appetizer

Denny’s Buffalo Chicken Strips
730 calories
32 g fat (0 g saturated)
2,940 mg sodium

Worst “Healthy” Starter

P.F. Chang’s Chicken Noodle Soup
759 calories
24 g fat (4 g saturated)
4,135 mg sodium
92 g carbohydrates
Worst Dip Appetizer

Chili’s Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Chips
930 calories
77 g fat (34 g saturated)
3,130 mg sodium
Worst Potato Side

Dairy Queen’s Chili Cheese Fries
1,240 calories
71 g fat (28 g saturated, 0.5 g trans fat)
2,550 mg sodium
Worst Appetizer in America
On the Border’s Firecracker Stuffed Jalapenos with Chili Con Queso
1,950 calories
134 g fat (36 g saturated)
6,540 mg sodium

Check out Eat This, Not That! or head to Yahoo! Health for some healthier alternatives!

Effects of Soft Drinks

Some of you may have heard about the ongoing debate to put a tax on the sale of soft drinks. Soda has become an increasingly harmful drink to one’s health, and it seems that many people know that. I have heard people say that they try to limit themselves to the number of sodas they drink a day, not drinking one before bed or early in the morning, and other tips that try to lessen the consumption of our fizzy friends. I am one of those people. I try not to drink a lot of pop; I have even tried to cut the beverage out completely in the past, but yet I will still order one when I am at a restaurant. So what are the effects that this carbonated liquid can have on our body? Yahoo! Health has come out with a great article talking about the dangers that consuming pop can have, that has definitely made me think twice when ordering that Coke.
Research has shown that many health problems are related to the consumption of soft drinks, especially those in high volumes. Some health risks include tooth decay, type-2 diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and nutritional depletion. Soft drinks contain alarmingly high amounts of sugar, often more than the USDA recommends on a daily basis. Excess sugar that is stored in the body converts into fat, which can lead to obesity and heart disease.
And don’t think just because you order a diet soft drink that you’re in the clear. Studies have shown that no matter if it is regular of diet, consuming soft drinks lead to a 30% greater chance of weight gain. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners that can also lead to health problems. In one study, done with rats, saccharin led to bladder cancer. Aspartame, also known as nutrasweet, has been linked to obesity, as it can stimulate the brain and cause more cravings for sweets, which can lead to the over consumption of carbohydrates.
Carbonation itself can lead to health problems. This doesn’t just stop with soft drinks, but can also include carbonated water. The bubbles contain phosphoric acid, which deplete the blood calcium levels. Without proper levels of calcium going into the body, bone density can suffer, which can lead to osteoporosis. Then the caffeine that is found in these drinks can be harmful, adding stimulation to the central nervous system, leading to stress and insomnia.
This article was great because it explained what exactly soft drinks can do the body, and what the long term effects can be. Like I said before, I tried cutting soda out cold turkey, which led me to have intense migraines and stomach aches. I believe I was suffering from caffeine withdrawals, something that is common for people who consume large amounts of caffeine such as in soda or coffee, then try eliminating those drinks. I ended up drinking the soda again just to get rid of my symptoms. I decided that instead of getting rid of my soda drinking completely, I found ways to cut back. For one, I no longer bought pop for my house. This way, when I was sitting down for a meal, I didn’t have the choice to open a can of caffeine. Instead, I have water, milk, or juice. I have recently found that I really enjoy V-8, a much healthier choice over juices that contain high amounts of sugar. This has significantly cut down on not only my consumption of the sugary drinks, but is also saving me money. And at restaurants, I try to order other drinks such as lemonade or tea to avoid the soda.
If you are someone who drinks high amounts of soft drinks, be aware of the harmful effects it can have your body. Be informed so you can make good decisions on what you are consuming, and try to find alternatives so you can lead a healthier lifestyle.