Posts Tagged ‘Overweight’

Why You Can’t Stop Eating Fast Food

December 27th, 2009

This is far more than some philosophical discussion. America is standing at a precipice. Two-thirds of the population is overweight or obese . . . and those numbers are growing every day. Our health care system is going broke, the average 9 year old child in our country has half their arteries closed by fat, people are having heart attacks in their thirties, diabetes in their twenties. This research, which began as an interesting article, quickly became imperative.

Here is what I found:
As I discuss in my book, Why W Eat . . . and why we keep eating, there are numerous ways in which the body signals the brain to switch the appetite center off and on. Sugary foods trigger an endorphin reaction, which, as we have explained previously induces feelings of euphoria. Sugary foods, and foods high on the glycemic scale, also signal the release of insulin, which causes food cravings. Protein high in saturated fats trigger endorphin release, while foods low in saturated fat trigger the release of CCK, a hormone that signals the brain to shut down the appetite center. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish curb the appetite. Monosaturated fats in olive oil, nuts, and free-ranging animals shut down the appetite. Fiber expands the stomach that turns off the appetite. Chocolate is a powerful endorphin trigger.

Now comes new research by Dr. Alan Hirsch, M.D., a neurologist and founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, in Chicago. Dr. Hirsch has uncovered some amazing facts. He explains that the taste and smell of the foods we eat can effectively turn off the appetite center in the brain. His research showed that certain smells caused overweight people to reduce their cravings, and therefore eat less. He found that foods cooked with aromatic ingredients like garlic, onions, herbs and spices satisfy the appetite more completely.

So, lets combine what we know concerning fast food. First, they are high in saturated fat, which is one of the strongest endorphin releasers. Two, sugar, another endorphin trigger, is used liberally in fountain drinks and shakes. Three, all breads and buns contain gluten, another famous endorphin trigger. Four, many of the foods (think French fries) are high on the glycemic scale. Five, most of the foods available in fast food chains are not cooked with any of the spices (see above) that signal the satiety center in the brain to shut down the appetite.

Fast food chains use all of the available tricks to get you to eat their fare . . . and to keep eating. We have to fight back with the knowledge of how they do it, and to have ready alternatives at hand. Our book, Why We Eat . . . and why we keep eating, provides you with the information and the motivation to use the information! There’s a synergy that occurs when you’ve got the info, the inspiration, and the products that minimize your appetite so you can regain control of your diet and your life. Our proprietary line of products can help you to get and keep control of your appetite and rev up your metabolism so you can lose weight even when you’re not on an exercise program.

Tid-Bit: The power of pistachios
A new study found that pistachios contain a significant amount of lutein, an antioxidant that may play a major role in preventing cataracts and macular degeneration. Lutein is commonly found in dark green leafy vegetables and fruits and vegetables that are yellow or orange. One ounce serving of pistachios contains about the same amount of lutein as one-forth a cup of fresh broccoli.

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Fast Food and Childhood Obesity

December 25th, 2009

Recently the childhood obesity has taken a form of endemic in the United States. Rate of childhood obesity has increased by 5 fold from 1970s to the current time. Consumption of food rich in calories and fats are the main culprits for this increasing trend in the childhood obesity. A major part of this increase calorie intake by children comes from consumption of fast food.

In 1970s fast food constituted only 2 percent of the daily meal of a child and by mid 1990s this has increased to 10 of the daily meal of our children. Today one tenth of our children aged between 2 and 5 years and 15% of children between ages 6 and 19 are overweight.

A recent study conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture looked at the food intake data of children in the United States. These researchers analyzed data from 6,212 school children with ages ranging from 4 to 19 years. The study found that children who ate fast food consumed significantly higher number of calories compared to those children who did not consume fast food. They found that those children who ate fast food had significantly higher consumption of fat, saturated fat, and carbohydrates. Also those children who consumed fast food added more sugar to their meals, drank more of sweetened beverages and ate less milk, fiber and vegetables.

This study has shown that consumption of fast food on a regular basis does not provide the necessary nutrients and had more fat, and calories. Lack of essential nutrients may have a negative effect on the children especially at the growing years. Consumption of excessive calories, unless balanced by physical activity would lead to increased body fat and obesity. Increasing trend towards consumption of fast food is a major contributor to childhood overweight and obesity.

Parents and teachers of children should make every effort to make our children realize the dangers of fast food. They should be briefed about the negative health implications of fast food consumption. The parents should value nutrition and make healthy diet a family priority thus passing the good message to children.

In 1970s children spent much time in outdoor activities. In our modern lives children do not get as much physical activity they should be getting. Our children spend more time on the computers, television and video games. Our children and youth do not eat healthy meals and do not meet recommended levels of physical activity. Greater emphasis on good nutrition, avoidance of fast food and increased physical activity are the corner stones of a healthy childhood. Every parent and teacher should contribute toward the goal of bringing up our children healthy.

Author of this article is a freelance health information writer. Author contributes articles to various websites including Medicineworld. You may read more about weight watch and diets at this webpage.
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Lethal Link Between Obesity And Fast Foods

December 18th, 2009

We are a nation of addicts and our addiction is spreading worldwide. No, it is not tobacco or even alcohol abuse that is so prevalent. It is our addiction to fast food that is killing us. Americans consume thousands of pounds of greasy cheeseburgers every day. Not to mention the fries and drink. The total calories for this basic no frills fare from Ronnies steak house is a whopping 1200! Add just one vanilla triple thick shake to the tune of 1110 calories and you are at your daily limit.
There is no escaping the onslaught, every small town in the nation has at least on fast food restaurant. Many have more than that, in my town of less than 25,000 people we have McDonald’s, Hardees, Arbys, Taco Bell, Quiznos, Dairy Queen, Burger King 3 Sonics, 2 Subways and more pizza joints than I can count. With this type of saturation, is it any wonder that fast food obesity is the fastest rising health threat?
Anyone who had seen the documentary Super Size Me has been shocked at by not only the link between fast food and obesity causes but also the other health risks the show brought to light. We knew that the food probably was not good for us but even the physicians involved in this experiment never dreamed that a person could exhibit liver damage from fast food. If you have not seen the film, Morgan Spurlock ate only Mcdonalds for 30 days in the documentary.
Clearly, our love affair with the cheeseburger has gone on long enough but is there truly a link between the fast food and obesity causes?
Since fast food began in 1960’s America has steadily gotten heavier. Today 60% of us are overweight and a full 25% are obese. Alarmingly it seems our children are not escaping the trap either. Today there has been a 40% rise in type II diabetes in children, a disease that was once known as adult onset because it did not strike until around age 50. In addition, let’s not be misled obesity causes type II diabetes.
Nevertheless maybe these are all just strange coincidences. Let us look at the Mcdonald’s happy meal although the calories are not given for the meal on their menu we can take the individual parts and add it our self.
Cheesburger-300
Small Fry- 230
Small Coke – 110 (we all know they are not drinking juice)
That totals 690 calories or nearly half the recommended daily allowance! Keep in mind this is just the basic no frills small meal, get them the big kid’s meal or a regular big mac meal and the totals jump even higher. If you think that is bad check out the calorie count for the double whopper, 920 calories, and that is just the burger no cheese! Maybe it is not such a coincidence after all. There is strong evidence that fast food is an obesity cause.
So exactly what is the big deal? What if a few people and their children get fast food obesity? This is a free country we should be able to do what we like right. Maybe so however we need to be informed on what impact this will have on our health. People who are fast food obese have a great health risk. The diseases associated with obesity include type II diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease and stroke. Any one of these diseases can be at best debilitating and at worst deadly. The danger increases with amount of weight and age as well as other bad habits such as smoking or alcohol use. America’s obesity causes are a problem we desperately need to solve; it is a ticking time bomb. Just imagine if over half the people in the country were disabled. That leaves 40% of the nation working and trying to cover disability payments and health care. That is a serious risk to our nation but more than that, we have a population at risk of dying far too young all because of fast food obesity.

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Six Tips To Help Your Overweight Children Lose Weight

December 10th, 2009

Childhood obesity has more than tripled over the past 40 years. More than 30% of children and teens are overweight and 20% are classified as obese. Most parents wait for their child to grow out of it, encouraging them to be proud of who they are. That is certainly noble in theory, but being overweight increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol levels, and premature heart disease.

It can certainly be a challenge for parents to provide children with opportunities to lead a healthy lifestyle. You never know what they could be stuffing down their mouths in the school cafeteria or at their friend’ house. That is why it is so important to teach proper nutrition in the home. They will not learn about it in school, not even in health class. The more you practice good health at home, the better choices they will make out in the world.

Here are a few weight loss tips to get your children started on the road to good health.

Children Lose Weight Tips #1: Be The Example YourselfIf you are overweight or obese yourself, you are setting a bad example for your children. Be a responsible parent and go on a diet. Yes, YOU! Children often mimic what their parents do, and if you are fat, they will think it is OK to be fat. It is a rare occasion that I see fat children with skinny parents, and vice versa. How often do you see fat kinds with skinny parents, or skinny kids with fat parents? Not too common.

Children Lose Weight Tips #2: Pack Their Lunch For ThemDo not hand over a five dollar bill for your child to purchase a lunch themselves just because you are lazy in the morning. Nine times out of ten they will spend it on junk food because you are not there to tell them no. If you want your children to eat properly, do the most you can. Pack their lunch so they are forced to eat it. If that is all they have, they will suffer through it and come out better in the end.

Children Lose Weight Tips #3: Think AheadKinds want to grow up fast but they do not think of the consequences once getting there without planning. Studies show that if a child remains obese by the age of 10-14, they have nearly an 80% chance of remaining at a dangerously heavy weight through adulthood. Let them know that, especially if it scares you (which it should!). A childs weight is the most important predictor of whether or not the child will become an obese adult. Nearly 65% of obese adolescents will still be obese as adults, even if neither parent is obese.

Children Lose Weight Tips #4: Eat TogetherWhen I was a child, it was a rare occasion that my family ate dinner in separate rooms. Do not let your child heat up a burrito and slam it down in their room in front of their computer or television. It is important to monitor their eating and make sure they are paying attention to the luxury of having dinner, especially if they are trying to lose weight. Eating together as a family is an activity that will help everyone follow a healthier lifestyle.

Children Lose Weight Tips #5: Fix Them A Healthy BreakfastYou know this is the most important meal of the day, so handing over a sugary pop-tart to your child on their way out of the house is extremely counter-productive. And do not even think about stopping off at Starbucks and buying them a fatty latte either. A healthy breakfast at home does not have to be time consuming. I make a soy based protein smoothy every morning that provides me with the best nutrition possible. It takes me literally 2 minutes to make it in the blender.

Children Lose Weight Tips #6: Introduce Healthy SnackingChildren are quite active with school, sports and other extra-curricular activities. It makes sense that they need a boost of energy in between meals. Stock your cupboards and refrigerator with healthy snacks instead of processed trigger foods. Cut fruits and vegetables so they can grab them just as they would a candy bar. Protein bars and soy nuts are a great alternative to cookies and chips. Premix flavored water with green tea to give them natural energy boosts instead of providing high sugar soda and sports drinks they are not healthy.

Helping a child to develop lifelong healthy habits can be rewarding in so many ways. Introducing healthy alternatives into your child’s diet is not rocket science. Try the Children Lose Weight tips listed above to prevent resistance to healthier eating. As a parent, you are responsible for what, when and where your children eat. It is up to you to help your children adopt a healthy lifestyle.

Bill Winch is a Personal Wellness Coach whose mission is teaching and coaching others who are struggling with getting healthy, losing weight safely and keeping it off for good. He is also a Certified Business Growth Specialist, former High School and College Business Educator and Counselor, and mentors from his home office in Rochester, NY. If you are interested in receiving his Free Report “9 Weight Loss Myths Exposed” visit his website by clicking on FREE REPORT or by calling him directly at (585) 271-3767 for a free wellness consultation.
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TV Ads and Your Food Choices – Do not Become a Food Victim

December 3rd, 2009

Do you know how big of an effect media has on our food choices?

Well it is a two way street, the more media tries to put in our heads the perfect body, they also sell you things which are not good for you.

So how do you decide who to trust.

Well the first thing is do not believe everything you see on television. You need to make sure you and your family are careful, and not buy food items which are advertised as being the most “healthy” because guess what?

Sometimes they are not.

You need to make sure you read the labels your self and research the products online. Just because a food is approved by FDA, does not make it a healthy option. All the packaged foods have some evil attached to them, so make sure you do not become the victim of these products.

As a parent you will have to be more careful with what your children watch. Some times they indulge in foods which are portrayed on television as “yummy”. of course they do not understand the caloric capacity in them.

Usually the healthy menus being sold on television attached not only children but adults as well. Seeing food, at any time can make you want to eat them. But do not give into that craving. Make sure you are always on toes when it comes to what to eat and what not to eat.

If you choose the right food for your self, of course your family would too. The more trips to the junk food restaurants the worst your weight gain.

Eating smart is the key, and remember the TV Ads and media are not your friend. They are only commercial sellers who want you to buy their products so they benefit. They do not know your health problems, and neither do they care. They just want you to buy the products, and of course these foods are not custom made to your need. The meals you cook at home are based upon what is good for you and what isn’t. so try going more organic then packaged foods.

This article is written by Lara Lee, a prominent writer and editor for draro.com. Lara specializes in weight loss studies and reviews. For more information on a variety of popular weight loss plans, check out these weight loss reviews.
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Is Junk Food Good For Your Health?

November 19th, 2009

Hello. Take my greetings.

Do you like to eat junk foods? If you are like me, then you like them very much. Most of them are very tasty and it is really hard to resist them. They are found almost everywhere. But eating excessive junk foods is a food habit that you should really get rid of as early as possible. Why? Before knowing why you should avoid them you should understand what foods can be classified as junk foods.

What are Junk foods?

The foods which have little or no nutrient value can be classified as junk foods. These foods contain very low amount of vitamin, mineral and protein but high amount of calories from fat or sugar. Generally they are highly processed and contain higher amount of fat, sugar, salt and lower amount of fiber. Some of them also contain preservatives and artificial colors. Some popular and well known junk foods are: fast foods, potato crisps, french fries, sauces, salted snacks, chips, very sweet dessert items and carbonated beverage items.

Some Junk Food Facts

You need to know some facts to understand whether junk foods are good or bad for us. Without giving you some facts it would not be easy for me to make you understand the effects of eating these kinds of foods. Now, let’s know some facts about them.

1. Artificial colors and preservatives: Many junk foods contain artificial color and preservatives which do no good for our body, rather they act like poison. Sweden’s National Food Administration is a government food safety agency. With their cooperation a research was carried out at Stockholm University. The research showed that baking or frying carbohydrate-rich foods, such as potatoes or cereals, formed acrylamide. International Agency for Research on Cancer, found that acrylamide induces gene mutations. It is also known to cause damage to the central and peripheral nervous system.

2. Lower amount of nutrients: Most of the junk foods have very low nutritional ingredients like protein, vitamin and minerals rather they contain higher amount of fats, sugar, salt. They are also very low in fiber. By eating too much junk food we are giving our body only carbohydrate and depriving it from the other nutrients. Therefore, in return our body will also deprive us from a healthy physical condition.

3. Higher potential of suffering from health problems: If you are habituated to eat junk foods almost everyday or very regularly you are sure to be an overweight or obese person unless you do a good amount of physical works everyday. There is absolutely no doubt about that. This overweight or obesity will lead you to some serious health problems like heart diseases, joint problems, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes. Besides those serious problems they are also responsible for faster tooth decay, constipation, problems related to digestion and tiredness.

4. Junk foods are a real threat for the children and younger age groups: If your children eat too much junk foods, then you should really control their food habit. Because if they eat too much junk food they will eat fewer amount of nutrient foods. This in turn will not ensure proper nutrition for their proper growth and they will suffer from tooth decay, loose bones and gaining overweight in earlier ages of their lives. Junk foods contribute lack of enthusiasm, headaches, tummy aches and poor concentrations to children

In context of the above mentioned facts I think I will be safe to say that, junk foods are bad for our health.My dear friends, I know it will be hard for many people to eliminate junk foods from the daily food list. For our busy daily routines many of us have become so much dependent on them that they would not try to think about not eating these foods. Most of them are easily available and easy to carry. But, considering the side effects you should at least take some fewer amounts of them from now on. Junk foods act like slow poison in our body. It is hard for you to feel the negative effects of junk foods overnight. But, if they are in your food list almost everyday or very regularly then you will definitely observe some negative effects on your body. Only the time to observe the effects may vary from person to person. Therefore it is up to you to make the choice. I hope you will do the best for your body.

I wish you a better health.

Ehsan

Ehsan has a passion for internet. He likes to stay and move around in the online world. He is also passionate about health related issues. Writing articles has become a hobby for him. It is a great way for sharing knowledge with others. Visit his website about Fitness and Wellness to see if it can help you with some useful information for increasing your fitness and wellness.
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