Category Archives: Diet

Low-Carb vs. Low-Fat Diets: Both Work for Weight Loss

There tons of different diet programs out there, and all of them promise weight loss results. In fact, a large section of our website is dedicated solely to determining which weight loss programs are the most effective. For the past few years, however, there’s been a very specific debate regarding low-carb vs. low-fat diets. Which diets achieve weight loss faster? Which ones make it easier to keep the weight off? Which ones involve eating more nutritious foods? It might now be time to put the debate to rest, as two new studies show that low-carb diets tend to help people lose slightly more weight over time. However, one of the studies in particular reenforces what is probably the best piece of dieting advice: many different diets can be effective, but only if you stick to them. Low-fat or low-carb will make no difference without commitment.

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Importance of Breakfast Questioned By Studies

We’ve been told by many sources for years that breakfast is the “most important meal of the day.” According to WebMD, people who skip breakfast tend to eat more during their next meal or consume high-calorie snacks throughout the day. Some studies suggest that people gain more body fat when eating fewer, larger meals instead of eating smaller meals more frequently. One study, conducted by Harvard only a year ago, suggests that eating breakfast can significantly lower the risk of coronary heart disease. In fact, male study participants were found to be 27 percent more likely to suffer a heart attack or death caused by CHD if they skipped breakfast. Researchers stated that missing breakfast leads to “prolonged fasting,” which can raise blood pressure, insulin levels and cholesterol. Now, however, some new studies indicate that the importance of breakfast could be overstated.

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Researchers Deeply Divided Over Salt Consumption

The most recent issue of the New England Journal of Medicine contains three separate studies regarding salt, and the findings range from predictable to downright controversial. The first study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, concluded that 1.65 million deaths across 66 countries in 2010 could be attributed to cardiovascular problems stemming from salt consumption of over 2.0 g per day. The second study examined sodium excretions in over 100,000 people from 18 countries. It concluded that the association between sodium consumption and high blood pressure was most pronounced in the elderly, people with hypertension, and those who consume more than 6.0 grams of salt per day. The third study, on the other hand, concluded that consuming too little salt could also lead to cardiovascular events. It is this study that’s causing an uproar.

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FDA Regulations for Gluten-Free Labels Take Effect

Before today, foods labeled “gluten-free” were not subject to any regulations or standards ensuring that the claim was true. Now, FDA regulations state that gluten-free products must be packaged in a “truthful and not misleading manner.” This means that such foods can only use the label if they contain gluten in a ratio of less than 20 parts per million. The news is particularly good for those suffering from celiac disease, who can get very ill after eating food that contains even a small amount of gluten. The protein is most often found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people that do not have celiac disease claim to suffer from a sensitivity to gluten that can cause intestinal issues, headaches, and respiratory problems. The existence of a “gluten sensitivity” from a scientific standpoint is up for debate, however. Further, some claim that gluten is not the culprit at all, but rather other elements in wheat that make people sick.

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Unhealthiest Restaurant Meals of 2014 Revealed

Last year, we reported that the Big Catch with Onion Rings at Long John Silver’s topped the list of unhealthiest restaurant meals in the nation. The main ingredient of the meal was fish, which is generally considered to be healthy. However, the way in which it was prepared led to it containing a startling 33 grams of trans fat, which is well-known to raise LDL levels and therefore contribute to a higher risk of heart disease. After the damning report came out, Long John Silver’s announced that it would be removing all trans fats from its food.

So, with trans fats no longer being in the Big Catch, what meals are considered to be the least healthy? According to the Center for Science and the Public Interest, The Cheesecake Factory and Red Robin are coming out as the worst offenders. The amount of exercise you’ll need to work off the meals is astonishing.

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