Category Archives: Food

Can a Mediterranean Diet Slow the Aging Process?

Posted on December 4, 2014 by Greg Asseff

The Mediterranean diet does not consist of a specifically defined diet plan. Instead, dieters attempt to emulate the eating habits of people who live in the various countries bordering the Mediterranean sea. The diets of people in these regions vary greatly, of course, so the Mediterranean diet ends up consisting of a few loosely defined rules. For starters, the diet is focused mainly on vegetables, fruits, bread, beans, potatoes, nuts and seeds. Red meat is consumed very rarely, and poultry and fish are eaten in low to moderate amounts. A staple of the Mediterranean diet is olive oil, which is used to replace unhealthier fats like butter. Herbs and spices replace salt, and red wine can be consumed in moderation if desired. Although the diet contains more fat than the AHA recommends, some people adopt it to prevent heart disease. Now, a new study suggests the diet could increase life expectancy.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, News, Nutrition, Studies | 2,180 Comments

Calorie Counts Coming to Menus in Chain Restaurants, Movie Theaters

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S. and around the world. In terms of general public health, it’s clear that something needs to change. The what and how regarding that change is widely disputed, however. Now, in a move that’s sure to face future political and legal challenges, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new rules that require calorie counts to appear in menus at restaurant chains, pizza parlors and movie theaters. This labeling requirement was actually made into law with the passing of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, but the regulations have taken years to enact due to tough opposition from the food industry establishments being affected by them. Regardless of your political leanings, it seems to make sense that calorie counts would lead to healthier food choices. But can businesses bear the cost?

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 654 Comments

Global Obesity Costs Almost As Much As War and Terrorism

Posted on November 20, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Obesity continues to be a major health concern all around the world. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 78.6 million adults are obese in the United States – that’s over one-third of the population. It’s common knowledge that obesity is a major factor in serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke and certain forms of cancer. What isn’t common knowledge, however, is the amount of money spent on treating obesity and the conditions it causes. It’s estimated that Americans spent $147 billion on obesity-related medical costs in 2008, and obese people spent around $1,429 more on medical care than individuals of normal weight. Now, a grim new report from McKinsey & Company shows how bad obesity costs are worldwide. According to the report, $2 trillion is being spent globally on obesity each year.

Posted in Diet, Food, Health, Health Facts, Medical, News, Nutrition, Weight Loss | 952 Comments

Without A Diet Plan, Exercise Can Actually Cause Weight Gain

Posted on November 14, 2014 by Greg Asseff

Weight loss, from a strictly scientific perspective, seems pretty straightforward: in order to lose weight, a person must burn more calories than they consume. Obviously, this means getting some exercise; however, it isn’t always this simple. If a person’s diet is poor, it will take exponentially more exercise to see any results. Now, a new study published in the The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research shows just how ineffective regular exercise without a diet plan could be. Not only can the exercise fail to produce results, it could also actually cause weight gain. Think about it: getting a whole bunch of exercise could technically cause you to become more hungry throughout the day. If you’re not watching your diet, you could end up overeating and negating any of the benefits the exercise provided. This study shows how bad it could be, depending on the person.

Posted in Diet, Exercise, Food, Health, News, Nutrition, Studies, Weight Loss, Women | 1,147 Comments

Study Says School Lunches More Healthy Than Packed Lunches

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Greg Asseff

School lunches have been a contentious topic for a few years now. As part of her Let’s Move! initiative, first lady Michelle Obama has played a large part in rallying support for changes that could decrease childhood obesity. Part of this initiative included the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which set new nutrition standards for school lunches and allocated funds for the implementation of those changes. However, not everybody is happy with this. According to the Washington Post, the backlash has ranged from students in Georgia being upset over the removal of fried chicken from their lunch menu to lobbyists and food companies pushing for legislation that would allow school districts to opt out of the new nutrition standards. New information from Virginia Tech researchers might help defend the Obama administration’s actions regarding school lunches, however.