With so many food options out there, it is helpful to have information on food packages that can empower you to identify healthier choices. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to update its definition of “healthy.” That includes the nutritional standards a product must meet to put the claim “healthy” on the… Continue reading Updating the Definition of “Healthy”
Tag: fat
Ultra-Processed Food and Dementia
People who eat the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods like soft drinks, chips and cookies may have a higher risk of developing dementia than those who eat the lowest amounts, according to a new study published in the July 27, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers… Continue reading Ultra-Processed Food and Dementia
Our Brain Signals Us in Favor of Foods Containing Fats and Carbs
The “reward center” of our brain values foods high in both fat and carbs – i.e., many processed foods – more than food containing only fat or only carbs, according to new research. The 206-adult study, published in Cell Metabolism, indicates that these combination fat/carb foods hijack our body’s innate signals regarding food consumption. “The… Continue reading Our Brain Signals Us in Favor of Foods Containing Fats and Carbs
Obese but Healthy? Not Really
Extra weight can raise the risk of heart attack by more than 25 percent, researchers have found, even if a person is healthy otherwise, with good blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels. The findings add to a growing body of evidence that suggests being ‘fat but fit’ is a myth, and that people should… Continue reading Obese but Healthy? Not Really
Choosing the Right Yogurt
During an hourlong cable show I recently watched. there were ads for three different brands of yogurt. In 2016, Americans spent $7.7 billion on yogurt—up 20% from 2011. Your yogurt shelves are fuller than ever with varieties named after all sorts of countries—Greece, Australia, Iceland. With mix-ins, fat-free, and other options, choosing a cup of… Continue reading Choosing the Right Yogurt
Make Your Takeout Healthier
Almost everyone loves Chinese takeout, whether it’s pork fried rice or Peking duck. But this popular cuisine can be heavy in fat and salt. The experts at choosemyplate, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, share strategies for making your next meal healthier – and still enjoyable: Look for veggies Pick dishes that highlight… Continue reading Make Your Takeout Healthier
Progress in Diagnosing Pre-Diabetes
Professional organizations don’t agree on how to define pre-diabetes, a condition that indicates a patient is likely to develop type 2 diabetes and its potential complications in the near future. For example, the American Diabetes Association recommends using hemoglobin A1C or glucose levels to diagnose pre-diabetes, while the World Health Organization recommends physicians use glucose… Continue reading Progress in Diagnosing Pre-Diabetes
Targeting Fat to Treat Cancer
Researchers at the Salk Institute in California have found a way to block the creation of fat molecules in cells so that the growth of cancer can be stifled. The details of the research were published in the journal Nature Medicine. “Cancer cells rewire their metabolism to support their rapid division,” says Salk Professor Reuben… Continue reading Targeting Fat to Treat Cancer
Stress and Bad Food Choices
When it comes to food choices, stress counts for a lot, according to researchers from The Ohio State University. In their study, unstressed women who ate a biscuits-and-gravy breakfast made mostly with saturated fat fared worse in blood tests looking for precursors to disease than those women who ate an identical breakfast made primarily with… Continue reading Stress and Bad Food Choices
The Hidden Sugars in Your Food
Any healthy diet should be low in sugars as well as fat. But sometimes it’s hard to determine just how much, and what kind, of the sweet stuff is in your food. Here, from the experts at SeniorHealth, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is a guide to recognize the different kinds of… Continue reading The Hidden Sugars in Your Food
Choosing Nutrient-Dense Foods
In choosing what we eat, it’s important to focus on nutrients. Foods known as “nutrient-dense” have vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, lean protein and healthy fats, according to NIH SeniorHealth, a division of the National Institutes of Health. Here, the SeniorHealth experts tell you what foods you should focus on: Fruits and vegetables – These foods… Continue reading Choosing Nutrient-Dense Foods
Soybean Oil: The Newest Nutritional Villain?
A diet high in soybean oil causes more obesity and diabetes than a diet high in fructose, a sugar commonly found in soda and processed foods, according to a new study. Research from scientists at the University of California, Riverside, fed male mice a series of four diets that contained 40 percent fat, similar to… Continue reading Soybean Oil: The Newest Nutritional Villain?
Why The FDA is Banning Trans Fats
Editor’s Note: Earlier this month, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) took a significant step by ordering food manufacturers to eliminate trans fats from their products by the year 2018. Here, from the FDA, is what you need to know about this crucial change: Trans fat intake has been linked to an increased risk… Continue reading Why The FDA is Banning Trans Fats
How “Good Fat” Talks to Your Brain
Brown fat tissue, the body’s “good fat,” communicates with the brain through sensory nerves, possibly sharing information that is important for fighting human obesity, such as how much fat we have and how much fat we’ve lost, according to researchers at Georgia State University in Atlanta. The findings, published in March 2015 in The Journal… Continue reading How “Good Fat” Talks to Your Brain
13 Benefits of Strength Training After 50
Editor’s note: In resistance training, also known as strength training, you strengthen your muscles via working against “resistance” such as hand weights, rubber resistance bands and even your own body. Here, Dr. Wayne Westcott, author of Strength Training Past 50 (http://www.humankinetics.com/products/all-products/The-Fitness-Professionals-Guide-to-Strength-Training-Older-Adults-2nd-Edition), shows you why it’s so beneficial. As always, check with your doctor before beginning… Continue reading 13 Benefits of Strength Training After 50
Fast-Food Portions Haven’t Gotten Any Bigger
Although the conventional wisdom is that restaurant portions have expanded over the years, that’s not always the case, according to new reports from researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (USDA HNRCA) at Tufts University. The studies actually show very little changes in fast-food portion sizes between 1996 and 2013. The average… Continue reading Fast-Food Portions Haven’t Gotten Any Bigger
Stuff the Turkey, Not Yourself: 10 Stay-Slim Tips for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is almost here, which means football, family, food, food, and more food. According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American may eat more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat! These figures don’t count breakfast or late-night snacking on leftovers, so many people probably eat well over 5,000 or 6,000 calories. No… Continue reading Stuff the Turkey, Not Yourself: 10 Stay-Slim Tips for Thanksgiving