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Happy Hangover-Free New Year!
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2012 CommentWhen you hear the term, "drink responsibly," you'll probably think about the connection between drinking and driving. Around this time of year, that association could represent the difference between life and death.
[See 9 Holiday Health Hazards to Avoid]
Too much alcohol could also result in a date with the porcelain bowl if you're not careful or bring a throbbing headache the day after drinking. Whatever comes to your mind when you envision a hangover, it's not a pretty picture.
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Google's Most Popular Diets of 2012
Tweet Share on Facebook December 27, 2012 CommentAs the year comes to an end, I like to think about all the diets that have come and gone. This year I did an online search and found a list of Google's top trending diets, based on queries with the highest amount of traffic. Below are my thoughts on the diets deemed 2012's most popular:
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Cocoa, 3 Ways
Tweet Share on Facebook December 26, 2012 CommentWhen you think of cocoa, you're probably reminded of your favorite decadent dessert or candy bar. Yes, cocoa is indeed often an ingredient in both of these treats, but it's certainly not what gives them their sweet taste.
A byproduct of cocoa beans, cocoa powder is what is left over after cocoa butter is extracted from the bean. While cocoa butter is high in fat and calories, the powder is low in calories, loaded with fiber and nutrients, and provides a host of health benefits. Studies have shown that cocoa powder is associated with decreased blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels.
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Why Juice 'Cleanses' Don't Deliver
Tweet Share on Facebook December 26, 2012 CommentEven before the hangovers have cleared on New Year's Day, throngs of diet-related resolutions will officially take effect. And for a growing number of Americans, these will include some form of a so-called "detox diet" or "cleanse."
The most common versions of these diets generally involve juicing—either complete liquid juice fasts, or spartan, juice-based diet plans that allow some solid foods free from sugar, meat, gluten, or a number of other purported "toxins." Many include a regimen of proprietary (read: expensive) supplements. Some of the more popular commercial juicing programs can cost upwards of $60 per day. Let me repeat that: $60 per day. For juice.
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That Which We Call a Snack
Tweet Share on Facebook December 21, 2012 CommentSnacking is much vilified in an age of epidemic obesity, and to some extent rightly so. The appellation "junk food" has come to be all but synonymous with "snack foods." With regard to many of the popular options, it is clear they are both snacks and junk—and rather less clear that they are food. I am pretty sure I have seen some of them glow in the dark.
Of course, it was never reasonable to allow "junk" to evolve into a food group in the first place, nor to habituate to use of the term as something cute and fun and harmless. It was that much less reasonable to watch the category of junk become a major portion of our diets and a leading source of calories, particularly for our children.
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Eat, Drink, and Be Wary: How to Avoid Holiday Weight Gain
Tweet Share on Facebook December 20, 2012 CommentThe holiday season brings thoughts of shopping, vacations, tree trimming, snowy days, and family gatherings. And whether it's at the office, a friend's home, a supermarket, or a countertop … there's a good chance that place will be laced with food.
Although you'll come face-to-face with lots of indulgent goodies, that doesn't mean every temptation will be "special." A "special" food is worth its calories, even if it causes you to gain weight. These types of foods are unique and may not be available during the rest of year.
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Should You Make New Year's Resolutions?
Tweet Share on Facebook December 20, 2012 CommentEarly in the holiday season, often as soon as Thanksgiving has passed, many of us start making plans for New Year's Eve. And then almost automatically, it's on to New Year's resolutions for the upcoming year. Personally, I never make even one resolution. I'd go as far as saying I have a problem with them—maybe because almost everyone who makes New Year's resolutions fails to see them through.
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Celebrate Moderation This Season
Tweet Share on Facebook December 19, 2012 CommentToday's post is a short one as I know everyone's busy bustling about, getting ready for time off, holiday parties, and notching up another year on life's headboard.
I've seen hundreds, if not thousands, of people go through the holiday season hoping to manage their weight. I've seen large gains, small gains, the status quo, and even some losses. But one thing's for sure: As far as long-term likelihood of success goes, extremes are bad omens.
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A Family 'Poo-rtrait' for the Holidays
Tweet Share on Facebook December 18, 2012 CommentWith Christmas just a week away, I imagine lots of you are scrambling to get that annual family portrait taken in time to send out a "Season's Greetings" card. But not so for the Freumans this year! That's because I've already lined up plans for our first-ever family "poo-rtrait."
I know what you're thinking. What on earth is a poo-rtrait? Is it as gross as it sounds? Why on earth would someone do this? And: I hope I'm not on her mailing list!
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How to Keep Alcohol Calories in Check
Tweet Share on Facebook December 14, 2012 CommentNo doubt about it—the holidays can be a fattening time. From cookie exchanges to company parties, there are countless opportunities for extra calories to creep into our lives. While indulgent desserts and heavy dinners may be partially to blame for the higher scale numbers come January, few people chalk up that extra padding to the adult beverages they enjoyed throughout the season. According to a recent report released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alcohol is one of the top contributors of empty calories in the American diet, with most of us averaging about 100 calories a day from alcohol. That's enough to lead to a pound of weight gained over one month.
