FitSugar

Atkins Diet: A-OK?

Michele Foley — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:47:00 PST

In 2004, Atkins was the diet: low carb! high protein! The problem was that people were filling up on fatty burgers, bacon, and steaks, and it wasn't long before the diet lost some credibility. Years later, a new study says that a low-carb diet may be the best way to maintain weight loss.

The study followed 773 adults who had previously lost at least eight percent of their body weight on a low-calorie diet. After losing the weight, each adult was assigned to a different type of weight maintenance diet that contained different amounts of fat, protein, or carbs (both high and low glycemic). Of the 548 people who completed the full 26 weeks, those who ate a diet low in protein and high in refined carbs gained a significant amount of weight, while people following diets that were high in protein and low in carbs kept the most amount of weight off. Individuals in the success group noted having more energy and were less hungry most of the time.

While we are not taking the results of this study as a throwback to the Atkins, it is confirmation of something that we've believed for awhile now: cut back on refined grains! Refined grains have been shown to be addictive and spike blood sugar in the body, which means that bit of energy you feel will not sustain itself and you'll get hungrier sooner. Start ridding your shelves of white bread, pasta, and sugar, and replace it whole hearty grains, instead.

Are You Addicted to Refined Carbs?

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:00 PST

New research out of New Zealand found that refined carbs, essentially white flour and white sugar, are as addictive as cigarettes. They found that heavily processed foods with a high amount of refined carbohydrates, like sugary cereals and sweet baked goods, quickly raise the amount of sugar in the blood, and that this "sugar rush" activates the same areas of the brain stimulated by nicotine and other addictive drugs. Like other addictions, the refined carbs loses its effectiveness in creating the desired rush forcing folks to eat more refined carbs to capture the high. They eat more sweets despite the negative consequences, a defining element of addiction. These findings support the research out of Princeton that sugar has addictive qualities. That Cinnabon might not be as innocent as it seems.

I have been avoiding refined carbs for a long time now. Sticking with whole grains and keeping refined sugar in check leaves me feeling more even emotionally. But what about you . . .

Source

Refined Carbs Linked to Throat Cancer?

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 13:30:00 PDT

In case you were still eating refined carbs (foods made with white flour), here's some news that may help curb your craving. Eating products made with refined white flour like white bread, bagels, pasta, and cakes may increase your chance of throat cancer (also called cancer of the esophagus). Interestingly enough, this kind of cancer is also linked to obesity and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which may also be caused by eating a lot of refined carbs.

We're talking about foods that are very low in nutrients here. So not only is it a good idea to limit your intake of refined carbs because they won't give you nourishment or energy, but with this news, now we know those foods may also cause disease.

Fit's Tip: There's no reason to eliminate the foods you love, just find healthier alternatives that are made with whole grain flour instead.

Source

Eat Cake For Breakfast and Lose Weight, Study Says

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:21:52 PST

If your insatiable sweet tooth is preventing you from losing weight, findings from a recent study may be just the thing to help you slim down. Researchers found those who ate a large breakfast that included something sweet lost weight and were able to keep off more pounds than those who ate a small breakfast.

A group of 193 obese adults (not a huge study) were split into two groups. One ate a large, 600-calorie breakfast that included a sweet item such as a cookie, cake, or doughnut. The other group ate a 300-calorie breakfast with no dessert. Both groups ate the same amount of calories daily: 1,600 for men and 1,400 for women.

Keep reading to find out more details about cake and weight loss.

Weight Loss Rules You're Allowed to Break

Jenny Sugar — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:58:49 PST

If you love to eat, losing weight can seem so structured, you immediately get frustrated and grab the first decadent food you can find. Even though there are some very specific guidelines that can help you reach your goal faster, there's no one-size-fits-all weight-loss plan for everyone. Here are five rules you can bend and still drop pounds from the scale.

No Cheesecake, Wine, or French Fries
While dessert, alcohol, and fried foods tend to be high in calories, just because you want to lose weight doesn't mean you have to live without the foods you adore. Actually, denying yourself the bites you crave can backfire, causing you to feel deprived, resulting in bingeing. You can't eat these foods all the time, but it's perfectly healthy to enjoy a few spoonfuls of ice cream or a small glass of chardonnay every once in a while. Just limit your portion sizes and only indulge about once a week.

Salad, Every Day
Salads aren't for everyone, and the dissatisfied feeling you get afterward could cause you to head to the nearest pizza joint. Plus salad toppings can really add up. When a bowl of greens is covered in candied walnuts, cheese, dried cranberries, avocado, and creamy dressing, a seemingly healthy salad can run higher in calories than a burger. If you're not into a bowl of raw veggies, choose other low-calorie meals that incorporate veggies such as sandwiches, broth-based soups, grilled veggies, and whole-grain salads. You have to enjoy the foods you're eating in order to stick with a healthy meal plan.

Keep reading to find out three more diet rules you can break and still lose weight.

Naomi Campbell Feels Carbs Are a Treat

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:07:03 PST

With the birth of the Atkins diet, carbs immediately got a bad reputation. It seems like everyone I know has gone on a carb-free diet at least once in their lives to lose weight, and even Naomi Campbell is no stranger to forgoing carbs. In the March issue of Harper's Bazaar, the 41-year-old model admits that she's blessed with a high metabolism, but she also exercises and watches her diet. Naomi works hard to maintain her famous model figure and says, "For me, carbs are a treat now."

I can see ditching refined carbs - foods made with white flour, like bagels, cookies, cakes, and pasta - since they have very little nutritional value. But whole grain bread and cereals, whole wheat pasta, and whole grains like quinoa and barley are super nutritious. These complex carbs contain protein to sustain energy levels and filling fiber to curb hunger, both of which can help you lose weight. However, there is definitely some validity to cutting carbs and losing weight. A recent study showed that cutting carbs twice a week was more effective than eating a low-calorie diet, so I can see why some women may choose to limit their carb intake in the name of weight loss. How do you feel about carbs?

Source: Karim Sadli for Harper’s Bazaar

Do You Eat Whatever You Want Over the Weekends?

Michele Foley — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:04:40 PST

Normally I only see my workout buddies during the week. We meet at the gym, and they're always in uber-fitness and healthy-diet mode. After months of only hanging on the treadmill, we got together a few times this weekend. Since I was so used to hearing them discuss diets and workout regimens, I was shocked to see these gals eating and drinking anything - and everything - they wanted.

They explained that during the week, their diets are strict, regimented, and controlled. Once the weekend rolls around, it's all out the window: indulgent brunches, Bloody Mary happy hours, and a Saturday spent bar hopping are all the norm. They told me that they "bank" calories during the week to use on the weekend. While I definitely give myself a little break on weekends, I am still pretty mindful of what I eat. Especially since two days filled with booze, fried foods, and refined carbs is enough to leave me feeling hungover into the work week.

Tired, Bloated, and Puffy? How to Survive the Post-Trip Hangover

Michele Foley — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:06:47 PST

Whether it's for fun, business, or to see the family, traveling can be a major disruption to a daily routine. Sleep schedules get screwed up, exercise routines are thrown off, and a healthy homemade meal is out of the question. Once you return home, it can be hard to get back to a healthy routine. Before letting yourself completely go, follow these small tips for easing your way back.

Give Your Body a Mini-Detox
I'm not suggesting a juice cleanse, but give your body a break by eating as clean as possible. Choose whole, natural foods, and try to stay away from alcohol, fatty foods, refined sugar, and simple carbs. After this mini-detox, you'll find that you're feeling better and all of those unhealthy cravings you developed on vacation are a thing of the past. Here are 10 healthy foods with natural cleansing properties to include in your next meal. Also make sure to drink plenty of water since it will ward off fatigue, headaches, and irritability.

See more tips for surviving a post-trip hangover after the break!

Halloween Sugar Overload? Get Back on Track With These Tips

Leta Shy — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 03:08:10 PDT

Even the healthiest among us can't help but get into the Halloween fun, and while everything's good in moderation, sometimes a night of temptation means we allow ourselves to go overboard. Whether you've snacked on trick-or-treating leftovers too much or are still recovering from the weekend, here are some ideas to get back on track for the rest of the week.

Break the sugar addiction: Spent the holiday eating way too many fun-size treats? Eating a lot of sugar will only make you crave it more, so your Monday of celebration may be leading to mindless reaching for your candy stash the rest of the week. If you're craving sweets, take celebrity trainer Jackie Warner's advice: take five days to wean yourself off sugar and refined carbs by eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies instead. If forgoing sugar altogether seems impossible (especially in light of leftover holiday treats), check out our tips for reducing your sugar cravings.

Stop the hangover: If you overdid it with a multinight costumed celebration, now's the time for post-Halloween hangover remedies. Get back on track by helping your overpartied body. Here are five morning-after fixes to help cure your hangover.

Read more healthy post-Halloween tips after the break.

5 Energy-Boosting Snacks to Send Away the Afternoon Slump

Michele Foley — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:06:21 PDT

The dreaded afternoon slump - it's enough to make you want to crawl under your desk and sleep. While a snack high in refined carbs, fat, or sugar may sound like a good idea, it'll have you crashing way before the day is over. Instead of reaching for a candy bar, opt for a snack rich in complex carbs, protein, and fiber. Not only are the following snacks nutritious, they will ward away feelings of sluggishness while also keeping you full until dinner.