FitSugar

No-Brainer or No Way: Could You Give Up Any of These White Foods?

Lizzie Fuhr — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 21:18:51 PDT

While new research is popping up all over about the dangers of refined carbs - last week we learned white rice increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes - Americans continue to chow down. Giving up certain foods may seem like a no-brainer, but everyone has a favorite that is difficult to say goodbye to. I'm curious to know if you're able give up any of these white foods for good. Click through and cast your vote on each of the following foods!

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

Get Ready For Bikini Season With These 5 Debloating Foods

Michele Foley — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 03:08:47 PDT

With bikini season right around the corner, being bloated is the last thing you want to feel. First things first: lay off the soda and alcohol, and stay away from salty, fatty foods (refined carbs, too!). By doing so, you'll feel less puffy and gassy and more ready for the two-piece suit that's calling your name. From there, incorporate these five debloating foods into your diet, and you're one step closer to a flat belly.

3 Ways to Indulge Your Sweet Tooth Without Blowing Your Diet

Prevention — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:09:14 PDT

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Prevention here on FitSugar!

By Amy Ahlberg, Prevention

You already know that a too-strict eating plan can backfire, resulting in a blowout binge or, worse, throwing you off the wagon altogether. But when it comes to allowing yourself a little leeway, moderation is key. But what does "moderation" even mean? For gourmands, a cheeseburger a week might seem reasonable; for health nuts, maybe it's one every three months - minus the cheese and bun. To find out who's right, we turned to Sarah Krieger, RD, and Joan Salge Blake, RD, spokespeople for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For starters, they say you should only indulge in what you love - and skip the rest. If you don't have a weakness for fries, don't eat them just because they're there, and if you don't have a sweet tooth, don't have dessert simply because your dinner buddy does. "For me, I skip pizza and burgers, but I eat a great-tasting sweet treat every day," says Krieger. "I balance it with exercise and eating a variety of nutritious foods." For more tips, read our list. But first, some ground rules:

Free! Lose Weight Like a Biggest Loser With This One-Week Plan

Step one: If you're overweight or have health concerns - especially heart disease or diabetes - talk to your doctor. This advice is based on an average 2,000-calorie diet, consumed by American adults at a healthy weight.

Step two: "Take a look at how active you really are. With most of our lifestyles, we don't need a lot of calories in order to maintain a stable weight," says Salge Blake. Go overboard too often, and your waistline - not to mention your heart and your pancreas - may pay the price.

Step three: Keep a food diary and ask yourself, from a caloric standpoint, If I have this indulgence, what foods will I need to avoid this week to balance it out? Now read on for our tips on how to budget your binge allowance this week - and every week.

Keep reading to learn how satisfy your sweet tooth and stay on track.

What Do You Want to Change About Your Diet?

Leta Shy — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:12:50 PST

March is National Nutrition Month, and throughout the month, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is raising awareness about how to change all those unhealthy eating habits we've grown accustomed to. They're starting with what's usually on your plate: heaping portions, large cuts of meat, few vegetables, and refined carbs.

Making over your plate is an important step in developing a healthy diet, but there are lots of other habits we can't seem to quit when it comes to food. Whether it's eating when you're not hungry or opting for take-out instead of cooking at home, figuring out (and sticking to) healthy dietary practices can be a struggle.

In honor of the month, let us know: what's the biggest change you'd like to make in your diet?

3 Ways Fruit Can Cause Weight Gain

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:19:17 PST

Although many diets suggest limiting fruit intake due to sugar and carb levels, fresh fruit is a low-cal source of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. That said, there are still ways that eating fruit can lead to unwanted weight gain. Keep reading to see which ways to avoid eating fruit when looking to lose weight.

Drinking It
A medium orange contains 62 calories and 3.1 grams of fiber. On the other hand, an eight-ounce glass of OJ will run you 108 calories and offer zero grams of fiber. Juice may be an easy way to take in vitamins and minerals, but it's usually high in calories and lacking in fiber. If you can't forgo that daily cup of juice, at least cut back on sugar by enjoying a blend of fresh-pressed fruit and vegetables.

Keep reading for two more ways eating fruit can lead to weight gain.

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.