In this Corner....

Low Carb vs. Low Fat: Which is better?

Turn on the TV or pick up a magazine. You cannot help but read or hear a report on the latest weight loss craze. The latest opponents to face off are low fat vs. low carb diets. It reminds you of the old light beer commercial. Where half the room yells …”Less filling”...And the other half yell back  ...”tastes great”.

So if you want to lose weight AND reduce your risk factors for heart disease, should you go low-carbs or low-fat?

A new study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine included 148 men and women who showed no clinical signs of cardiovascular disease or diabetes. They were assigned to follow either a low-carbohydrate or a low-fat diet. All were given dietary counseling, but had no set calorie goals and were asked not to change their physical activity levels.

After one year, the people on the low-carbohydrate diet lost more weight and had greater decreases in fat mass and other cardiovascular risk factors than those on the low-fat regimen. Reductions in LDL or bad cholesterol were similar in both groups. But HDL or good cholesterol levels increased more in those following the low-carb diet.

Overall, participants who went low-carb had significant decreases in their estimated 10-year risk for coronary heart disease while those eating low-fat did not.

The researchers say while there have been questions about the effects of a low-carb diet on the heart their findings show restricting carbohydrates may be an option for weight loss and cutting cardiovascular risk factors.

You say Too-MAY-to, I say Ta-MUH-to...

Once considered a deadly fruit, this  member of the nightshade family has many health benefits. The tomato is the primary dietary source for lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant which purportedly fights the free radicals that can interfere with normal cell growth and activity. These free radicals can potentially lead to cancer, heart disease and premature aging. A study at Johns Hopkins found that increased intake of lycopene, just 2 servings per day, is linked to  lower risks of cardiovascular disease.  A far cry from just 400 years ago when the tomato was feared and known as the wolf's peach.

Tomatoes are also high in vitamin C and contain good amounts of potassium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin B. 

As a source of fiber, one medium tomato will equal one slice of whole wheat bread for only 35 calories. 

Big boy, heirloom or beefsteak- Grilled or chilled.. lets celebrate these Jersey  beauties!! 

Try these tips and avoid emotional eating...

Emotional eating is a common solution for many people during times of stress, depression, anxiety, and several other emotions.  However, it isn't going to help you deal with your emotions and it isn't going to help you achieve your weight loss goals.  Food really shouldn't be your escape from your emotions.  It doesn't alleviate the emotions or solve any problems, it just becomes an instant and momentary satisfaction that leads to more guilt.  Instead of becoming a victim to your emotions try these emotional eating alternatives.       

Exercise

Exercise is a great emotional eating alternative.  Just a little exercise can increase your overall health and your sense of well-being.  It also causes a release of endorphins which are the brain’s feel good neurotransmitters.  This release of endorphins ultimately makes you feel better.

Hobbies

Since a hobby is something that is undertaken for pleasure and relaxation it is great way to distract yourself from your problems or emotions and avoid emotional eating.  In most cases, hobbies give you the opportunity to create new projects and try new things and this can leave you feeling fulfilled. 

Write

Writing is one of the simplest forms of expression.  This is an excellent emotional eating alternative because it allows you to express your feelings and work through them but it can also be a great way to take your mind of off your feelings and get creative in other ways. 

Support

Spend time with your family or a close friend.  Simply sharing your emotions or taking the time to vent about your day can have a beneficial impact on your mood.  These are people who will be there for you no matter what and are great for listening and sharing in whatever is troubling you.  That support system is great at helping to alleviate the feelings. 

Give Yourself a Massage

Intentionally massaging tense areas can ease the tension but it will also release chemicals in your body that will help you feel better.

Drink some Tea

Black tea can reduce your cortisol levels which will reduce your cravings and help to ease your stress. 

Chew

Try chewing on a piece of gum or a straw.  Chewing on something before you eat will significantly reduce your appetite. 

Trying these emotional eating alternatives should help you skip the emotional eating and stick to your weight loss plan. 

YOU WANT ME TO INJECT WHAT???

Quite recently there has been a renewed interest in the HCG diet. You may have heard of this "new" diet craze where women and men are injecting themselves with HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin hormone. Yes, you are correct; HCG is the hormone that is found in pregnant women. So why would you knowingly inject this pregnancy hormone into your body.  And how does that help you lose weight?  Dr. Daniel DePrince of Timeless Anti Aging in Moorestown, NJ helps clear up some common HCG myths and misconceptions.

1.   HCG is just the latest diet fad to hit to become popular.

The HCG Diet was initially created by Dr. A.T.W. Simeons, in the 1950’s and outlined in his original manuscript, "Pounds and Inches:  A Guide to Weight Loss."  This plan was intended for seriously obese individuals already at high risk for serious health issues because of their weight.  Over time, the diet has been modified by individual physicians and nutritionists to meet the needs of today and to include what we now know about health and weight loss.  This has resulted in an entirely new approach to the original protocol, focused on getting people truly healthy, and not just thin.  After all, it's not about being skinny, it's about being healthy! 

2. You don’t really have to follow the diet, you can still lose weight by just giving yourself injections.
Fact: Your body needs to think it is in “starvation mode” in order for the HCG to release your stored fats to live on. Many people have “cheated” and still lost weight, but those getting the best, long-term results are the ones who follow the protocol exactly.

3. You can’t eat late at night while on HCG.
Fact: WHAT you eat matters much more than WHEN you eat. Following the protocol and making sure you are eating enough protein and nutrient-rich vegetables are the most important ways to ensure you are losing fat, not muscle.

4. Cosmetics, oils and body creams keep you from losing weight while on the diet.
Fact: When Dr. Simeons pioneered the HCG diet in the 1950s, nutritional research was in an infancy state. While he was right about a lot of things, his belief that cosmetics, oils and body creams prevented weight loss while on HCG has been proven false by decades of further research and understanding. Yes, ladies, you can continue to use cosmetics while on HCG.

5. You cannot exercise while on HCG.
Fact: The HCG diet is considered “exercise neutral,” meaning that people lose weight whether they exercise or not. Although we don’t recommend that you start a new, intense exercise regimen while on the diet, most people are able to do whatever activities they have energy for and feel good doing. If your body is used to daily workouts, keep them up!

6. Anyone can lose weight eating only 500 calories a day. You don’t need the injections.
Fact: If you go on a very low calorie diet without HCG,  and your body goes into “starvation mode” your metabolism slows down. In this mode, your body is programmed to store fat instead of burning it, in order to create reserves to make it throughout the period of starvation. Then when the diet ends, the body will store even more fat as normal calorie consumption begins, to prepare for the next possible period of starvation. This is the common cycle people tend to fall into when dieting, and this is the reason they never keep weight off. With HCG in your system, your body is stimulated to burn fat during the low calorie period, so it does not fall into the cycle of storing fat as reserves, and your metabolism continues to stay high since your body is working to burn that fat. This will keep you from storing unwanted fat during the diet, and from having a rebound weight gain after the diet has ended.

7. You can order the HCG drops online and don’t need medical supervision to follow the diet.
Fact: The highest quality and concentration of HCG is not available without a prescription so if you order the drops online, you’re getting a diluted and possibly low quality form of HCG. Studies have found that injections work better than the drops because injection clients are less hungry and more regimented about follow-through. It’s important that you follow the diet under medical supervision so that a doctor can monitor your progress and ensure that you are losing fat not muscle. The diet itself can be a challenge for some patients and with medical supervision and support, you are more likely to lose the desired amount of weight and keep it off.

Remember there is no magic pill or easy way to get the figure you want.  The work you put into losing weight will reflect itself in the mirror and on the scale. Always follow a weight loss phase with stabilization and maintenance this will keep the weight off, not just for a brief time but for a lifetime.