BITS-O-WISDOM: "Old people shouldn't eat health foods. They need all the preservatives they can get." --Robert Orben

Diet for Pudgy Pets

We not only overfeed ourselves, but we overindulge our pets as well.

Obesity is reported in over 30% of dogs by veterinarians contributing to many ailments commonly associated with diet, namely; heart disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, respiratory problems and gastrointestinal disorders.

Now its Purina to the rescue with its Fit & Trim Weight Loss kit for dogs. The kit consists of a measuring cup (for giving the dog the proper amount of food), measuring tape (in case you can't tell just by looking), progress report (to keep track of whether you use the food cup?), and assorted tips.

Dog breeders agree that the show dogs that win prizes are those fed a healthy diet. Their coats shine, their eyes are bright, they are healthy and fit. You can be assured that no owner of a show dog ever slips the dog an extra "treat" from their dinner table.

This free Fit & Trim Weight Loss Kit is available at FitAndTrim.com or by calling 800-FIT-TRIM (800-348-8746), ext. 130.

McDonalds Lawsuit Dismissed

The first of likely many lawsuits against major food chains was dismissed in January 2003. Lawyers hot on the heels of the big money won in suits against tobacco companies are turning their attention to fast food chains; the first shots fired at McDonalds.

Most fast food chains have made their nutritional content available for years -- McDonald's claims its has been available for 30 years. People choose whether to eat at fast food restaurants, and there is simply no way to prove that eating at one restaurant (even if one did so daily for years) was the contributing cause to a person's obesity. There are simply too many variables such as what else they eat, whether they exercise, drink, smoke, or anything else that could contribute to poor health.

I predict two potential outcomes from suing Big Food:

1. Prices for fast food will rise. Someone has to pay for defending all the lawsuits, and that someone will be the consumer. Other companies, nervous about whether they are next, will raise prices as a preemptive strike against anticipated, expensive litigation.
2. New labeling laws will likely be passed, possibly requiring detailed labels on fast food packaging, so people can more easily read about the saturated fat, calories and sodium content while they enjoy their double-stuffed burger and triple-sized fries. The cost of producing these labels will also be passed on to the consumer. That's progress!

Two things you can do now:

1. If you eat fast food often, start asking for "Regular" instead of "Super" size. The average portion size has grown over 60% and we're simply being fed too much for our daily needs. That one change could take 10 lb. or more off your frame in a few months, not to mention save you money. (See my previous article on How to Save Money and Lose Weight.)
2. Cut back on eating fast food. If you eat out every day, cut back to five days a week. If you eat fast foods five days a week, cut back to three, then two, then once a week. By doing this you can slowly achieve a healthier lifestyle with minimal trauma to your usual habits. A healthy lifestyle can include fast food, just not as often, say every other week or once a month, whatever works for you and your family. You'll save money and lose weight at the same time, I guarantee it.

Tax Relief for Weight Loss Programs

If you haven't already, get the Taxpayer's Guide on IRS policy to Deduct Weight Control Treatment. Unfortunately this benefit only extends to those who attend commercial weight loss programs, and the benefit ceases when you reach your goal but it's a start.

What's New at OneMoreBite: Special Dietary Needs

A friend with food allergies gave me the idea to post a page with links to allergy free food sites, various sites where one can get information or order foods that are made to be free of the common allergens, such as wheat and dairy. If you know of others, please send me the info and I'll post it there as well.

Virtual Fruit Salad

Why go organic? Mix up your favorite fruit salads and find out what pesticides are in it. Are the chemicals you're eating everyday affecting your weight?

Bogus Advertising Alert

Amazing New Ingredients for Weight Loss?

I saw the following statements on a website for a well known company, doing business for over 20 years with a never ending series of products, each better than the last. I've altered their text so that where they referred to an "amazing new ingredient," I input either "Muscle Tissue," "Food," or "Vitamins and Minerals," and indicated those changes in all capital letters. Read through this list and see if you notice what I did:

Fat burning: MUSCLE TISSUE helps increase the body's resting metabolic rate and promotes fat burning. And MUSCLE TISSUE has active ingredients that help generate energy to break down fat cells.

Natural appetite control: FOOD is especially helpful for weight loss because of its thermogenic and appetite-suppressing properties. It also contains VITAMINS AND MINERALS, which support fat metabolism.

Metabolic boost: MUSCLE TISSUE has a natural thermogenic and energy-boosting effect. It also contains ACTIVE TISSUE, which has been shown to inhibit the body's fat-storing process.

Satiety control: FOOD, acts on the brain and central nervous system to promote the feeling of satiety and minimize cravings. Working synergistically with YOUR BODY these constituents help reduce appetite.

Feeling fuller: FOOD promotes appetite control, helping you feel full sooner and longer.

Antioxidant boost: Certain VITAMINS AND MINERALS help fight free radicals and support metabolism.

So you see, it isn't the fabulous new products, but good food with vitamins and minerals, and healthy muscle tissue which promote all of these benefits. A feeling of fullness? Satiety? Energy? Metabolic boost? Yes, all of these things are created through the process of feeding yourself well. Eat good food and be healthy.

Moral of the story: Eat good food, get exercise and build muscle tissue and you'll gain all these benefits without spending any money on the latest "miracle supplement."

Why Weight Loss Clinics Have Lifetime Memberships

Most national weight loss centers such as Jenny Craig offer "lifetime memberships" but I can't help but wonder why? If their system worked, why would you need to return, for life? Shouldn't you learn techniques to lose weight and and be free to live your life without a weight problem? Doesn't the idea of a lifetime plan infer that the plan won't work over the long-term? Food for thought ...

Deep Fried Mars Bars

Yes, it's true. Deep fried Mars Bars are actually sold around the world. A recipe I found states that it's a great way to enjoy two important food groups (sugar and grease).

WHO (World Health Organization) Dietary Recommendations

What is the best balance of fat/carbohydrate/protein? No one seems to know. Even the WHO (World Health Organization) offers recommendations that don't add up.

• Fat should comprise 15 percent to 30 percent of a person's diet, and saturated fats no more than 10 percent of this total.
• Protein should make up between 10 percent and 15 percent of the diet.
• Carbohydrate should account for no more than 75 percent of the diet.

So what is it? There is quite a range between 15% fat and 30%, and their top recommendation of 15% for protein is light-years away from the popular high protein diets today which recommend closer to 30%. How are we suppose to make sense of all this conflicting information?

Simple. Choose a dietary balance that works for you, your lifestyle, and your eating style. Are you happy eating mostly high fat, protein sources? Do you feel well? Are you able to avoid the low energy and bad breath? If so, perhaps that eating style appeals to you. We're all different, so no one eating style will apply to everyone.

For me, I prefer more complex carbohydrates and less fat, which is how I've maintained my weight most of my adult life. You can read my story at Success @ Weight Loss.

I've fallen off the wagon and gotten back into the habit of sugared cereals, donuts, fast foods, deli take-out, ice cream and snacks in front of the TV. It's not hard to do, but it's also not hard to change back to healthier eating. What is most difficult at first is that sweets, sugary, fried, crispy, batter dipped, all taste good. It is reasonable to become quickly accustom to eating these foods because they just taste good, but how do they make you feel? Have you ever given yourself a chance to experience what it feels like to eat well?

As an experiment, you might want to try something different than the usual low calorie, fad diet plan. Instead, try eating well for a week. Just one week, feed yourself well.

Stop Counting Fat Grams?

This whole business of paying attention to fat, calories, protein, and/or carbohydrates is out-of-control. It's become a nightmare with some folks saying do this, others do that. Today I read an article that said to stop counting fat grams, and instead pay attention to how much saturated fat (meats and dairy) and trans fats (processed foods) you're eating. How that is not still paying attention to fat is beyond me.

That recommendation simply means to cut back on eating a lot of meat, eggs, cheese (dairy) and reduce eating processed foods that contain hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated oils. There is even evidence that trans fats may be more harmful than saturated fats, which isn't surprising considering that trans fats are entirely man made, while saturated fats are from animals and a few vegetables (coconut for instance contains saturated fat).

I believe the attempt was to recommend eating less dairy and meat (protein), and less processed foods, a healthy recommendation either way.

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Home Exercises - Push-ups

How long since you tried doing push-ups? Did you know most exercises can be performed using only your own body weight for resistance? There is no need to buy lots of expensive equipment or join a gym, unless that is what you prefer. Otherwise, get back to basics. It's easy and fun.

Nearly everyone knows how to do a push up, whether the "girl" style with your knees on the floor, or not, they are an excellent way to tone your back, shoulders. Here are the World Records for Push Ups (plus simple diagrams) which I was curious about because my ex-husband who's 70-years old is doing well over 200 push-ups a day. The official record for push-ups done in one minute is 138 set by William T. Mello (USA) 30 May 2002. Way to go Mello!

Wacky Developments in Food

Three-year old sandwich - coming to a store near you?

Can you eat a 3-year old sandwich? Yes, if the military breakthrough filters down to store shelves you can. Many food products such as dehydrated egg, freeze-dried coffee and processed cheese were invented by the military, and are now an accepted part of modern life.

Now the military has developed a vacuum-sealed sandwich that stays fresh for up to three years at 26C (79F), or for six months at 38C (100F). Besides the packaging, chemicals retard the growth of bacteria; hence, it stays fresh longer.

What this means for the nutritional value of the food is unclear. Since field rations are meant to be used in harsh, battlefield conditions, usually for short periods of time, the military design is not overly concerned with the true nutritional merits of the product. That's fine, for the military, but what does it mean when the "miracle packaging" makes it way to our store shelves? Can those same chemicals also retard growth of other cells after we've ingested them?

TRIVIA BITS:

My copy of a 1939 booklet, Clarence E. Bligh's Health Guide states:

Aspirin Kills Rabbit: Dr. Manville of the University of Oregon Medical School was reported to have administered aspirin to a rabbit causing its death. The animal was restored to life on a diet of raw milk and powdered dry apple. Winesap apples were used which are unusually rich in glucuronic acid which is an antidote to aspirin.

Wow, that's some pretty potent apples!

Sites of Interest

Yours in good eating,
Kathryn Martyn, M.NLP