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Nov 19th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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As women age, its natural for their bodies to experience some changes. Women over 50 may shift nutrition priorities to

As women age, its natural for their bodies to experience some changes. Women over 50 may shift nutrition priorities to focus on managing weight, controlling menopause symptoms, supporting brain function or generally maintaining overall health.

Menopause typically begins between age 45 and 55, according to the National Institute on Aging, and this transition involves multiple changes that can result in weight gain, estimated to be about 1.5 pounds per year, particularly around the midsection.

Changes in hormones, a slower metabolism, reduced activity levels, loss of muscle mass and even trouble sleeping all contribute to weight gain.

Why Women Gain Weight After 50

A loss of muscle mass leads to a slower metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight, explains Lisa R. Young, a registered dietitian and adjunct professor of nutrition at New York University in New York City.

Energy levels may decline as women get older, resulting in a decrease in physical activity, says Lisa Jones, a registered dietitian based in Philadelphia. Around the time they turn 50, Jones says some women become less physically active than they were at earlier stages of their lives because of increased career demands, focus on raising kids or the need to care for aging parents.

Poor sleep, which is quite common during menopause, may also contribute to weight gain.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that interrupted sleep and lower estrogen levels both independently affected how the participants bodies used fat, which they conclude may contribute to body fat gain in menopause.

It may feel like you woke up one day and your pants didnt zip, but its likely that you were gaining a pound or so every year during your 40s, at least according to the limited research available about women and weight gain, says Boston area based registered dietitian Elizabeth Ward, co-author of The Menopause Diet Plan.

Ward also warns against restrictive diets. Women should avoid quick weight-loss schemes because they will not last and they can be dangerous because of the lack of nutrients.

[READ: Best Ways to Lose Weight After 40]

Important Nutrients for Older Women

Certain nutrients become even more important for women over 50, so its important to follow a healthy eating regimen geared for older people that includes adequate levels of these essential nutrients.

Protein

Why its important: Women over 50 need more protein because the body doesnt process and use it as efficiently, says Ward. This macronutrient is especially important for preserving muscle mass, which we lose as we age. Protein also helps women maintain strength, protect bone health and aids wound healing. Some studies suggest increasing protein intake after menopause to help prevent weight gain.

How much you need: The Recommended Dietary Allowance for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. Importantly, other guidelines recommend even more protein for postmenopausal women: 1.0 to 1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight, which translates to 68 to 81 grams of protein per day for a postmenopausal woman who weighs 150 pounds.

Best sources of protein: Lean beef, pork poultry, seafood, low-fat dairy products, eggs, legumes, nuts and plant-based proteins, such as tofu and tempeh are good sources of protein and can be incorporated at every meal.

Calcium

Why its important: Once menopause occurs, and arguably during perimenopause when estrogen is declining, women need more calcium, says Ward. The loss of estrogen reduces the bodys ability to absorb calcium, a nutrient that is critical to keeping bones strong and preventing osteoporosis.

How much you need: 1,200 mg is the RDA for women over 50.

Best sources of calcium: Calcium can be found in both dairy and nondairy foods, including low-fat milk and yogurt, salmon, sardines, tofu and fortified foods and beverages like orange juice with added calcium.

[READ: Best Diets for Seniors.]

Vitamin D

Why its important:

While vitamin D needs do not increase at menopause, most women fail to get enough, says Ward. Vitamin D is necessary to absorb calcium and deposit it in your bones, she says. Vitamin D also plays a vital role in immune health and may be protective against cardiovascular disease.

How much you need: 15 mcg or 600 IU is the RDA for women over 50.

Best sources of vitamin D: Fatty fish, mushrooms grown under UV lights, eggs and fortified foods and beverages are good sources of vitamin D.

Vitamin B12

Why its important: Stomach acid is required to process naturally-occurring vitamin B12, and upwards of 30% of people in midlife and beyond dont have enough acid to perform this task properly, says Ward. Vitamin B12 is important for red blood cell production to help prevent anemia and aids in the function and development of brain and nerve cells.

How much you need: 2.4 mcg is RDA for women over 50.

Best sources: Vitamin B12 is found naturally in foods of animal origins, including fish, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy. It can also be found in fortified foods like cereals and nutritional yeast. Ward recommends that women over 50 get most of their vitamin B12 from synthetic forms in supplements and fortified foods because it doesnt require stomach acid to absorb.

Best Diets for Women Over 50

These are the three best diets for women over 50 because they are rich in important nutrients and may help with weight management and overall health.

DASH diet.

Mediterranean diet.

MIND diet.

Menopause diet.

[See: 10 Superfoods for Older Adults.]

DASH diet

The DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) diet is a heart-healthy eating plan thats ideal for women over 50. Heart disease is still the countrys number one killer of women, and women over 50 are at an increased risk. DASH gets a perfect score from the American Heart Association, who praised the diet for its emphasis on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy and lean proteins.

This diet is low in sodium, added sugars, tropical oils (such as coconut and palm oils that are high in saturated fat), alcohol and processed foods. Its abundant in fiber and a trio of essential minerals: calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

The DASH diet not only reduces blood pressure for those with hypertension, it is a well-balanced eating plan for everyone, says registered dietitian Rosanne Rust, coauthor of DASH Diet For Dummies.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease and is often underdiagnosed, she says.

The DASH eating plan supports healthy aging because of the abundance of fruits and vegetables that contain protective plant compounds and the emphasis on foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which support brain health, says Rust.

Mediterranean diet

The Mediterranean diet, which originates from the cuisines of countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, is an extensively-studied diet that has consistently shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and improve overall health. For the sixth year in a row it has been rated the No. 1 diet overall by U.S. News panel of Best Diets experts. So its no surprise that the Mediterranean diet is an ideal approach for women over 50.

The Mediterranean diet emphasizes whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats like olive oil, along with twice weekly servings of fish and seafood and moderate portions of dairy eggs and poultry. The diet includes only occasional servings of red meat and is low in refined grains, added sugars and highly processed foods.

MIND diet

A hybrid of the first two diets, the MIND diet is short for Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay and targets the aging brain. Evidence continues to show that the MIND diet may help maintain cognitive function, including a 2022 study published in Alzheimers Research & Therapy that found the MIND diet was linked to a lower risk of dementia within the first seven years of follow-ups (although associations disappeared after longer follow-up periods).

The MIND diet is a plant-rich eating regimen that includes foods that research suggests help boost brain function, including fruits (especially berries), dark leafy greens and other vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains and olive oil.

While the aim of the MIND diet is brain health, this eating plan may also benefit heart health, diabetes and certain cancers because it includes a combination of the Mediterranean and DASH diets.

All three diets highlight plant-based foods and limit the intake of animal products and foods high in saturated fat.

Menopause diet

The menopause diet is similar to the Mediterranean and DASH diets with a focus on plants and whole foods, but is especially designed to help women manage the effects of changing hormones throughout the menopausal transition.

A beneficial resource for the diet is expertly captured in The Menopause Diet Plan: A Natural Guide to Hormones, Health, and Happiness by two Boston-area registered dietitians who specialize in menopausal nutrition Elizabeth Ward and Hillary Wright.

The plant-forward menopause diet includes 25 to 30 grams of protein and 7 to 10 grams of fiber per meal, seafood twice a week, and limits saturated fat, sodium, added sugars and alcohol.

The eating plan along with regular physical activity offers a natural approach to help reduce hot flashes, manage sleep, improve energy levels, and reduce mood swings, says Ward. Its also designed to preserve muscle mass and help prevent bone and heart disease, she adds.

While the menopause diet does not include any strict guidelines, it does recommend avoiding eating after dinner.

Obey the rhythm of your body by eating most of your calories during the earlier part of the day, Ward says. Skipping late night snacking can help you sleep better and wake up hungry for a balanced breakfast to start the day off on the right foot.

Is Dieting Safe for Women Older Than 50?

Restrictive dieting may be especially damaging after age 50 because these diets often lack nutrients that are especially important later in life. Instead of removing foods or food groups, focus on adding foods that offer heart-healthy, bone-strengthening and brain-supporting nutrients.

Rather than severely cutting calories to try to lose weight, Ward recommends increasing physical activity, especially strength training.

We are big proponents of strength training because it builds muscle that burns a few more calories per pound, but mostly because it keeps you strong enough to do all the activity you want and need to stay healthy for decades to come, she says.

Additionally, strength training can help increase bone density, making it especially valuable for women over 50.

To get the most out of your diet and reap the health benefits, focus on making sustainable modifications to your eating habits rather than trying to stay with a restrictive diet plan, Jones says.

Choosing an option that fits with your food preferences in the long term is key, she adds. It should be something you find enjoyable, so you can stick to it over time.

More from U.S. News

Top Superfoods for Older Adults to Boost Health and Longevity

The Best Gym Machines for Women

Exercises Women Should Do Every Day for Optimal Health

Top Diets for Women Over 50 to Maximize Health and Vitality originally appeared on usnews.com

Update 11/17/23: This story was previously published at an earlier date and has been updated with new information.

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Nov 19th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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STORRS, Conn. It makes a certain amount of sense for couples to embark on a weight loss journey together. It should be easier to resist caloric temptations and cultivate consistent gym motivation with ones partner in tow, right? Not necessarily, according to researchers from the University of Connecticut. In fact, study authors did not find any social influence at all between couples when it came to factors like self-control or grit, both of which have a link to better weight loss and weight maintenance outcomes.

Importantly, however, this project did highlight that on an individual level positive behavioral changes are quite possible with the right interventions. In other words, while you may not be able to count on your partners tendencies to change yours, everyone is capable of breaking bad habits on their own.

This study was led by Amy Gorin, professor of psychological sciences and vice provost for health sciences and interdisciplinary initiatives, as well as Tricia Leahey, professor of allied health sciences in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources and director of InCHIP.

Even before this work, though, prior studies suggested both self-control and grit (the capacity to persevere toward long-term goals) have a link to improved weight loss/management outcomes. However, earlier studies did not assess this phenomenon specifically among couples, especially with an emphasis on weight management habits.

We wanted to see if there was any sort of effect of couples, says Prof. Leahy, who is also director of InCHIP, in a university release. That is, do partners have similar levels of self-control? And, does self-control change similarly in couples over time when theyre in a weight loss program?

This study lasted a full year, including a six-month intervention period followed by a reassessment after another six months had passed among all 64 participating couples.

The participants had to fill out a series of surveys assessing their levels of self-control and grit, both at the beginning and end of the study. The questionnaires asked them to indicate to what extent they felt statements such as I am good at resisting temptation or setbacks dont discourage me applied to them.

Meanwhile, participants were also introduced to a behavioral weight loss intervention aimed at decreasing their daily calorie intake and increasing physical activity all while instilling behavioral skills that promote positive change like goal setting and stimulus control.

By the end of the study, researchers discovered no couple effect at all. Couples didnt begin with similar levels of self-control or grit, and, if one member of a couple improved either their grit or self-control during the study, their partner did not necessarily experience related changes.

While couples tend to share weight management behaviors, this study found that there wasnt any social influence between the couples when it comes to self-control or grit, Prof. Leahey explains. Instead, these are more individual characteristics.

Still, its key to point out that the volunteers did generally see improvements in these characteristics during initial treatment.

That suggests that both constructs are malleable, Prof. Leahey notes. Sometimes people think of self-control as something that doesnt change. But this study goes to show that, with a behavioral weight loss program that teaches behavior change strategies, we can improve peoples self-control or goal pursuit.

This research confirms previous work suggesting that self-control and grit do have an association with better weight management outcomes. Such traits are also often linked with vital health behaviors like habitual exercise and self-weighing. Grit, meanwhile, was especially helpful for weight loss maintenance.

Weight loss maintenance is a major challenge in obesity treatment, Prof. Leahey comments. The fact that we saw that grit was associated with weight loss maintenance, suggests that targeting grit may improve long-term maintenance outcomes.

The research team recommends future studies focus on improving peoples grit, or goal persistence, as a means of improving weight management habits. This could be accomplished, for example, by focusing on long-term goals that heavily involve weight management or physical fitness, such as finishing a road race or coaching a childs soccer team. Future projects may also want to consider reducing reliance on self-control and grit through the use of environmental modification.

Our environments tend to be obesogenic in that there are a lot of high-calorie, low-nutrient foods and significant opportunity for sedentary behavior, Prof. Leahey concludes. Because of this, its not surprising that we have high rates of overweight and obesity. By modifying our environments, we can make it easier for people to lead healthier lives and not have to exercise as much self-control and grit.

The study is published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine.

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Oct 16th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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Easy, effective and free arent always the first words that come to mind when it comes to weight loss strategies. That is until the trend of 'fasted walking' began garnering buzz! The strategy is all about getting steps in before you eat breakfast a simple trick that delivers impressive results. In fact, studies show walking first thing on an empty stomach can help crank up metabolism and speed fat burn for hours. It worked for grandmother Kathie McAtee, who used it to reverse prediabetes and shed 50 pounds. Then there's nurse Lisa Asbell, who dropped 126 pounds without a strict diet. Read on to discover the science that explains why fasted walking works so well, how it's worked for other women like you and how you can use the strategy to enhance your health and reach your happy weight.

Fasted walking is typically done first thing in the morning, when your body has had the night to burn through its main fuel source, blood sugar, while you were asleep. Before eating and replenishing that sugar, simply head out for a walk. You can do this as part of another trend intermittent fasting or not. (Click through to discover the science behind intermittent fasting.)

Without sugar stores to tap into, your body has no choice but to start burning stored fat as fuel, explains fasted exercise expert Jason Fung, MD. The result? Better blood sugar control, a faster metabolism and seemingly effortless weight loss. And it doesnt matter if you only have time for a super quick fasted walking session. The slimming boost continues long after you sit down.

Your body naturally burns blood sugar for energy. When you eat to refuel, your body begins to burn that food to keep you up and moving. Any excess sugar is first stored in the liver as glycogen, and when the liver fills up, we store the rest as fat. Our bodies use the energy in the same order its stored first from food, then stored glycogen in the liver, then stored fat. But every time we eat, we refuel our energy stores. That means your body never gets a chance to power off that stored fat.

However, when you fast overnight, your body uses up your blood sugar and glycogen to keep things humming along while you sleep. Then, when you start fasted walking, your body defaults to burning stored fat to keep you going. Our bodies have the wonderful ability to adapt to whats available, says Dr. Fung, author of The Obesity Code. When we regularly exercise after our supply of stored blood sugar is depleted, our muscles learn how to use fat as energy.

To start, plan to go at a steady pace for 20 to 60 minutes or use the step-counting feature on your cellphone to aim for 5,000 to 7,000 steps. (Dont worry if this pace is too much for you: Click through to learn how walking slowly may burn more belly fat in women over 50.)

The pre-breakfast stroll jolts your metabolism into action. Indeed, a study conducted in Japan found that exercising on an empty stomach doubles fat burn compared to exercising after a meal. Whats more, British scientists found that, unlike walking after you eat, walking before breakfast has a unique ability to activate various genes linked to effortless weight control. And that helps further reprogram your body to get lean. (Too cold or dreary to walk outdoors? Treadmills work too! Click through for treadmill boost exercise tips to get the most out of your workout.)

The benefits dont end when your walk does, either. In one study, subjects who exercised before eating ate fewer calories throughout the day but reported the same level of hunger as those who ate more. Separate research also revealed that pre-breakfast walkers set themselves up to burn significantly more fat than their sedentary counterparts.

Plus, the strategy helps train your muscles to burn fat. Once that happens, you can indulge in a treat and your metabolism stays elevated. Dr. Fung adds that stamina also increases nicely because youre powered by an almost unlimited energy drawn directly from your fat stores.

After losing on keto and maintaining for decades, I started having too many cheat days and regained a lot of weight, admits Kathie McAtee. So when a co-worker got lean just by eating his normal foods in a shorter window each day a form of intermittent fasting the New Jersey grandmother decided to give it a try, bumping her breakfast to later in the day.

It didnt go well initially. I was often hungry, at least in my head, she recalls. Honestly, I started walking before my first meal of the day just to distract myself. And then an amazing thing happened: Not only did my hunger get much better but some days, I had none at all!

Pounds began disappearing steadily, even though Kathie opted not to do strict keto again. Her energy shot up, her sleep got sounder, even her prediabetes reversed itself. I lost more than at any other point in my life and I just turned 66, Kathie marvels. My goal was to drop 30 pounds, but I guess my body didnt realize. I felt amazing and just kept losing. (Have back pain when walking? Click through to learn why youre aching, plus the expert strategies that send lower back pain when walking packing.)

All told, Kathie still goes for a fasted walk most days simply because she loves it. My pace has gotten pretty energetic. I can go a mile in 16 minutes and often out-walk much younger ladies at the park. I get a real kick out of that, she says. And Im just so proud of myself when I pull on my size-6 jeans!

An MRI revealed excess weight was causing Lisa Asbells intense knee pain, leaving her stunned. Even at 300 pounds, my blood work was good, so I told myself I was fine, admits the Florida nurse, 54. Soul searching followed. Giving up foods I love had never worked for me, so I decided not do it again. Instead, Lisa listened to her body and ate until she was just full. For exercise, I walked as far as I could and always before breakfast so I wouldnt get busy and skip it.

Did it boost her fat burn? Did it ever! She lost a quick 15 pounds without a special diet. Her pain subsided. Now down 126 pounds, Lisa still does fasted walking. Its been the best thing I could have done for myself! (Click through to read more of Lisa's story and learn how women are walking off stubborn fat at any age.)

When you finish walking, what you eat is just as important as when for supercharging results. The secret: Go for lots of protein and fewer carbs. Research shows this keeps blood sugar low and slows your shift to sugar burning." It also helps build more metabolism-boosting muscle. (Click through to learn more on why a morning dose of protein is key for weight loss.)

Is it possible to overeat while using this trendy walking hack? Sure. But its less likely to happen, according to Brigham Young University scientists. Their study found that morning exercise triggers biochemical changes that significantly reduce hunger for 24 hours. So youll eat less without trying.

Need meal ideas for inspiration? Try one of our favorite protein-rich breakfasts:

Blitz cup nut milk, 2 scoops unsweetened protein powder, cup almonds, 2 Tbs. cocoa, stevia and ice to taste. Garnish with low-sugar fruit.

Top a big salad with eggs (any style), a little nitrate-free breakfast meat and a drizzle of olive-oil vinaigrette or your favorite no-sugar-added dressing.

Toast low-carb bread and spread with cottage cheese; add low-carb toppings like berries or sliced veggies and smoked salmon.

For more on how walking can enhance your health, click through below:

Weve Tried Every Walking Accessory to Make Our Walks Better at Fat Burning, and This One Is the Winner

Walking Barefoot Outdoors May Ease Everything from Chronic Pain to Sleeplessness The Best Way to Do It

Not Getting Enough Sleep Can Make Walking More Difficult

This article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman's World.

This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always consult your physician before pursuing any treatment plan.

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Oct 16th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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Losing weight without dieting is possible with just one small trick: eating vegetables before meals! Yes, it is that simple.

Its well-known that adding veggies to your meals helps you stay in shape and feel better, but did you know that eating vegetables before your meals can also help you lose weight and effortlessly get you in shape?

Vegetables offer an extraordinary range of substances that facilitate weight loss and overall benefit your health.If you incorporate them in your meals and eat them at the right time, they can be your best ally in weight loss as they will reduce your overall food consumption.

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, they also reduce inflammatory states, which tend to facilitate weight gain and the onset of various disorders. Additionally, they improve gut health by acting as true prebiotics and combating constipation.

Making it a habit to consume vegetables before other courses is an excellent strategy that increases your chances of staying fit and healthy.

If you need to shed a few extra pounds, eating vegetables as the first course of your meal is a great way to reduce your food cravings.

Vegetables are rich in fibers that slow down the absorption of sugars found in other foods, such as pasta. As a result, it reduces your desire for those foods containing high percentages of sugar.

Vegetables have a unique ability to leave you with a satisfying impression of fullness for the two following reasons.

Firstly, raw vegetables are very crunchy and require long chewing. This aids in appetite regulation, as your brain begins to receive signals of fullness even in the early stages of your meal.

Moreover, thanks to their high fiber content, they have an excellent satiating effect.

Consuming vegetables is an excellent strategy to avoid and defuse the uncontrollable craving for comfort food.

Vegetables are among the foods richest in water and minerals, including magnesium and potassium, which are useful for combating psychophysical stress that can drive you to consume pasta, bread, and other foods high in refined sugars.

Thanks to being rich in fiber and antioxidants, vegetables promote the healthy functioning of the liver and intestines. They improve digestive processes and counteract the feeling of heaviness and bloating that can occur after a meal.

Eating vegetables before pasta, bread, or pizza helps reduce post-meal blood sugar level spikes, thus combating the onset of type 2 diabetes, obesity, and many other disorders.

**Weight loss: 7 vegetables that make fat melt faster**

This article first appeared ongrazia.it Author: Angela Altomare

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Oct 16th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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A survey has estimated 42 per cent of dogs are overweight and there are a range of simple lifestyle changes you can make to shed those excess doggy pounds.

The worrying numbers were revealed by pet nutrician experts http://www.tails.com, who estimate that obese dogs on average live a year less than pups of an optimum weight.

We can all be guilty of a little overindulging now and then, whether its an extra biscuit or an extra helping of dessert, but when those over indulgences lead to quite a bit of weight gain, we can put ourselves at risk of damaging our health.

Just as it is for humans, obesity in dogs is also a health risk with associated problems including, but not restricted to, arthritis, diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, respiratory issues, an increased risk of developing certain tumours, and a lower quality of life.

So, if you think your dog needs a little help to get back into shape, heres what you need to do.

First of all, everyone in your house needs to be on board. Its no good if only one of you is taking the diet seriously, whilst others continue to feed treats. Try creating a feeding chart so that when your dog has been fed their meals and daily treat, everyone in the house knows too. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

A good rule of thumb to remember is: treats shouldnt make up more than 10% of a dogs daily calorie intake. The occasional treat can be good for your dog when combined with training or if given for a nutritional benefit. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

If your dog is already fairly active, try changing their usual exercise routine and adding other exercises like swimming. Swimming is a great way for a dog to exercise without putting any excess stress or strain on their joints, although remember not all breeds are built to swim - the likes of Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Corgis generally prefer to stay on dry land. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

When treats become too much of a regular occurrence, they can contribute to weight gain and for many dogs, its actually the attention that they appreciate more than the treat itself. So when they turn those puppy dog eyes on you, swap the usual treat for an affectionate scratch, cuddle or play time session. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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May 12th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Renewed warnings about a toxic dieting trend that's all over some social media platforms. Almond mom is code for potentially dangerous dieting.

It started on reality TV and has trended on TikTok. Experts call this unhealthy eating advice from celebrities.

One mom suggested an almond to quell hunger. Tiktoks with the hashtag #almondmom have almost 360 million views.

"The term almond mom is used to describe parents whose beliefs and behaviors are deeply rooted in diet culture," Diana Winderman said.

Winderman with the Renfrew Center for eating disorders says conversations about restrictive eating can be harmful whether it comes unintentionally from celebrities or parents.

"These behaviors are really serious and it can be hard to break that cycle without help," Winderman said.

"I think it's so scary," Danielle Reitinger said.

Reitinger was treated at Renfrew for an eating disorder.

"I would never want my children to have those struggles and issues I have been through," Reitinger said.

The Montgomery County mom of four gets emotional talking about needing to be healthy for her children.

"I knew I had to be strong for them and show them I can take care of myself," Reitinger said.

As a constant reminder, she had the word love tattooed on her wrist.

"It's about loving myself," she said.

Reitinger says her eating disorder was about control, not food.

"I was scared," she said.

Experts say low self-esteem often instigates eating disorders and that the almond mom trend is of special concern in mother-daughter relationships.

"It's not just about eating an almond or what food you're choosing it's really about restricting your whole world," Winderman said.

In addition to getting professional help, Reitinger got rid of social media which can glamorize unhealthy behavior.

"It's been freeing and very cathartic to live life outside scrolling," Reitinger said.

People with eating disorders are often advised to limit social media.

Doctors say about 30 million Americans will have an eating disorder at some point. There's a special concern with 57% of adolescent girls who engage in crash dieting.

Stephanie Stahl is an Emmy Award-winning health reporter. She can be seen daily on CBS3 Eyewitness News and The CW Philly.

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May 12th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting

Modified May 11, 2023 05:08 GMT

Mikey Musumeci went in front of the cameras to share his food and dieting philosophy this week.

The grappling champion is famously known to be on a strict regimen that consists of eating only pizza and pasta once daily. The fact that he relies on this diet alone, continues to stun fans and athletes alike to this day as he swears it helps him refuel cleanly after training.

This week, he took fans to the kitchen to explain his all-carb diet while making his favorite Italian pasta dinner.

ONE Championship released the preview on Instagram with the caption:

Last Friday, Darth Rigatoni made splashing headlines yet again after shutting down IBJJF no-gi world champion Osamah Almarwai. The New Jersey native accomplished what he set out to do to a tee, and was ecstatic when he got the choke after 8:03 of grueling action.

Osamah Almarwai for his part, did well to subvert Musumecis leg lock attempts early but every time he would scramble free, Musumeci would take control once again. Indeed, it was a masterful performance by the defending flyweight king.

As a result, the unforgettable submission improved Mikey Musumecis record to 4-0 in ONE Championship and earned him a well-deserved US$50,000 performance bonus.

Watch ONE Fight Night 10 on replay for free on Amazon Prime Video in North America.

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May 12th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting

The dieting program is closing after 40 years. That doesnt mean were moving towards body acceptance

I was 10 years old when I learned what bodies should and shouldnt look like. Kirstie Alley was on TV, pointing to a paparazzi photo of what her pudgy stomach looked like before she tried Jenny Craigs weight loss program. But after testing the brands signature mix of dieting, meal plans and personal coaching, Alley showed off her new physique: smooth, with no bumps peeking out from her body-con dress.

Sitting cross-legged in front of the television, I peered down at my own stomach. It felt soft when I poked it. I decided it could be slimmer. That night, I went upstairs to my mothers scale and weighed myself. It was the first time I ever knew my weight.

Jenny Craig was not the first weight-loss program to take America by storm, but it was the most ubiquitous in the 1990s and 2000s. It billed itself as a community, with personal consultants who helped clients achieve the kind of dramatic transformations seen among spokespeople like Alley, Valerie Bertinelli, Queen Latifah and Jason Alexander. (Though viewers would have been wise to lower their expectations. Alley may have lost 75lb through Jenny Craig, but the ads fine print reminded us that those results are not typical.) In 2003, Jenny Craigs revenue totaled $280m.

The company, founded by its eponymous weight loss guru and her husband in 1983, owned more than 600 centers across the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Clients bought low-calorie prepackaged meals and one-on-one coaching to help them reach their goals. But this week, Jenny Craig announced that it plans to close after 40 years in business.

Eulogies placed blame on two opposing trends. The Washington Post suggested Jenny Craig ended because of the body-positivity movement and a rejection of diet culture last year, Bertinelli even apologized for being the face of Jenny Craig. No, said CNN, actually, its because buzzy weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic (licensed as a diabetes medication) are changing the weight loss game.

So which is it? Only the naive could believe that the fashion industrys tepid embrace of body positivity killed dieting. Thinness will always be fetishized by fashion, even as it takes performative steps to diversify. And castings of ultra-thin models have recently surged on runways after a few years of better plus-size representation.

But I do believe that the type of dieting Jenny Craig sold, which was loud and obvious and indiscreet, may be off-putting these days. The brands slogan, screeched by Alley at the end of each ad, was the rather desperate Have you called Jenny yet?!

And if that wasnt blunt enough, consider this intro from one of Alleys spots: Hey! Youre chubby, too. Lets lose weight together.

Advertisements that did not feature former television stars were even more confessional: real women shared their stories of humiliation at seeing their bodies in family photos, or struggling to fit into a wedding dress.

In the early aughts, dieting was an unquestionable part of life. The culture was steeped in skinniness. Magazines had yet to be called out for airbrushing covers. Tyra Banks humiliated plus-size contestants on Americas Next Top Model in the name of building character. Movies like Shallow Hal treated weight as a punchline. Fatness was seen as failure.

So if you had to lose weight, Jenny Craig would try to make it fun. Whats more, clients didnt have to give up the things they enjoyed to get in on the program, which nixed carb-counting for a more curated plan tailored to their preferred food choices and level of activity.

I was a size 18 carb-craving diva, one woman said in a 2004 television commercial. Im still a carb-loving diva, just 48 pounds thinner.

Do dieters need to reveal all of that today? Not if they can afford to. Drugs like Wegovy, which are essentially very expensive appetite suppressants, allow the rich and famous to lose weight via weekly jabs. Celebrities dont admit to it, but everyone is on it. Thats the quiet luxury that comes with this new class of drugs. Brands like Jenny Craig, which rely on a bit of visibility, cannot compete.

And how will the rest of us afford to lose weight? Subscription-based, calorie counting apps like Noom and My Fitness Pal are cheaper than Jenny Craigs model, and very popular for young people who would rather track their weight loss entirely on their phones.

Jenny Craigs demise doesnt mean were moving towards body acceptance. And while I am happy for anyone it helped during its four decades of existence, Ill only remember it as the first institution that told me to feel bad about myself. After learning how much I weighed that night at 10 years old, I havent gone a day without stepping on a scale.

This article was amended on 7 May 2023 to clarify that Wegovy is a weight-loss drug while Ozempic is a diabetes medication with a side-effect of appetite suppression.

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Jenny Craig made me worry about my weight. Now the companys gone but skinny culture remains - The Guardian

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May 12th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting

Dubai: The celebration of International No Diet Day today has put the focus back on weight discrimination, sizeism and body shaming, with dieticians warning against the dangers of irresponsible dieting and consumption of unhealthy foods.

First observed by Mary Evans, founder of Diet Breakers and a victim of anorexia in 1992, International No Diet Day aims to tackle serious issues concerning diets and body awareness. Celebrating the diversity of people of different shapes and sizes, International No Diet Day is marked by taking a one-day break from diets, to pause and review the reasons and methods for observing various diets.

Nutritional deficiencies

Sakina Mustansir, Clinical dietician, Prime Hospital Dubai, said, A cure for quick weight loss and health changes is what fad diets have grown popular for. They are extreme diets restricted in major food groups like fruits, grains etc which would keep us at risk of nutritional deficiencies but still widely accepted by our population due to the dramatic results they promise.

But as she cautioned, What most of us dont realise is these extreme restrictions do help us lose weight but they also elevate stress, depression, anxiety, emotional disturbances and the worst is - after going through all of it, most people regain weight once they resume their natural lifestyle and eating pattern as these plans are not sustainable at all.

Weight discrimination

Mustansir weight discrimination and body shaming are unfortunately quite prevalent in society.

They can have serious negative consequences for those who experience them. This can include being treated unfairly at work, being a target of negative comments, teasing or bullying because of ones weight which could lead to poor body image, low self-esteem, risk of developing eating disorders like anorexia or binge eating, depression, anxiety, social isolation which could exacerbate physical and mental health problems, she explained.

As such, she said it is extremely important to recognise that weight is not a symbol of health or beauty. Weight discrimination, body shaming are unacceptable behaviors. Everyone should be treated respectfully and with dignity, regardless of their shape and size.

Lubna Abdussalam Dhalani, Dietician at Aster Clinic, Bur Dubai, said, A fad diet involves eating high-fat, low-carb or high-protein foods that promise a quick fix, such as one magic food or combination of foods that can change your body chemistry. However, fad diets are not balanced, too restrictive, expensive, not sustainable, and can actually cause weight gain.

According to her, fad diets can be tempting because they promise a quick solution to a long-term problem. However, restrictive or extreme diets that lack scientific basis can put your health at risk. Following a fad diet may result in a cycle of weight loss followed by weight gain.

Fad diets do not promote healthy and sustainable diet and lifestyle habits, and therefore will not result in long-term weight loss.

They tend to appeal more to peoples vanity than to their desire to stay healthy. The focus is on inches and pounds, rather than reducing the risk of diabetes or heart disease. Those who follow fad diets are more motivated by their desire to change their appearance than their health.

Aim of International No Diet Day

Help end weight discrimination, fatphobia and sizeism.

Understand the inefficacy of commercial diets and learn about the diet industry.

Embrace body diversity and challenge the idea of one right body shape.

Declare a day that is free from dieting and obsessing about shape and weight.

Compliment people on contributions, achievements and skills, rather than focusing on appearance

Source: Daysoftheyear.com

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UAE dieticians caution against irresponsible dieting, body shaming on International No Diet Day - Gulf News

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May 12th, 2023 | Filed under Dieting
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