What is the healthiest diet? A study at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (Feed your genes - NTNU) examined molecular evidence to try to answer the question. The result, according to the Norwegian biologists, is that the best diet for your genes is one-third protein, one-third fat and one-third carbohydrates. It's not exactly a low-carb diet, but it is reduced carb. Indeed, such an evenly balanced diet would represent a 50% or greater reduction in carb intake for the average … [Read more...]
Of mice and strawberries
This year, after adopting a low-carb way of eating, I've eaten more strawberries than ever before. That's ironic since strawberries are sweet and sweet things are generally unwelcome when eating low-carb. But a half-dozen large strawberries have only about 35 calories and 6g net carbs (8 total carbs - 2 grams of fiber). Add some heavy cream, and you have a tasty, nutritious, low-carb dessert. Now comes news that eating 37 strawberries a day could lessen the risk of complications from diabetes. … [Read more...]
Governor wants Michiganders to shape up, will track fat kids
I live in Michigan, a beautiful state with a weak economy and a whole lot of fat people. Our governor, Rick Snyder, sees a connection between our economic and waste-line problems. He may have a point. Technically, I'm one of the fat Michiganders. My current body-mass index (BMI) puts me in the "overweight" category. I've improved from obese, and am still losing, but for the moment I'm overweight, at least according to my BMI. (See my latest progress report.) About two-thirds of Michigan's … [Read more...]
Study: lifetime “dose” of obesity linked to diabetes risk
My old alma mater is famous for a football stadium that seats (or at least wedges in) about 113,000 people, give or take a couple thousand. If the current obesity trend continues, it will get progressively harder to squeeze all those spectator butts into Michigan Stadium without the liberal use of butter. This lends special urgency to the research into the causes, consequences and cures for obesity, some of it being conducted across town in Ann Arbor at the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. A … [Read more...]
Helping the President raise awareness about childhood obesity
Happy National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month! That's right, September 2011 has been so proclaimed by President Obama. The President notes that a third of American children are obese or over-weight and urges "all Americans to take action by learning about and engaging in activities that promote healthy eating and greater physical activity by all our Nation's children." I can't find a place on the proclamation to leave a comment, so I'll do it here. Mr. President, I'm with you on the … [Read more...]
Let them eat beans! Why soda pop bans are a bad idea
Should the USDA allow states or cities to bar the use of food stamps to purchase soda pop and other sugary drinks? Or perhaps go a step further and enact such a ban itself? What the heck, why not just enshrine the ban in federal law? The New York Daily News in a recent editorial slams the feds for blocking an attempt by New York City to try the soda pop ban for two years to see what if any impact it would have on obesity rates in poor communities. The newspaper cites a four-part series on … [Read more...]
Is red meat guilty by association? Some at Harvard think so
The Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) giveth to the low-carb community, and it taketh away. In late June 2011, the HSPH published a study singling out potatoes as a particularly fattening food, especially in the form of french fries. Having sworn off fries forever as part of my low-carb way of eating, I applauded the brilliance of the findings. I also liked the general conclusion that all calories are not equal when it comes to packing on pounds. Now I'm wondering what could have caused … [Read more...]
Yes, tax bad food — after we all agree on what it is
Because thou art vegan-leaning, shall there be no bacon cheeseburgers? Taxing other people's vices always seems like a win-win. It allows the majority to feel holier-than-thou and adds money to the public coffers. For instance, I've favored the enormous taxes placed on tobacco. As you can probably guess, I'm not a smoker. I have no vested interests that keep me from seeing the logic of the standard public health argument. Smoking is implicated in widespread health problems that cost … [Read more...]
Why Americans say they diet
More American adults say they have changed their diets to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables (71%) than say they have changed their diets to lose weight (65%). Right away, you have to wonder how honest the people polled were. Or you have to wonder if they know what constitutes a fruit and vegetable. Two-thirds of Americans say they changed their diet to improve their health. Only one-third say it was to change their appearance. I'm with the majority on this question, but who … [Read more...]
McDonald’s makes changes, but so do I
It's common place to criticize McDonald's and other fast-food franchises for marketing fattening food to kids. This week McDonald's has responded by changing the composition of their famous Happy Meals. The toy is still in the box, though. McDonald's and I go back a long way. I'm old enough to remember when they sold their hamburgers for 15 cents. There was no seating. You just walked up between the Golden Arches and placed your order. Then you went home, or sat in your car, to eat … [Read more...]