Toddler's junk food diet can lead to lower IQ

What we put in our bodies (and by extension) make our children, has far-reaching implications for better or worse.

While we constantly hear about how bad eating habits make children are bold, a cohort study shows that young children diet to impact future cognitive skills.

Researchers from the University of Bristol saw data on 3966 children born between 1991 and 1992. The children's parents had to survey your children nutrition completed by age 3, 4, 7 and 8.5 and children À of age 8.5 measured.

Parents their children use a variety of food and beverages, including details like the fat content of milk, refined bread or whole grain were and how much soda or coffee consumed children recorded.

Parents reports assigned to Explorer kids one of three categories of diet:

A "processed" diet, high in fat, sugar and Kalorien.Eine "traditional" diet (within the UK), comprising meat, potatoes, bread and vegetables. A "health conscious" eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, pasta and lean proteins like Fisch.Insgesamt children ate empty calories fast food diet in the age of 3, had a small drop in IQ at the age of 8.5, compared to kids eating healthy Lebensmittel.Die study controlled for other factors that may affect IQ, such as parental education level, maternal diet during pregnancy, socio-economic status and stressful life events.For each unit increase in processed foods children lost 1.67 points in IQ.For each unit to increase healthy eating children gained 1.2 IQ points. early diet appeared later verbal skills kids, more than their performance impact. "Performance IQ refers to an individual innate intellectual ability, while verbal IQ more impact of education that is affected by factors such as parenting and environment reflects," wrote the researchers.

According to the researchers is this study in accordance with previous studies in this age group, which suggests that overall eating habits are associated with behavior in certain hyperactivity and school performance both later child in early childhood.

This study shows that common adage, "Food is fuel" refers both to how we our bodies and our brains fuel. Toddler's brains are a mad house of action - forming neural connections at a dizzying rate. Is it only appropriate that diet would give some influence one way or another on this delicate and intensive processes.

Although dietary recall studies prone to inaccuracies and IQ questionable tests, deserves the validity of the role of food intake and some work intellectual study more. It would be interesting if you could to tease further out more specific dietary patterns within the groups. Like the question I had to do me as much fish consumption with the results.

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Diet Programs - Which One Should I Choose?

Diet programs you will find that there are so many programs on the market today that it is easy to become confused, lost and bewildered. Your friends or family may suggest certain diets or regimes that have worked for them, but be aware they may not work for you. But which one should I choose?

In this world where we are obsessed with our weight and our looks, we are constantly reminded in the media, in the press, and on the television in fact everywhere we go. That our body mass and body weight is too much and that if we were slimmer we would be happier with ourselves and possibly more successful. It all has an impact on our confidence, our personality and our lifestyle, but what are the right diet programs for you.

Surfing the Internet you can see there are so many Diet programs and regimes. For example there is the Atkins diet, the Cambridge diet, there are diet pills, and balanced diets, three-day diets, detox diets, soup diets, cabbage diets, diet recipes, cholesterol diets, juice diets, grapefruit diets, pregnancy diets, dessert diets, convenient diets, and even diet Coke. Hey, there is just too much to choose from. But which one do I select and which one do I choose? You can spend hours and days searching for the ideal diet plan only to find out it is not the right one for you. Ninety five percent of all people that start a diet will restart with different diet looking for the "right one " for them. So obviously the first diet did not work long term. It is a phase, it is something people are prepared to have a go at and see if they get any results, and if it does not work they move on.

Every dieter needs to educate him or herself first and foremost about what a Diet programs are how what one will work for them. You need to set your parameters and get your guidelines organized.

1) You need to say to yourself first, how much weight does I want to lose.

2) In what time span do I want to lose this weight?

3) Where do I want to lose the weight from?

4) Will it affect my lifestyle and will it affect my relationships with people sharing with me the experience of a diet plan.

Once you sorted out your guidelines of what you are looking for, you need to sort out what types of plans are out there.

There are starvation diets; which if you reduce drastically your intake of food over a short period of time you will lose weight but will put back on as soon as you stop that diet plan. Usually on a starvation diet; you are not working at the fat content. You are actually working on the water retention within the muscles. So you loose muscle bulk and strength which shows up on the scales as a lose in weight. But this is not fat lose only water weight.

Other Diet programs tell you to reduce your calorie intake. Sounds straightforward? Everyone thinks calories are the answer, but by reducing your calorie intake, your body will adapt so the effects would be if you reduced you calorie intake by a thousand calories a week, your body will get used to having a thousand calories less and once burned those any excess calories are self defeating. You are not burning the calories you thought you might have had. Your body is adapting to fewer calories. Result, you don't lose weight. But reach a weight plateau from which you will not be able to any further.

More plans include the Atkins diet or the Ornish diet created by a heart surgeon and cardiologist. The Atkins diet was introduced to reduce weight rapidly in obese people or overweight people before heart surgery. Yes it works. But again, the plan would mean eating certain meats or certain food groups and cutting out others. Interesting enough, you can eat plenty of one kind of food like meat, but you won't be able to find the extra supplements and vitamins of a normal balanced diet and will have to take supplements instead to boast your vitamins.

Cabbage soup diet does work. Dieters mainly stick to a water based diet of soups and fruit to reduce weight. The side effects may be headaches as your body detoxifies taking out the toxins and wastes that has been left in your body and had not been able to flush out. The water based diet takes out those toxins making you feel healthier increasing the awareness of your taste buds once you finish your diet. Your food cravings will reduce, but it does have side effects such as headaches. It is not recommended for any period of time more than seven days. It is only for a quick fix route to losing weight especially for those occasions such as your first date or a wedding occasion.

If you would like to know more on diet plans or dieting, click on the links below for some successful advice.

Elaine Olden is a well known author on Dieting and Nutrition, for more information click on:

Dieting [http://www.real-marketing-ideas.com/dieting.html]

Slimming techniques [http://www.real-marketing-ideas.com/cut_sugar.html]

Cutting the Carbs [http://www.real-marketing-ideas.com/cut_carbs.html]

Four Weird Food Commercials

If you're selling widgets, you could stand out on the sidewalk wearing a sandwich board, or you could throw a crystal ball at your boss's crotch. Hey, whatever works!

Sometimes nacho chips, beer for kids, soy sauce, and beer for adults, need to get a little nutty to move product. Sacrificing a little dignity never hurt anyone, right?

Here are some food commercials that are more goofy than persuasive.

Our first one comes from Japan. Remember, they're the same folks that gave the world Takeshi's Castle. In this piece of advertising gold, a Japanese company is selling a beer for kids.

Okay, this one I just saw the other day. I don't really have words for it. Apparently, people dressed up as soy sauce bottles and dancing around is a bang up way to move product, either that or they pranked the actors.

This ad gets honorable mention because it features beloved and very funny, but albeit troubled, Howard Stern Show sidekick Artie Lange. It has something to do with Budweiser and guy friends.

Lastly, this commercial aired during last year's Super Bowl. I think it was part of some "submit your ad" contest. I guess it won, because Doritos felt throwing a crystal ball at your boss's nuts is a perfect marketing tactic.

I'm not a fan of over-the-stop advertising, especially if it appears to have little to do with the actual product, but one of my marketing professors told me as long as you remember the product, the ad was a success. I guess so.

Image credit: SBARTSTV

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Dr. Mauro's 3-Week Detox & Vitality Diet Plan

This detailed detoxification diet plan was created by licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Dr. Karlo Mauro. It's an easy to follow detox program that helps clean up the detoxification organs. As well, it teaches you how to maintain a healthy eating lifestyle.

Check it out!

Dukan Diet Secret

The "Dukan Diet: The Secret of Celebrities" is a plan that you can trust. Not only does it help you to reach your weight loss goals, but it will also help you in other ways that let you to make healthy changes today.

Check it out!

Diet's Don't Work - 12 Facts Why They Never Do Or Will!

You heard me right! They Never Have! They Never Do! They Never Will!

The Diet Industry is a 40 Billion Dollar Industry filled with misinformation.

96% of people who go on diets can't stay on them to reach their desired goal.

98% of people who go on diets gain the weight they lose back + 5 extra pounds. (National Institute of Health)

50% of Americans are on a diet at any given time yet 70% of Americans are overweight and 30% are obese.

My Story

When I was in my late teens I took up bodybuilding and after a couple of years I began competing. A typical year consisted of me gaining fifty or more pounds in the off season by eating lots of food and then dieting and loosing fifty or so pounds over the next few months as I prepared for the competition. After doing this for six years I stopped competing in bodybuilding. Over the following years I continued to gain fifty or so pounds a year and then go on a diet and lose all or most of it over the following months. I became an expert and gaining weight and loosing weight. I became an expert dieter. I could lose weight on the Atkins, Stillman, Scarsdale or any other diet. I was master of the low calorie, low fat and low carbohydrate diets. The only problem that once I lost the weight I couldn't keep it off and eventually would gain it all back plus some. I eventually ended up gaining and losing almost a thousand pounds. After giving up on dieting I began researching why people gain weight and why diets don't work. After spending over five years researching why diets don't work and discovering what does work when it comes to loosing weight and keeping it off. I began applying the principles I discovered and today I am celebrating over ten years at a body weight that hasn't fluctuated more then five pounds up or down.

Why Diets Don't Work

Fact #1: Diets are downers. People hate to diet. Have you ever met anyone on a diet that liked it? Does anyone like doing anything with the word DIE in it? When I went on diets I hated it. It made me unhappy and depressed.

Fact #2: Dieting slows your metabolism. The longer you diet the slower your metabolism gets causing you to eat less and less until your weight loss stops entirely. Then when you resume normal eating the weight quickly returns + extra pounds due to it taking months for the metabolism to return to normal. Then guess what? You need to go onto another diet.

Dieting simply is a way to create an artificial famine. Your body doesn't know that it's a diet. All it knows is that its in a famine. So it slows the metabolism as much as 40%. If you naturally need 2000 calories a day to sustain your current body weight and go on a diet where you are consuming 1000 calories a day your metabolism will get lower and lower to say 40% or 1200 calories below its natural level of 2000 calories. At that point weight lose is minimal and extremely difficult. Then when you return to eating 2000 calories a day which is what the majority of people do you begin adding 800 extra calories daily. That's 800 calories about 1.75 pounds of fat per week.

When I was on the dieting roller coaster I'd lose 50 pounds in six months and go off it and gain all the weight back over the next six months. One thing I noticed was that as soon as I'd go off the diet the weight would quickly come back due to my metabolism having slowed due to the dieting.

Fact 3: Diets offer a poor temporary fix What's really needed is a lifestyle change. The only people who lose weight and keep it off are the people who change their lifestyle once and for all. Changing your lifestyle is easier then dieting and far more rewarding.

I used to go on diets knowing that they were only a quick fix. After losing hundreds of pounds and gaining it back convinced me that dieting could never able me to sustain the weight lose. Dieting was just a superficial way of treating symptoms instead of the cause of my weight gain.

Fact 4: Since 96% of people who go on diets gain the weight they've lost back plus some the next time they diet it gets a little harder to lose weight. With each never dieting round the body becomes more resilient to giving up the weight and dieting gets tougher and tougher. With each new diet I went on it became more and more difficult to get the weight off. Finally after years of yo-yo dieting It became almost impossible to get the weight off dieting.

Fact 5: Diets fail to deal with the things that cause people to overeat. People overeat due to a number of psychological reasons. Some overeat because they fail to eat consciously. After years of eating on the run, in the front of the television or while stuffing a hot dog into their mouth while driving down the highway; they eat like dogs never stopping to taste, savor and enjoy the food their eating.

Another thing that causes people to overeat is previous conditioning that can go back to their childhood. As a child I was told to clean my plate because children were starving in Africa. I was also told that if I didn't clean my plate I couldn't have desert. The experts in my life conditioned me to eat every scrape on my plate even if I was stuffed. They conditioned me to overeat. Something that took me years to understand and change.

Fact 6: Dieting Causes Eating Disorders. People who get onto the dieting roller coaster can develop eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia. Dieting serves as a precursor to these illnesses.

During my weight gain and dieting cycles I frequently would binge and after the binge think nothing of purging while standing over the toilet. I eventually got pretty good at it and could down five burgers and a dozen Dunken Donuts and drop them in the toilet only to be back eating fifteen minutes later.

Fact 7: Dieting Causes Obesity. Dieting slows down the metabolism making it harder and harder to lose weight. Eventually the metabolism slows to a crawl and even a well balanced healthy diet causes the person to gain weight. Have you ever seen an obese person who says, "I don't eat a lot and continue to gain weight." They may be telling the truth. After years of dieting their metabolism is running slow and low making it really easy to keep on adding the pounds.

You would think that in America with all the diets, diet pills, and diet centers that we would be the thinnest country on the globe. But instead we are the fattest and getting fatter every year. With all the dieting I was doing and all the expertise on dieting I was gaining I still just kept getting fatter.

Fact 8: Diets cause starvation or semi starvation. Starvation occurs at 900 calories or less that's when you start to die. Most diets are in that range. Starvation plays havoc with the systems of the body and brain and if continued will cause permanent damage. When faced with starvation your body will do everything it can to survive. Things like slowing your metabolism to conserve energy and creating intense hunger to drive you to find food. When I was dieting I has hungry all the time. I didn't know it at the time but I was starving. I was putting my body through what people in famines go through.

Fact 9: Diets damage your body and cause disease. Studies show that ongoing dieting causes heart disease, osteoporosis, gall stones, high blood pressure, anemia, constipation, kidney stones, dry skin, hair lose, depression, anxiety.

When I was on the dieting roller coaster I would frequently get sick. I would get frequent colds, the flu, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and constipation was a daily experience. Over the past ten years I've had two colds.

Fact 10: Dieting Causes Malnutrition. Dieting restricts people from getting the necessary macro and micro nutrients. Not getting these nutrients causes damage to our bodies and results in sickness. I didn't know It back when I was dieting that the main reason why I was getting sick so frequently was that I was suffering from malnutrition. I simply wasn't getting the nutrients that me body needed.

Fact 11: We don't fail at dieting, diets fail us. Diets simply don't work. Every person who ever quit dieting or gained the weight they lost back did so due to the fact that diets are built upon false premises. If you build a house upon a foundation of straw it will crumble. Diets are built upon a foundation of straw.

While on the dieing roller coaster I continuously felt like a failure. I struggled to stick to the diets I would go on and always gained the weight back. I felt like a frustrated failure. I didn't know at the time that I wasn't the failure but that the entire diet industry and everyone of their diets was a failure.

Fact 12: Diets Cause Death. The name Diet fits well. Dieting shortens your life span. Diets cause a number of problems that lead to sickness, disease and eventually death.

Had I not discovered the truth I likely would have dieted myself to death. I am eternally grateful for discovering the truth. For the truth truly set me free.

Why Diets Don't Work

1. Diets treat superficial symptoms instead of causes.

2. Diets cause major deprivation. You deprive yourself of food. Not only food, but food that you like. This drives people crazy. When I used to diet all I did day and night was think about food. When I wasn't dieting I thought about other stuff like the geo-political situations in the world and sex. But while on the diet I just thought about Italian bread, pasta, and cannoli's.

To Your Health!

Frank Bolella

Learn how to lose weight without dieting ever again...Ever! Health & Vitality is the only true way to prevent disease and create a happy healthy long life. Let me reveal to you many of the ways I can help YOU live a Healthier life! By revealing things like the Real Fountain of Youth...and what foods you are eating that could be killing you! What Super Foods could change your life dramatically! I invite you to learn more at http://frankbolella.com

Drinking Alcohol Keeps Women Up At Night

Having a few nightcaps might help you fall asleep fast, but a new study claims going to bed tipsy might wake you up in the middle of the night, and leave you tossing and turning, especially women.

Researchers found women with the same blood-alcohol level as men sleep less soundly, compared to going to bed sober.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends drinking in moderation - if at all. The AHA defines moderate drinking as no more than two drinks per day for men, and only one drink per day for women.

Writing in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, scientists monitored the sleep of 93 men and women in their 20s after a "simulated" night of drinking; observing study participants in a sleep lab.

Individuals' sleep was observed on two occasions. The first night, volunteers drank Wild Turkey bourbon, or Absolut vodka mixed with caffeine-free Coke, until their blood alcohol content reached 0.1. On the second night, about one week apart, study participants drank a placebo; a drink with only a few drops of alcohol in each glass. Researchers say only a few volunteers were fooled.

After each drinking session, individuals were sent to bed for eight hours. Scientists then monitored their brain waves, eye movement, and other sleep markers. When they woke up volunteers were asked to rate their sleep. Results showed men slept more soundly than women after drinking, and women slept roughly 20 minutes less than men, and woke up more often and for longer periods of time.

The scientists say more research needs to be conducted, but the findings challenge the notion that alcohol is a sleep aid.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the adult population in the United States drank alcohol in the past 30 days, 5% of the total population drank heavily, and 15% binge drank.

Image credit: Weekend!

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1 in 3 Adults Have High Blood Pressure or High Cholesterol

A new report by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found 1 in 3 adults have high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

And 80% of adults do not control their blood pressure or high cholesterol, despite having health insurance and access to low-cost treatment.

High blood pressure and high cholesterol are major risk factors for heart disease. Every year 785,000 U.S. adults have their first heart attack, another 470,000 have their second (or more) heart attack; according to previous CDC data.

The new report, appearing in Vital Signs, also found 1 in 3 adults do not get treatment for high blood pressure; 1 in 2 adults do not have their blood pressure under control; 1 in 3 adults do not get treatment for high cholesterol; and 2 in 3 adults do not have their high cholesterol under control.

A spokesperson for the CDC says we are failing to prevent cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death in the U.S., more attention needs to be on prevention and better educating people.

LDL cholesterol - or "bad" cholesterol - should be less than 160 in otherwise healthy people. Blood pressure should be less than 120 over 80. The CDC says anything higher than 140 over 90 requires intervention.

Heart disease deaths vary from race to race. In 2004, CDC data revealed African Americans are more likely to die from heart disease (25.8% of deaths) than Hispanics and whites, with 22.7% and 27.5% respectively.

According to the American Heart Association, poor diet, high salt intake, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol use, and not taking prescribed medications are all risk factors for high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Image credit: respiratory newbies

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Chocolate Heralded as "Super Food" and "Super Fruit"

It's hardly news that dark chocolate contains some health-giving goodies, like antioxidants and polyphenols. But now, after a new study, newspaper headlines have been dubbing chocolate a "super fruit".

Last time I checked, chocolate - dark or otherwise - didn't count as one of my five-a-day. But, in fact, what lead scientist Dr Debra Miller really said was:

Cacao seeds should be considered a 'super fruit' and products derived from cacao seed extracts, such as natural cocoa powder and dark chocolate, as 'super foods'.

The study is due to be published in the Chemistry Central Journal.

Miller and colleagues compared cocoa powder with powders made from ground-up "super food" fruits like acai berries, blueberries, cranberries and pomegranates. According to Miller, they found that "The compounds in dark chocolate are just as good as the botanical compounds in fruit."

What does this mean for chocoholics? The scientists recommend that to get the benefits of this new "super fruit", you can use cocoa powder to recipes and drinks.

Don't use this new study, and the excited headlines, as an excuse to scoff down extra chocolate, though.

Chocolate is very high in calories, sugar and fat.Only dark chocolate or cocoa powder gives the benefits cited in the study.The Hershey Company (chocolate manufacturers) sponsored this research, so obviously they have a vested interest in encouraging us to eat more chocolate.

Do you think chocolate can be, or should be, part of a balanced diet?

Image credit: John Loo

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Diet Soda Stroke Risk Study Slammed By Experts

It's not been a good few days for diet sodas. A controversial study has suggested that they may increase stroke risk, and Pepsi has been coming under fire for their new slim-look diet can.

The findings from the population-based study are clear - those who reported drinking diet soda daily were more likely to have a cardiovascular event (stroke or heart attack).

However, the study is only preliminary, and has been published as an abstract, not as a piece in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers' methodology has been called into question, on several grounds.

They used data from a study carried out by questionnaire where participants were only asked about their soda intake at the start of the study period. The scientists failed to take into account some factors like family history of cardiovascular disease, and variations in eating habits.The numbers of people involved are relatively small.The study population had an average age of 69; older people are naturally at more risk of stroke.

Due to the small sample size, it's possible that the results simply show natural variation, as ABC news points out:

The study population may have been at a higher-than-normal risk for cardiovascular events, with an event rate of 22 percent compared with the expected rate of 8 to 10 percent.

Many nutritionists and other experts have suggested that diet soda drinkers are more likely than regular soda drinkers to be overweight, or to have diabetes.

Jennifer Cleary from the Lipid Disorders and Metabolic Syndrome Clinic at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, was quoted in the Clinical Advisor saying:

There are a lot of factors that were not taken into consideration, so we can't really assume that there is a causal relationship between diet soda and stroke. [...] [People drinking diet soda] might also be consuming fast food and making other unhealthy lifestyle choices.

It looks like there's no strong evidence in this research - the results could be explained by statistical chance, or by factors which weren't accounted for.

Even so, if you're a frequent diet soda drinker, you'll want to make sure you:

Don't use diet drinks as a way to compensate for a poor diet.Try to limit your intake, just as you would with any less-than-healthy food. Don't get too hooked on the sweet taste, it can encourage you to eat sugary foods.

Love diet soda? Hate it? Let us know in the comments...

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Dangers of Reality Weight Loss Shows

There's no denying obesity has become an overriding cultural obsession, seen clearly from our insatiable desire for programmes such as The Biggest Loser, I Used to Be Fat, and other such nonsense.

When The Biggest Loser first started airing on our TV screens, I must admit I thought it could be a great way to inspire millions of viewers to get up off the couch and finally lose some weight.

However, there is another side to these programs, which most people don't even know about... and it's not a pretty picture.

Their emphasis on body image, which has potential to encourage eating disorders and other dangerous behaviors. Weight loss is too fast, which can cause heart problems, bone loss, electrolyte imbalances, and other serious issues.The "behind the scenes" practises, which some of the contestants have admitted to partaking in, such as fasting and dehydrating prior to weigh-ins.While people on these shows may temporarily lose weight, many suffer from long-term eating disorders - I wonder if this addressed properly, and what happens to them after the show ends?People viewing at home may be tempted to try out some of the extreme exercises being promoted, which could lead to serious injuries or hospitalization.

Here's what Ali Vincent, from season 5 of The Biggest Loser had to say,

When I'm in the grocery store, I'll do lunges up and down the aisles. In the checkout line, you could do squats. I used to worry about what people thought of me, but I don't care anymore. I know I'm going to get the last laugh.

That reeks of serious obsession to me.

On the other side of the coin, however, the health implications of being overweight are
regularly discussed on these programs, and perhaps presenting the cold, harsh realities in this way could act as a wake-up call to those viewers watching on.

At the end of the day, if the overall focus were on health, rather than how many pounds can be lost in one week, we wouldn't be discussing these health issues.

But, I guess a show called, "Let's Get Healthy," wouldn't pull in many viewers, comparatively speaking.

As Mike said in a previous article, "Nobody wants to see a show where people lose two pounds a week on a sensible exercise and nutritional program." Sad, but true!

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Diet Soda Heightens Stroke Risk

Drinking diet soda, despite being viewed has a healthier, low-calorie alternative to sugary soft drinks, might increase your risk of stroke; claims new research.

Soft drinks have been blamed as a major cause of the United States' obesity epidemic, prompting states like New York to propose taxing the beverages.

The new study examined the effects of moderate or regular (every day) diet soda consumption, and found diet soda raised stroke risk by nearly 50%.

Presented at this year's American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference, experts analyzed data on 2,564 people, dividing study participants into different groups based on their soda consumption: individuals who drank regular soda moderately or every day; diet soda drinkers; and people who avoided soda. Moderate drinking was defined as one to six servings per week.

Results showed people who drank diet soda every day had a 48% higher risk of stroke than people who did not drink soda; even when considering other factors, like history of heart disease, smoking, and exercise.

Overall, by the end of the study (nine years), 559 study participants had suffered a vascular event: 221 strokes, 149 heart attacks, and 338 total deaths.

Based on the findings, the scientist say diet soda may not be the "optimal substitute" for sugar-sweetened beverages.

And, previous research has linked drinking diet soda to metabolic syndrome. The American Heart Association classifies metabolic syndrome as a collection of conditions - such as high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and type-2 diabetes - known to raise the risk of coronary heart disease.

Image credit: ollipitkanen

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Healthy Diets For Kids But Not Parents?

There's no doubt many parents are concerned about their children's eating habits. But, when you are so concerned about what your kids are eating, to the detriment of your own diet, something needs to change.

Marquita Winslow, a mum from Youngsville, N.C, said this,

We're really health-conscious when it comes to them... We try to do the least amount of processed food we can. In summer, we grow our own vegetables and we freeze some, so in winter, that's what they're eating." Regarding her and her husbands diet though, she says, "We're just crappy eaters... I will have a can of Coca-Cola in the morning. Then I'll be so intent on fixing breakfasts and lunches, I'll skip eating or just snack. I get those Pringles and think I'm really good because they're only 100 calories. Meanwhile, the kids' grapes and carrots are sitting mere paces away in the fridge. Source

I imagine this is the case for so many parents these days. Everyone is so busy, and it's really tough to get everything fitted in to an already packed schedule.

But, I like the comparison used by David Ludwig, director of the Optimal Weight for Life Program, at Children's Hospital Boston. He said,

We use the metaphor from airlines: You put your oxygen mask on first before assisting others. We have to take care of ourselves as parents before helping our children. A mother who is overly stressed and malnourished herself will never be able to provide the best nutrition for her child.

So, what can you do to rectify this problem?

1. Realize there's an issue
I think many parent don't realize the extent of how their own eating habits can effect their kids, so realizing that it is a problem is the starting point.

Remember, your children are watching everything you do. And, although they may say very little, they do notice your behavior. So, changing unhealthy habits before your children are old enough to clue in and start mimicking what you do, is a must.

2. Start in the womb
Research suggests that the intrauterine environment plays a key role in future weight, health and diabetes risk of our children. So, if you are pregnant, or planning to get pregnant, try to improve your nutrition right now, to give your baby the best start in life.

3. Get planning
Whether this means writing a weekly menu plan, packing a healthy lunch for yourself and your kids, having meals stashed in the freezer for those extra busy times, or just having a supply of nutritious snacks for you and your kids available at all times - just do whatever it takes to make eating healthy easier for everyone.

Then, plan to eat together at least a few meals each week - chances are you'll eat better when you are all sitting down together.

These are small changes, but they make a big difference over time.

Image source: Andy Ciordia

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Drinking Alcohol Keeps Women Up At Night

Having a few nightcaps might help you fall asleep fast, but a new study claims going to bed tipsy might wake you up in the middle of the night, and leave you tossing and turning, especially women.

Researchers found women with the same blood-alcohol level as men sleep less soundly, compared to going to bed sober.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends drinking in moderation - if at all. The AHA defines moderate drinking as no more than two drinks per day for men, and only one drink per day for women.

Writing in the journal Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, scientists monitored the sleep of 93 men and women in their 20s after a "simulated" night of drinking; observing study participants in a sleep lab.

Individuals' sleep was observed on two occasions. The first night, volunteers drank Wild Turkey bourbon, or Absolut vodka mixed with caffeine-free Coke, until their blood alcohol content reached 0.1. On the second night, about one week apart, study participants drank a placebo; a drink with only a few drops of alcohol in each glass. Researchers say only a few volunteers were fooled.

After each drinking session, individuals were sent to bed for eight hours. Scientists then monitored their brain waves, eye movement, and other sleep markers. When they woke up volunteers were asked to rate their sleep. Results showed men slept more soundly than women after drinking, and women slept roughly 20 minutes less than men, and woke up more often and for longer periods of time.

The scientists say more research needs to be conducted, but the findings challenge the notion that alcohol is a sleep aid.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of the adult population in the United States drank alcohol in the past 30 days, 5% of the total population drank heavily, and 15% binge drank.

Image credit: Weekend!

View the original article here

Four Weird Food Commercials

If you're selling widgets, you could stand out on the sidewalk wearing a sandwich board, or you could throw a crystal ball at your boss's crotch. Hey, whatever works!

Sometimes nacho chips, beer for kids, soy sauce, and beer for adults, need to get a little nutty to move product. Sacrificing a little dignity never hurt anyone, right?

Here are some food commercials that are more goofy than persuasive.

Our first one comes from Japan. Remember, they're the same folks that gave the world Takeshi's Castle. In this piece of advertising gold, a Japanese company is selling a beer for kids.

Okay, this one I just saw the other day. I don't really have words for it. Apparently, people dressed up as soy sauce bottles and dancing around is a bang up way to move product, either that or they pranked the actors.

This ad gets honorable mention because it features beloved and very funny, but albeit troubled, Howard Stern Show sidekick Artie Lange. It has something to do with Budweiser and guy friends.

Lastly, this commercial aired during last year's Super Bowl. I think it was part of some "submit your ad" contest. I guess it won, because Doritos felt throwing a crystal ball at your boss's nuts is a perfect marketing tactic.

I'm not a fan of over-the-stop advertising, especially if it appears to have little to do with the actual product, but one of my marketing professors told me as long as you remember the product, the ad was a success. I guess so.

Image credit: SBARTSTV

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Dennis Kucinich suing the Congressional cafeteria

He sued the United States of congressional cafeteria for dental damage pit, suffered after smashing his teeth on an olive tree hiding in a sandwich wrap, which he bought it, representative Dennis Kucinich, Ohio.

And it's not just for the price of a fill. Kucinich seeks $150,000 for damages. The suit says he suffered "severe and lasting" violations.

It could be to sue bad public relations for a Congressman, Congress on a sandwich but Kucinich has a point here. Clamping down on an olive "Stone" isn't a joke.

I make that together. Olive pits stones are sometimes called. And for Kucinich rogue stone bite causes dental and oral injuries that require multiple surgical and dental procedures.

The civil action in the superior earlier this month, says Court for the District of Columbia the wrap "dangerous substances", contain the consumer, not the served product would expect. Kucinich seeks damages to the "Past and future medical and dental expenses, compensation for pain and loss of enjoyment and other damages." He purchased the wrap-around April 17, 2008.

Compass Group USA Inc. and performance food group co. are two companies named in the suit.

The suit sounds silly and we are one way too litigious society, but when you consider how heavy is an olive tree pit, if I ran the cafeteria, I would even give one my olives about. If someone could it said rocks in your food, you would check it out before eating correctly?

I down on an olive pit once between wedged mean back teeth, and I almost in the table hands and put my fist through the wall. But I could not sue because I was making the dummy the sandwich.

Image credit: Allvoices

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Coca-Cola sales grow worldwide

Coca-Cola, the world's number one soft drink manufacturer, reported higher fourth quarter earnings for the first time in over five years) despite the ongoing global recession.

Coke's expansion in emerging markets is credited for the boost. Pepsi, Coke's main competitor, experienced a small up-tick in sales.

As an important contribution to the global obesity epidemic is accused of news, as consumption of soft drinks and their popularity around the world, worrying.

Coca Cola sales surprise on the worldwide increase in

In addition to new markets, Coca-Cola also achieved growth in the world developed a "added nice kicker" called a major shareholder in coke. But Coke is planning to increase soda prices in the United States this year.

Higher raw material prices - namely maize, juice, plastic and metal - cut margins in Coca-Cola; as high as $400 million in new costs. But the future is still bright for top soda manufacturers worldwide.

Not good news for global health.

Sugar-sweetened soft drinks were connected to a variety of health problems such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Calories from beverages are often called "empty calories" because of its very low nutritional value.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 2008 1.5 billion adults between the ages of 20 and more than overweight were. By 2015 nearly 2.3 billion adults are overweight and 700 million are obese.

The WHO indicates that obesity is not a problem of the developed world. Obesity continues to climb rates in low-income countries. Perhaps these Nations "emerging markets" are loan for Coke's recent success.

Image credit: Racoles

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Dangers of reality shows for weight loss

There is no obesity refuse an overriding cultural obsession seen clearly from our insatiable desire for programs like the biggest loser I become used to be fat and other such nonsense.

As the biggest loser began airing on our TV screens, I must admit I thought it might be that a great way to get, up to millions of viewers off the couch and finally something to lose weight to inspire.

However, there is another side to these programs who are most people... and it's not a pretty picture.

Its emphasis on body image, the potential has to promote eating disorders and other activities. Weight loss is too fast, which can cause heart problems, bone loss, electrolyte imbalance, and other serious problems.The "behind the scenes" practices, some of the candidates have admitted to other passengers, such as fasting and to weigh - in the above dry out.While temporarily can lose weight people on these shows – many people suffer under long-term eating disorders I wonder, and what happens to you, after the show ends if this adequately covered?People at home may view tried to try, promote some extreme exercises that could lead to serious injury or hospitalization.

Here's what, season 5 of the biggest loser had to say Ali Vincent,

When I was in the supermarket, will I do lunges up and down the aisles. In the checkout line squats do. I used to worry what people I thought, but I'll no longer. I know I will get the last laugh.

This smells of serious obsession to me.

On the other side of the coin, however, are the health effects of obesity
These programs could regularly discussed and perhaps presenting the cold, hard realities as a wake up call to viewers, straight on.

At the end of the day in a week, the overall focus was on health rather than how many pounds can be lost not we would discuss these health issues.

But I think a show called "Let's get healthy," many people comparatively draw would not.

As Mike said in a previous article, "no one wants a show to see where people lose two pounds per week on a meaningful exercise and nutrition." Sad but true!

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