Diet and Nutrition

Carbs are Confusing: Why Atkins is to Blame

As recommended by the USDA, an adult should consume between 4-8 servings of carbohydrates a day, depending on their age and gender. However, according to the Atkins Diet Foundation, there’s a bit of confusion as to how many carbs that actually is and the average person’s ability to determine it.

But is this even important? According to Atkins, the answer is yes.

The food and diet company – founded by Dr. Robert C. Atkins in 1972 – did some research recently to determine how Americans perceived carbohydrates, including how many carbs they were eating throughout the day and how often they considered the contents of their meals. They were hoping to clear up what they’re refering to as ‘carb confusion.’

The study concluded that Americans typically don’t monitor the food on their plates – as shown below – with six in 10 reporting they didn’t know how many carbohydrates they eat on a daily basis. Findings revealed that: (more…)

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Dana

MyNetDiary and Withings Join Forces for a Highly Effective Health App

Two popular mobile health brands have partnered to create a completely new and unique “do-it-yourself” health monitoring system. MyNetDiary just announced its integration with Withings Devices. Together these two applications are giving users an experience like no other. “This integration with Withings makes it even easier for people to keep track of their diet, weight changes and health,” says Sergey Oreshko, CEO of MyNetDiary.

MyNetDiary is a popular calorie counter that was launched in 2024. Today more than two million members use the application to track calories and lose weight safely. Withings has been a worldwide force in bringing health care into the people’s hands. Withings introduced the Wi-Fi Body Scale in 2024. The scale was the first ever internet connected body scale. Now the two are combining to offer weight loss and diet help along with a Wi-Fi scale and blood pressure monitor.

This integration will now allow users to automatically send data from both the blood pressure monitor and the scale to their MyNetDiary account and receive support in monitoring their diet and health.

Oreshko explains how the two devices will combine to be a highly effective tool. (more…)

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Lacy

‘Lean and Healthy to 100’ Takes a Natural Approach to Health

Gordon Filepas is a father, businessman, and husband just like millions of other people. But after losing his father and brother to cancer within three months of each other nearly 20 years ago, he began a relentless quest to know how to live a long and healthy life naturally. He shares those principles in his new book, ‘Lean and Healthy to 100.’

Of our obesity-ridden society, FIlepas says, “I don’t know how many more signs we need in Western society before we really get serious about our health.” The author considers his book a guide for achieving optimal health based on models from cultures where long lives are the norm.

One of the things Filepas is most passionate about is the health of his family. “When my children were born…I spent so much time watching my father and brother suffer and watched how the doctors couldn’t do anything for them despite their best efforts…it scared me pretty badly,” he says.

“Prior to this I had always taken health for granted. Their deaths woke me up and made me realize that I did not want to leave the health of my children to chance.” (more…)

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Dana

Is Moderation in Diet a Myth?

By Abra Pappa for NutritiousAmerica.com

The end goal, for me, with all of my clients is to reach a point where living is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline. To discover an eating dogma that is ideal for the individual. An eating plan that supports every cell in the body and contributes to a feeling of abundance and vibrance. Which, for me, should also include eating a burger or a slice of pizza from time to time. Question is, is it really possible to moderate these indulgent meals? Or is indulgence a slippery slope?

There are as many dietary theories as there are people in the world. If you don’t subscribe wholly and completely to one specific (and seemingly strict) dogma (i.e. vegan, raw, paleo) yet you live a supportive healthy life filled with glorious whole foods, would you say you practice moderation?

Are there actually people that successfully practice moderation? Or is it truly necessary to adhere to a strict eating plan in order to transform your life with food and reach your health goals?

Here are my top 3 tips to make moderation possible and bust the myth that it is not! (more…)

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Nutritious_America

Suzanne Somers Releases ‘Bombshell’ Book on Lifelong Health and Vitality

Actress and author Suzanne Somers has released a new book called ‘Bombshell: Explosive Medical Secrets That Will Redefine Aging.” Of her 23rd book, Somers says what she’s trying to do is ‘make aging aspirational.’

“I turned 65 this year and on my birthday I thought, ‘When I was a kid, 65 used to be when people either retired or died, and I’m so nowhere near those scenarios,” the star said during a recent interview on The Today Show. ‘And I started really assessing what it was that I do and thought I’d pass that on.

Somers say she’s chosen to use this part of her career to gather the brightest minds in the kind of health she’s interested in – including Western doctors and those offering breakthrough medical treatments – and share that with the world.

While some may be skeptical as to whether or not ‘Bombshell’ truly holds the promise of eradicating some cancers and making some diseases obsolete as it claims, Somers says she stands behind all of the information she’s gathered and that she’s never been more proud of a book in her life. (more…)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Dana

Khloe Kardashian Drops 20 Pounds in 20 Days

Stars gain weight and we pay attention. And when stars lose weight, we become even more intrigued. The latest female celeb to slim down? Khloe Kardashian.

The youngest of the Kardashian sister clan, Khloe has struggled with weight and body image in the past. In the last year, she’s reportedly gained weight from a rocky patch in her marriage to basketball star Lamar Odom, and has even admitted that she’s an emotional eater who tends to gains weight when she goes through something difficult.

Of her past weight, the star admits that ‘her weight is always going up and down, and that she’s always fighting that and feels no matter what she does, she don’t look good enough to everybody else.’

“My weight is my biggest lifetime struggle,” she says. “It’s not the biggest thing in life, but it does get you down sometimes.”

But since picking up a new workout regimen with her hubby  – who’s currently training for the Summer Olympics – and cleaning up her diet, it’s been reported that Khloe’s lost an estimated 20 pounds in 20 days, weighing in around 155 pounds now and appearing trim and very healthy. (more…)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Dana

10 Surprisingly Vegan Foods

Being vegan doesn’t mean you’re limited to eating just soy milk and broccoli. In fact, there are a number of food companies that produce items such as cookies, syrups, and chips that are completely vegan – oftentimes on accident. If you aren’t familiar with what qualifies a food as vegan, it shouldn’t contain any meat, dairy or animal products, including such items as eggs, honey (bees), or gelatin (horse).

Vegans typically subsist on a diet rich in whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. And while there are an abundance of foods that don’t qualify as vegan-friendly, take a peek in your super market aisles on your next visit to find these – and other – surprisingly vegan products. Just be careful to check the label first to ensure there aren’t any suspicious products in the way of you and a safe vegan indulgence. (more…)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Dana

The Alkaline Water Fight: Is it Healthy or Not?

Alkaline water seems to be causing quite a stir in the health field, with those in favor and opposed both passionately arguing their sides – one claiming it provides amazing health benefits, and the other arguing it’s a complete hoax. But to gain a better understanding of what exactly alkaline water is, we did some research and consulted several health professionals to shine better light on this supposed miracle beverage.

What is it? Alklaine water has a higher pH level than regular tap water, which is why proponents say it can help neutralize acid in your bloodstream, boost your metabolism, and help your body absorb nutrients more effectively. But according to Mayo Clinic Nutritionist Katherine Zeratsky, RD, none of these health claims have been scientifically proven, and she recommends plains water as the best option for most people.

Proposed benefits: Since alkaline water supposedly contains healthy ionized minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium, it’s thought to help reduce risk of suffering from symptoms of metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, high cholesterol and kidney stones.

It’s also thought to have antioxidant properties and potentially reduce rates of heart disease, promote healthy weight loss, and improve bone density. But there doesn’t seem to be any scientific evidence to back these arguments up, leaving us to conclude that these are all just claims. (more…)

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Dana

Baked Sweet Potatoes at Wendy’s are a Fast Food Must

A commercial for three new sides at Wendy’s caught my attention this weekend. They lead with macaroni and cheese, my “desert island” food of choice; then, chili cheese fries; and rounded out the trio with a baked sweet potato. Now we’re talking!

Baked sweet potatoes are one of my very favorite foods. Particularly, I love them for lunch. In fact, they are a staple around the DietsInReview.com office; someone is always warming one up at noon. I usually bake two or three over the weekend and then take halves to work each day (perfect with my black bean turkey chili). Now, it’s good to know if I forget and really need something healthy and quick, Wendy’s can take care of me.

Leery of even the healthiest foods at a fast food restaurant, I went straight to the restaurant’s web site. There I learned I have nothing to fear, except maybe the cinnamon butter spread.

The potato itself is listed as just a sweet potato, no other additives. They bake this for an hour in each store, and then serve it to you piping hot. It has 260 calories, 0 grams of fat, 9 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and more than 1000% of your daily need for vitamin A. These are the nutritional stats for any sweet potato. The ten-ounce sweet potato that they serve (or .6 pounds) is a whopper of a potato; it’s a full four ounces heavier than what is considered a large sweet potato. (more…)

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Natalie K

Domino’s Pizza Introduces Gluten-Free Pizza Crust

Finally, some news gluten-free dieters – and pizza lovers – can rejoice over. Domino’s – the world’s largest delivery pizza chain – is announcing today that it’s planing to sell a pizza made with gluten-free crust. This decision comes after many customers began requesting a gluten-free option from the pizza giant.

“We are the first national pizza delivery chain to offer this,” said Domino’s CMO Russel Weiner. He does note, however, that while the crust is entirely gluten-free, it is baked in ovens with pizzas containing gluten, so those who are extremely gluten sensitive should be cautious.

The pizza crust is made from rice flour, potato starch, rice starch and olive oil, and costs $12 – which is about $3 more than their regularly priced pies, as most gluten-free products cost more than their gluten-containing counterparts.

Domino’s reportedly worked with the national Foundation for Celiac Awareness to bring the organization’s standards to their kitchens and employees. Alice Bast, president of the foundation, says that gluten free is becoming a selling point, and that the number one request they get from gluten-free customers is for gluten-free pizza and beer. (more…)

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Dana

Applebee’s Joins Kids LiveWell and Offers Healthier Children’s Menu

Applebee’s, the world’s largest casual dining chain, just announced good news. The restaurant will be joining Kids LiveWell, a great program that helps parents and children make more healthful choices when eating out at a restaurant.

The company has received the Kid LiveWell endorsement on their children’s grilled chicken sandwich with steamed broccoli and 1 percent milk or apple juice. The side options can also include orange juice or a side of applesauce.

Menu items can get a Kids LiveWell endorsement if they meet the nutritional criteria, which were created from the standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2024 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The Kids LiveWell program was created by the National Restaurant Association and Healthy Dining. (more…)

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Lacy