Category Archives: Diet And Food

Welcome to 2021. The year is off to an exciting start, with a vaccination program struggling to get off the ground and a president facing a second impeachment after inciting a domestic terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol. After a year that saw Americans eating and drinking more to cope with isolation, loss and almost ubiquitous uncertainty, a New Year's resolution to be healthier is perhaps more relevant than ever.

The cascade of advertising for the latest exercise and diet programs is spreading like wildfire online, and the ever-present promises of a slimmer body by the summer vacation season are especially powerful given that the beach may be the first place many of us gather again once we are vaccinated and a return to normal(-ish) has begun. As desperate as any of us are to come out of isolation healthier and fitter than we went in, it's time to ditch the archaic, problematic and ineffective approaches we have taken to fitness and health resolutions in favor of something that might actually make us happier and healthier humans.

In 2021, as well as every year for more than a decade, the most popular New Years resolutions in the U.S. are related to health and self-improvement. The two most popular involve losing weight and exercising more regularly. These resolutions arise from the combination of a culture that prizes unrealistic bodies, reveres dieting and restrictive eating and ignores basic principles of human psychology along with a piling-on of guilt by the same media that preaches the delights of holiday booze and indulgent meals. There is nothing wrong with a desire to lose weight after a month of eating delicious food at gatherings (or alone on the couch this year), nor is it problematic to spend the 15 minutes it takes to sign up for a gym membership. What is an issue is the culture that tells would-be exercisers and weight-losers that what they should want is bulging muscles and six-pack abs in the case of men and a waist that needs a caliper to measure if you are a woman. Despite what the fitness industry will have you believe, none of these things have even the most distant relationship to physical health. What they do cause is a great deal of emotional and psychological pain for millions of Americans who fail to meet unattainable and unhealthy standards.

Something diet culture and fitness regimens ignore is that the best source of information we have for how much and what we should be eating and how much and how we should be exercising isnt an influencer, a chart or a calculator website. It is, rather, our bodies. Our stomachs are excellent at telling us how much we need to eat, our muscles and joints provide reminders to rest and our brains and bodies make it abundantly clear when its time for bed. Putting on an alarm and getting out the door for a jog is usually a healthy way to start your day. When you are doing it because someone on Instagram told you that fasted cardio is the secret to sustainable weight loss despite the fatigue you feel in your legs well past the point of being "warmed up," its not just unpleasant, its unhealthy.

For all the posts about motivation, consistency and grinding through the hard work on [insert your social media feeds resident pro athlete/fitness influencer]'s page, elite athletes spend most of their time resting and taking advantage of the most advanced recovery technology available, not working, studying or parenting or all three in the case of the real superheroes.

At this point, I want to explain that in addition to a student, a columnist and an editor, I am an elite endurance athlete recovering from an eating disorder. In the spring of 2020, I was under crushing pressure both from myself and from the content I consumed on social media that resulted in disordered behavior and a decline in my physical and mental health. On the outside, I was tan from hours spent training in the sun, with veins rippling under my skin and a body closer than I ever imagined to ripped or beach-ready, as popular media would put it. On the inside, though, my muscles were constantly struggling to recover. My body was slowly falling apart. I spent mornings staring down at a scale or into the mirror. I weighed everything I ate on a scale and whether I went to bed satisfied or in tears was solely a function of whether I had eaten more or less calories than I had budgeted for any given day.

I was lucky to have a family and friends to support me in coming to terms with the decline my health was undergoing, and excellent mental health professionals to assist me in my recovery. I dont offer my own story for the sake of your sympathy as readers, but rather as a plea to choose goals that prioritize health and happiness over rigidity and unrealistic standards. Counting calories or following a routine that a buff 20-something tells you is the way to look like them are apparently simple paths to a societally manifested ideal of health. They are often impossible, usually unhealthy and almost always ineffective. Instead, search for goals that give you a body and a mind capable of experiencing your world with joy.

More to come on how to actually structure these goals and avoid the slippery slope to disordered ideas and behaviors.

This article is the first for a column I will be writing for the Daily Wildcat this year focused on both health advice and ideas I have come by through experience as an athlete, as well as critiques of the ever-changing culture around diet, exercise, food and health. I am not an expert in nutrition or exercise science, but I have worked with experts and all advice I offer will be based on current science, which will always be referenced and linked. I look forward to continuing my journey as a human being seeking health and happiness this year, and I am grateful for the opportunity to inform/entertain/comfort/humor/outrage all of you.

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Aidan Rhodes (he/him) is the assistant editor of the Opinions desk. He is a journalism major from Flagstaff, Arizona. He is a passionate chef, athlete and writer.

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OPINION: New Year's resolutions stemming from toxic diet culture have to end - Arizona Daily Wildcat

Ah, protein powder- probably one of the more controversial food items on the market. It usually gets a bad rap because its not exactly necessary in our diets. As an athlete, it is definitely a bad idea to rely on powdered supplements as the sole source of protein. Our bodies require quality protein from whole foods such as legumes, whole grains and lean meats, as well as the micronutrients and fiber in these foods. When you acquire all of your protein needs from powdered supplements, you are depriving your body of those vital nutrients typically found in whole food sources.

However, I am among the many that view protein powder as beneficial to a balanced diet, full of variety and rich in whole foods. While the thought of protein powder might elicit aggressive images of puffy body builders guzzling protein shakes because #GAINS, protein powder can fit into any swimmers lifestyle and not make you super bulky (as this is a common misconception and not necessarily the case when consuming the recommended serving size of the product). Protein powder is a great and convenient way to supplement protein gaps in your daily diet. I enjoy having a protein shake after my workout, but also eat a variety of other protein sources throughout the day. Since whey protein usually upsets my stomach, I use vegan protein powders. I recommend using pea protein, hemp protein and almond protein powders.

If youre interested in how to incorporate protein powders into your daily eats, check out my top protein powder recipe picks below.

Blueberry Vanilla Protein Pancakes

Ingredients

Toppings: Creamy almond butter

Protein pancakes are one of my favorite ways to incorporate protein powder into my diet. Whereas this recipe works perfectly well without the addition of protein powder, its an awesome way to get in that extra protein in a post-workout meal. And better yet, its completely versatile. Depending on your flavor preference, you can use any flavor of protein youd like!

For this recipe, I strongly recommend using a blender to combine the batter ingredients. Combine everything except for the blueberries in the blender and blend until smooth. Next, pour batter into a lightly sprayed pan over medium-medium low heat. I suggest using a spoon or small ladle to portion out each pancake. After ladling out the batter, sprinkle a few blueberries in the center of the pancake and let it cook. Once tiny bubbles appear around the edges, flip each pancake and continue to cook until theyre fluffy and golden-brown. Repeat the process until youve used up the remaining batter and top with a drizzle of creamy almond butter. You can also use honey or maple syrup as toppings (or whipped cream if youre feeling fancy!)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Shake (vegan)

Ingredients

Toppings: Puffed cereal + Creamy peanut butter

This recipe is a unique twist on your classic protein shake. This shake is thick, chocolatey and a deliciously convenient way to get your protein in. While protein shakes are probably the most predictable use of protein powder, I am confident that this recipe will blow all other protein shake recipes out of the water (no pun intended).

The instructions are super easy. First, add all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth, pour into glass and generously top with puffed cereal and creamy peanut butter. To make this shake extra thick, use less almond milk and add more ice. You may need a more high powered blender or food processor, but try adjusting these ratios to change the overall texture! That way you can eat it more like a smoothie bowl as opposed to a protein shake.

Berry Matcha Protein Oatmeal

Ingredients

Toppings: Fresh raspberries + blueberries, creamy almond butter, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds & coconut flakes

As you may or may not know, my alter ego is the Oatmeal Queen. So of course, I had to sneak an oatmeal recipe into the mix! In the colder months when the thought of a protein shake sends chills down my spine, I opt for protein oatmeal, or proats. Proats are just as simple to make as a protein shake and also pack in some extra carbohydrates to fuel those muscles and aid in post-workout recovery.

First, add cup rolled oats, 1 scoop of matcha flavored collagen protein and 1 cup of almond milk to a bowl. Thoroughly stir with a spoon until any remaining clumps disappear. Then, stir in 2 tbs chia seeds, a pinch of cinnamon and 1 tsp vanilla. Microwave for 1:00, stir, then microwave for another :30 until youve reached your desired thickness. If the mixture appears cakey due to the clumps of chia seeds, add a few tablespoons of almond milk or water and stir thoroughly to break up the clumps. Top with some fresh raspberries, blueberries, pomegranate seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes and a generous drizzle of your favorite creamy almond butter and BAM, Berry Matcha Protein Oats.

Check out my page for more recipe inspiration and be sure to share your protein powder recipes with me @whatzoeeeats (https://www.instagram.com/whatzoeeeats/).

About Zoe Gregorace

Zoe Gregorace is currently studying Nutrition Policy at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and recently graduated from Tufts University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and was a proud member of the Tufts Swimming and Diving team (Go Jumbos!). During her 16 year career as a competitive swimmer, she developed a passion for sports nutrition. She enjoys writing on the topic of nutrition, health and wellness and posts her meal creations on her Instagram page@whatzoeeeats. As a former college swimmer, she strives to share recipes and nutrition tips to promote balanced eating and optimize sports performance.

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The Hungry Swimmer: Tips On How To Add Protein Powder To Your Diet - SwimSwam

OAKS, PA - NOVEMBER 16: A Bulldog named "Thor" eats dry food after winning the "Best in Show" at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on November 16, 2019 in Oaks, Pennsylvania. Featuring over 2,000 dog entrants across 200 breeds, the National Dog Show, now it its 18th year, is televised on NBC directly after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and has a viewership of 20 million. (Photo by Mark Makela/Getty Images)

Wild Earth is shaking things up in 2021 by dropping a new docuseries showcasing the benefits of a plant-based diet on our dogs. And with these pups enjoying a new diet for 30 days, viewers will get a real look at how our pups health can benefit from changing the way they eat.

While we must point out that you should be speaking to your vet before changing your dogs diet, this docuseries may inspire you to completely change the way you are feeding your fur baby. As part of the series, viewers will get to watch as five pet parents take on the 30 day dog food challenge. In this challenge, these dog owners will be switching their pup over to the Wild Earth Diet.

We will get to see these pups experience health and life changing moments as their new diet helps to address a number of issues. From improving a pups mobility to helping to increase their energy levels, this plant-based diet will transform the quality of life for all five of these dogs.

Looking to dive into this new docuseries? Then youll probably want to know when it is available to watch and where.

According to a press email, the mini documentary will be available starting on Jan. 19. And where can you watch it? Not only will be up available to watch on both Facebook and YouTube, but it will also be on the Wild Earth website.

Not only will you get to see how Wild Earth can improve your dogs health and quality of life, but youll also learn more about the 30 day dog food challenge as well. Although you can also check out the special hashtag associated with the challenge as well #WE30DayChallenge.

What do you think of not only this challenge, but also the mini documentary? Will you be watching this docuseries? Have you seen this challenge pop up? Tell us in the comments below.

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Wild Earth releases mini documentary about the health improvements associated with plant-based diets in dogs - Dog of the Day

With little else to distract us, the past years lockdowns have led many of us to pay more attention to our food, exercise and bodies than we usually would. One method that many young women are using to take back control of their health is "reverse dieting", a concept thats become ubiquitous among the fitness community posts tagged #reversedieting (266k) or #reversediet (172k) are ballooning on Instagram.

But what actually is a reverse diet? For many people with a restrictive or otherwise problematic history with food, reverse dieting can encourage a new, healthier outlook towards nutrition and result in a better functioning body and mind.

In basic terms, "reverse dieting" means gradually increasing the number of calories you consume (over weeks or months) to get out of a restrictive diet, without putting on a large amount of weight (as you might if you drastically increased your calorie intake overnight). The term originated from bodybuilders and physique athletes, who needed a healthy way to get back to a more sustainable diet (that would allow them to maintain their weight rather than lose it), after long periods of restriction.

While reverse dieting isnt well researched because of its niche origins, its often used to help people (not just bodybuilders) to gradually break out of crash diets or long periods of restricted eating, which may be causing damage to their metabolism, mental health and more. Reverse dieters may lose weight, maintain their weight or gain weight during the process it depends on the individual but regardless of their weight, they frequently report feeling more energised, stronger in the gym, less fixated on food and generally happier.

@matka.mp3Instagram

Dijana Kumurdian, 32, from Melbourne, Australia, began reverse dieting for the first time in July when the city went into lockdown. Despite lifting weights and knowing that her restricted diet was unhealthy and not a long-term strategy, she hadnt been fuelling her body properly since she was teenager. First, it was calorie counting, then intermittent fasting, then no sugar, then keto, and probably some others that I cant remember.

Dijana sought help from her PT to change her perspective of food and break out of unhealthy patterns. Id always eat a bit too much bad food and feel guilty, then restrict later. It was exhausting, so I decided to try the bodybuilding method instead. Slowly and gradually, shes increased her calorie intake monthly without putting on weight.

The goal was to learn to treat food as fuel and remove guilt and negative associations with it altogether, Dijana says. Crucially, shes come to appreciate that food isnt offset by exercise, it fuels her weight training, and that macronutrients (carbs, fat and protein) are all required for us to thrive, both inside and outside the gym. Ive got over my fear of carbs and sugar. My favourite pre-workout meal is toast with honey, bananas and a pinch of salt. Carbs are the best fuel for training, protein is what grows your muscles, and fat is important for hormonal functioning and its what makes food taste good.

Reverse dieting is about focusing on the positives of wholesome, nutritious food and how it can help you feel better, rather than denying yourself and feeling hungry to cut calories and achieve short-term weight loss, says registered dietitian Dr Sarah Schenker. It can help people break down negative feelings about what they eat. It can also result in a better understanding of what your body needs and thus a greater sense of wellbeing.

"I've come to appreciate that food isnt offset by exercise, it fuels it"

People have more time to spend on eating well, cooking meals from scratch and considering their food choices, Dr Schenker says, explaining why it seems particularly popular right now.

By encouraging you to consistently eat a healthy number of calories throughout the week, reverse dieting can also help those with a history of binge-eating. 27-year-old Francesca Evans, from Staffordshire, aka @plantpoweredvegan_, began reverse dieting in October after a years-long terrible relationship with food. Knowing, now, that its possible to break from a low-calorie diet and binge/restrict life, she says her its the best thing Ive done. Im so much happier and healthier now.

Lockdown made me realise how unhealthy my relationship was with food. Id previously put down my lack of eating to being too busy to make something, she says, adding that she also felt the need to over exercise. Working with a PT, Francescas calorie intake is now increasing weekly until she hits her maintenance calories (the number her body needs to sustain itself without losing or gaining weight).

@plantpoweredvegan_Instagram

Francesca no longer binge eats, experiences intense hunger or cravings, and doesnt restrict any foods. Im not as obsessed with food anymore and have less food anxiety. I used to always think about my next meal because I was so hungry panic if friends asked me to go out for lunch and would worry about having to get lunch on the go.

Its so much nicer having more energy and better gym sessions. My periods have returned and my nails have stopped breaking, Francesca adds.

Lauren*, 35, from Washington state, U.S, reverse dieted for the first time from March to September last year. She had previously been eating very little and exercising every day, but her desired weight loss had plateaued, so her PT put her on a reverse diet. To Laurens amazement, by increasing her calories every fortnight until she was eating double her initial intake, prioritising protein and even reducing her training frequency, Lauren gained barely any weight. She says shes never been happier and describes the reverse diet as the best thing [shes] ever done.

Previously, Lauren was scared of food, especially carbs and would binge eat every two weeks. I was always hungry and irritable and my world revolved around food. Nowadays, she says: Theres so much less noise in my head about food and I can use that energy to focus on more important things.

If you want to reverse diet yourself and have the means to do so, its worth working with a professional. Lauren says: After years of depriving myself, having a coach to talk to about how I was feeling and to hold me accountable was worth the money. Ive developed habits that will stick with me for life. While she doesnt believe her food fears are completely cured, the reverse diet transformed Laurens relationship with food.

Theres so much less noise in my head about food and I can use that energy to focus on more important things

I have so much food freedom now. Im at a happy calorie goal, I track [calories] maybe four days a week, but I mostly eat intuitively and still prioritise my protein. I don't have the food fear I used to have. Ive learned food is there to fuel my body so I can get out into the world and function, Lauren concludes.

However, reverse dieting is by no means a silver bullet for disordered eating, nor is it suitable for everyone. It goes without saying that anyone with a current eating disorder should seek help from their GP. For those with a history of restrictive and/or disordered eating, the processes involved in reverse dieting calorie counting, tracking macros (foods carb, fat and protein content) and regular weigh-ins can be triggering and/or lead to obsession, rather than empowering and educational tools.

@plantpoweredvegan_Instagram

Dijana, who has a history of disordered eating and body dysmorphia, recommends treating reverse dieting with caution if you have an eating disorder and/or perfectionistic tendencies. While it works for her right now, tracking every gram of food you eat and weighing yourself constantly can quickly become obsessive, she says.

Dietitian and eating disorder specialist Priya Tew instead recommends such people try eating intuitively and tuning into what their body needs to repair their relationship with food. In her view, diets are not a sustainable approach, if you move towards listening to your body and work with a dietitian or registered nutritionist who specialises in a non diet-approach, you can find a way that works for life that means you don't have to count or track your food intake all of the time."

*Surname withheld for privacy

Beat is the UK's leading charity dedicated to helping people with eating disorders. If you or someone you know is struggling and want to seek help, call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 or visit their website for more details.

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Reverse dieting: How it can cure an unhealthy food relationship - cosmopolitan.com

In the Recreation Centers basement, gym bros are found in the free weight room, profusely sweating and grunting loudly with every heavy lift. These guys biceps are barely contained by their sweat-stained GSU Football Gildan T-shirts. These men can also be intimidating, especially to someone who doesnt frequent the gym.

Some people go to the gym in hopes of coming out looking like a member of Georgia States powerlifting club. To be lean, cut and muscular is to be in shape, confident and healthy. But sometimes, its not.

Beauty standards for men and women are the inverse of each other. For women, beautiful means thin and toned, but not too muscular. And for men, attractive means shredded and muscular but not too skinny. Oversaturation of unattainable beauty standards for women results in over half of teenage girls engaging in unhealthy weight loss methods like skipping meals, using laxatives or fasting.

Professionals are more likely to diagnose women with an eating disorder before their health declines detrimentally, as the signs and symptoms are easier to spot than they are in men. But men suffer from eating disorders just as much as women, but some men suffer differently.

The term bigorexia, or muscle dysmorphia, is a condition that primarily affects male bodybuilders. People with this condition obsess over being more muscular and typically see themselves as not muscular enough. Someone with muscle dysmorphia may spend an excessive amount of time working out, overspend on fitness supplements and engage in abnormal eating habits.

The Bigger, the Better

Senior Hunter Meech worked at Georgia States Student Recreation Center and is passionate about fitness. He explained his struggle with dieting and the medias effect on his self-image, as well as his experience of seeing his friends exhibit unhealthy habits.

Bigorexia is a term Im far too familiar with, and sadly, many men who lift weights struggle [with it] whether they know it or not, he said. Social media provides us with images that get ingrained into so many young mens brains as the ideal physique, and it makes many envious to be that muscular.

Men in fitness tend to follow a strict diet, with some examples being ketogenic diets, If It Fits Your Macros dieting and intermittent fasting. Meech followed the If It Fits Your-Macros diet and found himself engaging in disordered eating habits.

You basically eat the calculated amount of proteins, carbs and fats your body needs for your goals, he said. This resulted in me becoming incredibly anxious about going over and eating too much. I [was] extremely lean but to a point where I looked emaciated, and it only continued to hinder my body image issues even more.

Senior Freddie Ross, a former employee of the Recreation Center and a personal trainer, agrees that unrealistic body images in the fitness world contribute to peoples warped perception of their bodies.

In my opinion, eliminate ads that push the narrative of men needing to be 270 pounds of ripped, lean muscle to be adequate as a human, Ross said. [We should] have open, honest conversations about people and their relationship with food and exercise.

Gotta Get Those Gains (the Right Way)

Intermittent fasting is one of the few diets that does not limit what someone eats, but when they eat. The most popular intermittent fasting method is the 16/8 method, where one eats for eight hours of the day and fasts for the other 16. During fasting periods,only consume water and zero-calorie drinks.

However, studies suggest that restrictive diets like these can increase someones chances of developing binge eating disorder.

Ive known guys who have starved themselves for 16-20 hours and then tried to gorge themselves and eat an entire days worth of calories in less than eight hours, Meech said. Of course, this leads to even more eating disorders such as binge eating where guys will try to eat as much as they can in hopes of putting on as much muscle in a short period of time.

Dan Benardot, a professor of nutrition at Georgia State, compares intermittent fasting to driving a car from Atlanta to Los Angeles: if a person is a car, then the calories consumed are the gas. He explained that you couldnt overfill the tank before you leave Atlanta to satisfy the trips total fuel needs, nor can you let the tank go to empty and provide fuel once you get to Los Angeles to give the car what is needed for the trip. The car wont make it.

What happens with a lot of people who are physically active is they tend to backload their intake. They have a little breakfast, exercise, exercise, exercise. Then, they dont eat very much. At the end of the day, they have a huge dinner to consume the fuel they actually needed earlier while they were exercising, compromising their goal of losing fat and gaining muscle, he said.

Maxing Out the Cycle

Like any other mental illness, the most effective way to overcome eating disorders is to seek help. But for some, thats not an option, whether it be limited access to resources or not knowing they have a problem. But there are ways to slow the process.

Ross asks open-ended questions to his clients interested in losing weight to ensure they are setting fitness goals for the right reasons.

When I train people, and they tell me their goals, I always ask them, Why? he said.

According to Benardot, the best and correct way to diet is to never overfill the tank. Consider researching factual, scientific journals about dieting and avoid baseless diet fads found on the internet. Benardot also mentioned that using weight to determine the validity of a diet is misleading.

Part of the problem is that they think that the diet is successful because they say, Oh look, my weight [has] gone down, he said. Weight is the worst imaginable metric that you could think of because its misleading. What you really want to know is, Is my fat going down? And am I keeping my muscle?

Creating a healthy relationship with food helped Meech conquer his struggles with eating.

I find that the best thing thats worked for me is to focus on eating healthy meals without focusing on the [number] of calories and the ratio of carbs and proteins, Meech said. Understand that unhealthy food isnt evil and will not ruin your physique if you practice moderation and stay active.

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Eating disorders affecting men in the fitness community - The Signal - The Signal

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence that shows meat-free diets are better for your health, the environment, and animal welfare,manyare reluctant to embrace a plant-based diet. Perhaps one of those people was once you. Myths and misperceptions surrounding veganism make changing someones mind about eating meat tougher than a well-done steak. If you're plant-based yourself, you canprobablythink about one or twoloved ones who you would love to see give up meat for their health. Instead of pushing them hard, share with them what it was that prompted you to make the switch. Instead of trying to change their approach, telling them what changed yours canbe a gentler, more effective way to havethem consider another perspective.

When trying to convince someone you care about to do so, its essential to address the misinformation around adopting a plant-based diet. Dont write off veganism as a bunch of salad leaves on a plate until youve explored the growing world of meat alternatives. Before they bite into another burger, offer them a chance to try your favorite alternatives. And offer information about the dangers associated with meat consumption.

Anytime you challenge someones long-held beliefs, youre going to be met with resistance. Rethinking meat is no exception. However, when you tackle the misconceptions and layout the proven benefits, you have a good chance of changing someones mind.

Tell someone you're vegan and they look at you like you're "one of those" people who probably bike everywhere and weave sandals out of hemp. That is both an old and new view of vegans,because the movement has had many iterations dating back to the 70s and before, andsince its inception sustainable fashion, leather-free sneakers, boots, and yes, biking, have all taken on a new-found mainstream cool.

But when it comes to eating for your health, especially to avoid heart disease, diabetes, cancers, and high blood pressure, the urgency of eating healthy has led nearly one-quarter of all Americans to say they are consuming plant-based foods, even if they are not fully vegan or plant-based at the exclusion of all meat or dairy. Coronavirus showed up on our radar inearly 2020 and since then more consumers as eating more fruits and vegetables, taking vitamins C and D, and other supplements in an effort to protect their immune system and build up their response to the virus. Eating plant-based is no longer something you do for your future health and wellbeing, now it's something you do to be healthiertoday, right now.

Still, most die-hard meat eaters will tell you they need meat for protein, or for strength, or to cut down on carbs, and still, theyre reluctant to make the switch to plant-based eating. Consequently, those of us who follow plant-based diets have trouble getting our loved ones to accept their eating choices. Opening someones mind to the benefits of veganism starts with breaking down the myths and misconceptions they believe to be true.

Let's assume that the loved one already knows that a diet high in plant-based foods and low in animal products lowers their risk of death from all causesincluding heart disease, diabetes, and cancerby 24 percent. They may tell you it's inconvenient or more expensive, both not true: You actually save money at the grocery store when you cut out meat, an estimated $1,260 a year. But when you tell them that, some people will still say theyre not willing to sacrifice taste.

What these meat lovers dont realize is that it has never been easier to eat plant-based. In response to an increase in demand from consumers, restaurants, supermarkets, and food manufacturers are preparing, stocking, and developing a variety of affordable and tasty meat alternatives. Furthermore, rethinking meat doesnt mean you have to give it up entirely. You can take steps to adopt a mostly plant-based diet and still reap the benefits of removing meat from your diet.

Many people turn to plant-based diets to reap the health benefits of removing (entirely or partially) meat from their diet. Even if you can't get their attention on the long-term health effects of a plant-based diet, you can tell them that plant-based foods lower the risk of inflammation and infection, and help their digestive health. Want to get really personal? Tell your loved one who spends too much time in the bathroom or suffering from gut health issues that consuming red meat can lead to constipation which puts excessive pressure on veins throughout your body. On the other hand, vegan and plant-based diets are high in fiber which aids digestion and reduces vein stress.

While constipation is undoubtedly a negative side effect of too much meat in your diet, an even more serious consequence is the potential for antibiotic resistance. To boost growth rates and prevent infections, livestock farmers include antibiotics in the feed of food animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens. Over time, germs build up a resistance to antibiotics, and when a human catches one of these infections, drugs are ineffective. Why this matters more now: When someone contracts COVID-19 it's the secondary infections that make them sickest, so while the coronavirus is not resolved by antibiotics, the secondary lung infection like pneumonia is.

In recent years, public health investigators have noted that drug-resistant infections from food animals are steadily rising. To avoid building up a resistance to antibiotics, you should reduce your meat intake or cut it out of your diet entirely. Going vegan or embracing a mostly plant-based diet will support beneficial bacterial functions and help to protect you against intestinal diseases.

Despite scientists and health experts spelling out the repercussions of eating too much meat, some people are still hesitant to make potentially lifesaving dietary changes. If youre still on the fence about veganism, you need to explore the world of meat alternatives. Its a lot more varied (and a lot tastier) than many people realize, and it can be a great way to transition from being a meat-love to incorporating more plants onto your plate.

Just because you decide to give up meat doesnt mean youll never bite into a burger again. Companies like Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat are hard at work developing plant-based products that look and taste like actual meat. Food manufacturer Lightlife offers a tasty bacon alternative with zero cholesterol. These plant-based products are similarly priced to meat-based products which dash the misconception that a vegan diet is more expensive.

There are meat replacements for virtually any situation. You may have already tried tofu in stir fry, but it works as a replacement for eggs or cheese. Need a stand-in for chicken or beef? You can use seitan in pretty much any recipe that calls for them. Dont forget about mushrooms: A portobello burger has a hearty flavor and surprisingly meaty texture.

Organizing a taste test of a variety of meat alternatives is a fun (and convincing) way to get someone to rethink meat. Changing someones mind is difficult, but with a creative and fact-based approach, its possible.

Each day, more scientific evidence comes to light supporting meat-free diets. Regardless of who you are trying to convince, its important to highlight the benefits of adopting a plant-based diet as well as address the myths and misperceptions surrounding veganism. This year, instead of asking your loved one to go the whole way, try swapping out a vegan version of their favorite meal. Giving up meat is a big leap for many people, but like anything, it's doable when broken down into smaller steps.

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Rethinking Meat: Why Is It So Hard to Change Someone's Mind? - The Beet

The best tea for fat loss is any plain unsweetened tea that you choose to drink instead of some other unhealthy beverages like these belly busters: sweet tea, soda, juice, smoothies, beer, etc.). (For more background, here are 7 Ways Tea Can Help You Lose Weight.)

Disappointed with that answer? Don't be. It's the honest truth: If you are looking for a magic bullet for weight loss, you won't find it in a teacup. Drinking tea alone is no more effective than any other fat-loss technique if you don't combine it with other healthy eating practices. In other words, a cuppa plain tea won't cancel out the tea biscuits.

That said, unsweetened tea is second only to water as the weight loss beverage most recommended by nutritionists and other health experts. For good reason: Plain tea contains zero calories and is rich in natural compounds that have many health benefits.

But which is the best type of tea for fat loss? One could argue that green tea is tops simply because green tea has been clinically studied more than any other kind of tea. Many studies have shown that the bounty of antioxidants in green tea may reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Research suggests that special compounds called catechins and the caffeine in green tea stimulate thermogenesis and boost metabolism. Other studies correlate drinking several cups of green tea a day for longer than six weeks with weight loss.

Of course, any calorie-free tea can help with weight loss if it replaces a high-calorie beverage. To get the biggest fat-loss benefit from tea, pick your favorite from these tea types recommended by nutritionists and pair it with one of The 6 Best Diets That Will Make You Live Longer.

"One of the best teas that support fat loss is black tea," says Tiffany Joy Yamut, a registered nurse, certified nutritionist, and co-founder of the keto diet resource Ketogenic Buddies. Black tea is made from leaves of the same plant from which green tea is made:Camellia sinensis. The big difference is how it's processed. Black tea leaves are exposed to air and allowed to oxidize into that trademark dark brown color. "A 2016 study published in Molecules showed that polyphenols in black tea can prevent obesity; one of its mechanisms is that it inhibits lipid (fat) absorption," says Yamut. "I follow a low-carbohydrate diet and black tea suits my lifestyle well since it contains no carbs plus some caffeine to jumpstart my metabolism." However, black tea isn't for everyone, she cautions. "Tea has caffeine, which can worsen gastroesophageal reflux disease symptoms."

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"Any plain tea without sugar, honey, and syrups is great for weight loss," says Amanda A Kostro Miller, RD, LDN, who serves on the advisory board for Fitter Living. "Not only can you get fluid for hydration, [but you're also] filling up your stomach for only a few calories." If you run out of tea, you can always hydrate for fat loss by knowing This Is How Much Water You Need to Drink for Weight Loss.

This traditional Chinese tea, also known as black dragon, is made from the leaves of the same plant that yields green and black teas. The only difference is that unlike green tea, oolong is allowed to oxidize, but not long enough to turn into black tea. The result is a flavor that is less bitter than black tea, lighter, and more "grassy." Oolong tea has not been studied to the extent of green tea, but studies do point to its potential as a weight-loss beverage. In one study published in the Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine, 102 overweight people consumed 8 grams of oolong tea, or about four cups a day for six weeks. Measuring body fat and body weight levels, researchers found that 70% of the heaviest subjects lost a little more than 2 pounds while 22% lost more than 6.5 pounds. Also, 12% of subjects experienced a decrease in subcutaneous fat.

Plant-based nutritionist Stephanie Mantilla's favorite weight-loss tea is caffeine-free rooibos from South Africa. Studies have shown that the red tea "helps block the creation of fat cells and increase metabolism," says the founder of Plant Prosperous.

Because the herbal tea is high in antioxidants and contains anti-inflammatory properties, one South African researcher is investigating its effect on fat stem cells. Dr. Hanl Sadie-Van Gijsen of the Division of Medical Physiology at Stellenbosch University is seeking to addressthe inflammation and oxidative stress within the fat tissue to relieve whole-body inflammation and insulin resistance. She says inflammation and oxidative stress are hallmarks of "dysfunctional fat," and responsible for many of the diseases associated with obesity.

Peppermint is a time-honored home remedy for indigestion, and it is believed to be a metabolism booster. "This tea's antifungal nature is also responsible for its ability to help improve digestive health," says nutritionist Lisa Richards, author of The Candida Diet. "A cup of peppermint tea after a meal can help alleviate gas and bloating while also speeding along digestion and potentially metabolism through this means as well."

Ginger tea is a favorite of Trista Best, RD, a registered dietitian with Balance Once Supplements, due to its robust flavor and antioxidant richness. "Ginger is unique for weight loss in that it contains compounds known as gingerols and shogaols, compounds that reduce the oxidative stress that exacerbates obesity," she says. "This damage occurs at the cellular level and once those damaged cells replicate the body's natural processes that maintain homeostasis can become disrupted leading to decreased metabolism, energy, and more."

A number of experts told us that green tea, matcha (a powdered green tea), and green tea extract are considered to be some of the best for supporting healthy weight loss because they are particularly high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds including EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate).

"EGCG seems to help block the formation of new fat cells and may also reduce hunger and cravings, plus caffeine in green tea has appetite-decreasing effects," says Dr. Josh Axe, D.N.M., CNS, founder of Dr.Axe.com.

This catechin abundant in green tea is also thought to improve recovery from exercise, boosting metabolism and potentially reducing fat storage. "Antioxidants found in green tea can support metabolic health by lowering oxidative stress, plus they keep blood sugar levels more balanced which is beneficial for controlling fat storage," says Axe.

"The ECGC in green tea can deactivate the genetic triggers for diabetes and obesity," says Kelly Choi, author of the Eat This, Not That! book The 7-Day Flat-Belly Tea Cleanse.

To learn how drinking green tea changed Choi's life, read I Tried a Tea Cleanse for 7 Days and This is What Happened.

Continued here:
The #1 Best Tea for Fat Loss, According to Nutritionists | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

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Many people who want to get into running are put off by the daunting prospect of painstakingly counting out individual grains of rice or choking down vile protein shakes. There is certainly no shortage of books explaining exactly which foods you simply must eat to maximise your performance, and no lack of tanned, toned, flat-tummed individuals smiling magnanimously from the cover in the safe knowledge of their own unassailable superiority. You know the ones I mean.

Books with such inspiring titles as This Is Going To Hurt, Willpower Doesnt Work and Skinny B*tch (all real names) make a running lifestyle seem exclusively achievable to those who do 5am 10-mile cross-country runs with rucksacks full of rocks, and then eat the rocks for breakfast. As someone who calls themselves a runner, and also as someone whose eating habits single-handedly keep Terrys Chocolate Oranges in business, I can tell you this simply isnt true. And so, without further ado, here are my Top Five Myths about the so-called runners diet.

1. Different people need different types of diet

Everyone is different. We all have that annoying friend who eats like a pig but looks (and runs) like a gazelle. However, as Micaela Karlsen points out, many people confuse differences in degree with differences in direction. What this means is that, whilst some people may have a lower tolerance to unhealthy food, they dont therefore need to follow a vegan diet, or a keto diet, or a sugar-free diet because its the only thing that works for them. All human digestive systems are fundamentally the same, and so eating generally healthy, balanced food will always win out over a wild goose chase for your perfect nutrition programme. Unfortunately, that also means theres no-one out there who will thrive off the McDiet

Eating generally healthy, balanced food will always win out over a wild goose chase for your perfect nutrition programme.

2. Your diet has to be precise

Food packaging labels outline each individual calorie, adding a second to our parkrun time and pushing us ever closer to our unavoidable demise. Its easy to become obsessed with the exactitudes of weekly mileage, km splits and PBs - it seems natural that this precision should also transfer to what we eat. However, the reality is that a far more rough-and-ready approach works just as well. In 2006, 20,000-year-old human footprints were found to be running for several miles at a breezy 37 kph Usain Bolts top speed. There is a lesson to be learned here: our ancestors certainly didnt worry about exactly what they were consuming. Its far healthier to have a common sense attitude about what you eat; listen when your body is telling you its hungry or full, and not beat yourself up for that extra slice of cake.

3. You need processed food

A common misconception is that expensive, fancy runner-y bars are an essential part of ones daily food intake. Some runners think its necessary to squeeze every possible microgram of sustenance out of each bite: the nutritional equivalent of Dwayne Johnson with a used-up tube of toothpaste. This may be true in very specific scenarios; energy gels are useful for refuelling during events typically around half-marathon length or longer. However, in day-to-day life natural foods will do just fine. In fact, subsisting on energy bars can mean you end up with mineral imbalances, impacting the bodys ability to absorb other substances.

What you eat and what you do need to work in harmony.

4. If you do enough running, you dont have to worry about what you eat

It always amuses me when I see jumbo-packs of Jaffa cakes with Enjoy as part of a healthy lifestyle on them. Sure, these are the closest Ive come to fruit in four weeks but not to worry, runnings a famous cure for scurvy. You can have the fastest car in the world, but if you ditch the motor oil and try to run it on deep-fat fryer oil instead, it wont be going anywhere. To clarify, Im not advocating runners drink motor oil (although I did get a 5k PB in the ambulance), but the principle remains. As much as Ive said that you shouldnt worry too much about what you eat, there is a limit, and you cant expect your body to perform if youre not giving it anything to go on.

5. and if you eat healthily enough, you dont have to do any running!

On the other side of the coin, youre not magically going to improve at running just by eating healthily. Without training, your VO2 max will drop and your performance will suffer. When more glucose is consumed than can be used or stored as glycogen it is converted to fat. Therefore, even if youre not ingesting many calories, what you do ingest will just lead to weight gain.

And there we have it: my Top Five Myths about the runners diet. Hopefully this will leave you feeling slightly less stressed about KitKats recently going up to 518 calories. After all, mental is just as important as physical health when it comes to running. Speaking of which, I think all this writing has earnt me a snack

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We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding, and during this unprecedented global crisis, we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead.

In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too.

Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as 1, to help with our running costs at least until this global crisis ends and things begin to return to normal.

Many thanks, all of us here at Varsity would like to wish you, your friends, families and all of your loved ones a safe and healthy few months ahead.

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Five myths about the 'runner's diet': why living off lentils might not work - Varsity Online

You know how every decade your body loses muscle mass, and adds more fat, in what is considered an inevitable downward spiral into aging? This process is called sarcopenia and "sad to say, it starts inyour 30s," according to Susan Vannucci, RD, Ph.D. Asyour body's lean muscle mass decreases, "we not only lose strength but our basal metabolic rate or the amount of energy or calories your body needs every day becomes reduced." And that means weight gain! This process accelerates with age, making it more and more difficult to even maintain, much less lose, weight.

Well, there is a way you can fight it. But first, you have to acknowledge that the changes that happen over time don't just pop up one day, but rather are insipient and gradual, and they have everything to do with the choices you make at the table and in your workout routine.Here's the good news: You can control all that.

Just as the beauty industry has taught young people to wear sunscreen at the beach when they don't have a wrinkle in sight, so does the nutritionist savvy authorities (not the food industry, but theprofessionals who you pay to give you smart nutrition advice), want you to think about eating the healthiest foods and doing resistance traininglike burpees, kettlebells, weights, and HIIT workouts) that put your muscles under stresson a regular basis.

The only debate is: What are the right foods to eat? And how can you harness the powers of antioxidants to spring your cells into action, to fight off inflammation, repair their own cellular infrastructure, andfunction optimally, as they do in a young person, for decades to come?

"Aging is not a disease. There are diseases of aging, but it doesn't mean they are inevitable," says Vannucci, RD, Ph.D. a wellness expert in New YorkCity who provides individual wellness counseling in-person and online for individuals age 45 and up nationwide. Su, as her patients call her, has a strong academic and medical background, having gotten her degree in cellular biology, as well as training in nutrition. She is currently working on a book, Age Strong, Live Long with her kick-ass trainer, Antoinette Vo, who has her doing 60-pound deadlifts at the age of 71.

"I ran my last marathon for my sixtieth birthday, and it was my fastest," Vannucci explains. She retired her running shoes to save her back, after a few issues, but her current workouts of strength training, Pilates and power walking, and what she calls "heavy lifting" have made her stronger than she was decades ago. "My attitude is that you can forestall aging, and by and large, unless you have a genetic condition, all of the diseases related to aging are not inevitable. Loss of muscle mass and body fat are not inevitable. You just have to work at it."

Because she started her career asa scientist her patients are likelier to listen to her. So when her patients askher the mechanisms of how something works and why, if she doesn't know the answer she will find it out.The questions we asked her today are simple: How can you eat and workout to reverse the clock, or at least slow the hands of time, to make sure when you hit your 60th or 70th birthday your body is as fit or fitter than it was at half that age?

Susan Vannucci: The thing about food is it definitely impacts aging.If you want to forestall the process of aging, you need to reduce systemic inflammation. Because it's reallythe same thing. Inflammation causes aging, on a cellular level. So first you have to get everything out of your body that causes inflammation. That is red processed meat, chemicals, added sugar, and anything that is processed.

Years ago, Time magazine did a big cover story on inflammation, calling it the Silent Killer. Inside the writer calls it"Inflam-aging." It is such a great term! You think about inflammation, such as when you cut yourself or bruise yourself, but that is a momentary stream of helpful fluid to repair a site. The concept we are talking about is not that temporary state of cell repair. It's more like a flood-state that suppresses all cellular functions. When you have systemic inflammation in your bodythatis chronic, thatis one of the biggest contributors to aging.

Susan Vannucci: I tell clients: The biggest problem is junk food and added sugar in the diet.The fact that people don't even know how big the basket of junk food is. They might think they are eating healthy but even if it is vegetarian or vegan, just because it is lacking animal product does not mean it's healthy! it may be so processed that it's junk food. Read the label. Most packages foods are so full of chemicals.

In the effort to lower inflammation, eat more plant-based foods.But eat them in their whole form. potato chips and corn chips are still plant-based.

Susan Vannucci: When my daughter was a teenager, said she wanted to go vegetarian. I worried that to her, that meant a diet high in potato chips. I made a deal with her. She was a competitive athlete, a sprinter, and hurdler, a competitive horsewoman and I made a deal with her: You heed a healthy diet, and I will totally support you. You have to be able to eatall the beans and legumes and plant-based proteins that are whole foods and recognize what makes a complete protein.

She and I were always going to write this book together on what to do when your child announces they want to go vegetarian or vegan. She stuck with it until she married a guy who likes meat, then she got pregnant and so now the way she eats is thatany meat in her diet is more of a condiment than the main part of the meal.

Susan Vannucci: The first thing is we talk about what they are already doing to get a sense of where they arein this journeybecause I always say I don't put people in diets. We don't talk about being "good" or "bad," and I don't weigh anybody. I provide the information they need and assume we are all responsible adults and if you want to do this, you can.

Susan Vannucci: Get rid of all the white stuff. Things that are processed. Most things that come in bags, boxes, or containers of any kind can sit on a truck or a shelf for a long time ... the chemicals in it are the problem. Get rid of that stuff. Flip to whole grains, whole foods, lots of water, and move more! That should not be so hard to do.

When people start to read the labels of boxes that hold the food they are about to eat, thinking they are healthy foods, like whole wheat crackers, they can be horrified. How many names do we have for sugar? Not uncommonly if you look on a label there will be three to five kinds of sugar in there.

Susan Vannucci:If someone isreally hungry (not bored or in need of a diversion) cut-up vegetables. carrots, celery with a little bit of hummus, or some edamame is a really good snack. A lot people come to me with the same complaint. When they worked all day in an office and get to the end of the day, and leave to go home,by the time they get home, they are starving. They walk in the front door and eat everything in sight. While waiting for dinner. Usually, that sets their cravings up. Now when we work from home it's constant snacking.

If you know you're a snacker keep healthy ones on hand: Rice cakes, hummus, and make avocado slices. Rice cakes can be healthy but not the caramel corn ones loaded with sugar. Just basically talking about whole grain rice cakes. They keep! And also keep nuts around.

Susan Vannucci: As for eating plant-based, of course, most people should eat more vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. But that doesn't mean that just because you're vegan or avoiding animal products that you're eating healthy. You have to avoid all processed foods. I am an advocate for healthy foods and what works best for people is not all the same.

For the planet, and because I absolutely hate, loathe, and detest the food industry, I would saychoosing a diet of mostlyplant-based eating is smart. But I know people like my husband who especially don't do as well on a solely plant-based diet.

Susan Vannucci:Normally, people are worried about protein but unless you are over 80 a lack of protein is unlikely to be your biggest problem. People who are older can sometimes be deficient because they don't eat enough calories in general. But if you're not in that category it's not something to worry about.

Susan Vannucci:For keeping muscle mass and not gaining fat you need to put your muscles into a state of stress. I enjoy heavy lifting. As you get older and by that, I mean anyone over 30, with the awareness that this aging process of losing muscle mass starts in your 30s, you have to do resistance training, and it has to be heavy.

For the most part, women are not going to bulk up. The way I started this was when I stopped marathon running I just felt I was losing my strength, so I got a trainer who got me into kettlebells, and it's been fabulous. I am stronger than ever at 71, and I am pretty strong. I have my cadre of kettlebells and I can deadlift 100 pounds.

The idea is not to lose muscle mass, so you need to add in resistance training several days a week. and go heavy. I can swing a kettlebell that is 40 pounds, and lift 60, but not over my head (that's dangerous). I will lift 18 pounds over my head.This is how women, especially can maintain muscle mass. The reason we lose it is that the equilibrium in our body between muscle synthesis and muscle breakdown starts to shift as we get older. So you breakdown more than you build back up. And slowly over time, you lose your muscle mass. That's what causes aches, pains, falls, and lack of balance. The stronger the body, the less you age.

Susan Vannucci: Vitamin D3 is absolutely important.Almost no one gets enough D3 naturally. And Omega-3 is important, either from algae or fish oil. We have come to learn that vitamin D is essential in so many pathways. Way beyond just bone health. It's vital in fighting cancer, MS, and more. And because of sunscreen, and working indoors, staying out of the sun, people are vitamin D deficient. Yes, cases of COVID-19 have been worse for those who are D deficient, so taking D is a good idea to strengthen your ability to fight viruses.

Why Omega 3 because what's happened is we need all the omegas, the Omega-3s the Omega-6s, and the Omega-9s. But because of the food industry, ourdiets lack Omega-3. They have taken out the Omega-3 from foods, and increase the Omega-6 to increase things like shelf life. So for most people, the ratio is way out of balance. And what happens is our cell membranes are made of fat. They have a lipid bilayer and they are constantly turned over, like most things in the body, so if you have too much Omega-6 in your body, that gets overrepresented in your cell membranes, and then when anything happens, like internal stress and those Omega-6s get broken down, and they are pro-inflammatory. So you need to supplement with Omega-3 to keep your cell membranes healthy and intact.

Susan Vannucci: So that is why people are living with this internal fire.Inflammation is a precursor of a lot of diseases, and this is inflammation is something you can't see because it's going on inside of you on a cellular level. You can see the effects, like high blood pressure or you can take a blood test and test for what's called C-reactive protein.

That can be tested for, andthat's probably the easiest and most common marker for people. C-reactive protein is a marker that indicates there is inflammation in the body, and if yours is elevated it can be a signthat there's inflammation in the arteries of the heart, and that you are at risk for heart attack or stroke.High blood pressure is another sure sign of inflammation. If there should be an impetus to go to a plant-based diet it's hypertension. I tell people that the DASH. diet works which are mostly made up of plant foods.

To connect with Susan Vannucci, visit her website, Wellnesswith Susan Vannucci, Ph.D.

1. How old are you?20 or less = 0; 21-30 = 1; 31-40 = 2; 41-50 = 3; 51-60 = 4, >60 = 5

2. Have you had a heart attack or stroke? Yes = 5; No = 0

3. Do you have high blood pressure (>140/90), or high cholesterol ( >220; HDL<35)? Yes = 5; No = 0

4. Do you currently smoke?Yes = 5, go to question 5; No = 0, skip to 6

5. Do you smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day?Yes = 5, go to question 7; No = 0, go to question 7

6. Have you ever smoked regularly?No, never = 0; quit more than 10 years ago = 1; 5-10 years ago = 2; quit within the past 5 years = 3

7. Do you have diabetes- either type 1 or type 2? Yes = 5; No = 0

8. Do you have periodontitis (severe gum disease)? Yes = 3; No = 0

9. Do you have medical complaints but doctors cant find anything wrong? Yes = 3; No = 0

10. Are you often fatigued, even after a good night sleep? Yes = 5; No = 0

11. Do you have trouble falling asleep and/or wake up too early and cant go back to

sleep?Yes = 3; No = 0

12. What is your Body Mass Index (BMI)? Weight (lbs) x 704.5 / height (in)2 < 25 = 0; 25 29.9 = 3; >30 = 5

13. Do you feel depressed or sad most of the time? Yes = 3; No = 0

14. On an average day, how much pain do you have?No pain = 0; minor aches, nothing serious = 1; annoying pain = 2; sometimes a lot of pain, depends on the day = 3; usually in pain = 4

15. How often do you eat fish/ take omega-3 supplements/week? None = 3; 1 or 2 = 0; >3 = -3

16. How many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat/day? None = 5; 1-3 = 3; 3-7 = 0; >7 = -5

17. What is the population size of where you live?> 1 million = 5; 500,000 1 million = 3; < 500,000 = 0

18. What fuel do you use for home heating?Kerosene burner/wood stove = 5; oil or gas furnace = 3; heat pump or electric = 0

19. How often do you use heavy-duty cleaning products (bleach, ammonia, bath, and shower cleaners, mildew removers, etc) in your home?

Never, only use natural cleaners = 0; rarely = 1; often = 2; daily = 4 20. Do you regularly use air fresheners, either spray or plug in? Yes = 2; No = 0

21. How often do you feel stressed?

Rarely = 0; About average = 1; Often = 2; Always = 5

22. How often do you exercise?

Never = 5; rarely (1x week or less) = 4; 1-2/week = 1; regularly,

3 or more/week = -523. Do you regularly take steroids either by prescription or performance- enhancing?

Yes = 5, No = 024. Do you take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other NSAIDs, or statin medication?

Yes = -5; No = 025. Are you exposed to pesticides?

Frequently = 5; Sometimes = 3; Never = 0 Total Inflammation Score =

Max = 98, Lowest = 18Your Score: 50- 98: High inflammation risk. Dont panic!! This only means you have a higher than average risk of developing the disease- but there are things you can do! Talk to your doctor ask about testing your C-reactive protein (CRP). And follow guidelines to reduce your risk score.Your Score: 20-49: Moderate inflammation risk. Look for areas where you scored the highest and plan ways to change those risk factors, especially with increased age.Your Score: < 20: Congratulations!! This is a great place to start towards a lifetime of wellness and disease prevention. Pay attention to areas that will increase risk in the future!

Excerpt from:
Aging Starts at 30 In Your Body. Here's What to Do About it - The Beet

As if the new COVID-19 strain wasn't enough of a stressor, it's also high time for the flu and common cold, which means it's all the more important to keep your immune system in tip-top shape. Thankfully, there are several ways you can do this naturallyand on a daily basis.

Nicole Avena, Ph.D., nutrition expert and author of Why Diets Fail,specializes in functional nutrition and holistic health. Here, she shares five tricks you can employ to best prepare your immune system for illness this winter through diet and supplements alone. And after, be sure to read The 7 Healthiest Foods to Eat Right Now.

This one's a no-brainer, right? We all know vitamin C is crucial for combatting the common cold, in addition to myriad other viruses, but do you know why? Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against oxidative damage in white blood cellsas well as in other important immune cellsso that they can function optimally, says Avena. Essentially, the antioxidant builds a strong barrier around these cells so that environmental pathogens and pollutants don't weaken or destroy them.

If you already have a cold, Avena suggests aiming for consuming anywhere between 1 and 2 grams (1,000-2,000 milligrams) of Vitamin C per daywhich can be attained through a high-powered supplement. If you don't have a cold, the recommended dietary allowance of the vitamin for women 19 years and older is 75 milligrams and for men, it's 90 milligrams.

Be sure to check out 5 Foods High in This Vitamin That Can Help Protect You From COVID-19 for tips on which foods are the richest sources of the antioxidant.

"A quick walk during the day can do wonders for the body, especially when the sun is shining," says Avena. "Make sure to apply SPF and head outside for 10 to 30 minutes per day to take advantage of the sun's natural form of Vitamin D, as this vitamin helps protect against common colds and can decrease inflammation."

Of course, you could always reap the health benefits of vitamin D3 from a supplement, but making it a point to go outside also gets you some exercisewhich is ideal to do every day. There are a few foods you can source the vitamin from, as well, but they aren't many options.

"Vitamin D can be tough to get from foods since fewer foods naturally contain it," Avena explains. "Salmon is one source that can be good. Also, many dairy products and cereals are fortified with Vitamin D, so check the label and opt for those."

RELATED: 5 Signs of Vitamin D Deficiency You Should Never Ignore

"Vitamin C and zinc are cofactors that help your cellular immune system work better," Brittany Busse, MD, associate medical director at WorkCare told Eat This, Not That! in another article. The vitamin and the mineral work in tandem to support the immune system, which can shorten the duration of the common cold.

"Macrophages and other white blood cells that attack pathogens need zinc to function at full capacity," says Avena. You can source zinc naturally from oysters, pumpkin seeds, crab meat, and beef or you can get your daily dose by way of a supplement. Avena suggests trying vitafusion's zinc gummy vitamin.

You've probably heard mixed reviews about Elderberry in 2020. At the beginning of the pandemic, Elderberry was believed to play a role in spurring what's called a cytokine storm, however, more recently, experts have come out to say that isn't necessarily true.

William Schaffner, an infectious disease doctor at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, told North Carolina Health News that while taking Elderberry syrup likely won't prevent COVID-19, it wouldn't be harmful either. But, taking the supplement as a means to prevent the common cold is a different story.

"The berries and flowers of Elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system and reduce recovery time after a cold or flu by activating the body's immune response, increasing antibodies, and expanding immune cell production," says Avena. If you're not a fan of syrup, opt for Nature Made's Elderberry gummies.

In fact, you should be getting at least 300 milligrams of the mineral every single day.

"There's evidence that magnesium plays a major role in brain function, sleep regulation, and emotional stability," says Avena. "The mineral contains calming properties while activating your parasympathetic nervous system and can be found naturally in leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and milk."

Many foods offer magnesium, which may make attaining the recommended dietary allowance through diet alone a bit easier. One ounce of dry, roasted almonds provides 80 milligrams of magnesium, for example, and one cup of soymilk offers just over 60 milligrams of the mineral.

Now, be sure to readThese Vitamins May Help Prevent COVID, Study Finds.

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5 Ways to Avoid Getting Sick Right Now, According to a Nutrition Expert - Eat This, Not That