Category Archives: Diet And Food

Curious about what your fellow CNN Underscored readers are buying? Every month, we round up our readers favorite products the things they scooped up the most over the past 30 days.

Last month, Underscored readers were buying products to celebrate dads, to make cooking easier than ever and to make social distancing more comfortable. From a book of enjoyably bad dad jokes to a portable mini Theragun device, these are the 20 items readers loved during the month of June.

Knock Knock What I Love about Dad Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal ($10.39, originally $11.80; amazon.com)

Knock Knock "What I Love about Dad" Fill-in-the-Blank Gift Journal

Fathers Day has come and gone, but this makes a great gift for a birthday or other special event or just because.

Apple AirPods Pro ($234, originally $249; amazon.com)

Its no surprise that the Apple AirPods Pro wireless earbud headphones snagged one of the top spots on our list. Not only are they lightweight and sweat- and water-resistant, but these noise-canceling earbuds also come with a charging case that delivers more than 24 hours of battery life.

Grafomap Custom Map (starting at $49.99; grafomap.com)

Customizable Map by Grafomap

Grafomaps fully customizable maps make the perfect home decor or gift. Pick the location, colors, design and more with ease. Check out our full review here.

Tushy Classic Modern Bidet Attachment ($89, originally $109; hellotushy.com)

Never worry about a toilet paper shortage again, thanks to the Tushy Classic. This easy-to-install bidet attachment has skyrocketed up our favorites list for the second month in a row. You can read our full review here.

100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See ($22.49, originally $24.99; amazon.com)

'100 Drives, 5,000 Ideas: Where to Go, When to Go, What to Do, What to See'

Planning your next road trip or fantasizing about it, if youre not ready to get out there yet just got even easier, thanks to this epic travel book thats full of unmissable sights in the US and Canada, places to eat, expert tips and suggestions for on-the-road activities.

Theragun mini ($199; theragun.com)

Portable, compact and powerful, the Theragun mini is a must-have for on-the-go muscle relief. You can read our review of the device here.

Bagsmart Universal Cable Organizer ($16.99; amazon.com)

Bagsmart Universal Cable Organizer

Keep all your cords, chargers and gadgets organized and tangle-free with the help of this spacious universal cable organizing case.

Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker ($79.95; amazon.com)

Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker

This sleek Braun BrewSense Drip Coffee Maker was the winner in our review of top coffee makers. It has a programmable 24-hour timer, brew pause system, easy-access control panel, and charcoal purifying filter to ensure the richest, smoothest and most delicious cup of coffee.

Atlas Coffee Club Subscription (starting at $9 per month; atlascoffeeclub.com)

Atlas Coffee Club Subscription

Speaking of coffee, If youre still missing your favorite coffee shop runs, give the Atlas Coffee Club a try. Starting at just $9 per month, this subscription coffee club delivers whole bean or ground coffee from around the world every two or four weeks. Find out more about it here.

Remington MB4700 Smart Beard Trimmer ($67.87; amazon.com)

Remington MB4700 Smart Beard Trimmer

In June, we named the Remington MB4700 Smart Beard Trimmer the best beard trimmer of 2020, as it not only stores previous trimming lengths, but it also has a sleek touch screen and USB-compatible charging. Plus, it delivers up to 175 length settings, using a motorized comb for your most precise trim ever.

Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes: So Frightfully AwfulYet Wonderfully Spiffing by Spiffy McChappy ($8.99; amazon.com)

'Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes: So Frightfully Awful...Yet Wonderfully Spiffing' by Spiffy McChappy

A book of dad jokes that Underscored readers loved this month is Exceptionally Bad Dad Jokes: So Frightfully AwfulYet Wonderfully Spiffing by Spiffy McChappy. Full of embarrassingly bad jokes, this is another perfect gift to give to Dad, even now that Fathers Day is over.

NuWave 36011 3-Qt. Brio Air Fryer ($59.95, originally $99.99; amazon.com)

NuWave 36011 3-Qt. Brio Air Fryer

Frying foods without tons of oil is simple and easy with the NuWave Brio Air Fryer. Complete with six preset menu selections, it takes just the touch of a button to cook up homemade fries, chicken nuggets, steaks and more.

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker ($24.99, originally $29.99; amazon.com)

Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker

Another kitchen gadget loved by readers this past month was the Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker. This easy-to-use four-step griddle perfectly cooks breakfast sandwiches in just five minutes.

Peter Millar Salem High Drape Performance Shorts ($98; nordstrom.com)

Peter Millar Salem High Drape Performance Shorts

These sleek and stylish shorts are not only comfortable, but theyre also made from a technical fabric that wicks away moisture and allows for easy movement.

Just the Ticket: Ticket Stub Organizer (starting at $13.97; amazon.com)

Just the Ticket: Ticket Stub Organizer

Finally, you can preserve all your favorite ticket stubs in one organized book. It even comes with larger pockets and lined paper inserts where you can record your fondest notes and memories.

Letsfit Smart Watch ($38.99; amazon.com)

Its no wonder the Letsfit Smart Watch was a reader favorite last month. Not only is this sleek touchscreen gadget affordable and waterproof, but it has a slew of features. You get a fitness tracker, heart rate monitor, activity tracker, pedometer, sleep monitor, step counter and so much more.

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer ($56.99, originally $59.99; amazon.com)

ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Digital Meat Thermometer

Summer barbeques are about to get even better with this wireless digital meat thermometer, which allows you to perfectly cook and monitor your oven, grill or smoker temperatures from up to 300 feet away. It comes with preset temperatures for nine different types of meat.

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch ($8.99; amazon.com)

Avarelle Acne Cover Patch

Curious about zit stickers? These from Avarelle are made with all-natural ingredients like tea tree oil, calendula oil and cica, and reviewers love how fast they seem to zap pimples.

Elago W3 Stand Designed for Apple Watch ($9.99, originally $10.99; amazon.com)

Elago W3 Stand Designed for Apple Watch

This retro-inspired Apple Watch stand is a fun and quirky place to store your smart device when youre not wearing it.

Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager ($139.99, originally $249.99; amazon.com)

Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager

Enjoy a spa day at home with the Miko Shiatsu Foot Massager. You can relieve stress and tension and improve blood flow in your feet with deep kneading, shiatsu rolling and heat functions.

Whoosh Screen Cleaner Kit ($15.99, originally $19.99; amazon.com)

Whoosh Screen Cleaner Kit

Clean your phone, tablet, smart devices, televisions and more with this powerful screen cleaner. Use the microfiber cloth to safely remove dirt, grime, dust and gunk from any screen or electronic device.

AncestryDNA Kit (starting at $99; ancestry.com)

Ancestry DNA Kit PHOTO: Ancestry DNA

Dig deeper into your family history with an ultrapopular AncestryDNA kit. Build your family tree by connecting with living relatives, or discover your ethnicity, geological history, family health history and so much more.

ChocZero Syrup Variety Pack ($19.99; amazon.com)

ChocZero Syrup Variety Pack

Whether youre trying out a keto diet or just looking to cut back on your sugar intake, these ChocZero Syrups are a low-sugar, low-calorie and delicious way to enjoy your sweets (like Mason jar ice cream). Sweetened only with monk fruit, theyre a sugar-free alternative to maple, chocolate and caramel syrups.

Note: The prices above reflect the retailers listed price at the time of publication.

Read more:
20 products Underscored readers loved in June - CNN

Over the past few months, weve been more swamped by misinformation than ever before. As if current events werent confusing and anxiety-causing enough, were also awash in unfounded rumours, inaccurate hot takes, conspiracy theories, and dangerously unscientific medical advice.

It seems that anyone with a Twitter account can expound their theory that lemons cure Covid, protests are backed by the Illuminati, or 5G is slowly turning us into hamsters. Social media is the natural spawning point for misinformation: it is too fast, too unmoderated, and too irresponsible.

By contrast, we have the book.

No one can ever accuse publishing of being too quick to respond to current events. The creation of a book is a slow and stately process. Nor is a book an unmoderated channel: it passes through hand after hand; gatekeeper after gatekeeper. And, in stark contrast to the hand-washing routine of the major social media platforms, a publisher takes responsibility for the books they produce.

These factors - the time, the judgement, and the responsibility - set books apart from other forms of media. Accordingly, one of the great virtues of the book is the authority it conveys. Unlike a Facebook post (or even the occasional online column), writing a book is understood as an expression of expertise. It is the tangible proof of ones 10,000 hours; something that an author can point to and say, quite literally, I wrote the book on it.

For publishers, this remains one of the sectors unique selling points - a marketable benefit when it comes to recruiting prominent voices to pen profitable books. Politicians, vloggers, reality stars, and business titans are drawn to publishing by the authority the book conveys: the money is undoubtedly handy, but they could rake it in more efficiently elsewhere, and with far less effort involved. Theres a prestige to being an author, an additional gravitas that comes with printed expertise.

For readers, reading a book is how we learn; how knowledge is safely carried from author to reader, across generations. Every part of our educational and cultural system assures us that books are inherently authoritative. Books are how we learn things; the right things. We understand that books, unlike social media, cannot contain misinformation.

But is that true?

Just in recent years, weve seen books on mental health that actively discourage psychiatry, diet handbooks that cause eating disorders, and political histories that are thinly veiled anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. These are the equal of any bizarre post on Facebook, yet unlike Aunt Beas Paintshopped memes, this misinformation comes in book form, given all the authority and credibility thereof.

These seem like extreme cases, but theyre only a few, easily-Googled examples. Nor are any of these books self-published, an industry that comes with its own lack of policing and oversight. These are all titles for mainstream audiences from major publishers. There are also the business as usual challenges of plagiarism, inaccuracies, and deadly mistakes.

The publisher made the choice to acquire the book, and from that moment, their fates are inextricably linked. The publisher markets the book; they sell it to retailers; they design the cover for maximum attention and tidy up the layout to make sure the contents can be consumed with the least possible effort. The publisher is responsible for disseminating the book, and the information within it.

Scarily, the book is often just the beginning. The platform for future dissemination. Off the back of the authority given - and the publicity provided - the author does the festival circuit, the radio show, the Guardian feature... They are now a reputable voice on mental health, nutrition, or religious authority. Why question them? They wrote the book on it.

Everyone relies on publishing to provide the critical scrutiny. But are we providing it?

For each individual book, publishers need to factor in the resources they need to ensure this doesnt happen as par. It is unfair to expect a single non-fiction editor, or even team, to be an expert on everything from mental health to football to mushrooms. Nor is a full peer review process necessary for every YouTubers diet book, but building in the time and money for meaningful oversight would only help the final product - and ultimately avoid costly mistakes. The balance of artistic quality and commercial efficiency is the strain at the heart of publishing, but inaccuracy comes with risks beyond any mere typo.

The second problem is systemic. The authority a book conveys is one of its major selling points - to both authors and readers. If this authority is consistently undermined, it cheapens the value of the book as a trustworthy vehicle for conveying ideas. Why read the book when it is no more trustworthy (and far more inaccessible than) YouTube? Books are already the most effort-intensive way of learning about a subject, and, with the loss of credibility, there goes their last competitive advantage.

The mainstream media, in the rush to please, has already run aground on the discovery that misinformation can undermine public trust. Publishing cant afford to be the next in line. That means publishing - not necessarily less - but better. Making the publisher brand stand for something again: not just an empty logo on the spine of a book, but a promise of accuracy and quality.

More:
Integrity is everything - The Bookseller

At last, the day of independence is almost upon us.The moment where we all emerge out of our 100-day hibernation,blinking into the sunlight like the animals dismountingNoah's Ark. And the sight that greets uswill be similar yet oh sodifferent to the world we left behind.

You may have no time for such hyperbole, but with all the guidelines in place there are certain aspects of'Super Saturday' that will be as confusing as Rishi Sunak looking for a pub in a home appliances shop. For while pubs, museums and hairdressers (to name a few) are set to open, these are under strict conditions that will make the experience of them very different. For instance, roller coasters are allowed, but screaming is banned. Pubs are open for business, but queues at the bar are not. The list, as you can read here, goes on.

Indeed in a nation already divided between 'corona-phobics' and courageous new-normal-ers, uncertainties can be expected. Some, like Nigella, may be keen to adhere to the 5:2 social diet of limiting interaction with friends, while others are racing to become the first on the school mumWhatsapp group to invite everyone over for socially-distanced pre-pub drinks.

But what Super Saturday has shown is that there will be a little benefit for everyone no matter what your preference.Heres all the things that were secretly looking forward to when the day arrives...

Lets be honest, it was always a little bit awkward. The procedure generally involvedfumbling around for cash (which none of us ever carried anyway), while our hairdresser pretended to look elsewhere. And then there was the etiquette: what constituted too little ('stingy, or displeased with the service') or too much ('too generous, could have bought a coffee with that later')?

Well Hallelujah, that looks set to change.While hairdressers are allowed to officially reopen on the 4th July, thats provided Covid-secure measures are in place including the use of cashless payment systems. According to a recent survey commissioned by Asktraders.com, two in three consumers would avoid tipping if they couldnt use cash. We're all in this together, right?

Linked to the above. While discussingour matted hair served as valuable small talk material through lockdown, let's be honest: it all got a bit repetitive. We know everythingabout next-door Sallys flyaway greys and are more familiar with Sarahs pesky roots than we are with our own. The social opportunities offered onSuper Saturday will provide us with an ample opportunity to generate new forms of small talk, and were absolutely fine with that.

By now, were no stranger to a spot of queuing. In fact, the pandemic has made us so accustomed to waiting in a spaced out single-file line that we will do virtually anything not to stand in one again which might be an incentive in itselfto visit a pub this Saturday. Under the new guidelines, leaning against the bar and awaitingyour order is out, and table service is in.

This means the end of all that tricky pub etiquette weve spent years grappling with. To push or not to push? To risk losing your place by giving way to someone carrying a tray of teetering tequilas; or to let them struggle and slide into place once they've departed?Now, the only thing you have to worry about is appearing sober after your thirdmojito. Easy, really.

Continue reading here:
Six small things we're looking forward to on Super Saturday - Telegraph.co.uk

The majority of nutritional advice is general, out of necessity, and some of it does apply to everyonelike eating more vegetables and drinking enough water.

But when it comes to more specific strategieslike how much to eat in order to lose or maintain weight and what you should be eating to achieve thatit can get tricky. New research suggests the issue is complicated because individuals can have different reactions to the amount and type of food compared to others eating the same quantity and meals.

In a small study published in the journal Nature Food, researchers served 19 volunteers four different types of meals comprised of foods ranging from heavy on fruits and vegetables to those typical of a fast food dinner. The people ate these meals over four three-day inpatient periods, which means compliance was closely monitored.

After analyzing urine through molecular profiling technology, researchers found different patterns of chemical composition, suggesting unique responses to the food based on how it was being metabolized. Also, even though everyone ate the same amount of calories, some people excreted more calories through their urine than others, researchers found.

This is because of the way each persons metabolic pathways are activated, a process often called metabolic flexibility, said study coauthor Jeremy Nicholson, Ph.D., professor and pro-vice chancellor of health sciences at Murdoch University in Australia.

Most nutritional advice is general, but we know that one size does not fit all, he told Bicycling. In the future, it will be normal to have individualized diets, but these will be informed by metabolism, not genetics. Thats because through your life, your dynamic phenotype [characteristics that change over time] is influenced not just by genes but also by lifestyle, diet, exercise, gut microbes, medications, and other factors.

In the same way that long-term health risks can be pinpointed through factors like these, it may be possible to tailor healthy eating advice in the same way, using molecular technology to understand an individuals metabolic flexibilityand tweak nutrition plans based on that, Nicholson said.

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Until the day comes when insights like those become commonplace in a way thats commercially available, it may be helpful to understand that even with healthy foods, you may have a different response than someone else eating the exact same amount and diet.

And, as Nicholson noted, there are metabolic game changers like exercise and gut health that can change how you're reacting to foods, so making healthy changes to those could switch up your metabolic flexibility in the long run.

The bottom line? Its worth noting how you react to different foods, and realizing that everyone is differentwhat works for other people might not work for you. Meeting with a sports dietitian to get a plan thats tailored to you could be a good first step toward eating in a way that benefits your body specifically.

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Why Every Person Reacts Differently to Diets - Bicycling

The Tom Brady diet, or TB12 Method, is a holistic diet that combines anti-inflammatory, alkaline, and Mediterranean foods.

The TB12 Method originates from the diet and lifestyle of American football quarterback, Thomas Brady Jr.

In this article, we look at what the diet is, explore the benefits and risks, and provide a simple meal plan.

The TB12 Method is primarily a plant-based diet that consists of anti-inflammatory and alkaline foods.

Though anecdotal evidence suggests that it is effective for weight loss and sports performance, the diet is complex and may be unsustainable in the long term.

The Tom Brady diet is a blend of other dietary regimens, such as anti-inflammatory, alkaline, and Mediterranean. It consists of 20% lean meat or wild-caught fish, while the remaining 80% comprises mainly fruit and vegetables, as well as whole grains and legumes.

These foods should be:

The Tom Brady diet is strict, with an exhaustive list of foods to avoid. In general, people consider these foods, which include sugary products and processed meats, to be acidic or inflammatory.

While the TB12 Method instructs people to avoid certain foods, it also provides additional guidance, such as:

A person should avoid eating within 3 hours of going to bed. Research suggests that eating later at night may increase body fat.

Other studies have also shown that eating meals or snacks before bedtime may increase weight gain.

The diet instructs people not to pair foods high in carbohydrates with foods high in protein. Additionally, a person should eat fruit on its own as a snack.

As with any diet, water intake is important, so the TB12 Method encourages a person to drink lots of water throughout the day. However, they should not drink it with or around meals.

There is a lack of research that focuses explicitly on the Tom Brady diet. However, studies that examine the other diets that comprise this regimen can provide some insight into its potential benefits.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that the Tom Brady diet may help with weight loss and sports performance. This is likely because of the strict rules around certain types of foods.

On this diet, a person will likely consume fewer calories than they use, so weight loss is likely.

The diet is rich in fiber from fruit, vegetables, and legumes. Research highlights that a high fiber diet can help a person feel fuller for longer. As a result, a person may be less likely to snack when following this dietary regimen.

The Tom Brady diet recommends a low consumption of meat and processed food but a high intake of produce and whole grains. This ratio is similar to that of the Mediterranean diet, which research shows can improve cardiovascular health.

There are no studies that examine the risks of this specific diet. However, some general limitations may be:

As the diet is restrictive, it may mean that someone puts on weight again if they cease to follow it. When a person restricts calories too severely, it can lead to changes in hormones, metabolism, and cognitive functions. This, in turn, makes it difficult to establish the behaviors necessary to maintain a moderate weight.

As this diet recommends the intake of organic foods, it may be more expensive than other diet plans.

Although research is limited, organic produce may have some minor health benefits in comparison with nonorganic foods.

As with any changes in diet and lifestyle, a person should discuss these with a doctor or dietitian.

The Tom Brady diet encourages a 20% intake of meat or fish, with the remaining 80% consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.

Under this diet, a person should eat lean meat, such as chicken, turkey, and steak. Ideally, meat should be grass-fed and organic, with no added hormones.

A person may eat fish as a replacement, or as an alternative, to meat. Fish should be fresh and wild-caught.

These play a key part in the Tom Brady diet and should be organic and GMO-free. They should also be local, which means that a person should only eat in-season fruits and vegetables. However, under this diet, a person should avoid nightshade fruits and vegetables, such as white potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants.

Fruits and vegetables should mainly be alkaline. These include:

The TB12 Method recommends gluten-free whole grains, such as buckwheat, maize, rice, and quinoa.

These serve as a healthful snack for someone on this diet. One 2017 study found that a person can have a diet higher in nutrients with fewer empty calories if they consume nuts instead of high calorie snacks.

Legumes are a type of seed or plant, and they include lentils, chickpeas, and peas.

The Tom Brady diet recommends that people consume nutritional supplements, such as whey protein powder, protein bars, multivitamins, and probiotics.

The TB12 Method encourages adding electrolytes to water.

The Tom Brady diet suggests that people avoid the following foods:

The main components of this diet are organic, natural foods. As such, people on this diet should avoid processed foods.

Nightshades refer to a family of fruit and vegetables from the Solanaceae plant, and they include eggplants, potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes.

This diet recommends that people avoid them due to the belief that they have potential inflammatory properties. However, as of yet, no scientific research supports this. Some studies suggest that certain nightshade foods, such as tomatoes, may in fact have anti-inflammatory properties.

These refer to artificial fats. Research around trans fats shows that they can increase cholesterol, which may lead to cardiovascular problems. Frozen pizza, cakes, cookies, and fried foods are products that may include trans fats.

Products that typically contain gluten include bread, pasta, cereal, and soy sauce. Evidence suggests that a gluten-free diet may be useful if someone is allergic or intolerant. However, research states that there is little benefit in cutting gluten out of a persons diet otherwise.

Although this diet recommends the intake of whey protein that derives from dairy, overall, it discourages the consumption of dairy products.

The Tom Brady diet is caffeine-free, so it does not endorse coffee or energy drinks. It also recommends no alcohol, as this can lead to inflammation, particularly in the gut.

The Tom Brady diet encourages the intake of organic, local foods alongside plenty of water. Although there is no research that focuses specifically on this diet, some parts of the regimen may lead to weight loss and improved cardiovascular health.

There are no obvious risks to this diet. However, as it is quite restrictive, someone may find it difficult to commit to the TB12 Method over the long term. They could also put weight back on if they discontinue the diet.

A person who wishes to follow the Tom Brady diet should aim for a 20% intake of meat and fish and an 80% intake of mostly fruit and vegetables. They also should avoid processed foods, nightshade fruits and vegetables, trans fats, alcohol, and caffeine.

Read more here:
The Tom Brady diet: Benefits, risks, and meal plan - Medical News Today

Thinking about starting a new diet? While the amount of information available can be overwhelming, its possible to find a diet that is safe, suitable and effective for your lifestyle.

Dr. Yana Finkelshteyn, assistant professor with Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, discusses what you need to know about the MIND diet.

A: The vegan diet is a diet that excludes food that comes from animal sources including meat, dairy, seafood and eggs. Veganism is often a lifestyle choice based on ethical and political principles of animal rights and environmental preservation. Others come toveganism due to the health benefits of the diet.

A: Strictvegans will avoid all foods containing meat, dairy or egg derivatives. There are raw vegans that eatprimarily raw unprocessed vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts. Many vegans prefer organic to conventionally raised vegetables and fruits, and some vegans do not consume honey.

A: Whole grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, greens, fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, plant oils, nut butters,tofu, tempeh and many other plant-derived foods are included in the vegan diet.

A: There is a benefit for weight management for those following a whole-foods plant-based vegan diet. There are many processed foods that are vegan, but these are calorie-dense and high in added sugar or fat. If these are kept to a minimum, the vegan diet isbeneficial for weight loss. A vegan diet reduces the risk of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes and some cancers as compared to an omnivore diet.

A: One is that foods must becombined in a very specific way to get a complete protein. The truth is that most people eating a variety of natural plant foods will get more than the adequate amount of protein. A second misconception is that it is automatically a healthy diet. As mentioned, processed vegan, while possibly less harmful than processed meats, are not necessarily healthy. There are also vegan foods high in added salt and sugar. When it comes to any diet, natural may be best.

A: Anyone can follow a vegan diet with some caveats. Most strict vegans do need to supplement vitamin B12 which isfoundprimarily in animal derived foods and soil bacteria.

The vegan diet does contain iron-rich foods such as whole grains,beans, greens andavocados. Pairing these with foods naturally high in vitamin C aids iron absorption, and cast-iron cookware can add elemental iron. A junk food vegan diet may result in deficiencies in iron and even protein.

The vegan diet is also relatively low in Omega 3 essential fatty acids. To increase these levels, vegans can includeseaweed and algae, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, edamame and other plant-derived foods containing Omega 3 fatty acids in their diet.

A: There are many vegan athletes and even vegan bodybuilders. Because the vegan diet is naturally high in low-calorie density foods, it may be harder to gain weight on a vegan diet for those that need to gain weight, such as those with a severe illness or who recently had surgery. Pregnant women can continue a vegan diet throughout pregnancy while supplementing with prenatal vitamins and possibly iron as long asthey include a wide variety of natural foods in their diet.

A: Many that are switching to a vegan diet report weight loss and increased energy. Blood pressure and cholesterol can decrease considerably. High fiber intake can ease gastrointestinal issues such as constipation. However, some report increased gas and bloating, particularly if increasing intake of legumes and certain vegetables.

To be done in a healthy way, the vegan diet must include a variety of plant-derived foods. For many, there is a learning curve in terms of food preparation and even shopping. It can take extra time and research to prepare vegan recipes and this can be a barrier to some in adhering to the diet.

The vegan diet can be economical. Rice, beans, lentils and greens are inexpensive staples in a vegan diet. Because there is little vegan fast food, it does often require more cooking at home.

Debating Diets: What is the MIND diet?

See more from the Debating Diets series.

-By Nicole Blanton

Go here to read the rest:
Debating Diets: What is the vegan diet? - Baylor College of Medicine News

If you've been following Rebel Wilson on Instagram, you probably know that she's declared 2020 her "Year of Health." The actress has been hitting the gym six to seven days a week and sharing lots of updates on Instagram.

As for her diet, according to People, Wilson is using the Mayr Method, a restrictive program that claims to achieve weight loss by improving gut health. In June, People reported that it was after Wilson and friends visited VivaMayr, an Austrian luxury medical detox and wellness center, that she learned about the Mayr Method and now aims to weigh 165 lbs.

Although People's source said Wilson has achieved "amazing results" with the Mayr Method, is it actually healthy? We spoke with a dietitian for answers.

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The Mayr Method is based on the "Mayr Cure," created by Austrian physician Franz Xaver Mayr, M.D. (also known as F.X. Mayr) 100 years ago. Mayr created the program based on his belief that people are poisoning their digestive systems with the foods they consume and how they eat them.

"There are four pillars of treatment involved with this diet, and they include exercise, nutrition, medicine, and awareness," says Amy Gorin, M.S., R.D.N., a registered dietitian in the New York City area. "The modern take on it is offered at VivaMayr, a luxury wellness facility."

According to VivaMayr's website, the facility: "combines modern complementary medicine with traditional diagnostics and therapies according to F.X. Mayr." It goes on to say that "once we have treated your condition, proper nutrition combined with exercise and improved mental awareness become the building blocks of your new life." VivaMayr also has a book, called The Viva Mayr Diet, which promises common wellness buzzwords like a bikini body, flatter stomach, glowing skin, and springy step.

The nutrition portion of the program focuses on gut health. "The diet is centered around stopping snacking, reducing intake of gluten and dairy, and chewing foods for a longer amount of time," Gorin explains. "The eating plan is focused on high-alkaline whole foods."

The Mayr Method kicks off with a sugar and caffeine detox and advises very specific eating practices like chewing each bite of food 40-60 times. "You are also supposed to focus on mindfulness while you eat, which means no reading, talking, or playing with your smartphone," Gorin says.

Gorin says there isn't enough information available outside of visiting VivaMayr to assess whether or not you should give it a try. "But what I will say is that I've seen clients do best when they focus on the health benefits of eating well and weight management and not primarily goals such as getting a 'bikini body,'" she says.

The Viva Mayr Diet: 14 Days to a Flatter Stomach and a Younger You

Although Gorin praises the diet's focus on mindfulness, she's not sold on the alkaline aspect of the program. "A healthy body does a terrific job of managing the pH levels of your blood on its own," she says. "That doesn't change with the pH levels of the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. However, foods that are typically considered alkaline tend to be healthier and less processed such as many fruits and vegetables, nuts, and legumes."

You'd have to visit a VivaMayr center or buy The Viva Mayr Diet in order to experience this programbut there's not enough research to know if it's effective or even healthy.

Ultimately, Gorin says a whole-foods, plant-based diet is best for long-term weight loss. "It's sustainable, helps you to feel energized, and doesn't completely restrict any foods you love," she says. "Mindful eating and mindfulness-related activities such as yoga and meditation are also helpful in becoming more in touch with hunger levels, feelings, and so on."

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Rebel Wilson Is Reportedly Using the Mayr Method to Lose Weight, But Is It Healthy? - Prevention.com

My name is Katie Hopkins, and I am 24 years old. I am from Tallahassee, Florida, and I am an operations consultant for the state. I did keto for a year and then switched to a more standard way of eating and lost 135 pounds in less than two years.

I grew up being a super active person. I played sports all year round and never really had to worry about what I ate or how I was going to get my exercise for the day. But once I got to college and no longer had the daily exercise from sports, I started to put on weight.

I kept the same eating habits even though I was not doing anything to burn those calories anymore. And before I started my weight loss journey, my biggest issues were with portion control and not being able to truly commit to losing weight.

From 2013 to 2018, I gained about 100 pounds. At my heaviest weight was 333 pounds, and I was 22 at the time.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

I moved to be closer to family, but I also moved because I felt like I was stuck in a rut where I was. I felt like the change of scenery would really give me the push I needed to start my weight loss journey. I knew I needed to take control of my health, and this was the perfect way to do so.

I was tired of feeling tired all the time, wishing I looked different, and always feeling defeated. Once I made the move to Tallahassee, I had a complete mindset reset and said to myself, This is the time you actually do this. No quitting, no excuses. The only one keeping you from your goals is you.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

At the beginning of my weight loss journey, I chose to follow the keto diet. I chose it because I had seen so many success stories and people losing huge amounts of weight. I felt like it was the best choice for me at the time because it gave me a way to really focus on what I was putting into my body, and most of the foods that are keto-friendly, I already really liked.

I turned to YouTube for most of my keto info. I followed keto YouTubers for food ideas, reviews, and just support in general. I lost my first 100 pounds on keto.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

I felt like I got as much as I could out of keto and I was ready for a new challenge and way of eating. I now eat a higher-carb diet, as opposed to keto, which is high-fat and low-carb. I enjoy eating this way now because I dont feel quite as limited, especially going out to eat, as I did on keto. I have so many more healthy foods I can eat now.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

While eating had always been a bit of a struggle for me, exercise was not. Now, I exercise a lot more. Now that I have control over my eating, exercise has become a bigger focus for me. I love it because it relieves stress, and I love pushing myself to get stronger and faster.

A typical week of exercise for me consists of two to three days of strength training and one to two days of running or another type of cardio. I also really enjoy lifting weights at the gym and improving my strength.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

Running used to be something I hated, but I have really come to love it. It makes me push myself hard. There is no better feeling for me than beating my fastest time or longest distance.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

These three changes helped me see the most noticeable results in my weight loss.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

I know the feeling of thinking it will never happen for you. I always thought I would always be bigger and that losing weight would never happen for me. But that kind of mindset is what kept me from even starting. Once I decided that no matter what, I was going to change my life, everything changed. It was like something finally clicked in my head.

Courtesy of Katie Hopkins

Losing weight has changed my life so much. I have learned to love myself again. Before, I felt like my weight defined me. I truly feel like losing weight has allowed me to become my true self. I am more confident than ever before, and I now have complete control over my health and happiness.

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'I Did Keto For A Year Then Switched To A Higher-Carb DietAnd I Lost 135 Pounds In Less Than 2 Years' - Women's Health

Reprinted with permission from World At Large, a news website covering politics, nature, science, health, and travel.

Juice detoxes, water fasting, and soup diets are often credited for stimulating healthy weight loss and cleansing toxins from muscle tissuesbut what about tumor suppression?

Preclinical evidence suggests that short-term fasting and diets that mimic fasting can protect healthy cells against chemotherapy, while simultaneously rendering cancer cells more vulnerable to the treatment. However, clinical research evaluating the potential of short-term fasting in patients with cancer is still in its infancy.

This was shown in a new paper published last week in Nature: Communications by Dutch scientists from Leiden who looked at fasting-mimicking diets in patients undergoing chemotherapy for the most common form of breast cancer.

RELATED: Simple Type-2 Diabetes Treatment With Low Calorie Diet is So Effective, It Reverses the Disease in Studies

In the trial conducted by Dr. Judith Kroep and colleagues, 129 patients with HER2-negative stage II/III breast cancer followed either a fasting-mimicking diet or their regular diet for 3 days prior to and during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (treatment given as a first step to shrink a tumor before surgery).

Of all breast cancer patients, around 80-85% have the HER2-negative variety, but according to Dr. Kroep, animal studies suggest fasting-mimicking diets could also be effective for other forms of cancer.

The logic, without having a PhD in biology, is two-fold. Cancer cells thrive on carbohydratesand meat, particularly red meat, is rich in amino acids that increase the expression of insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1), one of the bodys primary growth-hormone signals for muscle and tissue growth.

An individual with cancerous or precancerous cells who eats a diet containing a large amount of meat without incorporating an exercise regimen involving sufficient hormetic stress (i.e. the breakdown of muscle fibers) is theoretically at risk of providing IGF-1 to precancerous cells, allowing them to live past normal cell-cycle checkpoints and possibly become malignant.

CHECK OUT: Largest Study of Its Kind Identifies the Surprising Health Benefits of Fasting Every Other Day

Pioneered by Italian biologist Dr. Valter Longo, who is also the director of the Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California and author of The Longevity Diet, the study authors examined the fasting-mimicking diet. The diet has been shown to spur the body into behaving as if it is calorie-restricted, a metabolic state known to be good for preventing cancer, but doesnt involve properly fasting.

The culmination of 25 years of global research on aging, nutrition, and disease, this unique combination [is] an easy-to-follow everyday diet and short periods of fasting-mimicking diet, reads Dr. Longos website.

The [randomized controlled phase 2] trial has been the only one to date in dietary cancer management with efficacy as an endpoint, Dr. Kroep told World at Large.

The fasting-mimicking diet used in the study was a plant-based, low amino-acid substitution diet, consisting of soups, broths, liquids and tea. Macronutrient ratios and amounts were fixed and not personalized, and a micronutrient supplement was added.

MORE: Dont Forget the Vegans! At Your Next BBQ, Heres How You Can Easily Shine As a Host

Although no difference in toxicity was observed between the treatment and control groups, the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on tumor response were reinforced in patients in the fasting-mimicking diet group.

One potential drawback is that the 129 individuals in the trial and those in other studies were relatively fit and that unfit patients, or those with metastatic disease who are less-fit to lose weight, may have different outcomes.

However, the results of this study suggest that cycles of a fasting-mimicking diet are safe and effective as a supplement to chemotherapy in women with early breast cancer. These findings, together with preclinical data, encourage further exploration of the benefits of fasting combined with cancer therapy.

RELATED: Scientists Discover Molecule That Triggers Self-Destruction of Pancreatic Cancer Cells

This study is a stepping stone in cancer dietary management. More studies are needed to confirm our finding and extend them to other cancer types, says Kroep. We plan to do some of that work.

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Fasting-Mimicking Diet Shown to Be 'Safe and Effective Supplement' to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients - Good News Network

Thirty years ago, nutrition science looked very different. Today we exult healthy fats like avocado and olive oil, but in the 1980s, the war on dietary fat resulted in the proliferation of low-fat products on supermarket shelves. By the end of the 1990s, low-carb diets were in vogue as carbohydrates fell out of favour.

Clare Collins, a professor in nutrition and dietetics at the University of Newcastle, has had a long career in nutrition science. She says the average Australian diet has changed markedly since she graduated from university in 1982. Back then, fast food was a luxury and supermarkets stocked far fewer products.

Today, she says, "people eat a lot more crap." Highly processed food is ubiquitous, and portion sizes have increased. You need never cook again, yet we're not more healthy," says Collins. "We can find too many kilojoules too quickly."

CLARE COLLINS ON STAYING HEALTHY

Despite the easy access to unhealthy food, if you want to eat well in 2020, there's a vast amount of information out there about what constitutes a good diet. In the recently revised and updated edition of Nutrition for Life(Hardie Grant, $34.99), a pioneering book about nutrition and diet first published in 1986, dietitian Catherine Saxelby examines the new trends to emerge in nutrition science over the last three decades, from ancient grains to raw foods.

So, what have been the significant changes in nutrition science over this time?

One of the most exciting frontiers of nutrition science is the microbiome the collective term for the colonies of bacteria that populate our digestive system and pro- and prebiotics, or the foods we eat to keep it healthy.

A healthy microbiome is associated with overall good health. It fends off unwelcome pathogens, reduces inflammation, enhances the body's immune response, aids digestions, reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and bowel disease, keeps the bowel healthy and reduces the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.

Our gut health is also closely associated with our mental wellbeing. More than 100 million neurons in the gut form the enteric system, explains Saxelby in Nutrition for Life. "These neurons 'communicate' with the microbiome, which can then affect your behaviour and feelings, including eating habits, cravings and moods." There is also evidence, she adds, that making a positive change to the microbiome may reduce anxiety and depression.

We can nourish our microbiome by consuming probiotics (live bacteria found in food and drinks such as yoghurt, fermented vegetables including sauerkraut and kimchi, and kombucha) and prebiotics (non-digestible components of food such as resistant starch, found in cold potatoes, that feed friendly bacteria in the gut).

According to Collins, one of the biggest changes in nutrition science in recent decades is the shift from focusing on individual macro- and micronutrients towards looking at overall dietary patterns. We have a greater understanding of the way food and its component elements work as a bundle, she says.

An important part of the picture is phytonutrients, the chemicals found in food once referred to as antioxidants that protect against cancer and heart disease. As Saxelby explains in Nutrition for Life, we now know these substances do more than prevent oxidation. Beta-carotene inhibits the early stages of tumour development, Vitamin C reduces cancers of the digestive tract, and selenium enhances the body's immune response.

Not all phytochemicals have a positive effect on the body. Some are anti-nutrients, such as lectin, a phytochemical found in tomatoes, beans and lentils that can inhibit the absorption of other nutrients when eaten raw.

The best way to boost your phytochemical intake is to eat a colourful array of fruit and vegetables, use herbs and spices such as rosemary, turmeric and ginger liberally, and drink red wine instead of white and tea instead of coffee.

In Nutrition for Life, Saxelby explains why she is "a big fan" of omega-3 fatty acids: they keep your heart and blood healthy, assist in maintaining brain power and healthy eyesight, help manage mental health and diabetes, and decrease inflammation.

Omega-3s play a particularly vital role in neural development. "Babies need omega-3s for their brain to grow properlyso pregnant and breastfeeding mums must get a steady supply of omega-3s for the sake of their baby's health," Saxelby writes.

"Babies need omega-3s for their brain to grow properly."

We should all eat around 500 milligrams a day of long-chain omega-3s found in oily fish such as salmon and mackerel and 1000 milligrams of plant-sourced omega-3s found in chia seeds, linseed, pecans and walnuts.

Increased access to information has revolutionised nutrition science, says Collins. "Thirty years ago, I still had to go to the library and get a CD-ROM to look up old journal articles or look in paper-based journals. Now, I can do that at my desk."

Digitisation means that "we now synthesise and critique information in much more powerful ways than we ever could before through systematic reviews and meta-analyses", she says. "As a health professional, I can get better information, which means I'm better able to advise people."

However, there is a downside to the explosion of information found online: the rise of the "self-styled guru". A large part of Collins's job today is to "connect people to the best available information and interpret it for them," she says. "It's why I'm more passionate about science communication than ever. I've written 90-plus articles for The Conversation, and I draw heavily on information from systematic reviews or good studies."

In an age of misinformation, it's vital to draw information from reputable sources like trusted news organisations and credentialled experts, says Collins, rather than celebrities who follow the latest fad diet.

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How have diets and health trends shifted over the past 30 years? - SBS