Category Archives: Diet And Food

My name is Julia Tobeck (@julesfit.journey), I'm 26 and I'm from Austin, Texas. I currently work in administration in the dental field and am currently training to become a cycling instructor. After years of phoning it in throughout life, I got serious about weight loss and tried low-carb approachesand I've lost 80 pounds.

I gained 80-plus pounds during my pregnancy. After I had my daughter, I lost close to 35 pounds within two to three months. But I ended up gaining it all back. I had tried every "quick fix" there is out there, from diet pills to teas to body wraps.

When my daughters first birthday rolled around, I was still overweight, and I felt discouraged and stuck. As my daughter became more active, I found I was having a hard time keeping up with her. I also always tried to hide in family pictures, and shopping for clothes was something I avoided at all costs.

I reflected on the year that had just passed and questioned whether I really gave it my best effort. I came to the realization that I spent the year continuously giving up when I got discouraged and falling back into old habits. For instance, one cheat meal would turn into a week of cheat meals, and I hadn't been doing healthy things like going for walks or being active.

I realized that tomorrow was going to come, and every single day that went by, I was losing the opportunity to better myself. Essentially, I was just wasting time. I always knew I wanted to live a long life, and my health played a key role in that. I wanted to be healthy for my family. They deserved the *best* version of me, and I deserved that for myself.

I took my before pictures, weighed in, and came up with meal and workout plans that I was determined to stick to. My mindset was that, this time, I wasn't going to give up.

When it came to dieting, I knew from my track record that I would tend to gain weight when I ate too much sugar and other simple carbs on a consistent basis, along with processed foods. I had read a lot about low-carb diets as well as the keto diet, and I experimented with both approaches.

I went full-on keto for three to four months in 2018 to help me bust through a weight-loss plateau, and I found that keto made me more aware of what I was eating, and of looking at labels more closely. I also cut out sodas and energy drinks (I was drinking at least two to three a day) and started drinking half my weight in ounces of water per day (I still do this!). I also try to make sure I always have protein and veggies in my meals.

Now that I've been maintaining my weight loss for the last year, I eat intuitively. I've learned to eat when I'm hungry, and not to overeat (as in, until I'm stuffed). Today, I try to follow the 80/20 diet with my eating over the week, meaning I eat 80 percent healthy and low-carb (not necessarily keto anymore), and I enjoy treats and allow myself to indulge 20 percent of the time.

I had to literally find the time. I learned to become an early bird, and I would go to the gym at 5 a.m., getting in my 30 to 45 minutes of cardio, followed by weight training. Since March 2019, I have been going to cycling classes at a nearby studio, and I also run on the weekends and do at home plyometric workouts to build strength.

Before I started this weight-loss journey, I wish had known how much mental toughness it would require. Following a workout plan or meal plan is straightforward and simple; having the right mindset and unlearning past habits is what makes it challenging. You have to be prepared to make a lifestyle change.

So yes, weight loss has been a challenge (of course). But I've learned so much about how strong I am as an individual after going through this process, and it really does make me feel like I can take on the world knowing I am in control of my own life and choices. I can say with complete confidence that I am the healthiest I have ever been. That feeling of knowing I worked so hard for this, and did it on my own, has brought me such confidence (something I lacked my entire life).

I'll be honest, I do struggle with accepting the loose skin. But I try to look at my stretch marks as a story. The experience has helped me understand the meaning of "self-love" when you love yourself and are able to take care of yourself, only then are you really able to let your love and care shine on to others.

I had to constantly remind myself that change does not happen overnight. So learn to be patient and gentle with yourself. Whether you have to set alarms, find an accountability partner, write down you plansjust keep going. You won't make any progress if you stop or give up, and even a little progress is worth celebrating.

Continued here:
'I Lost 117 Lbs. On KetoBut I Switched To The 80-20 Diet To Maintain My Weight Loss' - Women's Health

St. Elizabeth Healthcare

Its that time of year. The beginning of a new year rolls around and everyone is standing around the water cooler at the office talking about which diet they are starting.

Rachel Wagner, a licensed dietitian at St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center says, The latest diet trend always promises rapid weight loss, but the truth is, most people dont keep the weight off after they stop the diet.

Whether you are starting Keto, Pegan, Noom, or intermittent fasting, the key is to use that time to help you change your eating habits and develop a better relationship with food.

Wagner warns, Trendy diets tend to have more negatives than positives. The positive effect is trendy diets can get people thinking about steps to improve their health.

Is the Keto Diet Right for Me?

The Keto Dietis a very low-carb, high-fat diet. It restricts carbohydrate intake and replaces it with fat. The reduction in carbs puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis.

There is evidence this diet works well for some people. Ketosis can also lead to a decreased appetite, which helps with an overall restriction of calories. Eating fewer calories is really the only way to lose weight.

But, the diet can be very hard to follow and there is no cheating allowed. If you slip up and eat too many carbs, your body will go out of ketosis and you wont see the benefits. You must also carefully plan your meals to ensure you have enough vitamins B and C, and fiber.

Is the Pegan Diet Right for Me?

The Pegan Dietis a mixture of the paleo and the vegan diet. Your food is about 75 percent plant-based, mostly from vegetables and fruit, but also plant-based proteins and healthy fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, and avocado). The rest of the food comes from sustainably grown/harvested foods. No processed foods allowed. The diet also has you avoiding wheat, gluten, dairy, some legumes, and gluten-free grains.

This diet requires a lot of planning, prepping, and cooking your own foods. Also added sugars are used as an occasional special treat.

Is Intermittent Fasting Right for Me?

Intermittent fastingis a term for an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. There are two common formsfasting for 16-18 hours a day or eating normally for 5 days and restricting to 500 calories for the remaining two days.

Like the Keto diet, this diet is supported by research because it sends your body into ketosis, which means you begin to burn fat. This is the easiest diet to follow and it can help you learn how to eat a balanced diet.

If you are accustomed to eating at specific times in the day, it can be tough to adjust to a period of fasting. But you have to hold yourself accountable to not eat only sugary foods.

Is a Web-based Accountability Program Right for Me?

There are countless web-based programs that focus on accountability, diet tracking and online support that may help you reach your goals.

Myfitnesspal is one of the most popular and you can access many features at no cost, including diet, weight and fitness tracking. To get access to all the program features, there is a fee. Myfitnesspal will also sync with your wearable fitness tracker to keep track of activity and steps.

There are other programs similar to myfitnesspal, such as LoseIt, CalorieKing, and Diet.com.

Noom is a commercial, app-based weight loss program that includes health coaching. It requires you to log your food and exercise every day. The focus of this program is a lifestyle change.

Weight loss is slower but the end goal is to change the habits we have so we can keep weight off for good. While there is a free trial period, this program does have a cost.

The downside for trendy dietersmost fad diets do not work long term. They can create a yo-yo effect of weight loss and weight gain.

Wagner believes the only way to keep a healthy weight over the long term is to develop a healthy relationship with food.

You have to rethink how you think about food. Its about feeding your body. Not feeding your soul, she said.

If you need help keeping your weight goals on track, talk to your primary care physician or schedule an appointment at the St. Elizabeth Physicians Weight Management Center by calling (859) 212-4625.

Read the original:
Healthy Headlines: Before jumping on the diet bandwagon it's a good idea to learn before you leap - User-generated content

Looking and feeling good! Adeles incredible 100-pound weight loss has her feeling more confident than ever, Life & Style magazine exclusively learned. The singer used the Sirtfood Diet on her weight loss journey, which includes foods rich in chemicals called polyphenols to boost weight loss. Needless to say, the Rolling in the Deep songstress is absolutely glowing these days. Adele couldnt be happier, the insider gushes.

Adele used to be incredibly self-conscious she was always covering up and even felt uncomfortable eating in public, admits an insider in the January 21 issue, available on newsstands now. But now shes more confident than ever! The 31-year-olds weight loss comes on the heels of her divorce from her husband, Simon Konecki, whom she shares her 7-year-old son, Angelo, with. The pair announced their split after two years of marriage in April 2019, and the Grammy winner filed for divorce from the 45-year-old that following September.

Dont get it twisted, Adeles weight loss isnt only about achieving that coveted revenge body. Yes, Adele initially set her sights on losing weight after the breakup, but it became much more than that, the source adds. She has more energy to run around with Angelo.

The newly single A-lister definitely has her choice of eligible bachelors these days. Adele has always been stunning, but since the weight loss, shes been inundated with men who want to date her, the insider adds. At bars, guys are always chatting her up.

So, what is the Sirtfood Diet that helped Adele look so incredible? Its gotten a lot of attention from celebs and allows dark chocolate and wine on the program. The foods activate sirtuins and switch on the so-called skinny gene pathways in the body, according to the official website. A diet rich in these sirtfoods kick-starts weight loss without sacrificing muscle while maintaining optimal health. Some of the Sirt-approved foods include green juice made with kale and celery, buckwheat and lean meats.

What you put in your body is just as important as the number of hours you put in at the gym. Adeles former Pilates instructor Camila Goodis who trained her after she gave birth to Angelo in 2012 believes the singers transformation was 90 percent about dieting. I dont believe she liked exercise, Camila confesses. Giving up processed food, sugar, soda will change [a persons] body.

Its tough changing your lifestyle to drop a few pounds, and Adele can relate. Cutting out her guilty pleasures was the hardest part, but she says its been worth it, says the insider. And, that her routine has gotten easier now that shes used to it.

Adele is looking so fab!

Originally posted here:
What Is the Sirtfood Diet? It Helped Adele's 100-Pound Weight Loss - Life&Style Weekly

Sugar was first domesticated in New Guinea 10,000 years ago. Sugar cane spread to Asia and Europe, but was initially only available to the wealthy. Christopher Columbus first introduced sugar cane to the New World during his second voyage in 1493. Sugar cane grew well in the hot, humid conditions in the Caribbean. Native peoples initially provided the labor and, when this was insufficient, slaves were imported from Africa. Over the course of 300 years, from 1505 through the mid-1800s, 12 million slaves were forcibly transported to the New World to fulfill the growing demand for sugar in Europe.

Technology contributed to the increase of sugar in food products. Today sugar is added to nearly all processed foods and is ubiquitous in the American diet. Sugar allows for preservation by inhibiting microorganisms that would cause spoiling, inhibits mold and bacteria in liquids, reduces harshness of salt used for preserving meat, reduces acidity, enhances flavor and adds viscosity. On average, Americans consume 66 pounds of sugar per person per year (around 20 or more teaspoons per day). Americans consume the most sugar per capita of any country.

There's lots of evidence about the harmful effects of sugar. Gary Taubes published The Case Against Sugar in 2017. He argues that sugars are fundamental causes of diabetes and obesity. There is also a great deal of research about the addictive nature of sugar. Scientists at the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse were among the first to show that sugar causes changes in peoples' brains similar to those in people addicted to drugs such as cocaine and alcohol.

Consuming too much added sugar over long periods of time can affect the natural balance of hormones. Eating sugar increases levels of glucosein the bloodstream, which leads the pancreasto releaseinsulin. Higher levels of insulin, in turn, cause the body to store more food calories as fat. Insulin also affects a hormonecalledleptin, which is the natural appetite suppressant that tells our brains we are full and can stop eating.

Sugar is big business, and it should come as no surprise that the sugar industry has been a powerful voice in promoting sugar as beneficial and contributing to the increase in consumption of sugar. In the 1960s, the sugar industry funded Harvard scientists who published a study blaming fat and cholesterol for coronary heart disease while largely exculpating sugar. This study helped set the agenda for decades of public health policy designed to steer Americans into low-fat foods, which increased carbohydrate consumption and exacerbated our obesity epidemic.

Americans are consuming vast amounts of ultra-processed food, loaded with added sugars.

Studies have foundthat excessive added sugar consumption increases the risk of obesity and type-2 diabetes, which in turn increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. The best way to eliminate sugar from the diet is to avoid processed food and cook with whole foods, incorporating fresh vegetables and fruits. All calories are not equal. Experts recommend that meals should be balanced with 30 percent protein, 30 percent good fat, and 40 percent low-glycemic carbohydrates.

Elimination of sugar from one's diet may be difficult to imagine. But, it would be hard to come away from reading Gary Taube's book, The Case Against Sugar, without viewing sugar in a new light. And, that is likely the first step in deciding to reduce one's consumption of sugar.

Go here to read the rest:
Sugar and the American diet - Illinois Times

As the New Year begins, many of us find ourselves reflecting on 2019. We may ask ourselves, what did I do over the past year? How did I grow? What did I accomplish? The year seems to fly by, and the next thing we know, were counting down to the ball drops and finding ourselves making the same New Years resolutions we did last year.

More than half of resolution makers commit to eating healthier and/or exercising more. On Jan. 2, gyms become packed and fad diets run rampant. Research shows that the second Friday of January is the most common day for people to give up their resolutions; by the end of the month, 36% of people have quit.

Dieting can be confusing and frustrating, as there is so much information readily accessible, all of which seem to contradict. Many people looking to lose weight in the New Year turn to fad diets for example, the keto diet, paleo diet, fasting, etc. Fad diets are not a long-term solution; typically, they help you lose weight quickly but are not sustainable for a long period of time.

There are a few diets that have stood the test of time for healthy living, and at the top of the list is the Mediterranean diet. According to U.S. News and World Report, this diet has been ranked the number one diet for three years running.

The Mediterranean diet is a cuisine that is based on the lifestyle adopted by those living in the countries which border the Mediterranean Sea. It is rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, seafood, oils, and it limits processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugars. This provides a balanced diet that is high in fiber and unsaturated fats and is low in unhealthy fats and high-calorie foods. This helps promote healthy cholesterol levels for cardiac health as well as a healthy weight.

If youre looking to make some diet changes in 2020, start with these few tips inspired by the Mediterranean diet:

Choose whole grain carbohydrates over refined (examples: brown rice over white rice, wheat pasta instead of white pasta, etc.).

Use healthy fats over saturated fats. Fats that are liquid at room temperature are generally healthier than those that are solid. For example, cook with olive oil instead of butter.

Put down the salt shaker and opt for stronger herbs and spices. This is especially beneficial to those with hypertension.

Dial back the red meat consumption and try for at least one meatless meal per week and one seafood-based meal per week.

Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables increases fiber intake which helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels by raising the good cholesterol and lowering the bad. It also helps to keep you fuller longer, thus lowering your total calorie intake.

Heres a great Mediterranean-inspired recipe thats delicious and easy to prepare.

Mediterranean Chicken Tacos

Source: Mindful by Sodexo

Serving Size: 2 Tacos

Yield: 8 Tacos

Chicken Taco Ingredients:

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

2 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast

8 6-inch whole grain flour tortilla

1/2 cup roasted garlic hummus

2 cups finely chopped romaine lettuce

1/2 cup diced cucumbers with skin

1/2 cup diced plum tomato

2 1/2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese

Yogurt sauce

Yogurt Sauce Ingredients:

1 1/2 tablespoons non-fat plain Greek yogurt

1 1/2 teaspoons diced cucumber

1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

1 1/8 teaspoons water

1/8 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, ground black pepper, and dried oregano leaves. Coat chicken well, grill or sear for 2 minutes on each side, transfer to lined sheet pan and place in preheated 350 oven. Cook through. Remove from heat. Let rest 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Slice into approximately 1/2 slices before building tacos.

2. For the yogurt sauce: In a mixing bowl, add non-fat plain Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, extra virgin olive oil, water, minced garlic, ground black pepper and lemon juice. Mix until well-blended. Set aside in refrigerator for use.

3. Lay tortilla on flat surface, spread 1 tbsp. hummus over each tortilla. Divide chicken into 8 portions, lay one portion on top of hummus, top with cup romaine lettuce, 1 tbsp cucumber, 1 tbsp diced tomato. Drizzle with yogurt sauce. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Fold over and enjoy.

Nutrition Facts per 2 Tacos:

Calories: 390, Carbs: 38g, Protein: 28g, Fat: 15g, Sat. fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 66mg, Sodium: 470mg, Fiber: 5g

Courtney Faiola is a registered dietitian at Saint Annes Hospital. A graduate of Johnson and Wales University, Courtney and the team of registered dietitians at Saint Annes Hospitals Nutrition Services offer outpatient counseling for adults and children for a range of conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, weight loss, food allergies, and much more. For more information, ask your physician, or call Saint Annes Hospitals Nutrition Services, 508-674-5600, extension 2160.

Continue reading here:
A diet that stands the test of a new year - Fall River Herald News

Despite the constant noise of fad diets competing for our attention, the biggest trend in nutrition this year may in fact be an anti-diet called "intuitive eating."

Intuitive eating refers to a system of nutritional principles based on physical cues like hunger and satiety. It focuses on how you feel and what your body needs instead of adhering to external goals like calorie-counting or aesthetics.

It's on the rise among younger people, particularly on social media, according to registered dietitian Alyssa Pike, manager of nutrition communications at the International Food Information Council (IFIC).

A recent IFIC survey polled 1,012 Americans on food behaviors and perceptions to predict the biggest trends for 2020. Some 49% percent of people ages 18 to 34 had heard of the term, compared with 27% of people over 50.

A large number of people (more than half of the total surveyed) said they were interested in applying principles of intuitive eating to their own lives including paying close attention to their level of hunger and limiting distractions while they eat.

"People are getting so sick of dieting and now, diets disguised as wellness," said Christy Harrison, registered dietitian and author of "Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating."

"I think we're shifting toward ways to not have our relationship with food complicated by outside noise."

In contrast to diets that focus on aesthetic goals, the number on the scale, or calorie-counting, intuitive eaters stick to 10 basic principles of allowing their individual bodies and experiences to determine their food choices.

Those principles include things like "honor your hunger" and "feel your fullness," meaning intuitive eaters pay attention to the signals their body is sending about what it needs.

People new to intuitive eating may want to test out the limits and indulge in desserts, carbs, or other stigmatized snacks as reassurance that they're permissible. Eventually, as you start tuning into and trusting your body, you might find you're craving a salad, a hearty bean burrito, or a crisp apple, Harrison said.

Food should be enjoyed. d3sign/Getty Images

Harrison said intuitive eating is gaining popularity in part because people have begun to recognize problems with diet culture, including evidence that diets don't work, and the prevalence of dangerous eating disorders.

Intuitive eating also addresses a more insidious form of diet culture that has emerged in the form of "wellness," she said. This includes a fixation with eating "clean," for example, that can lead to its own form of eating disorder known as orthorexia.

Intuitive eating does take healthy eating into account, but only after unpacking the dietary dogma and pressure that often underlies the urge to eat healthily.The eventual goal of intuitive eating is to trust that your body knows what it needs to feel good, and that includes salads as well as sweets, healthy foods as well as indulgences.

"You can't really re-approach nutrition in a kind and gentle way without breaking down those ideas about diet culture. If you don't, that information just tends to get plugged into the existing framework and you still have a black-and-white weight-centric, weight stigmatizing way of thinking about things," she said.

Sometimes you're craving fresh veggies. Crystal Cox/Business Insider

Pike cited research that intuitive eating leads to better self-esteem, emotional well-being, and psychological resilience. It's also been linked to greater motivation to exercise, since it prioritizes enjoyment instead of guilt or shame.Although more research is needed to fully understand the effects of intuitive,some studies have show promising results that intuitive eating may lead to overall healthier habits overall.

Although it's tempting to ask whether intuitive eating can help with weight loss, experts say that's missing the point, since the practice encourages people to consider their relationship with food beyond aesthetics.

"The ultimate goal is to have food become one of many aspects of life that support your well-being, but it doesn't take on this outsized role where you're spending all your time worrying about food and nutrition," Harrison said. "It gives you time to think about other things that matter in your life."

Read more:

The Mediterranean diet is named the best diet for 2020, and keto remains one of the worst

Intermittent fasting may help slow aging and diseases like cancer and diabetes even if you don't lose weight

People eat less when food labels show how much exercise is needed to burn it off, but that could have dangerous consequences

Read this article:
'Intuitive eating' is on the rise, and experts say it's because people are fed up with diet culture - INSIDER

Start (Dec. 31): 447 lbs.

Last week: 437 lbs.

This week: 437 lbs.

Total lost in 2020: 10 lbs.

A friend of mine who is a seasonal resident of Keene Valley recently emailed me a list of helpful eating tips from losing weight and getting healthy and said it was OK to share these with my readers. I love these!

EATING HABITS

-Eat on a schedule and not in between; I try for 7, 1, 7.

- Plan your day of meals ahead.

- Try not to have food in the house that isnt good for you.

- Savor every bite. Eat slowly. Taste.

- If you think you are hungry and its not meal time yet, tackle a task that will distract you and before you know it, you are eating late and can tick something off the to do list.

- Long stretches without eating are good (mini-fasts).

- If there is something that might encourage a gorge, keep it out of sight.

- Divide your meal in half in a restaurant when it comes and take it home

- Share entrees with someone you eat with and get your own salad.

- Pack breakfasts, lunches, or dinners ahead if you are working or going to out of the house for a meal. Reheat oatmeal (old-fashioned, no sugar) and some berries for breakfast. Try fruit and nuts with unsweetened Greek yogurt or cottage cheese as a healthy fill me up.

- Dont shop when hungry. Order groceries, i.e. Peapod, to stay out of the supermarket.

- Its OK to eat something unhealthy once in a while. Then walk.

- Try Lose It! Or an app that you can count calories on, not forever, but just to be more self-aware.

- Get a physical once a year to check your weight and blood numbers.

- You dont need to weigh yourself often if you measure by the fit of your clothes. The goal is health, not a specific weight number.

FOODS

- Drink first when you think you are hungry. You might just be thirsty.

- Drink lots of water and herbal tea.

- Stay away from processed foods. Think of food as fuel and plan accordingly.

- Dont waste calories on fruit juice. Eat the fruit and get the fiber, too.

- Be sure to get enough protein, avoiding red meat. Chicken (no skin) and fish are good. Try beans, quinoa, other grains for protein.

- Eat little or no bread, starches, sweets and just a bit of fat, preferably olive oil.

- If you must eat after dinner, try diet chocolate pudding cups or a controlled number of nuts. Or both.

- High glycemic sugars arent healthy, but for a treat, freeze grapes in a cup or plastic bag. Takes a long time to eat.

- Add chia seeds and flax to low fat Greek unsweetened yogurt, then add fruit and some nuts. Its a healthy meal, or in a small portion, good before working out or as a dessert or snack.

- Salad dressing should be on the side with just a drop drizzled on and mixed in. Or use lemon juice as dressing. A salad isnt healthy if its loaded with dressing.

- Go for bulk, with fruits and vegetables.

- You really can be happy with smaller portions!

- Use pepper and other spices; avoid salt.

- Avoid caffeine. Carry herbal tea bags.

- Eat carrot sticks (so sweet and crunchy) at cocktail parties.

- Plan meals that work for you, then repeat them to make it easier. But, too much repetition can lead to deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, so think about taking a multivitamin.

Link:
Friend offers advice for healthy eating - Lake Placid Diet by Andy Flynn - LakePlacidNews.com | News and information on the Lake Placid and Essex...

Every New Year, a wave of trendy New Year resolution scams surface to capitalize on consumer's New Year resolution goals, like weight loss. Consumers who want to get in shape or lose weight are at risk of being deceived from products that do not work as advertised or come with a host of unwanted side effects and trapped in monthly subscription fees.

New products like topical creams, dietary supplements, workout gadgets, and appetite suppressants flood the market, promising consumers spectacular weight-loss results. These risk-free schemes often start with an ad for a free product or with an article that seems to appear on a credible news site. Consumers just need to enter name, address and credit card number, and the product will be on its way for only a nominal shipping and handling charge. Fraudsters have turned such offers into a global multi-billion-dollar industry, one that grows every year.

A 2018 BBB study, Subscription Traps and Deceptive Free Trials Scam Millions with Misleading Ads and Fake Celebrity Endorsements, reported that consumers filed nearly 37,000 complaints and BBB ScamTracker reports since 2015 with an average loss of $186. Through October 2019, BBB received more than 6,600 complaints and reports from consumers in the U.S. and Canada about free trial offers. The BBB study found many of the celebrity product endorsements it investigated were fake and that sometimes the fine print even admitted the endorsements were not real. Major lawsuits have been issued against companies using celebrity imagery and name to endorse products like skin lotions. Shark Tank Investor, Lori Greiner, recently warned consumers of a Keto Pill Scam using her credibility to sell dietary supplements.

Your Better Business Bureau offers these tips to help you evaluate weight loss supplements and other weight loss products and avoid Free Trial Scams:

Free trial offers can be legitimate ways to introduce new products. Credible companies make sure consumers understand what they are signing up for and do not hide key information. Under the Restore Online Shoppers Confidence Act, companies must clearly lay out the terms of free trials or other subscriptions before consumers give their credit card information.

For more information, see the Federal Trade Commission's video on Free Trial Offer Scams.

See the original post:
Beware of diet and weight loss supplements free trial offer scams - The Augusta Chronicle

With that goal in mind, Taras recommends these tips from the U. S. Centers forDisease Control and Prevention:

Get checkups. Visit your doctor regularly for preventive services. Exams and screenings can help find problems early, when the chances for treatment and cure are better. And vaccinations are important for adults, too

Ask your physician what vaccinations and tests you should get based on your age, lifestyle, medical history, and family health history, Taras said in a news release from Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox.

Eat a healthy diet. Make healthy food choices like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.

Move more, sit less. Get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity every week, plus muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.

Rethink your drink. Substitute water for sugary or alcoholic drinks to reduce calories and stay safe.

Wash hands often to avoid spreading germs and getting sick. Keeping hands clean is one of the most significant steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others, Taras said in the release.

By simply washing your hands with soap and clean running water for at least 20 seconds, youre reducing your exposure to harmful pathogens that can make you ill. If soap and clean water are not available, use an alcohol-based product. The key thing to remember is that clean hands do save lives.

Get enough sleep. Adults need at least seven hours of sleep per night.

Manage stress. Keep a check on over-commitment and over-spending. By balancing work, home, and social commitments, you can keep a more relaxed and positive view.

Be smoke-free. If youre ready to quit, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for free counseling.

Be sun safe. Wear layered clothes and apply sunscreen with at least SPF 15.

Brush your teeth. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Visit silvercross.org.

Read more here:
Fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet - The Herald-News

Thinking about the daily diet of Gwyneth Paltrow, the founder and CEO of lifestyle and wellness brand Goop, conjures images of green juice and detoxifying salads. Since 2008, Goop has been responsible for bringing buzzy and occasionally controversial wellness trends into the zeitgeist.

"I think we feel really proud about the fact we're blazing trails a little bit and that we changed the conversation and that people, you know, seem to follow suit," Paltrow told CNBC's Julie Boorstin on Jan. 6.

When it comes to Paltrow's own diet, she seems to practice what she preaches, because it includes lots of health foods. She also exercises and goes on walks daily, because she told CNBC it's her "time to let the brain disengage from input."

Paltrow detailed her food diary in an interview with Harper's Bazaar posted on YouTube Jan. 7, and revealed some surprising "cheat meals" and unconventional wellness habits.

Each morning as she gets ready, Paltrow "oil pulls," which involves placing raw organic coconut oil in her mouth and swishing it around. She says it's "an ayurvedic way to remove bacteria from the mouth," she told Harper's Bazaar. However, there is no research that suggests oil pulling can prevent cavities or improve oral health, so the American Dental Association doesn't recommend it especially not in place of brushing and flossing your teeth.

Although Paltrow isn't "a big breakfast person" unless she's having a late weekend brunch, she likes to hydrate in the morning. She drinks two large glasses of water, then coffee, while she catches up on email and reads the news with her husband, producer Brad Falchuk, she told Harper's Bazaar. At her workout, she'll also mix two packets of GoopGlow Morning Skin Superpowder, a vitamin C and E blend, into "a big thing of water."

Like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Paltrow likes to work out before she heads to the office. Paltrow told Harper's Bazaar that she goes straight from school drop-off for her kids Apple, 15, and Moses, 13 to the gym. She's been working out with trainer Tracy Anderson for over a decade, and she's an investor in her company.

After working out, Paltrow stops to get an "amazing green smoothie" at her "favorite supermarket," Erewhon, a Los Angeles-based organic grocery store and cafe. She actually showers once she arrives at the Goop offices.

For lunch, Paltrow said she eats "stuff that you would see on the Goop website," such as a "really clean version of a turkey burger" wrapped in lettuce, or tacos using jicama as the shell.

Although Paltrow eats her protein-packed lunch at around noon or 12:30 p.m., she's not immune to the afternoon snack time slump. "At about three or four, I hit the snack cupboard at the Goop office," she said. Her desk snack of choice is cashews, pretzels or "something salty and crunchy," she added. (Snacking at work is wise, because studies show that hunger impacts your ability to make decisions and focus on tasks.)

Paltrow also drinks a cup of green tea in the afternoon "that will hold me through until dinner," she said.

Paltrow sits down for dinner around 6:15 p.m., because going to bed with a full stomach interferes with her sleep, she told Harper's Bazaar. Depending upon her kids' after-school schedules, they usually try to eat together as a family.

For dinner, Paltrow likes to make Asian food, such as noodles, or one-pot dinners from Goop, such as chicken and winter vegetables. "Those are great for weeknights as well," she said.

While Paltrow's diet might seem stringent, she loves to eat French fries and pasta. "French fries are sort of my favorite meal, not that they're a meal, they're technically a side, but I guess I could eat them for a meal," she said.

If "work is tough," Paltrow likes to unwind with a cocktail. Her go-to is a Gibson, which is a vodka martini with cocktail onions, or she'll have Japanese whiskey on the rocks.

"The Japanese make the most amazing whiskey it's very smooth, I love it," she told Into the Gloss in February 2018. Her favorite whisky brands are Nikka and Hibiki, she said.

However, Paltrow said she's "trying not to drink so much on weeknights."

"It's an easy habit to fall into because you've had a stressful day, so it becomes about the ritual of it," Paltrow said. And if she ends up with a hangover the next morning, her go-to cure is an egg sandwich and an IV drip of vitamins and electrolytes. "That's a very good hangover trick," she added.

Like this story? Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube!

Don't miss:

More:
Gwyneth Paltrow's daily routine includes oil pulling and Japanese whisky - CNBC