Category Archives: Diet And Food

Jenna Jameson was preaching the success of her keto diet following her pregnancy. But on Sunday, she revealed that she has re-gained all that weight after getting away from the diet in a post shared to her Instagram.

Confession. Ive gained 20 pounds. Ugh, she wrote. I decided to take a break from [keto] and live my best carby life. The weight came back fast and furious. I know a lot of people are quitting keto because its hard to maintain and after a year and a half I concur. Not sure if Im going to go back full force or just calorie count."

Many of her fans were commenting positive remarks about not letting the weight gain get her done as its a common thing among mothers.

"So brave of you to make the confession," one user responded. "I've gained 10 lbs back after adding carbs back. Makes me wonder how my body just adapts so quickly and starts storing it."

Back in September, the adult film star took to social media to open up to her followers about how she was able to shed off all the pounds that added up from her pregnancy.

It is absolutely possible to gain weight in your thighs and booty without getting a thick midsection," she wrote. "Lately Ive upped my calories just to run a test. I love how I look with thick thighs but despise feeling a muffin top. So I began eating a lot and not restricting my caloric intake. It absolutely worked. My thighs and hips have made themselves known. I avoided tummy bloat by not indulging in unneeded sugar, wasteful carbs and fast food.

In that same post, she also revealed some secrets in finding time to get some workouts in while being a mother. Her tip: I do sit-ups in bed! I have a bad back and I struggle doing normal crunches on the floor, so when Batel naps...I do leg raises and crunches in bed and it saves the pain on my sacrum and lower back! Moral of the story... super skinny isnt goals. Healthy well fed bodies are!

Jameson rose to prominence in the adult film industry in the mid '90s.

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Jenna Jameson Reveals She's Gained 20 Pounds in New Photo After Dropping Keto Diet - PopCulture.com

FROM Kim Kardashian to Tyson Fury - droves of celebrities have credited the keto diet for keeping them in shape.

They claim that ditching carbs has helped them to target stubborn areas of fat without having to cut out lots of calories.

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However, dietitian Robbie Clark has revealed that going keto could actually make you gain weight - if you're not following the right steps.

And he says that many dieters make some big mistakes which mean their body doesn't get into a state of "ketosis" and "burn fat for energy instead of glucose".

Here, Robbie explains common mistakes people make on a keto diet that could be making you fatter...and how to avoid them.

Robbie says one of the most common mistakes he finds in terms of clinical practice is that people are reducing their carbohydrate intake cold turkey.

Theyve gone from a diet that is probably consumed moderate or high amounts of carbs to an extremely low amount, and this is a drastic change for the body," he told news.com.au.

"This is when theyre at risk of the keto flu.

Going from a diet that is probably consumed moderate or high amounts of carbs to an extremely low amount is a drastic change for the body

"The keto flu is the body adapting to the whole process in a large depletion in glucose.

"And the symptoms can include nausea, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, constipation and reduced exercise tolerance."

Robbie recommendstapering down carb intake instead of reducing the level at an extreme rate.

An important thing to do on a keto diet is to keep drinking enough water.

The drastic decrease in carbs can cause shifts in fluids and electrolyte balance.

The body is washed-out of a lot of fluid especially when losing fat mass as well," Robbie says.

"The body flushes out the ketones in the urine which also depletes not just water but sodium, an important electrolyte, from the body."

According to Robbie, this is something that needs to be replaced.

Vegetables have carbohydrates and for a lot of people, this means watching how much is actually consumed.

If youre not careful of the types of carbs on the keto diet, the affect is that people wont stay in that ketosis state.

Robbie says: "On the other hand, the ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate diet and not a no carbohydrate diet.

What is the keto diet?

The keto diet involves eating lots of "good" fat, to curb hunger pangs, while cutting out carbs and eating moderate amounts of protein.

It's said to boost energy levels and help speed up weight loss.

The diet relies on a normal metabolic process called ketosis - that helps the body keep working.

It's where the body, starved of carbs for energy, starts to burn fat reserves instead.

For healthy people, who don't have diabetes and aren't pregnant, ketosis usually kicks in after three or four days of following the plan and eating less than 50g of carbs a day.

That's about three slices of bread, two small bananas or a low-fat fruit yog.

So if you're cutting out all those carbs, what can you eat?

Fat is the answer! It should make up about 60 to 80 per cent of total daily calories, while protein makes up 10 to 15 per cent and carbs are less than 10 per cent.

And it's not just a calorie free-for-all. Keto enthusiasts should cap their daily intake at 1,800 calories a day.

If it sounds like Atkins, it's not far off - the main difference being limiting protein on a daily basis.

"In order to meet all of our individual nutrient requirements, particularly with vitamins, minerals and fibre, the vegetable play a pivotal role in meeting these requirements.

"The goal is to educate yourself or get an education from a health professional, like myself, who can guide you for the best types of lower carbohydrate based vegetables so youre not at risk of malnutrition."

Its important to check with a local doctor or a dietitian when thinking about undergoing the keto diet for the first time.

Theres a protocol that determines whether a person is suitable for the keto diet, particularly for healthy people to follow.

Robbie says that there are population groups who should avoid the keto diet.

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People who are pregnant and breastfeeding should not undergo the keto diet because the risk follows in becoming insufficient in nutrients not only for yourself but for the infant.

It follows a risk of the production of the milk as well.

Understanding the ketogenic diet is the most important thing to do in accordance with a health professional in using it the right way.

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Weight loss: The 4 keto diet mistakes that could be making you fatter and how to avoid them - The Sun

Theres no dearth of fitness and weight-loss advice. Its everywhere on social media, in our apps, on the lips of well-meaning confidants and in the pages of the cookbooks we burn through in search of that one perfect recipe, diet or magic pill that can solve our metabolic woes. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to shedding weight and keeping it off. What we can offer you, though, is a round-up of underrated tips that go beyond the eat less, exercise more formula and the science behind them, from a prolific group of nutritionists and health experts.

Most people dont lose weight despite working very hard because of the deficiency of certain trace elements and minerals, such as iron, vitamin D, magnesium and potassium, says Juliot Vinolia, head clinical dietitian at Medeor 24x7 Hospital. These elements act as catalysts to break fat into energy. People with anaemia or vitamin D deficiency will have a lower metabolism. So even if they exercise very hard or go on restricted-calorie diets, the outcome might not be commensurate to the effort. In fact the conditions can lead to tiredness and fatigue, which can make exercising a challenge. The solution is to correct any deficiency with a well-balanced meal plan or supplements.

Hydrating our bodies is very important for weight loss. Only if the body is adequately hydrated will the blood be able to carry the hormones, enzymes and chemicals to all the organs, so that metabolism and other body functions are at their optimum, says Vinolia. Drinking ice-cold water between meals is a great way of tricking the body into burning energy to maintain its normal temperature. Similarly, taking a shower twice a day makes the body work to maintain its core temperature. And, of course, there is the age-old problem of people confusing thirst with hunger. Drinking water throughout the day will prevent you from consuming calories you dont need.

Another tip Vinolia shares has to do with processed foods, which are not only laden with calories and devoid of nutrition, but over time they can also lead to fatty liver. The liver is the main centre for metabolism; if its not able to function efficiently due to fatty infiltrations, it leads to poor fat transport and metabolism. The body will not be able to take the fat out of fat cells efficiently and burn it for energy when you exercise or eat fewer calories. Choline is a very important nutrient that reverses fatty liver and enhances its function. It is present in cruciferous vegetables, beans, eggs, nuts, seeds, and some amount of meat and poultry. So get your liver checked, and include plenty of choline in your diet to improve weight loss, she says.

Nicole Sirotin, chair of preventive medicine at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, typically asks her patients if they have 10 minutes a day. Pick a very small, attainable goal to begin with, is her advice. Even 10 minutes of exercise can aid weight loss, improve health, and help live longer. A 2016 Canadian study found that when 27 middle-aged sedentary men were split into two groups, the first group cycling for 10 minutes a day as part of an interval training workout regimen, and the second cycling for 45 minutes a day, the improvement in the fitness of both groups was the same at the end of three months. According to another study of 55,000 adults, published in 2014 in the Journal Of The American College Of Cardiology, running for even just five to 10 minutes a day drastically reduces the risk of dying due to cardiovascular issues. So I recommend everybody start exercising right away no matter how short the duration.

Sirotin says that shes found that initiating a fasting regimen tends to help kick-start weight loss. Id recommend two non-consecutive days of fasting which means plenty of water and fewer than 500 calories a day in the week, combined with normal calorie-intake on the other days. Studies have shown that, over 12 weeks, this approach has better results than lowering calories alone.

Stephanie Karl, clinical nutritionist, Up and Running Medical Centre, explains that a well-balanced metabolism is one that readily uses fat in times of fasting and during low-intensity exercises. To help lose weight and burn fat, it is critical to exercise in a fasted state, or at least avoid food for four hours before, and then avoid carbs for two to four hours afterwards. Walking, jogging or using the elliptical trainer for about one hour at a low heart rate is most likely to make your body use fat as fuel. Alternatively, high-intensity interval training will use carbohydrate from liver stores, but in the period afterwards when the heart rate is restored, fat is oxidised for energy only if you dont consume any carbohydrate.

Karl further adds that you should never drink sugary beverages when you exercise if you are trying to lose weight, and try to consume your carbs between 11am and 6pm to prolong fat burning. If you feel hungry and crave something sweet during the day, use a fibre supplement drink between meals to fill you up and to improve bowel motility. Avoid protein shakes; low-fat laban or lassi are good alternatives, she says.

Meanwhile, Mitun De Sarkar, clinical dietitian and founder of Simply Healthy Foods, finds that drinking black coffee before a workout, especially in the morning, can be useful. Coffee is loaded with antioxidants, and the caffeine boosts metabolism in the morning, aiding fat burn. Dont add any milk or sugar to your coffee, though; they negate the purpose.

Sarkar also recommends consuming foods and supplements rich in probiotics. Probiotics are live organisms that occur naturally in the gut. Many supplements and fermented foods also contain probiotics. Taking a probiotic supplement may help keep the intestinal flora balanced and promote a healthy body by boosting the digestive and immune systems. Poor gut health has links to obesity, so its easier for someone to lose weight when their gut is clean and healthy, she says.

A weight-loss diet needs to match your body type and particular way of digesting food. Body type simply means your hormones, blood levels, and body chemistry, says Anjali Mukerjee, celebrity nutritionist and founder of Health Total. People in the same family, eating the same food can have very different body types because you metabolise food and nutrients differently. Which is why a diet that works wonders for someone might do nothing for you. A simple example is that some people can tolerate a higher amount of protein, probably because they have a higher amount of hydrochloric acid or better digestive enzymes. But a high-protein diet might make others constipated, get breakouts, or feel generally miserable. Personalised nutrition can help you understand whether your body needs animal or vegetable protein, how much protein you should have, and at what time. When you eat according to your body type and digestive system, it will always work.

Mukerjee recommends keeping a minimum interval of four hours between meals, even avoiding fruits, tea and coffee. When theres a gap, it allows the body to digest the meal fully without any unnecessary spikes in insulin and weight loss occurs when insulin is low, she explains. Also, never eat more than three-fourths of your capacity, because the load of food will always raise the insulin, no matter how correctly you eat. Having said that, people with very active lifestyles and a good digestion do respond well to eating every couple of hours, but the four-hour rule works better for most.

Mukerjee says a daily tablespoon of psyllium seed husk adds fibre in the diet, cleans the system, relieves constipation and eventually helps in weight loss. Take it in the morning before breakfast or before dinner when youre most hungry, to cut unnecessary pangs. Its available everywhere and is an easy way to lose weight.

Updated: December 8, 2019 06:12 PM

The rest is here:
Weight-loss tips that go beyond the 'eat less, exercise hard' formula - The National

Jeremy Clarkson is known for working on BBCs Top Gear before being fired from the show, and moving to Amazon Prime with the Grand Tour. He has lost weight recently. How?

Jeremy revealed: Plus I had a bicycle rather than a car.

Cycling is not a good thing to do, Im all broken as a result of it but I did lose a lot of weight.

Where I was staying was separated from the small town by a mountain but it was much bigger than Everest.

It was only three kilometres and I cycled it every day, I said, I cant have a drink unless I cycle into town. I wanted to get fit.

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Jeremy has previously revealed her is taking weight loss inspiration from the monarch.

He told The Sun in August: The Queen doesnt go to the gym and she doesnt run and shes 93 and shes all right.

Apparently, she only has a forkful, she only has a tiny bit, thats what Ive heard.

Shell sit down and just have one little bit of mousse and bit of a lettuce leaf.

Jeremy is not currently married, although he has been twice.

He married his first wife Alex Hall in 1989, but the relationship fell apart six months later.

In 1993 he married his manager Frances Cain. They lived together in Chipping Norton and has three children before they began divorce proceedings in 2014.

Now he is dating girlfriend Lisa Hogan.

Jeremy Clarkson's net worth is estimated to be around 46 million.

Along with his co-presenter, Richard Hammond, 49, and James May,56, Jeremy is expected to cash in on a 29 million surplus their Grand Tour company has been left with.

he is expected to make a whopping 15 million per year from his ventures.

Jeremy was born on April 11 1960 in Doncaster, England.

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Jeremy Clarkson reveals strange but effective method behind incredible 2 stone weight loss - Express

By Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, LN

Up to 20% of people may have a food addiction or exhibit addictive-like eating behavior.

This number is even higher among people with obesity.

Food addiction involves being addicted to food in the same way as someone with a substance use disorder demonstrates addiction to a particular substance.

People who have food addiction report that they are unable to control their consumption of certain foods.

However, people don't just become addicted to any food. Some foods are much more likely to cause symptoms of addiction than others.

Researchers at the University of Michigan studied addictive-like eating in 518 people.

They used the Yale Food Addiction Scale (YFAS) as a reference. It's the most commonly used tool to assess food addiction.

All participants received a list of 35 foods, both processed and unprocessed.

They rated how likely they were to experience problems with each of the 35 foods, on a scale of 1 (not at all addictive) to 7 (extremely addictive).

In this study, 710% of participants were diagnosed with full-blown food addiction.

In addition, 92% of participants exhibited addictive-like eating behavior toward some foods. They repeatedly had the desire to quit eating them but were unable to do so.

The results below detail which foods were the most and least addictive.

Summary

In a 2015 study, 92% of participants exhibited addictive-like eating behavior toward certain foods. 710% of them met the researchers' criteria for full-blown food addiction.

Not surprisingly, most of the foods rated as addictive were processed foods. These foods were usually high in sugar or fat or both.

The number following each food is the average score given in the study mentioned above, on a scale of 1 (not at all addictive) to 7 (extremely addictive).

Summary

The 18 most addictive foods were most often processed foods with high amounts of fat and added sugar.

The least addictive foods were mostly whole, unprocessed foods.

Summary

The least addictive foods were almost all whole, unprocessed foods.

Addictive-like eating behavior involves a lot more than just a lack of willpower, as there are biochemical reasons why some people lose control over their consumption.

This behavior has repeatedly been linked to processed foods, especially those high in added sugar and/or fat.

Processed foods are usually engineered to be hyper-palatable so that they taste really good.

They also contain high amounts of calories and cause significant blood sugar imbalances. These are known factors that can cause food cravings.

However, the biggest contributor to addictive-like eating behavior is the human brain.

Your brain has a reward center that secretes dopamine and other feel-good chemicals when you eat.

This reward center explains why many people enjoy eating. It ensures that enough food is eaten to get all the energy and nutrients that the body needs.

Eating processed junk food releases massive amounts of feel-good chemicals, compared with unprocessed foods. This yields a much more powerful reward in the brain.

The brain then seeks more reward by causing cravings for these hyper-rewarding foods. This can lead to a vicious cycle called addictive-like eating behavior or food addiction.

Summary

Processed foods can cause blood sugar imbalances and cravings. Eating junk food also makes the brain release feel-good chemicals, which can lead to even more cravings.

Food addiction and addictive-like eating behavior can create serious problems, and certain foods are more likely to trigger them.

Eating a diet that mostly comprises whole, single-ingredient foods can help reduce the likelihood of developing a food addiction.

They release an appropriate amount of feel-good chemicals, while not triggering the urge to overeat.

Note that many who have food addiction will need help to overcome it. Working with a therapist can address any underlying psychological issues contributing to food addiction, while a nutritionist can design a diet that's free of trigger foods without depriving the body of nutrition.

Reposted with permission from Healthline. For detailed source information, please view the original article on Healthline.

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The 18 Most Addictive Foods (and the 17 Least Addictive) - EcoWatch

Moughan is gathering research for a book to be published next year, which will explain the science behind weight loss and nutrient supply from foods in plain language. His aim is to free people from dieting hell and improve their health. Nutrition expert and endocrinologist Dr Robyn Toomath after 40 demoralising years of treating obesity in highly motivated clients concluded in her 2016 book Fat Science that yo-yo dieting ultimately just makes people fatter.

This is sadly true, but its not hopeless, says Moughan. What people need to do is forget about how much they weigh and instead concentrate on changing their body composition turning fat into muscle. That means consuming a higher proportion of protein in the diet and getting more exercise. You will feel fuller and more satisfied rather than deprived. The more muscle and lean body mass you have, the more you can eat without putting on weight. Muscle cells use energy provided you actually use them and are constantly being renewed, which uses even more energy, unlike fat cells, which are akin to inert storage units.

He is quick to add: I am certainly not recommending that you follow an Atkins-type diet of unlimited bacon and eggs to the exclusion of fruits, vegetables and grains. Just eat a higher proportion of good-quality protein, get lots of fibre, and do the right type of exercise regularly. Even half an hour of dedicated brisk walking three times a week is good. If you do that, you will probably automatically consume fewer fats, oils and refined [highly processed] carbohydrates. And dont worry if you weigh more in the short term. Muscle, on a per calorie basis, weighs more than fat.

Balance is important. We need fruits and vegetables to supply some of our vitamins [like vitamin C, E and K], fibre, carbohydrates and other components.

Counter-intuitively, vegetarian and vegan diets can be more calorific because you have to eat a much greater quantity to get the same amount of protein, and there is a tendency to consume more fats, oils and refined carbohydrates. This is especially true when aiming for higher protein intakes. Which is not to say that many vegetarians are not perfectly healthy, slim and fit, or that many meat eaters are not unhealthy and overweight.

However, it is not animal protein that has driven the obesity epidemic, according to Teresa Davis, professor of paediatrics-nutrition at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. While giving a public lecture in Palmerston North during a 2018 visit, she reported that in the US, average daily calorie intake by adults increased from 2060 calories in 1970 to 2630 in 2008 a whopping 570 extra calories. Davis showed the extra calories have come mainly from oils, fats, flours and cereals, and interestingly not very much at all from extra sugar, which was already quite high in 1970.

Read more: The risks of removing entire food groups from your diet | What you need to know about doing vegan diets right

She said in Western countries, people derive two-thirds of their protein from animal sources; in developing countries it is the other way around they get two-thirds from plant sources. It is projected that by 2050 the demand for animal proteins from the developing world will likely double, as their middle classes grow.

Lisa Te Morenga, senior lecturer in Mori health and nutrition at Victoria University, says with the increasing use of social media in the last 10 years, there has been a rise in conflicting messages about what we should or shouldnt be eating. First it was high-fat diets, then paleo and now vegan and plant-based diets are dominating headlines. I worry about the impact of all this conflicting messaging on New Zealanders diets, and how this might affect population health long-term. Unfortunately, we have little idea of what New Zealanders are eating right now as we havent had a national adult nutrition survey since 2008/2009, and the last childrens survey was in 2002. Given that the Global Burden of Disease project cites poor nutrition as the number one risk factor for early death, this really is an urgent priority. We need to monitor the effectiveness of food and nutrition policy and research in New Zealand.

McNabb has caveats about changing diets. Our digestive systems have not evolved much in the last few thousand years. A switch to getting all your proteins from plants is challenging; it is quite a different nutritional scenario.

Riddet Institute postdoctoral researcher Lakshmi Dave, a vegetarian by upbringing and now by choice, says her biggest concern with modern diets is ultra-processed foods and drinks, especially sugary ones, and processed red meats. Dave is a strong advocate of dairy foods and having lots of in-season fruits and vegetables on the plate, including those that are available but for whatever reason are not commonly cooked and eaten. Neglected or minor crops New Zealand native puha, for instance are important for sustainable and climate-resilient food systems as they help diversify food production. They are also nutritionally significant since they tend to be rich in key micronutrients. Unfortunately, these crops tend to be marginalised due to inadequate research, unsupportive agricultural policies, and modern dietary patterns that rely on a very limited number of major crops, says Dave.

Newbie vegetarians and vegans must be careful with things like pulses and legumes, such as red beans, which must be properly soaked, germinated and/or pressure-cooked to reduce the levels of anti-nutrients that can compromise their nutritional value and digestibility. Frozen vegetables and cans of cooked chickpeas, red beans, etc, in water dont count as ultra-processed in my book, but you should aim to have a dietary pattern in which meals prepared from minimally processed ingredients are the mainstay. And dont starve your gut microbiota get enough fibre!

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Is the vilification of NZ's meat and dairy justified? - Noted

Lets get one thing straight. There are no bad foods. Foods arent bad.

Some food contains greater value in terms of vitamins, minerals, micro and macronutrients, yes. But there are no bad foods whatsoever.

There are, though, bad diets. You can have a slice of pizza. Or you can have a whole pizza.

Obviously, one contains a lot more calories than the other. But this doesnt make pizza bad. Especially if you love pizza like me.

This is why I also dislike diets that cut out or reduce a huge quantity of one particular macronutrient.

These are mainly either fats or carbohydrates. This can work for some people, but for me, personally, it takes the enjoyment out of food.

I feel we should control our calorie intake, but with a healthy balance of fats, protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients.

Combined with a regular exercise program, this is a winning situation.

What I also dislike with dieting is a massive calorie restriction.

By over restricting calorie intake, you are setting yourself up for failure.

This all or nothing approach is what makes yo-yo dieting and binge eating a problem with people trying to lose body fat.

Restricting yourself too much will leave you feeling drained and low energy levels.

This will lead to physical and mental fatigue and you are far more likely to smash a full packet of biscuits.

So instead of this, why not create a smaller, less dramatic deficit.

This way you will still feel energetic, and you can still allow yourself the odd treat (aka Mars bar) as long as it stays within your calorie goals.

This creates a far more sustainable flexible diet, which eliminates a lot of the stress surrounding dieting and will help you to reach your goals.

But think about the long term investment in yourself, not a quick fix.

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Flexible dieting there are no bad foods whatsoever - Powys County Times

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain holds an election on Dec. 12, a political gamble by Prime Minister Boris Johnson who sees it as his best chance to break the deadlock in parliament over Brexit.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks while holding a sausage roll on the platform of Milton Keynes train station, after a visit at Red Bull Racing in Milton Keynes, Britain December 4, 2019. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool - RC2IOD9QNZNE

The parties are on the campaign trail, travelling the length and breadth of the United Kingdom to drum up support.

Following are some colourful snapshots from the election trail:

The campaign routine of long journeys, early starts and late finishes isnt entirely compatible with a healthy lifestyle.

So far, Boris Johnson has been pictured eating a cream and jam covered scone in Redruth, a stick of rock candy in Blackpool and a sausage roll in Milton Keynes train station.

Hes visited a potato chip factory in Northern Ireland, a bakers in Somerset, at least two butchers and a brownies stall at a Christmas market in Salisbury.

All this has been washed down with tasters of Black Country beer, Cornish cider and Scottish whisky - and countless cups of tea.

Johnson has also revealed a weakness for flapjack, the rolled oats mixed with butter, sugar and syrup. Asked on TV on Thursday if he was a flapjack man Johnson replied: Im not meant to be ... Im trying to wean myself off them.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn provoked a very British row during a television interview after suggesting he often had Queen Elizabeths annual address to the nation on in his home at Christmas.

Its on the morning usually, we have it on some of the time, Corbyn, a republican, told ITV. His interviewer pointed out that the speech isnt broadcast until 1500 GMT.

Well said Corbyn. Our Christmas ... (there) is a lot to do, I enjoy the presence of my friends and family around on Christmas obviously like everybody else does, and I also visit a homeless shelter.

Labour education spokeswoman Angela Rayner valiantly defended her leader: He might watch it on catch up, some of us do, some of us have dinner at different times.

Britons love talking about the weather.

So, as the country gets ready to vote in its first December election for nearly 100 years, attention is turning to the forecast - and it doesnt look good.

The Met Office is predicting lower-than-normal temperatures, rain and, in some parts of the country, a risk of snow. Any drier interludes are likely to be short-lived in any one place, the forecaster said on its website.

However, the body representing the local councils who run the polling stations says organisers have taken precautions against a cold snap: With fleets of gritting trucks, state-of-the-art technology, more than a million tonnes of salt stockpiled and plans in place to try and ensure key routes to polling stations are accessible, councils have prepared for any freezing or snowy weather on polling day.

Reporting by William James and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by Janet Lawrence

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On the campaign trail: The election diet - sausage rolls, brownies and flapjack - Reuters UK

captionJillian Michaels.sourceDanny Moloshok / Reuters

Question: I recently gave birth to my first child and Im finding it harder than expected to get back into shape. How can a new mom like me bounce back from their postpartum body?

Jillian Michaels: One of the all-time most frequent questions I get is How do I lose the baby weight?

First of all, give yourself a break. You just built a human and it sounds like you are in your fourth trimester the crucial three-to-six-month period after birth when many of the physical, psychological, emotional, and social effects of pregnancy continue.

Unfortunately, we live in a society that has an underlying expectation of women to look just like they did pre-baby ASAP. We literally go from talking about how beautiful the baby bump is and how pregnant mommies glow to saying wrap things up, tuck away the evidence, and apologize for the mess, as was so well put by Kate Baer.

And this is absurd. Of course, you will eventually want to bounce back key work being eventually.

Focusing on weight loss immediately after giving birth is not advantageous. You will be in the process of healing from delivery, exhausted, and possibly breastfeeding. Adding weight loss to your plate is a recipe for heightened stress, a decrease in breast milk production, and an even higher risk of postpartum depression in other words, totally counterproductive. Yes, we have all seen the Hollywood actresses and rock stars that drop crazy amounts of weight seemingly overnight but God only knows what kind of a toll its taking on them in other areas.

So, my first piece of advice is to give yourself a year off to slowly return to your postpartum weight and level of fitness.

Our primary goals in this fourth trimester time period should be as follows:

Side note: I use words like healing because it is true, in so many ways. Healing encapsulates the physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual changes youre faced with right now.

The word isnt meant to scare you. Its meant to validate anything you may be dealing with postpartum whether its experiencing postpartum depression, recovering from cesarean sections or episiotomies, having feelings of resentment, or noticing a decrease in libido and assure you that its all normal and all will be OK. But there is simply no need to put extra pressure on yourself to bounce back quickly, and trying to do so could compromise all of the above.

Now, that weve gotten that out of the way, the how-to of bouncing back is actually pretty straightforward. Baby weight is the same as any weight you want to lose, from a physiological perspective. That means stored fat, no matter how or why you gained it, can only be burned off one way: eating better and moving more.

So, exactly how much less should you be eating and how often and intensely should you be moving post-delivery?

You must create a calorie deficit to lose weight roughly 3,500 calories to lose a pound, or 500 calories every day in a week, according to the Mayo Clinic.

But you shouldnt go for fast and dramatic weight loss at this time in your life. Even if you arent breastfeeding, you will still need enough calories and nutrients to fend off fatigue, mitigate postpartum depression, and aid in recovery from pregnancy and delivery. So if you arent breastfeeding, 1,600 calories a day with unlimited green vegetables is as low as I would recommend you take your diet for at least three months postpartum. Then, if cleared by your doctor, you can go to 1,400 after that, provided you have more than 10 to 15 pounds to lose.

If you are breastfeeding, things get a bit more complicated. Are you looking to shed excess pounds that were gained, or simply maintain your weight? When I say excess, I mean over 10 to 15 lbs. Remember that your body needed to add roughly 9 pounds of fat for breastfeeding purposes. So if you have gained 20 or more pounds of excess fat, then, yes, you are going to want to lose it safely, and in a reasonable time frame that doesnt compromise your health, your sanity, or your babys milk supply.

If you are breastfeeding, you will want to eat no less than 1,800 calories and you will want to lose no more than two pounds a week. In helping many women get back in shape after having a baby, I have found pretty unilaterally that when new mothers drop more than two pounds a week, the milk supply can be compromised.

If you are only 10 to 15 pounds or so away from your pre-baby weight, this should come off naturally as you continue to breastfeed and exercise over the next three months, without reducing your calorie intake much at all. You could eat anywhere from 2,000 to 2,300 calories a day, going toward the higher end on days you exercise.

Now, in order to determine what you should be doing for exercise, how many times a week, and for how long per session, we need to first establish what your delivery was like.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says its OK to slowly resume exercising as soon as you feel up to it. As a general rule though, its strongly recommended that no matter the manner of your babys birth, six weeks off any strenuous training is a must. The body needs time to heal.

If you were fit during pregnancy and had a complication-free vaginal delivery, most doctors will allow or even recommend light cardio activity (think biking, incline walking, or swimming), stretching, resistance training with light weights, or modified body-weight exercises during the first six weeks. Again: This is only for those who had a complication-free delivery and had a decent level of fitness prior to and during pregnancy.

Now, once those six weeks have passed, you should start to acclimate a bit, and anyone can begin to steadily push the up button on your regimen with light resistance training and moderate cardio.

If you had a diastasis recti, or had an episiotomy, C-section, or another procedure, you must speak with your doctor about what is safe for you to do after giving birth.

Once you have hit the three-month postpartum mark, you are generally in the clear to exercise in any way you choose, provided you have had no healing complications and have been diligent about your steady return to fitness.

Keep in mind that many women are not feeling 100% until around six months post-delivery. So during this time period, as you think about returning to more aggressive types of fitness, keep your intensity level at about 70% of what it was pre-pregnancy. That may mean cutting back on your running speed or the amount of weight youre lifting.

On a final note, be gentle, kind, and patient with yourself. Follow the above guidelines if cleared by your doctor and take a year to slowly acclimate to lifes changes while returning your body to its pre-baby state.

Excerpt from:
Ask Jillian Michaels: I recently gave birth to my first child how do I lose the baby weight and get back in shape? - Business Insider

This article, written byLangis Michaud, Universit de Montral, originally appeared on The Conversation and has been republished here with permission:

Monique is 77 years old. I met her when she came to the eye clinic at the University of Montral, where I am a professor. A retired teacher, Monique has enjoyed an active and full life with her students and family and considers herself lucky to be in good health.

She is concerned, however, about a recent visual loss that prevents her from reading and enjoying her painting workshops. It also prevents her from driving safely, which is important if she wants to maintain her independence.

A complete examination of Moniques vision and eye health quickly revealed the cause of her problems: she has developed cataracts and her retina shows early signs of macular degeneration.

Cataracts are a normal phenomenon, resulting from the aging process of the eye and affecting everyone, without exception. They occur when the lens of the eye gradually loses its transparency, like a window that gets dirty with the seasons.

The light that enters the eye passes through opaque areas and generates blurred vision, without the possibility of improving it with glasses, lenses or magnifiers. Only surgery can restore the clarity of the eye.

The aging of the crystalline lens

The crystalline lens is particular and its metabolism is very fragile. When disturbed, the lens accumulates deposits and loses its transparency. This lens also absorbs a large part of the suns ultraviolet rays to protect the retina at the back of the eye.

The amount of UV absorbed accumulates over the years, contributing to the premature aging of the lens. That is why it is recommended to protect yourself with sun lenses from an early age.

Other factors that disrupt its functioning include the use of certain medications such as oral cortisone, the presence of diseases such as diabetes or a shock to the head, which can contribute to the arrival and progression of cataracts. Very rarely, cataracts are transmitted during pregnancy, especially following infections such as rubella, toxoplasmosis and herpes.

Finally, very strong links have been established between smoking and cataracts. Food, on the other hand, does not seem to have an impact. Quitting smoking and protecting your eyes with good sunglasses are therefore considered effective ways to delay the onset and progression of cataracts.

Implants to the rescue

Cataract treatment is quite simple. The ophthalmologist will perform surgery to exchange the natural lens of the eye with a new lens, called an implant. This surgery is very safe and can be performed at any time during cataract development, although surgery will usually only be offered if there is a significant impact on the patients vision and quality of life.

Implants are permanent and remain clear for life, without the need for replacement. They can be used to correct distance vision, including astigmatism, which would be accomplished through the use of a specially designed toric implant. Also, nearsightedness can be fixed via bifocal or multifocal implants, thus avoiding the need for glasses later on, in most cases.

However, the patient may be subject to seeing halos and may be more sensitive to light. It is also necessary to ensure that the retina is in good health, otherwise the final result will not be very good.

This is particularly the case for Monique, who also has the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is a phenomenon affecting one per cent of people exceeding 40 years of age, but whose prevalence reaches 30 per cent at 80 years of age.

The at-risk population is composed of Caucasians (those of European origin) and women more than men. Systemic diseases everything that affects blood vessels such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity are important risk factors, as are oxidative causes such as smoking, high saturated fat nutrition and UV exposure.

Prevent macular degeneration

Essentially, the best retinal cells, which allow good vision (macular area), degrade over time if not well nourished by the vascular network and accumulate deposits that prevent their normal functioning.

These deposits become visible as small yellow spots at the fundus the part of the eyeball opposite the pupil. These deposits, known as drusen, can become confluent. The degradation of cells is accompanied by a change in their colouring (pigment reworking), a phenomenon that is also visible when the retina is examined. This is called dry macular degeneration. Vision is more or less affected depending on the number of affected cells.

Over time, the systems response can lead to the formation of new blood vessels to supply dying cells. These are fragile and have no real place to stay. They can easily burst. Their membrane formation, like roots invading a pipe, and their flow (bleeding) contribute to a very severe reduction in vision. This is when we speak of wet degeneration. This more severe form affects 10 per cent of AMD cases, but anyone with the dry form can progress at this stage.

Nutritional supplements

AMD treatments are limited and aim to limit the progression of the disease. They cannot cure it. Quitting smoking, good nutrition, regular exercise and following the doctors recommendations in the control of vascular diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, can delay the progression of the dry form of AMD.

Wearing sunglasses also helps, even on cloudy days. Taking omega 3 at the right dosage and fish oil extracts may help although more recent results have called this strategy into question.

In more advanced stages of the dry form, taking oral nutritional supplements including vitamins and antioxidants are recommended, except in some patients with a particular genetic profile.

The wet form has recently been effectively treated by injecting drugs directly into the eye, to prevent the formation of new blood vessels. These injections must be repeated periodically and restore vision when the procedure is performed at the appropriate time.

Moniques case is a mixed one. On the one hand, it is possible to greatly improve her short-term vision with cataract surgery, for which she will be referred to ophthalmology. Implants protect against UV rays, another factor in preventing the progression of macular degeneration. This will allow her to drive safely and resume her activities. She will also monitor her diet, which she admits is deficient, and take omega supplements. Her AMD is at a stage that is too early for vitamins or antioxidants.

Monique does not smoke and is not taking medication for vascular problems. If she does one day, she will follow her doctors recommendations and begin a light exercise program. Walking may be enough. Finally, she will be followed every six months in an optometry office, will perform simple home screening tests and will come in for a consultation as soon as a change is noted.

Monique is reassured! She will be able to remain active and independent to enjoy the good times of life.

Langis Michaud, Professeur Titulaire. cole d'optomtrie. Expertise en sant oculaire et usage des lentilles cornennes spcialises, Universit de Montral

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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