Category Archives: Diet And Food

After several recent bear conflicts in Colorado, including close encounters, home invasions and an attack on a sleeping camper in Boulder County July 9, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is stressing education as one of the most effective ways to prevent wildlife conflicts.

CPW officials say although many bear conflicts may seem unprovoked or random, a typical precursor in most incidents is a general lack of knowledge about wildlife, or a willful disregard for a few basic rules.

Bears are just doing what comes naturally to them, said Area Wildlife Manager Perry Will of Glenwood Springs. They are driven by hunger and instinct, and when their natural food sources become scarce like weve seen with the recent dry spell in some areas, they look for other sources. That brings them into communities where they easily find all kinds of things to eat. Humans on the other hand have a choice in how they behave. In my opinion, there are too many people who should be making better decisions when it comes to wildlife, beginning with getting educated about preventing conflicts then taking action.

With the current bear population in the state conservatively estimated between 17,000 to 20,000 and the human population at about 5.5 million, wildlife officials say human/bear conflicts remain a primary concern. Despite years of information and education outreach, trash storage ordinances in communities with significant bear activity and efforts to reduce bear populations in high conflict areas, interactions continue to occur and make headlines.

In addition to the high-profile incident in Boulder County, a recent viral video featured a bear wandering inside a Colorado Springs home for five hours, casually opening the refrigerator and pantry while the homeowner slept inside, unaware of the bears presence. A week earlier, a woman shot video of the same bear through her car window after the bear entered the shocked womans garage and pressed its nose up to the vehicles glass. Wildlife managers believe the bear had learned the sound of a garage door opening was a cue to dart inside.

Due to concerns for human safety, wildlife officials killed the 375-pound bear several days later after discovering it sitting on the deck of a nearby home.

Another video widely disseminated recently showed a bear seemingly playing the piano after it entered a Vail condominium through an open window while the occupant was away. The video may have elicited chuckles but wildlife officers did not see the humor in the situation, considering the dangers posed by a bear with a habit of breaking into homes.

So what can you do to prevent a dangerous bear conflict? There are a multitude of tips and suggestions for homeowners and outdoor enthusiast available from many sources, but the primary message wildlife managers offer to the publicits all about food.

Its actually fairly simplekeep your food away from bears, said Will. We cant stress it enoughnever, ever feed a bear, whether by leaving your trash out, your lunch in your car, your birdfeeders up or giving it a handout - its all the same. Bears are smart and have great memories. If the bear gets into your trash, your car or crawls through a window you left open and finds a meal, you just put your entire neighborhood in danger; if youre on a hike and give a bear a handout to get a closer look, you just put all hikers in the area at risk; if you keep a dirty campsite or leave food in your tent or otherwise accessible and you attract a bear, you just jeopardized the safety of all nearby campers.

Will says in addition to fines for violating city ordinances where they exist, feeding a bear is illegal in Colorado and can result in a citation from CPW officers.

Another important tip wildlife officers offer is never let a bear feel comfortable around people.

If a bear comes into your yard and you sit on the porch and watch if for an hour, the bear has now learned it is safe to be around people, said Will. Then it becomes a problem for other residents, and for wildlife managers.

If you see a bear in an area where it is not supposed to be, or it appears comfortable with your presence, wildlife officers recommend immediately making it feel unwelcome. Raise your voice and talk to it firmly, bang pots and pans or throw rocks or sticks toward it and try to drive it away. It may seem cruel but conditioning them to avoid people is the most humane thing the public can do for a bear.

However, if a bear does not respond to hazing or it continues to approach, the first thing to remember is never turn and run. Stand your ground, prepare to take stronger measures and defend yourself with everything you have. That can include using bear spray, punching and kicking the bear as aggressively as possible, hitting it with a sturdy hiking stick, branches, rocks or other makeshift weapons.

In the Boulder County incident, the teen fought the bear by aiming blows at its eyes.

He did exactly the right thing, something he learned from his grandfather, said Northeast Region Public Information Officer Jennifer Churchill. He was prepared and knew how to handle an attack. The knowledge probably saved his life.

Acting Northwest Regional Manager Dean Riggs says some in the public may consider using firearms to protect themselves in case of a dangerous wildlife encounter; however, CPW recommends bear spray as an effective alternative to a gun as the first means of defense.

We understand people have the right to legally carry and use a firearm to defend themselves from a bear attack, but its not as effective as people think, and if you shoot your gun in a residential area or a crowded campsite you could accidently kill someone, said Riggs. Bear spray is actually a much more effective deterrent, proven in several field studies. Its a good idea to have bear spray at home if you live in bear country, or bring it along if you recreate in an area with bear activity.

CPW officials say black bears in Colorado do not often attack people, but they are capable of mauling and killing humans as seen in recent incidents in Alaska, including a woman with Colorado ties killed by a black bear last month.

A black bears natural diet in Colorado typically consists of acorns and berries, and they will make a meal of carrion or newborn fawns and elk calves. Generally, they dont hunt humans but it does not mean it couldnt happen and you need to be prepared, said Riggs. The major concern is when a person surprises a bear, or if a person makes a bear feel threatened or cornered, it will likely respond forcefully. Their strength, powerful jaws and sharp claws make them a significant threat.

Because of that threat, Riggs says when it comes to choosing between human health and safety and a dangerous wild animal, there are few options for wildlife officers.

To protect people, wildlife officers will kill any bear showing aggression toward humans, he said. When people feed bears, they essentially sentence them to death but its our officers who have to carry out the execution. Its by far the worst part of the job.

CPW says the public can safely watch bears from a distance, with binoculars, a scope or a camera with a telephoto lens. At no time should people approach a bear to get a closer look, or offer it food to get a better picture.

For more information about living with bears and avoiding conflicts, visit the Bear Aware page on the agencys website: cpw.state.co.us.

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CPW reminds public: Education is key to help prevent dangerous bear encounters - High Plains Journal

Photo: Peggy Greb, U.S. Department of Agriculture [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.When you think of major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, agriculture might not immediately come to mind. However, food production contributes about a quarter of all emissions, a magnitude comparable with other major sectors like energy production and transportation. Food production is also responsible for about 70% of fresh water use and takes up more than one-third of all potentially cultivatable land.

Thus, changes in diet can potentially have big effects on the environment. But scientists are just beginning to quantify these impacts and identify the dietary changes necessary to achieve them.

I think if we want to reduce our environmental footprint, we definitely need to pay attention to our diets, says Lukasz Aleksandrowicz, a PhD candidate at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Aleksandrowicz and his colleagues systematically reviewed scientific studies measuring the environmental impacts of shifting from a typical Western diet to a variety of proposed sustainable diets. These included vegetarian diets, vegan diets, and Mediterranean diets, as well as more fine-tuned changes, such as replacing beef with chicken or reducing the total number of calories consumed.

The review showed that sustainable diets could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and land use by as much as 70% and reduce water use by 50%. Most of the scenarios achieved smaller environmental footprints by replacing animal-based foods, especially beef, with plant-based foods.

Photo: Jon Sullivan [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.Although consuming less meat had a positive environmental impact in most of the studies reviewed, there may be some trade-offs. For instance, diets that might be favorable in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions might have more detrimental effects on other environmental indicators like water use. Aleksandrowicz says that more research needs to be done to identify the environmental impacts of specific food items.

Another complication is that most of the available studies focus exclusively on Europe and the U.S. The results may not make sense for low-income countries or in populations that rely economically on herding cattle or other livestock.

Aleksandrowicz says that although more work is needed to evaluate the impacts of shifting to sustainable diets, the major action we can take to reduce environmental impacts from agriculture is decreasing our meat consumption.

Its important to put the environmental impacts of agriculture on peoples radar, he says. I hope this kind of research helps people understand that the food choices they make have an impact on the environment, and that they can make more sustainable choices.

Reference:

Aleksandrowicz, L., Green, R., Joy, E. J. M., Smith, P., and Haines, A. (2016). The Impacts of Dietary Change on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Land Use, Water Use, and Health: A Systematic Review. PLOS One 11(11): e0165797. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0165797.

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To Decrease Your Environmental Footprint, Eat Less Meat - PLoS Blogs (blog)

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By SARA ARTHURSSTAFF WRITER

Go online even briefly and you may come across the claims: "This superfood will cure all diseases!" "Eat THIS and lose 10 pounds overnight!" And so on.

Dietitians have heard it all. And they'd like to politely encourage you to seek out truth rather than myth.

"There's a lot of misinformation out there," said Martha Gonzalez, clinical nutrition manager at Blanchard Valley Health System.

How often do people misunderstand the facts about nutrition?

"It's all the time," she said.

Gonzalez said people now pick up information from Facebook and elsewhere on the internet.

She pointed out anyone can claim to be a "nutritionist." A dietitian, by contrast, is licensed by the state after going through specific training.

And the years in school studying nutrition include "a lot of science classes," said Rachel Snyder, a registered dietitian at the health system.

There's no "bad food" or "good food," Gonzalez said. Instead, both she and Snyder stressed the importance of variety.

Snyder has noticed that people believe "this new hot trend" or fad diet will solve everything.

Someone reads about a "superfood" -- say, kale, or apple cider vinegar -- and becomes convinced it will solve all their dietary problems.

She said a "superfood" is characterized as one that is very healthy and high in antioxidants, which protect against free radicals that can damage cells, causing disease. But Snyder said this is often reported as a cure-all: "Let's put kale in every single thing."

Not that Snyder is not a fan of kale. "Kale is great," she said. Just be sure to incorporate it into your diet with a lot of other foods, too.

Good nutrition involves looking at your diet as a whole: "One food does not cure all," Snyder said.

What you eat does, of course, make a huge difference in your health.

When dealing with a health issue, one of the first approaches should be changes to your diet, such as eating more fruits and vegetables if you have Type 2 diabetes, Gonzalez said. Some people with diabetes can discontinue medications after changing their diet, she said.

It starts with more fruit and vegetable consumption, Gonzalez said. Eat fresh vegetables, and cook or grill them yourself, rather than eating TV dinners. And be sure to watch fat and processed food, she said.

Plenty of nutritional subjects elicit strong opinions, but one of the biggest is carbs. They're bad, right? Everyone knows that.

It's not that simple, Snyder said. Carbs are actually the main source of energy for your body.

Dessert is full of carbs. But you also find them in fruits and vegetables, grain products like pasta and bread, and dairy -- all of which are part of a balanced diet, Snyder said.

So, when people say they are "cutting out all carbs," she asks what they mean -- are they just cutting out dessert, or are they also cutting out fruits, vegetables and whole grains?

Snyder said it would be valuable to make at least half of your grain consumption whole grains.

You could use whole-grain spaghetti instead of white flour, but you do not need to cut all pasta out of your diet, she said.

Gonzalez said protein is usually associated with meats including fish and poultry. But you can also get protein from beans, lentils and nuts, and these nonanimal sources of protein can help those who want to watch their cholesterol, she said. Eggs and milk are also good sources of protein.

So, yes, vegetarian and vegan diets can include plenty of protein.

One source of vegetarian protein is soy. Snyder works with cancer patients, and said those with breast cancer worry that soy may be dangerous to their health. However, research has indicated that soy is actually protective, she said. But she said tofu and soy milk are preferable to soy that has been very heavily processed.

Soy is high in a chemical called "phytoestrogen," and that name scares people because they worry too much estrogen can cause health problems. In fact, this is a different type of chemical than human estrogen hormones, Snyder said.

And, she said, there are "so many positive benefits" to soy.

Another thing "everyone knows" is that raw vegetables are superior to cooked, as cooking removes all the vitamins.

But once again, it's not so simple. It depends on what you're cooking and how you're cooking it. If you boil green beans, the nutrients will indeed leach into the water, leaving fewer nutrients in the cooked beans. But you actually get more lycopene out of cooked and canned tomatoes than raw ones.

Snyder said eating cooked green beans or raw tomatoes one day is fine. Again, you're striving for variety. The biggest thing is to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet, whether raw or cooked.

What about coffee? Is it OK?

"Well, I drink coffee," Snyder said. Gonzalez does, too.

The women agreed that it depends. If you consume lots and lots of caffeinated beverages, "we may get irritable," Snyder said.

She said research has shown that coffee is protective against Alzheimer's disease. Pay attention to how much you consume, though, and how late in the day.

Snyder noted that with a beverage like diet soda, the more you drink it, the less water you're drinking. The same is true of coffee.

With beverages, in general, pay attention to excess sugar. Snyder said excessive sugar can lead to weight gain and a variety of chronic diseases.

And there's no scientific evidence that "detox" diets work, Gonzalez said.

"Our body detoxifies naturally," with the liver, kidneys and lymphatic system excreting toxins.

Snyder said if you fuel your body with the right types of foods it will help the organs detoxify -- you don't need to do a detox cleanse. Again, eat fruits and vegetables instead.

A weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds in a week is considered safe, Snyder said. If you're scrolling Facebook and you see a post that says you can lose 20 pounds in a week, consider it a "red flag."

"Just don't even click on it," Snyder said.

Gonzalez said diet and exercise need to go together.

"You can't do one without the other," she said.

Strive for exercise that raises your heart rate, such as a brisk walk. And eat fruits and vegetables, lean meat and other sources of protein.

But you can have treats, as long as they're in moderation. After all, we live very, very close to Dietsch's. Just don't eat it every single day.

"There's some calcium in ice cream," Gonzalez said. "There's vitamin D."

Gonzalez hears from people who say if they "just don't eat," they won't gain weight. This is a myth, she said.

We need food for so many things, including energy. Your sleep is affected by your eating and vice versa, so you need to keep eating to have a healthy metabolism, she said.

But, Gonzalez said, it may be more beneficial to eat five to six small meals a day, rather than three large ones. If you eat breakfast and skip lunch, you will be starving by dinner, she said.

The general rule is that women should not eat fewer than 1,200 calories and men should not eat fewer than 1,500. So if you're following a diet that only calls for 800 calories, "maybe rethink things," Snyder advised.

She said calories indicate the amount of energy. Carbohydrates and protein have 4 calories per gram, while fat has 9 calories per gram.

How many calories you need depends on your height and weight. And the more active you are, the more calories you need, Snyder said.

Then there's the "five-second rule," the belief that if you drop food on the floor it's safe to eat if you pick it up within 5 seconds. Not true, Gonzalez said.

If you feel like you're not well informed about nutrition, there are plenty of resources that can help you.

Don't be afraid to reach out for help, Snyder said. You can ask your doctor to make a referral to an outpatient dietitian, who will work with you to establish and work toward goals.

And there are good, reputable sources online. Snyder and Gonzalez recommended the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' eatright.org, the USDA's MyPlate and the American Heart Association. Snyder said parents can use MyPlate as a reference to teach their children about nutrition.

Gonzalez said there are also apps like My Fitness Pal, which can be "very handy." They have their limits, but can help you get started, she said.

Gonzalez has been in the field for more than 20 years and said, in that time, the internet has had both positive and negative effects. People are interested in learning and, though there is a lot of misinformation out there, there is good information out there, too.

Arthurs: 419-427-8494Send an E-mail to Sara ArthursTwitter: @swarthurs

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WITH AUDIO: Myth busters: Dietitians set the record straight, from superfoods to the 5-second rule - The Courier

Credit: Arizona State University

Models, athletes and celebrities swear by the ketogenic "keto" diet to help shed those unwanted pounds. The keto diet encourages eating more cheese, butter and bacon; it's a low-carb, high-fat diet akin to the Atkins Diet created in 1972 by cardiologist Robert C. Atkins. The latest fad diet has amassed a following of devoted supporters, including Tim Tebow, LeBron James and Kim Kardashian, but does it really work?

Carol Johnston, professor and associate director of the nutrition program in the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion at Arizona State University, explains why the low-carb, high-fat diet is so popular, how it works, and what dieters should be eating to lose weight.

Question: Does the science behind the keto diet make sense? Would nearly eliminating carbs while increasing fat consumption help a person to lose weight?

Answer: The short answer is yes. There is mounting evidence that suggests calorie restricted, low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets are effective for weight loss, and the keto diet is an extreme version of this. Low-carb diets can be more satiating, allowing dieters to feel full longer, eat less, and thus experience greater weight loss success. However, calorie restricted, high-carb diets are also effective for weight loss.

Overwhelmingly, the most important factor in weight loss success is diet adherence. In research trials, most individuals who lose weight regain most of it within a year, regardless of which diet they were on. The downside of many of the fad diets you see today is the lack of emphasis on long-term lifestyle changes, which is necessary for long-term weight loss success.

Q: In your opinion, why is this diet so popular?

A: The keto diet is popular because it is easy to follow and on the surface seems effective. In the first few days after starting the keto diet, a person can experience a significant loss of water weight. When carb intake is restricted for a few days, glycogen stores in the muscle are reduced. Glycogen is responsible for water retention, so when its levels fall, so do our water levels. To the average person, the diet appears to be working. The number on the scale is going down. But, since most of this weight lost is water weight, it will return when the person consumes carbs again. While most people rely on scales to monitor weight loss and think any weight loss is good, the goal is actually to lose fat, which isn't always reflected on the scale. Additionally, the elevated levels of satietyfeeling fullmay help people stick to the diet longer and experience greater weight loss success.

Q: Is the keto diet healthy?

A: Keto diets have safely been used as an effective therapy for epilepsy for years. There are some risks associated with an extremely low-carb, high-fat diet, including elevated blood triglycerides (linked to elevated cardiovascular risk), increased urinary uric acid (which may lead to the formation of kidney stones), and lethargy. Adults on a low-carb diet are also at risk for adverse impacts to their bone health.

Q: We're always hearing about the evils of carbohydrates when it comes to losing weight. How important are carbs to our health and what role do they play in weight loss?

A: Carbs play a critical role in our health. We get energy either by burning glucose from carbs, or by burning fat. The keto diet focuses on the latter. Though carb-restricting diets are popular, carbs are actually less likely to convert into body fat than dietary fat.

Carbs are important for our brain and muscle health. Our brains rely entirely on glucose for energy productionthey can't get it from fatmaking the consumption of some carbs necessary. Our muscles can use either glucose or fat for energy, but during high-intensity exercise, they prefer glucose.

When we eat more carbs than we need, they convert to body fat, which contributes to obesity. In general, average Americansthose with a relatively sedentary lifestyleconsume more carbs and calories than they actually need. Athletes, on the other hand, need to keep their carb intake elevated to support their energy output. Balance between energy intake and output is key to maintaining a healthy weight.

Q: For people who are trying to lose weightwhat foods should they avoid? What foods should they include in their diet?

A: Energy-dense foods should be avoided (gravies, dressings, sauces, sweets, pastries, cakes, cookies, sugary drinks, etc.) and low-energy, nutrient-rich foods should be prominent in the diet (unprocessed plant foods, low fat dairy and lean, unprocessed meats).

Q: What should people know about the effectiveness or safety of fad diets like Atkins, keto, liquid diets, paleo, calorie restriction, etc.?

A: Any diet that restricts calories will typically result in weight loss if a person sticks with it. What is important when following a calorie-restricted diet (about 500 less calories per day) is that it has healthful attributesa diet composed of plant-based, unprocessed foods with low fat contentsuch as the Mediterranean diet. (Note, 500 calories equates to two 12-ounce sodas and a large chocolate chip cookie!)

Explore further: Medical myth: Cutting carbs is the best way to lose weight

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The Keto dietis eating more fat the key to weight loss? - Medical Xpress

A

s the debate over the future of health care coverage moves in fits and starts, it may seem like any improvements in health care coverage are equally stalled. But they arent. Insurance companies can take action now to make immediate differences in peoples lives especially those with type 1 diabetes.

Improving the coverage they offer can help these individuals more easily control their condition. Such changes could also benefit insurance companies keeping people with diabetes healthier would ultimately boost their bottom lines.

Unlike type 2 diabetes, which is much more common, type 1 diabetes has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle and, at least for now, it cant be prevented. It occurs when the body mysteriously mounts an immune system attack against certain cells in the pancreas, severely damaging their ability to make insulin. Without this hormone, sugar builds up in the bloodstream, damaging tissues and eventually causing death.

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Controlling type 1 diabetes requires daily use of insulin and the medical supplies needed to administer it safely. These things are not nice-to-haves they are essential to survival.

Ive seen firsthand the challenges that people with type 1 diabetes face. My son, Turner, was diagnosed with the disease in 2004, when he was 10.

Since then, the scientific community has created better types of insulin, more effective insulin pumps, and monitors that continuously measure blood sugar. Just this year, an artificial pancreas system came to market. Artificial pancreas systems automate blood-sugar management by monitoring glucose levels around the clock and automatically providing the right amount of insulin at the right time.

All of these advancements reduce the burden of managing this life-changing disease, as well as the risks of experiencing potentially deadly blood sugar lows and highs. But they can only do that if people can access them. Increasingly, thats not the case. For many Americans, type 1 diabetes is becoming harder not easier to manage.

Insulin costs are soaring, and for too many people the costs are unpredictable from month to month. Some insurers are taking steps to limit peoples coverage of insulin pumps and other lifesaving technologies. At JDRF, a global organization that funds type 1 diabetes research, weve heard countless stories of people choosing to go without an insulin pump, or stories of how they share insulin and other supplies to make ends meet. As Jessica Hoffer, a 28-year-old from Pennsylvania, told one newspaper: To take away the choice of what is essentially an organ a body part its insane.

Some individuals have called for the government to cap the costs of insulin and take other strong actions. Putting aside the wisdom or desirability of these efforts, waiting for Washington to act will likely take too long for people with type 1 diabetes. Thats why JDRF is encouraging insurance companies to take three practical steps to give people with diabetes the coverage they need to control their disease.

First, insurance companies should keep out-of-pocket costs for insulin and diabetes management tools such as pumps and meters predictable. They can do this by removing insulin and diabetes management tools from the deductible, as health plans do for preventive drugs. Doing so would make costs more consistent throughout the year. They can also move insulin and diabetes management tools to tier 1 or tier 2 benefit levels and provide cost-sharing for insulin and diabetes management tools as fixed-dollar copayments rather than as coinsurance, which is a percentage of the list price of the item or service.

Second, insurers should give people the freedom to choose the type of insulin and other supplies that are right for them. One major insurer entered into an exclusive agreement with a single insulin pump maker, effectively limiting its members choice to one brand. But insulin pumps arent one-size-fits-all devices different ones work better for different people. The same is true of insulin the choice of which one is right should be made by people with diabetes and their physicians, not by insurance companies.

Third, insurance companies should cover all lifesaving technologies, including artificial pancreas systems. These are on the road to becoming one of the most revolutionary advancements in diabetes care since the discovery of insulin.

Giving the 1.25 million Americans with type 1 diabetes the best available tools so they can achieve better blood sugar levels with significantly less effort and risk than they do today will greatly improve their health and quality of life. It would help them avoid costly emergency room visits, inpatient admissions, and complications like heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, and amputation that can result from type 1 diabetes. Covering these tools, including artificial pancreas systems, would be a smart investment in the health outcomes of any plans beneficiaries and also yield profound savings for insurance companies.

Even in the face of ongoing uncertainty over the future of health care, its time for insurance companies to help people take control of their health. When they do, the entire health care system including the insurers themselves stand to benefit.

Derek Rapp is president and chief operating officer of JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes research.

Continued here:
Insurers can profit while improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes - STAT

Health-conscious foodies and those avoiding gluten now have another option when looking for a fast-casual restaurant offering veggie fare: Noodles & Company is testing zoodles spiralized zucchini at some of its restaurants in an attempt to bring in carb-avoiding customers.

Noodles & Co. announced the new addition to its menu today, revealing that it is testing the zucchini noodles at select restaurants in Baltimore and Colorado.

Visitors at the test locations can ask to substitute their desired meals base noodle for zoodles for an extra $1.50.

Executives with the company say that the new option provides guests with a lighter noodle base for their meals, while attracting customers who follow gluten-free and grain-free diets, or for those who just wish to change the way they approach vegetables and build healthier eating habits.

The new option comes at a time when Noodles & Co. has struggled with slipping sales. The companys first quarter 2017 financial results saw the chain record a net loss of $26.8 million. Comparable restaurant sales decreased 2% compared to the previous quarter.

The addition of zoodles to the menu comes as a way for the company to appeal to consumers ditching grain-based foods in search of what they perceive to be healthier options.

The emergence and growing popularity of noodles made from vegetables you can use carrots, beets, cucumber, and other plants to create the spirals seems to mirror the once high-demand for kale.

Whether or not consumers taste for zoodles is fleeting, only time will tell.

While Noodles & Co. notes that the new vegetable noodles provide customers following a gluten-free diet another option, those who suffer a gluten allergy should still be cautious.

Consumerist has reached out to Noodles & Co. about whether the new meal will be certified gluten-free or if the company will be able to do so in the future.

In the past, some restaurants serving gluten-free options have not been certified. For instance, in 2012, Dominos gluten-free crust received an amber designation by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

While the ingredients used by the company met NFCA standards and staff had received basic training on the topic, there was concern about cross-contamination in the prep kitchen.

NFCA warns those with celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity should ask questions and exercise judgment when dining at an establishment with an Amber Designation.

Because Noodles & Co. deals primarily in grain-based ingredients, its likely that NFCA would come to a similar conclusion as it did with Dominos. Consumerist has reached out to NFCA, well update this post if we hear back.

It should be noted that Noodles & Co. includes a disclaimer on its website warning about allergies.

Fair warning: if youre highly allergic or intolerant to gluten, check with your doctor before dining here. Were a noodle restaurant, after all. We simply have too much wheat and gluten present to be able to eliminate the cross contamination on our equipment and food prep areas. But if youre gluten-sensitive or choose to avoid it for another reason, we have plenty of options to safely satisfy your appetite for global flavor.

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Noodles & Co. Venturing Into Veggie Land With 'Zoodles' - Consumerist

In October 2015, I was in Dr Keith Smiths chiropractic office for an adjustment. One of his comely daughters ushered me into Room 2 while he was working on a patient in Room 1. Usually, when Keith comes through the door, hes all smiles and says something like, Boy, am I glad to see you! Ive got a kink in my neck, and I thought I was going to have to beg you to come down off the mountain to trade adjustments. But this time Keith was subdued and a bit gloomy. Small wonder: He was on two diabetes drugs, Metformin and Glucophage, was strictly following the American Diabetes Association diet, his blood sugar was continuing to climb, and the latest measurement was 135. Since normal is around 90, that was seriously bad news. It meant he was tracking to die about 10 years early, just like his father had. Usually, people dont actually die of diabetes, but diabetes causes heart attacks, cancer and kidney failure, all of which are frequently fatal. Keiths father had died in his sleep of a heart attack at 69; not a bad way to go, but not nearly as good as living another 10 years. I mentally took a deep breath, as I often do in situations like this, and told him that the American Diabetes Association exercise and weight control advice was good, but the ADA diet was wrong. Avoiding carbohydrate foods and eating high fat and protein, so as not to overwhelm his bodys very weak ability to process the carbs that the body turns into blood sugar, makes logical sense and generally works in the short run. But in the long run the ADA diet often makes diabetes worse. I explained that when insulin in the blood locks into the insulin receptors on the cell membranes, the insulin receptors send messages to the glucose receptors, telling them to open up and let the glucose sugar come in out of the blood. But fat dissolved in the cellular fluid impedes the insulin receptors messages from getting through to the glucose receptors. Since the amount of fat dissolved in the cellular fluid mirrors the amount of fat in the diet, a high-fat diet like the ADA recommends prevents the sugar from coming into the cell, so the sugar stays in the blood and keeps going higher, damaging the heart and kidneys, and feeding cancer. The ADA diet sometimes works for seriously overweight people who get lean and exercise a lot. But Keith was only slightly over ideal weight. Hes active but not an exercise addict, and the ADA program obviously wasnt working for him. So I told Keith: Look, just get a copy of Dr. Neal Barnards Program for Reversing Diabetes, follow his advice, and youll be fine. He explains it better than I do, he has a whole bunch of tasty recipes in the back, and hes the world authority on the subject. People often dont follow my advice, and Ive just learned to get used to that fact. Why would Keith listen to me, a chiropractor, on a medical problem, when the American Diabetic Association is telling him that Metformin, Glucophage and the ADA diet are the best way to treat diabetes? So I just gave Keith my advice and mentally washed my hands of the outcome. However, Keith, being a chiropractor, has had first-hand experience with how willing the medical establishment is to mislead the public on issues like using chiropractors where large amounts of drug company money are at risk. So my advice may have weighed a bit more than usual with Keith. Nevertheless, I was surprised four months later when Keith thanked me for recommending Barnards book, and told me he had been able to quit taking Glucophage, his blood sugar was down to 110, he had his energy back, and he was recommending Barnards book to his diabetic patients. A year later, 16 months after starting Barnards program, his blood sugar was in the 90s and he wasnt taking any diabetic drugs. Keith still has the genetic weakness, so he has to stay on Dr. Barnards diet and exercise plan for the rest of his life. But he no longer has diabetes and now has a full and vigorous life span ahead of him. Dr. Barnards diet consists of eating only whole foods, avoiding all animal products, and avoiding fatty plant products like nuts, avocados and olives. Many people would say that they would rather die than give up their steaks and swordfish and Swiss cheese, but really, it isnt all that bad. I eat that way by choice a lot of the time. One of my favorite quick meals is to lay a banana on a slice of whole grain bread, sprinkle on some raisins, roll it up like a taco, and start at one end. It just gets down to how much you love life. Do you live to eat or eat to live? If you truly love life, you will do what it takes to stay healthy so you can continue enjoying being here.

Dr. Gordon Ainsleigh is a graduate of University of Western States, College of Chiropractic in Portland, Oregon, and has postgraduate certification in clinical nutrition.

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Another View: Choosing the right diet to combat diabetes - Auburn Journal

Professional athletes dont get to the top by accident. It takes superhuman levels of time, dedication, and focusand that includes paying attention to what they put in their bellies. In this series, GQ takes a look at what pro athletes in different sports eat on a daily basis to perform at their best. Heres a look at the avocado-heavy daily diet of a BMX star.

With an undying love of the sport of BMX, an outside-the-box vision, and savvy use of social media, Nigel Sylvester has not only created a lane all his on from the traditional BMX route, but has transformed himself into a brand that huge corporations are eager to partner with. Earlier this year, the 29-year-old was named to the Forbes Top 30 under 30 list; an extraordinary feat in its own for a BMX rider, let alone one that doesnt participate in competitions. We caught up with the Queens native as he was set to release the fourth installment of his first-person video series Go!shot in Dubaito discuss the diet that keeps him fueled for a life spent in constant motion.

GQ: You're always on the move, but do you get to sit and enjoy your meals?Nigel Sylvester: I do get to sit and enjoy my meals. I find a lot of pleasure and joy in sitting down and having a good meal. Thats usually one of the few times in the day where I get to be calm for a minute, not riding, in a meeting or doing something. So I enjoy it when I get a chance to sit down and just eat.In your Instagram stories you're always showing off what you eat. Whats a typical breakfast for you?It does vary. Sometimes, breakfast will be a croissant, egg whites, some fruit with either water or a green juice. Thats usually my breakfast. I have a couple go-to spots here in NYC. These are little caf joints that feel like home.While I do see the variety, you do have some places that you frequent. What are some of your personal favorite spots in New York?Theres a spot in Brooklyn called Choice Market right here in Fort Greene. Thats my No. 1 go-to. They have a large selection of good quality food and I might go there for breakfast or lunch. If I dont go to Choice, then Ill go to a spot in the Lower East Side called Forgtmenot and thats convenient because its right next door to the bike shop (Dah Shop) that I always go to. Its a spot where I can grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner, depending on schedule that day. Sometimes, for breakfast, I might be in Queens visiting my family. I may do some saltfish, callaloo and some fry bakes. I dont know if you know what that is, but its a West Indian breakfast. My family is from Grenada. I love eating that because it starts your day off extra right. Im a huge believer in breakfast being the most important meal of the day. I have a demanding schedule and on the move constantly so I need to be properly fueled up.Another spot I frequent is a Soho, NYC staple; thats Rubys Caf. They have a good menu and I usually get a burger and fries, a salad or pasta. Theres also an Italian spot called Pepe Rosso, which is a super dope. Most of the time when Im riding through downtown, Ill stop there, park my bike and go snack on some pasta. I love it there because they dont serve over-the-top portions like a lot of places do.In between lunch and dinner, Im usually riding, trying to catch the sunset or something, so I dont do anything really between there. For dinner, [there are] so many spots I hit. Its a spot in Crown Heights called Gladys and they have great food. Im a big sushi person, so Ill do Blue Ribbon or this spot in Williamsburg called Samurai Mama. They have this sushi bowl and its super good. If Im truly lucky, I can get a home-cooked meal at my parents crib. Thats always a win. Usually, on Sunday afternoons, my mom always throws down. If Im in town, I find my way over there.

You also spend a lot of time in LA. What are some of your favorite spots out there?Some of it is healthy and some of it isnt because I just enjoy eating. Theres a Mexican spot called Escuela Taqueria thats super dope. You cant go to LA without getting Mexican food and its just so good there. I just got introduced to Pressed Juicery when I was there recently and my go to as of now is a green juice with a turmeric shot. Ill do something like that between breakfast and lunch, or Ill do a Clif Bar for a good source of energy between meals when Im on the run. Another spot that I love is Sweetgreens. Its a salad spot and one of my must-haves. I probably eat there about four times a week. Thats my usual lunch and Ill get the Harvest Bowl with avocado. Thats my shit, man [laughs]. Ill eat there whether Im in LA or New York.For dinner, theres Bottega Louie. I might do some In-N-Out because you got to have In-N-Out. One of my best friends Shayan lives in LA and he loves to chef it up, so usually if Im in town, hell throw down. I frequent a lot of different places in LA but Im always trying to make sure Im on the healthy side of things as much as possible. I try to get a salad in at least once a day.

Because of your roots and having a mom who cooks, you dont dabble in the kitchen at all?I mean I could survive [laughs]. But I keep it real basic in the kitchen if I do cook. To tell you the truth, I leave it to the pros to chef it up. My girl throws down super crazy. She also has a very demanding schedule but if she has time, shell hook it up. When I was younger, I would cook a lot more and I dont know why that was. I would make breakfast and I enjoyed the process of baking for some reason [laughs]. Its a random thing but once I learned to bake, I would make cakes, cupcakes and I would find so much enjoyment in doing it. When I started to travel, that slowed way down.With getting to travel and try new things all the time, is there a dish or food that you were hesitant to try initially thats now a favorite?I actually have a funny story about that. With my family being from the Caribbean, avocados are something like a staple in the West Indian diet but I didnt like them for a very long time. It wasnt until I went to Mexico and one of the photographers on the trip made fresh guacamole right in front of me, and I tried it and I fell in love with avocados instantly.Thats similar to how I found myself liking them. It took me seeing someone make guacamole in front of me to start eating them.Ever since that day, I try to eat one a day. Its now one of my favorite things to eat. I love them.Moving away from the healthy side of things, I do know you also like to indulge in an occasional cheat meal here and there. What are some of your favorite spots to grab a treat?One of my favorite spots is Mikey Likes It Ice Cream and thats only when I do want to indulge a little bit. Its also a spot in Brooklyn called Dough Doughnuts. They have the best doughnuts in New York City, hands down. Theyre so good [laughs]. Ill go there probably once a month and get a glazed doughnut when I want to treat myself. I try to limit myself and stay away from the sweets, though.I dont know if you keep track of this or not, but how many hours out of your day is spent on your bike?It varies, man. Certain days, believe it or not, I dont get to ride at all. Other days, Im on my bike five to six hours a day. It really depends on what my schedule looks like between traveling and other obligations. When Im out shooting, Im on my bike all day long. On a normal day, probably two hours or so.With that amount of time riding and doing tricks, you definitely get your cardio in. Outside of that, are you in the gym at all?Nah, I dont lift weights at all. Im more into cardio and calisthenics. I love going to the park and doing, pull-ups, dips, pushups and stuff like that. Ill go back and forth with it. On certain months, Im super on it and other months, Im not just depends on how Im feeling. Thats the extent of what I do as far as working out. Riding is a full-body workout; its a lifestyle sport because my life revolves around work and riding which is a great workout in itself. On any given day, I can ride between three to six miles and thats just riding to different spots. When I get to the spots, I start jumping on and over stuff, going in and that where the real workout start, thus far in life it has kept me in good shape. Thank God.

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The Real-Life Diet of BMX Star Nigel Sylvester - GQ Magazine

Sonia Anand, leader of the South Asian Birth Cohort (START) study. Credit: McMaster University

South Asian women in Ontario are at high risk for gestational diabetes, but a change in diet and pre-pregnancy weight could make a significant difference, according to a new study from McMaster University.

The research study, called the South Asian Birth Cohort (START), is led by Sonia Anand, professor of medicine at McMaster's Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and senior scientist at the Population Health Research Institute of Hamilton Health Sciences and McMaster University.

The study revealed up to one-third of pregnant South Asian women in Ontario develop gestational diabetes. As well, pre-pregnancy weight and low-quality diet accounted for 37 per cent of the risk of gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is an issue as it may cause type 2 diabetes in the mother and baby, and newborns have increased birthweight, higher body fat and lower insulin sensitivity.

The study results were published on August 10 in CMAJ Open.

"Our study suggests that if South Asian women could achieve an optimal pre-pregnancy weight and improve their diet quality, approximately one-third of gestational diabetes in this demographic could be prevented," said Anand, who is also a cardiologist and director of the Chanchlani Research Centre at McMaster.

Research was based on data from the START Birth Cohort study, which includes more than 1,000 women in their second trimester of pregnancy from Ontario's Region of Peel.

The START Study collected health information, physical measurements and a glucose tolerance test from the women. Birth weight, skinfold thickness and cord blood glucose and insulin were obtained from the newborns.

Major determinants for gestational diabetes among this group of women included both factors such as age, family history of type 2 diabetes and maternal height, as well as modifiable factors like pre-pregnancy weight and low-diet quality.

A low-quality diet was characterized by higher consumption of meat (red, chicken and processed), rice and fried foods, and was lower in raw or cooked vegetables. A high-quality diet was associated with higher consumption of vegetables, legumes and whole grain breads.

Anand says the study highlights the importance of public health messaging to South Asian women who are considering pregnancy.

"To our knowledge, such messaging regarding pre-pregnancy weight and diet quality is not routinely provided by primary care physicians or public health specialists, and requires an integrated approach involving primary health-care sector and policy initiatives," she said.

"Intervention studies are needed to determine if lowering pre-pregnancy weight and optimizing diet quality during pregnancy can reduce the high rates of gestational diabetes in this high-risk population."

Explore further: Weight gain between pregnancies linked to increased risk of gestational diabetes

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Healthy diet could decrease gestational diabetes risk for South Asian women - Medical Xpress

Dogs are omnivores, like humans are, so they can technically survive on a vegan or vegetarian diet and some even need to in order to address health issues. But transitioning to a meat-free diet isnt right for every dog, so you should consider the following factors before switching your dog to a meat-free diet.

Dogs are our friends, and they rely on us to make sure theyre healthy. Some breeds are prone to

Dr. Cailin R. Heinze, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist and Assistant Professor at Tufts Universitys Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, typically recommends a vegan or vegetarian diet for dogs dealing with liver disease, specific types of bladder stones, or when testing for food allergies. While shes open to working with owners who want to switch their dog because of their personal beliefs, she warns against putting growing puppies on meat-free diets because of the high amount of protein and other essential nutrients they need to develop. Your dog may have different needs, so you should check with your vet before transitioning their diet, even if theyre facing one of the health issues discussed above.

Dr. Heinze points out that some popular commercial meat-free dog foods may not contain the adequate levels of protein and amino acids, so you should stick with therapeutic diets sold through your vet. Make sure to check that any commercial food you buy fulfills your dogs nutritional needs before you shell out for it.

If you decide to make your own vegan or vegetarian dog food, you still need to make sure they meet your dogs nutritional needs. Dr. Heinze explains how homemade diets can be lacking, too:

Home-cooked vegetarian diets tend to have much bigger nutritional concerns than commercial dietsmany of the ones that Ive seen are quite protein deficient, as well as lacking in other essential nutrients.

You can get help formulating a homemade meat-free diet by finding a certified animal nutritionist through the American College of Veterinary Nutritions directory. Theyll help you figure out if your dog should be on a meat-free diet, how to best design one for your dogs nutritional needs, and if there are any other foods your pet should stay away from.

Most dogs will happily chow down on human food, whether you give them a treat or they sneakily

As with any diet change, you should err on the side of caution and have your vet keep a close eye on your dog during the transition and even as your dog continues with a meat-free diet. Dr. Heinze explains why you need to have your dog monitored by a vet even after they switch diets:

While vegan and vegetarian diets can be made to meet dog nutrient requirements, we dont know that dogs that eat them long-term are as healthy as dogs that eat more typical diets. No one has really studied the use of these diets long-term in healthy dogs.

Ultimately, you have to decide what is right for your dog, but knowing the common issues that come up with vegan or vegetarian dog diets will help you figure out how to keep your pet healthy.

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Should You Switch Your Dog to a Vegetarian Diet? - Lifehacker