Category Archives: Diet And Food

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 daily diet of NASCAR's Martin Truex Jr.

Who needs to hit the gym five times a week and count calories when youre constantly fighting the G-forces that come along with driving a car at 200 miles per hour? Certainly not Martin Truex Jr. All that time throwing weights around and pre-planning meals could be used for something fun. Like fishing. Or running a foundation that supports cancer research. Or winning NASCAR races. All of which the Toyota driver has been doing a lot of this season. We caught up with Truex ahead of the Coca-Cola 600a race he won last yearto find out the best meal for tackling NASCARs longest trek and how exactly one avoids having an accident. (We dont mean the automobile type).

GQ: Youve been a NASCAR driver since the early 2000s. Have you seen a shift in the way that people address their diet or nutrition as the sport has evolved?

Martin Truex Jr.: I think in general, most people are more focused on being fit, eating healthy, working out, training, blahblahblah. I try mostly to eat somewhat healthy foods, but I really dont have a scientific approach or anything specific that I do. I just try not to eat junk or eat too much. I really dont do anything special. I just do my own thing. I really dont do a lot of training either. I absolutely cannot stand working out. I try to stay busy instead. Im always doing stuff when we go outside to work on [the house]. I make sure Im doing something so Im not sitting on the couch eating food all day. Thats my training schedule.

So what does a typical day look like for you then? Is it all over the place, food-wise?

Im not a huge breakfast person. Sometimes Ill have cereal. Corn Flakes are my favorite. But Ill usually have something small. I like to grab something quick as Im running out the door if I can. Just a granola bar or protein bar is enough for me. I dont get up super early so Im usually only a few hours away from lunch anyways. I just need something to hold me over until then.

And then you just go all in on lunch?

Sometimes Ill have a Cobb salad, but I really like quesadillas. A ham and cheese quesadilla is really good if you throw it on the grill. We have a lady who cooks for us and the quesadillas that she makes are really good. She even makes this pizza quesadilla that is so good. So Ill do cool things like that for lunch. And dinner is all across the board. I like a lot of different foods. I like beef, I like red meat, I like fish, I like all kinds of seafood. We really mix it up, honestly. Ill eat just about anything.

Your girlfriend, Sherry, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer a couple years ago. I know you both are huge advocates for raising awareness and educating people on the disease. Did Sherrys diagnosis change the way you both approached food at all?

Absolutely, yeah. Everything we bring into our house, all the things we eat on a daily basis, has changed a little bit based off what she went through. I mean, her diet has changed 100 percent. My diet has probably changed 40 to 50 percent. Some of the things we used to have in the house we dont even look at anymore. We started paying a lot more attention to what was actually in the foods that were eating and what type of products were using. You know, trying to lose the chemicals and get rid of all the stuff they say is bad for you. We definitely focus on that a lot more these days. Like I said, with Sherrys diet and what she does, its really 100 percent based around that.

When it comes to the day of an actual race, is there anything special youll do in terms of what youre eating or drinking?

I do actually have a little bit of a routine for most races. Generally Ill drink a lot of water for probably two days leading up to the race to make sure Im hydrated. Before the race I like to try to eat a decent-sized breakfast. If its a night race, Ill make sure I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. But the meal right before a race is really pretty standard. I go with something light. Chicken and rice is always pretty bulletproof. No spaghetti. Nothing with heavy sauces. Nothing spicy, nothing wild. Im not eating sushi before a race. I try to keep it kind of standard with chicken and rice. Its not going to upset your belly and youre going to feel good all night. Plus itll keep you fill long enough, so thats the go-to.

Ive heard of some racers actually eating in the cars during a race. Jimmie Johnson once said hes had actual sandwiches passed to him during a race. Is that something you ever do?

You can have a granola bar or a protein barwhatever your favorite choice isjust as a quick snack if were under caution or whatever. I actually havent done that in the past few years, though. I used to always have something there in the car for a snack but for whatever reason I really havent had the need for it recently. We do have a drink bag system in the car, so you have a hose that runs to your helmet. Usually Gatorade or whatever is what I use. For a long race, I definitely go with Gatorade. I think it helps me a little more.

This is something I would love to know: The Coca-Cola 600 this weekend is a 600-mile race. Im assuming its got to get pretty hot in that car, especially with all your gear on. Then youre in the middle of a race with your adrenaline pumping. Youre probably drinking a bunch of Gatorade or water to stay hydrated. So when it comes to going the bathroom

I think its a case where youve trained for so long to be able to do this without thinking about having to go. Youre so focused during the race that sometimes Ill get out of the car and be like, Oh my God, I really have to get to the bathroom! It just kind of sneaks up on you without you even noticing it. Then theres the element that youre sweating so much. Especially in the summertime when its hot out, youre sweating so much that I dont know that you could ever drink enough water to actually have to end up going to the bathroom. So its probably a combination od things, but Ive never had an issue with that. Ive heard stories of guys actually peeing in the car because they couldnt hold it. Ive never done that. Never had to. I guess it depends on how precise your mental focus is. [Laughs]

After a race, and after youve relieved yourself, is there a meal you typically like to have to refuel?

Usually its a race to the airport in order to get home, so we always end up eating on the plane. So whatever area we happen to be in, whatever theyre famous for, Ill get. If we go to Kansas City, usually Ill have barbeque on the way home. Most times its a sandwich or a cheesesteak or a cheeseburger. Something thats just going to fill you up quick because youre absolutely starving by that time after a race. And you dont want something thats going to sit on the plane for an hour or two and get soggy, so youve got to be careful about what you order.

Im assuming its the same thing with hydration. Are you just pounding water after a race?

I could literally drink five bottles of water after a race. I mean, Im so thirsty that I will drink water until my stomach hurts. Ill keep drinking it right up until I get to bed that night. I try to get all that water back in there pretty quickly.

Youve had success at the Coca-Cola 600 in the past. Youre the defending champ there. Im not sure you want to give away any secrets on how to win that race, but could you reveal any tips or secrets for winning a race that long?

I honestly dont know how to answer that one. I just try to approach this race as I would any other race. Its a tough challenge with it being the longest race of the year, but I look at it like this: Its only an extra hundred miles. Once you do 500 miles, thats a pretty long ways already. Whats a hundred more?

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS ONE

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The Real-Life Diet of Martin Truex Jr., Who Has Never Peed in his Racecar - GQ Magazine

Cody Kessler is in the middle of the most important offseason of his professional career. So, the second-year Browns quarterback, who has a chance to win the team's starting job overBrock Osweiler, DeShone Kizer, and Kevin Hogan, is doing everything in his power to improve after a so-so rookie season.

That includes his diet. On Wednesday, Kessler explained that he followed a strict diet for three straight months. In the process, he revealed that he ate plain whole wheat pasta (with no sauce) every single night.

ESPN's Pat McManamon provided the list of foods that Kessler consumed every single day for the three-month period:

"I switched it up here and there maybe a couple days, different things," Kessler said. "But it worked for me. I really stuck with it."

Kessler's diet has nothing on Tom Brady's. Last year, Brady's personal chef revealed his eating habits. We learned that Brady doesn't eat or drink:

Maybe like Brady, Kessler can turn his bland diet into his own food delivery service. First, Kessler will obviously need to establish himself as a star in the league. And before he can do that, he'll need to hang onto the starting job this summer. Earlier this month,Browns coach Hue Jackson confirmed that the job is Kessler's to lose.

In Kessler's rookie season, he appeared in nine games, starting eight. He completed 65.6 percent of his passes, averaged 7.1 yards per attempt, and threw six touchdowns and two picks. As a starter, he went 0-8, though that's clearly not all his fault considering the Browns went 1-15.

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Here's the bland diet Browns quarterback Cody Kessler followed for three months - CBSSports.com

A lot of people have asked me about developing a weight loss plan that revolves around baby food. Because I deliver babies, they think that I know all about baby food; so I looked into this diet. Below are the facts about it, including its plan and how it works:

The Diet

On the so-called "Baby Food Diet," you literally do as the name suggests. You replace several meals and snacks with jars of baby food, from sweet potato mash to pureed peas and blended chicken. Many people on the diet will eat 1014 jars of baby food throughout the day and end with a regular-sized dinner.

Why do people like this diet? It gives them an easy way to control their portion sizes while still getting in fruits and vegetables.

Since the snack and meals take little time to make, they also dont have as much motivation to eat out and can get on with their busy lives. They do not have to spend half an hour or more cooking meals.

Health Concerns

There are many health concerns that come with replacing adult-sized meals with portions made for little babies. First of all,babies digestive systemsare just developing, meaning that they have to take eating slowly and easily so that their stomachs can process it.

5 COMMON CAUSES FOR HAIR LOSS IN TEENS

On the other hand, adults have fully developed digestive systems. They get great satisfaction from tasting and chewing food, then letting the heavy substance settle in their stomachs.

Their active digestive systems will zip right through baby food, leaving them hungry and unsatisfied throughout the day. You can probably guess what will happen if this cycle of hunger continues. The person will launch right into a binge after a while, undoing any progress he may have made.

Second, adults can suffernutritional deficiencies. Aside from needing over a dozen baby food jars to accommodate an adults metabolism, adults can easily get too little nutrients.

Baby food does not have enough fiber for a grown human body, and some people may limit their choices if they do not like the taste. For example, adults might find it hard to stomach pureed meats. Also, while baby food consists of mainly fruits and vegetables, its small size likely will not suffice for an adults nutrient needs.

In addition, health professionals have no research to show that the Baby Food Diet is actually safe for people to use. Therefore, dieters are proceeding with unknown risks to their safety.

Not an Effective Diet Program

While many people do not realize this fact, those promoting the Baby Food Diet actually use it formaintainingweight, not losing it. They recommend losing weight on a different diet regimen before starting the Baby Food Diet.

WHAT VEGETARIANS NEED TO EAT DURING PREGNANCY

In fact, you should not rely on this diet for weight loss at all. It does not provide a safe, effective route for it.

The Baby Food Diet may lead to severe caloric restriction, slowing down your metabolism. In addition, because you need high motivation to keep up with it, you risk binge-eating or resorting back to your old habits.

Also, professionals have absolutely no research to back this diet, making it entirely unsafe. In fact, the diet does not even have rules or guidelines to help each person obtain similar results.

One person might replace two entire meals with one or two jars of baby food. Another person might eat four or five at a meal and pick through a few more for snacks.

Then, on a busy day, a person could forget to eat all of their dozen jars and experience dizziness, nausea, or weakness. They have no consistency.

COULD THIS BE THE NEXT GREAT WEIGHT LOSS SECRET?

Last but definitely not least, the Baby Food Diet does not teach adults the essential rudiments of a healthy diet. Adults who go back and forth between normal food and baby food will find themselves regaining any weight they may have lost before or during this diet. They may also have more temptation to cheat, undercutting their health and learning little about a truly healthy lifestyle.

The Baby Food Diet simply does not workunless youre a baby. It does not have adequate research to prove its safety nor guidelines to help people gain consistent, healthy results. Dieters risk getting nutritional deficiencies due to the small portion sizes and lack of fiber, and they do not learn the foundation of a healthy lifestyle. Do yourself a favor and toss out this diet fad in place of a more balanced plan. You will see healthier, longer-lasting results.

This article first appeared on AskDrManny.com.

Dr. Manny Alvarez serves as Fox News Channel's senior managing health editor. He also serves as chairman of the department of obstetrics/gynecology and reproductive science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. Click here for more information on Dr. Manny's work with Hackensack University Medical Center. Visit AskDrManny.com for more.

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Keep the baby food diet for babies - Fox News

Readers may get the impression that drinking more milk will benefit their health after reading the report on May 24 (Drinking milk lowers risk of diabetes, hypertension: NUS study).

There is evidence that plant-based diets that exclude dairy are healthier if we want to fight Type 2 diabetes.

In the United States, a large study found that people eating a plant-based diet that excluded dairy had 62 per cent less chance of developing Type 2 diabetes.

In addition, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found in repeated studies that people with Type 2 diabetes following plant-based diets were able to reduce their medication and manage their diabetes better than those following the diets recommended by the American Diabetes Association, which included animal products like milk.

It is well established that the mutation for digesting lactose is not common in Asian populations.

Thus, encouraging Singaporeans to consume milk causes many to experience negative health effects, including bloating, cramps, diarrhoea and nausea.

There is also emerging evidence that casein in dairy milk is cancer-promoting.

A meta-analysis of studies on plant-based diets by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics found that these diets decreased not only hypertension, but also ischaemic heart disease, certain types of cancer and obesity.

Many of these diseases are top killers in Singapore , according to the Ministry of Health, and are driving up the healthcare costs in the process.

Michael Broadhead

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Plant-based diets work better for diabetics - The Straits Times

Qatar Diabetes Association (QDA) has issued a number of guidelines for people with diabetes who decide to fast during the holy month of Ramadan. People with diabetes should frequently do a blood sugar test, especially in the first week of Ramadan to make sure their blood sugar level is in the desired range. Doing a blood sugar test does not invalidate fasting.

If a diabetic person feels any symptom of low blood sugar, or if the blood sugar test result is less than 70 mg/dl, the fast should be broken immediately. To avoid dehydration and protect the kidneys when living with diabetes, patients should drink plenty of water between Iftar and Suhoor.

Since juices, dates, pastries and desserts cause a sharp increase in blood sugar level, diabetics should try to avoid them or control their intake.

Given that family support during Ramadan is very important, it is advisable for the whole family to adopt healthy food choices and maintain an active lifestyle. Carbohydrates affect blood sugar levels the most be aware of the amount one consumes in order to avoid a high effect on blood sugar. Carbohydrates are found in rice, pasta, bread and pastries, starchy vegetables, legumes and pulses, fruits and fruit juices, sweet beverages and desserts.

Food with excessive amount of fat, such as fried food and desserts, cause a prolonged rise in blood sugar. Try to make meals less fatty. For example, sambousa and qatayef could be grilled instead of frying.

People with diabetes who use insulin injection are advised by medical and religious leaders not to fast (especially children and pregnant women), to avoid any risk of acute complications such as hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia and Ketoacidosis.

People with diabetes are encouraged to discuss with their physician the right steps to take when fasting. Generally those who use medication or diet therapy and have a stable blood sugar level can fast safely by following physician advice and monitoring blood sugar more frequently.

To remain well hydrated it is preferable that diabetics decrease the intake of caffeine or coffee, tea, and soft drinks which might increase the frequency of urination.

To reduce the risk of low blood sugar during fasting, the Suhoor meal must include protein such as cheese, yoghurt and egg and food items that are rich in fibres, such as: oats, beans, lentils, chickpeas.

Vegetables are healthy and low in calories with a good effect on blood sugar. Include it in every meal or snack. Keep portions small to moderate to avoid weight gain during Ramadan.

People with diabetes should always test their blood sugar before driving, especially while fasting, to make sure they do not have low blood sugar. Before Ramadan, diabetics should check with their doctor/health educator whether they are allowed to fast, and how to adjust medication if allowed to fast.

Physical activity should be avoided during fasting hours, especially before Iftar time, and avoid sleeping for a long time while fasting, especially in the afternoon period and before Iftar time.

It is advisable to delay the Suhoor meal as much as possible, in order to avoid having low blood sugar during fasting hours. Diabetics ought to always carry glucose tablets, juice or candy to quickly treat low blood sugar while praying Tarawih at the mosque.

Since monitoring blood glucose level is very important at all times during Ramadan, diabetics should keep their blood sugar testing machine close to them. They should try to maintain blood sugar level between 100 200 mg/dl during fasting hours to avoid hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.

QDA hotline can be contacted during Ramadan on 44547311 or 55274919 from 8am until 1pm. For medication instruction or more information, QDA doctors can be reached on 55981331 from 8pm until 11.30pm.

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QDA provides fasting guidelines for diabetics - Gulf Times

Medical News Today

High-Fiber Diet Tied to Less Knee Arthritis New York Times Researchers have found yet another benefit of a high-fiber diet: It is associated with a reduced risk for arthritis of the knee. Knee osteoarthritis, which is common in aging populations, can be both painful and debilitating. Researchers used data from ... Studies Spotlight Diet, Supplements for Knee Pain - WebMDWebMD all 8 news articles »

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High-Fiber Diet Tied to Less Knee Arthritis - New York Times

It's Memorial Day weekend, the start of beach season in the United States. Is your body ready for primetime?

If not, don't panic. Real beach/lake weather doesn't start for several more weeks. And here's even better news: We have a diet that could help you achieve the hot bod you've always wanted.

The beacon in times of darkness, as always, is Cody Kessler. The Browns quarterback was looking to shed weight and gain strength heading into his second season, so he cooked up a plan with the team dietitian. The same exact thing, every day, for three months.

Kessler's meal plan, per ESPN.com:

two (2) scrambled eggs oatmeal with water two (2) pieces of fruit milk water

Every day. Three months. No cheating.

"I really never committed myself to a meal plan that strict," Kessler said. "It was tough, but it was worth it."

Personally, a four-minute mile feels more plausible, but perhaps you have greater willpower than I. It worked for Kessler, who reached his fitness goals and didn't even have to spend $200 for Tom Brady's stupid cookbook.

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Cody Kessler Diet may be your summer salvation - NFL.com

I moved to Los Angeles in October 2016 and spent the following five months eating and drinking whatever, whenever. Id justify my unhealthy food choices by saying, Well, Im new to this city, so itd be wrong not to try all the local dining options, and my friends would be like, Chris, youre eating Panda Express, what are you even talking about?

Id eat 90% processed foods, with a salad thrown in there once in a while, as if some occasional lettuce could negate the mountains of unhealthiness thatd come before it. To give you an idea of how deep-fried and takeout-oriented my diet was, take a peek at some of my GrubHub history:

Id also been working out sporadically since moving. On good weeks Id make it to the gym four or five days, but other weeks Id only go once or twice. This inconsistent effort combined with my takeout-based diet led me to being more out of shape than I ever had.

I had to know how I could even begin to be in that condition. I told myself right then and there, Chris, you have to stop being lazy and do whatever it takes to get back in shape THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW! Then my pizza arrived, so the time for change was briefly postponed.

Disclaimer: I chose to do this for my own personal goals and desires, but in no way am I defining what fitness or beauty should mean for others. This required extreme lifestyle changes that might not be for everyone. You should always consult your physician before making any drastic changes to your diet & fitness regimen.

Shockingly, he wasnt impressed by the massive amounts of orange chicken I eat on a regular basis. He graded my first food journal an F and told me which things Id consumed that week needed to be dropped ASAP. Here was the list:

1. Orange chicken

2. White rice

3. Airheads candy

4. A pulled-pork sandwich

5. Skittles

6. Chocolate-covered almonds

7. Chipotle burrito bowls

8. Chocolate chip cookies

9. Pita bread

10. Teriyaki sauce

11. A cheeseburger

12. A hot dog

13. Wine

For the next couple of weeks, I cut out foods that weren't nutritionally beneficial. Murphy provided me with a long list of recommended nutritious foods, and I chose my favorites from it:

This led to me going to bed earlier to avoid late-night temptation, and for the first time in several years, I was getting eight hours of sleep on a regular basis.

During week five, I noticed that if the lighting was just right, I could see a couple abs coming in. In week six, my face had lost the puffiness itd had at the start. My cheekbones were more distinct and different muscles I hadnt seen before started popping up all over my body. By the start of week seven, I felt firm, tight, lean, and more defined, as if I might finally be getting close to reaching a minor level of being ripped.

When I craved candy for my sweet tooth, Id eat berries or unsweetened, dried mangoes instead. When I craved a beverage other than water, Id have green tea or KeVita Probiotic Tonics instead. Admittedly, I did have a stretch during April where I kept eating handfuls of chocolate-covered almonds every day.

As soon as I started eating all the stuff I couldn't have on Murphy's diet, I felt bloated, and I wound up falling asleep early after an intense sugar crash. I realized I'd finally grown accustomed to life without sugar and processed food. Before working with Murphy, I couldnt imagine myself eating mostly whole foods for an extended period of time or making a serious lifestyle change. I had to take baby steps to get started and not let small hiccups turn into big meltdowns, but if Two-Months-Ago-Me can do it, anyone can. Moving forward, I hope to eat more in line with my goals, indulge occasionally, work out hard, and maybe one day reach half as many abs as Zac Efron.

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I Tried Zac Efron's "Baywatch" Diet And Workout For Two Months And This Is What Happened - BuzzFeed News

NBCSports.com

Cody Kessler kept a strict workout and diet regimen this offseason ... NBCSports.com Cody Kessler is hungry to win the Browns' starting quarterback job. He's also probably just hungry. Kessler said he's added a few pounds this offseason from his ... Browns QB Cody Kessler Hopes Diet Helps Him ImproveFanRag Sports (blog) all 6 news articles »

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Cody Kessler kept a strict workout and diet regimen this offseason ... - NBCSports.com

Losing weight is tough, both mentally and physically. New science shows that when the body starts to lose substantial amounts of weight, it fights viciously to gain it back. But despite the biological roadblocks, plenty of people are successful at losing weight and keeping it off over the long term.

But how? As part of its recent exploration of the new science of weight loss , TIME asked 9 weight loss and obesity experts their best advice for people who are trying to lose weight. Here are their top tips for what works when it comes to slimming down.

Avoid all sugary drinks, as they provide 'empty calories' that don't fill you up. The sugar may uniquely act on the liver to produce belly fat.

Dr. Dean Schillinger, chief of the University of California, San Francisco Division of General Internal Medicine

The calorie in, calorie out approach fails, because it disregards how food affects our hormones and metabolism. Pay attention to food quality.

Dr. David S. Ludwig, professor of nutrition at Harvard Medical School

MORE: You Asked: Whats the Best Way to Lose Weight?

The simple message is to eat a healthful diet and to engage in more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The challenge is how to actually accomplish that in an environment that seems to push us constantly in the wrong direction.

Dr. Stephen R. Daniels, pediatrician-in-chief at Childrens Hospital Colorado

Aim to achieve and improve health and reach a psychologically 'happy weight,' not an unrealistic 'ideal' weight that may be impossible to reach for most.

Dr. Jaideep Behari, associate professor of medicine at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

People need to have the mindset of someone who is ready and willing to make some permanent changes in the way they live. A number of treatments can create short-term weight loss without a great deal of effort from the person, but they dont allow for long-term weight loss.

Dr. Michael Jensen, obesity researcher at the Mayo Clinic

MORE: 'I Swallowed a Balloon For Weight Loss and Lost 40 Lbs.'

You need a program that satisfies hunger and has good food so it doesnt feel like a diet. Hunger erodes willpower, and thats the reason most diets fail.

Susan B. Roberts, professor of nutrition at Tufts University and founder of iDiet

Make small changes that stick, make changes as a family and keep it positive.

Dr. Stephen Pont, medical director of the childhood obesity center at Dell Children's Medical Center

The culprit is not bad choices by individuals. It is the toxic food environment in which calories are ubiquitous. Until the food environment changes, everyone must become aware of the calories they consume, especially those from beverages, sweets, and other calorie-dense foods.

Dr. Lawrence J. Appel, director of the Welch Center for Prevention, Epidemiology, and Clinical Research at Johns Hopkins University

MORE: If You Want to Lose Weight, Don't Eat Out

A person can eat almost anything they want, but the portion size has to be appropriate. For example, eat dinner on a salad plate rather than a dinner plate to cut the portion size in half.

Melinda L. Irwin, professor of epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health

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9 Weight Loss Tips From Doctors: Diet and Exercise | Time.com - TIME