Category Archives: Diet And Food

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No single bag of chips or bacon burger will kill you unless you choke on it. But in the big picture the very big picture how we Americans eat does often send us to earlier graves, and a new study out of Tufts University quantifies just how deadly our diets may be.

It estimates that over 318,000 deaths a year, ornearly half of American deaths from major "cardiometabolic" killers heart disease, stroke and diabetes were hastened by unhealthy eating.

I spoke with Renata Micha, an assistant research professor at Tufts and lead author on the paper just out in the journal JAMA. Our conversation, lightly edited:

What did your study do?

We developed a model that used national data on dietary habits and mortality, and used updated evidence of diet with cardiometabolic diseases to estimate how many deaths in the United States can be linked to poor nutrition. This enabled us to estimate deaths linked to poor dietary habits for the whole population, and also by age, sex, race and education.

And what did you find?

We estimated that nearly half of all deaths from heart disease, stroke and diabetes collectively, cardiometabolic diseases are linked to poor diet. And it wasn't just too much 'bad' in the American diet, it's also not enough 'good': Americans are not eating enough fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains vegetable oils or fish. Americans are overeating salt, processed meats and sugary-sweetened beverages. This is especially true of men, younger adults, blacks and Hispanics, and people with lower levels of education.

Is this a first in any way?

This study builds upon our earlier work and the work of other researchers. Instead of taking a microscopic view, we're zooming the lens way out to look at national patterns. In doing so, we hope to identify dietary changes that could benefit the greatest number of people. These results are representative of all Americans and help us identify what's most important in the American diet.

You found that high salt consumption is a particular threat but isn't salt somewhat controversial?

There is a little bit of controversy about how low is low enough for sodium, but all major national and international organizations agree that we should be eating less sodium. Americans are still eating a lot of salt in their diets. And as you've mentioned, overeating salt, in our analysis, was linked to more deaths than any other food or nutrients

Among your findings, what was the worst news and the best news?

The bad news is that Americans are not eating healthy. The good news is: But we now understand which foods we need to target to prevent Americans from dying prematurely from cardiometabolic diseases. I'm actually still amazed at how people and policymakers tend to forget the simple yet vital truth: Eating healthy can and will prevent people from dying from premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes. If we remember that simple fact, most of us can have healthier and better lives.

"Preventing deaths through promoting healthy eating habits is the most timely and urgent priority of our time, from a health perspective."

What do your findings mean for policy?

There are tremendous policy implications to this. Instead of spending billions and billions of dollars on simply treating disease, we have an opportunity to focus on preventing disease. Doing so would improve productivity in the workforce, decrease health care costs, and improve the lives of millions of Americans and their families. Preventing deaths through promoting healthy eating habits is the most timely and urgent priority of our time, from a health perspective.

Are there a couple of things that could make the most difference?

Potential population strategies include, for example, economic incentives such as subsidies for more healthy foods, or taxation of less healthy foods; improvements to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; and incentivized or mandated product reformulation, such as to reduce additives such as sodium and trans fats.

For example, the present findings suggest that salt is a key target population-wide salt reduction policies that include a strong government role to educate the public, and engage industry to gradually phase out or reduce salt content in processed foods, appear promising. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has recently announced voluntary sodium reduction targets for the industry.

And at an individual level?

So simply as a take-home message of our findings: Try to eat more of the good and less of the bad. Basically, eat more fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, whole grains, vegetable oils and fish; and eat less salt, processed meats and sugary-sweetened beverages. Start by making one healthier choice each day and build on it.

Ultimately, for an individual, these findings are general results but don't mean, "If you eat badly, it will kill you," right?

Well, it definitely increases the risk of dying prematurely from these diseases. But of course, for any given individual there are other factors that will modify this risk, such as other dietary habits, their genetics or their physical activity. Just as with any medical or public health intervention, our findings should be considered as estimates of the average population.

Readers? Will knowing these latest big-picture stats affect your eating?

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Deadly Diets: Study Links Unhealthy Eating To Nearly Half Of American Heart Deaths - WBUR

Soy's Good For Those With Breast Cancer, Study Finds 41 NBC News Dr. Omer Kucuk, a cancer and nutrition expert and researcher at Emory University in Atlanta, said doctors can safely recommend that women eat soy foods. We now have evidence that soy foods not only prevent breast cancer but also benefit women who ... and more »

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Soy's Good For Those With Breast Cancer, Study Finds - 41 NBC News

Daybreak's Crystal Harper talked to a dietitian about some ways to stay energized without that morning cup of Joe.

Crystal Harper, WVEC 7:41 AM. EST March 07, 2017

file photo (Photo: Mario Tama, Getty Images)

NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) -- So many people rely on coffee to make it through the day, with America going through approximately 383 million cups of java every single day.

According to the dietary guidelines of 2015, the average person can safely consume up to five cups of coffee per day and still a lead healthy lifestyle. But registered dietitian and personal trainer Jim White warns that you need to be careful about what you add to your coffee.

Drinking it black, of course is the best way: zero calories," he said. "Some of these coffee drinks can be up to four or five hundred calories, and that can be up to a quarter to a half of a days calories in coffee alone.

White mentioned that there are plenty of ways to get energy without caffeine.

Most importantly: make sure you get plenty of sleep. White recommends getting between seven and nine hours of sleep each night.

Try to limit or even avoid sugary and high processed foods. These foods will not keep you fully alert, and may actually make you feel more sluggish.

Also, White urges people to eat small, frequent meals. Ideally, people should be eating at least five times a day.

According to White, When were eating small, frequent meals throughout the day, were not only evening out our blood sugar levels, but were feeding our bodies with fuel so we have these nice little increases in energy throughout the day."

Because our bodies -- and more specifically our brains -- are fueled mainly by carbohydrates, White warned that sticking with low-carb diets could leave people feeling tired.

"Ninety percent of the brains fuel is from carbohydrates. That is the number one thing to incorporate in your diet, to increase your energy.

A few more tips that Jim gave us were to exercise first thing in the morning, eat a solid breakfast such as whole wheat toast and almond butter or oatmeal, and drink plenty of water.

( 2017 WVEC)

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Do It Yourself: Save money on coffee by making your own

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Mar 7, 2017

Bald eagles migrating back to Minnesota

Bald eagles are migrating back to Minnesota and may be seen in large numbers across parts of the state over the next few weeks, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The spring eagle migration usually coincides with ice-out. A warm February melted much of the snow cover, and ice is breaking up along the rivers, said DNR regional Nongame Wildlife specialist Lisa Gelvin-Innvaer.

Because of that, this years migration appears to be a couple weeks earlier, so folks in southern Minnesota will be seeing eagles soon, even with the last remnants of winter, she said. Were already seeing small groups of eagles along the Minnesota River.

Only two states, Florida and Alaska, have greater nesting populations of bald eagles than Minnesota. In 2005, researchers estimated there are more than 1,300 active nests in Minnesota.

Fall migration typically occurs as lakes and rivers freeze over, since most eagles prefer a diet of fish. Bald eagle wintering grounds ideally contain open water, ample food, limited human disturbance and protected roosting sites. As their population increases, however, some eagles have become tolerant of some disturbance, particularly traffic, choosing to nest near busy highways or in very urban habitats. To supplement their diets in winter, eagles also prey on mammals and other birds, and will often be seen on roadsides eating carrion.

Not all bald eagles migrate southward in the fall, Gelvin-Innvaer said. In many areas in Minnesota, its common for some eagle pairs to stay the winter, especially during milder winters and wherever there is open water.

This years winter was a bit milder, she said. There were fewer subzero nights and not as much snow on the ground as some other years. That should have made for an easier winter for them to find food.

Bald eagles that stay local may begin courting and nesting as early as December or January. Other bald eagles return to their breeding territories as soon as a food source is available.

Eagles tend to vary their migration routes, so its hard to say exactly where the eagles are right now, Gelvin-Innvaer said. In Minnesota, the biggest migrations tend to be along the Minnesota River corridor, the north shore of Lake Superior and around Lake Pepin in southeastern Minnesota.

Adult bald eagles are easily identified by a white head and tail contrasting with a dark brown body. Bald eagles attain full adult plumage in their fourth or fifth year. In flight, bald eagles are sometimes confused with turkey vultures. Bald eagles can be distinguished by their tendency to soar on flat, board-like wings, while turkey vultures fly with their wings in a V-shape.

The bald eagles recovery is a success story and an example of how they and many other wildlife species benefit directly from donations made to the Nongame Wildlife checkoff on Minnesota tax forms. For the past 40 years, checkoff dollars have been used to fund research, surveys and education for more than 900 nongame wildlife species. When the checkoff began, bald eagles, peregrine falcons and trumpeter swans were almost gone from our landscape. Today, they are all thriving in Minnesota. Each dollar donated is matched by funds from the Reinvest In Minnesota Account. Donations are accepted year-round.

More information is available here: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/nongame/donate/index.html.

The DNRs Nongame Wildlife Program is now streaming live video of a nesting pair of bald eagles on its website at http://www.mndnr.gov/eaglecam.

For additional information on bald eagles and where to view them, go to http://www.mndnr.gov/birds/eagles/winter_wabasha.html.

Check late season snowmobile and ski trail conditions before traveling

While there are still areas of good snowmobile trail riding and cross country skiing in far northeastern Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources advises riders and skiers to check online trail condition reports before traveling. Several bouts of warm weather have led to deteriorating ice conditions and halted most trail grooming activity.

Snow depth and grooming conditions for state-maintained trails are updated weekly at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/snow_depth/index.html.

As snow recedes, rocks and other obstructions can become a hazard to trail users.

Softening ground has necessitated closing gates on some trails and forest roads to protect them from damage and several private landowners have also closed their gates.

Trail grooming activities could resume if there is adequate snowfall and cold temperatures return.

State snowmobile trails are open annually through March 31 as conditions allow, but may be closed where trails cross private lands when use can cause damage to the land.

Marv Hill of Virginia named snowmobile safety instructor of the year

Duane (Marv) Hill of Virginia has been named the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Volunteer Instructor of the Year for 2016.

Hill has been the lead instructor for snowmobile safety class taught at the Mesabi Sno Voyageurs snowmobile club for 47 years. It is estimated that Hill has instructed and assisted teaching more than 2,000 students over the years as well as recruited numerous other volunteer instructors.

Outside of the classroom, Hill was instrumental in developing the Laurentian Snowmobile Trail, Harry Burr Memorial Rest Area, and trail bridge over the Pike River; organized the areas first charity ride to benefit the March of Dimes; and has served a number of volunteer leadership positions including Mesabi Sno Voyageurs snowmobile club, Range Trail Committee, and is a current member of the Minnesota United Snowmobilers Association (MnUSA).

From snowshoeing through remote, wooded areas to flag early snowmobile trails, fundraising, and working with youth to instill safe habits on the trails, Hills lifetime love of the sport is reflected in his many years of volunteer service.

Marv genuinely cares about teaching students the ways to legally, responsibly and safely operate snowmobiles, said DNR Conservation Officer Matt Frericks, who nominated Hill for the award. Only a dedicated instructor who cares about getting young people involved and teaching them the sport of snowmobiling would make such an effort for so many years.

Even as he has started to slowly turn the instructor reigns over to younger instructors, Hill still plays a vital role in organizing and promoting classes. Each year, he personally arranges for a local DNR officer to present a rules and regulations segment to the class, which helps promote understanding of the role of enforcement and that the DNR Officer is a resource.

More than 1,000 volunteer instructors teach DNR snowmobile safety courses across the state.

For more information on the dates and locations of these courses, see an online list at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/vehicle/snowmobile/index.html or call 800-366-8917. For a copy of the DNRs 2016-2017 Minnesota Snowmobile Safety Laws, Rules, and Regulations handbook, call 888-646-6367 or 651-296-6157 or visit the regulations Web page at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/regulations/snowmobile/index.html.

Roemhildt named Pheasants Forever Wildlife Professional of the Year

Scott Roemhildt, grassland programs coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, has been named Pheasants Forevers 2017 Wildlife Professional of the Year.

This is humbling for me, Roemhildt said. Pheasants Forever does so much for wildlife and habitat. Ive always respected the mission of PF and their ability to get good conservation work done. Its an incredible honor to be recognized for doing the work I love.

The award, presented at a program during National Pheasant Fest in Minneapolis, honors agency wildlife or habitat professionals who have worked hand-in-hand with Pheasants Forever for the benefit of pheasant and other wildlife populations.

Scott Roemhildt has worn many conservation hats over the years while tirelessly working for the pheasants of Minnesota, said Eran Sandquist, Minnesota state coordinator for Pheasants Forever. His commitment to wildlife, soil and water can be seen on the ground in habitat areas as you drive through southern Minnesota, where he has worked his entire career. His unique ability to bring folks together to achieve collective mission has served the people and projects of Minnesota well.

In his position, Roemhildt heads up the states Walk-In Access program, which pays landowners to allow public hunting on their private land. Since its inception in 2011, the program has grown to include more than 23,000 acres across 46 counties in the state. He also oversees the Roadsides for Wildlife program, is the DNR liaison with the Governors Pheasant Hunting Opener and assists with grassland communications for the DNR.

Pheasants Forever is the nations largest nonprofit organization dedicated to upland habitat conservation. Together with Quail Forever, the organization has more than 149,000 members and 720 chapters across the United States and Canada. Since its creation in 1982, the organization has spent $708 million on 517,000 habitat projects benefiting 15.8 million acres.

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Honeybrains, a new restaurant in New York City, is giving a whole new meaning to brain food. The fast-casual eatery offers only nutrient-packed meals, specifically made to boost your brain health.

Its co-owned by neurologist Dr. Alon Seifan, whose private practice in Hollywood, Florida, specializes in aging and dementia. There are three things that food does to improve our body and brain health, Seifan said.

One, good food can improve metabolism, number two, good food can improve our circulation, and number three, good food can improve the balance of nutrients and inflammation in our body, Dr. Alon Seifan told Fox News.

5 TRENDY HEALTH FOODS THAT AREN'T WORTH YOUR MONEY

Seifan, along with his siblings, and business partner Christophe Jadot, set out to open a health-conscious restaurant that took principles from eating methods found in the Blue Zones around the world, like the Mediterranean diet. People in Blue Zones tend to live longer and healthier lives than the average person.

A recent study published inthe journal Neurology found that older adults who closely followed a Mediterranean-like diet were less likely to lose brain volume as they aged, compared with those who didn't follow the diet.

They all have the same thing in common. It's five food groups its the fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and healthy fats, Seifan said. So we have an entire menu based on those five food groups, any combination of those is both delicious and good for us.

7 WRINKLE-FIGHTING FOODS PROBABLY ALREADY IN YOUR KITCHEN

Chef Kevin Chun, Honeybrains executive chef and chief culinary officer, created a menu that garnishes those five food groups with herbs, spices, fermented foods and natural sweeteners from nature.

"Our main spice blend incorporates a couple of different paprikas, garlic, cumin, coriander seeds, a lot of spices that you might find in Mediterranean flavors, Chun told Fox News.

Youll also find dishes full of super foods like nuts, avocados, leafy greens. and of course honey, which is full of antioxidants.

"Antioxidants improve our circulation, and they improve the stability of the cell membranes in our eyes andour brain," Seifan said.

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The restaurant doesnt just aim to feed the hungry. When designing Honeybrains, Seifan wanted to provide a complete brain wellness experience for his customers that would help educate them on how food can help fight epidemic's like Alzheimers. According to the Alzheimers Association, an estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages had Alzheimers disease in 2016.

On Thursdays, Honeybrains hosts Thursday Night Talks, a moderated session where experts share information on a variety of health topics. You can also catch Chef Chung at one of their monthly cooking classes to learn how to prepare brain-healthy meals, like their best-selling Avocado Crush Toast.

Avocado Crush Toast

-Slice and toast a thick piece of seeded sourdough bread.

-Smash a half an avocado into a small mixing bowl and add lemon juice, salt and pepper.

- Spread avocado mixture onto toast.

-Sprinkle a mix of Chi seed and Hemp seed salt on top.

-Finish by drizzling extra virgin olive oil over the toast.

-Garnish with a fresh herbs; basil, chives and parsley.

For more, visit Honeybrains.com.

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Feed your brain with these 5 food groups - Fox News

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

The Mediterranean diet is easy to find in the grocery store, contains nutrients that are known to enhance longevity and has other health benefits that are backed by peer-reviewed, scientific studies. Broccoli makes the list because it's one of nature's most nutrient-dense foods, with only 30 calories per cup. That means you get a ton of hunger-curbing fiber and polyphenols -- antioxidants that detoxify cell-damaging chemicals in your body -- with each serving.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Doctors suggest using olive oil rather than butter to make your meals. A Spanish study found a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events among patients with a history of heart disease.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Quinoa is the popular whole-grain du jour because it also contains a good dose of protein to help build muscle. Yet including any type of whole grain in your diet -- from barley to brown rice -- will aid in weight loss by filling you up for fewer calories.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Many dieters shy away from nuts because of their high calorie and fat count. But studies show that eating a handful several times a week can prevent heart disease and ultimately help you shed pounds since they fill you up and stop you from snacking on other things. Almonds, in particular, contain lots of monounsaturated fats and fiber. (Healthy swap: Replace peanut butter with almond butter.)

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Salmon is also a good source of lean protein. With this diet, doctors suggest eating fish at least two times a week. Salmon provides a high dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which studies show significantly lower the risk of heart disease. Omega-3 fatty acids fight back by reducing inflammation and slowing the rate of plaque buildup in blood vessels.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Beans, beans, the magical fruit; the more you eat, the more ... you lose weight. Black, kidney, white and garbanzo beans (also known as chickpeas) are good for fiber and protein. They fill you up and provide muscle-building material without any of the fat that meat can add to your meal.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Walnuts are packed with tryptophan, an amino acid your body needs to create the feel-great chemical serotonin. (In fact, Spanish researchers found that walnut eaters have higher levels of this natural mood-regulator.) Another perk: "They're digested slowly," said Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale Prevention Research Center. "This contributes to mood stability and can help you tolerate stress."

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

Asparagus is one of the best veggie sources of folate, a B vitamin that could help keep you out of a mental slump. "Folate is important for the synthesis of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine," said David Mischoulon, associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. All of these are crucial for mood.

Delicious Mediterranean diet foods

It's not a requirement to drink it on this diet, but if you do drink alcohol, red wine in moderate amounts can be good for your health. Moderation means one drink for women and two for men, by the way. Studies show red wine can help protect against heart disease.

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Mediterranean diet linked to lower risk of breast cancer type, study says - CNN

Evidence lacking to support 'lead diet' Science Daily But if recommendations are being made based on diet or foods, there should be evidence backing that up, and the evidence is very limited. If the recommendation is that you should be eating iron-rich foods or red meat, there should be studies that have ... and more »

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Evidence lacking to support 'lead diet' - Science Daily

New York Times

A Diet for Lead Poisoning? It Probably Doesn't Work New York Times The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a diet high in calcium, iron and vitamin C as a way of lowering children's blood lead levels, but a review of studies has found little evidence that it works. The C.D.C. recommends that children ...

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A Diet for Lead Poisoning? It Probably Doesn't Work - New York Times

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People struggling to resist tasty tidbits have a harder time sticking to their diets when at a restaurant or even just when they have company, a new study found.

The data showed that when people are at a restaurant or eating with others its pretty easy to succumb to temptation and have those French fries, said study co-author Stephen Rathbun, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Georgia.

Rathbun and his colleagues followed 150 people, 90 percent of whom were women, for 12 months to learn what makes people more likely to succumb to dietary temptation.

RELATED: When you eat can be as important as what you eat

The average body mass index (BMI) of the study volunteers was 34, which would translate into a 5-foot-4-inch woman, weighing 200 pounds or a 5-foot-9-inch man weighing 230 pounds.

Volunteers were given target calorie counts that were related to their weights. So, for example, women weighing less than 200 pounds were to aim for 1,200 calories a day, while women weighing more than 200 pounds were to try to keep their consumption to 1,500 calories a day.

RELATED: How to pair your foods to make them even more nutritious

The volunteers used a custom-developed application on smart phones to report when and where they felt tempted to break their diets. They also reported whether they gave into temptations, such as craving a large serving of calorie-dense food, a slice of cheesecake or several pieces of candy.

People were most likely surrender to temptation if they were with others, dining at a restaurant or at someone else's house. In fact, at restaurants there was a 60 percent chance the siren call of tempting food would win out over will power.

The odds of succumbing to the temptation of tasty treats was lower when people were at work or in their cars.

The researchers didnt count deviations from the diet that were planned.

RELATED: These 10 foods affect your risk of heart disease most

If a couple was going out to celebrate their anniversary, then whatever they ate on that special occasion was not considered a lapse, Rathbun said. We were concerned more about the unplanned lapses, when, for example, people went out with friends and ordered cake because everybody else did.

That doesn't mean we can't eat out if we want to hold firm with our diets.

Keri Glassman, a registered dietitian and TODAY contributor, made a few suggestions for powering past temptation while dining out. In her world, restaurants can be part of a healthy lifestyle if you make some adjustments. Here's her advice:

This one might seem counter intuitive: You're going out to dinner, so you should go hungry, right? Wrong.

"You don't want to get to the restaurant and dive head first into the bread basket," Glassman explained. To prevent this from happening, she suggested having a healthy snack (hard-boiled egg, 15 almonds or two slices of turkey) about an hour before you go.

RELATED: 6 smart grab-and-go snack options

If your friend orders French fries, you're more likely to do the same. But, the opposite approach works, too:

"If the first person orders something healthy, you'll be surprised at how many people follow suit," Glassman advised. So raise your hand, order first and choose the healthiest thing on the menu.

Order a glass of club soda or sparkling water instead of having a drink.

"It's an easy way to cut down on the alcohol for the evening," said Glassman.

RELATED: Drinking water is associated with healthier body weight, new study finds

"If there isn't a soup or salad that's fairly clean and simple, check out the vegetable side options," said Glassman. She recommended ordering something like broccoli rabe or green beans.

Portions are huge at restaurants! According to Glassman, the appetizer portion is usually the perfect choice.

"If you can't find any appetizers that you like, split an entree with a friend," Glassman said.

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Dieting? You may have to forgo lunch with the girls - Today.com

This is truly the stuff your wildest revenge fantasies are made of.

After a crush rejected her several years ago for her size, a young, overweight girl from Indianapolis managed to shed about 140 poundsand tell him boy, bye.

Rachael Heffner, 25, once weighed 285 poundsand would regularlyguzzle up to four large bottles of soda per day.

Though she originally made the resolution to lose weight with the intention of winning over her crush, she no longer has any desire to date him now that shes adopted a healthier lifestyle.

According to MailOnline, Heffner said,

My initial motivation was to prove people wrong. In college I was rejected by a boy and I wanted to show him that hed made a mistake.

I liked him and he didnt like me, he made it known it was because of the way that I looked and that he wasnt attracted to me because I was heavier.

Apparently, the same boy has asked her out a few times since shes slimmed down, but she made sure to let him know theyre just going to be friends.

She added,

I also told him that he was the reason I started losing weight, which really shocked him and he apologized for what he said when we were younger.

But Im glad he rejected me, I actually thanked him for it, as he was the reason I was able to get to the size I am today, and theres no point holding grudges.

Heffnersweight gain began after her mother tragically lost a battle with cancer. Shefound solace in comfort eating during the difficult time, despite her fathers attempts to get her on the right track.

She said,

I was a little chubby when I was a kid, but after my mum became really sick and passed away I gained a lot of weight.

Since I was so young when she died, I didnt learn about nutrition from her and I was too set in my ways to listen to my dads advice about food.

At age 20, after years of indulging in large portions of sugary snacks, sodas and potato chips, Heffnersbody mass index was over 50, the World Health Organizations highest level of obesity.

She made a New Years resolution six years ago to start losing weight, and now, shes achieved that goal.

Shesaid giving up soda was possibly the most difficult of all her sacrifices, though small lifestyle adjustments went a long way in helping to curb her eating habits:

At first my body missed the sugar, I had to gradually reduce it by switching to Gatorade before going to water.

I also started making meals myself instead of eating out and I cut my portions in half.

It was hard at first, whenever I was hungry I would snack on fruits or vegetables and before eating Id drink a glass of water to help fill me up more.

Along with these small diet changes, she also began working out regularly with her college roommate. Before she knew it, shed lost 140 pounds.

Unfortunately, with her amazing weight loss came a significant amount of saggy skin around her mid-section.

She said,

My next major trial will get getting my loose and excess skin removed.

Ive been trying to tone up for a while, but its not worked, and its hard being young with excess skin.

I can deal with stretch marks, but the loose skin haunts me and reminds me of the girl I used to be, all I want is finally be able to be comfortable in my own skin.

Along with working three jobs and selling some of her old belongings on the side, Heffneris trying to raise $15,000 for excess skin removal surgery to complete her transformation.

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Allie is a News Writer at Elite Daily, as well as a recent graduate from The University of Delaware. If you are in her social circle, you probably know more than you care to about her cat, Jasper. She loves to exercise, but basically cancels th ...

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Woman Who Lost 140 Lbs To Get Revenge On Crush Shares Simple Diet She Swears By - Elite Daily