Category Archives: Diet And Food

So you get the text:Can we go out for burgers (no buns!) tonight instead of pizza?Oh no, is she on this caveman diet everyones been raving about too?You don't know whether to be mad or happy for her, but you can't help but wonder why the Paleo diet is getting allthis hype.Youre intrigued. We dont blame you. What is Paleo, anyway? Is it for you? Lets discuss.

A Paleo-friendly diet puts the focus on eatingreal, natural, whole foods that have gone through little or no processing to get on your plate. Simply put: You eat plants and animals. Were talking meats, fish, eggs, greens, veggies, fruits, and nuts.

Sounds easy, right? Maybe for cavemen it was because they werent tempted by the thousands of packaged foods we have access to. If they couldnt hunt it or gather it, they didnt eat it. Today the only hunting were doing is for good deals on food we can gather into our grocery carts. In the cart goes bread, cheese, yogurt, rice, candy bars, milk, chips, cereal, etc.

Paleo expertstook note of our modern-day behavior and thought, if obesity and disease rates are rising as quickly as processed foods are flying off shelves, maybe we should go back to our roots and eat like our early ancestors did?

Before you grab a spear to go after tonights dinner, simmer down. Its 2017, andgrocery stores and farmer'smarkets are there to do the work for you.How convenient!(Well, finding parking is a b*tch, but we guess its better than fighting a buffalo.)

Soyour Paleo life can look something like this: Wake up in the morning to scrambled eggs with spinach, chicken sausage, and avocado, and a cup of coffee (yes, coffee is Paleo!) with a splash of almond milk. For lunch its all about the spaghetti squash and slow cooker Bolognese you made overnight. And oh, you cant wait to dig your hands into shrimp stir-fry with cauliflower rice tonight. For dessert, its a few pieces of dark chocolate. Sounds good? Thats Paleo for ya. And that doesnt even scratch the surfaceof the seriously good food thats permitted on the plan.

Pro tip: Prioritize organic, grass-fed meats and free-range eggs, andopt for wild-caught seafoodand organic vegetables... when you can.

Pro tip: Just like bad breakups, out of sight, out of mind works here too. Get these foods out of the house, and itll be easier to say good-bye.

There are tons of Paleo bloggers and experts out there, and if theres one thing weve learned from them,its that theres no such thing as perfect Paleo. Our friendMichelle Tam of Nom Nom Paleoputs it well:

There isnt just one definitive, monolithic, one-size-fits-all Paleo diet.Some Paleo eaters choose to go super low-carb, while others are happy to munch on a baked potato or a bowl of white rice every now and then. There are Paleo eaters who cant imagine life without dairy, and more orthodox folks who refuse to touch even a pat of butter with a 10-foot pole.

So, really, theres no debate. Its finding the Paleo plan that works best for you. If that means adding a sprinkle of goat cheese to your baked sweet potato every now and then, or going out for ice cream on your birthday, we think thats OK.

Since there really isnt a Paleo rule book set in stone (age), we collectedguidelines that most experts and bloggers follow. These will help any Paleo newbie understandwhat to expect when youre going full (or even halfsie) caveman.

To get a six-pack, amirite? Just kidding. While this plan is popular for helping you whittle your waist and bulge your biceps, its so much more than a CrossFitters dream diet. Anyone who wants to clean up their eating and lifestyle habits can give it a go. Although further research is still needed, a number of smaller trialshave suggested benefitsin the weight loss and metabolism departments.

Experts from the Paleo Plan suggest the following results are what Paleo-ers most commonly experience:

If youve already found a way of eating that makes you feel your best, then you should probably stick to that. If you're still feeling kinda (or really) crappy on a daily basis, then you may want to give it a try. Going Paleo and taking a break from grains, dairy, and soymight be thestepping stone you need to find out if eating more animal proteins andless processed foods (and the occasional glass of wine; oops we said it)is what youre body needs.

Happy caveman-ing!

Go here to see the original:
A Beginner's Guide to Paleo for Anyone Curious About Going Caveman - Greatist

We are now well into 2017. Many of us started the new year with a diet, likely with the intention of losing weight, or being healthier.

There are many different products and programs on the market that promise weight loss. Some require replacing one or two meals each day with a shake or bar and eating a healthy dinner. Others offer weight-loss supplements focusing on reducing appetite to help you eat less.

Diet programs guide participants through the process, sell them their food and supplements, and offer weekly weigh-ins. These programs are based on changing lifestyle, tracking food intake by using a point system, encouraging attendance at weekly meetings and weigh-ins and regular exercise. Also, online programs help track calories and daily activity levels.

Diets including high fat, low fat, high carb, low carb, Paleo and Mediterranean are available, as well as many others.

Most diets work, if followed, but many are very different to how people normally eat. For many dieters, after reaching a weight or fitness goal, they tend to go straight back to what they were used to before.

According to 2016 figures, the weight-loss industry was worth $60 billion, from diet book sales and the many programs, clinics and products available. The industry does not want anyone to know that while on a strict diet they are undermining their metabolism. Dieting changes the rate of a metabolism, which can work against people.

A slowed metabolism can cause people to feel like they are constantly hungry, though their body needs to eat less to maintain the weight loss they just achieved. The weight-loss industry has much to lose financially and continues to create new plans and programs to keep us hooked.

We need to find a way of eating and active living that works for us. We need to learn what our body needs on an individual basis. Our ancestors ate foods they found in nature. With stores so fully stacked we need to realize that just because food is plentiful it does not mean we should eat all we can.

Looking at what is available, we should ask ourselves whether it is working to our benefit or detriment. Is it feeding the body or only filling the stomach? We should look at food as the basis of healthy living, giving it the place it had before we became too rushed to eat a wholesome breakfast before heading out the door.

We need to look at eating meals at the table more often, rather than in the car while on our way to work or when dropping off our children at school. Maybe we are eating too fast to give our bodies the chance to break down and digest the food the way nature intended.

Eating healthy and maintaining a healthy weight should not require a science degree or a list of different plans or programs that are hard to maintain.

Look at what you are doing right and find where you can make small changes. Create a plan that works for you and include whole foods: lots of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Let your body respond the only way it can when it receives all the nutrients it needs to function, with a healthy weight, fewer health problems, more energy and optimal health.

In the end, the best diet is the one you can stick to in the long term.

Kitty Clemens is a board-certified practical holistic nutritionist and professional cancer coach.

Read this article:
Healthy Living: Which diet is best? - Powell River Peak

Thank God flexitarianism is among the diets that work.

It is dedicated to those who are interested in going vegetarian, but are not yet determined to say goodbye! to meat forever.

Flexitarianism is ranked in the top 10 diets when it comes to efficiency.

In short, the flexitarian diet is a mix of two concepts: flexible and vegetarian.

Beyonce and Jay-Z fell in love with the flexitarian diet and said it out loud: this diet works!

Flexitarians weigh 15% less than those who prefer a carnivorous diet, have a lower rate of heart disease, diabetes and cancer and live, on average, about 3,6 years longer than those who eat meat products.

It encourages you to add more veggies to your daily menu. Even if those who embrace this trend are advised to replace the meat with protein-rich foods such as tofu, beans, nuts, seeds and eggs, meat is not completely prohibited.

You can add meat to your menu, from time to time, and no one will ever mind.

There is, therefore, a fixed schedule, the 3-4-5 type, which requires you to eat a breakfast of 300 calories, a 400 calories lunch and a 500 calories dinner, choosing from the accepted food groups.

Youre also allowed two snacks during the day, 150 calories each, making sure the total number of calories consumed during the day does not exceed 1,500, for women, and 1800-2000, in what concerns men.

Original post:
The flexitarian diet is so popular this year: see why all the celebrities love it - Stck Nws US

Eating Disorders Awareness Week is there to do what it says on the tin. And awareness about eating disorders has grown throughout my career. Indeed eating disorders have become synonymous with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa - two devastating mental health problems that call for as much attention as they can get. But both are actually fairly rare. And while I struggle to find people who haven't heard about anorexia and bulimia, I rarely meet anyone aware of other eating disorders.

Picture a child sitting at a table, cutlery in hand and food in front of them. Yet no matter what the parent says or does, gentle bribery, cajoling, threats of 'an early bed', the child simply won't eat. Nearly all parents go through the annoying phase when their child refuses to eat. It usually starts at two. Professionals call it the 'food neophobic' stage of child development. This is normal. Nothing to worry about.

Avoidant/Restrictive food intake disorder or ARFID is actually more common than anorexia and bulimia. It typically starts before the age of five and lasts until adulthood. You've probably at least heard about both children and adults with ARFID, but perhaps known it by another name. The 'picky eater'. But it's a misleading term. What most people call a picky eater is actually a bunch of three separate problems. Two of these are normal. One is a psychological disorder. The term 'picky eater' trivialises the everyday struggle faced by people with ARFID and those around them.

ARFID generally starts between two and five, the same age children hit the food neophobic stage. The difference is the child with ARFID does not 'grow out of it'. Children at this stage generally refuse new foods in favour of things they're familiar with. Although frustrating, the child eats and doesn't lose weight. But children with ARFID tend to avoid and restrict their food, leading to weight loss or nutrient deficiency. They restrict their diet to sometimes only two or three foods that they deem to be safe. Most often these are foods high in fat, sugar and/or salt. And it damages their health.

A child with ARFID often just looks like they are being naughty at mealtimes. They may refuse to follow the adults' requests, run away from the kitchen or dining room and fidget around the table. Again, nothing unusual.. But children with ARFID do this nearly, every time food is put on the table and generally lasts for years. This is when well-meaning people dish out advice. The 'been there, done that' mantra is meant as support. As an eating behaviourist professional and a parent, I can safely say ARFID children are different.

The things that get most children through the food neophobic stage, simply don't work, or more accurately will not work in the same time frame, for children with ARFID. Parents of children with ARFID are desperate to stop the behaviour, desperate to get their child to eat and desperate to have a 'normal' food neophobic child. If anything, they can offer other parents advice. They've almost certainly tried everything. Worst of all, parents of children with ARFID are often publically blamed and sometimes shamed for their child's apparent willfulness.

In more than 10 ten years working with children with ARFID, it is very rare that anything the parents did or do caused the problem. They are not at fault. ARFID is an eating disorder. The child is anxious about food, may have experienced a traumatic event with food or find different tastes, smells or textures of food offensive. The behaviour stems from their interaction with food and has little to do with what the parents have or have not done. ARFID stays with the child. It does not get better with time and harms children's health.

Next time you see that child across the table playing up and refusing to eat, 99 times out of 100 it is just a phase. But alarm bells start to sound if their behaviour does not improve by 6 years of age and especially if the child starts to lose weight. It might be that 1 in 100 case of ARFID. This is when it's crucial to get professional advice to improve the child's diet. When you see that child with ARFID, understand that it is not the parents' fault and your advice has likely been tried, tested and failed. For parents of children with ARFID, that frustrating phase all parents went through is a daily reality, with no signs of improvement.

The road to recovery from ARFID is possible, but is likely to need specialist support. Several specialist centres across the world are available and can help. And I hope this spurs your interest just enough to find out more about other eating disorders beyond those you think you already know about. ARFID is just one. There are others. Disorders like pica and rumination also appear to have lower public awareness than anorexia and bulimia. Maybe it's time to find out more.

Read more from the original source:
The Children's Eating Disorder More Common Than Anorexia And Bulimia - Huffington Post UK

Food allergies are no joke when dining out. Can you trust the kitchen? Is there cross-contamination? Then theres the dreaded I have food allergies five-minute conversation with every new server. All this can put a damper on your culinary experience.

But these five restaurants in Los Angeles aim to change all that. They cater to food allergy sufferers and welcome you with open arms. Guests are graciously cared for with special protocols and accommodating chefs. Food allergies dont have to stop you from dining out anymore. At these restaurants, go ahead and indulge safely with an adventurous palate just like everyone else at the table.

Fine dining at its best, this beloved Beverly Hills gem just went through a stunning renovation. Its mouthwatering re-imaginedmenu created by Executive Chef DavidCodney has a Mediterranean flair and a focus on local producers and wild-caught seafood. Guests with food allergies regularly dine at The Belvedere because whatever youre dealing with, the kitchen is at-the-ready. Even the menu is created to easily adapt to food allergies. Guests are seated near the kitchen for easy communication. And a chef will come to your table to discuss your needs even create a unique dish just for you.

ChefCodney says, Whether its dairy, soy, wheat, or meat, we adhere to all dietary restrictions; we even have dedicated pans and blenders to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. He wants all guests to feel safe and cared for. At the end of the day, he assures, I have two main concerns our guests safety and their satisfaction.

In the food allergy world, word gets around where its safe to enjoy a fine dining experience. The Belvedere is at the top of the list. A few must-try dishes are the arugula with oven roasted eggplant and Ras El Hanout vinaigrette, gluten-free almond flour pappardelle with stewed tomato and basil, and mussels with white wine, parsley, and chili flakes. And dont forget dessert. Executive Pastry Chef Stephanie Boswells masterpieces receive actual applause. Dining at The Belvedereis as safe as it is delicious. You just make your next reservation while still at the table.

Amie Valpone, food allergy sufferer and author of Eating Clean says, Restaurants are often full of inflammatory foods that make me feel achy and bloated and give me an awful headache. But not at True Food Kitchen! With a few locations throughout Los Angeles, the menu followsDr. Andrew Weils anti-inflammatory diet so youre already ahead of the game. General Manager Beth Centlivre, wants guests to feel unabashed about discussing their food allergies. She says, Most restaurants view modifications or allergies as an inconvenience because its extra effort or because it ruins the integrity of the dish. Our chefs create a recipe and build a dish with ingredients that can be enjoyed by everyone. And if youre tired of having the same food allergy conversation over and over again with new servers, keep a customer file of all your dietary restrictions.

True Food Kitchens commitment to clean cuisine isnt just because of food allergies. Executive Chef, ChefJordan Herigstad explains, Our bodies werent meant to be fed chemical and pesticide-ridden foods. Processed foods and ingredients that are genetically modified have negative effects on our bodies natural ability to heal and protect itself.

Try the gluten-freebutternut squash pizza, chia seed pudding ( no nuts dairy, wheat, eggs, or soy) and the nutritionally-dense kale salad. Delicious!

Back under James Beard nominee and Barilla Academy Master ChefExecutive ChefMirko Paderno, Culina is a hotspot of traditional Italian fare with an LA twist. A favorite amongst vegans and the clean-eating crowd, Culina is happy to adapt its menu to fit any food allergy or dietary preference. Here, discussing your dietary restrictions (even preferences!) is never an embarrassment. On the contrary, servers encourage it and flag tickets for the kitchen. Depending on the severity of the food allergy, a manager will come to your table and discuss safe dining options. Dont leave without trying Culinas roasted beet and watercress salad, its raw fish menu, and famous Kitchen Sink vegan ice cream.

Famed for its affirmationbased menu, Cafe Gratitude prides itself on clean and green eating. Featuring a 100% organic, plant-based, and seasonal menu this is asolid start for anyone with food allergies. But if doubt, consult the Cafe Gratitudes Book of Knowledge (available online and in the restaurant) that provides a detailed ingredient list for every menu item and a multitude of alternative menus based on dietary restrictions. Also, a manager will come to your table to discuss your needs and offer an honest assessment depending upon the severity of the food allergy about what is be safe to order. A few must try dishes are the Whole Macrobiotic Bowl, Elated Mole Abuelita Enchiladas, and any desert. Cafe Gratitudeis quite famous for their scrumptious vegan desserts. Just remember to ask about which contain nuts!

The latest creation of plant-based pioneerMatthew Kenney is a hip lunch spot, where you can nosh on innovative concept dishes that burst with flavor. Its casual but vibrant dining showcasing raw and vegan cuisine. Dedicated to a healthier nutrition-based diet, Matthew Kenney NM also makes it easy for those with food allergies to enjoy dining out again. Transparency is key as servers will go over every ingredient with you to ensure you order just the right meal. Make sure to try the citrus truffle salad, cobb wrap with coconut bacon and sesame ginger kelp noodles.

Be clear.To focus on the quality of the food, we need to know if its a serious allergy or a strong dietary preference. Unfortunately, this is not always clear.ChefCodney

Avoid salad Bars and buffets People are using the same spoons and tongs to reach into different foods and cross-contamination is likely. Aime Valpone

Call ahead.The best thing a guest can do is inform the kitchen of any requirementsbeforethey arrive. This ensuresthat wehave more time to come up with something and potentially source alternative ingredients. ChefCodney

Always ask.We take pride in how serious we cater to food allergies. I love being able to look at a guest and say that its no problem at all. Beth Centlivre

Create your own meal: Ask the chef to create a meal for you with a lean protein (beans, legumes), gluten-free whole grains (black, brown, wild rice, quinoa), a healthy fat (avocado, olive, coconut oil, nuts and seeds), and lots of veggies. Aime Valpone

Related on Organic Authority

103 Best Organic Wines to Try in 2017Why Italians Really Love their Extra Virgin Olive OilWhy to Never Fake Food Allergies

Images via The Belvedere, Matthew Kenney NM, True Foods, Cafe Gratitude, Culina

Author, journalist and publishing consultant, Donna Sozio has been featured in 200+ media outlets including the Tyra Banks Show, Early Show, Fox News, Good Day LA, Seventeen Magazine, Yahoo! Personals, Match.com, Lavalife.com, EcoSalon.com, OrganicAuthority.com and many more. Her books The Man Whisperer (Adams Media) and Never Trust a Man in Alligator Loafers (Kensington) were Amazon.com bestsellers, had TV/Film options and were translated into German, Portuguese and Czech.

Read the rest here:
5 Must-Try LA-Based Food Allergy Friendly Restaurants - Organic Authority

Renal and Urology News

Advanced CKD Patients May Benefit From Dietary Therapy Renal and Urology News These findings strongly suggest that dietary therapy can be used to safely delay (for up to several months) the need for chronic dialysis in selected patients with pre-ESRD, the authors wrote. ... Renal diets need to be crafted to avoid protein ... and more »

Original post:
Advanced CKD Patients May Benefit From Dietary Therapy - Renal and Urology News

A Florida man told police that his dog shot his sleeping girlfriend.

I believe it.

Normally, Im skeptical of elaborate explanations of seemingly simple events.

The undisputed facts seem clear: Brian Murphy, 25, was sharing a Jacksonville house with his girlfriend, Summer Miracle, who while sleeping in their bed late one night last month, woke up with a burning sensation in her right leg, which turned out to be a bullet wound.

Its Murphys gun. There are no intruders or other people to blame.

Ergo: Murphy must have shot his girlfriend.

Not so fast. Theres another mammal to account for in the house: Murphys dog, Diesel.

Am I saying that the dog shot the woman? Absolutely.

This is Florida.

As a student of dog-perp shootings in Florida, Ive already placed the shooting of Summer Miracle on my blotter of Fido firearm carnage.

Lets see, theres Jerry Allen Bradford, the Pensacola man who was shot in the wrist with his own gun 13 years ago by a German shepherd puppy he was holding in his other hand. Then theres a Lee County woman who was shot six years later by another dog that reached for her gun.

Two other Florida men Billy E. Brown, in Pasco County, and Gregory Dale Lanier, in Highlands County were both shot by their dogs in 2011 and 2013.

In both cases, the men were driving pickup trucks with loaded weapons on the seats, and their dogs simply walked on the trigger of the guns, shooting both men in their legs.

So it happens. Weve got lots of guns and lots of er, well Whats the kind word here? Floridians.

Which is why I believe Murphys explanation to police; That after taking Diesel for a late-night walk, the dog bounded into the bedroom, and got its paws on the loaded handgun on the beds nightstand. A round went off and it struck his girlfreind.

Perfectly plausible for Florida. And thats not just me talking.

Two years ago, The Washington Post did a survey of shootings committed by dogs. It turns out that about once a year, a dog in America will shoot a person. According the newspapers data, the four aggravating factors for predicting dog-perp gun violence are:

(a) happened while hunting (b) happened in car (c) happened in boat, and (d) happened in Florida.

Florida appears to be home to several more of these accidents, the story pointed out.

Yeah, and theres no telling how many times it was never reported because the dog shot and missed, or the human victim was too embarrassed to phone it into 911.

Yeah, my dog shot me. No, Im not kidding My dog. Yes, my dog. Whats so funny? No, I wont say it again for the speaker phone. Never mind.

So I have a simple regulatory fix.

The courts have finally ruled that Florida legislators cannot write laws that prohibit pediatricians from asking their patients whether they have guns in their homes, and if so, whether those firearms are safely stored out of the reach of children.

State lawmakers, with a lot of cheerleading from the NRA, had passed a law, now deemed unconstitutional, that made it illegal for doctors to ask their patients about guns and the potential safety hazards they might pose on themselves or their children.

The First Amendment ensures that doctors cannot be threatened with state punishment for speech even if it goes beyond diagnosis and treatment, said last months 10-1 opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta.

Could a state legislature prevent a doctor from explaining the risks or benefits of a vegan diet? Or prevent a doctor from explaining the risks or benefits of playing football? the court asked. This type of thought experiment should give us pause.

With the Florida Legislature properly castigated in this so-called Docs vs. Glocks case, its time for Floridas veterinarians to take the next step.

Yes, a Rovers vs. Revolvers or maybe Canine v. Tec 9 bill that encourages Florida veterinarians to advise the owners of their furry patients about the potential dangers posed by dogs and guns.

Any questions? Just ask Ryan Murphy and his wounded girlfriend.

See original here:
Cerabino: Doggone it. It's happened again in Florida. Fido's got a gun! - MyPalmBeachPost

New Delhi: Prunes are dried plums and possess numerous health benefits. They are packed with minerals and vitamins that contribute to good health.

Prunes are high in fiber, which helps prevent hemorrhoids brought on by constipation a common problem in older adults.

To help you make better, healthier choices, nutritionist Rohini Saran tells us more about this fruit as she debunks some myths around prunes.

Myth: All plum varieties can be dried and made into high-quality prunes.

Fact: There are a variety of plums and while some sources report that any plum may be used to make prunes, Del Monte - a manufacturer and marketer of processed foods, primarily canned vegetables, fruit and tomato products says it ensures that its product are high quality prunes by using special high-sugar plum varieties with optimal qualities needed to produce a good prune.

Myth: Its good for older men and women.

Fact: Prunes are packed with various vitamins and minerals like vitamins A (beta carotene), K, potassium and dietary fibre with added benefits of antioxidants. It can be consumed by both children and adults of all ages. Research suggests that eating a daily recommended dose of 100g or 10-12 prunes may be useful in digestive, bone and dental health in adult men and women. They can be eaten as a simple dried fruit snack or used in a variety of recipes, including salads, entrees, jams and desserts.

Myth: Prunes can only be eaten in winters.

Fact: Prunes can be eaten all through the year. In fact, it should be consumed daily in moderation to keep the gut happy. Prunes act as a great snack that help you curb your desire to binge eat.

Myth: Prunes are not good for people with diabetes.

Fact: Unprocessed, unsweetened prunes have a relatively low glycemic index and high dietary fiber content. Even though prunes are a good source of energy, they do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar levels. However, for diabetics moderation is the key and excessive consumption should be avoided.

Myth: Dried plums (prunes) cause diarrhoea.

Fact: Prunes are known for their natural laxative benefits and help to maintain regular bowel movements. They are a natural remedy for constipation. Prunes consumed in moderation can be safely eaten and included in your diet in the long term.

So, keep a pack prunes handy for a power packed day. You can have them early morning to kick start your day or have it in the evening as an instant snack when feeling drained out.

Follow this link:
Prunes: Health benefits, myths and facts - Zee News

Eating an "inflammatory diet" as a teen may increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, a new study suggests.

Researchers studied women who, as high schoolers, had consumed diets thought to increase levels ofinflammation in the body. Results showed that these women were more likely to develop breast cancer as adults prior to menopause, compared with women who ate a different type of diet as high schoolers.

Women who consumed inflammatory diets during their 20s, 30 and 40s were also at increased risk ofbreast cancerbefore menopause.

An inflammatory diet is one that's low in vegetables and high in sugar-sweetened and diet soft drinks, refined sugars and carbohydrates, red and processed meats, and margarine, said study researcher Karin B. Michels, an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health. Consuming these foods has been linked to higher levels of markers of inflammation in the body, Michels said.

"Our results suggest that a habitual diet that promotes chronic inflammation when consumed during adolescence or early adulthood may indeed increase the risk of breast cancer in younger women before menopause," Michelssaid in a statement.

Many factors affect a woman's risk of breast cancer, including her genetic predisposition to the disease, as well as other demographic and lifestyle factors. The new study suggests that an inflammatory diet may be another factor that affects women's risk of the disease, Michels said.

For the study, the researchers analyzed information from more than 45,000 female nurses who began the study when they were ages 27 to 44, and were followed for 22 years. Every four years, the women answered questions about their current diets. In addition, when they were ages 33 to 52, they were asked to complete a survey about the types of food they ate in high school.

The researchers gave each woman's diet an "inflammatory score," with higher scores indicating diets that, in previous studies, have been linked with higher levels of inflammation in the body.

Women were then divided into five groups based on the inflammatory scores for their high school diets. Those in the group with the highest score were 35 percent more likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer, compared with those in the group with the lowest score.

The researchers also performed a similar analysis using the women's inflammatory scores for their diets in adulthood (when the women were ages 27 to 44). This analysis found that those women with the highest scores were 41 percent more likely to develop premenopausal breast cancer, compared to those with the lowest scores.

The researchers did not find a link between an inflammatory diet and the risk of breast cancer after menopause.

It's important to note that the study found only an association between an inflammatory diet and the risk of breast cancer, and cannot prove that this type of diet caused the women's breast cancer. In addition, the study asked women to recall the diets they ate in high school, and some people may not have remembered their diets very well, which could affect the results, the researchers said.

The study was published March 1 in the journal Cancer Research.

Original article onLive Science.

See the article here:
How your teen's diet could affect her breast cancer risk - Fox News

Mayor Ed Murrays tax would exempt diet drinks, and data show it could place a heavier burden on the people the tax is supposed to help. The tax would apply only to sugary beverages, and for a 2-liter bottle of Coke, it could add $1.35 to the cost.

Mayor Ed Murrays proposed tax on sodas exempts one kind of soft drink more typically favored by an affluent, educated and white population in Seattle and beyond: diet drinks.

The 2-cents-an-ounce tax would apply only to sugary beverages, such as regular sodas, energy and sports drinks, and bottled teas and coffee that are sweetened with sugar. For a 2-liter bottle of Coke, the tax could add $1.35 to the cost.

Money raised estimated at $16 million per year would be used to support various programs aimed at reducing disparities between white students and black and Latino students.

But this proposed tax could also place a heavier burden on the very groups its aiming to help.

Market data show significant racial and ethnic differences in patterns of consumption between sugar-laden beverages and their artificially sweetened counterparts.

When surveyed by research firm Nielsen Scarborough, 70 percent of Latinos and 66 percent of blacks in the Seattle area said theyd consumed a sugar-sweetened soft drink in the past seven days, compared with just 54 percent of whites and 56 percent of Asians. This disparity is consistent with national data.

Regular consumers of sugary drinks are also poorer and have lower levels of education, on average.

But diet drinkers have a very different demographic profile.

Asians and whites consume artificially sweetened beverages at a slightly higher rate than blacks or Latinos.

Adults who regularly drink sugar-free sodas are more likely to have a college or graduate degree, and theyre also a lot wealthier. In the Seattle area, they have a median household income more than $10,000 higher than that of folks who favor sugary drinks.

The survey data also showed the Seattle metro area ranks very low for the rate of consumption of sugary drinks 75 out of 77 markets.

According to Benton Strong, a spokesperson for the mayor, the proposed tax is intended to have a public-health benefit. Sugar-laden drinks have been identified as a major cause of obesity and type 2 diabetes, so the tax could act as a deterrent.

But if the assumption is that diet drinks are a healthier choice, the evidence increasingly suggests they are not.

Many researchers now say that drinking diet soda does not help with weight loss, and could in fact contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes, just like regular sodas. There are more questions than answers regarding the long-term effects of consuming these artificial sweeteners, but there is enough concern for the Harvard School of Public Health to conclude: Diet soda may not be a healthy substitute for sugary soda.

In January, a soda tax similar to the one proposed for Seattle went into effect in Philadelphia the first in a major U.S. city. But there are a couple important differences.

Philadelphias tax is a little lower, at 1.5 cents per ounce, but it is also broader, applying to both sugary and diet soft drinks. The approach spreads the burden more evenly among racial and income groups.

According to Strong, the city will analyze the proposed taxs impact on racial equity before releasing the final plan.

Read more here:
No soda tax for diet drinkers? Seattle's plan excludes drinks favored by rich and white - The Seattle Times