Category Archives: Lose Weight Fast

The hormonal changes of menopause sees many women gain more weight around the abdomen rather than hips and thighs. But, hormonal changes alone dont necessarily cause menopause weight gain. Instead, the weight gain is usually related to ageing, as well as lifestyle and genetic factors. With some small changes, weight loss can be achieved. Express.co.uk spoke to Claire Jones, founder of YourOneLife Healthy Weight Solutionsand she explained how changing the times you eat can impact your body shape.

Claire discussed intermittent fasting, and whether meals times can impact weight - either allowing you to eat more or restricting you to lose weight.

Yes meal times can impact but again its a very individual thing, she said.

Intermittent fasting is a very simple way of reducing the amount of calories we consume in a day, without changing too much else, and can be very effective.

But only if we dont end up eating more during the eating window.

READ MORE:Letitia Dean weight loss: Soap star drops 4 dress sizes with new diet

The 5:2 diet is when you consume only 500-800 calories on two nonconsecutive days of the week, and eat normally the other five days.

Research has shown intermittent fasting is an effective way to manage weight.

Claire added: Its important not to get over-hungry as this is more likely to result in eating too fast, and so overeating, which will also impact on digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Knowing your own limit and when fasting needs to end is important, as is when not to do it, such as missing breakfast before strenuous exercise.

READ MORE:One British habit Kate Middleton likely avoids for a slim figure

It doesnt suit everyone, she added.

I encourage people to read up on it and get advice about whether its a suitable approach for you.

Eating late at night is not ideal as it will interfere with sleep, which will interfere with our mood and choices the next day - when we are tired and grumpy we reach for the comfort foods.

Claire also shared some tips when eating.

My book has practical tips Ive been using myself to manage my weight well for more than a decade now, she explained.

It contains suggestions like making sure we are hungry when we eat, tricks we can employ to reduce the volume like eating more slowly, using a smaller plate, smaller cutlery, being aware of where calories can hide, that sort of thing.

Its not just what and how much we eat, but how we eat, that matters.

This means we dont need to overhaul everything all at once, but can make gradual changes that are not stressful, and that we can easily accommodate.

[In turn] we are more likely to see it through and get the results that we want.

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Eating late is not ideal! Best time to have dinner to lose weight during menopause - Express

Lorraine Kelly, 62, found herself developing a habit of "mindlessly eating" plates of biscuits during lockdown which caused her to pile on the pounds

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Lorraine Kelly makes Alan Partridge joke to Richard Madeley

Lorraine Kelly has said she is feeling better than ever after reaching her goal 1.5 stone weight loss goal.

The television presenter, 62, has dropped two dress sizes from a 14 to a size 10 and says she's "feeling happier and healthier".

Lorraine turned to WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers, after she found herself developing a habit of "mindlessly eating" plates of biscuits during lockdown which caused her to pile on the pounds.

"I comfort ate and would just find myself hovering around the biscuit tin and the fridge for all sorts of goodies. Me and Steve would have a massive, big chocolate plate every night," she told the Express.

"It started off quite small but ended up being huge! I was going through packets of biscuits and unhealthy grub. I wasn't doing as much exercise and mindlessly eating, just eating for the sake of eating. Now Ive got much more of a balance."

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Lorraine said she found it "dead easy" dropping the pounds by walking 10,000 steps a day with her beloved dog Angus as well as switching up her diet.

"It isnt a stupid, silly diet because diets dont work, as we know. Its just about making little changes. We all know what is good for us, we all know what we are supposed to eat, so it is about getting that balance right", she said.

Lorraine insisted she isn't "bored or miserable" with the changes and enjoys having a spicy vegetable soup for lunch three days a week as well as treating herself to a biscuit or two with a cup of tea.

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The TV host previously opened up about her weight gain as well as her journey to lose it again.

"During the pandemic, I started comfort eating and that was my downfall comfort eating and not being able to go to my fitness classes," she told the Mirror.

"When those classes stopped I started eating far too much it was things that I would probably never bother with. Like I wanted muffins, I wanted croissants, I wanted doughnuts.

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"All of these things that you know you shouldnt be having and you think its making you feel better at the time and it doesnt. And so slowly, slowly, slowly over the past couple of years, Ive gone from a size 10 to a size 14"

Back in March celebrated losing a stone on Instagram and has gone on to drop even more pounds, reaching her weight loss goal.

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Lorraine Kelly reveals 1.5st weight loss was 'dead easy' and is 'feeling happier' - The Mirror

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight and obesity as: abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

Worldwide, obesity rates have almost tripled since 1975, and they are still increasing. In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined obesity as a BMI of 30 or higher and stated that 42.4% of adults in the United States had obesity. In 2019, 27% of males and 29% of females in the U.K. had obesity.

Obesity increases the risk of many health conditions, among them:

Many people find it challenging to achieve and maintain a moderate weight. The National Institue for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a weight loss injection for use in the U.K. by the National Health Service NHS). However, the U.K. regulatory bodies have yet to fully approve the treatment. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the treatment last year.

The drug, semaglutide, brand name Wegovy, mimics the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which the body releases after eating. The treatment makes people feel fuller, so they do not get so hungry and eat less.

In a 2021 trial, 1,961 adults with a BMI over 30 (mean 37.9) were allocated in a 2:1 ratio to treatment with semaglutide or placebo. The treatment group self-administered weekly injections of 2.4 milligrams (mg) of semaglutide; the control group received a placebo in the same way.

The trial was double-blind neither the participants nor the researchers knew which group each other was in.

All those taking part in the trial also followed a reduced calorie diet and increased their physical activity. They received counseling sessions every 4 weeks to help them maintain the lifestyle changes.

The results were striking. In the treatment group, participants lost, on average, 14.9% of their body mass over the 68 weeks of the trial. Those receiving placebo reduced their weight by 2.4% on average.

Kristin Kirkpatrick, a registered dietitian nutritionist at the Cleveland Clinic, told Medical News Today she welcomed the results: Any advance to help individuals to reduce their risk for common chronic conditions is a good thing.

Just over half of those in the treatment group lost more than 15% of their body weight compared with 4.9% of the placebo group. People in both groups reported some mild to moderate side effects, such as diarrhea, flatulence, and indigestion.

However, despite these side effects, none of the participants discontinued the treatment.

Semaglutide has been recommended for only some people with obesity, as many can achieve and maintain a moderate weight through diet and exercise.

NICE recommends that specialists prescribe the drug for people who have a BMI of more than 35, and at least one weight-related health condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or coronary heart disease. They may prescribe it to people with a BMI lower than 35 in exceptional circumstances.

NICE also states that a specialist must prescribe the drug as part of a weight-management program and for a maximum of 2 years.

Could the drug be an alternative to bariatric surgery for losing weight? Dr. Mir Ali, bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, told MNT he was not convinced: No medical treatment options have been shown to be as effective, either short or long term, as surgical weight loss for those who meet criteria for surgery.

Experts question whether this drug is a long-term solution for those trying to achieve and maintain a moderate weight. One trial participant, who lost 22% of her body weight during the trial, found that her appetite returned once she stopped the injections, and she is gaining weight.

Now that I am no longer taking the drug, unfortunately, my weight is returning to what it used to be. It felt effortless losing weight while on the trial, but now it has gone back to feeling like a constant battle with food. I hope that, if the drug can be approved for people like me, my [doctor] will be able to prescribe the drug for me in the future.

All weight-loss strategies require sustained lifestyle changes; otherwise, most people will regain most, if not all, the weight they lost. If there is a shift to thinking of obesity more like a chronic disease, such as diabetes or hypertension, then better long-term medication options need to be developed.

Dr. Mir Ali.

Kirkpatrick echoed these concerns: What I would like to see is the long-term data on long-term weight loss maintenance. Many of the patients I see need to not only change the way they are eating, but they need to change their relationship with food as well. Weight loss is hard, but keeping it off can be even harder.

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Weight-loss shot may safely treat obesity, overweight

This beautiful diva and her drastic weight loss left B-town and fans amazed. The actress shared in one of her interviews "I used to be 86 kilos; I used to wear size 38. Right now, fitting into a size 30 is a big achievement.

Parineeti Chopra followed a strict diet and learnt Kalaripayattu which is a martial arts form from Kerala. She replaced all foods with brown and organic substitutes and followed a detox programme. Her breakfast included a glass of milk, brown bread with butter, two eggs- white portion only, juice followed by lunch which was a simple desi meal along with brown rice, green salad and green leafy vegetables. Lastly, her dinner will leave you surprised as she often had chocolate shakes or low calorie meals to lose weight.

Disclaimer: All these details have been extracted from social media and celebrity intervoews.

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This what Bollywood divas eat to lose weight quickly for their movies - Times of India

words Al Woods

Spontaneous weight loss in the face is a problem for many people. The truth is, we cannot lose weight only in the face, and there are several factors that cause this to happen.

Its not unusual for someone with extra pounds to lose weight unevenly through the body some say it tends to start first in the face where they are looking very tired or even sick.

If youre wondering why this happens, dont worry. There are numerous reasons for this to happen and some may seem really surprising for you, so keep reading.

Usually weight loss is a positive change in your life, though there are some exceptions.

Here are some potential causes of fat loss in the face:

Aging is a very common reason for facial fat loss. We lose muscle mass and skin tone when we get older. The face is also particularly susceptible because it contains more fat th

an other parts of the body.

This loss of muscle mass in combination with decreased bone density can cause sagging skin and wrinkles, giving an aged appearance, so it is common to lose weight in the face.

Changes in hormone secretion can cause us to gain or lose weight, but its most common for women to experience this type of weight loss. This is because they are susceptible to hormonal changes caused by birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause.

Stress is a common cause of weight loss in the face. Once you experience a stressful time, cortisol levels can increase and cause us to lose weight. This type of weight loss is the most difficult to combat because it is psychological as well as physical. However, every problem has some ways out, so you may try to find a solution for this situation.

When you eat improperly, the body does not receive all nutrients. That is why you should be aware of the foods you consume. If you are eating more than 2000 kcal per day and do not get enough protein in your diet, then it will be difficult for your face to retain its shape.

Another cause of facial weight loss is sun exposure. The UV rays found in sunlight can damage the skin cells, causing them to die more quickly, which then causes dehydration and sagging. That is why you should always use sunscreen for both your face and body.

In addition to weight loss, too much cardio can cause your face to look sunken and gaunt because you lose a lot of muscle. This is why the exercise plans provided by BetterMe have a healthy balance of cardio, weight lifting, and proper nutrition so you can achieve the best possible results.

Smoking can also cause you to lose weight in the face. The chemicals found in cigarettes and tobacco affect collagen production, which reduces fat storage, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. If youve been thinking about quitting smoking but havent been able to do so, this might be a good reason for you to finally kick those cigarettes to the curb.

Certain medical conditions can cause weight loss in the face. These include diabetes, hypothyroidism, and Cushings syndrome. Always talk to your doctor if you feel that you have a weight problem or any symptoms, which may indicate a medical condition. Do not try to treat your condition by yourself because it may lead to severe consequences and cost you even more health damage.

Read our tips for maintaining a young and healthy face:

Protein is essential to the production of collagen and will help your face retain its elasticity. When we dont get enough protein, our bodies break down muscle mass and use it for other functions, one of which is fueling metabolism.

A high protein diet comprises meats, seafood, legumes, and dairy in moderation.

Collagen supplements can help with collagen production and the regeneration of skin tissue. You may also use cosmetics with these ingredients that boost collagen production:

If you are eating less than 2000 calories per day, your body will go into starvation mode, which means it starts to break down muscle for energy instead of fat, causing weight loss in the face.

A lack of sleep has been shown to weigh down the face with dark circles and wrinkles. Get 7-9 hours of sleep every night and you will see positive changes.

UV rays are very damaging to the skin. Use sunscreen when youre outside and keep your face covered with a hat or scarf when you know youll be exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time.

These tips will help you maintain a healthy weight on your face. If youre not getting results from them, then you should see a doctor because the cause could be something more serious than improper nutrition or lack of sleep.

DISCLAIMER:

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional advice or help and should not be relied on to make decisions of any kind. A licensed physician should be consulted for the diagnosis and treatment of any medical conditions. Any action you take upon the information presented in this article is strictly at your own risk and responsibility!

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Why Am I Losing Weight In The Face: The Real Reason Behind It - Flux Magazine

For people looking to lose weight, it can be hard to know where to start. Not only are there scores of commercial weight loss programmes to choose from, theres also plenty of confusing and contradictory weight loss advice to be found online or in magazines.

But the best person to help you lose weight may actually be your family doctor, as our recent review showed. We found that weight loss programmes delivered by general practitioners (GPs) and their teams can help people lose weight and reduce their waist size.

We also found that people were able to maintain their weight loss even after two years.

To conduct our review, we looked at 27 studies with data from 8 000 people. There was a lot of variation in the weight loss programmes offered by GPs. Some studies involved participants who only had one short advice session with a doctor, while others involved multiple visits with their GP.

The length of the programmes also varied from three months to three years.

Most sessions were conducted in person, while some were done over the phone or online. In some studies, nurses, dietitians and health coaches also gave weight loss advice to participants.

The advice GPs gave to participants usually included education about increasing physical activity and reducing calorie intake through self-monitoring. Sometimes weigh-ins and feedback was also included to motivate patients.

Some studies also had GPs give patients specific diets or structured workout plans.

We found that, after a year, people who received help from their doctor lost an average of 3.7kg 2.3kg more than people who did not receive help from their GP. While this difference in weight loss may seem small, even losing 2%-5% of body weight can have a range of health benefits, such as improved blood sugar levels.

We also showed that people who lost weight with help from their GP kept around 80% of it off when followed up two years later.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, we found that the more contact a person had with their GP the better. Patients who saw their GP at least 12 times during the programme lost the greatest amount of weight.

We also found that the two programmes that had the greatest weight loss in a 12-month period were those that used a total diet replacement plan. Total diet replacements involve replacing foods with a number of formula products such as shakes and provide between 800-1200 calories per day.

These are mostly used in people with high sugar levels to try and reverse type 2 diabetes. However anyone with obesity may use them to lose weight quickly.

The third best programme involved weekly sessions for the first six months, followed by monthly sessions for 18 months thereafter. For the first month, participants were given prepackaged foods and meal replacement shakes. Replacement of foods may be easier to stick to at first as participants dont need to decide what foods to make.

Our findings indicate that having the right kind of help and advice can make it easier for people to stick with a weight loss programme and keep this weight off long term. We know from other research that having a weight loss plan can help people lose weight better than those who follow self-guided programmes.

We know from other research that commercial weight loss programmes (such as Weight Watchers or Slimming World) can also help participants lose between 0.8kg and 2.7kg on average in a year compared to those who didnt attend such a programme.

While these programmes may be moderately successful in helping people lose weight, the downside is that theyre often conducted in a group setting, may only be offered in more populated communities, and be costly, all of which could be off putting for some people.

But almost everyone has access to a GP, which may be another reason why weight loss advice given by them can be helpful for people looking to lose weight. Research also shows that having a trusting relationship with your GP may also make treatments such as weight loss programmes more successful.

In the future we are going to look at whether these programmes are effective for different ethnic groups, genders and people that live in deprivation. Many studies dont report some of these characteristics so we must make sure we are reducing inequalities by offering these programmes.

An important consideration in all of this is that doctors are already overworked - and often dont have the time to deliver weight loss programmes. But our study also showed that advice given by a member of the GP team - such as a nurse or health coach worked just as well.

If youre someone looking to lose weight, the best weight loss programme is the one youre likely to stick with. But speaking with your GP may helpful, especially if you dont know where to get started.

Claire Madigan, Senior Research Associate, Centre for Lifestyle Medicine and Behaviour, Loughborough Universityand Liz Sturgiss, Senior Research Fellow, Monash University

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

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Weight loss advice from GPs really can help people slim down and stay that way new research - News24

23 June 2022 DAVID CLAYTON

If youre someone whos thought about losing weight or has wanted to get healthier in the past few years, youve probably come across these two words: intermittent fasting. From celebrities to fitness enthusiasts, intermittent fasting has many thousands of loyal advocates online, claiming this way of eating has helped them lose weight better than other diet methods have.

Its easy to see the appeal of intermittent fasting as a weight loss method. Not only is it simple, its also flexible, can be adapted easily to every person, and doesnt require you to eliminate foods or count calories. But despite its popularity, intermittent fasting may not actually be better than other diet methods when it comes to weight loss.

PICTURE: nehopelon/iStockphoto

To date, numerous studies have shown intermittent fasting is as good as counting calories when it comes to weight loss including a recent study, which tracked participants for more than a year.

This has even been shown with many different types of intermittent fasting, including alternate-day fasting (where you fast or restrict calories every other day), 5:2 dieting (eating normally five days a week, then fasting or restricting calories for two days) and time-restricted eating (where you eat all of your days calories within a set time window, such as only eating during an eight hour window, then fasting for 16 hours). But no studies have yet shown intermittent fasting to be any better than conventional diets.

Intermittent fasting reduces the amount you eat, but it may have a downside. It both reduces the amount of physical activity we do, and reduces how hard we push during exercise.

This is true regardless of the type of intermittent fasting you do. This suggests that when calorie intake is substantially reduced even for a short period of time the body adapts by reducing the number of calories used during exercise. Researchers arent entirely sure why this happens, however.

While this may not necessarily affect weight loss, lower physical activity levels can have other negative effects on health. For example, a recent alternate-day fasting study found that even just three weeks of this diet reduced physical activity levels and led to a greater loss of muscle mass than a daily calorie restriction diet. The fasting diet was also less effective than daily calorie restriction for fat loss.

Muscle mass is crucial for many reasons, including regulating blood sugar levels and staying physically able as we get older. So diets that cause muscle loss are best avoided. However, combining intermittent fasting with exercise programmes such as resistance training may help people better maintain lean muscle mass while encouraging fat loss.

Are there other benefits to fasting?While intermittent fasting might not be a miracle solution when it comes to weight loss, that doesnt mean it might not still have other health benefits.

A recent review on intermittent fasting found that it improved blood pressure, insulin sensitivity (how effectively the body regulates blood sugar) and lowered cholesterol levels to a similar extent as daily calorie restriction.

It is likely this effect is due to weight loss. But since few studies have followed participants for longer than a year, its hard to know whether the these effects persist.

Some research also suggests how you fast may also be key. A number of studies have shown promising results from early time-restricted eating, which involves eating all your days calories in the early part of the day and fasting in the evening, usually from 4pm onwards. Eating early in the day aligns food intake with our natural circadian rhythms, which means nutrients are processed more efficiently.

Early time-restricted eating has also been shown to improve several markers of health, such as insulin sensitivity, which is a key risk factor for type 2 diabetes. These improvements were even seen without weight loss.

Theres also evidence that outcomes from the 5:2 intermittent fasting diet can be improved by positioning the two very-low or no calorie diet days consecutively. This may lead to improvements in insulin sensitivity greater than what would be seen when practising daily calorie restriction.

This might be due to spending more time in a fasted-state, which increases the amount of body fat you burn. Interestingly, exercising while fasting may also help you burn more fat and improve insulin sensitivity.

So while intermittent fasting might not be better than other diets for weight loss, making changes to how you do it such as fasting in the evening may help you see other health benefits.

For people who struggle to stick with calorie restriction diets, intermittent fasting is safe and may still be effective. Its also worth noting that its best to combine intermittent fasting with exercise to experience the best results.

David Claytonis a senior lecturer in nutrition and exercise physiology atNottingham Trent University.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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Health Insight: Is intermittent fasting actually good for weight loss? Here's what the evidence says - Sight Magazine

There may be no such thing as a free lunch, but there are plenty of cheap lunches. Fast food is everywhere. Whether you're in the heart of a city or driving along a remote lonely highway, one thing remains the same: The golden arches are always nearby.

For better or worse, fast food is an undeniable component of Western cultureand diets. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 36% of U.S. adults ate fast food on any given day between 2013 and 2016. Fast forward a few years, and fast food actually became even more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. A drive-thru window is that much more enticing when indoor dining is a potential health risk.

The pandemic effect shows no signs of slowing either. If anything, the demand for fast food in the U.S. continues to grow. The first quarter of 2021 saw fast-food restaurants enjoy a 33.06% increase in customer traffic.

It's easy to explain why fast food is so popular. It's convenient, affordable, and in most cases, tasty too. It also largely transcends income brackets. A study published in the journal of Economics & Human Biology, which analyzed eating habits among 8,000 Americans of various income levels, found negligible differences in fast food consumption. Across all income levels, 79% of subjects ate fast food at least once per week.

Of course, there's also a dark side to fast food. The detrimental health effects of eating this highly processed stuff on a regular basis are well-documented. Taste and convenience today set the stage for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease tomorrow.

Besides the obvious nutritional concerns, fast food has also been linked to a number of surprising and unexpected negative side effects. For example, a study published in Psychological Science reports a connection between exposure to fast food and impatience. Another research project published in Public Health Nutrition found that people who eat fast food are 51% more likely to feel depressed.

Fast food may even drain your brain. One study released in Clinical Pediatrics found that eating more fast food was associated with lower academic grades in middle school.

Starting to rethink today's lunch plans? We're just scratching the surface. Keep reading to learn five unappetizing truths about the fast-food industry.

Research released this spring by Consumer Reports discovered high levels of chemicals called PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the wrappers and packaging used by several national fast-food chains.

PFAs are also known as "forever chemicals," because they don't break down in the environment, instead persisting for thousands of years. These chemicals are known to build up in animals, the environment, and even people.

"We know that these substances migrate into food you eat," Justin Boucher, an environmental engineer at the Food Packaging Forum, a nonprofit research organization based in Switzerland, told Consumer Reports. "It's clear, direct exposure."

The health effects of PFA exposure still aren't totally clear, but the CDC already calls PFAs a "public health concern." Various research projects have linked PFAs to fertility problems, developmental issues in children, increased cancer risk, and weakened immune responses.

In the fast-food world, PFAs are used to stop grease and water from soaking through wrappers and packaging. After testing 118 food packaging products sold in the New York tri-state area in 2021, researchers report some of the top PFA offenders were Nathan's Famous bag for sides, McDonald's fry bag, Chick-fil-A's sandwich wrapper, Taco Bell's chip bag, and Arby's cookie bag.

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Over the years, various fast-food chains have introduced healthier menu options like salads and fruits. One might assume that means fast-food menus are healthier today than decades ago, but that doesn't appear to be the case. As time goes on, fast food is becoming more and more unhealthy.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Scientists at Boston University analyzed the menus of ten popular fast food chains in 1986, 1991, and 2016. They discovered that most fast-food entres, sides, and desserts contain far more calories and sodium nowadays than they did in the 1980s or 1990s. Portion sizes have increased as well. There may be more menu options, but overall nutritional quality of fast food continues to decline.

"Our study offers some insights on how fast food may be helping to fuel the continuing problem of obesity and related chronic conditions in the United States. Despite the vast number of choices offered at fast-food restaurants, some of which are healthier than others, the calories, portion sizes, and sodium content overall have worsened (increased) over time and remain high," says lead investigator Megan A. McCrory.

PFAs aren't the only chemicals you should worry about when it comes to fast food. We've already covered "forever chemicals," now let's move on to "everywhere chemicals."

Phthalates are a group of man-made chemicals used to make plastics more durable. They're called "everywhere chemicals" because they're found in a wide array of products such as shampoos, soaps, vinyl flooring, and toys. Importantly, phthalates are also used in food packaging and food processing equipment.

Similar to PFAs, they've been linked to a number of health issues such as autism, cancer, and neurodevelopmental problems.

What does this have to do with fast food? Research conducted at George Washington University in 2021 and published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found that phthalates and other plasticizers are widespread in fast-food dishes.

Some phthalates have already been banned in certain products, so manufacturers use "replacement plasticizers" instead. The only problem with that is these replacement chemicals are woefully understudied. We don't know what effect (if any) they're having on people upon exposure.

"We found phthalates and other plasticizers are widespread in prepared foods available at U.S. fast-food chains, a finding that means many consumers are getting a side of potentially unhealthy chemicals along with their meal," said lead study author Lariah Edwards. "Stronger regulations are needed to help keep these harmful chemicals out of the food supply."

The study authors analyzed 64 menu items (fries, pizza, burritos, etc.) from six different fast-food restaurants. The specific names of the brands weren't included, but researchers note their work included common burger chains, pizza chains, and Tex-Mex chains. All in all, 81% of examined fast-food samples contained a phthalate called DnBP, while another 70% contained the phthalate DEHP. Meanwhile, 86% of studied foods contained the replacement plasticizer called DEHT.

Why is fast food covered in phthalates? Researchers explain the chemicals often make their way from food-handling gloves, conveyor belts, and tubing into fast foods.

Fast-food commercials make burgers, wraps, and sides look absolutely mouth-watering. No fast-food burger on TV is soggy or sloppedly put together. The reality of fast food, however, is often disappointing.

In fact, the more you peel back the curtain on the world of fast food, it becomes clearer and clearer that things are rarely as they seem. For instance, did you know that Ireland ruled Subway's bread can't legally be called "bread" due to excessive sugar levels? It sounds like a fake headline, but it's true. The overall sugar content of Subway's bread is 10% of the weight of the flour.

Another example: The vast majority of "grill marks" seen on fast-food burgers and sandwiches are fakes, burnt on by a rotary brander, not an actual grill.

That being said, let's give credit where credit is due. Burger King is one of the few fast-food brands that isn't lying when they say they flame-grill their beef (but it may be lying about the size of its Whoppers). Chick-fil-A menu items also feature real grill marks.

A recent poll from the University of Michigan reports one in five U.S. parents admit their kids are eating more fast food these days in comparison to the pre-pandemic days. But children had been begging mom and dad to stop at the drive-thru long before 2020.

Historically, the fast-food industry has always targeted children via the use of toys, colorful advertisements, and collaborations with popular media properties. And that's not even mentioning the children's play areas built into fast-food locations. It isn't a stretch to say the entire industry is catered toward kids.

One study published in PLOS ONE concludes fast-food ads aimed at children emphasize prizes and movie tie-ins far more than food.

Another report, also published in PLOS ONE, even found that children's fast-food advertising often contradicts its own self-regulatory guidelines laid out by the Better Business Bureau. Food marketing geared to kids is supposed to emphasize healthy options, but after watching a few McDonald's and Burger King commercials intended for kids, a group of children could barely remember anything about the ads except the toys. The young participants only recalled healthy foods shown in the ads, such as fruit and milk, less than 10% of the time.

Recent research published in BMJ Nutrition Prevention & Health also reveals that McDonald's appears to be purposely targeting and focusing on children living in low-income countries. Scientists found that the chain's Instagram advertising campaigns in lower-income nations feature more child-friendly posts, giveaways, and price promotions. Conversely, lower-income countries also get fewer Instagram marketing posts depicting healthy habits.

"As social media use grows, fast food companies' social media ads may have unprecedented effects on dietary options, especially in lower-income countries," the study concludes. "By targeting certain subsets through child-targeted ads and price promotions, McDonald's social media ads may exacerbate healthcare issues in the most vulnerable countries in the world."

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5 Truths About the Fast-Food Industry That Will Make You Lose Your Appetite Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

ITV presenter Lorraine Kelly has shared the secret to her weight loss after dropping two dress sizes.

Lorraine, who has her own self-titled breakfast show every weekday, has shared her one and half stone weightloss with fans, saying that she feels "happier and healthier" for it. She decided to lose weight after putting on the pounds during the Covid lockdown. The 62-year-old told how she started comfort eating during the pandemic and it saw her go from a size 10 to a 14 slowly over two years, reports WalesOnline.

She told how the weight gain made her lose confidence and she ended up missing events. Speaking to The Mirror earlier this year, she said: ""During the pandemic, I started comfort eating and that was my downfall comfort eating and not being able to go to my fitness classes. When those classes stopped I started eating far too much it was things that I would probably never bother with.

READ MORE: We tried cheaper Kellog's Corn Flakes from supermarkets - and a 50p box won

"Like I wanted muffins, I wanted croissants, I wanted doughnuts. All of these things that you know you shouldnt be having and you think its making you feel better at the time and it doesnt. And so slowly, slowly, slowly over the past couple of years, Ive gone from a size 10 to a size 14"

She added: "Ive definitely not got as much energy, as the more you do the more energy youve got and the classes really gave me that."

Lorraine decided to sign up to WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers, to help her along her journey. She told fans on Instagram that she has now reached her goal weight and couldn't be happier. She told her 494k followers: "GOAL REACHED! Lost one and a half stone!Feel healthier and happier Thank you @ww.uk and @wwsuzystirfry."

Celebrity Ambassador Coach Suzy Stirlin was among those to congratulate Lorraine, telling her thousands of followers: "oweeee! What a day! Please join me in congratulating @lorrainekellysmith for getting to Goal and reaching WW GOLD STATUS!!! "Lorraine has dropped 21lb resulting in two dress sizes from a size 14 to a comfortable 10. I think youll all agree with me that she looks amazing.

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ITV's Lorraine Kelly shares incredible weight loss that's left her feeling 'happier and healthier' - Lancs Live

When you want to lose weight, it makes sense to approach it with a combo of eating well and exercising regularly. But, of course, in order to make healthier habits stick, they have to feel right for you. If youre not into sweating buckets on a stationary bike or treadmill, its understandable that you'd want to try something like yoga for weight loss. Sure, yoga is all about finding your spiritual center and mind-body connection, but it's also a type of workout and can help you burn calories.

Yoga may provide some benefits with regard to weight loss, says Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, an obesity medicine physician and associate professor of medicine and pediatrics at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. And research backs this up. Yoga appears to be most beneficial for weight when paired with a behavioral intervention for weight management, she says, citing a 2021 study showing that this practice combined with a calorie- and fat-reduced diet could help with weight loss.

Also, yoga can also improve cardiorespiratory fitness in addition to promoting weight loss, notes Dr. Stanford. Research has also linked yoga to keeping the weight off after you lose it.

But how effective it is for weight loss really depends on the type of yoga, says yoga instructor Alli Bradley of Private Yoga Soho, adding that there are a lot of different types. If people are looking for yoga as a weight loss tool, I suggest Vinyasa and less of a restorative type of yoga, just because its more active, she explains. It builds more heat and muscle.

Meet the experts: Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in obesity medicine. She has received many awards for her work, including from the American Medical Association and American College of Physicians. She holds a teaching position at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

Alli Bradley provides private yoga lessons that combine several styles, including Vinyasa and restorative yoga. She completed 200 hours of yoga training at a studio in New York City, and is also trained in dance, somatics, and energy healing.

Yoga has a lot going for it, but there are a few particular aspects of the practice that make it good for weight loss.

It burns calories. Its hard to put an exact number on how many calories yoga torches, given there are so many different practices are out there and how different each class can be. But Dr. Stanford says you can maybe expect about 120 calories for a 30-minute session. Overall, yoga burns less calories than many forms of exercise, she says. However, higher intensity sessions with a longer duration may burn more calories. Keep in mind, though, that if weight loss is your goal, you should do other workouts on top of yoga. The type of exercise that has the highest likelihood to promote weight loss is high-intensity interval training, she says.

It busts stress. Stress causes your body to store fat, particularly in the midsection, Dr. Stanford says. Exercises that promote mindfulness like yoga can help lower levels of stress and can help you maintain or lower your body fat, according to a 2011 study in the Journal of Obesity. Yoga is considered a mindful practice that reduces stress, says Dr. Stanford.

It can help with your sleep. Being mindful and less stressed can improve your sleep, Dr. Stanford points out, and that leads to better regulation of the pathways of the brain that regulate weight. People who regularly slept less than the recommended seven hours a night were more likely to have higher average body mass indexes and develop obesity than those who slept more, per 2018 research published in the journal BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine.

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You actually dont need a lot. Bradley suggests getting a high-quality yoga mat, i.e., one that provides enough cushioning for your body so you can comfortably work through moves without sliding around. You may also benefit from having a block and strap to help you if you have tight hamstrings or hips.

Finding the right yoga class and instructor for you is individual. Many towns and cities have local studios, but you can also find yoga classes online that you can stream, like on the Peloton app. Ultimately, it may take a little trial and error for you to find a source that you love.

Yoga is a series of poses strung together to help create an experience, but some are better for building muscle and weight loss than others. Bradley recommends adding the following to the mix to help you out.

Again, if youre interested in trying yoga for weight loss, its usually best to pair it with another form of exercise, like HIIT. But adding yoga to the mix could help you lose weightand get a healthier mindset in the process.

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Yoga For Weight Loss: Does It Really Work? - Women's Health