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Every decade brings new trends, like big hair in the '80s, grunge music in the '90s, and low-rise jeans in the early 2000s. The same thing happens with the food that we eat. There are some old standbys, but in public consciousness, different dishes are always cycling in and out of popularity and there's a whole new crop of food trends that are poised to take over this year (see ya later, juice cleanses and cake pops!).

In 2020, we predict you'll see food trends leaning away from indulgence and into a more health-minded space and with promises like better gut health and higher nutrient-density, adding these so-called healthy foods to your diet may sound like a no-brainer. But not all dishes, ingredients, proteins, and vitamins are created equal. Some of these foods either make grandiose claims, lose their nutritional value in the way that they're made, or are more popular than they are good for you (or all of the above).

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1Mocktails

Sober curious? You're not the only one. About 66% percent of millennials said that they are making a conscious effort to reduce their alcohol consumption, according to a Nielsen study. Companies like Curious Elixirs are leaning into the trend with booze-free cocktails.

"Giving your body a break from alcohol can help naturally detox and also cut down a considerable amount of calories," says Stefani Sassos, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at the Good Housekeeping Institute. "If you are choosing mocktails, just be mindful of sugar and try to have something with a club soda base."

RELATED: 7 Major Dry January Health Benefits, According to Experts

2Plant-Based Proteins

There's no doubt that plant-based proteins like Beyond Meat and the Impossible Burger have a pretty positive environmental impact. The synthetic meats go a long way in terms of sustainability, but when it comes to how good they actually are for you. The waters start to get a little murky.

"When comparing nutrition facts, many of the trending plant-based burgers (i.e. Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat) arent much different than a standard 80/20 beef burger," says Sassos. "Youre not saving any calories or saturated fat by eating these plant-based burgers, and many of these varieties are highly processed." So, if you're judging on sustainability, these burgers are great. But when it comes down to their actual health benefits, they're not much better for you than the real thing.

RELATED: A Nutritionist Weighs In on the Impossible Burger

3Korean Food

Korean cuisine had a surge in popularity last year in the US and is poised to be one of the most popular cuisines this year, according to Yelp. One dish to look out for? Kimchi. Fermented food like kimchi can be a great source of probiotics. "Filled with healthy probiotics, kimchi and other probiotic-rich foods can help replenish the 'good bacteria' in your gut," says Sassos.

RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Probiotics, According to Experts

4Oat Milk

With oat milk, it all depends how you drink it. If you're looking for something creamy to sweeten your coffee in the morning, and you're trying to steer clear of almond milk, oat milk is great choice for your heart. "Oats are super heart-healthy and contain beta-glucans, which can help maintain normal cholesterol levels," says Sassos. However, compared to other plant-based milk alternatives, it has minimal protein and fiber.

RELATED: The Best Milk Alternatives to Pour in Your Coffee

5Ube

If you haven't heard of this one, you will. Dubbed by some as the new matcha, the Filipino yam is high in nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and the antioxidant anthocyanin, which is responsible for its picture perfect hue. The Instagram-favorite ingredient is actually one of the fastest rising searches, according to Yelp. But before you get too excited, this pretty purple dessert is not necessarily better for you than any other ice cream flavor. "Oftentimes, ube is combined with sweetened condensed milk, cream, or sugar, which defeats the purpose of eating this pretty tuber," said Sassos.

6Kombucha Beer

One of last year's biggest crazes was kombucha. Like kimchi, the beverage is fermented, and therefore full of natural probiotics. So this boozy version may sound like the best way to consume alcohol. But if you're thinking of your gut health, you might be better off just sticking with regular kombucha. "The probiotics used to make alcoholic kombucha are either killed or removed before theyre packaged, so consumers arent reaping any of the benefits that health-promoting bacteria could provide," says Ali Webster, PhD, RD, the Associate Director of Nutrition Communications at the International Food Information Council.

RELATED: The 4 Best Health Benefits of Kombucha, According to Registered Dietitians

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6 Food Trends That Are Going to Be Everywhere in 2020 Health Food Trends - GoodHousekeeping.com

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How to Biohack Your Brain and Boost Your Business

Alisa Vitti believes it's time women start using their biological rhythm to their advantage. She says, "The myth that we're hormonal, or that our hormones are a liability, is part of an old, misogynistic narrative that isn't actually based on the scientific facts."

Shesays most women are in tune with their monthly menstrual cycle, but they might not know there is asecond monthly clock called the infradian rhythm, which she explains is just as important as the daily circadian rhythm for maintaining our health. "Ignoring our infradian clock actually makes us sick, overwhelmed, and tired," she adds. "Most research in health and fitness is actually done on MEN and is not appropriate for women. For example, if you do HIIT interval training at the wrong time, you actually trigger fat storage. Most diets that work well for men dont work over the long-term for women because our metabolism changes twice per month!"

Vitti has dedicated her life's work to understanding how the female body operates, educating women about their hormones anddisrupting menstrual healthcare.A pioneer of female biohacking and founder of the period-positive platform @floliving, Vitti has released her latest book,In the FLO. She says, "This book shows us how mainstream health plans, self-care routines, fitness regimens, and time management schedules, and even the power morning concept, are all founded on a system that only optimizes male biology, and leaves out the specialized and cyclical needs of women."

Related:How to Biohack Your Brain and Boost Your BusinessHow This Entrepreneur Overcame Depression When Self-Help Didn't WorkThe Entrepreneur's Diet for Success and Brain-Boosting Performance

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How to Biohack Your Brain and Boost Your Business - New Haven Register

We all need more vegetables in our life, but including them in our core three meals is easier said than done. As it turns out plant-based diets actually work the best when an individual drafts their own guidelines around unique health needs and objectives.

A plan that encourages plant-based meals while allowing room for animal products on occasion is alternatively known as the Flexitarian diet.

Helping Ladders navigate the specifics of an optimal Flexitarian diet is the expertise ofSergeyYoung, founder of the Longevity Vision Fund.

For years Young has dedicated his assets, network connections and global research community toward developing affordable and scientifically proven wellness habits. His self-professed mission is to fund the next phase in the longevity revolution.

In Youngs estimation, the first step begins with debunking the falsehoods keeping too many people from breaking away from their toxic dietary habits.

Young explains to Ladders, You dont need to stick to a vegan or vegetarian diet to reap the health benefits. Focusing on getting the majority of your calories from plant foods without excluding animal products completely will have a positive impact on your health. Some nutrients like EPA and DHA are best obtained from fish, seafood, and eggs.

According to the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Diet Rankings, the regimen Young intimates above is one of the healthiest and easiest to follow of all the many plans currently circulating the diet sphere.

Lowering your intake of processed meats will dramatically improve cognition, reduce your risk for developingType 2 diabetesandheart disease, help regulate weight gain and boost longevity as a consequence of the previously mentioned attributes.

More than the rich sources of energy and protein provided by lean meats like chicken and omega-3 rich sources like fish, allowing room in any regimen for foods you enjoy makes any plan that much more sustainable over time.

With a Flexitarian diet youre getting the macro-nutrients you need from organic sources most of the time but when you want to have maybe a piece of grass-fed steak or even just a piece of steak at a restaurant, or you want to have eggs, you can. It allows room for these other kinds of food without being so hardcore, dietitian Keri Glassman recently told Ladders.

One of the critiques lobed at plant-based diets the most often claims that it isnt plausible to get the majority of the daily calories needed from plants. While its true that even the most balanced plant-based regimens are not as calorically dense as other plans, this isnt necessarily a bad thing.

Young continues, Habits common among areas where people live the longest include a reduced calorie intake and fasting and a25-year study in monkeysfound that eating 30% fewer calories than normal led to a significantly longer life and less age-related diseases. Even if your calorie requirements are higher, youre still able to get enough from other calorie-dense foods like sweet potatoes, nuts, and oils.

Of course, calorie intake is much more about where youre getting your calories than it is about how many calories youre consuming day to day. Protein is the nutrient most often lamented by those skeptical of taking on a plant based diet.

Although not as packed with amino acids, proteins obtained from plants actually contain more nutrients and fiber than protein derived from animal sources.

Tofu (contains about 10 g of protein per cup), lentils (cooked contains 8.84 g of protein per cup) and chickpeas(7.25 g per cup) all on their own sufficiently fuel vegan bodybuildersa group with a protein demand significantly higher than yours and mine.

Make no mistake, its not enough to limit meat intake and increase plant consumption in order to boost longevity. the source matters a great deal. Variety is key to any diet plan.

Local, farm-grown and organic produce nurtured without the use of pesticides, manmade fertilizers or genetic modifications is more nutritious than non-organic commercial foods, Young informed Ladders. Superfoods like maca, spirulina, goji berry, etc. might be marketed as nutritional powerhouses but food variety is even more important than its nutritional density. Its important to make sure you eat a full rainbow of fruits and vegetables for a balanced and varied diet.

Longevity is bolstered by a panoply of physiological factors: optimal brain health, metabolicregulation, weight management, cellular vascular health, cardiovascularhealth, and emotional stability. Every one of these requires balance, especially when it comes to our diet.

Although there arent many studies that have been done on this topic,there appears to be a link showingthat plant-based diets can influence brain function positivity through altered microbial status and systematic metabolic alterations. However, despite the positive effect of plant-based diets on brain health, there is a risk of these diets creating a deficiency in the essential brain nutrient cholinewhich is why some proportion of eggs and other animal-based products must still be kept in your diet, said Young.

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Longevity expert says these are the foods you must eat to add years to your life - Ladders

When I was a young veterinarian, many moons ago, I had a patient named Heidi. A quintessential Island Lab. Short, stocky, sensible. An all-around great dog. When I first diagnosed her with diabetes mellitus, her elderly owner was overwhelmed. I cant give shots every day, he protested. Cant we control it with diet? Unfortunately, diabetic dogs really need insulin injections. I convinced Heidis dad to try, and he soon discovered it wasnt difficult. Pet owners often have these questions and reservations. This month Im working with both a newly diagnosed diabetic cat and a dog. Right now, both need insulin. Canine Lassie will need insulin the rest of her life. Feline Jennyanydots might ultimately go into remission, meaning we might eventually be able to control the disease with dietary management alone. Why are cats different from dogs? Well, first lets review diabetes basics.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder caused by an absolute or relative insulin deficiency. When animals eat, the body digests food, breaking it down into simple sugars (glucose) that are absorbed into the blood. As blood sugar rises, an organ called the pancreas responds by secreting insulin. Insulin is a hormone that works like a courier, transporting sugar molecules from the blood into the cells, where it can be utilized to fuel the body. Without sufficient insulin, sugar cannot get inside the cells where it needs to go. The animal eats and eats, but loses weight. High blood sugar makes her feel thirsty. She drinks and drinks, and pees and pees.

So why isnt Heidis pancreas making enough insulin? There are three types of diabetes mellitus. In Type III, some other illness, such as Cushings disease, interferes with insulin activity. Relatively uncommon, Type III may resolve with treatment of the underlying disease. Type II diabetes afflicts many of us chubby, sedentary baby boomer humans. It is also the most common form in cats. Often triggered by obesity, as well as genetics, the body becomes resistant to insulin, requiring increasing work from the pancreas, until it just cant keep up with the demand. In people, Type II diabetes can often be controlled with diet, exercise, and oral medication. In cats, it is best to start with insulin injections along with diet changes. If aggressive treatment, including insulin, is begun soon after diagnosis, up to 60 percent of cats will eventually be able to stop insulin and maintain with just diet. But without fast, aggressive intervention, remission rates drop to 30 percent.

Dogs are different. Dogs are almost always Type I insulin-dependent. Thought to be an autoimmune disease compounded by genetic and environmental factors, the immune system gets confused and attacks the pancreas, destroying the cells that produce insulin. Treatment invariably requires daily insulin injections. In people, Type I used to be called juvenile diabetes, because typical age of onset ranged from infancy to early 30s. In dogs, Type I diabetes usually occurs in middle-aged to senior animals. Breeds predisposed include German shepherds, beagles, schnauzers, cairn terriers, Samoyeds, and poodles. Juvenile onset is rare, but more common in golden retrievers and keeshonden. Females are more often affected than males (although the reverse is true in cats). I talked to both Lassies and Jennyanydots owners. Youre going to take over the job of her pancreas by giving insulin injections, I said. A normal pancreas responds to blood sugar fluctuations, constantly adjusting insulin output. We make do with just two injections daily, starting with low doses, then monitoring to adjust. Both pets need a predictable diet fed on a specific schedule. Because cats are usually Type II, choice of food is very important. Cats fed only canned food with less than 7 percent carbohydrates have much higher remission rates. For dogs, diet is less of a factor, though low-carb, high-fiber food will keep blood sugar more level throughout the day.

Ideally, each pet will come into the hospital periodically for a glucose curve, during which we check blood sugar every few hours throughout the day to assess when the insulin effect peaks, and whether to increase or decrease the dose. At home, clients can monitor in various ways. One easy way is testing urine glucose with a dipstick. Normal urine does not contain glucose, but when blood sugar is elevated, glucose spills into the urine. By testing urine sugar levels, we can get a rough idea of how well blood sugar is being controlled. Too little insulin is a problem in the long term, but too much insulin can be rapidly fatal, causing hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which manifests as weakness, staggering, vomiting, incoordination, seizures, coma, and sometimes death. Nowadays, owners sometimes learn how to test blood sugar at home with a Glucometer. Pricking the ear or footpad to yield a drop of blood, owners can measure pets blood glucose at home. Although not approved for use in animals, some veterinarians are trying continuous glucose monitoring devices marketed for people. These devices are implanted on pets backs, allowing owners to take blood glucose readings without having to obtain blood samples. If blood sugar drops too low, the pet needs to be fed immediately, or even given a dose of concentrated sugar, such as Karo syrup.

Jennayanydots and Lassie have started on insulin. We will rely on a combination of in-hospital and at-home monitoring while getting them regulated. It is always a steep learning curve for both owners and pets, but in general I find both humans and animals soon get the hang of managing their diabetes. Heidis owner did brilliantly for a year, but when the old Lab developed cataracts and went blind, a common sequela to diabetes, it was just too much for him. We discussed euthanasia, but I had gotten so attached to the old girl, I took her home myself. It gave me useful, firsthand experience dealing with the day-to-day challenges of owning a blind, diabetic pet. More important, it gave me a wonderful year of companionship with a truly special dog. Thanks, Heidi. I hope Jennyanydots and Lassie do as well.

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Visiting Vet: Diabetes and your pets - Martha's Vineyard Times

Given the choice between mealworms and melons, the Smithsonians National Zoos sloth bears6-year-old female Remi and 5-year-old male Nikowill almost always choose the former, even when their diet is presented to them in the form of a photo. Animal keepers at the Zoos Asia Trail exhibit are the first to confirm that sloth bears can recognize 2D images as representations of 3D objects, a discovery that can enable institutions that exhibit and breed this species to better manage and enrich the lives of individual animals in their care. The findings of this study were published Jan. 26 in the journal Animal Cognition.

Now that we know that sloth bears can make the connection between a photo of food and diet items that they are familiar with, we can use this information to give the bears more choice and control over how they spend their day, said Stacey Tabellario, Asia Trail keeper at the Smithsonians National Zoo and the papers lead author. Applying what we have learned from this cognition study, we can present the bears with photos of their enrichment items or their habitats to learn even more about their preferences. We are always looking for ways to increase our animals wellbeing, and this is a great opportunity for Niko and Remi to have a say in the way we manage them.

To determine whether the Zoos sloth bears could identify 3D objects by looking at 2D photos, animal keepers chose food as the studys subject, knowing that the bears would be familiar with the choices presented and that viewing the images would elicit a behavioral response. Sloth bears have a long snout, flexible lips, nostrils that can close and large lung capacity. The bears use their lips like a vacuum, blowing dirt and debris away to uncover insects, then sucking them up to consume them.

To determine which foods the bears preferred, keepers presented Niko and Remi with 25 and 34 foods to choose from, respectively, and the bears would blow at the item to indicate which food they preferred to eat. At the conclusion of this step, keepers narrowed down the options to six high-preference foods and six low-preference foods per bear.

In the wild, insectsmainly ants and termitescomprise the majority of the sloth bears diet, though they have been documented eating seasonal fruits, honey, carrion and farm crops. At the Zoo, Niko and Remi receive a comparable diet that includes a variety of insects, fruits, vegetables, nuts, bear chow (kibble) and cereal.

Nikos top six favorite foods included almonds, mealworms, leaf-eater biscuits, raisins, prunes and grapes. He was least fond of orange, mango, omnivore kibble, butternut squash, turnip and banana. Remis most preferred foods included mealworms, raisins, prunes, pecans, Brazil nuts and cheerios. She showed the least amount of interest in oranges, honeydew melon, omnivore kibble, broccoli, celery and zucchini.

Keepers then printed high-resolution photos of each food option, which the bears had not seen prior to this study, and held up two images at a time. Niko and Remi looked closely at the photos, assessed each image and blew on the option they preferred. According to keepers, Niko and Remi made their decision in a matter of moments, and quickly indicated their preferences when a food in the high-preference category was presented. Both sloth bears selected mealworms as a preferred food, as well as nuts, prunes and raisins. At the opposite end of the spectrum, omnivore kibble and orange were some of the least desirable foods.

As a sloth bear keeper, I see evidence of Niko and Remis intelligence, communication, problem-solving skills and even their sense of humor, Tabellario said. For the first time, we have data to support what those of us who work closely with this species know to be truethat these animals are remarkably intelligent, and it is worth delving deeper into their cognitive abilities. The information gathered in this study will help influence not only the way we at the Smithsonians National Zoo manage these bears, but could also help other institutions that care for this vulnerable species.

Sloth bears are not related to sloths but were given that moniker by English settlers who named them due to their dark, shaggy coat and long claws. Native to India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, sloth bears are considered vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fewer than 20,000 remain in these countries due to habitat destruction and increased agricultural activity.

# # #

Photo 1 Caption: The Zoos 6-year-old female sloth bear, Remi.

Photo 2 Caption: The Zoos 5-year-old male sloth bear, Niko, carefully considers two photographsof almonds and mangobefore indicating to keepers which food he would prefer to eat.

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Sloth Bears Recognize 2D Images as Representations of 3D Objects Smithsonian's National Zoo Cognition Study Finds - Smithsonian's National Zoo and...

If you're looking to cut down on carbs or just want a fun way to eat more veggies, then it's probably time you invest in a spiralizer. A spiralizer will turn your fresh veggies into faux noodles (you know: zoodles). But you can spiralize way more than just zucchini.

Spiralizer Ultimate Vegetable Slicer

$29.97

The Spiralizer Ultimate Vegetable Slicer has seven blades that make it capable of spiralizing anything from beets to bell peppers. You can swap out the blade to customize the noodles you're prepping, whether you want a finer angel-hair like shred or something a little curlier to make fries with.

This spiralizer also comes with four recipe e-books, so that you'll never run out of veggie-inspired meals to make.

The product has over 4,500 reviews, but people couldn't stop mentioning how this spiralizer's been a game-changer for their diets.

This customer on the keto diet said the tool helped her flex her cooking skills.

Another reviewer mentioned how the machine helped him keep up with his vegetarian lifetstyle.

"As a vegetarian many of my calories come from veggies (or at least they should :)), but they get fairly dull to eat in their original form or diced. By putting them into noodles seems to really do the trick when it comes to making them even better!"

Other people raved about how much fun they had using the machine, including this customer who compared the spiralizer to a pencil sharpener.

"Spiralizing hard items such as sweet potatoes and zucchinis are an ease. In fact, it's so easy that my 3 and 6-year-old can do it. The only thing I can compare it too is that is has the same motion as a mounted pencil sharpener, but has less friction and hesitance. It feels more like the motion of turning the pencil sharpener when there is no pencil in it."

If you want to upgrade your kitchen counter space, the spiralizer's available on Amazon for $29.97. Go ahead and live your best spira-life.

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This Keto-Diet Approved Spiralizer Has Over 4,500 Positive Reviews on Amazon - Women's Health

Another NFL player is hyping up his speed, and this time he wants his talent to take him to the Olympics.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill said during a press conference for the Super Bowl on Monday that after the season hed like to try qualifying for a spot on the Olympic track team. The 25-year-old was a high school All-American in 2012 on the track, and Hill even participated on track teams in college at Garden City Community College and Oklahoma State in addition to playing football.

That speed often shows up in games, as the wideout blows by defenders for home-run touchdownsscoring seven touchdown this season in 12 games. Though these wheels are lethal against NFL defenders, they may not be as dangerous when stacked up against the likes of top U.S. sprinters like Michael Norman, Noah Lyles, and Christian Coleman.

The thing is, I weigh like 195 right now. Back in high school, when I ran a 9.9 (-second 100-meter dash), I was like 175. So it would be me changing my whole diet that Ive been doing to get to where I am now, Hill told Pro Football Talk.

Hill himself dropped a 4.28 at his pro-day before the 2016 NFL Draft.

[Run faster, stronger, and longer with this 360-degree training program.]

It would likely take much more than cutting weight to reach his goal of the Olympics because hes been off the track for a few years. Right now, the fastest times in the world are in the 9.7 range for the 100-meter dash. (Coleman won the 100 in the world championships last summer in 9.76 seconds.)

Theres no doubt it would be exciting to pit football stars against the countrys best sprinters, though. It was fun just watching NFL players race in the 40-yard dash tournament this past summer. That was won by former Olympian turned NFL wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, who went to the 2012 Olympic Games for the long jump. He took home $1 million for his efforts.

Even if reaching the biggest stage in track is likely out of reach, hes about to play on footballs biggest stage this weekend at Super Bowl LIV in Minneapolis against the 49ers.

Chiefs fans at least hope to see his speed on full display this Sunday.

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NFL Wide Receiver Tyreek Hill Wants to Run in Olympics - runnersworld.com

From psychic mediums to energy healing and hallucinogenic mushrooms,there are quite a few weird things in Netflixs The Goop Lab. The new series had its first season release in January 2019, with six episodes that dive into supposed treatments and cures that are actually deeply rooted in pseudoscience.

Netflix had partnered with Gwyneth Paltrow to deliver a series that brings her lifestyle brand Goop - particularly, the weird products and treatments her website shills to wealthy and curious customers - to the general public. After all, this is the company that preaches the benefits of coffee enemas, vaginal steaming, and walking around without shoes so you can absorb the earths energy through the soles of your feet.

Related:Netflix Giving Gwyneth Paltrows Goop Lab A TV Show Is Irresponsible

The announcement that Goop had teamed up with Netflix for The Goop Lab had us wondering how much weirder things could get. Oddly enough, the show is pretty mellow by Goops usual standards, but that doesnt mean its any less bonkers! Were looking into the weirdest things youll see in The Goop Lab.

To kick things off, the first episode introduces Goop staff and their audience to the practice of therapy via the ingestion of hallucinogenic mushrooms. The team fly out to Jamaica, where such drugs arent illegal, and drink some tea that quickly has them all lying on the floor, laughing hysterically before falling into fits of sobbing as they revisit traumatic periods in their lives. There is some science behind the use of hallucinogens for controlled mental and physical health benefits, so this isnt the most bonkers thing for The Goop Lab to dive into. Still, the image of all these people embodying the purest clich of getting stoned has its entertainment value.

The controversial guru Wim Hof is front and center in episode 2, preaching his ethos that his breathing techniques and cold exposure therapy can help with all manner of illnesses and mental issues. While the show overlooks the number of deaths connected to this method and the more outlandish claims Hof makes about his work on his website (including that his techniques can be used to treat multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease), it gives full airtime to his theatrics.

Hof acts like an overexcited folk-rock musician most of the time, and the zenith of his zany antics comes when he leads the Goop team in a session of outdoor yoga with at least a foot of snow on the ground, all while the women are in their scantiest bikinis. Its certainly a striking image, although its hard to shake your skepticism about this process when the women all look freezing and miserable while insisting they feel invigorated by this endurance feat.

RELATED:The Goop Lab Promotes A Treatment That's Linked To Multiple Deaths

Perhaps the greatest, most unironically helpful thing The Goop Lab does across its six-episode run is show a whole lot of vulvas. Episode 3 dives into the topic of sexual wellness and destigmatizing female pleasure. Its actually the most interesting and genuinely radical episode of the show as Goops usual snake oil tactics take a backseat to listening to sex expert Betty Dodson give advice on matters such as orgasms. On top of showing a woman have a full-on orgasm, The Goop Lab gives viewers a direct look at the different shapes, forms, and colors of the human vulva. Its extremely rare to see such things in entertainment outside of porn, let alone on Netflix, and it goes a long way to helping tackle the way that womens bodies and desires are scorned and made shameful by society.

In episode 4, Paltrow and her team undertake diet changes and new beauty treatments to see if they can slow down their internal aging process. Alongside a period of intermittent fasting as part of a supposed cleansing diet that consists of as little as 500-800 calories of food per day, Paltrow undergoes a treatment morbidly nicknamed the Vampire Facial. This infamous beauty therapy has been tried by various major celebrities, including Kim Kardashian, who reacted very negatively to it and has admitted she regrets ever trying it. The facial involves the removal of the patients own blood, which is then separated from the plasmaand re-injected into their face. Medical opinions arent exactly united on whether this treatment truly provides the anti-aging benefits it espouses. A New Mexico clinic offering the vampire facial also recently faced a HIV infection crisis through the treatment. The Goop Lab seems to show the treatment more for the novelty value of its name than any possible benefits, since Paltrow doesnt look any different after receiving it.

The Goop Lab episode 5is dedicated to the deeply eyebrow-raising practice of energy healing. Energy healer John Amaral is shown mostly waving his hands over people's bodies without touching them, claiming that this process can help to remove both physical and emotional pain from people. Dancer Julianne Hough turns up randomly as a guest star and devotee of energy healing, and the audience watches as she groans and contorts like Linda Blair from The Exorcist during this intensely loopy process.

The Goop Lab continues to insist that it is merely asking questions and offering viewers an insight into something new, but it's clear from episodes like this that they blindly believe deeply questionable ideas and never push back against the outlandish claims made. Not one mention is made of the placebo effect, which is widely considered to be one of the most active forces in such "healings". There is some benefit to placebos as a way to help people relax and overcome anxiety, but it is not a cure and shouldn't be positioned as such.

By the seasons final episode, The Goop Lab has entirely given up pretenses of vague skepticism and dives headfirst into the truly loopy by offering up psychic mediums as the new cure-all treatment. Laura Lynne Jackson, a self-described psychic medium, offers readings to the Goop staff. Any attempts the show had made to be informative go out the window with this obvious manipulation, and the show's implication that psychic readings, which are essentially cold readings that any critical thinker can do, are equivalent in scientific and medical validity to deep breathing techniques is deeply dangerous.

Its also manipulative when said psychic pretends they have connections to peoples dead relatives. The effectiveness of such supposedly psychic activity is rooted in the Barnum Effect, wherein people are susceptible to believing that the most general descriptions ("Hmm, I sense a letter... A?") apply specifically to them. The entertainment with this episode comes from the one Goop staff skeptic who goes along with the reading and doesn't buy into any of it. They are the true hero of this series.

NEXT:Netflix's Goop Lab Suggests Gwyneth Paltrow Doesn't Believe In It

Arrow Series Finale Ending Explained (& What Happens Next)

Kayleigh Donaldson is a full-time pop culture and film writer from Scotland. A features contributor to Screen Rant, her work can also be found regularly on Pajiba and SYFY FANGRRLS. She also co-hosts The Hollywood Read podcast. Her favorite topics include star studies, classic Hollywood, box office analysis, industry gossip, and caring way too much about the Oscars. She can mostly be found on Twitter at @Ceilidhann.

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Goop Lab: The Weirdest Things In Gwyneth Paltrow's Netflix Show - Screen Rant

Lorraine Kelly is a TV presenter who has been on the small screen for 35 years. Over the years, she made a change that helped her slim down by two dress sizes. The TV host revealed exercise and portion control started her weight loss journey.

Another recent post read: Such a good class as always last night - thanks @maxicise.tv ! Always good to see @mrmilesyounger and the gang. Good for the mind and the body #fit #happy #friends #mondaymotivation #love

The TV host will also use social media to share pictures of her being active and taking her dog for walks.

Lorraine has said she does not weigh herself but her lifestyle change helped her go from a size 14 to a trim size 10.

When getting fit, the TV host focused on cardio exercises to burn off excess calories.

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Lorraine even showed off her exact routine by releasing a fitness DVD detailing the workouts she would do in an aerobics class.

Speaking on This Morning, she said: I really look forward to my classes, and with the new DVD we wanted to show what a class was like.

Cardio can help speed up the fat loss process, according to a study published on the US National Library of Medicine.

In the study, 141 obese participants were split into groups and did different amounts of cardio exercise.

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Lorraine Kelly weight loss: ITV star used one trick to drop two dress sizes - what was it? - Express

LifestyleWellbeingAt 43, and 18 stone, Ive gained freedom from crash diets and the constant panic that the weight might return

Wednesday, 29th January 2020, 5:14 pm

I had to get this fat to be grateful for what Ive discovered. At 43, and 18 stone, Ive gained freedom: from crash diets; from constant panic the weight might return; from worry my life will end if Im not the right weight; from constant thoughts of forbidden foods, until the inevitable binge, and guilt that would follow.

I also see my world hasnt ended. My partner still loves me. Im still a decent radio presenter, working at talkRADIO, and my dogs still wag their tails when I arrive home.

It started in my childhood. A misdiagnosis of a heart problem meant I was put on my first diet aged eight, which meant constant calorie counting and supervision of all food. I rebelled by secretly eating cakes and chocolates, and by 16 I was 17 stone with a relationship with food based on secrecy, guilt, and anxiety.

Ruthlessly strict calorie counting

I first lost weight in my twenties, through ruthlessly strict calorie counting, training, and being militant with both my regime and diet. But the more I deprived myself of the food I wanted, the more Id think about it until eventually Id give in. Id convince myself that I could have a chocolate bar as a treat. But once Id eaten that one, Id end up having another. And another.

Inevitably, my weight crept up. Just half a stone at first. Then Id panic and go back on a strict diet of misery and deprivation, and that half a stone would come off. This cycle of starving myself versus stuffing myself would continue in my thirties until it turned from half a stone repeatedly gained and lost, to a stone, two stone, and before I knew it, five or six stone at a time.

I went to the doctor about my yo-yo dieting, but in my experience the NHS arent interested until you need a gastric band. And along with every diet I did came a punishing workout/gym regime, either on my own, or, when I started doing well, with personal trainers. Ive had about 10 PTs over the years and spent thousands, all to end up back at square one.

Meanwhile, the diets I was choosing became more and more extreme. Id use low calorie, low carb, Atkins, Dukan, food combining, fasting, detoxes, shakes, soups and simple starvation. Despite all this I would always end up bingeing, and always, ultimately, end up gaining more back.

Plagued with thoughts of banned food

My most recent four-stone loss came in 2016 from a shake- and soup-based ketogenic diet. I spent months barely eating real food, and when I did, it was just protein. I looked great, but I was constantly fearful that Id gain weight and was plagued with thoughts of the foods Id banned myself from eating, until one day, after a year of deprivation, I gave in.

I ate one of the blueberry muffins Id walked past in the office canteen, and resisted, countless times before. Biting into that delicious sugary sponge brought back every emotion around food Id been suppressing, guilt, anger at myself for ruining it all and a promise to be stricter tomorrow.

Within months, Id gained back the four stone, and more, to put my weight at the highest its ever been.

Weary of it all and in my worst ever mental state, I finally chose to spend money on my brain, rather than my belly, starting cognitive behavioural therapy to get to the root cause of why, when Id done so much to lose weight, I was once again so fat? Had I not had the money for my own CBT, Id still be in the mess I was in.

CBT revealed that crash diets were the problem

One of the main lessons of CBT is to challenge all-or-nothing thinking, and encourage rational, instead of negative pre- programmed thoughts. I finally realised that far from helping me, every single restrictive crash diet was actually making me eat more.

The moment Id stray, the immediate negative narrative and subsequent resolution to be even more restrictive the next day meant I was actually giving myself the green light to eat more. I now challenge that narrative that I am worthless when I am bigger and that my life should stop when I am. If I hadnt got to this weight, how would I have discovered this?

Its not always easy. I sometimes have to use all my CBT knowledge to ignore the latest diet trend, and remind myself, its not a solution.

And something else has changed, too. By knowing I can have that muffin and the world wont end, I dont want it as much. For the first time, I have a biscuit jar, which actually has biscuits in as I dont eat every single one. As a result of ditching fads, my weight, although high, has remained constant for two years. Ive spent 30 years either gaining or losing and now, for the first time ever, I am a steady, albeit high, weight.

There's a place for treats in a healthy diet

Whats also encouraging is that there are now successful fitness professionals employing the non-restrictive philosophy, such as James Smith, whose best-selling Not a Diet Book challenges the diet industry.

Why would we have a life without the foods we enjoy? he tells me. I dont think we should make a case for consuming treats, but make one against those who say you never should. I want people to reduce their food intake slowly and have the muffin if they want it. I tell my clients, one hot day doesnt make a summer. A treat or two wont ruin your long-term plan, its part of human nature. Its normal. And if they have one, just do a few extra steps the next day.

So now Im not on anyones strict plan, Im eating well, but having that muffin if I want it. I am reading about sustainable long-term methods which arent too strict. I now get it. I am vlogging and Instagramming it as I want others to know they can do it too. I hope I succeed, as I want to be healthy and feel better. But if I dont, Ive had success already. Because I know I will have days when I am not perfect. But those days wont mean Ive failed.

Read more here:
Ive gained and lost a hundred stone and Im now at my heaviest but Im happy - iNews