EVER wondered what effect Marios mushroom diet is having on his health?

Wonder no more.

Fitness app Lifesum has partnered with theoretical physicist Dr. Matt Caplan to analyse the exercise and dietary habits of iconic video game characters.

Theyve done dietary assessments, fitness analyses and calorific calculations for household names like Mario, Sonic, and LaraCroft.

Turns out that Mario is clinically obese, Master Chief would need to eat more than a full adult males daily intake for each hour of intense combat and Zeldas Link would have to chow down on a fairy corpse every half-hour to sustain his calorie expenditure.

Heres a breakdown of your favourite characters.

First up is Sonic.

The Blue Blur has long been famous for running at the speed of sound(around 770 mph).

If Sonics metabolism is anything like that of a human, who burns roughly 150 calories per mile run, then he could burn 33 lbs (15kg) in an hour, Dr Matt explains.

1991, Sega

23.98 million copies

100cm (33)

35kg (77.2 Ibs)

Body Mass Index: 35

Core diet: Chili dogs (296 kcal/ dog)

Key activity: Running (for humans, 150 kcal/mile)

This means that Sonic can eat as many chilli dogs (his favourite food 296 calories per dog), as he wants with a clear conscience.

Hes known for munching 300 in one sitting, according to a comic book he features in equalling about 88,800 calories.

This would take an average human 500 hours of medium-pace walking to burn however, despite his BMI indicating that his metabolism is considerably worse than that of an average human, Sonic naturally moves considerably faster than a medium-pace walk.

Next, its Crash Bandicoot.

According to the nutrition experts, Crash, a large, upright bandicoot (typically a small-to-medium-sized marsupial native to parts of Australasia) has a healthy Body Mass Index of 21.1.

In his attempt to rescue his girlfriend Tawna (who is reportedly based on Pamela Anderson) from Doctor Cortexs experiments, he collects wumpa fruit.

Wumpa fruit is similar to apples(95 calories in an average size), which helps explain Crashs healthy BMI.

1996, Naughty Dog/Sony

6.8 million copies

146cm (48)

45 kg (99.2 lbs)

Body mass index: 21.1

Core diet: Wumpa fruit (95 kcal/fruit)

Key activity: Somersaults (463 kcal/hour)

This combined with Crashs spinning, somersaulting and jumping makes his calorie-burning akin to that of gymnastics, which Lifesums data shows burns 463 kcal/hour.

His well-developed upper torso suggests he might be adding some high-protein insects to his diet too.

Toadstool loving Mario isnt faring quite so well.

Youd think that munching mushrooms all day would make you thin as a rake.

But its not the case for the Italian legend.

The plumber has an unhealthy Body Mass Index of 39.5.

That said, considering he only consumes one primary food-type, mushrooms, his diet is relatively nutritious.

The common mushroom is a good source of both Vitamin B and essential minerals such as copper and potassium according to Lifesums nutritionists.

1985, Nintendo

47.58 million copies

155cm (51)

95kg (209 lbs)

Body Mass Index: 39.5

Core diet: Mushrooms (25 kcal/100g)

Key activity: Running (752 kcal/hour), Swimming (742 kcal/hour), Jumping (618 kcal/hour)

American ethnobotanist Terrence McKenna went as far as to say that mushrooms were a crucial component of human evolution.

Marios tireless running, swimming, and constant jumping over nefarious turtles and Venus fly traps on his journey from the Super Mario Bros. start point to the final castle is an excellent exercise routine.

During a quick playthrough, he runs 3.4 miles in around 17 minutes at a 5.5mph pace (burning 213 kcal); swims at high intensity for another 3 minutes (37 kcal), and jumps throughout (206 kcal). He would burn 456 kcal in one playthrough, which in mushroom terms equates to burning off about 150 large fungi.

What about lusty game fans favourite, Lara Croft?

The tomb raider is actually borderline unhealthy too, as she is under the recommended BMI for women.

1996, Core Design/Eidos

7.5 million copies

175 cm (57)

52kg (114.6 Ibs)

Body Mass Index: 17

Core diet: Venison (116 kcal/100g)

Key activity: Climbing (668 kcal/hour)

1996, Core Design/Eidos

7.5 million copies

175 cm (57)

52kg (114.6 Ibs)

Body Mass Index: 17

Core diet: Venison (116 kcal/100g)

Key activity: Climbing (668 kcal/hour)

Known for hunting and eating deer, she could live for at least a month on the venisonof one doe.

In search of forgotten artefacts and lost sites, Lara can be found climbing mountains, traversing ruins, and scaling crumbling towers.

Lifesums experts endorse climbing as an excellent exercise for the entire body, helping burn 668 calories an hour.

When Angelina Jolie starred in the 2001 movie version of Tomb Raider, she went through an intense 10-week programme to achieve the same fitness levels as Croft.

The programme included ballet, diving, kickboxing and a multitude of fighting drills, with a diet of lean proteins and steamed vegetables.

Comparing Lara from the video games and Angelina Jolie, the former has a healthier BMI of 20.7, in contrast to Laras 17.6, which is considered underweight.

Then theres Link, from Legend of Zelda.

1987, Nintendo

6.51 million copies

161.5 cm (53)

70kg (154.3 Ibs)

Body Mass Index: 29.9

Core diet: Fairies (360 kcal/fairy)

Key activity: Fencing with & throwing the Master Sword (433 kcal/hour)

His morbid diet of tiny, winged creatures is probably not particularly nutritious.

Academic James Cole calculated that a whole, full-sized human cadaver would yield 81,500 calories.

Working with the measurements of the average garden-variety Disney fairy (12cm tall, equating to one fifth of a human arm: 1,800 calories, according to Cole), each winged creature consumed supplies Link with 360 calories.

Unfortunately (should you be Link, or have a taste for fairies), human flesh has little nutritional value when compared to that of animals.

Its surprising that Link sustains such a high-intensity routine for his entire quest; his swordplay alone burns 433 calories an hour, which requires ingesting 1.2 fairies every sixty minutes.

Other characters includeJohn-117, known as Master Chief, with a BMI of over 30 and Street Fighter IIs Chun Li.

You can check out other characters in the Lifesum blog.

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Nutritionists work out what Lara Croft, Sonic and Link's diets would be like in real life and they might surprise you - The Sun

Atkins Diet. Whole30 Diet. Weight Watchers. The HCG Diet. Lemon Juice Diet. Paleo, Jenny Craig, Military Diet, Souping, Juicing, and Brothing. The list can go on and on. It can be overwhelming to translate the information we have access to on the internet for the latest diet fads, but do they really work? Or are they a fad that wont last longer than a gallon of milk left in the car during the month of July?

At the beginning of 2017 a group of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and other nutrition experts ranked 38 different diets or diet programs and compiled it into a report for U.S. News and World Report. Criteria included in the review process included feasibility/ease to follow the diet, effects on short term and long term weight loss, safety and nutritional adequacy, and how the diet can help prevent chronic disease such as diabetes and heart disease. Costs and exercise associated with the diet or program were not part of the analysis.

Here are six of the 38 diets reviewed that might clear up some of your questions about whether the diet program you are interested in would be worth looking into or if you would be better off avoiding the diet all together.

a. Claim to fame: This diet gives your body a chance to restore its natural balance in 30 days. It improves digestion, mental health, sleep, brain function, and skin health and can result in weight loss.

b. How it works: This diet is broken down into two phases. In Phase 1 added sugars (natural and artificial), legumes, grains, dairy, alcohol, additives such as MSG and sulfites, and baked goods or junk foods (even if made with WHOLE30 approved foods) are eliminated. There are no cheat days allowed and no weighing during this period. It is designed for three meals per day and no snacking between meals. Foods allowed are meats, seafood, eggs, fruits, vegetables, and natural fats. In Phase 2 you reintroduce foods in the following order: Gluten-free alcohol, legumes, gluten-free grains, dairy, and then all other grains. During this time you will evaluate whether the foods cause any negative side effects.

c. Pros and Cons: This diet Improves self-awareness, promotes grocery shopping with a list and planning weekly menus. The recipes can be added to any healthy meal plan even if the diet isnt followed. The cons are that this diet eliminates many foods that provide essential nutrients for 30 days or indefinitely, it can be hard to follow for a month, and it lacks strong scientific evidence at this time. It can also be difficult to follow if you are on the road, have children, or work a busy job.

2. The Paleo Diet (also known as the Caveman Diet)

a. Claim to fame: If we eat like our ancestors did then we will be healthier, lose weight, and reduce risk of disease. If the Cavemen didnt eat it, then we shouldnt.

b. How it works: Foods included in this diet can be anything that is hunted, fished, or gathered. This includes fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, veggies, roots, fruits, berries. Foods that are not included are grains, dairy, legumes, sugar, and salt.

c. Pros and Cons: The pros to this diet are that this plan encourages more fruits and vegetables in the diet.

It reduces added sugars and salt, which are consumed above recommended goals most of the time. Plant protein and other plant foods can help control blood sugar, blood pressure, and can contribute to weight loss and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes.

This diet can be modified to be part of a healthy lifestyle. The cons to this diet are that this plan exceeds the recommended fat and protein guidelines and does not meet basic carbohydrate guidelines. Exclusion of whole grains, legumes, and dairy can create deficiencies in calcium, Vitamin D, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals. This diet may be difficult to maintain and can be more expensive if eating organic foods.

a. Claim to fame: With this diet your body converts your bodys primary fuel source from glucose to fats for quicker weight loss.

b. How it works: On this diet you will follow a high fat, low carbohydrate diet to convert your body from burning glucose for energy to burning fat for energy. This results in faster weight loss than traditional programs. Foods included are: meats, full-fat dairy, eggs, fish, and vegetables. Foods not included are: processed sugars, fruits, grains, and other carbohydrates.

c. Pros and Cons: The pros to this diet is that rapid weight loss can occur within about 10 days. Originally, a modified high fat diet was and still can be used to treat epilepsy in children. It is always a good idea to reduce our intake of processed foods and added sugars. The cons to this diet are that it can put your body in a state of ketosis, which is where you are burning fat for fuel and the byproducts are ketones.

This can be dangerous for a person with diabetes because it can change the pH of their body and alter their blood sugar levels. Side effects of a low carbohydrate diet include fatigue, low energy levels, and decreased blood sugar.

This diet also eliminates fruits and grains, which provide essential nutrition to our body. This type of diet can be difficult to follow long term, which can lead to weight regain.

a. The Claim to Fame: This eating pattern helps reduce blood pressure and can promote weight loss.

b. How it works: With this diet you follow a generally healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Reduced intake of sodium from processed or packaged foods helps lower blood pressure. Reduced calorie intake and increased exercise promote weight loss and reduced blood pressure.

c. Pros and Cons: This healthy eating pattern is easy to follow: think fresh is best! There are no restrictions or eliminations of certain foods. The cons to this diet is that it will increase time spent planning menus and cooking meals. It is thought that it is more expensive to eat healthy but there are tricks and tips to shopping and eating healthy on a budget. Lastly, this diet may taste bland at first due to the reduced sodium but taste buds will adapt and get used to the lower sodium food choices.

a. Claim to Fame: Helps with weight loss, heart health, cancer prevention, and reduced risk of many other diseases. Essentially this is the natural meal pattern of countries bordering the Mediterrean Sea.

b. How it works: This diet promotes a healthy lifestyle, not just a healthy diet. The plan includes increased amounts of nuts, fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, beans, and whole grains. Dairy, eggs, cheese, and yogurt are eaten in moderation. Red meat, desserts are saved for special occasions. This pattern also promotes physical activity and social health as part of the plan.

c. Pros and Cons: This is not really a diet, just a healthy eating pattern and it can reduce risk of many different diseases. There is no restriction or elimination of certain foods and it can be followed long term, not just for a short period of time. Similar to the DASH Diet the cons to this diet are that it will increase time spent planning menus and cooking meals, which isnt a bad thing but will take some planning. It is thought that it is more expensive to eat healthy but there are tricks and tips to shopping and eating healthy on a budget.

6. The Flexitarian/Vegetarian Diet

a. Claim to Fame: This healthy eating pattern promotes weight loss and reduces risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and increased lifespan.

b. How it works: This is a combination of two words: Flexible and Vegetarian. It focuses more on plant based proteins such as, tofu, nuts, seeds, beans, peas, lentils, and eggs. It encourages fruits, vegetables, dairy, and whole grains and uses herbs and spices to flavor food instead of salts. This plan still allows animal protein in moderation.

c. Pros and Cons: Pros and Cons: This is not really a diet, just a healthy eating pattern. It can reduce risk of many different diseases. There is no restriction or elimination of certain foods and it can be followed long term, not just for a short period of time. Similar to the DASH Diet the cons to this diet is that it will increase time spent planning menus and cooking meals, which isnt a bad thing but will take some planning. It is thought that it is more expensive to eat healthy but there are tricks and tips to shopping and eating healthy on a budget.

Instead of trying to follow a diet that may be difficult to follow, think about a healthy eating pattern.

A pattern that is not restrictive, allows flexibility, and incorporates physical activity into a healthy lifestyle. These plans include more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, beans and legumes, low fat or fat free dairy, and physical activity and reduced amounts of sodium, added sugars, and saturated/trans fats. Examples are: 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans, ChooseMyPlate.gov, the Mediterrean Diet, DASH Diet, and the Flexitarian/Vegetarian diet.

Remember, its what you do every day that will make a difference, not something you do for a week or a month.

Courtney Nalivka is a Clinical Dietitian at Northeastern Nevada Regional Hospital. For more information, call her at 748-2094.

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Diets debunked: What works and what doesn't | Lifestyles | elkodaily ... - Elko Daily Free Press

The CSIRO has, perhaps surprisingly, launched a new diet that includes intermittent fasting three days a week.

It might sound counterintuitive, as fasting diets have traditionally been considered about as ineffective and nutritionally inadequate as the much-maligned Atkins or cabbage soup diets. But research now shows that they can be just as effective as standard, calorie-controlled diets.

The weekly Flexi program, which is available in pharmacies and offers a recipe book along with online resources, comprises three fasting or control days where dieters consume 40 per cent of their energy requirements, three kilojoule-controlled classic days and one free flexi day where there are no dietary restrictions.

Meal-replacement shakes, soups and bars are consumed on control and classic days in addition to whole, food-based meals and snacks.

The program is based on comprehensive research by the CSIRO which saw participants following a fasting diet in the 16-week trial lose an average of 11 kilograms each while also achieving improvements in cholesterol, insulin, glucose and blood pressure levels.

CSIRO research dietitian Dr Jane Bowen says the diet offers an alternative to traditional, calorie-controlled diets because it focuses on routine and energy intake over a full week.

This is something a bit different that will suit some people because the routine of the meal replacement can really help people know what they need to do, and a lot of people respond to that level of structure and prescription, she says.

Theyre able to vary their energy intake, so some days they eat less, which enables them to eat more on other days. We know that life gets in the way and often people will fall off the wagon [of a typical diet] if they have a wedding or a party.

Associate Professor Amanda Salis, from the University of Sydney, says a growing body of research shows intermittent fasting stacks up against more typical approaches to weight loss.

Whether youre doing a diet that involves continuously restricting the amount of kilojoules you consume from one day to the next or whether you do an intermittent fasting diet, the research is showing that at the end of three, six and now even 12 months that your weight loss will be similar, she says.

And even though meal-replacement products may sound like they belong with the fad diets of old, the experts agree they are an essential component of the Flexi program.

The fasting days are much more likely to be nutritionally incomplete its pretty hard to have a fasting day that meets nutrition requirements without using meal replacements, says dietitian Melanie McGrice, a spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia.

Crucially, however, the control group in the CSIROs research consumed an energy-restricted diet every day of the week and also lost 11 kilos, so nutrition research scientist Dr Tim Crowe says its important not to discount traditional approaches to weight loss.

The results look impressive, but the control group who were on a more traditional calorie-controlled diet for seven days a week, consisting of two meal replacements and one healthy meal of vegetables and protein, also had the same amount of weight loss, he says.

Fasting diets do work for weight loss, but not everyone has the same success. And when you compare them to more traditional diets, they dont offer an extra advantage for long-term weight loss.

Read more from the original source:
The CSIRO's Flexi diet weighs in as the fast way to avoid fasting - The New Daily

At 31 years old, Ziggy Hood has gone through some wear and tear over the course of his NFL career. To prepare for what's to come, he altered some of his offseason approach.

Despite being the oldest defensive lineman on the Washington Redskins 90-man roster by more than two years, Ziggy Hood is still the hardest working player of that group.

Hood took an offseason approach few would ever think about taking on and only a handful would actually execute: he would work out at length, sometimes as much as six hours in one day.

It wasnt anybodys idea but mine, Hood said. Like I said, I put in work, and thats what I tend to do, and I stay at it.

Now entering his ninth season in the NFL and second with the Redskins, Hood knows that he has to keep his body in peak form.

The Missouri product appeared on 661 defensive snaps last season, eighth most among returning defensive player and the most among returning defensive linemen.

Hood said he incorporated a fair among of cardio into his workout routine including some swimming, which kept his heart rate up.

I just try to stay active, Hood said. Your knees, your hips, I mean, some of the small stuff [to stay healthy]. I mean, especially when half of the one side of your body tends to be weaker than others so The knees tend to go too.

Hood also altered his diet some, too, trying to limit his carbohydrate intake and cut out eating candy.

Instead of reaching for that candy at the movie theater, Im just going to get the popcorn and walk away from it, Hood said with a smile. Sour Patch straws, or something like that, yeah, I love those. Ive got to cut back.

Hood was signed to a Reserve/Future contract last offseason following a 2015 season in which he was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars following injuries that sidelined him. Then he would sign with the Chicago Bears late in the season, but was once again released after just two games.

Hood was one of the brightest spots for the Redskins during training camp last year and the veteran turned that into a solid rebound season, appearing in all 16 regular season games with 33 tackles, three passes defensed, one sack and one fumble forced.

[What] some parts of the teams dont measure is how much heart youve got, Hood said when asked about his return to form. They can tell you how fast, how much you lift, or tell you how far you can jump, but one thing they cant measure is your heart. And then some guys fall by the wayside when it comes to that and others exceed. So I mean, I knew it was just another hurdle and challenge to me and I got over it.

With the offseason departures of Chris Baker and Ricky Jean Francois, it will be Hood who is the on-field leader of a rebuilt defensive line that now includes free agent additions Terrell McClain and Stacy McGee along with first-round pick Jonathan Allen.

Hes a great leader for that defensive line room, said Redskins head coach Jay Gruden. I think guys follow him and you see the progress of all of the defensive linemen in the strength room and it starts with Ziggy. Hes the guy who works the hardest. Were happy to have him. Hes a great leader for us.

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With Altered Diet And Hard Offseason Work, Ziggy Hood Ready For 2017 - Redskins.com

Dr. Dominic D'Agostino in his laboratory at the University of South Florida (Credit: USF/Tina Meketa)

Napoleon said that an army marches on its stomach and so, it seems, do astronauts. To help the crews of future Mars missions remain healthy, associate professor Dominic D'Agostino of the University of South Florida will spend ten days on a simulated space journey in a laboratory on the bottom of the sea, where he'll eat a special diet designed to counter the side effects of interplanetary spaceflight.

One of NASA's key ways of rehearsing for manned space missions is its NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NEEMO) expeditions.

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These "analog" missions uses the Aquarius underwater habitat, located 62 ft (19 m) down and 3.5 mi (5.6 km) off Key Largo in the Florida Keys Marine Sanctuary in the Atlantic Ocean. Since 2001, 21 teams of international astronauts became aquanauts as they spent up to a fortnight carrying out experiments as well as practicing with new techniques and technologies in the simulated weightlessness of the undersea environment.

D'Agostino, who studies the impact of extreme environments on the human body at USF, will be the only non-NASA or ESA affiliated participant of NEEMO 22 when it deploys on June 18. D'Agostino will dine on a special diet that will include ketone supplement formulations designed to cause his body to go into nutritional ketosis. This is a metabolic state where the body shifts from glucose to using fat as it primary fuel. By keeping his body in nutritional ketosis, his cells will be able to preserve their DNA from damage while he works in the stressful aquatic environment.

To provide a control, the other aquanauts will eat a regular diet as data is collected about their and D'Agostino's gut microbiome, body composition, ability to carry out cognitive tasks, vision, sleep quality, and other physiological parameters.

The hope is that such supplements will help astronauts for counter neurological risks from cosmic radiation, low oxygen, and the stress of living inside the confines of a spacecraft.

Source: University of South Florida

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Undersea scientist tests Mars diet on himself - New Atlas

Women greeted with dish sponges, diet pill pamphlets at 'Wonder Woman' screening Mashable Attendees at a women-only June 6 screening of the film at a Belgian theater reportedly received bags full of sponges, diet pill pamphlets, squeegees, chocolate, noodles, and chips as a "gift." (Honestly, we are shocked the bags did not include Bic's ...

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Women greeted with dish sponges, diet pill pamphlets at 'Wonder Woman' screening - Mashable