Newswise Widespread pain, fatigue, headaches, cognitive dysfunction, and gastrointestinal issues. These are some of the symptoms of the debilitating, chronic pain condition known as Gulf War Illness that afflicts many U.S. veterans who served during the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91. Now there is the promise of a dietary intervention that could help reduce veterans symptoms and provide some measure of relief from an illness for which there is no cure. The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor of Health Studies and Neuroscience, Kathleen Holton, a grant of $6.4 million for a clinical trial to confirm the efficacy of the low-glutamate diet as a treatment for Gulf War Illness.

The clinical trial builds on a smaller study Holton conducted that showed positive results for 40 veterans who participated. The new study will recruit 160 veterans with diversity in race, gender, and body mass index.

We want to show that this diet will work for all veterans. In the previous study, the veterans suffered from, on average, more than 20 different symptoms, Holton said. We saw profound widespread symptom improvements in veterans with GWI after one month on the low-glutamate diet. Improvements were noted in every symptom area and included significant reductions in overall symptom number, with an average of nine symptoms going away. The veterans reported significant improvements in cognitive function and quality of life. The majority continued to follow the diet three months after study completion, suggesting continued improvement and good feasibility.

Holton, a member of AUs Center for Neuroscience and Behavior, explores howfood additives contribute to neurological symptoms. The role of glutamate figures prominently in this work. Glutamate is a few things: its a key neurotransmitter in the brain; it occurs naturally in some foods; and its also created chemically and added to foods as a flavor enhancer. Glutamate is most often associated with monosodium glutamate, or MSG. However, the majority of peoples exposure comes from free glutamate in other food additives, or foods where it occurs naturally, such as soy sauce, fish sauce, seaweed, mushrooms, and aged cheeses like parmesan.

When theres too much glutamate in the nervous system, it acts as an excitotoxin that can disrupt brain signaling and kill cells. Other research has shown that glutamate is high in pain processing areas of the brain in individuals with fibromyalgia and migraine. High concentrations of glutamate have also been linked to some psychiatric illnesses as well as diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons. Reducing glutamate exposure, while also increasing consumption of micronutrients and antioxidants which protect against excitotoxicity, is the focus of Holtons research.

Over the years, Ive met many veterans suffering from Gulf War Illness who were driven from pillar to post as they sought help or even just recognition that their plight was real, said Max Paul Friedman, interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of history and international relations. Now superstar researcher Katie Holton has developed, on the basis of cutting-edge neuroscience, a safe, low-cost treatment that promises relief in ways that can potentially make a huge improvement in the quality of life of countless veterans. Dr. Holton is truly a changemaker for a changing world."

Origins of GWI

Soon after the end of the Persian Gulf War, veterans developed chronic conditions and a variety of symptoms and illnesses that defied explanation by established medicine, according to the DoD. The symptoms varied widely and included widespread pain, muscle aches, headache, persistent problems with memory and thinking, fatigue, breathing problems, stomach and intestinal symptoms, and skin abnormalities. In addition to the physical symptoms, changes in behavior and problems with interpersonal relationships frequently occurred, the DoD found.

GWI is estimated to affect 175,000 to 250,000 of the nearly 700,000 troops deployed during the war. The DoD also reports that GWI rates are high among those who served in areas in proximity to combat. During the war, according to the DoD, service members were exposed to low levels of chemicals, including chemical warfare agents released by the destruction of Iraqi facilities, widespread spraying and use of pesticides, prophylactic medications to protect against hazardous exposures, constant dust and sand storms, and effluent from oil well fires ignited by Iraqi troops.

These exposures are known to negatively affect the blood-brain barrier, which keeps out toxins, and create excitotoxicity due to downstream release of glutamate in the brain. Prior GWI research has also reported evidence of inflammation in the brain and oxidative stress, a process that can damage cells, tissues and even DNA, as key components of the illness.

The clinical trial will rely on methods of the previous study, such as analyzing blood and brain measures. However, the trial also will allow Holton to explore additional research questions about the neurotoxic triad of excitotoxicity, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress.

These three conditions have the ability to reinforce one another in a negative cycle, Holton said. We are very interested in understanding how the low-glutamate diet affects all three. For example, we know dietary antioxidants can help alleviate oxidative stress.

For Holton, its an exciting time to research the low-glutamate diet.

It is an honor to do research which may be able to give back to these veterans who have given so much to their country and who have been suffering for so long, Holton said. If we see similar effects in this trial compared with the previous one, this diet could be implemented throughout the country in the Veterans Affairs system by training dietitians on how to administer the diet as a treatment. Were getting closer to realizing a treatment for veterans that has the potential to be more effective than medication in helping to alleviate GWI symptoms.

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The Power of the Diet - Newswise

Eggs are a popular food known for their protein content as well as a source of nutrients including vitamin D.

A fad diet known as the boiled egg diet seeks to take advantage of the benefits of eggs by incorporating them heavily into one's daily food routine.

Despite the diet's name, it does not only feature eggs. Followers can also eat other foods such as non-starchy vegetables with the aim of losing weight.

Nutrition experts have spoken to Newsweek about the diet's pros and cons. People may consider speaking to their healthcare provider before making any changes to their diet.

The boiled egg diet involves eating several servings of hard-boiled eggs per day.

Erin Palinski-Wade, a nutrition consultant and author of several diet books, told Newsweek: "The boiled egg diet is a low calorie, low carbohydrate diet that will promote weight loss due to a calorie deficit.

"It is a very restrictive meal plan and not likely to be sustainable long term. There are a few variations of the diet, but the general outline of the meal plan is to eat two eggs with fruit at breakfast and then eggs or another lean protein with non-starchy vegetables at the other two meals during the day."

Lean protein in the diet could include fish or chicken. Snacking is generally not permitted on the diet.

Other foods encouraged in the diet are low carb fruits such as oranges, berries, and grapefruit; fats and oils like coconut oil in small amounts; and, in some variations, low fat dairy products.

At the same time, the diet limits high carb foods such as bread, starchy vegetables like potatoes, processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages.

One popular version of the diet is based off of a book of the same name by author Arielle Chandler.

While the diet restricts sugar-sweetened drinks, calorie-free drinks such as water and unsweetened tea or coffee can be consumed.

Palinski-Wade said: "This is most likely to help 'speed' weight loss with carbohydrate restriction since cutting carbs will accelerate water losses."

Eating carbohydrates can lead to water retention, which translates to the number on the scale, because of how they are stored in the body.

There is also some evidence that reducing the intake of carbohydrates in one's diet can aid weight loss in the longer term.

A number of experts told Newsweek that they would not recommend this diet even though it might result in some weight loss in the short term.

Part of the reason for this is the diet's restrictive nature, which many people may find difficult to stick to.

"To sum it up, including eggs, lean meats, and vegetables into your diet is a healthy way to boost protein as well as vitamins and minerals," Ashley Irwin, research project manager at the Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, told Newsweek. "However, limiting yourself to only a handful of foods often takes a lot of the joy out of eating and isn't sustainable for the majority of people.

"A restrictive diet, such as this, will likely result in some weight loss in the short term, but that can be expected when the calories consumed are so low."

Richard Mattes, distinguished professor of Nutrition Science at Purdue University, told Newsweek that diets encouraging high amounts of one type of food are "as old as the hills" and may have short-term results. However, he said that such diets are "often nutritionally unbalanced" and "generally fail" as people may struggle to follow them.

Similarly, Palinski-Wade said the diet includes foods that are rich in nutrients but that "the long list of 'foods to avoid' is the real problem."

"The meal plan is very restrictive, unlikely to be sustainable long term, and cuts out many beneficial nutrients found in foods such as nuts, seeds, oats, beans, and lentils," she added.

Irwin recommended that people speak to a registered dietitian if they're looking for an eating approach that is best for them. "A dietitian can help you to tailor your eating in a way that can help you meet your goals whether you like eggs or not," she said.

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What Is the Boiled Egg Diet and Is It As Crazy As It Sounds? - Newsweek

Although carbohydrates, or carbs, have gotten a bad rap for years theyre considered a scourge by some popular diets nutrition experts remind us that carbs are a key ingredient of a healthy diet.

Carbs represent the main nutrient that readily converts into glucose, or sugar, in the bloodstream, says Carla Duenas, a registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) withCommunity Healthat Baptist Health South Florida. Carbs provide the energy that your muscles and your brain need to function.

Ms. Duenas says carbohydrates also provide important vitamins, minerals and other nutrients. When eaten in excess, however and not as part of a balanced meal she says that carbs can easily fuel spikes in blood sugar levels, leading to health issues such as weight gain and insulin resistance.

Choosing the right carbs and eating the appropriate portion size according to your needs is important if youre going to include them in your daily diet, Ms. Duenas says, adding that there are simple carbs and complex carbs. Some carbs are better than others, she cautions.

Simple carbohydrates

Ms. Duenas says that simple carbs are those, which can be broken down quickly for energy, raising your blood sugar levels more easily. They include natural foods like fruits and milk as well as refined-sugar products such as cookies, pastries and other desserts as well as sugar-sweetened drinks. The naturally occurring sugars found in whole fruits are considered healthy when eaten as opposed to drinking the juice, because it is loaded with fiber, antioxidants and other important nutrients, she says.

Unsurprisingly, the refined-sugar products are the least nutritious, she says. On average, Americans consume about 13 percent of their daily calories from added sugars that is, the sweet stuff many people add to their coffee or which tops the ingredient list in many sweetened beverages. These simple carbs especially sugary sodas and other drinks have really helped contribute to the obesity epidemic here in the U.S., Ms. Duenas notes.

Complex carbohydrates

Known as the healthy carbs because they tend to be more nutritious, complex carbs take longer to break down into glucose, either from their molecular structure or because they are high in fiber which, according to Ms. Duenas, helps slow down the rates at which carbs are digested and blood sugars are raised.

Most of us probably know what healthy carbs are, says Ms. Duenas. They include plant foods that deliver fiber, vitamins and minerals, and phytochemicals such as those found in whole grains, beans and starchy vegetables.

Whole grains vs. refined grains

Whole grains are healthier than refined grains, according to Ms. Duenas, because they are in their original state the whole seed, or kernel, of the grain. Whole grains have more nutrients than refined grains, which consist of a seed stripped of one or more its layers, Ms. Duenas explains. Some examples of whole grains are whole wheat, corn, brown rice, oats, barley, quinoa, sorghum, spelt and rye.

Ms. Duenas suggests reading nutrition labels and looking for brands that provide at least five percent of fiber per serving. When reading the ingredient list, the key word to look for is whole, she adds.

Fruits and juices

Some people shy away from fruits and juices because they contain sugar or because theyre following a fad diet that eliminates all carbs. Keep in mind that whole fruit is different, Ms. Duenas explains. A glass of orange juice is not the same as a whole orange because it lacks fiber. An orange will provide a small amount of sugar paired with fiber, she says, while a glass of juice contains the sugar of five to six oranges with none of the healthy fiber. Fruit juices, even if unsweetened, are not the best choices to be drinking regularly, Ms. Duenas adds.

Whats the right amount of carbs?

Factors such as your physical activity, age, weight, height and medical history can determine how many carbohydrates you should be consuming every day. According to the U.S. Department of Agricultures MyPlate guidelines, in general about 25 percent of your daily plate should consist of whole grains or complex carbs. Half of your daily consumption should consist of whole fruits and vegetables, with the remaining 25 percent made up of lean proteins. Its best to choose lean or low-fat meat and poultry, Ms. Duenas advises.

Most restaurant menus now offer whole-grain options, according to Ms. Duenas, making it easier to eat healthier when dining out. Always ask if they have a brown rice or whole wheat pasta or crust option, she suggests. Its not the end of the world if they dont just make sure your meal also includes salad or vegetables and a lean protein. Unfortunately, Ms. Duenas adds, most restaurant meals are big enough to feed two people and contain way too many carbs, making portion control a challenge.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, healthy carbs with good sources of dietary fiber include:

When choosing carbs, Ms. Duenas says to remember that while the quality of the carbs consumed is important, so is the quantity. Brown rice is healthier because its a whole grain and has fiber, but that doesnt necessarily mean you should add more of it to your plate, she says.

Tags: carbohydrates, carbs, Carla Duenas, community health, healthy diet

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Nutrition Expert: Carbohydrates Key to a Healthy Diet - Baptist Health South Florida

The things you eat and drink could be impacting your mental health as well as your physical health, according to an expert.

According to, Aimee Newton, a Registered Dietitian working at Spire Hull and East Riding Hospital, says there may be some diet habits that impact the way you feel mentally.

Studies have shown that some foods can increase serotonin levels - dubbed the 'happy hormone' - which in turn lifts moods.

On the contrary, a lack of this hormone can have a negative impact on your mental health.

When it comes to food and drink, the expert explains that there is a link between hydration and energy and the body's ability to produce the so-called 'happy hormone'.

1. Not drinking enough

We need sufficient energy to maintain the structure of our brain and nervous system. Dehydration can affect your brain's ability to produce energy and can obstruct the brain's production of happy hormone, serotonin. This is because the body needs water to transport amino acid, tryptophan, across the blood-brain barrier to convert it to serotonin.

2. Not eating enough variety

There are many studies suggesting a link between reduced diversity of the bacteria in our gut and mood disorders. This is because the gut microbiome helps turn the food we eat into different molecules which enter our bloodstream and communicate with the brain. Some of these are neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which can then influence mood and behaviour.

It is, however, too early to make conclusions as to which exact bacterial strains play a role or suggest specific concentrations of these bacteria which are optimal in our gut as there is a lack of human studies in this area. However, watch this space in the future. What we do know is eating foods like wholegrains and fermented foods that increase the diversity of the bacteria in our gut can be beneficial to overall health and mood.

3. Not getting the right vitamins

Some vitamin deficiencies have been linked to low mood. These include vitamins B6, B12, folate and vitamin D. Furthermore, western diets have which are high in processed foods, refined grains, sugar, and fat have been more closely associated with depression in some studies.

That said, its important to stress that mood-boosting foods alone cannot treat depression.

If youre really struggling with your mental health, you should always see a doctor.

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Expert shares three diet mistakes you could be making that impact your mental health - Daily Record

We are living through a time where fad diets are a common part of health cultures; it seems as if there's a new one trending every day! There are diets to tell us what will help you shed those pounds, which ones will help with certain ailments like memory loss, the list goes on. And now thanks to a new study, it has been discovered that there are even diets to help fight certain types of cancers, including pancreatic cancer.

A recent study from The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) suggests that the ketogenic diet (also known as keto) may help eliminate pancreatic cancer cells by promoting positive chemotherapy results.

The laboratory experiments showed that the keto diet decreased glucose (sugar) levels in the tumor, which suggests the diet helped starve the cancer. The diet also elevated ketone bodies produced by the liver (small water molecules used as an energy source when glucose is not readily available), which put additional stress on the cancer cells.

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According to the study, the keto diet created a microenvironment in which a triple-drug therapy designed by TGena combination of gemcitabine, nab-paclitaxel, and cisplatinwas more effective at knocking out the tumor, therefore destabilizing the cancer cells.

"By limiting glucose availability, the ketogenic diet may promote chemotherapy efficacy," said TGen Professor Daniel D. Von Hoff, M.D. in the recent study overview.

In addition, the keto diet was shown to have a beneficial impact on antitumor immunity by inducing pro-inflammatory tumor gene expression, which further weakened the cancer.

If you're not familiar, the keto diet consists of foods low in carbohydrates and high in protein and fat. The diet forces your body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates, overall having you lose weight quickly. However, due to the excessive amount of protein and less intake of carbohydrates, the keto diet could cause problems such as low blood pressure, kidney stones, constipation, nutrient deficiencies, and an increased risk of heart disease.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

If you're thinking of starting keto, be sure to take note of these 7 Warning Signs You Should Stop the Keto Diet Immediately.

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The #1 Best Eating Habit for Pancreatic Cancer, Says New Study Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

On a 2013 episode of Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, the titular host visits the headquarters of Eat Just, a plant-based company that had developed vegan eggs from mung bean protein. When the episode aired, the products from Eat Just (then called Hampton Creek Foods)fit snugly under a bizarre rubric, using the shows definition as unique and interesting. Only nine years later, Zimmern says the concept is no longer bizarre. Now, he tells me, a fellow carnivore: You and I are the weirdos.

Chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern spent 12 years and 147 episodes exploring the world and trying the quirkiest of grub, from coral worms in Samoa to tarantulas in Cambodia. While food was the focus, he says the show was about promoting cultural tolerance. He extends that same worldview to his current move to more sustainable foods. Just as hes joining as culinary advisor of plant-based chicken company Tindle, hes trying to reduce the amount of meat he consumes, in order to do his part for the climate and all the interrelated issues of unsustainable food production.

Andrew Zimmern [Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for TiNDLE]To say Zimmern has dabbled in meat would be an understatement. Hes eaten fermented shark in Iceland and horse-rectum sausage in Kazakhstan; hes sampled reindeer liver, camel kidney, and snake penis. But when he turned 60 last July, he had somewhat of an epiphany, having read that even reducing meat could add up to nine years to his life. But changing your lifestyle is hard; he admits he cant propel himself headfirst into veganism. If I tried to go all in on this, Im never going to make it, he says. Im going to relapse on meat tonight. For Zimmern, its going to be a slow-and-steady, flexitarian route.

Theres now a whole category of plant-based foods that strive to replicate meat, aimed at carnivores who suffer hunger pangs as they wean off beef burgers and chicken wings. One such brand is Tindle. Launched in Singapore in 2021 by Next Gen Foods, which received record investments, the product is now in more than 200 restaurants in Asia and entered the U.S. market in February. Earlier this month, Zimmern signed on as culinary advisor, a loosely-defined role that will include devising recipes and promoting the protein.

[Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for TiNDLE]Zimmern says he didnt feel that any other plant-based brand hed tasted replicated the flavor, aroma, or texture of meat. They shall remain nameless, he says. I didnt like any of them. The happy outlier for him was Tindle, made from soy protein, oat fiber, coconut oil, wheat gluten, and a proprietary emulsion called Lipi, which aims to impersonate poultry fat, primarily by employing sunflower oil. The company dubs its product Chefs Play-Doh for its supposed versatility, claiming you can grill, stew, or deep-fry it, and features recipes for Tindle schwarma, gyoza, and pot pie. At this years SXSW, Zimmern showcased the product with two concoctions: a Tindle parm slider and crispy Tindle and waffles, topped with hot-honey ice cream.

The humanitarian angle has swayed Zimmern to reduce his meat intake as much as his age-related epiphany. Like the late Anthony Bourdain, Zimmern used food as a vehicle to promote cultural richness and acceptance at a time when the War on Terror had ushered in an era of divisiveness. I sold a Trojan horse to Travel Channel at the time, Zimmern says, explaining that the network declined a straight-up culture show but agreed to 80% entertainment and 20% smarts, he says. It was kind of a Faustian bargain, but it turned out to be the best deal Ive ever been given in my life.

Visiting and living with tribes of Indigenous people, like the Kake in Alaska and the Ju/Hoansi tribe of Botswana, taught him the perils of modernization to the natural world. Now, he says, We cant take the horse and buggy back, we cant take fossil fuels back, but were smart enough to make a difference. That difference can, and should, be in the form of reducing the consumption of animal meat, which is becoming less and less sustainable to eat. Meat accounts for nearly 60% of all carbon emissions from food production; and the equivalent of 3 billion annual metric tonnes of CO2 originate from farming beef.

[Photo: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for TiNDLE]The climate crisis also doesnt exist in a silo; its an ecosystem of interrelated problems. If you jump into the climate crisis, youll bump into hunger and food waste, he says, as well as racial justice, immigration, and healthcare. Overall, his mentalityjust as it was with Bizarre Foodsis focused on considering other human beings around the world in his decisions. We have to start thinking of our fellows, he says. And I think weve done a really shitty job of that as of late. For Zimmern, plant-based proteins are part of the solution.

Zimmern sees a societal shift already happening, from a time when vegetarianism in America was stigmatized and options were limited to green salads and grilled vegetables. Now, restaurants that pride themselves on monstrous pieces of meat are playing to a shrinking crowd. When I was growing up, if meat was not the centerpiece of every plate at every meal, something was wrong, he said. Now, his son doesnt think twice if an evening meal is meatless.

Whats so endearing to Zimmern is that this shift echoes meal practices in some of his favorite places visited with Bizarre Foods, like mezze-style meals in the Levant and Turkey, and the Indian subcontinent, where he could go days without meat and never miss it. Im thrilled that were looking at a new age, he says, that were adopting things from other countries.

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'Bizarre Foods' host Andrew Zimmern on why he's shiftingslowlyto a plant-based diet - Fast Company

Pacific Foods/Mori-Nu/Vital Proteins

Protein is essential for a healthy diet, and most of us get enough of this nutrient via our meals. However, there are many reasons why someone might want to boost their protein intake. If youre sick of shakes and bars, here are some other ways you can boost your protein with each meal.

Bone brothhas become quite popular recently, and for many good reasons. To make it, you simmer the bones and connective tissue of animals to produce a tasty liquid full of vitamins and minerals. Due to its ingredients, bone broth is also packed with protein.

One cup of Pacific Foods Organic Bone Broth contains 9 grams of protein, which is great news for people looking for easy ways to add more of this nutrient to their meals. Use it instead of regular chicken broth as a base for soups and stews. Or, cook your rice or quinoa in it to boost the protein in those grains. You can even heat up a cup and drink it straight.

One cup of Greek yogurt has about 13 grams of protein. For people who enjoy the taste, yogurt is a versatile ingredient that can add more protein to both savory and sweet dishes.Plain Greek yogurt can be mixed in with sauces and soups to add a creamy texture and tangy flavor to your meal.

Its also easy to add to smoothies if youre tired of the flavor of your protein powder. Just note that soups and sauces mixed with Greek yogurt dont reheat very well, as the yogurt will tend to separate.

Drinking protein shakes all day can get old, but there are other ways you can utilize these products. Next time youre shopping for protein powder, grab a container of the unflavored stuff.

You can stir it into pretty much anything that will mix well with a powder. For example, try adding a scoop to your morning oatmeal or mixing it in with some peanut butter before you spread it on your toast.

You might also be able to swap out a portion of the flour in some baking recipes for protein powder. Experiment with this idea until you find the right ratio to achieve an ideal texture.

Egg whites are mostly made of protein and water. While egg yolks are packed with vitamins and minerals, theyre also high in calories and cholesterol. While you should probably stick to two full eggs each day, you can eat more egg whites if you want to pack on that protein.

If you have a tough time stomaching eggs or dont know how to incorporate them into your meals, you can try pasteurized egg whites. These specific types of eggs are heated to kill bacteria and are safe to eat raw. You should only buy them if you plan to eat them raw, though.

This product is often sold in a carton and can be added to smoothies and protein shakes to bump up the protein content. It has a mild taste, so you shouldnt detect any egg flavor.

Collagen is a protein naturally produced by mammals, including humans. Its also one of the main building blocks of the skin and also helps build hair, bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If youre bored with drinking protein shakes, swap one out for a bottle of collagen water.

There are 10 grams of protein in each bottle, but it has a very different flavor and texture than a standard protein shake. It actually tastes like a refreshing bottle of strawberry lemonade with the added bonus of some protein. Youll also find only 3 grams of sugar per bottle.

Silken tofu contains a decent amount of protein and can be used in more ways than you might think. This type of tofuhas a very mild flavor, which makes it easy to blend into all kinds of dishes.

Add a containerto your next smoothie for some extra protein, potassium, and calcium. It can also be used to make better-for-you desserts, like this vegan chocolate silk pie. You wont taste it at allwe promise.

Rice and pasta make great side dishes, but they contain very little protein. One easy way to increase the amount in your lunch or dinner is to swap out your usual grains for quinoa, which has 12 grams of protein in just half a cup.Its also high in fiber and iron.

You cook quinoalike rice, and it absorbs any liquid you put it in. This means you can add even more protein by cooking it in bone broth, or you can make it more flavorful if you go with chicken broth.

When youre trying to boost your protein intake, it can feel like youre drowning in protein powders and chicken breast. These tasty alternatives will make it much easier to hit your daily quota. You might even be able to ditch those chalky morning shakes forever. Sweet!

Originally posted here:
7 Tastier Ways to Add More Protein to Your Diet - LifeSavvy

I was told that the reason I was getting psychologically abused for my body was because I was fat, and I was fat because I ate too much food. I started restricting in hopes that I could finally be liked, be accepted, and feel OK. I never ever would have called it an eating disorder (ED). I just thought I was trying to be pretty, normal, and healthy. Since culture contends that beauty, normalcy, and health are synonymous with thinness, I skipped meals often and waited for the day when I would emerge from the cocoon of my fatness and finally become the real thin me. At the age of 10 or 11, I started starving myself for the first time, while also doing two to three hours of exercise a day. This type of behavior continued for another decade. My ED was never detected because doctors rarely suspect fat people struggle with this illness and because emaciation (and whiteness, it seemed) was part of ED diagnostic criteria things I never was and never would be.

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As the Fat Daughter of Immigrants, Dieting was a Toxic Component of Assimilation - Refinery29

The restaurant known for baking great pizza and encouraging healthy lifestyles yes, the two can co-exist, they say is back open with shiny new digs in a new location. Tour de Pizza, which had previously operated in the Publix center on 38th Avenue North, has finally reopened, now serving up its fantastic pies next to the Racquet Club of St. Petersburg at 170 47th Avenue Northeast.

The stylish new spot features a sleek bar, a gorgeous courtyard, fireplace, and a combined seating capacity of 150 people. And while its the pizza that keeps people coming in, Tour de Pizza also offers garlic knots, cheese bread, wings, salads, subs, calzones and Stromboli. They even have desserts, along with a full bar of beer, wine and cocktails.

Their specialty and build-your-own pizzas are a draw, to be sure, but our favorites are the long list of breakfast pizzas, highlighted by the Honey Pie Breakfast Pizza. Its a delicious creation topped with scrambled eggs, Italian sausage, bacon, ham, cheddar, mozzarella, spinach, tomato and honey. The restaurant is open from 11 am 9 pm daily, with online ordering for carryout also available.

What makes Tour de Pizza stand out is the wild story of its owner and the restaurants dedication to using healthy ingredients and making pizza you can feel good about eating. Matt McClellan founded Tour de Pizza in 2008, and it was then that he invented what he called the pizza diet. McClellan has dedicated his life to changing the image of pizza from a junk food to a health food, and in 2009 he went on a 1,300-mile bike ride from Saint Pete to New York City to deliver his message that pizza can be both healthy and delicious.

Eventually, he went on to become a professional body-builder as a 41-year-old father of two on an all-pizza diet. In the years since, his stardom in the pizza world has only grown as hes gone on to host the worlds largest pizza party and founded the New York City Pizza Marathon.

At Tour de Pizza you get the chance to experience the same delicious, nutrition that made Matt a champion, a winner, and GQ magazine elite athlete of the world in April of 2016, the website says. If youre pumped for pizza and fitness, Tour De Pizza is the place to be. At Tour De Pizza we pride ourselves on making delicious, healthy food at an affordable price.

Follow Tour de Pizza on facebook for updates and more information.

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Tour de Pizza returns, bringing 'Pizza Diet' back to St. Pete - I Love the Burg

We have been constantly plagued with different diets to achieve weight loss: intermittent fasting, keto, juice cleanses, paleo, Weight Watchers and of course, the most common, CICO. While there are many benefits and evidence for such a diet, there are also some serious catches. But first, lets breakdown how this specific dietary plan work

What is the CICO diet?

The CICO diet is an abbreviation for the term calories in, calories out and is a regime that consists of consuming fewer calories than those you burn. It is perhaps one of the most common and popular gateways into the world of weight loss. The idea behind this dietary method is that as long as youre consuming enough for your bodys essential needs, you can eat whatever you want and lose weight since youre in a constant calorie deficit. And, for most, it seems to work.

Just one scroll through the CICO diet subreddit will boast hundreds of successful weight loss results, with individuals often using a calorie-tracking app to calculate their necessary caloric consumption. But while it may help you lose weight, that does not mean its a perfect method for healthy eating and living. It only works as an approach when people use the method the right way. Every dietary approach comes with a catch, here are four.

1 Nutrients are more important than calories

According to this method, if you maintain your specific caloric deficit, you can eat anything. So, technically, you could eat chocolate all day as long as you dont go over your total calories for the day. This concept has caused many to believe that all calories are created equal and that is simply not true. This can lead people to choose eating a packet of crisps over an avocado, because it may contain less calories, even though the nutrients and benefits of the avocado obviously far outweigh the irresistible crisps. Even if this way of eating successfully leads to weight loss, your body could suffer nutritionally.

Sports nutritionist and dietitian Robbie Clark explained to The Huffington Post that the way we metabolise and breakdown the energy from calories is not one-size-fits-allmany factors are at play and different calories (those from unhealthy foods and those from nutrient-dense foods) have different effects on the body.

Healthy, nutrient-dense foods will keep hunger at bay, help maintain stable blood glucose levels, reduce cravings, and allow your brain to signal to your stomach that its full, Clark said. Whereas, ironically, reaching for those unhealthy foods that may be lower in calories could not only cause obvious nutritional deficiencies, but also lead to weight gain. This is because that unhealthy food choice may not keep you satiated for long.

Nutrient-poor foods will [thus] have the opposite effect, causing hormonal dysfunction, spiking insulin levels, increasing cravings, suppressing satiety signals and encouraging overeating, he continued. Things that cant simply be replaced through supplements. Weight loss in this case doesnt equate to health. So, if youre gonna try this method (even though it does work in many ways), be sure to eat as nutritionally as possible within your means.

2 Calorie counting isnt always accurate

In order to partake in this regime, calorie counting is an essential element of it, and now, with a stream of fitness-tracking and calorie counting apps, it seems dead easy, right? Not quite. There are a number of factors that can throw off the accuracy of your daily count. Take the example of when youre eating at a restaurantcan you be certain of the calories in that meal? Have you factored in the effect exercising could also have on your calorie count?

Sometimes when working out over a certain threshold, your body can begin to limit the amount of calories used so that you dont starveits trying to help you. This is extremely difficult to accurately determine yourself but, perhaps the most common reason for inaccuracy can be the tendency to underestimate calorie consumption. One study found that often people forget what they ate or used in preparing a meal and also dont account for high-caloric drinks, hidden calories or mindless snacking during the day that may be ingestedthis can lead to underestimation of consumption and overestimation of exercise.

Something also to consider is the lack of available food options when filling out your diary on a calorie-tracking app. Often, foods and cuisines from different ethnicities and cultures are not accurately representedyour cultural food is not unhealthy just because an app says so. You do not have to limit yourself to plain chicken breast and broccoli.

3 CICO is not sustainable long-term

Speaking to The Express, Doctor Rupy Aujla expressed his concern on diets such as CICO, The cons surrounding diets usually boil down to sustainability. When you employ a strategy which reduces calories, a very common dietary method, your weight set-point changes. This means that when your caloric intake rapidly declines, you may go into whats known as starvation mode whereby your body holds on to as many calories as it can and thus, retains as much fat as it can.

This is why people tend to plateau, despite having a consistent calorie deficit for a long period of time, Aujla explained. This also leads to people falling off the wagon because they are less motivated, usually by the three-month mark, so they will regain the weight they rapidly lost. Not only are there physical reasons for this being unsustainable but mental ones too.

There is huge enjoyment to be had with food and it is definitely a big influence on your mental health. Living in such a restrictive way could severely impact your mental wellbeing. President of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research (ISNPR), Felice Jacka, stated that a healthy diet is protective and an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression and anxiety, and explained that there is huge scientific evidence that shows food is just as important mentally as it is physically.

4 Calorie counting can affect disordered eating

Counting your calories has long been associated with disordered eating and unhealthy behaviours surrounding food. Beata charity dedicated to aiding those with eating disorderstold the BBC as part of its investigation into this association that counting calories, especially aided by calorie-tracking apps, only exacerbate eating disorders and make recovery even more difficult. It also found many harmful entries by MyFitnessPal, Lose It! and Lifesum users that showcased dangerous evidence of binge eating, starvation and severe esteem and mental health decline.

4 reasons why the CICO diet is toxic both for your body and mind

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