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The Carnivore Diet: Can You Have Too Much Meat? – Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Posted: July 3, 2021 at 1:47 am

Diet programs come in all shapes and sizes, and one trending diet is the carnivore diet. Although it might boast success in helping you lose a few pounds (maybe gainedduring quarantine?), you may wonder if its safe to eat nothing but meat. And how is the carnivore diet different from other carb-limiting meal plans, such as theketogenic (keto) diet?

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Dietitian Kate Patton, MEd, RD, CSSD, LD explains what the carnivore diet is and if its possible to indulge in too much meat.

The carnivore diet might seem like just the ticket if you love meat enough to eat it for every meal (hello, Ron Swanson). In this diet plan, you do just that: eat meat or animal products for every meal. Unlike keto, which limits carbs to a certain number per day, the carnivore diet aims forzerocarbs per day. You eat only meat, fish, eggs and some animal products; you exclude all other food groups including vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, nuts and seeds.

The carnivore diet boasts weight loss, improved mood, as well as blood sugar regulation. It was founded on the belief that high-carb diets are the cause of chronic disease. However, there are drawbacks to eating nothing but animal protein and zero carbs.

Carbs get a bad rap. When you digest carbs, your body turns them into glucose to be used for energy. But if youre not exercising regularly to burn those carbs, they can quickly turn into fat. Therefore, too many carbs can pack on the pounds quickly.

Carbohydrates are your bodys preferred energy source what its accustomed to using for energy, says Patton. But if you dont eat carbs, your next resort is burning fat. And that comes from burning fat in foods you eat or your own body fat. She says people tend to feel good once theyre off carbs because they dont have any wild swings in blood sugar, and eating meat is not as inflammatory. But she warns: Too much animal fat can cause inflammation too.

According to Patton, the absence of carbohydrates is what leads to the weight loss associated with the carnivore diet, but carbs are your bodys preferred energy source. And you can have some serious side effects living off a meat-only diet.

Carbs in their basic form provide fuel for your body. And there are a lot of good-for-you carbohydrates that are loaded with fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best carbs are the ones that most closely resemble how they occur in nature not processed or refined. Some to consider are:

Simple carbs desserts, sugary candies, cakes and pies are the ones to avoid. These are typically full of preservatives, white sugar and flour and are notorious for causing inflammation and weight gain especially around your middle. These carbs are also known contributors to many adverse health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes (thus, the flux in blood sugar), obesity and high blood pressure. So of course if you cut them out of your diet, youll feel better with less weight and fluctuations in glucose levels. But you dont need to omitallcarbs for health benefits. In fact, you can do real damage to your body in doing so.

The carnivore diet at its core is extremely restrictive. And when you omit entire food groups from your diet, theres bound to be consequences.

The carnivore diet is super low in fiber, which will cause a lot of constipation, says Patton. And the risks become much more serious than a failure to poop.

If you have a pre-existing chronic condition, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, any history of stroke or other cardiovascular diseases, you should definitely not try this diet, Patton says pointedly. Even if you have digestive issues, this diet can make things worse with all that protein and fat, which takes a lot longer to digest.

The carnivore diet is high in saturated fats which can cause elevated LDL or bad cholesterol and put you at risk for heart disease. Whats more, many different kinds of processed meats like bacon and some lunch meats are loaded with sodium and have been linked to certain types of cancer. And a diet high in sodium can cause kidney problems and high blood pressure.

Patton doesnt mince words when it comes to this question.

In my opinion, no.

If youre a believer in everything in moderation, this diet isnt for you. The best diet is one thats balanced and includes a variety of different foods from several food groups.

It really is about finding a balance in whats right for you.

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The Carnivore Diet: Can You Have Too Much Meat? - Health Essentials from Cleveland Clinic

Weight Loss Doctor Says This Drives Your Weight Loss | Eat This Not That – Eat This, Not That

Posted: July 3, 2021 at 1:47 am

Most people think of weight loss as a formula: Burn more calories than you take in. However, there are other factors that also play into itsome of which may be preventing you from reaching all of your weight loss goals. Gary Foster, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer at WW, and author of The Shift: 7 Powerful Mindset Changes for Lasting Weight Loss reveals to Eat This, Not That that many of the fundamentals of losing weight have nothing to do with food or exercise. Read on for Dr. Foster's tips for losing weightand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You Have "Long" COVID and May Not Even Know It.

People think being tough on themselves is helpful: the tougher the better. However, Dr. Foster points out that self-compassion always wins over self-criticism. "Being hard on yourself leads to more anxiety, less confidence and feeling less motivated," he says. Practicing self-compassion has many wellness benefits. "For instance, it can help you better maintain a healthy diet, take care of your health (e.g., eat well, be active) even when you're ill or stressed, and feel more motivated to be active for positive, internal reasons (e.g., it's fun, it makes you feel good) rather than feelings of guilt or external pressure. You are your most important ally."

Dr. Foster warns against buying into societal belief that your weight or shape is an indicator of your value. "Your worth cannot be measured on the scale," he says. Additionally, many people believe that the more critical they are of their bodies, the better they'll do on a weight loss journey. But that's not the case. "Negative body image stops you from engaging in health-promoting behaviors and activities," he points out. To help develop a more positive body image, he suggests celebrating all the things your body does. "Placing value in your body's utility rather than its appearance will help you not only be less critical about your physical self, but also less fixated on weight and shape as the sole measures of health and well-being. For example, instead of saying my arms or legs are too this, or too that, focus on what your arms can do for you, such as hugging your kids or loved ones, or what your legs can do for you, like helping you climb stairs and move throughout the day."

You don't have to go on the weight loss journey alone. "Having a community of like-minded allies is a key component to helping you to reach your health and wellness goals," notes Dr. Foster. "They can be a source of inspiration and a sounding board for when you do face setbacks." He notes that there are multiple studies finding that those with a social support system are more likely to engage in healthy eating and physical activity behaviors, less likely to regain weight or turn back to unhealthy eating or physical activity behaviors, and more likely to lose weight than those that go it alone.

Goal setting is key, and the more specific, the more likely you are to achieve it, Dr. Foster reveals. "Think about the what, when and where. Deciding 'I'll walk more this week' won't be as effective as a specific plan like, 'I'll walk on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 5:30-6:00 pm at the park,'" he explains. Pick goals that are reasonable rather than dramatic or draconian. "So instead of 'I will never have dessert,' commit to something more reasonable like, 'I will limit dessert to 1 night each week.' Small, realistic changes lead to sustainable results over time."

When the actions we take are rewarding or satisfying, we're more likely to keep doing them, Dr. Foster notes, citing research. In other words, the actions are reinforcing. "By making activity more reinforcing, we can start to be more active and make it a habit." When you can't find an activity you enjoy, making the experience of being active enjoyable can help you repeat it. "There are many ways you can make the experience more enjoyable. For example, enlisting a family member or friend to do it at the same time. Or, saving something you want to do for a time when you are being active, only watching your favorite show when you're on the treadmill, only listening to the new music you downloaded or your favorite podcast when you're walking."

Setbacks to not equate to failure. "It is not about IF you have a setback, it's about WHEN you have a setback and HOW you respond to it," Dr. Foster explains. There are two keys to effectively managing setbacks. The first? Recover quickly. "Just because you did something in the afternoon that goes against your initial goal, doesn't mean you have to throw the rest of the day away. For example: if you ate more than you wanted to at lunch, you can get back on track at dinner, you don't have to wait until the next day or 'I'll get back on track on Monday.' One slip (no matter how big you think it is) can't derail your journey. Get back to your regular routine as soon as you can and put the setback in your rear-view mirror." Also, learn from your setbacks. "Think about 'how' it happened and what you can learn from the experience," he urges. "Avoid asking 'why' it happened since it usually leads to self-critical thoughts that are inaccurate and not actionable (ex: I have no willpower). Identify what got in the way and how you can try something differently next time."

RELATED: The #1 Key to Weight Loss, According to Experts

By recognizing your eating habits, you can change your environment to make it easier to manage, notes Dr. Foster. "For instance, if you work at home, try to separate your eating area from your working area, or put food away from your pantry, to avoid mindless eating. Research shows that people who consistently behave in 'healthy' ways do so by relying on habitsskillsnot willpower. That's because they don't spend lots of time deciding whether or not to make a healthy choice, or struggling with urges that can pull them off track. They've set up their environments in this intentional way or chose such environments to help set them up for success." And now that you've got a great foundation, don't miss these additional 19 Weight Loss Foods That Really Work.

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Weight Loss Doctor Says This Drives Your Weight Loss | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

"DentalSlim Diet Control" Device That Magnetically Restricts Users to an All-Liquid Diet Is Officially My Villain Origin Story – The Mary…

Posted: July 3, 2021 at 1:47 am

Ive been fat for most of my life and with that comes an ever-changing inventory full of weight loss techniques that Ive never asked for. People swear these tips are for my personal wellbeing and not at all because theyre uncomfortable with a fat woman sitting next to them on an airplane, SO uncomfortable, in fact, that theyd be cool with my mouth being magnetized shut.

What I expect when someone tries to sell me on a diet is the (insert food or drink here) diet, you know, that diet where all you do is eat or drink one thing? The one that finds that one person who swears that they lost weight from eating nothing but potatoes or cabbage soup? The one that experts react to like this:

via GIPHY

But the DentalSlim sounds like a straight-up medieval torture device, something obviously bad for your well-being but its promoted positively because sure, its dangerous, but at least you wont be fat anymore.

Heres what the University of Otago says in their article about the DentalSlim:

DentalSlim Diet Control is an intra-oral device fitted by a dental professional to the upper and lower back teeth. It uses magnetic devices with unique custom-manufactured locking bolts. It allows the wearer to open their mouths only about 2mm, restricting them to a liquid diet, but it allows free speech and doesnt restrict breathing.

The lead researcher of this delightful Jigsaw trap, University of Otago Health Sciences Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Brunton, goes on to say that the device is both safe and affordable, the perfect tool for folks battling obesity.

Obesity, of course, has been my primary concern lately, theres nothing else globally pandemic-y going on right now.

The device is fitted by a dentist, can be released by the wearer in case of emergency, and can be repeatedly fitted and removed.

Im not gonna pretend like I know a damn thing about dental care, but something tells me that removing and replacing magnetic devices on your teeth whenever you feel like it is bad. I wore braces for years and once they were on my teeth, they were ON my teeth until my dentist removed them. I didnt have a killswitch for them, then again, they werent made for the sole purpose of making sure my fat ass could only drink smoothies.

Like. Do I take them off when I sleep?

Can I brush my teeth?

What is your definition of an emergency that would require their removal?

Professor Brunton goes on to say that, The main barrier for people for successful weight loss is compliance and this helps them establish new habits, allowing them to comply with a low-calorie diet for a period of time. It really kick-starts the process. Followed by,It is a non-invasive, reversible, economical and attractive alternative to surgical procedures, and ends with, The fact is, there are no adverse consequences with this device.

Um.

Okay.

A couple of hours after the tweet was made, more information about the DentalSlim was added to the thread in an attempt to make it sound like it was more than a poster child for fatphobia because, it um, sounds like the poster child for fatphobia.

If youre curious, in the article shared about the device, this is a small, easy to miss paragraph caked between passages that reveal the alarming percentage of obese people in the world and how those who used the DentalSlim felt better about themselves after finally finding a way to face this, quote, global epidemic.

Needless to say, social media was not kind about this horrific method of weight loss.

Note: the article about the DentalSlim actually references this because yes, there was, in fact, a period where wiring peoples jaws shut was used as a way to lose weight.

The practice of surgically wiring peoples jaws shut became popular in the 1980s, but it came with risks; vomiting brought with it the risk of choking and after 9 to 12 months the patients developed gum disease. In some cases, there were continuing issues with restriction of jaw movement and some developed acute psychiatric conditions.

If you want to read more about that tasty nugget of 80s nostalgia, theres an entire report right over here. I guess Brunton has decided to evolve wired jaws into magnetized ones? Im sure thatll be fine, right?

For arguments sake, I suppose we should ask, are liquid diets an effective method of weight loss? Well, according to this U.S. News article the short answer, like most of these crash diets without any medical professional on hand, is yes followed swiftly with, Youre doing more harm than good.

It is restrictive (of calories), so you will lose weight, says Wesley McWhorter, the director of culinary nutrition for the Nourish Program at the Center for Healthy Living at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health. In general, weight loss is basic math: Consume fewer calories than you burn, and you lose weight. Thats why this and any restrictive, low-calorie diet will work short-term.

But that comes with a caveat: Is it sustainable? Absolutely not. Is it healthy? Absolutely not, McWhorter quickly adds. He is far from alone in that belief. Following a liquid diet is not a good long-term strategy for weight loss, says Kristen Smith, a registered dietitian, bariatric surgery coordinator for Piedmont Healthcare in Atlanta and author of ablogthat promotes healthful eating.

Not to mention that things like the DentalSlim assume that the key to weight loss lies solely in restricting someones ability to eat. It also doesnt take into account the dangers of forcing this on your body. As McWhorter says (in regards to liquid diets), this is a temporary solution that isnt even a solution because its not sustainable, not healthy, and just an all-around bad idea when it comes to taking care of your body.

Now take that and add magnets IN YOUR MOUTH.

While Im glad to see the overwhelming response of what the ever-living fuck in regards to magnetizing your mouth, its frustrating that there are groups so uncomfortable with my body that they spend time and resources to create something thats so obviously awful. Its also a reminder of how fatphobic our society is. There are plenty, and I mean PLENTY, of lose weight feel great methods that are praised even iftheres evidence of them doing more damage to your body.

Even if Ive come to expect disdain for my body, its still shocking to see, in a time where were facing a literal pandemic, that this is what a group of researchers felt the need to focus on.

I hope everyone keeps this same energy when the next research group makes something just as horribleif not morehorrible than this.

(Image: University of Otago)

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"DentalSlim Diet Control" Device That Magnetically Restricts Users to an All-Liquid Diet Is Officially My Villain Origin Story - The Mary...

‘I Walked off Nearly 150 Pounds’ – Prevention.com

Posted: July 3, 2021 at 1:47 am

My name is Roxanne Mullenberg, and I'm a 42-year-old bank project manager living in Fargo, ND.

My entire family is the definition of big-boned: I'm 58 and have struggled with my weight my entire life. Because of that, I never had good self-esteem. My mom tried to cook healthy meals, but my parents were feeding four kids plus themselves on a working-class budget, and we all know that fresh food is more expensive.

As an adult, Ive always seen 350 pounds or so on the scale. I tried weight loss programs here and there that never worked. This was before apps, and manually counting calories was exhausting and not realistic. I tried a program where I drank shakes, but I never felt full or satisfied, and I actually gained weight. I also tried joining a gym, but I could never focus on nutrition at the same time as exercise; it was one or the other, and I never saw much change.

Roxanne Mullenberg

My sister also struggled with her weight, and in 2014, at 39, she had gastric sleeve surgery. After a few days at home, she had to be readmitted to the hospital, and she died from a blood clot from the surgery. Not only was I dealing with suddenly losing my sister, but I also became a single mom overnight: I adopted her four-year-old son, Ryan, with whom Ive always shared a special bond. My sister always wanted us to be close, and now I wonder if she knew somehow that she wouldnt always be around.

After what happened to my sister, I knew surgery would never be the weight loss path for me. Yet I wanted to get healthy for Ryan, to make sure I would be here, and to have more energy to be the best parent I could be. Of course, now that I am a single parent, this would be more challenging than in the past. Im really good at caretaking and giving to others, but not very good at taking care of myself. Losing weight always came in second to showing up for Ryan or my nieces eventseven if that meant grabbing fast food or something from the concession stands at their games.

A few years later, I was at a family reunion when my moms cousin came up and asked, Do you have a thyroid issue? I said not one I knew of. She told me she had a thyroid issue, as did all of her sisters. (The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ that creates and produces hormones that play a major role in metabolism.) I hadnt realized there was any family history of this. So at my next checkup, I mentioned it to the doctor. She ran blood tests and called me that day to say I had an underactive thyroid, and prescribed me medication. I started taking the prescription and made an effort to eat better but I only lost a negligible amount of weight. I wasnt feeling good or proud of how I looked, so I decided I wanted to put in the work to lose more.

Shortly after that, about two years ago, my office set up a summer walking challenge, and I signed up. My goal: Walk 400 miles by September. Having a concrete challenge really motivated me and gave me a reason to exercise. The accountability was also super helpful. Every week, they sent out an email to everyone with each participants mileage recaps, and, heck yeah, I wanted to be one of the top participants! I finished in the top quarter of the group, logging 4 to 5 miles a day.

Fargos weather isnt great for walking year-round, but I didnt let that stop me. I stuck with my outdoor walks during bitterly cold, 20-below days.

Ive kept it up, and Im still walking 4 miles a day. I wake up and walk in the morning, then do 40 minutes at lunchtime every day, then do another walk at night. I split up my 80 to 90 minutes of activity a day because I would never have that uninterrupted stretch. I even walked a 10k for my 42nd birthday this year.

Fargos weather isnt great for walking year-round, but I didnt let that stop me. My goal this winter was to walk at least one of my miles outside each day to get some fresh air and make it feel different from all my indoor activity (like walking around the house while on phone calls). Over the winter, that meant forcing myself outside during bitterly cold, 20-below days. Id put on wool socks, big boots, snow pants, and go, even when there was a no-travel advisory. Whether its raining, snowing, sleeting, hailing, minus-20 degrees, or 95 degrees, Im going to be out there.

Even with walking consistently, the weight wasnt coming off. I knew I also had to change my eating habits. Coworkers at the bank recommended that I try Profile by Sanford, a health and nutrition program developed by medical experts at Sanford Health, one of the worlds largest healthcare providers. When you join the program, youre paired with a health coach (that you meet with in-person at one of their retail locations or online) to get a custom meal plan and learn sustainable lifestyle changes. There are essentially three phases for Profile: Reboot, Adapt, and Sustain. Starting with the Reboot stage, I had a protein shake in the morning; another one as a mid-morning snack; a protein shake and 2 cups of veggies and a fat (like avocado or olive oil) for lunch; then, a Profile fiber tea and Profile protein bar as an afternoon snack. For supper, Id have a protein (like chicken or fish), 2 more cups of veggies, and a fat, followed by another shake. Though I was hesitant about any plan that incorporated shakes because of my past experiences with that being all you ate, these ones tasted great, were in addition to real food, and were perfect for my on-the-go lifestyle, so I didnt have to stop at a drive-through.

I'm in Adapt now, the second phase, which means I can swap out more shakes and bars for fresh foods and can have starches and fruit. The goal while moving through the phases is to have fewer packaged products and more fresh foods that you make yourself. Profile offers some pre-made food items, but other than shakes, bars, and tea, I mostly grocery shop and make my own meals. I got a customized meal plan from my coach with lots of healthy ideas and even grocery lists. I like the meal plans because I dont have to think about what to eat or try to make the right decision because its already laid out for me.

Now, rather than using the drive-through, I have a shake, or I always have a bag of prepped celery or cucumbers in the car to eat instead of fries. Ive had to adapt how I think and spend some extra time preparing food. Im doing something for myself for once, which is a mindset change. Im investing in myself, my health, and my future.

Roxanne Mullenberg

When I started with Profile in February 2020, I was at 358 lbs. Now Im at 209, so 149 lbs down! Ive gone down 10 pants sizesgetting a whole new wardrobe is fun! Ive had other major wins, too. Before, my blood pressure was concerningly high and I was close to requiring medication, and now its drastically dropped to a healthy range. Im feeling more comfortable in my own skin. I have more energy, and as Im gaining confidence, Im more willing to try new things.

Ryan is 11 now and wants us to go on bike rides together, so working up my confidence and muscle stamina for longer rides is my next goal. I also used to think runners were crazywhy would you do that unless you were running from something?but now I think about how much more quickly I would get my steps in and its appealing to me, so I might try training for a 5k run next. I have walking down, so now its asking my body, What else can I do? These days, Im up for new challenges, and nothing can slow me down.

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'I Walked off Nearly 150 Pounds' - Prevention.com

A guide to coconut meat: Nutritional benefits and risks – Medical News Today

Posted: July 3, 2021 at 1:47 am

Coconut meat is the white, fleshy inside of a coconut. It has a sweet taste. Alongside coconut milk and oil, coconut meat has become a popular snack and ingredient in cooking, partly due to its many health benefits. People can eat coconut meat either fresh or dried.

Coconut trees are brilliant sources of food, oil, fiber, and wood. The large fruits of the coconut palm contain coconut water, milk, oil, and meat.

Read on for a guide to coconut meat, including the health benefits and potential risks of eating coconut meat.

One cup of coconut meat contains:

Much of the fat in coconut meat is saturated fat. However, this is mostly made up of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), or medium-chain fatty acids.

MCTs are important because the body converts them more easily into energy that it can use quickly, compared with other sources of fat.

There are many potential health benefits associated with eating coconut meat. The following sections will look at these benefits in more detail.

Coconut meat contains many antioxidant phenolic compounds, which fight free radicals and help prevent oxidative stress throughout the body.

A 2016 study of the compounds and fats present in various types of coconut found that the meat contained:

Having high amounts of oxidative stress has links with a number of different conditions, including:

Antioxidants tackle the cause of oxidative stress and can lower the risk of developing a variety of conditions.

The coconut oil in the meat of the coconut may help improve a persons levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or good, cholesterol and lower the levels of their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or bad, cholesterol.

The researchers behind a 2017 study involving 35 healthy 1825-year-olds instructed half of the participants to consume 30 milliliters of virgin coconut oil daily for 8 weeks.

They found that the levels of HDL cholesterol in those consuming the coconut oil were significantly higher than those in the control group. There was no difference in their LDL cholesterol levels.

Learn more ways a person can add coconut oil to their diet here.

One 2015 review noted that a small number of clinical trials and animal studies have explored the effects of MCTs on people with Alzheimers disease.

The review went on to say that these studies have reported significant cognitive improvements in people with Alzheimers disease, though it called for more research to make firm conclusions.

As well as having a number of health benefits, there are some possible risks to consuming coconut meat. Most of the time, these risks involve excessive consumption rather than eating it in moderation.

Consuming a lot of coconut meat means that a person will consume a lot of fats, including polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fats.

One 2018 study suggested that the consumption of coconut should not exceed the United States Department of Agricultures daily recommended saturated fat intake, at less than 10% of a persons total daily calorie intake.

In 2016, researchers from Harvard University noted that having a high intake of saturated fats may lead to an increased risk of heart disease. However, most people especially those eating a typical Western diet do not eat enough coconut for the saturated fat in it to have an impact.

Learn how much saturated fat a person should have in their diet here.

Because coconut meat is high in calories, it can also contribute to weight gain if people eat a lot of it and do not reduce their calorie intake elsewhere in their diet.

Learn about the myth behind weight loss and coconut oil here.

Manufacturers may add sugar to processed coconut meat products during the production process. This means that although people may think that they are choosing a healthy snack, they could be consuming a lot of hidden sugar.

People should always check the label on food products.

As with most foods, there is always a small chance that someone may be allergic to coconuts. Coconut allergies are rare but can cause anaphylaxis.

People can eat coconut meat raw. They can either buy a whole coconut or find raw coconut in the refrigerator aisle at the grocery store. Alternatively, people can choose sun-dried coconut, which they do not need to store in a refrigerator.

Eating coconut meat raw is a great way to ensure that a person gets the full nutritional benefits of the fruit. Processed coconut products may contain added sugar, and the action of processing them may remove some of the nutrients and fiber.

A 2016 study that looked at the antioxidant properties of coconut meat also found that the more mature the coconut, the higher its fat content. It also noted that most manufacturers use mature meat to make dehydrated coconut.

Therefore, eating raw, young coconut may be a better option for those aiming to decrease their fat intake.

If a person has a whole coconut, they should pierce a hole through one of the three eyes on the top of the fruit. They should then drain the water completely, then lightly hammer the coconut to cause the shell to crack open. Then, they should remove the meat with a spoon or knife, depending on the texture of the meat.

People can use coconut meat in a number of ways, such as by:

Coconut meat is a versatile food that many people can easily add to their diet.

People can enjoy coconut meat fresh or dried. The meat is the white, fleshy part of the coconut that comes alongside coconut water in the fruit.

It can take the form of coconut cream or milk, but manufacturers usually sweeten it in the production process. Therefore, a person should aim to eat coconut meat raw or unsweetened to limit their sugar intake.

Coconut meat may have a number of health benefits, but due to its high fat content, people should only eat it in moderation as part of a healthy diet.

Read more:
A guide to coconut meat: Nutritional benefits and risks - Medical News Today

Galloway: Be wary of fad diets | Opinion | iowastatedaily.com – Iowa State Daily

Posted: June 19, 2021 at 1:52 am

Columnist Noah Galloway explains why eating a balance of healthy foods and counting calories is better than any fad diet.

There are so many different diets out there; it can really make your head spin. Doctors and nutritionists are always trying to convince you of their new diet that has "amazing" results.

The nutrition industry has so much misinformation and poor research studies. Ive heard a critique on just about every food. Its overwhelming for people to try and learn so much when they are just trying to become healthy. Kale and broccoli are considered toxic, and this is one of the most bizarre examples Ive heard. At this point, all we have left is gluten-free water.

I think its too much to ask for people to be so familiar with nutrition. Why cant we focus on a balanced diet rather than all these fad diets that people are rotating through? Where is the Netflix documentary on a balanced diet? We constantly question the legitimacy of these doctors who seem too biased when it comes to their research and identity. I think the best way to lose weight and have overall good health is a balanced diet of all food groups.

I think the most important guideline to follow is counting calories. This may seem like a lot of work at first, but the certainty and removal of anxiety over the scale is worth the time it takes to measure food intake. MyFitnessPal makes it easy to add meals youve already eaten you don't have to spend too much time inputting meals. Its the perfect encapsulation of the old adage "discipline equals freedom." Its relaxing knowing exactly how much food you can have the rest of the day and not constantly feeling guilty. Health is about being good most of the time, and its fine to have junk food once a week as a reminder of why you are making these daily sacrifices.

Losing weight is all about calories in and calories out.

Another rule of thumb is to find foods you like and avoid foods you love. Try and reset your mentality and remember that food is strictly fuel, and concentrate on eating to give you energy rather than the inevitable food coma. Look for foods that are high in volume and low in calories if you enjoy the process of eating and want to gorge on food.

Drinking plenty of water is another great option to give yourself a false sense of feeling full. Sparkling water works even better than regular water because the carbonation has a filling effect. Losing weight too fast can be another issue because the metabolism slows down, and losing weight too quickly can result in muscle loss.

Slow and steady is the best option, and its the most sustainable.

One of the best ways to lose weight is to get plenty of sleepbecause we tend to reach for food when lethargic or tired, which plays into excessive eating. Getting enough protein is important because its quite filling, and digesting protein burns more calories than digesting fat and carbohydrates. One thing I avoid is drinking calories because it typically isnt as filling as eating those same calories. Instead of drinking a protein shake, one could throw the powder in a blender and have a simple smoothie bowl. Dont be afraid to try zero-calorie sweeteners at the beginning to start the process of shedding and maintaining weight.

Getting back to finding a balance between all the various diets doctors and nutritionists are trying to sell us, I recommend doing a basic Google search of healthiest foods in the world and look at multiple websites, which will touch on the same foods. The more overlap a food has, the more you can be sure its good for you.

Include as many of these foods as possible, and you will be amazed at how good you feel. If you slip up and crush a cheeseburger, dont be too hard on yourself. One bad meal a week is not going to destroy your overall health.

Editorials are longer opinion pieces that are written by a group of community members recruited across campus who address relevant issues on a local, national and international level. Editorials are research-based. The purpose of the Editorial Board is to promote discussion concerning relevant issues in the community while advising on possible solutions. Topics are chosen via relevancy and interests of the members, which are then discussed by the Editorial Board in order to reach a general consensus concerning the topic or issue.

If you have a grievance concerning the content or argument of the Editorial Board, please contact either Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or the Editorial Board as a whole (editorialboard@iowastatedaily.com).Those wanting to respond to editorials can also submit a letter to the editor through the Iowa State Daily website or by emailing the letter to Opinion Editor Peyton Hamel (peyton.hamel@iowastatedaily.com) or Editor-in-Chief Sage Smith (sage.smith@iowastatedaily.com).

Columns are hyper-specific to opinion and are written by only columnists employed by the Iowa State Daily. Columnists are unique because they have a specific writing day and only publish on those writing days. Each column undergoes a thorough editing process ensuring the integrity of the writer, and their claim is maintained while remaining research-based and respectful.Columns may be submitted from community members. These are labelled as Guest Columns. These contain similar research-based content and need to be at least 400 words in length. The following requirements should be met: first and last name, email and relation or position to Iowa State. Emails must be tied to the submitted guest column or it will not be accepted or published. Pseudonyms are prohibited and the writer will be banned from submissions.

Read our full Opinion Policies here.Updated on 10/7/2020

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The Pioneer Woman Just Explained the Exact 10 Things She Did to Lose 43 Pounds | Eat This Not That – Eat This, Not That

Posted: June 19, 2021 at 1:52 am

Ree Drummond, AKA The Pioneer Woman, has undergone a massive weight loss transformation in the past six months, shedding a staggering 43 pounds since January. However, the star says it's not a trendy diet or expensive exercise routine that helped her lose the weight. Read on to discover Drummond's 10 essential habits for dropping the pounds and keeping them off.

For more insight into how stars really slim down, Raven-Symon Says This Exact Diet Helped Her Lose 30 Pounds.

In a new post on her website, Drummond says that she didn't do keto, intermittent fasting, or any type of weight loss program to shed the pounds, nor did she buy diet foods. Instead, she relied on the tried-and-true "calories in, calories out" method.

"I tried to achieve a calorie deficit most days, which means I expended more calories (through exercise and just basic daily activity) than my body required to maintain my then-weight," she said, explaining that she used online tools to help her find out the calories in her food.

"Counting my calories was nothing short of eye opening, and for me it was essential."

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In addition to tracking her daily caloric intake and shooting to eat fewer calories than she was burning, Drummond used a digital food scale to make sure she was consuming the right portion sizes.

"It really woke me up to the portions I had grown accustomed to eating! As with calories, I had completely lost sight of the volume I was eatingso it was an education in those first few weeks," says Drummond, who says that she no longer weighs her portions for every meal now that she has a better idea of how to eyeball things.

Drummond says that she didn't use a trainer to help her slim down, relying on what she had on hand instead to help her get more exercise.

"I walked 2 to 3 miles, or did the rowing machine, or did Pilates," using a floor-based Pilates routine, she explained. "I exercised 6 days a week, sometimes twice a day (morning walk, evening rowing machine), sometimes just once."

After finding her weight loss plateauing after just over a month on her journey, Drummond began incorporating weight-bearing exercises into her routine.

When she started, Drummond says, "I had zero strength in my lower body and my legs trembled and gave out. But I still did it, about four days a week to start, and laughed at my uncoordinated clumsiness every time." She now does a routine of squats, lunges, and other muscle-toning exercises on a regular basis.

While Drummond says she didn't stick to any particular diet plan to lose weight, she does admit that ramping up her protein intake was essential in terms of her weight loss.

"On a typical day, I had been landing at around 15% to 20% of my calories from proteinso I pivoted and steered my eating so that I was around 30% to 40% protein. It worked!" In doing so, Drummond says she got past her weight loss plateau and experienced greater satiety on a daily basis.

For more insight into how your favorite celebs work out, Country Star Jana Kramer Reveals the Exact Exercise Routine That Keeps Her Fit.

As a means of cutting calories while staying satisfied, Drummond cut down her sugar intake dramatically, opting instead for more filling foods. However, she says that the occasional treat is still on the menu.

"Were there days I gave in and had a piece of cake? Yes! I'm The Pioneer Woman and I love food! Ha. But the piece of cake was the size of Rhode Island instead of Texas, and it wasn't an everyday thing," she says.

As a means of both cutting calories and adopting healthier habits in terms of her exercise and eating, Drummond drank no alcohol during the first four months of her weight loss journey.

While Drummond says she's "back to having an occasional grown-up beverage again," she now opts for tequila with Topo Chico sparkling mineral water and fresh lime juice instead of more caloric drinks.

To stay on track with her weight loss, Drummond relied on the Happy Scale app, which helps illustrate how many pounds you've lost and the rate at which you're losing.

"Let me tell you that it was a GAME CHANGER in terms of motivating me to keep going,' she says.

"It was the magic bullet for me because it takes away the occasional frustration of natural ebbs and flows of weight loss by giving you your moving average weight along with your literal weight."

Since Drummond was writing a cookbook while trying to lose weight, she opted for a standing desk to ensure she didn't spend the whole day sitting.

"I found more than anything was that when you are working in a standing position, you are a lot more mobile and prone to step away and take breaksIf I'd been standing and working awhile and I felt like moving around, I'd just leave my desk and go outside, go get water, go take a short walk."

Instead of declaring her weight loss journey over after shedding significant weight, Drummond says she's looking at her transformation as an ongoing lifestyle change that keeps her feeling healthier.

"I'll keep weighing in every day to have all the information I need going forward, but the number isn't what I'm paying attention to nowMy experiences over the past few months have equipped me with real, doable tools that I feel like I'll be able to whip out whenever things get off track in the coming months and years." And for more on how celebs have stayed healthy during the pandemic, Brooke Burke Is Thrilled She Doesn't Have to Track Calories With This Diet and Exercise Routine.

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The Pioneer Woman Just Explained the Exact 10 Things She Did to Lose 43 Pounds | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Intermittent Fasting May Not Be As Effective As Calorie-Restricted Dieting – CBS Boston

Posted: June 19, 2021 at 1:52 am

BOSTON (CBS) Intermittent fasting has grown in popularity as a quick way to shed pounds, but a new study finds this dieting approach may not be as effective as simply cutting calories.

Many people believe intermittent fasting is especially effective for weight loss and for improving metabolic health, but this new study suggests intermittent fasting is no magic bullet. In a randomized controlled trial involving 36 adults, researchers at the University of Bath found that after three weeks, volunteers who fasted on alternate days did not lose any more weight than those who reduced calories by 25% across all meals.

In fact, those who fasted lost less weight and lost more muscle mass than those on the simple calorie-restricted diet. So as always, before you embark on a weight loss plan, talk to your doctor to help you determine which approach might work best for you.

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Intermittent Fasting May Not Be As Effective As Calorie-Restricted Dieting - CBS Boston

How to work out your meat persona and make your diet greener and healthier as a result – iNews

Posted: June 19, 2021 at 1:52 am

Summer has finally arrived in the UK, which means only one thing: the return of the barbecue. A June afternoon isnt complete without a soundtrack of sizzling sausages and the smell of burgers grilling wafting through the air.

But before throwing another pack of sausages on the barbie, how many of us stop and think about how much meat we eat, and why? Thats the aim of a new project funded by science charity Wellcome, which is designed to get people debating their diets.

Visitors to the Meat Your Persona pop-up exhibition, which is touring shopping centres this month, will be challenged to complete an interactive quiz to discover which one of six meat personas they are, before learning how they canadjust their diets to be greener and healthier.

i's guide to helping the planet in your everyday life

Meat and dairy production is a major driver of climate change. Meat Your Persona draws on research by scientists at the University of Oxford, who warn global climate targets are unreachable without people cutting back on consumption of meat and dairy products.

Meat tends to require a lot of water, and also it produces a lot of greenhouse gases, explains Professor Charles Godfray, a member of the Oxford research team supporting the project. There could also be worrying health effects: There is evidence that if you eat a very large amount of red meat there are risks for your health. The risks are not enormous, but they are definitely there, Professor Godfray warns.

Professor Godfray and his colleagues hope the project will give them a better sense of how much the public understands the connection between meat and climate change, and how easy it will be to shift the masses towards greener eating habits. The whole point of the quiz is to get a conversation going, he says.

One of the things we are interested in is just how people react to and assimilate new information for example around the consequences of eating meat, and how it incentivises them to change their diets or not to change their diets.

How often do you eat meat?a) It isnt a meal without meatb) Most daysc) A couple of times a weekd) Now and thene) Only when Im outf) Never

Did you know As a global average per capita, meat consumption has increased by 20kg since 1961 thats equal to about 89 extra steaks a yeareach.

If you could only eat one of these for the rest of your life, which would it be?a) Beef me upb) Chicken lickinc) All things porkd) Lamb, I love ewee) Seafood and I eat itf) Cheese please

Did you know Different types of meat red, white and processed affect our health in different ways.

How much do you think about what you eat?a) Ive got food on the brainb) Food is my fuelc) Im not fussyd) Im easily temptede) Ill try anything oncef) Ill have what shes having

Did you know What you choose to eat can depend a lot on your surroundings: who you eat with, where you shop and even how your foods labelled.

What is most likely to tickle your taste buds in the future?a) Plant-based eatingb) Lab-grown meatsc) Insect proteind) Beef-free menuse) Fake it till you make it (meatsubstitutes)d) East less meat but better quality

Did you know Around a third of adults in the UK have reduced the amount of meat in their diet in the past five years.

What is most important to you?a) Air qualityb) Water purityc) Natured) Animalse) Climate changef) Your local surroundings

Did you know More than a third of all the calories from the worlds harvested crops are used to feed animals instead of humans.

But while the science around the health and climate change effect of meat consumption is clear, the question of how to broach the topic of dietary change is less clear cut. Tackle the topic in the wrong way, and people become defensive orangry.

The quiz has been designed to try to engage people without enraging them, says Amanda Gore, director of the Liminal Space, the consultancy that designed the quiz.

The aim was to encourage people to learn more about their behaviour in a light-hearted way, and through this become aware of the impacts of meat eating, she says.

We wanted to give everyone the ability to make informed choices the experience is purposefully non-judgemental and supportive, offering information and suggestions for people whether they eat meat with every meal or not.

Ready for a grilling? Take the quiz and see if the pack of sausages you fancy chucking on the barbecue turn out to be plant-based.

Mostly AsThe BLT: breakfast, lunch and tea its not a meal without meatLike the majority of Britons, youre a meat-eater. But did you know that our appetite for red meat like beef is causing huge problems for the environment and our health? Research conducted by the University of Oxfords Leap research project, which looks into the effect of meat and dairy on human health and the environment, shows that swapping just 100 calories a day of red or processed meat thats less than half a beef burger for a healthier option such as fish, cheese or eggs could cut your chance of heart disease by 20 per cent and help the planet in the process.

Mostly BsThe chicken supreme: your body is a temple to proteinEveryone needs protein its one of the key building blocks that allows our bodies to stay healthy, and chicken can be a good source. But were eating way too much of it. Try to eat less protein, especially meat, and fill up on fruit and veg or staple foods like bread or pasta instead.

We actually eat 50-80 per cent more protein than we need to and if we all ate a more plant-based diet, wed not only be healthier, but we could reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70 per cent by 2050.

Mostly CsThe happy eater: you are what you eat and you eat only the bestOrganic, local, grass-fed, bio-dynamic, rare breed? Like many meat-eaters you know your onions and prefer them in a slow-cooked bolognese. Buying good quality grass-fed beef from local sources is certainly better than mass-produced meat raised on feed from abroad, but it is still contributing to climatechange.Researchers from the Leap team are currently studying how meat production affects our planet. For instance, did you know that producing a single steak takes the same amount of water as having a five-minute shower every day for two whole months? Could you eat less as well as bettermeat?

Mostly DsThe part-time carnivore: you love meat as an occasional treatAlmost a quarter of adults in the UK feel the same way they regularly give meat a miss. And the number is growing: over the past five years almost a third of us have reduced the amount of meat we eat. We dont have to go totally vegetarian to make a difference. You could still have a piece of meat, a couple of bits of chicken and a splash of milk in your tea or coffee each week and keep global warming under control.

Mostly EsThe adventurous eater: you will try anything once Biltong, brains, sweetbreads and offal. Your appetite knows no limits. But livestock farming around the world is having a huge impact on endangered birds and animals. The UK food supply alone is directly linked to the extinction of an estimated 33 species at home and abroad.

Mostly FsThe salad spinner: you are a meat-free magicianWho needs meat? You can conjure all the flavour you need from grains, vegetables and fish and let your lentils do the talking. Leap researchers have found that vegetarians and those who eat fish or little meat are far less likely to develop colorectal cancer or heart disease compared with regular meat eaters.

meatyourpersona.com

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How to work out your meat persona and make your diet greener and healthier as a result - iNews

This One Diet May Prevent High Blood Pressure, New Study Says | Eat This Not That – Eat This, Not That

Posted: June 19, 2021 at 1:52 am

By now, it's no news that eating a predominantly plant-based diet may be key to staving off chronic disease in the long run. Now, two new studies suggest that switching to a plant-based diet may also benefit pregnant mothers in the immediate term by keeping their blood pressure levels in check.

Investigators at the Medical College of Georgia and the Medical College of Wisconsin recently reported in the journals Acta PhysiologicaandPregnancy Hypertension: An International Journal of Women's Cardiovascular Healththat gut microbiota help regulate our immune system response.

Gut microbiota contain trillions of microorganisms that help us digest food and may play a role in impacting mental processes like mood. This is because gut bacteria manufacture about 95% of the body's supply of serotonin, which affects your gastrointestinal activity and possibly your mood. These microorganisms thrive on both prebiotics and probiotics, both of which are primarily found in plant-based foods.

So if gut microbiota may be able to impact our mood, then it makes sense that it might also impact other things, like protecting us from high blood pressure (hypertension), right?

Essentially, researchers discovered that diet intervention can help improve gut microbiota and protect against hypertension, even when dietary salt consumption is high. Here's how they came to this unexpected observation.

Rodents that were in the Dahl salt-sensitive group were essentially bred to develop hypertension and progressive kidney disease on a high-salt diet. The rats were all fed a milk-based protein diet, but some were then switched to a grain-based diet. Keep in mind that both diets are relatively low in sodium.

However, when both groups were fed a high-salt diet, the rodents that had switched to a grain-based diet developed significantly less high blood pressure and related kidney damage than those on the milk-based protein diet. This led researchers to believe that developing hypertension is not only about sodium consumption but also about everyday dietary choices.

"The animal protein amplified the effects of the salt," Dr. David L. Mattson, senior author of the study and a longtime hypertension researcher, said in a statement.

"Since the gut microbiota has been implicated in chronic diseases like hypertension, we hypothesized that dietary alterations shift the microbiota to mediate the development of salt-sensitive hypertension and renal disease," the authors wrote in the journal Acta Physiologica.

In fact, the gut microbiome was entirely different between the two groups of rats, yet their genetic material was virtually identical. Interestingly enough, when the rats that were fed the grain-based diet received a transplant of the gut microbiota from the rats eating the milk-based protein diet, they experienced increases in blood pressure.

When the reverse was performed, the rats that were eating the milk-based protein diet didn't experience any benefits from the other group's microbiota. This is because the new microorganisms couldn't flourish in the face of the animal-based protein diet, researchers speculate.

When both groups of rodents gave birth, those that were on the whole-grain diet were protected from preeclampsia, a condition in which a pregnant mother develops high blood pressure that can lead to serious or even fatal complications for both her and the baby. On the other hand, more than half of the rodents that continued on the milk-based protein diet developed the condition.

"This means that if mom is careful with what she eats during pregnancy, it will help during the pregnancy but also with her long-term health and could provide protective effects for her children," Dr. John Henry Dasinger, postdoc and one of the authors of the study said in a statement.

The researchers noted that this finding reinforces the message that both physicians and scientists have been sending mothers-to-be for decades: Diet matters during pregnancy.

Bottom line: These animal studies suggest that eating a primarily plant-based diet before and during pregnancy may help reduce a mother's chances of developing preeclampsia. However, keep in mind that these studies were conducted on rats, so human trials would be needed in order to confirm the validity of their findings.

Of course, anyone may benefit from incorporating more plant-based foods into their diet, while also cutting back on foods that are salt-laden and processed. For more, be sure to check out the 14 Best Low-Sodium Canned Soups for Heart Health, Approved by Dietitians.

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This One Diet May Prevent High Blood Pressure, New Study Says | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That


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