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First Lady Michelle Obama gardens in Soweto township, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The first lady has planted a garden on the South Lawn of the White House it's the first vegetable garden to be planted there since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden.

First Lady Michelle Obama gardens in Soweto township, in Johannesburg, South Africa. The first lady has planted a garden on the South Lawn of the White House it's the first vegetable garden to be planted there since Eleanor Roosevelt's victory garden.

Many first ladies choose a mission, and when Michelle Obama moved into the White House, she decided to take up the cause of combating childhood obesity. It's an epidemic that affects up to one-third of all children in the U.S. It's also a personal issue for the First Lady. A number of years ago, her pediatrician asked her to rethink her daughters' diets.

In February 2010, she launched Let's Move!, an initiative to encourage healthier lifestyles and push for better-quality food in schools and neighborhoods. She also cultivates the White House vegetable garden, which provides fresh produce for formal lunches, State Dinners and Obama family meals. Critics complain Obama's anti-obesity campaign represents the long reach of an overbearing government; supporters applaud her for focusing attention on the issue.

NPR's Neal Conan talks with first lady Michelle Obama about ways to get children to eat healthier, and her new book, American Grown: The Story of the White House Kitchen Garden and Gardens Across America.

On how she changed her family's eating habits

"The hard part was trying to get the kids excited about a new diet. I mean, you know, one of the challenges that we face as moms is that today's foods are so high in sodium and sugar in an artificial way that kids' taste buds are really adjusted for that high level of sugar and salt. So when you go back to natural foods, things that aren't processed, it takes them time to adjust.

"... But once we got them involved in the process of clearing out the cabinets, and we explained what was going on, and we spent time with them in farmer's markets, slowly but surely we started to introduce real food to their diets: fresh vegetables, which tend to taste more tasty for kids; fresh juices, which they got adjusted to.

"And slowly they began to embrace it, and that's where the whole notion of planting a garden came from because I found that in my own kids, when they were involved in the process of growing and harvesting their own food, and they were engaged, they actually embraced the idea. And I thought, well, if I didn't have this figured out with all my education and all my exposure, you know, there are probably other parents and families out there who needed help, as well."

See the article here:
First Lady: Nation's Health 'Starts With Our Kids'

It may seem odd that Im writing a column on how to gain weight when so many people are trying to do the opposite.

But for some individuals, trying to gain extra pounds and keep them on can be a real challenge.

Reasons for wanting to gain weight include building muscle, feeling healthier and looking better. Some people lose their appetite or experience a change in metabolism due to stress, illness or depression.

Body mass index (BMI) is one gauge to know if youre underweight. Your weigh is considered normal, or healthy, if your BMI is between 18.5 and 24.9. Anything under 18.5 is considered underweight.

BMI is calculated by dividing a persons weight (in kilograms) by his height (in metres squared). You can also use an online BMI calculator to determine your number.

Just as there are health problems associated with carrying too much weight, being underweight has its own risks. Those who are underweight may have weaker immune systems and get sicker more often during cold and flu season. Being underweight can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, fertility problems and nutrient deficiencies.

Not everyone who wants to gain weight is underweight. Many males who strength train want a food plan to increase muscle weight. Others want to gain weight to feel more energetic. And some people simply want to overcome looking what they feel is too skinny.

Theoretically, you need to eat an extra 500 calories a day in order to gain one pound a week. Some people, however, have difficulty gaining weight and need to consume more.

To gain weight healthfully, choose foods that are calorie and nutrient-dense rather than opting for high-calorie foods packed with sugar and saturated (animal) fat.

If your goal is to put on a few pounds, use the following tips to gain weight gradually while adding nutritious foods to your daily diet.

Continued here:
How to safely and healthfully gain weight

Doing anything on a small scale is not part of the equation in the world of Michael Phelps. When he swims in the Summer Olympics, he dominates and collects both gold medals and world records like a child collecting candy on Halloween. Everything else in his life tends to be larger than life, too -- including his eating habits.

Phelps attracted notoriety for a diet in which he allegedly consumed up to 12,000 calories per day in preparation of the Beijing Olympics. Soon after the story came out, Phelps refuted doing such a diet. Indeed, it seems unlikely he actually eats that amount because it is virtually impossible for the average person to consume 10,000 calories worth of food in a single day.

There is no way of knowing for certain how many calories Phelps consumes per day, but these 10 food and drink items are believed to be staples on the 12,000 calorie diet he is said to follow:

1. Fried-egg sandwiches

Breakfast begins with a trio of fried-egg sandwiches. Each sandwich is smothered in mayo and piled high with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and fried onions.

2. Chocolate chip pancakes

Why settle for a dozen chocolate chip cookies when you can have a short stack of chocolate chip pancakes? Phelps consumes three of this pancake variety every morning. No word on if he dunks them in a tall glass of milk.

3. French Toast

Three is the magic number again. Phelps goes with three slices of french toast. Each one is topped by a generous sprinkling of powdered sugar.

4. Omelets

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Summer Olympics Swimming: Top Foods in the Michael Phelps Diet

Sugar-free drinks may make sweet-detecting circuits numb to the real stuff

Web edition : 10:43 am

By baffling the brain, saccharin and other sugar-free sweeteners key weapons in the war on obesity may paradoxically foster overeating.

At some level, the brain can sense a difference between sugar and no-calorie sweeteners, several studies have demonstrated. Using brain imaging, San Diego researchers now show that the brain processes sweet flavors differently depending on whether a person regularly consumes diet soft drinks.

This idea that there could be fundamental differences in how people respond to sweet tastes based on their experience with diet sodas is not something that has gotten much attention, says Susan Swithers of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. A key finding, she says: Brains of diet soda drinkers dont differentiate very well between sucrose and saccharin.

Erin Green and Claire Murphy of the University of California, San Diego and San Diego State University recruited 24 healthy young adults for a battery of brain imaging tests. Half reported regularly drinking sugar-free beverages, usually at least once a day. The rest seldom if ever consumed such drinks. While the brain scans were underway, the researchers pumped small amounts of saccharin- or sugar-sweetened water in random order into each recruits mouth as the volunteer rated the tastes.

Both the diet soda drinkers and the nondrinkers rated each sweetener about equally pleasant and intense, Green and Murphy report in an upcoming Physiology & Behavior. But which brain regions lit up while making those judgments differed sharply based on who regularly consumed diet drinks.

Certain affected brain regions are associated with offering a pleasurable feedback or reward in response to desirable sensations. And compared with those who don't drink diet soda, the diet soda drinkers demonstrated more widespread activation to both saccharin and sucrose in reward processing brain regions, the researchers say.

One of the strongest links seen was diminishing activation of an area known as the caudate head as a recruits diet soda consumption climbed. This area is associated with the food motivation and reward system. Green and Murphy also point out that decreased activation of this brain region has been linked with elevated risk of obesity.

The new findings may help explain an oft-observed association between diet soda consumption and weight gain, the researchers say. Once fooled, the brains sweet sensors can no longer provide a reliable gauge of energy consumption.

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Diet sodas may confuse brain's 'calorie counter'

DENVER, June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. today announced that a recently released epidemiology study published in Nutrition Journal has come to the mistaken conclusion that a low-carbohydrate diet, like the Atkins Diet, is to blame for rising cholesterol levels between 1986 and 2010 in a Swedish population. However, based on the study abstract, this population actually consumed a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet, which is very different from the Atkins Diet.

Based on the Swedish study of food frequency questionnaires, during 2010 the population consumed a diet with carbohydrates making up 45.9 percent of calories and 39.9 percent of calories from fat. In contrast, with Atkins, in the early weight loss phases, only 10 percent of calories come from healthy carbohydrates, and the remaining calories come from a variety of protein choices, as well as healthy fats such as olive oil and avocado. Foods associated with the high fat intake in this Swedish study were "fats used for spreading on bread and cooking, dairy products, oil for salad dressing or cooking, various types of meats, and sausages, as main dishes or on sandwiches, pizza, deep fried potato chips, French fries, including corn chips and popcorn."

"This food intake is not reflective of the Atkins dietary program," said Colette Heimowitz, vice president of nutrition and education for Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. "The Swedish study is a case study of what happens when a population consumes high carbohydrate combined with high fat. In fact, BMI increased, as did markers for heart disease. Fat poses no risk when carbohydrate consumption is low enough to allow the body to burn fat for fuel. This has been demonstrated in clinical trials time and time again, consistently supporting the conclusion that a well-constructed Atkins Diet lowers risk factors for heart disease. What this study does showcase is that the Swedish researchers need to take a close look at the mounting evidence that the low-carbohydrate approach to weight loss and long-term weight maintenance is not only effective but also safe and beneficial to every clinical measure looked at to date."

Representatives from the Science Advisory Board for Atkins Nutritionals Inc. have weighed-in on the mistaken assumptions made by the study:

"This study does not take into account other variables or factors taking place in the Swedish demographic in this time period," said Dr. Stephen D. Phinney, PhD., MD. "For one, they do not take into consideration the effect of age on the population. The Swedish population is rapidly aging, and this is most notable in the northern part of the country where this study was done and I did not see where they corrected their data on weight or cholesterolfor change in mean age. And most importantly, anyone attempting to assess health risk by change in total cholesterol does not appreciate the science of the last 30 years. Particularly notable is the lack of information on serum HDL cholesterol and triglycerides."

"This study completely ignores a large body of literature that points to health-promoting effects of low carbohydrate diets. A well formulated low carbohydrate diet, like the Atkins Diet, has been shown in numerous studies to result in favorable effects on cholesterol, saturated fat levels in the body, and other cardio-metabolic markers, especially in individuals who have insulin resistance," said Dr. Jeff Volek, PhD., RD.

Over the past few decades, health researchers who have studied the Atkins approach have found that low-carbohydrate is a viable, safe, effective and sound alternative for those individuals who prefer this style of eating and dietary management, and especially those with metabolic syndrome. Health professionals are recognizing that one diet does not fit all types of individuals. The Atkins approach has consistently been found to warrant consideration in the global fight against obesity and the concomitant chronic diseases associated with it.

About Atkins Nutritionals, Inc.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc. is a leader in the $2.4 billion weight control nutrition category, and offers a powerful lifetime approach to weight loss and management. The Atkins Diet focuses on a healthy diet with reduced levels of refined carbohydrates and added sugars and encourages the consumption of protein, fiber, fruits, vegetables and good fats. Backed by research and consumer success stories, this approach allows the body to burn more fat and work more efficiently while helping individuals feel less hungry, more satisfied and more energetic.

Atkins Nutritionals, Inc., manufactures and sells a variety of nutrition bars and shakes designed around the nutritional principles of the Atkins Diet. Atkins' four product lines: Advantage, Day Break, Endulge and Cuisine appeal to a broad audience of both men and women who want to achieve their weight management goals and enjoy a healthier lifestyle. Atkins products are available online at atkins.com and in more than 30,000 locations throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit atkins.com.

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Swedish Study Falsely Blames Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat Diets for High Cholesterol Levels

SALINE, MI--June 11, 2012: As Michigan prepares for the upcoming Quicken Loans 400, select Walmart stores will offer authentic NASCAR merchandise and host exclusive fan events starting June 13. Customers are invited to attend these special events and enjoy a special appearance by Brad Keselowski, along with show car and simulator displays -- perfect to safely get behind the wheel and feel the power of NASCAR -- June 13 -16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., depending on the location.

"Walmart is the champion of the racing fan, and we are committed to providing customers with savings on authentic merchandise, as well as unique race time experiences," said Shelly Lehman, market manager, Walmart. "We want to give fans affordability and accessibility, so they can enjoy race time with their families and friends."

In addition to the fan events happening in Walmart parking lots, area Walmart stores will feature savings on all the food and snacks you need to enjoy the race, plus authentic NASCAR merchandise such as T-shirts and racing flags, with an even bigger selection of exclusive products available at Nascar at Walmart.

Participating stores near the Michigan International Speedway include:

Wednesday, June 13

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Store #1593 800 E. Chicago St. Coldwater, Mich. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, June 14

Events free and open to the public include the Kingsford Ultimate Tailgate Truck, Wheaties Show Car, Hefty Show Car Simulator, Coors Light Show Car, Walmart's 50th Anniversary Show Car, Cheez-It Show Car Simulator, M&M's Show Car, Sim Pod and Trophy Display, 5-hour Energy Show Car, No. 24 Pepsi Max Show Car, No. 88 Diet Mountain Dew Show Car, Pennzoil No. 22 Dodge Charger, Coca-Cola 2-Seat Simulator and Oreo Ritz Show Car at:

Store #1809 701 Olds St. Jonesville, Mich. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Link:
Special Motosports Events - Michigan Walmart Stores Offer NASCAR Driver Appearances, Authentic Merchandise, Fan Events ...