The coronavirus pandemic has dominated the headlines and our daily lives for most of this year. Medical News Today have covered this fast-moving, complex story with live updates on the latest news, interviews with experts, and an ongoing investigation into the deep racial disparities that COVID-19 has helped unmask.

However, this hasnt stopped us from publishing hundreds of fascinating stories on a myriad of other topics.

In the first Recovery Room of 2021, we begin with the latest edition of our Medical Myths series, which debunks 11 misconceptions about weight loss. We also look at nostalgia and how it may enable people to move forward with greater confidence, which is particularly important as a new year begins.

We then report on evidence for the benefits that eating avocados may have on the gut microbiome, as well as how the microbiome might influence the quality of a persons sleep.

Other articles featured this week expose the threat that plastics in our environment pose to our health, look at why dogs and their owners often develop diabetes together (while cats and their owners do not), and investigate why smiling makes getting a shot up to 40% less painful.

Finally, far from being a sign of a mental health condition, we look at how talking to oneself may actually be beneficial.

Below are 10 recent stories that may have gone unnoticed amid all the COVID-19 fervor.

Many people aim to lose a little weight at this time of the year, so the first Medical Myths feature of 2021 is well-timed. This week, Senior News Editor Tim Newman investigates 11 misconceptions about weight loss.

Does skipping breakfast help? Do fat-burning foods or weight loss supplements work? What about cutting out sugar, snacking, and treats? Is it possible to target fat in specific areas of the body? These are just a few of the myths we look at this week.

If you or someone you know is embarking on a weight loss journey this month, its an article well worth reading.

Learn more here.

In this Special Feature, Maria Cohut, Ph.D.,looks at the history of nostalgia. Views on what nostalgia is, who experiences it, and whether it is a mental health issue have shifted over the years.

These days, experts see nostalgia as an emotional experience that may unify our sense of self and even help us build a sense of who we want to be in the future, which is particularly relevant at the beginning of a new year.

This thoughtful Special Feature moves from a historical perspective to a detailed consideration of the value of nostalgia in the present day. Looking back may help a person move forward with confidence.

Learn more here.

Ibogaine is a powerful psychedelic drug prepared from the root of the iboga plant, which is native to West Africa, where local people use it in rituals. It has also served to treat depression and addiction in clinical settings, as well as in more informal settings. However, its use has been linked to several deaths.

This week, we reported that scientists have created a less toxic water-soluble version of ibogaine, called tabernanthalog (TBG). Research in animals suggests that TBG might help treat depression and also promote the growth of connections between nerve cells.

TBG may modify key brain circuits that underlie not only depression but also anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction, so further investigation is needed.

Learn more here.

Earlier this week, MNT launched two new hubs focusing on nutrition and vitamins, minerals, and supplements. Both provide science-backed advice and resources to help guide people through the complex world of healthful, sustainable eating.

One food that often features in lists of healthful ingredients is avocado. This week, we reported on new research findings that eating avocado with at least one meal each day leads to more healthful microbes making their home in a persons stomach and intestines.

Our article investigates how the research team ran the study and who funded it. It also suggests possible alternative probiotic foods to include in your diet.

Learn more here.

Gut microbes also feature in another study that we covered this week. New research from researchers in Japan suggests that gut bacteria may affect normal sleep patterns by influencing the production of neurotransmitters.

The researchers gave one group of mice access to water containing a range of broad-spectrum antibiotics, while mice in the control group had access to water without antibiotics.

After 4 weeks, 60 normal metabolites linked to the production of neurotransmitters were missing in the guts of the mice that drank the antibiotic-laden water. The researchers also found disturbances in the sleep patterns of mice in this group. They note that these may be related to changes in the levels of neurotransmitters, specifically those of serotonin.

For more in-depth articles on this topic, please visit our resource hubs focusing on the microbiome and the science of sleep.

Learn more here.

MNT have reported before on the potential health risks of plastics in seafood. This week, we covered a new report highlighting how exposure to plastics can disrupt an individuals endocrine system, potentially causing serious health issues.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can adversely affect a persons endocrine system. Today, there are more than 1,000 widely used chemicals that can have this effect.

Manufacturers use plastics containing EDCs in packaging, cookware, childrens toys, furniture, electrical goods, textiles, cosmetics, and vehicles. The lead author of the report concludes, Definitive action is needed on a global level to protect human health and our environment from these threats.

Learn more here.

According to a recent study that MNT covered last month, if a dog has diabetes, there is an increased risk that its owner will, too. This was a large study that looked at 208,980 owner-dog pairs. The researchers found that people who owned a dog with diabetes had a 38% greater likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes than those who owned a dog without diabetes.

The researchers found no such association between diabetes in cats and their owners.

For more evidence-backed resources for people living with diabetes, visit MNTs new diabetes hub.

Learn more here.

As well as reporting on the findings of this recent study, our article also summarizes how cancer develops and the link between telomeres and biological aging.

The research is important as it demonstrates, for the first time, that telomere shortening could prevent cancer. It also provides insights into how a wider range of human diseases may develop over a lifetime, and how telomere shortening therapies could potentially suppress them.

Learn more here.

At a time when many millions of people are expecting to be vaccinated in coming weeks and months, this new research will come as good news.

Researchers investigated the possible links between facial expression and pain sensation. They concluded that a genuine smile or a grimace could reduce the pain associated with a vaccine-like needle injection by up to 40%.

Learn more here.

Our team investigated self-talk this week. For most people, its a perfectly normal behavior rather than a sign of a mental health condition. In fact, self-talk may have some benefits, such as improved performance when completing certain tasks. It may also aid a persons understanding when following instructions.

If you or someone youre with chooses to verbalize their internal monologue, dont worry, its very common and may even be beneficial.

Learn more here.

We hope that this article provides a taste of the stories that we cover atMNT. Well be back with a new selection next week.

We publish hundreds of new stories and features every month. Here are some upcoming articles that may pique our readers interest:

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The Recovery Room: News beyond the pandemic January 8 - Medical News Today

Oat-based meals are a popular breakfast food in many countries around the world, including the US, Switzerland, and Finland, which are touted as beneficial for weight loss due to a healthy mix of fiber, complex carbs, and protein. Oatmeal is rich in nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and fiber, which can help lower cholesterol, aid in weight loss, and lead to better gut health.

"Oats help people feel full, decrease sugar spikes, and decrease insulin. Those are the properties that make you feel full so you stop eating," says Chaim Ross, MD, a gastroenterologist at NYU Langone at Great Neck Medical.

However, not all oatmeals are equal. The difference is in the oats used to make the oatmeal.

There are several types of oatmeal, including steel-cut or Irish oats, Scottish oats, rolled or old-fashioned oats, and quick or instant oats. However, if you're looking for the least processed forms then steel-cut and rolled oats are your ticket and also deemed healthiest.

Here are the advantages of eating oatmeal in relation to weight maintenance, along with some potential drawbacks.

Oatmeal contains a healthy mixture of fiber, complex carbohydrates, and plant-based protein that makes it beneficial for weight loss. A half-cup of dry Old Fashioned Quaker Oats contains 150 calories, three grams of fat, 27 grams of carbohydrates, five grams of protein, and one gram of naturally occurring sugar. It contains four grams of dietary fiber with two grams of soluble fiber.

Here are some health and weight loss-related benefits of this nutritious meal:

Oatmeal keeps you feeling full and helps regulate bowel movements: Dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, softens stool, making it easier to pass. It also regulates hunger by creating a feeling of fullness. "Oats have soluble fiber, which forms a gel-like formula that can leave people feeling full," Ross says.

Oatmeal helps to keep blood sugar from spiking: Another perk of eating oatmeal is that the rolled oats version qualifies as a lowglycemic index food. The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of foods based on how much they raise blood sugar. Therefore, a low GI means that oatmeal keeps your blood sugar from spiking too high during and after meals, which may help fend off hunger longer, Ross says. Spikes in blood sugar can also cause fatigue and headaches.

Keeping your blood sugar in a healthy range, particularly for people with diabetes, may prevent long-term health complications such as heart disease. The GI of rolled oats is about 55, which, for comparison, is about 25 points lower than whole wheat bread.

Oatmeal helps control insulin: As blood sugar levels rise, the pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose, aka blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index, like oats, are digested more slowly which causes a more gradual rise in blood sugar. Because insulin allows cells to absorb blood sugar which the body converts to fat if there is too much of it, low insulin levels are associated with weight loss.

Oatmeal may help boost the immune system: One type of soluble fiber, beta-glucan, is found inoats andhelps activate your infection-fighting blood cells.Staying healthy means you can be active, keep a regular exercise schedule, and either lose or maintain weight.

Though oatmeal has several health benefits, people should be mindful of the potential drawbacks, Ross says. Here's what to avoid or stay mindful of when incorporating oatmeal into your diet:

Don't add too much sugar and mix-ins: It may be tempting to add some sweetness and fat to oatmeal, which by itself is generally very bland. But calories from brown sugar, butter, and syrup add up quickly, Ross says. Instead, opt for fruit. "Throwing a couple of blueberries on it is a great idea," he says. "Throwing sugar on it, not a great idea."

Pay attention to portion size: While the recommended portion size of half a cup of dry oats is healthy, oatmeal can be very caloric and too carb-heavy in high amounts, Ross says. That could interfere with weight-loss goals. However, depending on your age, height, weight and physical activity level one cup or more of oats may be ok.

Stay away from instant or flavored oats: Although the calories, fat, carbohydrates, and protein content in various oats are similar, their effects on blood sugar are not. Because instant oats are more highly processed, they have less fiber and therefore a higher glycemic index.

A well-balanced, low-fat, healthy diet should include more minimally processed foods, such as whole grains, which have low-GI values. Similarly, flavored oats should also be avoided, as they are frequently full of processed sugar that the fiber doesn't offset.

Avoid eating too much too soon: "When I recommend fiber, I tell people to start slow, ease into it," Ross says. Otherwise, your body may have a hard time processing all the fiber, which can cause bloating, constipation, and stomach pain.

People should start with oatmeal two to four times a week and work their way up to daily servings, he says. It may be beneficial to have a large glass of water with oatmeal to help move the fiber through the GI tract to reduce bloating and stomach pain.

Oatmeal can be a nutritious and filling addition to a healthy diet. Its low glycemic index combined with soluble fiber can help with both constipation and weight loss.

Although no research directly links eating oatmeal with weight loss, studies have found it to be effective for appetite control. Its ingredients and nutritional content make it an ideal addition to a weight-loss regimen.

Those introducing oatmeal to their diet should start slowly and avoid instant and flavored oats.

"I recommend that people eat the most natural oat they can find," Ross says. "If eaten in the right portions, it can help with GI issues and weight loss. Everything in moderation."

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Yes, oatmeal can be good for weight loss here's how to eat it as part of a healthy diet - Insider - INSIDER

The New Year often means New Years resolutions for many, and one of the most common is to lose weight.

The weight loss center Ideal You is helping people crush their goals the simple way: eating healthy.

Customers typically see results quickly and are able to easily stick with their resolution to lose weight.

The Ideal You program doesnt focus on calories or pre-packaged food. It has weight coaches who guide and encourage by holding each person accountable to their goals.

As we continue living amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ideal You offices are only scheduling a limited amount of people to visit their locations.

Live in the D viewers have access to a free consultation upon signing up.

For more information, click or tap here.

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Ready to tackle a New Years resolution? Heres how to crush that goal of losing weight - WDIV ClickOnDetroit

If you're stuck insidewhether it's because of nasty weather or, you know, a pandemicthere's no reason you can't get in a quick exercise session that yields significant results. And one small Korean study suggests all it takes to lose weight and belly fat is just five minutes of this exercise routine twice a day. What is this miracle workout?

Stair climbing.

In the study reported in The Korean Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers asked four sedentary overweight people to do stair-climbing intervals in their offices or apartments for five minutes without rest twice a day. The participants did this interval workout without supervision, and they were allowed to take their time during the going back down interval following each climb up. (Related: 8 Grocery Items That May Soon Be in Short Supply.)

After three weeks, measurements showed that the exercisers lost an average of 7.3 pounds of body weight and 5.5 pounds of body fat. While this Korean experiment was very small, other research suggests that brief bouts, or "exercise snacks," of vigorous stair climbing are effective in improving fitness levels and leg strength.

Here's one way to do it as described in our book The 14-Day No Sugar Diet:

Go to a staircase at home, the stairwell at your workplace, or the bleachers of a local athletic stadium. Walk up the stairs quickly but in control and walk down at a moderate pace. Repeat for 5 minutes without resting. Staircases have roughly a 65% grade, which will make walking up and down them harder on your legs and lungs than walking on flat ground. After five minutes, rest, then repeat the exercise for another 5 minutes; to increase the resistance and cardiovascular effort, this time take every other step on the way up. Be sure to warm up before exercising and cool down after.

Add interval training to your longer flat-ground walks, too, to lose belly fat. Using the speed-up/slow-down interval method (think city driving versus highway driving) will help you burn more calories than steady-pace walking will in a shorter period of time. Here's The 14-Day No Sugar Diet flat-ground walking interval plan; it'll take you about 30 minutes:

Related:30 Tips When You're Walking for Weight Loss

Another benefit of high-intensity interval exercising is that it may help insulin do its job better. In a Scandinavian study, people with type 2 diabetes did either a moderately intense exercise program or a HIIT plan. After just six sessions over 14 days, the interval training group improved insulin sensitivity much more than the lower-intensity exercise group did. In fact, the HIIT exercisers showed a return to normal glucose metabolism after just 2 weeks, suggesting that HIIT training may actually work as effectively as diabetes medication.

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One 5-Minute Workout Can Melt Belly Fat, Says Study - Eat This, Not That

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) The New Year brings an emphasis on health. Specifically, people focus on starting a weight loss journey. But, someones mental and physical health can be in jeopardy with New Years resolutions.

Around the first of the year, social media becomes inundated with posts about losing weight, eating better, and even potentially losing weight gained during the past year. Gyms are pushing out deals and ramping up advertisement.

Those with eating disorders might get triggered when weight loss New Years resolutions come rolling around.

Clinical Services Director at Bowen Center Rebeca Riley said eating disorders can affect any person of any age, gender, or race.

I think a lot of people feel that its a low-power, or its a lifestyle choice. But its really a serious mental health illness. People can die, and people have died, said Riley.

Data Riley received indicates in the United States approximately 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men will develop an eating disorder by the age of 40. The rate of eating disorders are on the rise and more people are likely to develop an eating order today than they were 20 years ago.

As you see your friends that might have a completely different body type than you, losing weight quickly or becoming, you know, very physically fit, theres a lot of comparisons that go on. And a lot of those comparisons are unrealistic and it can cause a lot of additional concerns and issues with somebody that already has an established eating disorder, said Riley.

She says one way you can help people that suffer from an eating disorder is to focus on the health aspect of your resolution, instead of weight loss specifically. Also, she suggests to put away the filters and dont post anything that could be deceiving and not realistic.

If you need resources about eating disorders, click here.

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New Years resolutions can trigger those with eating disorders - WANE

2020 was a wild ride. And for many of us, healthy eating, exercise, and self-care habits went flying off the rails.

If youre feeling ready to get back on track, were with you. Three of our editorial team members are making big changes in the New Year, and theyve offered to take us along for the ride. For the next few weeks, well be following Laura as she ditches her sugar habit and jump-starts her fitness routine, and well be rooting for our dynamic dieting duo, Bill and Mark, as they work hard to drop pounds and improve their health. Heres to a healthier 2021!

By Bill Kimm

I have to start over.

Its been so hard to accept. To say Im disappointed in myself would be an understatement.

In 2016, I lost 100 pounds. I was a runner -- dozens of 5Ks and 10Ks, six half marathons, and thena marathon. I was in shape. I was skinny. I was in my 40s and the healthiest I had been in my adult life. I was determined that there was no way I was going back to the old me; this was who I wanted to be. But I got lazy. I stopped logging my every bite. I started making excuses to skip runs and workouts. Desserts and sweets became the norm again. And then, a pandemic hit, and any good habits I had left were thrown out the window.

It was a gradual gain, but here I am, at the start of 2021 weighing more than 250 pounds and barely able to run 2 miles (when 3-plus used to be a light day). Its a hard pill to swallow, but -- I have to start over.

As I wrestle with yet another weight loss/time to get fit chapter of my life, Ive tried to put some thought into why this happened, how it happened, and what lessons I can apply to my journey this time around.

1. Accept My New Reality (and be OK with it). When I told my mom I failed, she quickly countered, You didnt fail, you just -- took a step back. It happens. Shes right. Im not a failure. What Ive accomplished in my 40s -- Im impressed with myself! I took a break, and there is nothing wrong with that. The sooner I quit beating myself up and come to terms with where I am, the easier it will be to find my self-discipline again.

2. Mental Is More Important Than Physical. Its natural and very easy to fall into a funk and even become depressed when you realize youve gone backward. Most of my clothes dont fit anymore; Im out of breath easier; I have body pain I didnt use to have; I see myself in pictures and Im disgusted; and the heaviest burden: Im disappointed in myself. All of those thoughts and realities lead me right back into horrible habits and poor food choices. If I want to be healthy again, I need to first focus on and improve my mental and emotional health.

3. I Have The Answer Key. This is perhaps the biggest realization and helps me with No. 1 and No. 2. Ive done this before. I know how to eat properly; I know how to exercise; I know what to expect when I go for a run for the first time; I know what a 1,700-calorie diet looks and feels like. Im not going into this blind; I know what worked for me and what didnt. Im going into this with a huge advantage!

4. I Have Some Exciting and Fun Accountability. Sharing my journey through this blog will definitely keep me focused. But even better, I have my friend, co-worker, and fellow blogger Mark Spoor as some friendly competition. There will be good natured trash-talking, but there will also be some much-needed support and encouragement with someone going through similar experiences. Challenges are always easier when someone is along for the ride with you.

I have to start over. As difficult as it is to say, its my reality and I accept it. Let the weight loss and fitness journey begin (again)!

Bill is the Senior Manager of Funded Content Strategy for WebMD. Hes been trying to find balance with his weight, exercise, and overall wellness for 15-plus years. As Bill approaches 50, he understands how important it is to keep good healthy habits and take better care of himself. He has the support of his wife and two children (ages 22 and 15) and hopes this blog humanizes the difficulties of weight loss in middle age and offers hope to others who are experiencing the same. For more on his journey, follow him on Instagram @billkimm and on TikTok @billkimm3 .

WebMD Feature

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Healthier 2021: Bill Lost Weight Before -- Now He's Starting Over - WebMD

My name is Brandi Twitchell (@stardustandmoxie). I'm 40 years old and a massage therapist from Utah. I decided to eat a low-carb, high-protein diet and get into an exercise routine after learning I could be on the path toward health issues. I've lost 85 pounds and feel better than ever.

I have always struggled with emotional eating. I would eat when I was happy, eat when I was sad, and eat when I was bored. Food has always been a comfort for me.

At age 32, after having my children, my weight went up to 240 pounds, and it remained roughly the same for 11 years. I'd tried to lose weight many times, but the most I ever lost during those years was around 20 pounds.

My father has diabetes, and I told myself there is no way I would allow that to happen to me. I would do everything in my power to prevent it. I would not head down a path toward disease. I began to have serious talks with myself, as silly as that sounds, and I told myself that no matter how long it takes, I won't stop working on my health.

Shortly after learning of my prediabetes, I was back at the doctor, and this time I was informed that my blood pressure was sky high. I was prescribed medication but I was not willing to accept my current health condition. I knew that my children needed a healthy mother, and I needed to be a better example of how to love yourself. So, I decided to start caring about me.

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In September 2019, I started my journey and got back to the gym and changed my diet. I gave myself one year and a realistic goal of losing 50 pounds.

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I define my eating plan as low-carb, high-protein. I began by counting calories but realized quickly that it didn't work for me. While counting calories does absolutely work for some people, counting carbs worked better for me.

I started eating about 150 grams of carbs a day then slowly reduced my carb intake to about 30 to 80 grams. I started using the MyFitnessPal app to help me track my food, and I don't think I would have been so successful without tracking. You don't realize how much you are actually eating until you start tracking it.

Counting carbs helped me dramatically cut back on sugar. Sugar is so addictive for me, and I would crave it all the time. I was completely hooked on soda as well, and I would suffer migraines without it. I also craved starchy foods constantly, like French fries and bread. The low-carb diet took those foods off the table as an option, and after a few weeks, I stopped craving them. To be clear, I eat those foods every now and then, but food doesn't control me the way it once did!

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I also stopped eating out all the time. I would eat out constantly, at least five days a week. I worked at the airport, surrounded by fast food. French fries, pizza, and soda were my go-to meal. Now, I only eat out roughly twice a month.

Finally, I added much more protein to my diet. I aim for 80 to 100 grams of protein a day, mainly in the form of eggs, nuts, and fish. (I don't eat red meat.) And when I hit a plateau, I do intermittent fasting (16:8) for a week or so, and that seems to help to kick start my weight loss again.

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For the first few months, I worked out three to four days a week. But now, I work out five to six days a week. I feel much better mentally if I've worked out for the day. Exercise brings me clarity.

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I started out with 30 minutes of weights and 30 minutes of cardio, which gradually turned into longer sessions. These days, I usually do 45 minutes of weights and 60 minutes of cardio. I use the elliptical and the stair climber most often, along with the row machine.

You don't need fancy workouts or equipment to see resultsjust dedication and your favorite music! I think the more you enjoy something, the more likely you are to stick with it. I also got a smart watch, which helped me tremendously by reminding me to get up and move!

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Losing weight will not make you happy. Your size or number on the scale should not determine your happiness. I mention this because, like many people, it's something I struggle with too. I constantly try to remind myself it's more important to be healthy than it is to be thin. I want to be able to live a long life and experience as much as I can. I feel the best way to do that is by continuing to make positive health choices.

The journey of losing weight is so much more than physical. It forces you to ask yourself tough questions and to search for answers that may be difficult to face. It can be mentally exhausting and overwhelming, and there will be many times you feel like quitting. Don't give upyou are stronger than you know. This process has changed my life because I realized that I am worth it.

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After Starting A Low-Carb, High-Protein Diet, I Lost 85 Pounds And Got Rid Of So Many Cravings - Women's Health

It's January, and most of us have announced to our friends and family some sort of New Year's resolution pertaining to our health. Losing belly fat and exercising may be high on the list, but eating better food should be too. If you're a frequent customer at fast-food chains, it may seem like simply opting for "healthier" menu items could be enough to achieve better health outcomes, but the truth is, even lighter menu options at places like Chick-fil-A, McDonald's, or Wendy's is still considered fast foodand they are still worse than a simple homemade vegetable-forward meal with whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.

Think of it this way: In order to provide the same satisfaction you'd get from eating a burger with fries, "healthy" fast-food options have to have some way of reeling you in and keeping you coming back for more. After all, this is the fast-food business model and often includes compromising dietary guideline recommendations in favor of flavor and crave-ability. While the marketing strategies of big food chains have caught on to the fact that most people are looking for healthier options on their menus, their actual food production methods still haven't.

The biggest danger of "healthy" fast food is that you've been fooled into letting your guard down and thinking that regularly consuming this food is no big deal. Sure, the calories may end up being lighter, and you're surely consuming less fat, but calling anything you can order at a fast-food chain "healthy" is a major stretch.

Take the recent example of Business Insider journalist Kevin Reilly, who conducted an experiment in which he ate nothing but "healthy" fast food for a whole week. Yes, he did lose 7 pounds in 7 days, but at what cost? According to his testimony, he often felt sluggish, was consuming waaay too much sodium, and ended up suffering a terrible migraine after a few days on this "healthy" diet. This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Here are some of the potentially dangerous side effects of regularly eating "healthy" fast-food items. Do not mistake them for actually healthy food. And for more, don't miss The One Vitamin Doctors Are Urging Everyone to Take Right Now.

One inescapable fact of fast-food fare is that it's mass-produced, and what that usually means is highly processed. Processed food is any food that has been chemically altered and made from only refined ingredients and artificial substances (as opposed to whole foods). Let's say you've ordered a plant-based burger or sandwichit's great that you're opting to eat less red meat, but the patty, bun, and sauces you're getting with this order are still highly processed. Ordering a salad where you can actually identify the vegetables with the naked eye? So far so good, but we'll bet there's other stuff in there like deliciously-flavored croutons or a creamy dressing, which are full of simple carbohydrates, added sugars, and contain nothing of nutritional value at all.

Relying on mostly processed food for your nutrition can lead to weight gain, cardiovascular disease, hormonal imbalances, poor sleep, and a plethora of other negative consequences you may not even think to attribute to your diet, like mood swings, declining dental health, acne, hair loss, etc. Here are 21 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Stop Eating Processed Food.

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Sodium is one of the most over-consumed nutrients in the United States. In fact, about 90% of Americans consume more than the daily recommended amounts of sodium, says nutritionist Toby Amidor. There are few things worse for your cardiovascular health than large amounts of sodium, considering it increases your blood pressure and puts you at a significantly higher risk of a stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney disease.

Fast food is notorious for being loaded with sodium. For example, many salads, as well as sandwiches and soups, from major fast-food chains contain more than 50% of your daily recommended intake.

"Many fast-food chains add flavor to their food by piling on the salt, even on so-called healthy menu items," says Amidor. "As such, you could be taking in 75% or more of the recommended daily sodium in one meal." So yes, you may be going light on the calories and eating lean meat like grilled chicken, but you're wreaking havoc on your body with artery-clogging sodium levels.

Added sugar is a silent killer, and it finds its way into many different components of fast food, including the "healthy" menu items. For example, you may think you're doing yourself a service by opting for a yogurt parfait or oatmeal over an egg and bacon sandwich, and you are to an extent. But those items often have way more added sweeteners, like high-fructose corn syrup, than is recommended per meal. "Chains oftentimes use more than what is deemed a reasonable amount of added sugars to make their food more appealing and addictive," says Amidor.

The worst part is that added sugars aren't always as obviousbesides traditionally sweet breakfast items, you'll also find them in salad dressings, smoothies, and even grain bowls and grilled chicken sandwiches. Here are the 35 Most Sugary Restaurant Meals on the Planet.

It's a no-brainer that consuming lighter meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner will leave you hungry during the day, and a lot more prone to snacking. Reilly pointed out in his video that while he did drop seven pounds in a week by opting for lighter menu items from fast-food restaurants, he was constantly hungry and felt like he wasn't getting enough food at mealtime. So unless you're willing to go hungry like him between meals, your weight loss plan of "healthy" fast food may end up backfiring in several ways: you could end up snacking more, which can rack up extra calories quickly, or you could end up in a deprive-then-binge cycle where you're more likely to succumb to your overeating urges later in the day.

For more, make sure to read up on the the Unhealthiest Snack Foods, According to Science.

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Dangerous Side Effects of Eating "Healthy" Fast Food, According to Experts - Eat This, Not That

Warner suggests thatmen looking to lose weight and get in shape should adhere to a few fundamental fitness facts when setting out their 2021 fitness resolutions.

Most men start the New Year with the best intentions to lose weight and get in shape, but they try to do it by guesswork or trial and error, instead of following a simple, smart and sustainable exercise and eating plan. It means almost all of them give up as soon as they dont immediately see the results they hoped for.

The only way to lose weight fast and, crucially, forever, is to find the right plan for your goals and then follow it. Then youll find that losing weight is not only far easier than youd thought, but also an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Lloyd is one of a number of dads and fathers-to-be who have used the previous lockdowns as a time and motivation to boost their physical fitness and overhaul their diet.

Harry Gray, 40, from Fife in Scotland, lost more than two stone (12kg) in just eight weeks, and he did it all while still having takeaways. I got a big wake-up call during the first lockdown, explains Gray. A couple of my friends were challenging each other to complete a number of steps each day. Figures of 20k+ were being touted, but a quick look at my own step count on my phone showed I was under 1,000.

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Meet the men who got lean in the last lockdown and find out what you can learn from them - Telegraph.co.uk

A bride-to-be who lost four stone in time for her wedding day has shared how she achieved her incredible weight loss.

Katy Toft weighed 16st 7lbs at her heaviest, after regularly eating McDonald's meals on the school run and snacks of crisps, chocolate and biscuits.

But determined to lose weight after the birth of her forth child, Katy signed up to the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan, the Liverpool Echo report.

The 40-year-old, from Newton-le-Willows in Merseyside, lost three stone in just three months of starting the plan, back in October 2019, and went on to lose another stone during lockdown in time for her birthday in June.

This takes her weight loss to four stone in total after she slimmed down to 12st 7lb and went from a size 20/22 to a size 12/14.

Katy said she now feels "healthy, happy and content" and she was able to enjoy her big day in October 2020 with husband Martyn at St Peters Church.

Katy said: "I'd just had my fourth baby and I was dreading the thought of walking down the aisle feeling uncomfortable about myself in front of all my friends and family.

"I felt really unhealthy, I couldn't walk upstairs without getting out of breath.

"I couldn't keep up with my children and I didn't want to be a bad example for them.

"Because it went on through Covid crisis it was massively for health reasons, because when your BMI is really high you are at risk of all types of illnesses like type two diabetes and heart problems."

Katy said she had previously lost some weight after giving birth to her third child but after splitting up from her partner and getting into a new relationship, "everything snow balled."

Katy said: "It was convenience - I was eating fast food and portions that were too big. I wouldn't just have two slices of toast I would have four slices of toast."

"We live really close to a McDonald's and we would nip into that on the school run.

"If someone asked for a biscuit I would have a biscuit. I've got four children and two step children. If six children are coming up to me saying 'I want a biscuit' I had six biscuits."

Eight months after the birth of her fourth child after she had stopped breast feeding, Katy signed up to the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge Weight Plan.

She started the diet on an intake of 800 calories a day, swapping three meals with meal replacements provided by the plan.

Katy said: "The lowest calorie intake is 600 calories depending on your BMI. I started on 800 calories.

"It was full meal replacements that are nutritionally balanced with every single thing you need in a day. You have shakes, soups, for breakfast you have porridge and you have other meal replacements.

"It's massively motivating when you see the results coming quickly as well.

"I lost three stone in three months then I hit a bit of a brick wall with the pandemic. Then I lost another stone before my 40th birthday."

Katy said the thing she's enjoyed most about the plan is the one to one support she has received from consultants and she has since signed up to become a consultant herself to inspire others with their weight loss.

"I wanted to feel like the best version of myself. I don't feel self conscious when I go clothes shopping anymore and I don't struggle to tie my shoe laces. I used to get out of breath tying my shoe laces - things as ridiculous as that," Katy added.

"I don't feel like that now - I'm healthy, happy and content.

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"We had to bring our wedding day forward because of the next lockdown. When I took back on pictures I know the smiles are genuine - I just couldn't believe it was me.

"Everything had was such a whirlwind any way but everything was worth it in that moment, when I put on my wedding dress and walked down the stairs and saw my family's faces."

The national lockdown in England is expected to last until mid-February at the earliest and Katy said the next six weeks are the perfect time for people to lose weight if they want to.

She added: I just want everyone to feel what it feels like to step into that size 12 dress and just feel amazing.

"It's not all about looks, it's about how it makes you feel. You feel like you can conquer the world - I want everyone to feel like that.

"The amount of times people say to consultants like myself 'if only I didn't have any social events or have to go out at the weekend.' We've not got all of that now, we've got rid of every distraction.

"If we can make the most of the time we've got in lockdown especially you could make a real good go of whatever goals you want to set for yourself."

Originally posted here:
Bride-to-be lost four stone in time for her wedding day - Kent Live