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Heres why we need to be talking more about men with eating disorders – Yahoo Lifestyle

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:56 pm

Refinery29

Forrest Gump once famously said Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what youre gonna get an astute point. There is something dangerous yet alluring about the mystery assortment of truffles and bonbons filled with everything from egg-nog ganache to spicy Tabasco confections that a more straightforward bar of the stuff can't hold a flame to. The box of chocolate's myriad of decadent delights gives the universally-loved treat a more enticing name especially during the holiday season.We dug through pages upon pages of sugary gift boxes to unearth the most innovative reworks of the beloved cacao bean that are sure to impress the number one chocolatier in your life. Of course, we also sprinkled in a few of the classics from Ferrero Rocher, Lindt, and Godiva because we can't deny the comfort in actually knowing exactly what you're going to get (sorry, Forrest). Take a peep ahead at all the chocolatey gift assortments that are almost too sweet to eat. At Refinery29, were here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy something we link to on our site, Refinery29 may earn commission.Small Wave 15-Piece Chocolate BoxArtsy chocolates are the new wave. This gift includes 15 handmade chocolates that are as pretty as they are tasty. Shop CompartesCompartes Small Wave 15-Piece Chocolate Box, $, available at NordstromSignature Chocolate MiceYou've heard of the Three Blind Mice, but have you heard of L.A. Burdick's Signature Chocolate Mice? If not, order yourself a box before these adorable trademark treasures sell out for the holidays. Shop L.A. BurdickL.A. Burdick Signature Chocolate Mice, $, available at L.A. BurdickChocolate Alchemy TrufflesExplore the alchemy of delicious chocolate with Vosges' new limited edition Holiday collection. Shop Vosges ChocolateVosges Chocolate Chocolate Alchemy Truffles, $, available at Vosges ChocolateDark Chocolate Sea Salt CaramelsSweet? Salty? Why not both? These rich truffles are stuffed with light and sweet caramel to create the ultimate flavor harmony.Shop Nordstrom Makers ChocolateNordstrom Makers Chocolate Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Caramels, $, available at NordstromThe Chocolate Traveler Tabasco Chocolate TinWho knew that something as fiery as Tabasco colliding with something as sweet and comforting as chocolate would be...excellent? It's time to spice up your life. Shop The World MarketTabasco The Chocolate Traveler Tabasco Chocolate Tin, $, available at The World MarketThe Chocolatey ClassicMilk Bar's excellent delivery reputation makes sending your chocolate obsessed friend and entire cake and 12 truffles an easy and fun experience. The Chocolatey Classic package is also great for birthday parties.Shop Milk BarMilk Bar The Chocolatey Classic, $, available at Milk BarBear Necessities Truffle Gift BoxEach container comes withDark Chocolate,Champagne,San Juan Sea Salt, and Milk Chocolate truffles. (And of course, an adorable bear sporting a knit sweater on the box.)Shop Seattle ChocolateSeattle Chocolate Bear Necessities Truffle Gift Box, $, available at Seattle ChocolateHalf Dozen Dark Chocolate Covered StrawberriesFresh juicy berries meet decadent dark chocolate. Healthy? Maybe. Delicious? 100%.Shop GodivaGodiva Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries, $, available at GodivaEggnog ChocolatesThese holiday-themed dark chocolate truffles are filled with creamy egg nog ganache which, if you're an egg nog stan, is a dream come true. Shop KnipschildtKnipschildt Eggnog Chocolates, $, available at Williams-SonomaHoliday Deluxe Assorted Truffles Gift BoxUnwrapping a Lindor chocolate truffle is sometimes just as euphoric as eating one, and with this gift box, you can do it 36 times. Shop LindtLindt Holiday Deluxe Assorted Truffles Gift Box, $, available at AmazonHot Chocolate On A StickDunk any of these 5 hot cocoa pops into a steaming cup of milk to create the fastest gourmet holiday drink ever made. The flavors included: Wassail, Peppermint, Caramel Swirl, Gingerbread, and Peanutbutter Cup.Shop Neiman MarcusNeiman Marcus Hot Chocolate on a Stick, $, available at Neiman MarcusFine Hazelnut Milk ChocolatesA staple, a classic, and a surefire way to make any chocolate lover smile. Shop Ferrero RocherFerrero Rocher Assorted Coconut Candy and Chocolates, $, available at AmazonChocolate Lovers Gift Box This cult-favorite health-nut brand created its Chocolate Lovers Gift Box for its sweet-tooth fans. Inside you can find four Simple, two Salty, two Cashew Vanilla, two Almond Butter + Puffed Quinoa, and two Hazelnut bars. Of course, all bars are vegan, dairy-free, and Paleo.Shop Hu KitchenHu Kitchen Chocolate Lovers Gift Box, $, available at Hu KitchenBubbles & Godiva Gift SetImagine: a package arrives at your door after a long day and you open it to find an assortment of Godiva chocolates accompanied by a beautiful bottle of champagne. Give the sweet gift of sugar this holiday season with this combo set and truly make someone's day.Shop Wine.comGodiva, Luc Belaire Lux Bubbles & Godiva Gift Set, $, available at Wine.comOrganic Chocolate TrufflesOrganic? Check. Vegan? Check. Delicious? Check. Thrive Market's organic chocolate truffle filled gift box makes eating chocolate feel healthy, and therefore, taste even better.Shop Thrive MarketThrive Market Organic Chocolate Truffles, $, available at Thrive MarketNew York Caramel CollectionEach one of these chocolate-covered caramels reps one of 16 historic boroughs and landmarks making up NY. Don't worry, unlike these vastly different neighborhoods, each treat tastes equally sweet and equally delicious. Shop MarieBelleMarieBelle New York Caramel Collection, $, available at Neiman MarcusLike what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?12 Candy Advent Calendars We're Opening NOW15 Uncommon Goods to Gift This Season28 Unique Advent Calendars We're Gifting This Year

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Heres why we need to be talking more about men with eating disorders - Yahoo Lifestyle

Do you have symptoms of low testosterone? – KTAR.com

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:55 pm

Testosterone is an important hormone in males, contributing to many aspects of development, which is why low testosterone can be so noticeable.

During your teenage years, testosterone initiated your facial hair to start growing, your voice to deepen, your muscles to strengthen, and your sperm to start producing. As you reached adulthood, your testosterone production plateaued and began to decline.

While the decline is normal, your testosterone may have dropped lower than expected, leading to some unwanted symptoms.

Understanding low testosterone

Low testosterone, also known as Testosterone Deficiency Syndrome, happens when testosterone production dips below what your body needs to function normally.

In healthy males, a normal level of testosterone in the blood is between 350 and 1,000 nanograms per deciliter, according to viTal4men testosterone replacement therapy clinic.

So, how will you be clued into low testosterone levels? Here are a few symptoms you may have noticed, according to the American Urology Association:

Low testosterone is not the only culprit behind these symptoms, as other issues such as diabetes, drug use, and obesity may be at play.

To help narrow it down, some specific symptoms are associated with low testosterone, according to WebMD:

Another term for the natural decline in testosterone over the years is andropause which, like menopause, can affect your mental state, as well. For example, you may be moody or depressed and have a hard time concentrating. You may also have trouble sleeping and low energy and motivation during the day.

What you can do

When your low testosterone is connected to a medical or lifestyle issue, treating those causes can improve testosterone production. In other cases, low testosterone may not have an easily identifiable cause.

Fortunately, diagnosing low testosterone is as simple as taking a blood test, which viTal4men offers for free, along with a 10-to-15-minute consultation with a medical practitioner who specializes in treating low testosterone.

At the viTal4men Clinic, we treat low testosterone levels with testosterone replacement therapy to get you back to your optimum level, viTal4men says.

Testosterone replacement therapy will help raise and maintain your testosterone levels with options that you and your provider will choose, based on what works best for you. These may include gels, patches, injections, oral medication, or surgically implanted pellets.

Injections are one of the most common and effective methods, as the right dosage will lead to improvements in energy, muscle mass, sexual desire, and verbal memory, along with a decrease in body fat about three weeks after treatment. Your depressive symptoms may improve as well, although that can take about 18 to 30 weeks to kick in. Throughout the process, youll need to continue receiving injections every 7 to 9 days at 15-minute consultations.

In addition to testosterone therapy, viTal4men offers discount erectile disfunction medication; services for diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure management; fat-burning B12/MIC injections; flu vaccines; wellness exams; and other general health care. The clinic accepts most major medical insurances.

For more information and to make an appointment for your free testosterone level test, visit Vital4Men.com.

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Do you have symptoms of low testosterone? - KTAR.com

Sermorelin Therapy for Anti-Aging & Weight Loss | Diet Doc

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

What is Sermorelin?

Sermorelin is a formula created to fight the effects of aging and promote weight loss. This treatment has the potential to slow the effects of aging in humans by spurring the growth of new tissue, muscles, and synapses in the brain. It even has the potential to help patients think more clearly while elevating their mood and energy levels.

Sermorelin injections encourage the body to increase the production of human growth hormone (hGH) naturally. Prescription Sermorelin, a proven therapy for low growth hormone levels, is different from many similar treatments because it stimulates a natural process rather than requiring patients to add hormones to their body directly. This distinction makes our Sermorelin therapy much less likely to lead to complications.

Reduced hormone production is considered one of the principal medical signs of aging. The decrease in human growth hormones causes the changes in appearance that we associate with aging, such as wrinkles and loose or droopy skin. When your hormones decrease, you also experience the physical effects of aging, including weakening muscles, loss of energy, and a decrease in stamina. Sermorelins anti-aging properties naturally restore the bodys human growth hormone production to more youthful levels without the potentially dangerous side effects of actual hormone injections.

Studies have shown that adults who struggle with obesity and losing weight can have lower hormone levels than adults with a healthy weight. Sermorelin can help overweight adults lose weight by stimulating the body to naturally increase hormone production. Sermorelin therapy and an increase in growth hormones have also been linked to increased muscle mass and bone density and decreased fat storage. While weight loss results vary significantly between patients, Sermorelin can help reduce the physical effects of aging, such as weakened muscles and bone mass. Contact a weight loss physician at Diet Doc today to see if Sermorelin could be right for your weight loss journey.

Clinical studies have shown that Sermorelin anti-aging treatment is associated with a range of physical and mental benefits. Benefits of Sermorelin include:

Sermorelin injections yield results quickly. Patients report feeling and looking younger soon after beginning therapy, with fewer wrinkles, smoother and more youthful skin, elevated mood, and an improved feeling of overall wellness.

Patients typically experience few to zero side effects when participating in Sermorelin injection therapy. However, every persons body is unique, which is why it is imperative to consult your Diet Doc physician to determine if Sermorelin therapy is right for your needs. Some patients could experience adverse side effects such as allergic reactions at the injection site, headaches, dizziness, hives, or nausea. Contact your Diet Doc physician if you experience any complications while taking Sermorelin injections.

Diet Doc specializes in personalized medical weight loss programs customized specifically for your unique needs. If you struggle with weight loss or aging as a result of hormone reduction, the knowledgeable doctors at Diet Doc can help formulate a unique plan for using Sermorelin injections. We make it easy to buy Sermorelin injections online with permission from a doctor. This is just one of the many solutions we offer as part of our medical weight loss program at Diet Doc. Contact us if youre interested in seeing what Sermorelin can do for your health or want to learn more about our anti-aging and weight loss therapies. We will provide a confidential, no-obligation consultation to find out more about you and your priorities, and we will help you move forward to meet your goals.

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Sermorelin Therapy for Anti-Aging & Weight Loss | Diet Doc

What to Steal From Keto, Paleo and Other Trendy Diets – AARP

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

The downside: This diet excludes beans, chickpeas and other legumes because they are cultivated rather than foraged. But this category is full of nutrients like magnesium and folate, and are some of the healthiest foods on the planet, Cassetty says. Plus, in the modern world, it may be difficult to stick with the diet's restrictions.

What to steal: Eat real foods. The standard American diet today is filled with ultra-processed foods and processed ingredients our forebears wouldn't recognize. Limiting these categories as paleo does is a smart idea. Filling up on those caveperson faves high-fiber, low-cal fruits and vegetables can help keep pounds off.

With the 16/8 diet, you eat all your daily calories during an eight-hour window, then abstain completely the other 16. You might finish dinner by 8 p.m., say, then fast until lunch the next day. (Noncaloric beverages like coffee and water are OK.) By limiting the amount of time you eat every day, you may naturally take in fewer daily calories, Smith says. Fasting can kick your body into burning stored fat and provide other metabolic benefits that may boost longevity.

Does it work? To date, most of the research into fasting for weight loss has been done with animals. In humans, the evidence is mixed: One 2018 study published in the journalNutrition and Healthy Agingfound following a 16/8 regimen for three months decreased body weight by about 3 percent. But a 2020 human study inJAMA Internal Medicineshowed little weight loss benefit: Overweight adults assigned to fast for 16 hours a day for three months lost only two or three pounds much of it healthy muscle mass, not body fat.

The downsides: Not eating for long periods takes lots of willpower and can be hard to stick with over the long haul. Fasting can foster an unhealthy attitude toward food. You are not learning to listen to your natural hunger cues, which is important for maintaining a healthy relationship with food, Smith says. Fasting is not safe for people with prediabetes, diabetes or a history of disordered eating, she adds.

What to steal: Don't nosh around the clock. Deciding the kitchen is closed after dinner can prevent mindless midnight munching. Giving yourself a natural 12-hour break allows your body to get into healing and maintenance mode while you sleep instead of putting energy into digesting, Cassetty says.

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What to Steal From Keto, Paleo and Other Trendy Diets - AARP

Meat-free diets will not save the planet, say researchers – Fast Company

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

In a spirited op-ed in Environmental Research Letters, a quintet of livestock scientists in Kenya and Germany argue that touting a low-meat diet falsely equates the meat on your plate with environmental harm, and also presents a factually untrue standard for most of the world, where livestock can play critical and positive roles in environments, economies, and health.

Meat production itself is not the problem, says coauthor Polly Ericksen, program leader of sustainable livestock systems at the International Livestock Research Institute. Like any food, when it is mass-produced, intensified, and commercialized, the impact on our environment is multiplied. Eliminating meat from our diet is not going to solve that problem. While advocating a lower-meat diet makes sense in industrialized systems, the solution is not a blanket climate solution, and does not apply everywhere.

In lower-income countries where livestock and crop production are linked (think crop and grazing lands that rotate, with manure fertilizing the soil), they can actually be more environmentally sustainable, noted coauthor An Notenbaert, head of systems analysis for sustainable innovations at CGIAR, an agriculture and livestock research consortium. In sub-Saharan Africa, manure is a nutrient resource which maintains soil health and crop productivity; while in Europe, huge amounts of manure made available through industrialized livestock production are over-fertilizing agricultural land and causing environmental problems.

Unfortunately, the authors say, there is little data on healthier livestock systems, because livestock research is overwhelmingly focused on the West, despite Africa being home to 20% to 32% of cattle, sheep, and goats. The authors call for more data, and devote much of their 17 pages to a range of emissions-lowering efforts more impactful than you not eating meat, including specialized animal feed that lowers greenhouse gases, and better-managed grazing lands.

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Meat-free diets will not save the planet, say researchers - Fast Company

Vitamin A: Add these nutrient-rich foods to your diet to keep your internal organs healthy – Times Now

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Vitamin A: Add these nutrient-rich foods to your diet to keep your internal organs healthy  |  Photo Credit: iStock Images

New Delhi: Our body needs a balanced mixture of various nutrients in order to keep functioning. Vitamin A is one of the important compounds required to maintain a healthy body. Therecommended DV of vitamin A intake in men is 900 mcg, women 700 mcg and adolescents and children 300-600 mcg.

Some of thebenefits of vitamin A include loweredriskof developing night blindness, helps boost the immune system, helps the skin by preventing and reducing acne, promotes bone health, and lowered risk of cancer. Vitamin A can be found in both plants and animals. Retinol (also known as vitamin A1) is only found in foods that come from animals. Here are some foods you must include in your diet that are rich in vitamin A.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purpose only and should not be construed as professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a dietician before starting any fitness programme or making any changes to your diet.

Get the Latest health news, healthy diet, weight loss, Yoga, and fitness tips, more updates on Times Now

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Vitamin A: Add these nutrient-rich foods to your diet to keep your internal organs healthy - Times Now

Keto Weight Loss: What to Expect After 1 Week – Healthline

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Though the low carb, high fat keto diet was originally devised to help treat epilepsy, many people are turning to it to lose weight.

According to some research, it provides several advantages over other diets, including making it easier to burn your stored body fat, maintain your metabolic rate (the calories you burn at rest), and feel more full on fewer calories (1, 2, 3).

That said, you may wonder how much weight you can expect to lose in your first week on keto. Many people report extreme weight loss when first starting the diet. However, much of this can be attributed to water losses.

This article reviews how much weight you can expect to lose on your first week of keto.

On keto, you strictly limit your carb intake, typically to 50 grams or fewer per day of total carbs, or 25 grams or fewer of net carbs, which are total carbs minus fiber.

For most people, carbs are the bodys primary source of energy. When you limit carbs, your body burns through the carb stores in your muscles and liver called glycogen typically within a few days (4, 5).

After this, your body switches to a metabolic state called ketosis, in which it uses ketones that are broken down from dietary fat or stored body fat, as its primary source of fuel (4, 5).

This shift, during which you burn through your glycogen stores and switch to using ketones, usually takes less than a week. However, for some people, it may take longer (4, 5).

Many people notice dramatic weight loss during this transition period after first starting the keto diet, but most of this is due to changes in water weight (6).

When you restrict carbs on keto, your body rapidly burns through glycogen, the stored carbs in your liver and muscles. After your glycogen stores are depleted, you shift to burning fat. Many people notice dramatic weight loss during this transition.

The glycogen stored in your muscles and liver is bound with water, typically at a ratio of 3 grams of water for each gram of glycogen (6).

When you burn through these stored carbs, this water is excreted in your urine or sweat (6).

As such, after starting keto, you may notice that you have to urinate more often and feel much thirstier than normal. You may also notice large weight losses, which are mostly water-weight losses (6, 7).

Depending on your size and how much water weight youre carrying, this weight loss can vary. Anecdotally, people report losses within the first week of anywhere from 1 pound (0.5 kg) to 10 or more pounds (5 kg).

The larger you are, the more water weight youre likely to lose after starting keto. Although, its unlikely that much of this initial weight loss is fat loss.

However, once you enter ketosis, its much easier to utilize your own stored fat for energy, which is one reason why the keto diet may be advantageous for weight loss (3).

When you burn through glycogen, your body releases the water that was bound to it. Much of your early weight loss is probably due to these water losses. Still, youll burn more stored body fat once youre fully in ketosis.

Many people use the keto diet for weight loss, and there are several reports online of dramatic weight loss shortly after starting the diet.

This is likely mostly water weight because as you burn through your carb stores, your body releases the water that was bound to those carbs.

Once youre fully in ketosis, your weight loss will probably slow down, but its likely to be more fat than water.

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Keto Weight Loss: What to Expect After 1 Week - Healthline

High Protein Diet: This Sprouts Khichdi Will Help You Sneak More Protein In Your Lunch – NDTV Food

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Highlights

We all will probably agree to the fact that cooking during the winters is no less than a struggle. For instance, the cold water used to clean vegetable and fruits makes our fingers go numb. Hence, we are in constant search for recipes that can help reduce the time we spend in the kitchen. And the first name that pops up in mind is a heart-warming bowl of khichdi. Healthy and wholesome, khichdi spells comfort. In fact, this one-pot dish is a go-to option for all in every good and adverse situation. It is quick, easy and needs just a few ingredients for preparation. While a bowl of khichdi can be not-so-appealing for some people, it also gives enough room for experimentation. Adding ghee, spices and a few ingredients can spruce up a bland and boring khichdi in a jiffy.

Besides being a go-to food, it also makes a nutritious meal for all. Here we bring a healthy khichdi recipe that includes protein-packed sprouts (instead of dal) in the recipe. For the uninitiated, sprouting is basically the process of seed germination that makes them yet more nutrient-rich.

For this recipe, we also used soya bean chunks, along with sprouted moong and lobia, which makes the dish ideal for daily consumption. And the best part is, you can prepare this dish in just 10-15 minutes. Let's find out the recipe!

Also Read:Looking For A Healthy Breakfast Recipe? You Must Try This Mixed Sprouts Stir Fry

Half cup sprouted moong

Half cup sprouted lobia

1 cup of rice

Half cup soya bean chunks

1 tomato, cubed

1 teaspoon ginger paste

1 dry red chilli

1 teaspoon jeera

Half teaspoon hing

2 tablespoon ghee

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

Half teaspoon jeera powder

Half teaspoon coriander powder

Salt, as per taste

Water, as much needed

Heat ghee in a pressure cooker and add hing, dry red chilli and jeera. Cook till the jeera splutter.

Add ginger paste and fry till the raw smell goes.

Add tomato, turmeric powder, jeera-dhania powder and salt and cook on medium flame till the mix releases oil.

Add soyabean chunks, sprouts, rice and mix everything together. Fry for 2-3 minutes.

Add the needed amount of water and close the lid. Pressure cook on a medium flame for 3-4 whistle. Switch off the flame.

Open the lid after the vapour releases and mix half teaspoon ghee, garam masala powder and chopped coriander leaves and close the lid for 2 more minutes. You may avoid this step if you want.

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Serve hot with chutney and papad and relish.

Try this recipe at home and make your meal a healthy affair!

About Somdatta SahaExplorer- this is what Somdatta likes to call herself. Be it in terms of food, people or places, all she craves for is to know the unknown. A simple aglio olio pasta or daal-chawal and a good movie can make her day.

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High Protein Diet: This Sprouts Khichdi Will Help You Sneak More Protein In Your Lunch - NDTV Food

The real-life diet of Usain Bolt – British GQ

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

Archive piece from 2015.

Usain Bolt is not the fastest man alive. In the realm of documented nonfiction, there is no one faster, alive or dead. He is the fastest person, ever.

In the 2012 Olympics, Bolt set a world record of 9.63 seconds at the 100-meter dash, but thats only a small facet of what makes his dominance so remarkable. At the previous games, Bolt became the first sprinter to achieve a double double, where for the second Olympics in a row he won gold medals in both the 100- and 200-meter dashes. In 2012, Bolt won golds in both events again. Even with American runners making admirable wins in all of those same races, no sprinter is better known abroad or stateside than Usain Bolt.

When hes not obliterating world records, Bolt is training to break more of them in his home country of Jamaica. And that training typically consists of very long, very hot days. I try not to eat too much up to a workout, but I stay hydrated. I drink Gatorade throughout the day because its so hot in Jamaica, Bolt, a longtime rep for the brand, says. You have to keep it up throughout the day.

One admittedly small advantage to being the fastest person, ever, is having your own cook. Bolt starts the day with a simple egg sandwich, spends 20 minutes in the weight room, then has a light lunch of pasta with corned beef, or, if he needs to go light on meat, fish. Then his training starts for real. During the day I only eat just enough to have energy for training and to make sure I digest fast enough. But at nights, before I go to sleep, I consume a lot of food. My coach wants me to eat a lot of vegetables, so I do eat more of that than anything else. Ill eat broccoli, but Im not a big fan.

The veggies and grudging broccoli go with yams, meat, and Jamaican dumplings. When Bolt first started running, he was much less regimented. In the past three years Ive really focused on my diet. Initially I just had anything I feel like, but Ive adjusted my diet to eat more vegetables and protein.

"Ill eat broccoli, but Im not a big fan."

When you start with a coach and theres a weight you need to stay at, and every day you have to weigh yourself and watch what you eat. When you get your cravings you just have to look the other way. Thats the hardest part.

And most common craving? Hot wings, he says. Thats the biggest craving that I have, all the time.

BreakfastEgg sandwich

LunchPasta and corned beef

Throughout the dayMango, pineapple, apples throughout the day.

DinnerJamaican dumplings, roasted chicken

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The real-life diet of Usain Bolt - British GQ

4 signs that food pantries improve the diets of low-income people – The Conversation US

Posted: December 19, 2020 at 1:54 pm

The nation has thousands of food pantries, places that give cash-strapped people free food with few questions asked. These organizations can occupy everything from an entire building to a literal pantry as in a few shelves in a church basement.

Most of the estimated 300 million Americans who relied on food pantries in 2017 experienced food insecurity, meaning that they didnt have access to enough food. Even before the pandemic hit, up to half of the people who use food pantries live in food insecurity that is so severe that they sometimes skip meals or dont eat for whole days at a time.

Food insecurity is, by many accounts, an even bigger problem now.

Food pantries get the food they give away from many sources, sometimes making it hard to control nutritional quality as they seek to obtain the right quantity of food. And getting enough healthy food to give away is challenging.

I am a nutrition science researcher who studies what food-insecure Americans eat. My team and I have recently completed several studies on rural food pantries in Midwestern counties. We found four signs that food pantries improve the diets of low-income people.

Food pantries are an important source of food.

People typically receive a bag or box containing enough food to serve their family three meals for about three or four days. Most people who use food pantries visit multiple pantries. About half make more than five trips a month to pick up food.

Whats in those boxes and bags accounts for an estimated 36% of what the people who pick them up eat, according to our recent article in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Having access to enough food is critical, but the variety, nutrients and quality are also important for long-term health. We asked 613 U.S. Midwestern food pantry clients about the amounts and kinds of food they ate and where that food came from. We found that compared to supermarkets, other stores and restaurants, food pantries provided the most fruit, something that most people in the U.S. at all income levels need to eat more of every day.

Likewise, Americans generally get too little fiber, calcium, vitamin D and potassium, making these nutritional deficits a public health concern even for people not facing economic hardship. We found that the amounts of these nutrients in the items from food pantries were also highest or tied for the highest compared with all other food sources in the diets of people who visit food pantries.

Even so, Americans who use food pantries dont get enough of these nutrients. Another concern is that provisions from food pantries tend to contain too much sodium, something most Americans need to curb.

Making more trips to food pantries often means better nutrition.

Going more than once a month, rather than once a month or less, is linked with a higher-quality diet, or doing a better job of meeting the recommendations in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, the science-based dietary guidance that the federal government maintains to promote health.

For example, the average American would get a failing grade, with a score of 59% for their consumption of fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein, along with sodium, added sugar and saturated fat. People who rely on food pantries fare even worse.

Those using food pantries once a month or less would score 39%, while those visiting more frequently would score 44%. Higher dietary quality, even just a 5 percentage point gain, may improve someones health and help stave off chronic diseases.

Eating a wide variety of food helps meet basic nutritional needs. The day after visiting a food pantry, people ate two more kinds of food compared with what they ate the day before.

Specifically, people who visited a food pantry ate more fruit, including whole fruits such as eating an apple as opposed to drinking a glass of apple juice. Eating more whole fruits is especially helpful because they have a lot of fiber and other nutrients that can help prevent cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases.

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4 signs that food pantries improve the diets of low-income people - The Conversation US


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