The Best Detox Formulas to Cleanse Your System

Nov 22, 2019 - 3 Recommendations

When attempting to lose weight, any type of advantage is welcomed, especially when youre getting older and your metabolism is slowing down. While there are plenty of fad diets, workout supplements, and overpriced meal prep services available, theres nothing like starting anew on your health journey. literally. One way to do such is through a detox system that essentially flushes out all of the bad stuff youve been consuming over the years. And once your detox is done, you can begin to live a healthier lifestyle for the long haul in order to achieve real, sustainable results. For those looking to hit the reset button, so to speak, there are a few different detox formulas out there that can facilitate weight loss, increase your metabolism, increase energy levels and much, much more. Of course, not all detox cleanses are created equal there are different products that do different things and produce different results. In an oversaturated weight loss supplement industry, you have to be diligent about vetting out the products that, simply put, dont get the job done. So we managed to find some of the best detox formulas/supplements that can help facilitate your new lifestyle changes. Heres what we came across.

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Amazon.com: weight loss

Apple cider vinegar has been used as a health tonic for thousands of years.

Research shows it has many health benefits, such as lowering blood sugar levels.

But can adding apple cider vinegar to your diet also help you lose weight?

This article explores the research behind apple cider vinegar and weight loss. It also provides tips on incorporating apple cider vinegar into your diet.

Apple cider vinegar is made in a two-step fermentation process (1).

First, apples are cut or crushed and combined with yeast to convert their sugar into alcohol. Second, bacteria is added to ferment the alcohol into acetic acid.

Traditional apple cider vinegar production takes about one month, though some manufacturers dramatically accelerate the process so that it takes only a day.

Acetic acid is the main active component of apple cider vinegar.

Also known as ethanoic acid, it is an organic compound with a sour taste and strong odor. The term acetic comes from acetum, the Latin word for vinegar.

About 56% of apple cider vinegar consists of acetic acid. It also contains water and trace amounts of other acids, such as malic acid (2).

One tablespoon (15 ml) of apple cider vinegar contains about three calories and virtually no carbs.

Acetic acid is a short-chain fatty acid that dissolves into acetate and hydrogen in your body.

Some animal studies suggest that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar may promote weight loss in several ways:

Although the results of animal studies look promising, research is needed in humans to confirm these effects.

Apple cider vinegar may promote fullness, which can decrease calorie intake (9, 10).

In one small study in 11 people, those who took vinegar with a high-carb meal had a 55% lower blood sugar response one hour after eating.

They also ended up consuming 200275 fewer calories for the rest of the day (10).

In addition to its appetite-suppressing effects, apple cider vinegar has also been shown to slow the rate at which food leaves your stomach.

In another small study, taking apple cider vinegar with a starchy meal significantly slowed stomach emptying. This led to increased feelings of fullness and lowered blood sugar and insulin levels (11).

However, some people may have a condition that makes this effect harmful.

Gastroparesis, or delayed stomach emptying, is a common complication of type 1 diabetes. Timing insulin with food intake becomes problematic because it is difficult to predict how long it will take for blood sugar to rise after a meal.

Since apple cider vinegar has been shown to extend the time food stays in your stomach, taking it with meals could worsen gastroparesis (12).

Results from one human study indicate that apple cider vinegar has impressive effects on weight and body fat (13).

In this 12-week study, 144 obese Japanese adults consumed either 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vinegar, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vinegar or a placebo drink every day.

They were told to restrict their alcohol intake but otherwise continue their usual diet and activity throughout the study.

Those who consumed 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of vinegar per day had on average the following benefits:

This is what changed in those consuming 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vinegar per day:

The placebo group actually gained 0.9 lbs (0.4 kgs), and their waist circumference slightly increased.

According to this study, adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to your diet can help you lose weight. It can also reduce your body fat percentage, make you lose belly fat and decrease your blood triglycerides.

This is one of a few human studies that have investigated vinegar's effects on weight loss. Although the study was fairly large and the results are encouraging, additional studies are needed.

Additionally, one six-week study in mice fed a high-fat, high-calorie diet found that the high-dose vinegar group gained 10% less fat than the control group and 2% less fat than the low-dose vinegar group (7).

In addition to promoting weight and fat loss, apple cider vinegar has several other benefits:

There are a few ways to include apple cider vinegar in your diet.

An easy method is to use it with olive oil as a salad dressing. It proves particularly tasty with leafy greens, cucumbers and tomatoes.

It can also be used for pickling vegetables, or you can simply mix it into water and drink it.

The amount of apple cider vinegar used for weight loss is 12 tablespoons (15-30 ml) per day, mixed with water.

It is best to spread this out into 23 doses throughout the day, and it may be best to drink it before meals.

Taking more than this isn't recommended because of potentially harmful effects at higher dosages, such as drug interactions or the erosion of tooth enamel. It's also best to start off with 1 teaspoon (5 ml) to see how you tolerate it.

Do not take more than 1 tablespoon (15 ml) at a time, because taking too much at one sitting may cause nausea.

Its important to mix it with water, as undiluted vinegar may burn the inside of your mouth and esophagus.

Although taking apple cider vinegar in tablet form may seem beneficial, it comes with potentially large risks. In one instance, a woman suffered throat burns after an apple cider vinegar tablet became lodged in her esophagus (29).

At the end of the day, taking a moderate amount of apple cider vinegar appears to promote weight loss and provide a number of other health benefits.

Other types of vinegar may provide similar benefits, although those with lower acetic acid content might have less potent effects.

You can find a great selection of apple cider vinegar here.

Read this article:
Can Apple Cider Vinegar Help You Lose Weight?

What is unexplained weight loss?

Unexplained weight loss is a noticeable drop in body weight that occurs even if the person is not trying to lose weight. The weight loss does not come about because of diet, exercise or lifestyle changes. Weight loss of 10 pounds or more, or five percent of body weight, over a period of 6 to 12 months is considered unexplained.

Unexplained weight loss can be a symptom of a serious condition or illness. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention if you (or a family member) have weight loss that cannot be explained.

Unexplained weight loss can occur in anyone. However, it is most common (and most serious) in people who are over the age of 65. Even unexplained weight loss of less than 5 percent of body weight or 10 pounds may be the sign of a serious condition in older people.

Unexplained weight loss can be caused by conditions that range from mild to very serious. The causes can be physical or psychological, and include:

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 08/31/2018.

Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

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Unexplained Weight Loss | Cleveland Clinic

Weight loss: Track your steps if you want to improve your overall fitness

Weight loss tips: Did you know that just exercising for an hour every day is not enough for you to keep fit and healthy? Physical activity throughout the day is what you need to improve your overall health and fitness. Health experts are of the belief that no matter how hard you train at the gym for an hour or two, it is not going to improve your health and fitness level if you are sedentary the rest of the day. Sitting all day, smoking, regular alcohol intake, unhealthy snacking, not taking your meals on time and overeating are sedentary lifestyle habits that can affect your fitness levels despite exercising regularly.

Sitting for long periods of time is an occupational hazard that many of us face today. But need not worry as there's something fitting that you can do to avoid side effects of sitting for too long. Celeb nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar recommends that for every 30 minutes of sitting, you should stand straight on both your feet (without leaning or taking any support) for three minutes. You can do this at your desk, or you can even go for a short walk. This is one effective way of avoiding sitting for long periods of time and being active all day.

Also read:9 Fitness Tips That Can Help You Stay In Shape Even Without Exercising

We bet this is one suggestion you must have heard many times, and its definitely effective. For being physically active and fit, you must climb four floors at one go, at least once a day. And if not four floors, you must not miss the opportunity of climbing stairs - which in fact is an effective cardio exercise - whenever you can. Stay away from elevators and escalators. Doing so can aid weight loss and improve your overall fitness.

Climbing stairs can help you lose weight quickly and also improve your overall fitnessPhoto Credit: iStock

Eating junk food, especially for mid-meal snacking, is the worst thing that you can do for your health, fitness and weight loss. Junk, deep-fried, sugary, processed and packaged foods need to be completely off the list if you want to get fitter apart from exercising regularly.

Also read:How To Tackle Erratic Schedules And Avoid Junk Food? 7 Food Habits That You Should Check

Apart from keeping an eye on what you eat, it is also important to take note of your pattern of eating. Practicing portion control, avoiding overeating, eating without any distractions (like your phone, TV, laptop or book) and healthy snacking are some habits of mindful eating that can improve your overall fitness, apart from exercising at the gym.

Completing 10,000 steps every day is a task you must accomplish. "Ten thousand steps in a day is the basic requirement of the human body for maintaining mobility and fitness which is needed every day," says fitness trainer Vinod Channa, who is known to train the likes of Shilpa Shetty Kundra, John Abraham, Shamita Shetty and Genelia Deshmukh to name a few. Walking 10,000 steps in a day cannot be considered to be equivalent of a workout, but is definitely a task you should aim at accomplishing every day, for your overall fitness.

10,000 steps in a day is the bare minimum of physical activity that you must do every dayPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Weight Loss: Is Walking 10,000 Steps A Day Equivalent To A Workout? Experts Reveal

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Weight Loss Tips: 1 Hour Of Exercise Is Not Enough- Do These 5 Things Every Day To Improve Your Overall Fitness - NDTV News

From Women's Health

My name is Victoria Nunez (@vict0riasecret). I have lived in San Diego, California, my whole life, and Im a counter manager for MAC Cosmetics. After relying on a weight-loss drug for years, I knew it wasn't a sustainable tool, so I quit it and started the keto diet instead. Now, I'm hooked!

I was never the type of person that could eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight. I was very overweight even as a kid. I tried every single diet out there to lose weight, from the cabbage soup diet to Weight Watchers. I even tried phentermine (a prescription weight-loss drug that works by making you feel less hungry) at the instruction of my doctor.

The medication would work for a while, and I would lose some weight, but it wouldn't lastand I knew being on a pill wasn't sustainable. I would eventually go back to the way I was eating before and gain all the weight back, and then some. I was 25 when I hit my heaviest weight of 284 pounds.

My turning point came after I went to my doctor to refill my prescription. I hadnt lost that much weight since the last time I had gone in, and my doctor explained to me that in order get a refill of the drug, I would have to lose a substantial amount of weight first. The doctor also explained the drug was only a short-term solution, and I wouldnt be able to be on it forever. (It's also worth noting that this drug has some pretty scary side effects, like rapid heart rate, sleep issues, nervousness, constipation, and more, according to the Mayo Clinicand it's not a good option for everyone.)

So I gave it a shot. I started my journey on June 22, 2018. And let me tell you, I was 29 years old when I realized I could still eat really delicious food *and* lose weight!

A lot of my coworkers at the time were also trying keto. It was nice that a lot of people around me were following the same diet. We would bounce ideas off each other and share recipes and snacks. Cheese is probably my all-time favorite food, and the fact that I could eat cheese *and* lose weight was a game changer for me. Keto also made me feel like I had so much energy and mental clarity that it made it easy to stick to.

I also started tracking my macros. I downloaded an app called Carb Manager that set up all my macros for me. Tracking my food was tedious, but I saw great results from doing so. And while I cut out most carbs, I still loved bread, tortillas, pasta, rice...you name it. So I still ate those things, but just the keto version of it. Thats the great thing about ketoI can still eat what I love, just modified.

I drink a ton of water. I have always been a big water drinker, but with keto it's important to drink at least a gallon of water a day. I bought a 64-ounce Hydro Flask, and I drink at least two (sometimes three) of those a day.

I try to work out at least three times a week. When I go to the gym, I normally do about 30 to 45 minutes of cardio and then I will do about 45 to 60 minutes of weights. If I dont go to the gym, I will try to walk two miles.

Although my body has changed so much, I am still working on loving myself because I am my own worst critic. I never thought that I would be able to lose this much weight through diet alone. I think it is so important that when you start your weight-loss journey that you choose something that is sustainable for your lifestyle. It has to be something that will change your eating habits forever, something that isn't just a quick fix.

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'I Quit My Prescription Weight-Loss Drug And Started Keto InsteadAnd I Lost 117 Lbs. From Diet Alone' - Yahoo Lifestyle

WHEN you're tired and run down, grabbing a sugar hit or quick snack to boost your energy makes sense.

But, in lots of cases our favourite treats are likely to make you feel worse than before you scoffed them down.

3

On top of this they're also likely to hinder your weight loss journey - and have you reaching for more unhealthy snacks.

Here, top dietitian Susie Burrell has revealedsome of the most common 'energy' foods, and why they may not be so energising after all...

Most of us are quick to reach for a cup of coffee if we need a quick pick-me-up or energy hit.

That's because caffeine is a known performance enhancer - with its benefitsknown to last for 30-60 minutes post consumption.

However, Susie emphasises that coffee will only give you a boost in the short-term - and you'll soon see your energy plummet again within an hour.

3

"The issue with using large amounts of coffee and caffeine to help boost our energy levels is that the effect is short term," she writes in her blog Shape Me.

"This will be particularly evident if you enjoy your coffee with plenty of extra sugars via syrups, added sugar or honey which too will contribute to a subsequent drop in energy 60-90 minutes later."

On top of this, we recently revealed that drinking coffee could be adding 15,000 calories to your diet a month.

Many people pick a diet soft drink like Pepsi Max thinking it will be a healthier option compared to regular soft drinks.

Despite this, Susie says they can actually stop you losing weight - and will leave you feeling tired and lethargic.

Susie warns: "The biggest issue with consuming diet soft drinks when you are tired is that pretty quickly the body realises that you have not given it the sugar it is actually looking for, leaving you feeling tired and lethargic once again an hour after drinking it."

Other than fulfilling your cravings, fast food has no benefits nutritionally or when it comes to giving you an energy boost.

"Fried fast foods burgers, fries, pizza, chicken and meal deals are packed with fats, sugars and plenty of salt," Susie says.

Fried fast foods are packed with fats, sugars and plenty of salt

"The combination leaves you vulnerable to fluid retention, a shift of blood flow to the digestive system thanks to the heavy calorie load of the meal and high intake of saturated fat which results in reduced blood flow round the body.

"This means that there is nothing energising other than an initial sugar hit in any fast food."

We're all guilty of diving in the biscuit tin as our energy levels drop near the end of the day.

However, Susie is urging people to stay well away from the custard creams and hobnobs if you're watching your waistline.

She says: "The mix of white flour, hydrogenated fats and sugars that are easily consumed daily with a few cups of tea or coffee but which offer little nutritionally.

"The refined flour and sugar sends blood glucose levels soaring which is in turn coupled with a sharp decline within the hour.

"Such an ingredient combination also plays havoc with our insulin levels over time.

"Insulin is the hormone involved in fat storage in the body and high levels over time leave us vulnerable to fatigue and low energy levels."

Many people believe energy drinks are the way to go when you need a pick-me-up - but think again.

Susie says they actually have very little to offer unless you are an elite athlete.

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"With 30-45g or six to nine teaspoons of sugar per bottle along with various vitamins and stimulants not only are these drinks packed full of empty calories but any energy hit is likely to only be of benefit for 30-60 minutes," Susie adds.

Bagels may look pretty innocent, but nutritionally there are not many positives.

"Packed full of refined carbs giving it a high GI, a standard bagel can contain as many carbs as four slices of bread," Susie says.

"And that is before you consider any high sugar or high fat toppings.

"Great if you are about to run a marathon, not so good if you are sitting at your desk all morning."

They may only take two minutes in the microwave but the impact they have on your waistline may last a lifetime, according to Susie.

NHS tips for weight loss success

The NHS has shared their three key tips for weight loss success:

Lots of useat and drink more than we realise and do little physical activity. The result is often weight gain.

To lose weight, we need to change our current habits. Thismeans eating less even when eating ahealthy, balanced diet and getting more active.

Fad dietsand exercise regimes that result in rapid weight loss are unlikely to work for long, because these kinds of lifestyle changes can't be maintained.

Once you stop the regime, you're likely to return to old habits and regain weight.

Source:NHS

She says: "Not only do two minute noodles contain as much processed carbohydrate as four to six slices of bread but the cheeky sachet of flavouring is not only likely to contain MSG (621) but also your entire daily upper limit of sodium (salt).

"The effect of this is significant fluid retention leading to bloating, discomfort and fatigue an hour or two after consumption."

We all love munching on Haribo in the afternoon to give us a much-needed energy boost.

However, the jelly sweets can not only cause an energy drop - but will also lead to weight gain.

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"With a single jelly snake containing almost two teaspoons of sugar, imagine the huge amount of sugar in an entire packet of any type of lolly," Susie says.

"When the body is exposed to a large amount of sugar in a single setting, our insulin levels sky rocket followed by a subsequent drop.

"The other issue with regularly eating lollies is that it is virtually impossible to stop eating them which means you can consume 100+ grams of sugar in a single setting."

Original post:
From coffee to bagels the 8 surprising foods that sap energy and stop weight loss - The Sun

The FDA recently announced the voluntary recall of Belviq and Belviq XR, weight loss drugs manufactured by Eisai Inc. The recall was prompted by a safety clinical trial showing that the drug may be associated with an increased risk of cancer. According to the FDA, a range of cancer types were reported in the trial. However, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer reportedly occurred more frequently in Belviq weight loss users. Ring of Fires Farron Cousins discusses this with Scott Hardy, the President of Top Class Actions.

Transcript:

*This transcript was generated by a third-party transcription software company, so please excuse any typos.

Farron Cousins:According to new reports, Belviq a popular weight loss drug, might actually be linked to several different forms of cancer and the FDA has actually issued a voluntary recall of both Belviq and Belviq XR. Joining me now to talk about whats happening is Scott Hardy with Top Class Actions and Scott, we see this happen quite frequently with weight loss drugs. Comes out years later after theyd been on the market for quite some time, significant problems arise. I mean, we saw it with fen-phen and now were seeing it with this Belviq. So tell us what the FDA is essentially trying to warn everybody about right now.

Scott Hardy:Sure. So its interesting. Back in 2012 the FDA ran a large clinical trial and they were checking for cardiovascular risks. They wanted to see if Belviq and Belviq XR would have resulted, those folks who are trying to lose weight, have heart problems. But it turns out that they didnt have heart problems, but they had a much higher risk of cancer and so they actually saw cancer developed and they did this study of around 12,000 patients. So it was, you know, its, its a fairly large study as these go and then found that they were much more likely to develop things like, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer. And so if you took Belviq or Belviq XR and or a, a loved one did, and developed cancer while they were on it or after they were on it, you really want to talk to a lawyer and see what your options are because it turns out that it, it very may well have been caused or encouraged by Belviq. At least, thats what these FDA studies appear to show.

Farron Cousins:And you mentioned this study, 12,000 patients studied in this study over the course of five years. It was a double blind placebo control, I mean, basically about as accurate as you can get in terms of a scientific study. I mean that and, and huge obviously sample size here. So theres really not a whole lot of margin of error with the way this study was conducted. They did it exactly the way they should with all pharmaceuticals. Did it over a long enough period of time, you know, controlled for placebos and the double blind, I mean it was, it was perfectly done. And yeah, they found that wow, people on this medication are developing these cancers at a significantly higher rate than those in the placebo and thats not even what they were looking for. They wanted to see is this going to affect your heart, is your cardiovascular system going to be in trouble?

And so, you know, the FDA finally obviously came out and said, okay, well well voluntarily recall it, which basically just means if youre on this or if the company feels like it, go ahead and stop taking it. I, thats not good enough. I mean the, the, the science is becoming clearer as, as it goes on, this thing is causing cancer based on all of the available evidence. This, in my opinion, shouldnt be a voluntary recall. It should absolutely be completely recalled at this point. But maybe well get there. Maybe we wont. But I think these studies are pretty significant here.

Scott Hardy:They really are and so well have to see, you know, how many people truly are impacted by this. Our initial outreach has found that, you know, just a handful of people have reached out saying theyre impacted. So well have to see how many people actually were taking Belviq and Belviq XR and of course, how many of those folks developed cancer. If they developed cancer, they definitely want to connect with an attorney. They can, they can talk to us, they can, you know, do some Googling on their own. But its worth checking into because this is going to be a major topic, especially when we look at the trial lawyers over the course of the next year to see how many people are really out there that are impacted.

Farron Cousins:Absolutely, these things always kind of start small and then they will snowball. So we will likely see that happening, especially as the media, you know, starts to pick up this story and informs people of whats actually happening. Thats when well probably see the influx of people saying, oh my God, I was on this medication. I developed cancer. I need to make that phone call now. So thats likely whats going to happen probably in the next 6 to 12 months. This story will get picked up. People will understand, understand the risks, and were going to see a lot more people filing for this.

But in the meantime, as Scott mentioned, if you or a loved one have taken this medication, follow the link in the description of this video. Head over to Top Class Actions, get all the information you need about this, and might want to bookmark this page and come back to it in the future. Share it with people. This is going to be very important and likely going to be a big litigation in the near future. Scott Hardy, Top Class Actions, thank you very much for talking with us.

Scott Hardy:Youre welcome. Thanks for your time, Farron.

Read more from the original source:
Popular Weight Loss Drug Recalled Due To Possible Cancer Link - The Ring of Fire Network - The Ring of Fire Network

Its human nature to admire our friends big endeavors. When a friend parachutes from a plane, competes on The Voice or endures an Iron Man triathlon, we salute them.

Those flashy feats often garner more attention than the long, steady work it takes to lose weight. But Monica and Cody Manjarrez dont need applause to feel great satisfaction from their accomplishments.

In the three years the East County couple has been on WW (formerly Weight Watchers), Cody has lost more than 50 pounds and Monica is nearing a 90-pound weight loss.

Its not as dramatic as jumping out of a plane, but it wasnt drama they were going for.

Monica was in the program for about a week or two, and I saw her get into everything WW was suggesting, Cody recalled. I saw that it seemed healthy and suitable. She was losing weight but was still enjoying life no crazy or drastic changes so I decided to join up. It was a great decision.

Last September, WW announced its new name as well as its new program, myWW. While keeping its focus on helping people lose weight, it has been rebranded as a health and wellness company. Oprah Winfrey, a board member and shareholder of WW, has been touting the more holistic and personalized approach.

With myWW, clients are matched to a color-coded plan that fits them best, according to their food preferences, activity level, lifestyle and approach to weight loss.

Cody likes chickpeas, brown rice and lentils, while Monica is fond of french fries and fast food.

We love our programs, said Monica, a hairstylist at Salon Thrive in Santee. Im on green, and Cody is on purple. We view food differently, and our needs are met through our different programs.

On green, Im able to eat out multiple times a week, have fast food and still lose weight. I didnt have to do extreme change. Im still able to eat out, enjoy life and lose weight at the same time.

Each option requires a different number of WWs SmartPoints, which represent the number of calories, protein, sugar and saturated fat in any food item. Foods with more of the not-so-healthy stuff carry more SmartPoints.

The ZeroPoints list includes nutritious foods that are not weighed, measured or tracked. Each color plan green, blue (previously Freestyle) and purple adds up those numbers according to a members eating style.

In addition to food consumption, myWW recognizes the importance of physical activities. A client can earn FitPoints by doing everything from running and resistance training to such exercises-in-disguise as gardening or housecleaning.

And myWW has a new app to keep track of all of it.

Monica and Cody Manjarrez before they started the WW program together.

(Courtesy photo)

Cody, who is in the U.S. Navy, said that the color-coded options help accommodate the couples different schedules and lifestyles. His practice in Krav Maga and other martial arts, which he had started before WW, require more fuel. On the purple plan, he tried foods like nutrition-rich sweet potatoes and quinoa and now eats them regularly.

Its really easy having the WW app on your phone, Monica said. It tells you the points for the serving size. By using the app, you know how much you can eat.

Cody explained that the WW app has a scanner and tracker to record your food consumption.

You have all this food to choose from; it helps you choose what portions work best, he said. Another tool I like is Connect, a social media where you can find people involved in the same plan and activities you are.

Cody and Monica, who married in October 2018, have seen an uptick in their activity and confidence levels.

We gained a new life of being able to be more positive about who we are, Monica said. We can step out of our comfort zone and do things that wed never done before.

We both picked up roller skating, said Cody, who is now teaching a Krav Maga class. Its super fun. Monica is training for roller derby. And we do a lot more traveling. You lose the weight and become the person you were meant to be.

A BMI (Body mass index) of 25 to 29.9 = overweight.

A BMI of 30 or more = obese.

Percent of Americans age 20 and over who have obesity: 39.8

Percent of Americans age 20 and over who are overweight: 31.8

Men are more likely than women to be overweight.

Women are more likely than men to have obesity.

Women, non-Hispanic black adults and low-income adults who make less than $50,000 per year are most at risk for severe obesity (BMI of 40 or higher).

According to a 2019 study, by 2030 nearly one in two adults will have severe obesity.

Sources: National Center for Health Statistics (2016); New England Journal of Medicine (December 2019); National Institutes of Health

Wood is a San Diego freelance writer.

Read more from the original source:
Couple is winning by losing - The San Diego Union-Tribune

The truth is, not all processed foods are unhealthy. There, I said it. Some of the healthiest foods are processed in some way. Rolled oats? Processed. Pistachios? Processed. Canned chickpeas? Those are processed, too.

Processed foods for weight loss? Yes, it's possible.

Credit: SDI Productions/E+/GettyImages

"'Processed foods' has become a buzzword term, and it's unfortunate because it gives a lot of healthy foods a bad rap," says Bonnie Taub-Dix, RDN, dietitian, creator of BetterThanDieting.com and author of Read It Before You Eat It - Taking You from Label to Table.

"So many people say they avoid 'processed foods,' but I don't think they really understand what that means, otherwise they'd be walking around eating a stalk of wheat instead of a slice of whole-grain bread," Taub-Dix says. "Even if you buy carrots from the store, if you bring them home and peel and steam them, that's processing."

It's true. And processed foods can not only be healthy, but they can even help us lose weight, if done right. Let's clear up any misunderstandings by addressing and solving for some of the common mistakes we make when shopping for (or avoiding) processed foods.

Did you know that keeping a food diary is one of the most effective ways to manage your weight? Download the MyPlate app to easily track calories, stay focused and achieve your goals!

Here's the catch: There's a difference between processed foods like plain yogurt and canned tomatoes and ultra-processed foods like diet lemonade or a Boston cream pie-flavored yogurt with artificial flavors and sweeteners. They've all been processed in some way, but the degree to which varies.

Also, ultra-processed foods may have artificial additives like coloring, sweeteners and flavoring. Ultra-processed foods, if consumed regularly, can have negative effects on our health, including yup weight gain.

One example is a small clinical trial published in Cell Metabolism in May 2019, which looked at the impact an ultra-processed diet has on weight versus a minimally processed diet. The researchers in the study fed some people ultra-processed foods like blueberry yogurt, diet lemonade and canned beef-and-bean chili, while the other group received oatmeal (with blueberries and almonds), salad with chicken breast and farro and beef tender roast with couscous and green beans. Both groups were allowed to eat as much or as little as they wanted at meal times. After two weeks, the researchers found that the ultra-processed group gained about 2 pounds while the minimally processed group lost about two pounds. The latter naturally ate about 500 fewer calories per day.

The old advice to "stick to the perimeter" is not only outdated, it's out of touch. "Now, I love foods in the perimeter the produce is my favorite but we need to make the most of the middle too," Taub-Dix says. "If you skip the middle, you're missing out on so many nutritious foods like beans, pasta and almonds. Beans especially are nutrient-dense, they're inexpensive and easy to store."

The initial intention behind this shopping guidance was good because so many ultra-processed foods exist in the middle of the supermarket, but so do many healthy, minimally processed and often less-expensive food. The middle also often houses products that allow for shortcuts for busy families like canned beans and vegetables, pre-cooked brown rice, frozen fruits and veggies and so on.

The key to choosing processed foods is to read ingredient lists and nutrition labels thoroughly.

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If you're trying to eat less heavily processed foods, then this is one habit you'll want to change.

For example, there are bars on the market with a healthy balance of carbohydrates, fiber, fat and protein, along with almost 20 vitamins and minerals, which by the nutrition facts panel read like a healthy food. But if you look at the ingredient list, you'll see items like fractioned palm kernel oil, maltitol, polydextrose, marshmallow, sugar, sucralose and so on. If you just scan the nutrition facts panel and skip the ingredient list, you're not getting the full picture of what's actually in the bar.

To determine if a food is ultra-processed, you really need to turn the package over and read the label. You might find an almond butter with added salt or added sugar, and you'd be better off in most cases choosing the almond butter with just almonds on its ingredient list.

But it's also not that black and white, Taub-Dix says. You have to look at the big picture, and at your whole day. If you like the almond butter with sugar and you find you don't need jelly, you're likely better off in the end. Ultimately, it's about finding balance in your diet.

"There's also a lot of mixed message out there in media like, 'If you can't pronounce an ingredient, you shouldn't eat it,' or 'Don't eat a food with more than five ingredients' but those are scare tactics and quick soundbites," Taub-Dix says.

In some cases, the added ingredients are actually good for us. You might find ascorbic acid listed on the ingredient list and think it's some chemical added to your food when in fact it's vitamin C.

"Or, for instance, I love Dave's Killer Bread and it has about 25 ingredients, but it's still a healthy, whole-grain bread with fiber and protein," Taub-Dix says. "If you don't know what an ingredient is, look it up. You should question and be informed, but don't miss out on nutritious food just because there's an ingredient you can't pronounce or there's more than five ingredients."

Added sugar and salt can be sneaky when it comes to the ingredient list because they go by many names.

"One thing to be aware of is that sugar is the master of aliases. There's high-fructose corn syrup, organic cane sugar and many more," warns Taub-Dix.

Other common names for added sugar, according to the University of California San Francisco, include: agave nectar, barley malt, beet sugar, cane juice, caramel, carob syrup, date sugar, fructose, invert sugar, maltodextrin, molasses, palm sugar, raw sugar, rice syrup and sorghum syrup. The amount of added sugars is also required to be listed on the nutrition facts panel.

The American Heart Association shares other monikers for salt, including disodium guanylate (GMP), sodium bicarbonate, sodium nitrate, sodium citrate, sodium glutamate, sodium lactate and sodium phosphate. The sodium content will also appear on the nutrition facts panel, so make sure to read thoroughly before you buy.

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Processed Foods for Weight Loss: Avoid These 5 Mistakes - LIVESTRONG.COM