Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
GM Foods #2
Do You Know How Many Genetically Modified Foods You're Eating?
Do you have any idea how much of what you eat each day has been made from genetically modified organisms?
Poll: Do You Support or Oppose Genetically Modified Foods?
6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat, 6 to Avoid
Worried About Fake Food Dyes? 4 Simple Tricks to Avoid Them
8 to Pay Attention To
Do you have any idea how much of what you eat each day has been made from genetically modified organisms?
Poll: Do You Support or Oppose Genetically Modified Foods?
6 of the Healthiest Fish to Eat, 6 to Avoid
Worried About Fake Food Dyes? 4 Simple Tricks to Avoid Them
Friday, April 22, 2011
Don’t Expect Soda Tax to Curb Obesity
A new study finds only the middle class — not the rich or the poor — are likely to change their behavior with a soda tax.
Opponents of so-called soda taxes often argue that they would disproportionately punish low-income people. The poor buy more pop than the rich, who you’d more likely find in line at a fresh-fruit smoothie bar than in the carbonated beverage aisle at the grocery store, the thinking goes.
But a new study examining the potential effects of hefty taxes on sugary beverages — such as those that have been considered in New York, Colorado and California — specifically looked at different income classes and found a pair of surprising results. Low-income groups aren’t financially hit much harder than high-income households (the average cost to any family of a tax as high as 40 percent would be only about $28 a year). And neither group loses much weight in the process, the theoretical goal of having soda taxes in the first place.
Opponents of so-called soda taxes often argue that they would disproportionately punish low-income people. The poor buy more pop than the rich, who you’d more likely find in line at a fresh-fruit smoothie bar than in the carbonated beverage aisle at the grocery store, the thinking goes.
But a new study examining the potential effects of hefty taxes on sugary beverages — such as those that have been considered in New York, Colorado and California — specifically looked at different income classes and found a pair of surprising results. Low-income groups aren’t financially hit much harder than high-income households (the average cost to any family of a tax as high as 40 percent would be only about $28 a year). And neither group loses much weight in the process, the theoretical goal of having soda taxes in the first place.
Breastfeeding Women Viewed as Less Competent
New research finds both men and women tend to harshly evaluate breastfeeding mothers.
A study emerged out of Oxford University last week suggesting babies who are breastfed end up doing better in school. Yet despite such well-documented benefits for both mother and child, the percentage of American breastfeeding women remains “stagnant and low,” according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why are only one-third of American mothers exclusively breastfeeding at three months, and only 43 percent breastfeeding at all at six months? Perhaps because they’ve gotten a sense of how harshly they are being judged.
http://www.miller-mccune.com/health/breastfeeding-women-viewed-as-less-competent-29338/
A study emerged out of Oxford University last week suggesting babies who are breastfed end up doing better in school. Yet despite such well-documented benefits for both mother and child, the percentage of American breastfeeding women remains “stagnant and low,” according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Why are only one-third of American mothers exclusively breastfeeding at three months, and only 43 percent breastfeeding at all at six months? Perhaps because they’ve gotten a sense of how harshly they are being judged.
http://www.miller-mccune.com/health/breastfeeding-women-viewed-as-less-competent-29338/
Increase Focus Naturally With These 10 Tips
You're late to work (again), behind on a project, or can't remember the action points from the last meeting. If you're one of the roughly 10 million U.S. adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it can be a constant challenge to stay on task.
Anthony Rostain, M.D., professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, in Philadelphia, says you can get distracted by external stimuli like noise or internal stimuli like daydreaming; these different distractions require different coping strategies, he explains.
Here's how to pinpoint your weaknesses and 10 strategies for getting the job done:
(1) Write It Down
If you want to raise an important point in a conference call, but don't want to butt in, you may not absorb what the others are saying while you wait to bring it up.
Better to jot down a keyword to remind yourself what you want to say, says Linda Richmand, a Westchester County, NY, certified professional coach with a specialty in adult ADHD and ADD. "Now you're ready to fully attend."
She recommends keeping a "random-thought pad" on hand, whether you are at your computer or folding laundry. Enter important reminders and any brilliant ideas that pop into your head so that you are less distracted by them as you work on the present task.
(2) Map It Out
In a day chock-full of appointments, odds are good you'll forget to pick up the dry cleaning on the way home.
A study in the journal Science found that the human brain can handle two complicated tasks simultaneously. Add a third, though, and the brain can't keep up. People lose track of one of the original tasks and begin making errors, the study found.
No need to keep it all in your head. In the morning, map out your day, including errands, and refer to your "road map" throughout the day, Richmand suggests. It helps to visualize your plan like athletes do before a big game, she adds.
(3) Create The Right Environment
Make your environment work for you. If noisy colleagues are rattling your concentration, request a quieter work space.
However, it's not uncommon for people with ADHD to find dead silence even more distracting. If you focus better when listening to music or with ambient nose in the background, then try to make it happen.
(4) Prioritize Tasks
Paying the bills: Could there be a more mind-numbing task? You procrastinate and the late fees pile up. The trick is to make it a priority, Dr. Rostain says.
Schedule time for plowing through the thicket of envelopes, and don't do anything else until the job gets done. Elicit your spouse's or partner's help. Have him or her bring you coffee and cookies -- anything to ease the monotony.
(5) Take A Quick Break
If boredom is ruining your productivity, take short breaks. Just getting up to walk around, have a yoga stretch or take a quick sip from the water fountain may be all you need.
When you've completed a task, give yourself time to regroup.
Be careful, though, not to move into procrastination mode and let a quick break morph into an hour-long Facebook chat with friends.
(6) Set A Timer
If your on-time arrival is suffering, it may be because you're squeezing in last-minute tasks before heading out the door or failing to set a realistic departure time.
Figure out how much time it really takes to get where you're going and let technology work for you.
Program your phone to alert you when it's time to get going. Or, when you go to sleep the night before, set a timer that's more than arm's distance from you so that you'll be forced to get up.
(7) Plan Some Joy
It's OK to reward yourself for sticking with a task until it's completed. "Make sure you plan into your day something that's enjoyable, something you look forward to doing," Richmand suggests.
Have coffee with a friend, watch something great on Hulu, or just take a walk at a local park, she says. Not only is it an incentive to finish the job, but it will also help you recognize "that it's not all drudgery."
(8) Delegate
A job well done doesn't mean doing everything yourself.
"Know when to delegate; know what you do well and what you don't," says Lenard Adler, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Adult ADHD Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City.
Focus on your strengths and ask for help when you need it.
(9) Chunk It
If you have trouble estimating time or shifting gears from one activity to another, approach tasks for limited periods of time. For example, give yourself two 15-minute periods to work on something with a break in between.
Psychologists call it "chunking," or breaking work into manageable pieces.
If you're in the middle of a larger task, stop at a specific time and assess the situation, Dr. Adler advises. It may be time to switch gears and move on to something else.
(10) Record It
Some people find gadgets work better than paper and pen for keeping lists and reminders.
"Do what works for you," says Dr. Adler. "Electronic organizers can be wonderful."
Smartphones are a great option, as are digital sound recorders. Input your to-do list, appointments and upcoming events.
Anthony Rostain, M.D., professor of psychiatry and pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, in Philadelphia, says you can get distracted by external stimuli like noise or internal stimuli like daydreaming; these different distractions require different coping strategies, he explains.
Here's how to pinpoint your weaknesses and 10 strategies for getting the job done:
(1) Write It Down
If you want to raise an important point in a conference call, but don't want to butt in, you may not absorb what the others are saying while you wait to bring it up.
Better to jot down a keyword to remind yourself what you want to say, says Linda Richmand, a Westchester County, NY, certified professional coach with a specialty in adult ADHD and ADD. "Now you're ready to fully attend."
She recommends keeping a "random-thought pad" on hand, whether you are at your computer or folding laundry. Enter important reminders and any brilliant ideas that pop into your head so that you are less distracted by them as you work on the present task.
(2) Map It Out
In a day chock-full of appointments, odds are good you'll forget to pick up the dry cleaning on the way home.
A study in the journal Science found that the human brain can handle two complicated tasks simultaneously. Add a third, though, and the brain can't keep up. People lose track of one of the original tasks and begin making errors, the study found.
No need to keep it all in your head. In the morning, map out your day, including errands, and refer to your "road map" throughout the day, Richmand suggests. It helps to visualize your plan like athletes do before a big game, she adds.
(3) Create The Right Environment
Make your environment work for you. If noisy colleagues are rattling your concentration, request a quieter work space.
However, it's not uncommon for people with ADHD to find dead silence even more distracting. If you focus better when listening to music or with ambient nose in the background, then try to make it happen.
(4) Prioritize Tasks
Paying the bills: Could there be a more mind-numbing task? You procrastinate and the late fees pile up. The trick is to make it a priority, Dr. Rostain says.
Schedule time for plowing through the thicket of envelopes, and don't do anything else until the job gets done. Elicit your spouse's or partner's help. Have him or her bring you coffee and cookies -- anything to ease the monotony.
(5) Take A Quick Break
If boredom is ruining your productivity, take short breaks. Just getting up to walk around, have a yoga stretch or take a quick sip from the water fountain may be all you need.
When you've completed a task, give yourself time to regroup.
Be careful, though, not to move into procrastination mode and let a quick break morph into an hour-long Facebook chat with friends.
(6) Set A Timer
If your on-time arrival is suffering, it may be because you're squeezing in last-minute tasks before heading out the door or failing to set a realistic departure time.
Figure out how much time it really takes to get where you're going and let technology work for you.
Program your phone to alert you when it's time to get going. Or, when you go to sleep the night before, set a timer that's more than arm's distance from you so that you'll be forced to get up.
(7) Plan Some Joy
It's OK to reward yourself for sticking with a task until it's completed. "Make sure you plan into your day something that's enjoyable, something you look forward to doing," Richmand suggests.
Have coffee with a friend, watch something great on Hulu, or just take a walk at a local park, she says. Not only is it an incentive to finish the job, but it will also help you recognize "that it's not all drudgery."
(8) Delegate
A job well done doesn't mean doing everything yourself.
"Know when to delegate; know what you do well and what you don't," says Lenard Adler, MD, professor of psychiatry and director of the Adult ADHD Program at NYU Langone Medical Center, in New York City.
Focus on your strengths and ask for help when you need it.
(9) Chunk It
If you have trouble estimating time or shifting gears from one activity to another, approach tasks for limited periods of time. For example, give yourself two 15-minute periods to work on something with a break in between.
Psychologists call it "chunking," or breaking work into manageable pieces.
If you're in the middle of a larger task, stop at a specific time and assess the situation, Dr. Adler advises. It may be time to switch gears and move on to something else.
(10) Record It
Some people find gadgets work better than paper and pen for keeping lists and reminders.
"Do what works for you," says Dr. Adler. "Electronic organizers can be wonderful."
Smartphones are a great option, as are digital sound recorders. Input your to-do list, appointments and upcoming events.
7 Ways To Protect Your Memory
It happens to all of us: You stop at the store and forget the one thing you went for. You blank on your co-worker's husband's name -- Is it John? Jim? And where are those darn keys?!? It's normal to be forgetful once in awhile, especially if you've got a lot on your plate.
But even if you're years away from worrying about senior moments, research shows that memory loss can actually begin as early as your 20s, and it continues as you age. Thankfully, taking a few easy steps throughout your day can help you stay sharp -- and maybe even help you remember where you put those keys!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/protect-memory_n_852307.html#s268038&title=Eat_Toast_For
Eat Toast For Breakfast
Skipping carbs may harm your memory. A Tufts University study found that folks who eliminated carbohydrates from their diets performed worse on memory-based tasks than those who included them. Why? Your brain cells need carbs, which are converted in your body to glucose, to stay in peak form, says study co-author Robin Kanarek, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Tufts.
Pick whole grains and other complex carbs -- they're digested more slowly, so they deliver a steadier stream of glucose. Grab a whole-wheat muffin or slice of toast with a scrambled egg and cup of berries for a breakfast that'll jump-start your gray matter.
Take A Kickboxing Class Before Work
Exercise increases the blood flow to your noggin, bringing much-needed oxygen and glucose for fuel, explains Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., co-author of "Welcome to Your Brain."
In fact, you can learn vocabulary words 20 percent faster if you try to memorize them after doing an intense workout rather than a low-impact activity, suggests a study in the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Up the ante even more by taking a dance or kickboxing class -- anything that requires you to remember a routine
Change The Font On Your Morning Memo
Is Times New Roman your go-to? Try using a different, slightly difficult-to-decipher font -- it's been shown to improve your long-term retention, according to research published in the journal Cognition.
Focusing on a new font may make your brain's processing center work a little harder, upping your recall. Change to Comic Sans Italicized (the font used in the study) for a quick fix that you may not notice but your brain will.
Do A Web Search During Lunch
Spending an hour a day looking online for something you're interested in (like researching spots for your next vacation) may stimulate the part of your frontal lobe that controls short-term memory, according to a recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles.
"The neural circuits involved in decision-making, visual-spatial, and verbal skills become very active when you do an Internet search," explains Gary Small, M.D., lead author of the study. Don't just mindlessly surf, though: If it's too easy, Dr. Small says, it won't be effective. (Facebook won't do the trick!)
Eye Your Parking Spot
Always forget where you parked your car? When you stop at the grocery store to pick up your dinner, try this exercise: Get out of your car, notice where you're parked, then move your eyes side-to-side every 1/2 second for 30 seconds while standing in place.
Practicing this simple eye movement may increase your long-term memory by up to 10%, say researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University in England. "That little extra boost might be just what's needed to help you recall an important piece of information," says Andrew Parker, PhD, the study's lead author.
Drink A Little With Dinner
While being a heavy tippler can lead to memory loss, a new study finds that drinking in moderation may actually lower your risk for memory problems. In an analysis published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, participants who downed seven or fewer alcoholic drinks total per week had the lowest risk for cognitive impairment, compared with women who didn't drink at all and those who imbibed more.
Researchers believe alcohol's anti-inflammatory properties may be the reason. Or it could be that people who drink moderately also tend to lead a healthier lifestyle. Cheers to that!
Floss Before Bed
It's good for your smile--but it may also do wonders for your mind. When you don't floss, your gums become inflamed, making it easier for bad bacteria to enter your bloodstream, explains Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an associate professor at New York University and author of Smile!
Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause inflammation throughout your body, including in the brain, which can lead to cognitive dysfunction. So floss daily (twice is ideal) to keep the absentmindedness away.
But even if you're years away from worrying about senior moments, research shows that memory loss can actually begin as early as your 20s, and it continues as you age. Thankfully, taking a few easy steps throughout your day can help you stay sharp -- and maybe even help you remember where you put those keys!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/protect-memory_n_852307.html#s268038&title=Eat_Toast_For
Skipping carbs may harm your memory. A Tufts University study found that folks who eliminated carbohydrates from their diets performed worse on memory-based tasks than those who included them. Why? Your brain cells need carbs, which are converted in your body to glucose, to stay in peak form, says study co-author Robin Kanarek, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Tufts.
Pick whole grains and other complex carbs -- they're digested more slowly, so they deliver a steadier stream of glucose. Grab a whole-wheat muffin or slice of toast with a scrambled egg and cup of berries for a breakfast that'll jump-start your gray matter.
Take A Kickboxing Class Before Work
Exercise increases the blood flow to your noggin, bringing much-needed oxygen and glucose for fuel, explains Sandra Aamodt, Ph.D., co-author of "Welcome to Your Brain."
In fact, you can learn vocabulary words 20 percent faster if you try to memorize them after doing an intense workout rather than a low-impact activity, suggests a study in the journal Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. Up the ante even more by taking a dance or kickboxing class -- anything that requires you to remember a routine
Change The Font On Your Morning Memo
Is Times New Roman your go-to? Try using a different, slightly difficult-to-decipher font -- it's been shown to improve your long-term retention, according to research published in the journal Cognition.
Focusing on a new font may make your brain's processing center work a little harder, upping your recall. Change to Comic Sans Italicized (the font used in the study) for a quick fix that you may not notice but your brain will.
Do A Web Search During Lunch
Spending an hour a day looking online for something you're interested in (like researching spots for your next vacation) may stimulate the part of your frontal lobe that controls short-term memory, according to a recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles.
"The neural circuits involved in decision-making, visual-spatial, and verbal skills become very active when you do an Internet search," explains Gary Small, M.D., lead author of the study. Don't just mindlessly surf, though: If it's too easy, Dr. Small says, it won't be effective. (Facebook won't do the trick!)
Eye Your Parking Spot
Always forget where you parked your car? When you stop at the grocery store to pick up your dinner, try this exercise: Get out of your car, notice where you're parked, then move your eyes side-to-side every 1/2 second for 30 seconds while standing in place.
Practicing this simple eye movement may increase your long-term memory by up to 10%, say researchers at Manchester Metropolitan University in England. "That little extra boost might be just what's needed to help you recall an important piece of information," says Andrew Parker, PhD, the study's lead author.
Drink A Little With Dinner
While being a heavy tippler can lead to memory loss, a new study finds that drinking in moderation may actually lower your risk for memory problems. In an analysis published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, participants who downed seven or fewer alcoholic drinks total per week had the lowest risk for cognitive impairment, compared with women who didn't drink at all and those who imbibed more.
Researchers believe alcohol's anti-inflammatory properties may be the reason. Or it could be that people who drink moderately also tend to lead a healthier lifestyle. Cheers to that!
Floss Before Bed
It's good for your smile--but it may also do wonders for your mind. When you don't floss, your gums become inflamed, making it easier for bad bacteria to enter your bloodstream, explains Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an associate professor at New York University and author of Smile!
Once in the bloodstream, the bacteria can cause inflammation throughout your body, including in the brain, which can lead to cognitive dysfunction. So floss daily (twice is ideal) to keep the absentmindedness away.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sandwiches
10 Sandwiches Worth Traveling For
Sandwiches Around the World: 10 International Bites on a Bun
Binge-eating: 11 dangerous myths
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007463.html?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.9
Overeat? We all do once in a while. But binge eaters do so regularly, scarfing down ice cream, chips, cookies, and other sugary, fatty, or carb-rich foods. Binge eaters often hide their out-of-control eating because they fear what others will say. But it's a myth that binge eating is simply a bad habit or evidence of poor self-control.
And that's just one many myths about binge eating, according to recovered binge eater Sunny Sea Gold, the author of "Food: The Good Girl's Drug." Keep clicking as Gold dispels 10 more dangerous myths about a condition that affects surprising numbers of women - and men too.
Myth: Binge eating isn't a real disorder.
Some say binge eating disorder is a fake disorder - a term people use as an excuse to keep eating. In fact, binge eating is a real disorder that's listed (along with anorexia and bulimia) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the "bible" of mental illness.
The DSM currently lists binge eating as an eating disorder "not otherwise specified." But psychologists are considering giving binge eating disorder (BED) its own entry when the new DSM comes out in 2013.
Myth: Binge eaters have no willpower.
Think binge eaters just sit around at home stuffing their faces? Actually, many binge eaters are highly successful people with plenty of drive and determination. Binge eating disorder actually compels people to eat - just as alcoholism compels people to drink. There's now mounting evidence that, for binge eaters, eating activates specific regions of the brain in much the same way that using cocaine or heroin lights up specific brain regions in substance abusers.
Myth: Binge eaters should just go on a diet.
Dieting can't "cure" binge eating disorder. In fact, traditional calorie-restriction diets can actually trigger binges, even in people who don't have binge eating disorder. (Overeating is a normal reaction to deprivation - just ask anyone who's been on a diet!) Scientists have even turned lab rats into binge eaters by taking away their favorite foods.
What does help people overcome binge eating? Psychotherapy and support groups such as those offered by Overeaters Anonymous.
Myth: Binge eaters are fat
Some binge eaters are overweight, but not all. Many binge eaters use crash diets to maintain a normal weight - even though they might take in 2,000 or more excess calories on a daily basis. Some binge eaters are actually underweight.
Myth: Binge eating is a female thing
Eating disorders are more common in women, but men suffer too. Studies suggest that about 2 percent of American men have binge eating disorder, as compared to 3 percent to 5 percent of women. Roughly one in five eating disorders of any kind are diagnosed in men.
Myth: Binge eaters just don't know when to stop.
Many binge eaters know all about portion control. But binge eating disorder compels them to keep going beyond the point when they feel comfortably full - even if the food is burnt or spoiled or has dropped on the floor. Believe it or not, many binge eaters say they've lost the ability to enjoy food.
Myth: Kids don't binge-eat
Binge eating behavior has been seen in children as young as six. Any parent who suspects that a child is sneaking food, hiding food, or experiencing a loss of control around food should consult a child psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating eating disorders.
Myth: Recovery means avoiding "trigger foods" forever.
Some people think recovering from binge eating means avoiding certain foods - the same way alcoholics generally must avoid alcohol for the rest of their lives. Sugary, fatty, or carbohydrate-rich foods can trigger binge eating in some people, and many people with binge eating disorder choose to cut back on these foods for a while. But most people can safely eat these foods once they've recovered from binge eating disorder.
Myth: Surgery is the key to recovery
Gastric bypass and other forms of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery can sometimes eliminate diabetes and other physical problems caused by obesity. But it can't eliminate the psychological disorder that causes people to binge-eat.
Following weight-loss surgery, some former binge-eaters find they are unable to eat as much food as they once did - and so become heavy drinkers or compulsive shoppers as a result.
Myth: Doctors are the go-to experts.
Doctors may not be the best expert to consult if you or a loved one has a binge eating problem - and no wonder, since medical schools often place little emphasis on eating disorders.
When it comes to getting good advice and effective help for binge eating, a psychotherapist or dietitian who specializes in eating disorders may be your best bet.
Overeat? We all do once in a while. But binge eaters do so regularly, scarfing down ice cream, chips, cookies, and other sugary, fatty, or carb-rich foods. Binge eaters often hide their out-of-control eating because they fear what others will say. But it's a myth that binge eating is simply a bad habit or evidence of poor self-control.
And that's just one many myths about binge eating, according to recovered binge eater Sunny Sea Gold, the author of "Food: The Good Girl's Drug." Keep clicking as Gold dispels 10 more dangerous myths about a condition that affects surprising numbers of women - and men too.
Myth: Binge eating isn't a real disorder.
Some say binge eating disorder is a fake disorder - a term people use as an excuse to keep eating. In fact, binge eating is a real disorder that's listed (along with anorexia and bulimia) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), the "bible" of mental illness.
The DSM currently lists binge eating as an eating disorder "not otherwise specified." But psychologists are considering giving binge eating disorder (BED) its own entry when the new DSM comes out in 2013.
Myth: Binge eaters have no willpower.
Think binge eaters just sit around at home stuffing their faces? Actually, many binge eaters are highly successful people with plenty of drive and determination. Binge eating disorder actually compels people to eat - just as alcoholism compels people to drink. There's now mounting evidence that, for binge eaters, eating activates specific regions of the brain in much the same way that using cocaine or heroin lights up specific brain regions in substance abusers.
Myth: Binge eaters should just go on a diet.
Dieting can't "cure" binge eating disorder. In fact, traditional calorie-restriction diets can actually trigger binges, even in people who don't have binge eating disorder. (Overeating is a normal reaction to deprivation - just ask anyone who's been on a diet!) Scientists have even turned lab rats into binge eaters by taking away their favorite foods.
What does help people overcome binge eating? Psychotherapy and support groups such as those offered by Overeaters Anonymous.
Myth: Binge eaters are fat
Some binge eaters are overweight, but not all. Many binge eaters use crash diets to maintain a normal weight - even though they might take in 2,000 or more excess calories on a daily basis. Some binge eaters are actually underweight.
Myth: Binge eating is a female thing
Eating disorders are more common in women, but men suffer too. Studies suggest that about 2 percent of American men have binge eating disorder, as compared to 3 percent to 5 percent of women. Roughly one in five eating disorders of any kind are diagnosed in men.
Myth: Binge eaters just don't know when to stop.
Many binge eaters know all about portion control. But binge eating disorder compels them to keep going beyond the point when they feel comfortably full - even if the food is burnt or spoiled or has dropped on the floor. Believe it or not, many binge eaters say they've lost the ability to enjoy food.
Myth: Kids don't binge-eat
Binge eating behavior has been seen in children as young as six. Any parent who suspects that a child is sneaking food, hiding food, or experiencing a loss of control around food should consult a child psychologist or psychiatrist with experience in treating eating disorders.
Myth: Recovery means avoiding "trigger foods" forever.
Some people think recovering from binge eating means avoiding certain foods - the same way alcoholics generally must avoid alcohol for the rest of their lives. Sugary, fatty, or carbohydrate-rich foods can trigger binge eating in some people, and many people with binge eating disorder choose to cut back on these foods for a while. But most people can safely eat these foods once they've recovered from binge eating disorder.
Myth: Surgery is the key to recovery
Gastric bypass and other forms of weight-loss (bariatric) surgery can sometimes eliminate diabetes and other physical problems caused by obesity. But it can't eliminate the psychological disorder that causes people to binge-eat.
Following weight-loss surgery, some former binge-eaters find they are unable to eat as much food as they once did - and so become heavy drinkers or compulsive shoppers as a result.
Myth: Doctors are the go-to experts.
Doctors may not be the best expert to consult if you or a loved one has a binge eating problem - and no wonder, since medical schools often place little emphasis on eating disorders.
When it comes to getting good advice and effective help for binge eating, a psychotherapist or dietitian who specializes in eating disorders may be your best bet.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Accompanying Health Risks of Childhood Obesity
A child suffering from obesity is in danger of experiencing major health issues , and possibly even death. The related health concerns accompanied with obesity according to the U.S Center for Disease Control these risks include psychological, cardiovascular, and additional health risks that occur in a person who is obese.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Fat-Fighting Fads Through the Ages
Old Books, Ads Show Weight Loss Woes Are Nothing New
In his book, "Letter on Corpulence," William Banting describes his struggle with obesity and his successful weight loss with a version of the Atkins diet made popular in the '70s.
ABC news report highlighting childhood obesity & rising rates of type 2 diabetes in children
In his book, "Letter on Corpulence," William Banting describes his struggle with obesity and his successful weight loss with a version of the Atkins diet made popular in the '70s.
ABC news report highlighting childhood obesity & rising rates of type 2 diabetes in children
The Dukan Diet
Meat Lovers' Delight? Eat Meat, Don't Go Hungry and Lose Weight Fast, Plan Claims
Royal Bride-to-Be Kate Middleton Is Rumored to Be a Dukan Dieter
The new diet craze -- the Dukan Diet – claims dramatic results without requiring dieters to count calories or go hungry. In fact, the diet is so promising it may be fit for a future queen.
Royal Bride-to-Be Kate Middleton Is Rumored to Be a Dukan Dieter
The new diet craze -- the Dukan Diet – claims dramatic results without requiring dieters to count calories or go hungry. In fact, the diet is so promising it may be fit for a future queen.
When a salad is not a salad: Why are dieters easily misled by food names?
Dieters are so involved with trying to eat virtuously that they are more likely than non-dieters to choose unhealthy foods that are labeled as healthy, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. It seems dieter focus on food names can work to their disadvantage.
Why do hopeful consumers make healthier choices than happy ones?
Happy people are more likely to eat candy bars, whereas hopeful people choose fruit, according to a new study in the Journal of Consumer Research. That's because when people feel hope, they're thinking about the future.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
5 good things that are bad in excess
Too Much of a Good Thing
Vegetables? Go crazy. Sex? Have at it. But pace yourself with these other health boosters (including coffee)
Vegetables? Go crazy. Sex? Have at it. But pace yourself with these other health boosters (including coffee)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Monkey Obesity Study
Inside a lab where primates gorge on junk food.
Get Fit, Have Fun
Expert fitness tips from celebrity trainer Kathy Kaehler.
Healthy Snack Choices At The Movies
AMC to Provide Healthy Snacks at the Movies
Temple University's Nicole Patience on adding veggies to popcorn and soda.
Two Thumbs Down for Movie Snacks
A new report says concession stand snacks may be making you fat.
Junk Food Diet
How processed snacks could result in a lower IQ.
N.Y. Politician Pushes Happy Meal Toy Ban
Councilman Leroy Comrie says toys in fast food meals promote unhealthy habits.
Mom Angry Over Happy Meal Toys
McDonalds faces lawsuit and bans over Happy Meal toy packaging.
McDonald's Threatened With Lawsuit for Pairing Toys With Happy Meals
Woman Jailed Over McNugget Mischief
Lack of chicken nuggets lead a woman to allegedly punch a drive-through window.
Gay Group: Don't Trust McDonald's Commercial
Gay Business Group Fuming Over McDonald's 'Come As You Are' Commercial in France
An Offensive Happy Meal?
Toy offered with a McDonald's Happy Meal has upset parents.
Mom Claims 'Horny' in Kid's Meal CD
A Connecticut mom says she can hear the word "horny" on a CD meant for kids.
McDonalds Recalls Kids 'Shrek' Glasses
The toxic metal cadmium was discovered in the design painted on the glasses.
What Is Your Child Eating?
New study shows that many fast-food kids' meals are nutritional nightmares.
GMA: Helping Your Child Lose Weight
Debunking Food Myths
Culinary Expert Ted Allen Gives You the Skinny on Food Fact and Fiction
Targeting Children
Find out just how much companies spend marketing directly to children.
$1.6 Billion Spent Targeting Kids
FTC Reveals Price of Marketing Food and Drinks to Youth
Get Fit, Have Fun
Expert fitness tips from celebrity trainer Kathy Kaehler.
Healthy Snack Choices At The Movies
AMC to Provide Healthy Snacks at the Movies
Temple University's Nicole Patience on adding veggies to popcorn and soda.
Two Thumbs Down for Movie Snacks
A new report says concession stand snacks may be making you fat.
Junk Food Diet
How processed snacks could result in a lower IQ.
N.Y. Politician Pushes Happy Meal Toy Ban
Councilman Leroy Comrie says toys in fast food meals promote unhealthy habits.
Mom Angry Over Happy Meal Toys
McDonalds faces lawsuit and bans over Happy Meal toy packaging.
McDonald's Threatened With Lawsuit for Pairing Toys With Happy Meals
Woman Jailed Over McNugget Mischief
Lack of chicken nuggets lead a woman to allegedly punch a drive-through window.
Gay Group: Don't Trust McDonald's Commercial
Gay Business Group Fuming Over McDonald's 'Come As You Are' Commercial in France
Toy offered with a McDonald's Happy Meal has upset parents.
Mom Claims 'Horny' in Kid's Meal CD
A Connecticut mom says she can hear the word "horny" on a CD meant for kids.
McDonalds Recalls Kids 'Shrek' Glasses
The toxic metal cadmium was discovered in the design painted on the glasses.
What Is Your Child Eating?
New study shows that many fast-food kids' meals are nutritional nightmares.
GMA: Helping Your Child Lose Weight
Debunking Food Myths
Culinary Expert Ted Allen Gives You the Skinny on Food Fact and Fiction
Targeting Children
Find out just how much companies spend marketing directly to children.
$1.6 Billion Spent Targeting Kids
FTC Reveals Price of Marketing Food and Drinks to Youth
Beauty treatments
Unwind with a beer bath or bird-poo facial
We've got nine of the craziest beauty treatments from around the world. These services might make you go 'ew' instead of 'ah.'
Japan: Nibbling-Fish Pedicure
These tiny fish act as pumice stones, which is a nice change from any feet dust flying around the spa. These swimmers don't have teeth so there's no pain involved, but patrons have commented that it does tickle!
California: Snakeskin Pedicure
For $300, you can have real snakeskin applied to your toenails at Euphoria Lounge and Spa in Monterey, CA. Personally, we'll stick with the design on a nail appliqué instead.
Czech Republic: Beer Bath
This treatment gives a new meaning to "sudsing up." The brew contains hops, which are a natural exfoliant and yeast, which is chock full of vitamins. And as you take a soak in a tub full of beer raised to jacuzzi temps, you'll sweat out skin-clogging toxins. We just wonder if the post-bath smell is as bad as beer breath.
Hawaii: Bird-Poo Facial
Nightengale droppings have had their praises sung in Japan by geishas and Kabuki actors for their brightening and skin-reparative abilities. Don't worry—the poo is UV treated to kill any bacteria before it gets slathered onto your face. Clean poop? Now that's an oxymoron.
China: Cupping Massage
This ancient Chinese practice involves placing heated cups that act as vacuums along your spine to rebalance your inner energy. Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be a fan, and although the procedure looks painful, the temporary red welts are the only cringe-worthy side effect.
Pennsylvania: Chocolate Massage
We're very thankful that chocolate has antioxidants, which in turn, makes us feel better about chowing down on the sweet. It makes sense that The Spa at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA offers a full-body chocolate wrap so your skin can reap those benefits too. We have to admit, there's something about being covered in the delectable sauce from head to toe that reminds us of Augustus Gloop from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Russia: Platza Treatment
Your bare back being thwarted with brooms made of oak-leaf branches gives new meaning to, "Your skin has taken a beating!" The action is said to stimulate blood flow to muscles all while exfoliating your skin. And as the whacks come to an end, a bucket of cold water is poured over you to seal in everything and invigorate your senses, as if you weren't already alert post-experience.
For Purchase: Snail Slime Cream
The secretions from these lackadaisical crawlers are said to be packed with antioxidants and skin-benefiting properties ranging from treating acne to fighting fine lines. The Chilean beauty company Arensburg uses real snail slime in their Arenscaracol skin-care products.
London: Bull-Semen Facial
Hari's Salon in London no longer offers this treatment, but we think it's far too unique to not mention. A few years ago, those who were in desperate need of hair rehab were waiting for the cows to come home. Hari's Salon would mix bull semen with their special Katera formula to create a rich, protein-packed hair mask that had frizzy-haired clients flocking to the chair.
We've got nine of the craziest beauty treatments from around the world. These services might make you go 'ew' instead of 'ah.'
These tiny fish act as pumice stones, which is a nice change from any feet dust flying around the spa. These swimmers don't have teeth so there's no pain involved, but patrons have commented that it does tickle!
California: Snakeskin Pedicure
For $300, you can have real snakeskin applied to your toenails at Euphoria Lounge and Spa in Monterey, CA. Personally, we'll stick with the design on a nail appliqué instead.
Czech Republic: Beer Bath
This treatment gives a new meaning to "sudsing up." The brew contains hops, which are a natural exfoliant and yeast, which is chock full of vitamins. And as you take a soak in a tub full of beer raised to jacuzzi temps, you'll sweat out skin-clogging toxins. We just wonder if the post-bath smell is as bad as beer breath.
Hawaii: Bird-Poo Facial
Nightengale droppings have had their praises sung in Japan by geishas and Kabuki actors for their brightening and skin-reparative abilities. Don't worry—the poo is UV treated to kill any bacteria before it gets slathered onto your face. Clean poop? Now that's an oxymoron.
China: Cupping Massage
This ancient Chinese practice involves placing heated cups that act as vacuums along your spine to rebalance your inner energy. Gwyneth Paltrow is said to be a fan, and although the procedure looks painful, the temporary red welts are the only cringe-worthy side effect.
Pennsylvania: Chocolate Massage
We're very thankful that chocolate has antioxidants, which in turn, makes us feel better about chowing down on the sweet. It makes sense that The Spa at the Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA offers a full-body chocolate wrap so your skin can reap those benefits too. We have to admit, there's something about being covered in the delectable sauce from head to toe that reminds us of Augustus Gloop from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Russia: Platza Treatment
Your bare back being thwarted with brooms made of oak-leaf branches gives new meaning to, "Your skin has taken a beating!" The action is said to stimulate blood flow to muscles all while exfoliating your skin. And as the whacks come to an end, a bucket of cold water is poured over you to seal in everything and invigorate your senses, as if you weren't already alert post-experience.
For Purchase: Snail Slime Cream
The secretions from these lackadaisical crawlers are said to be packed with antioxidants and skin-benefiting properties ranging from treating acne to fighting fine lines. The Chilean beauty company Arensburg uses real snail slime in their Arenscaracol skin-care products.
London: Bull-Semen Facial
Hari's Salon in London no longer offers this treatment, but we think it's far too unique to not mention. A few years ago, those who were in desperate need of hair rehab were waiting for the cows to come home. Hari's Salon would mix bull semen with their special Katera formula to create a rich, protein-packed hair mask that had frizzy-haired clients flocking to the chair.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Doesn't That Bikini Make My Wife Look Fat?
New Mother Is Bashed by Baby's Father for Wearing Bikini; What Would You Do?
Wife Criticizes Husband's Beach Body
Part 2: Will passersby intervene when wife insults husband's figure?
Wife Criticizes Husband's Beach Body
Part 2: Will passersby intervene when wife insults husband's figure?
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Teen Study
5 Drinks A Day, No Biggie
Downing five or more alcoholic drinks nearly every day isn't seen as a big problem for many of the nation's teens, says a new report.
When asked if they see "great risk" in drinking that much, almost half the teens questioned - 45 percent - didn't see it as a big deal.
The study being released Wednesday by The Partnership at Drugfree.org also showed upward trends in marijuana and Ecstasy use among young people in grades 9 through 12.
Downing five or more alcoholic drinks nearly every day isn't seen as a big problem for many of the nation's teens, says a new report.
When asked if they see "great risk" in drinking that much, almost half the teens questioned - 45 percent - didn't see it as a big deal.
The study being released Wednesday by The Partnership at Drugfree.org also showed upward trends in marijuana and Ecstasy use among young people in grades 9 through 12.
Monday, April 4, 2011
New Report Warns of Energy Drink Health Risks for Children
Caffeine-Laced Energy Drinks Come Under Fire
Why Are Energy Drinks Harmful in Kids?
Cleveland Clinic's Tara Harwood on how energy drinks affect kids.
The Red Bull Defense
A man accused of murdering his father claims Red Bull pushed him over the edge.
Eating disorders: 9 mistakes parents make
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007086.html?tag=mGalleryBottom;mGalleryUL
Parents don't "give" their children eating disorders. But the environment some parents foster in the home encourages some kids to adopt unhealthy attitudes and behaviors about food and body image - things that can turn into a full-blown case of anorexia or bulimia.
Here, adapted from materials published by the National Eating Disorders Association, are nine mistakes parents should avoid at all costs...
Parents don't "give" their children eating disorders. But the environment some parents foster in the home encourages some kids to adopt unhealthy attitudes and behaviors about food and body image - things that can turn into a full-blown case of anorexia or bulimia.
Here, adapted from materials published by the National Eating Disorders Association, are nine mistakes parents should avoid at all costs...
10 foods most likely to make you sick
http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-204_162-10007056.html?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.9
Food poisoning is a horrible, even potentially life-threatening experience. But it's hard to determine if food is safe to eat, partly because problems are relatively rare. But knowing which foods are potentially risky can help.
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has issued a list of the top 10 FDA-regulated foods linked to outbreaks since 1990. (That includes produce, seafood, egg, and dairy products, but not meat.) Be aware of the risk, but don't avoid these types of food. "They are everywhere and are part of a healthy diet," says CSPI staff attorney, Sarah Klein.
With help from our friends at Health.com, here are 10 types of food that may make you sick.
http://www.health.com/health/
Leafy greens
Tuna
Oysters
Potatoes
Cheese
Ice Cream
Tomatoes
Sprouts
Berries
The Center for Science in the Public Interest has issued a list of the top 10 FDA-regulated foods linked to outbreaks since 1990. (That includes produce, seafood, egg, and dairy products, but not meat.) Be aware of the risk, but don't avoid these types of food. "They are everywhere and are part of a healthy diet," says CSPI staff attorney, Sarah Klein.
With help from our friends at Health.com, here are 10 types of food that may make you sick.
http://www.health.com/health/
Leafy greens
Eggs
Oysters
Potatoes
Cheese
Ice Cream
Tomatoes
Sprouts
Berries
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