On Monday morning, I was chatting with some of the other moms on the soccer field. Our kindergarten kids participate in pee wee soccer two mornings a week. One mom started telling me that with the exception of natural sugar found in fruit and vegetables, she completely gave up sugar six months earlier. As someone who loves to bake and never met a sweet thing I didn’t like, I was both impressed and shocked. I know I need to cut down on my own sugar consumption. While obesity isn’t a problem for me right now, there are so many other … Continue reading →

A friend of mine is on a diet. The doctor says his health is great, so maybe it is just a preventative thing, but he’s on the glycemic index diet. So, he’s watching carbs and calories. I’ve decided to try to lose the 30 pounds I’ve packed back on before it’s too late. After all, I turn 50 next year and I know that the older you are, the harder it is to lose weight. McDonald’s has no doubt played a part in my weight gain. Oh sure, Ronald McDonald didn’t hold me down and force the Big Macs down … Continue reading →

I knew it all along. Those of use who eat chocolate tend to be skinnier. No one would believe me, but her you go, some evidence. Well, at least some support for my theory. Researchers have found that eating chocolate may in fact keep you slim. People who eat chocolate frequently tend to have a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than people who eat chocolate only infrequently. (Who are these people who only eat it infrequently? Perhaps we should sign them up for a study that examine’s their mental health. Just kidding of course.) The average person eats chocolate twice … Continue reading →

Is there anyone out there who isn’t super busy? Between work, family and home, it can be very difficult to fit in healthy eating. Here is an example, my daughter is trying out a competitive ice skating program. That means that we are usually at the rink at least four days a week. Wednesday is our long day, when we could be at the rink from nine in the morning until 1:30. Of course, the rink has a restaurant, and while it is conscious of offering healthier choices because it caters to a mostly athletic crowd, the fact is that … Continue reading →

Many of us are looking for healthy things to snack on instead of chips and candy. But, some of the things we think are healthy may actually not be. As I always say, check the label first. Take for example energy bars. You would think grabbing one of these would be much healthier than grabbing candy bar, but that isn’t always true. Many of the energy bars are filled with vitamins and minerals…and yet some also contain flour, high fructose corn syrup and lots and lots of saturated fats. They may also be low in fiber. Check the label to … Continue reading →

Childhood obesity is climbing at an astounding rate. The rates have tripled in the last 30 years, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. And of course, adult rates of obesity are climbing as well. One of the issues that some theorists put forth is that people tend to eat out a lot more these days. Busier lifestyles and two-income households tend to mean that there is less time or inclination for home cooked meals. While we could make healthy food choices when we are out, the truth is that they are often harder to do. Fresh … Continue reading →

What if I told you that all of the fruits and vegetables that you have been serving your family aren’t as healthy as they should be? That in fact, you’ll have to eat almost three times the amount of sat, broccoli, to get the nutrition that you think you are getting, that the government has been telling you that you are getting? Prevention Magazine is reporting on a story that reveals that fruits and vegetables just don’t have as much of what it takes anymore. In fact, the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables is dwindling. Take the broccoli example. … Continue reading →