Showing posts with label eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eating. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Tired of Counting Calories? New Stanford University Study Suggests a Better Way!


Are you tired of counting calories as part of your weight loss efforts? In this episode of the,“Weight for Wellness Show" podcast, you’ll discover a better way to achieve your weight loss goals according to a new Stanford University study.

Stanford University Study


In a 12-month study of 609 people published in the, “Journal of the American Medical Association, Stanford University researchers compared results of those dieters choosing to eat whole, unprocessed foods with other dieters choosing a calorie counting strategy to manage food consumption. The result? There was no appreciable difference in weight loss results between the two study groups.

Another interesting finding was there is no specific insulin level range associated with dietary effects nor were there specific gene patterns that affected which diet resulted in greater weight loss.

So what makes the eat healthy approach better than counting calories? It’s far easier to manage and the quality of your food is likely to be far better.

It’s no secret that avoiding processed food is a healthier dietary strategy compared to consuming processed food loaded with preservatives, sugar, and other chemicals you can’t pronounce. 

Not All Calories are Equal


If you’re only counting calories, a handful of cookies or a healthy salad loaded with fruits and vegetables could both count as a hundred calories. Obviously, not all calories are equal. Choose quality and you’re way ahead of the healthy eating game.

While not mentioned in the study, in my experience you get bonus points by choosing organic fruits and veggies. especially if those organic fruits and veggies are grown close to you.

I suggest if you can, choose to buy locally grown fruits and veggies. When you shop at local farmers markets, you can usually talk with the farmers who produce the food. Talk with them about their farming practices and purchase from those who are growing crops in a healthy, sustainable way.

The Quality of Your Food Matters


The bottom line is the quality of your food matters. Diet alone may not be enough to achieve your weight loss goals. Typically, exercise will need to be a part of a successful strategy to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Of course you’ll want to talk with your doctor about diet and exercise before choosing a weight loss program.

That said, in my experience its far easier and sustainable to consistently choose healthy food rather than have my nose buried in a long list of calorie counts for hundreds of food items. 

Blessings, light, and wellbeing,

Steve Carter

Stress Solutions, LLC | www.EFT-MD.com

How to Subscribe to the Weight for Wellness Podcast:


Subscribe through Apple Podcasts (formerly iTunes Podcasts): 


Listen to Podcast Episode in The Player Below:


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Sources:


Effect of Low-Fat vs Low-Carbohydrate Diet on 12-Month Weight Loss in Overweight Adults and the Association With Genotype Pattern or Insulin Secretion
The DIETFITS Randomized Clinical Trial

Eating 'better' is better than counting calories for weight loss, study finds


Wednesday, November 25, 2015

3 Easy Steps to Stop Thanksgiving Overeating

It's Thanksgiving time in the U.S. In addition to giving gratitude for the many things I am thankful for, I will be sitting down to enjoy a lovely dinner with turkey and other delicious goodies.

Having reached a point in life where I've lived through many decades of Thanksgiving dinners, I'm reminded that for far too many of those dinners I felt more stuffed than the turkey. 

Why does that happen and what can be done to change the pattern?


20-Minutes and Counting


In a recently released *study in the journal, "Cell Metabolism", researchers discovered the process by which gut microbes alert the brain to stop eating. It turns out that process takes about 20-minutes to occur. 

We've known for years that signals of satiation take about 20-minutes to register. This new research extends our understanding about how the gut bacteria interact with the nervous system to create those signals.


3 Easy Steps to Eating Success


Taking the 20-minute period into account, we have a simple 3-step process to ensure we eat in a way that allows us to skip the stuffed feeling and post dinner nap:

  • First, create the intention to enjoy the meal, but to consume only a reasonable amount of food.
  • Second, remind yourself there is a 20-minute delay before your gut communicates signals of satiation to the brain.
  • Third, eat slowly, mindfully, and pay attention to your body. When you first notice the signals of satiation, stop eating. In a few minutes you'll feel completely full, but not stuffed.

Step 3 is likely to be a touch more challenging than steps 1 and 2. Why? Because our attention is easily drawn into conversations with others at the table. 

You've heard Uncle Henry's story a dozen times, but you can still get caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of the telling. Aunt Mary's latest medical situation must be heard with the appropriate level of attention and concern.

Recognize and plan for conversational distractions. Place an object in front of your plate such as an upside down fork or other item that will remind you to check in with your body's felt sense of satiation as the meal proceeds.

Your pre-meal intention to eat sensibly, your awareness of the 20-minute signal delay, and your mindful eating and body monitoring will carry the day.

Blessings to all and have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Steve


photo 
Stephen Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC
    

Resource Citation: *Gut microbes signal to the brain when they are full: http://bit.ly/1NPqGt1

Important Note: This and all other postings to this blog along with any statement or statements made in any podcast, audio, or video associated with this site are for informational purposes only. This and all other written posts and statements in any audio or video recording associated with this blog, Stress Solutions, LLC, or Stephen Carter are not intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise recommend any treatment for any medical or psychological condition. Anyone using any of the information contained in this or any other posting, audio or video recording linked to this website or associated in any way with this website, with Stephen Carter, or with Stress Solutions, LLC does so at his or her own risk. You are urged to seek competent medical consultations with appropriate licensed medical professionals for any and all medical, psychological, emotional, or physical conditions.


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Stress Eating and How to Stop the Habit

Two recent studies published in the journal "Neuron", report on findings related to stress and food choices. Links to those two articles mentioned in the podcast are below.

Bottom Line Regarding Stress and Diet

The bottom line for those who are choosing to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is to recognize and account for the role stress plays in our choices about what we eat.

By clicking on the special episode audio podcast link below, you'll learn how to combine two easily done, simple methods that will dissolve stress and place you back in the captain's chair of control when making food choices.

To listen to the 5-minute audio, click:


http://www.audioacrobat.com/email/EDlF9PfRW


To download the MP3 audio file to listen on your smartphone or computer anytime, click HERE.

Key Points:
  • Stress affects our ability to make good food choices.
  • Stress chemicals can remain in the body up to several hours after a stress inducing event.
  • A three-step stress mastering process done before you make a food choice can help you make healthier choices.
  • How to apply the three-step stress mastering process:
    1. Identify where in your body stress / tension / uncomfortable sensations are located. If possible, touch those areas and really connect with your awareness.
    2. Say "Yes to the Stress!" Acknowledge "what is" without resistance or desire to feel any differently.
    3. Use Bi-Lateral foot tapping and voice (out loud or in mind) the command to,"Release and let it go... Let all of the stress dissolve and release."
Using this three-step process, you are now ready to make food choices from a place of more physical, emotional, and mental balance that supports better, healthier food choice decisions.

Blessings,

Steve

photo 
Stephen Carter
Stress Solutions, LLC
    

Important Note: This and all other postings to this blog along with any statement or statements made in any podcast, audio, or video associated with this site are for informational purposes only. This and all other posts and statements in any audio or video recording associated with this blog, Stress Solutions, LLC, or Stephen Carter are not intended to diagnose, treat, or otherwise recommend any treatment for any medical or psychological condition. Anyone using any of the information contained in this or any other posting, audio or video recording linked to this website or associated in any way with this website does so at his or her own risk. You are urged to seek competent medical consultations with appropriate licensed medical professionals for any and all medical, psychological, or physical conditions.

For more information about the studies mentioned in the podcast and intro above, click the links below.

Scientists scan the brain to see how stress undermines your diet


How stress can tweak the brain to sabotage self-control