Skip the Fries If You Want to Live Longer · Pick an activity you enjoy to be more active Do you want fries with that? It s a typical question you ll get if you hit the drive-thru
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How to choose healthier fast food optionshttp://tinyurl.com/y7emd3vl
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Skip the Fries If You Want to Live LongerEating fried potatoes may increase the risk for early death
INFORMATION FOR KEEPING HEALTHYOCT 2017
But researchers believe there are more reasons for the link between fries and early death. Those who eat a lot of fries are more likely to be overweight or obese, aren’t very active, and eat other unhealthy foods.
Want to live longer? Skip the French fries and other fried foods. Instead, eat more plant-based foods like leafy greens, legumes, onions, mushrooms, berries, and seeds to protect your heart and your health.
Make It Fun: The Ultimate Way to Burn More CaloriesPick an activity you enjoy to be more active
Do you want fries with that? It’s a typical question you’ll get if you hit the drive-thru or step up to the counter at a fast food restaurant. And most people say, “Yes.”
In fact, the National Potato Council says the average person in the United States eats about 112 pounds of potatoes a year. Less than one-third of those potatoes are baked. The rest are in fried form like French fries, hash browns, and potato chips.
And that’s a problem. A new study found that people who eat fried potatoes two times a week or more are twice as likely to die early as those who don’t.2
Eating foods made with trans fats, like French fries cooked in oil, raises LDL “bad” cholesterol levels and the risk for heart disease.
Not everybody is cut out to play football. That’s what a New Jersey high school student Joel Silver thought back in 1968. Maybe there was a way to put a spin on the sport to make it safer, easy to play anywhere, and something most people could do. That’s how Ultimate Frisbee was born.
Today, the sport is simply called “ultimate” – but it’s still played the same as it was nearly 50 years ago. Like football, players run up and down the field and pass a Frisbee to score touchdowns. In a normal
COMMENTS?
100-minute game, a player might run up to five miles. It’s a sport that burns an average of 477 calories per hour. And it’s a good form of exercise to strengthen your heart, lungs, and muscles, according to a recent study.3
Choose activities you enjoy
If you’re not among the estimated 825,000 people who like playing ultimate, find another way to be more active that you enjoy.
Walk, play tennis, run, swim, dance, lift weights, or join a kickball team. Even gardening can be a form of exercise that raises your heart rate, burns calories and fat, and keeps you healthy. Aim for 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity a day. And make it fun.
Minnesota resident Cassie Bjork felt bad when she ate an entire package of frosted sugar cookies. But that wasn’t enough to curb her sugar cravings. She nibbled on
chocolates, raw cookie dough, milkshakes, soft drinks, and cake, too. Sometimes she’d even head to the store at midnight just to buy some sugary snacks.
Each time she tried to cut back on sugary foods, she failed. A day or two without them, or sometimes just an hour or two without a sweet treat, and she’d be back to the grocery store, the vending machine, or her stash of goodies.
Cassie wasn’t overweight. But she knew her sugar craving was a big problem. She was a student learning to help people develop healthy eating habits. And she realized she was feeding her own sugar addiction.
CHALLENGE
Eat less sugar
to protect
your health
Sugar: The Body and Brain Connection“Most people do not realize that sugar has the same effect on the brain as cocaine,” says Cassie, now a registered dietitian. “It triggers the same reward centers as this dangerous drug. This clearly shows that it’s addictive.1 Sugar sensitivity is real and it can debilitate a person.”
Happily, Cassie made diet and lifestyle changes that helped her break the cycle of sugar addiction. And so can you. Understanding how addictive sugar can be and where it shows up in your diet can be a great place to start. Want to improve your diet and your health? Take the month-long Health Challenge to Curb Your Cravings.
Take the October Health Challenge!Curb Sugar Cravings: Eat less sugar to protect your health
Ask the Wellness Doctor:This Dr. Joe Raphael answers the question:
What can I do to sleep better at night?
References
1. Vartanian,L.,etal.(2016).Clutter,chaos,andoverconsumption:Theroleofmind-setinstressfulandchaoticfood environments. Environment and Behavior,49(2):215-223.https://doi.org/10.1177/0013916516628178
2.Veronese,N.,etal.(2017).Friedpotatoconsumptionisassociatedwithelevatedmortality:An8-yearlongitudinal cohort study. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,106(1):162-167.doi:10.3945/ajcn.117.154872
3.Weatherwax,R.,etal.(2015).ThecardiovascularandmetabolicresponsestoUltimateFrisbeeinhealthyadults.Journal of Fitness and Research,4(3).http://tinyurl.com/ybzc3pdt
5.Radd,S.(2016).Freshkale,avocado,andpomegranatesalad.Food as medicine: Cooking for your best health (p. 62).Warburton,Australia:SignsPublishingCompany.
Plant-baseddietstoimprove mood and
productivityhttp://tinyurl.com/
ybxvg4uj
Avoid These 4 Foods To Improve Your MoodStudy shows plant-based diet can make you feel better
Make It Fun: The Ultimate Way to Burn More Calories (continued from page 1)
Take a look at your diet. What do you typically eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks?
Go ahead. Be honest. If your diet isn’t exactly perfect, you’re not alone.
At least half of all adults in the U.S. eat fast food at least once a week, according to a recent Gallup survey. If you’re not ordering out, there’s a good chance you’re eating bacon and eggs, pepperoni pizza, and frozen turkey dinners at home.
It might seem easy to eat this way, but your food choices can have a big impact on your mood.
If you have feelings of depression, anxiety, and lack energy to be productive, a new study suggests removing four foods from your diet can help.4 What are they?
Get moving! Easy tips to get active
http://tinyurl.com/yb7eulj9
MORE“Find a way to stay active that brings more joy and fun into your day,” says Dr. Cedrick Bryant. He’s the chief science officer for the American Council on Exercise and worked with researchers on the Ultimate Frisbee study.
1. Red meat
2. Poultry
3. Fish
4. Eggs
Acid found in certain foods affects mood
People who eat meat, fish, eggs, and poultry consume higher amounts of arachidonic acid than those who don’t. This acid found in certain foods can interfere with brain function and mood.
But there’s an easy fix. In the study, it only took two weeks of avoiding these foods for people to show improvements in mood and happiness.
Want to improve your mood and your health? Take the challenge to avoid meat, fish, eggs, and poultry for just two weeks. Instead, eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Keep track of how you feel. You should notice a difference.
“You’ll be much more likely to stick with it for an extended period of time. We should never underestimate the importance of enjoyment and fun in our exercise routines.”
VIDEO
RECIPEFresh Kale, Avocado, and Pomegranate SaladLeafy greens, healthy
Are You Addicted to Sugar? Take the quiz to find out:
T F
1. n n Do you have trouble waking up in the
morning and often crash in the afternoon?2. n n Do you often have headaches,
brain fog, or moodiness?3. n n Do you crave sweet treats and carbs
like pasta, bread, and white rice?4. n n Do you feel guilty after eating
sugary snacks, then eat more?5. n n Do you eat sweet treats or drink
a soda at least once a day?
If you answered “yes” to any of these statements, you’re probably eating too much sugar. Maybe you eat a lot of candy or dessert. But did you know added sugar is also found in many other foods like cereal, yogurt, bread, and sauces? If you’re eating too much sugar, your brain and your body will keep wanting more. Fortunately, diet and lifestyle changes can help.
Monthly Health Challenge™
Curb Sugar Cravings
Minnesota resident Cassie Bjork felt bad when she ate an entire package of frosted sugar cookies. But that wasn’t enough to curb her sugar cravings. She nibbled on
chocolates, raw cookie dough, milkshakes, soft drinks, and cake, too. Sometimes she’d even head to the store at midnight just to buy some sugary snacks.
Each time she tried to cut back on sugary foods, she failed. A day or two without them, or sometimes just an hour or two without a sweet treat, and she’d be back to the grocery store, the vending machine, or her stash of goodies.
Cassie wasn’t overweight. But she knew her sugar craving was a big problem. She was a student learning to help people develop healthy eating habits. And she realized she was feeding her own sugar addiction.
CHALLENGE
Eat less sugar
to protect
your health
Sugar: The Body and Brain Connection“Most people do not realize that sugar has the same effect on the brain as cocaine,” says Cassie, now a registered dietitian. “It triggers the same reward centers as this dangerous drug. This clearly shows that it’s addictive.1 Sugar sensitivity is real and it can debilitate a person.”
Happily, Cassie made diet and lifestyle changes that helped her break the cycle of sugar addiction. And so can you. Understanding how addictive sugar can be and where it shows up in your diet can be a great place to start. Want to improve your diet and your health? Take the month-long Health Challenge to Curb Your Cravings.
Requirements to complete this HEALTH CHALLENGE™
1. Read “Curb Sugar Cravings.”2. Practice eating less sugar on at
least 22 days this month.3. Keep a record of your completed challenge in
9 Ways to Curb Sugar CravingsAre you eating a lot of foods with added sugar like Cassie was? You’ll find that you will need to do more than “just decide” to control those cravings. It’s a process that isn’t always perfect. Learning to control sugar cravings is similar to dealing with any other kind of addiction.
“Keep in mind that getting control of any addictive-type problem nearly always requires multiple efforts,” says Dr. Douglas Lisle, author of The Pleasure Trap. “If at first you don’t fully succeed, keep trying and keep learning. Remember, most cigarette smokers finally quit on the eighth serious attempt.”6
The Trouble with Added SugarIf you ate only whole foods, you’d still be consuming sugar. It’s naturally found in many fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Sugar found in whole foods isn’t a big problem. The problem is added sugar. And sugar is added to a lot of foods, like drinks, desserts, yogurt, cereal, and sauces. How harmful is it? A recent study found that an estimated 180,000 deaths a year are linked to sugary beverages like soda and energy drinks.2
Too much sugar can increase your risk for:3
✓ Weight gain
✓ Tooth decay
✓ Heart disease
✓ Stroke
✓ Diabetes
✓ Liver damage
✓ Kidney damage
✓ High cholesterol
✓ High blood pressure
✓ Certain types of cancer
Ready to curb your sugar cravings? Here are 9 ways to retrain your brain and your body to eat less sugar:
1. Read food labels. Watch out for ingredients like fructose and sucrose. Check the amount of sugar in a single serving. How does it measure up to recommended limits per day (no more than 37.5 grams for men, 25 grams for women)? Keep track of how much sugar you eat.
2. Eat healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Whole foods contain more fiber and complex carbohydrates that can help you feel fuller longer and curb sugar cravings.
3. Use the Glycemic Index.
Foods that cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels have a high Glycemic Index. Take a look at this list of 100 common foods (http://tinyurl.com/y8qcescr). Foods with Glycemic Index of 55 or less take longer to digest and control blood sugar.
4. Be more active. Exercise helps use glucose (a form of sugar) as energy. But eat too much without enough exercise, and excess glucose is stored as fat.
5. Get tested. Ask your doctor about an Hg A1C test. This test measures your blood sugar level over the last couple of months. Have diabetes or are at risk for the disease? This test will tell you.
6. Get enough sleep. Lack of sleep causes changes in levels of two hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin). When you’re sleep deprived, hunger and food cravings can go up.
7. Eat a healthy breakfast. New research shows that eating a protein-rich breakfast can help curb sugar cravings later.7 Add nuts to Greek yogurt or a smoothie. Make a tofu omelet. Or mix fruit with cottage cheese.
8. Practice distraction. The next time you’re craving a sweet treat, distract yourself for at least 30 seconds. Research shows a 30-second time-out can be enough to keep you from giving in to a craving.8
9. Drink more water. If you’re used to sipping sweet tea, soft drinks, or coffee with sugar or a sweet creamer, cut back. You might still be dehydrated. And that can increase cravings. Drink more water instead. If you don’t like the taste of plain water, flavor it with fresh lemon, lime, or cucumber slices.
Sugar:
Diet soda vs. regular sodahttp://tinyurl.com/ybdfq9lg
References1. Ahmed, S.H., et al. (2013). Sugar addiction: Pushing the drug-sugar analogy to the limit. Current Opinion in
Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care, 16(4):434-439. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/237191442. Singh., G.N., et al. (2015). Estimated global, regional, and national disease burdens related to sugar-
sweetened beverage consumption in 2010. Circulation, 132(8). http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/132/8/639.3. Yang, Q., et al. (2014). Added sugar intake and cardiovascular disease mortality among U.S. adults.
JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(4):516-24. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/244930814. American Heart Association. (2017). Added sugars. Accessed on Sept. 8, 2017, from http://tinyurl.com/y78jqvaa.5. Welsh, J., et al. (2011). Consumption of added sugars is decreasing in the United States. American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 94(3):726-734. http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/94/3/726.full6. Lisle, D. (2006). The Pleasure Trap: Mastering the hidden force that undermines health & happiness. Encinitas, CA7. Leidy, H.J., et al. (2013). Beneficial effects of a higher-protein breakfast on the appetitive, hormonal, and
neural signals controlling energy intake regulation in overweight/obese, ‘breakfast-skipping,’ late-adolescent girls. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 97(4):677. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.112.053116
8. Weil, R., et al. (2014). Effects of simple distraction tasks on self-induced food cravings in men and women with grade 3 obesity. Obesity Society. http://research.usc.edu.au/vital/access/manager/Repository/usc:14953
The American Heart Association recommends the following for added sugar:4
• Men: No more than 37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
• Women: No more than 25 grams or 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day.
You need more than a measuring spoon to keep track of how much sugar you consume. It’s hidden nearly everywhere. And a lot of it. For example, it’s common for one can of soda or one candy bar to be filled with a day’s worth of added sugar. Added sugar is a big reason why the average adult consumes 76.7 grams of sugar per day or 19 teaspoons.5
A food is high in sugar if any of these sweeteners listed below is one of the top three ingredients, or if there are three or more listed in the ingredients list. Here are the key words to look for on labels:
1. Post this calendar where you will see it daily (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, etc.).
2. Record the number of days you ate less sugar.3. Use the calendar to record the actions and choices you make to eat less sugar.4. At the end of the month, total the number of days you ate less sugar.
You must do this on at least 22 days this month to complete this challenge. Then keep up the practice for a lifetime of best health.
HC = Health Challenge™ ex. min. = exercise minutes MONTH: