Have you ever gotten into that sort of "zone" where you just keep eating without paying attention to your hunger cues? We all do it: We overeat, despite the fact that we're full; despite the fact that our bodies have had enough. Yet we continue to eat past the point of hunger. The reasons are as varied as the types of food that line the shelves of the supermarket. “We live in an environment surrounded by food, and our brains are constantly being prodded to eat it,” says Susan Roberts, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Tufts University and founder of the online iDiet weight management program. Some { Read More }
Ten Easy Habits For Healthy Aging in 2018
If your new year's resolution is to get healthy, here are some quick and easy ways to boost your health in 2018. Whew. It's been quite a year, hasn't it? While things like money issues, work-life balance, health and healthcare, sex in the workplace (or out of it), aging parents, children, siblings and other significant others have always been a concern for us in this so-called midlife, this year, pardon the pun... trumps all others. That's why it's especially important to pay attention to our health, now more than ever. Because with all this stress, health often is neglected and/or suffers. While { Read More }
What You Need to Know: “Best If Used By” Dates
It happens every time I go to clean out my fridge: Oh no! Those eggs are how old? If I use that mustard with a date of 2014 stamped on its label, will I die? The yogurt expired two weeks ago...but it seems okay. (Is it?) The next thing I know, I'm hurtling things toward the garbage, cursing under my breath the whole time about how much money I'm wasting on food. {{{{{{echoes of that childhood dictum "children are starving in Africa!!!"}}}}}}}} SO, WHAT'S THE REAL DEAL ON USED BY DATES? Thanks to the "Ask Well" column in yesterday's New York Times (refreshing to read about something other than { Read More }
20 Surprising Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
I’ve heard about apple cider vinegar for a long time. I think the first time I noticed it was not because of its uses in cooking – it can be used for things like marinades, salad dressings and homemade pickles - but for its touted weight loss benefits. One study – a clinical trial of overweight Japanese adults in 2009 – looked at the effects of drinking apple cider vinegar on weight loss. When measured against people who were given a plain beverage to drink, the group that consumed the beverage to which one to two tablespoons of vinegar had been added lost two to four pounds after 12 weeks, while the { Read More }
Lose Weight With Peanuts
Huh? Did you read that right? It seems counterintuitive, yes. But according to some recent informal random comments on a post I wrote for HealthyWomen.org in 2011, people really did lose weight when they included peanuts in their diets. Here are just a few key reasons you can lose weight with peanuts: Since peanuts and peanut butter are packed with fiber and protein, they keep you satisfied and full for a long time, helping to manage your hunger. Because of their protein and fiber, peanuts and peanut butter will stick with you for about 2 1/2 hours vs. the half hour you'll get from { Read More }
Wondering About the TransFat Ban?
The word “fat” is so confusing – whether it be the type that we wear on our bodies or the type we put into our bodies. Good fats, bad fats, healthy fats, trans fats. What does it all mean? Let’s start with the one that’s been in the news lately – trans fat. A brief history: In the early 1900s a German chemist named Wilhelm Normann discovered a way to turn vegetable or fish oils from liquid to solid or semi-solid by treating them with hydrogen gas. More versatile, longer-lasting and cheaper than animal fats like butter, lard or beef tallow, partially hydrogenated oils like margarine, shortening { Read More }
Fitness Expert Joel Harper: How To Train for a Half-Marathon
One of the most exciting and fulfilling things I recently did was complete my very first half-marathon. I never like to use this so-called midlife as an excuse not to do or try something new, but I must admit that I was a just bit wary that I might not be able to do it. But... I did it! And what a feeling of accomplishment that was. So now I'm anxious to spread the message that you can do it, too. Training to complete a half-marathon takes patience, perseverance and persistence. I recently reached out to Dr. Oz's personal trainer, Joel Harper, to get his take on training for a half-marathon. And you { Read More }
Oatmeal: It’s Not Just For Breakfast
What did you have for breakfast this morning? Or maybe for lunch or even dinner yesterday? Was it oatmeal? Not just a breakfast food anymore, I’m writing to tell you that oatmeal is the new… Meal you can eat any time. And since National Oatmeal Day has recently passed, it’s not too late to tell you why. While on a very informative press trip late last month (that’s when I tried paddle boarding ) for the very first time), I also discovered the versatility of oatmeal. Who thought there were so many creative ways to eat it? I mean, I've been eating oatmeal for as far back as I can remember...and it { Read More }
In Defense of Eating Right
In my last post, I suggested things that might be able to keep you at a good, healthy weight. In case you’re wondering if they were just a figment of my imagination, I’m here to tell you the answer. No, they’re not. There are good, legit reasons they work. Eating right is a delicate balance. You want to eat enough to nourish and fill you up, but not so much so that you gain excess weight. There are so many factors that impact you weight. Here, the ones you can control. (Don’t) Snack right out of the container/bag/box. If you do, you’ll quickly lose track of just how much you’re eating. Before you { Read More }