BEING FOOLED BY ‘FAT-FREE’ FOODS?

By Miranda Hitti

Are you trying to slim down by eating fat-free foods? Hold on to your grocery list—those items may not be as “guilt-free” as you think.!

 Serving sizes may be smaller and more calorie-dense than you expect, largely because manufacturers add sugar to make up for the missing fat. In fact, you might not save many calories at all. While reducing fat intake is often a healthy dietary goal, calories also count when it comes to weight loss. Check out these calorie comparisons from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute:

• One fat-free fig cookie has 70 calories, compared to 50 calories in the regular version.
• A half cup of premium nonfat frozen yogurt weighs in at 190 calories—that’s 10 more than the same amount of regular ice cream.
• Two tablespoons of fat-free caramel topping packs 130 calories, the same as a two-tablespoon dose of regular butterscotch caramel topping.

However, fat-free foods can be a boon, if you know how to use them. Here are some tips from Sheah Rarback, a Miami-based registered dietitian:

• Read nutrition information labels for portion size and calorie content.
• Compare fat-free versions of high-nutrient items such as milk.
• Think twice before buying foods like pastries or cakes. If you don’t normally eat the regular version, you’ll add calories with the fat-free product.
• Only eat fat-free foods you enjoy. Otherwise, it’s better to eat a little of a tasty regular or low-fat dessert, instead.

When trying to lose weight it is important to find out what your fitness rating is as well and what to do in order to improve it.

Source: Arthritis Today, Sept/Oct 2000

I n s p i r a t i o n    C o r n e r

HOW TO MAKE YOUR WORK EASY

By Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

1. Don’t get the idea you are Atlas carrying the world on your shoulders. The world will go on even without you. Don’t take yourself so seriously.

2. Tell yourself that you like your work. Then it will become a pleasure, not drudgery. Perhaps you do not need to change your job. Change yourself and your work will seem different.

3. Plan your work—work your plan. Lack of system produces that “I’m swamped” feeling.

4. Don’t try to do everything at once. That is why time is spread out. Operate on that wise advice from the Bible, “This one thing I do.”

5. Get a correct mental attitude, remembering that ease or difficulty in your work depends upon how you think about it. Think it’s hard, and you will make it hard. Think it’s easy and it will tend to become easy.

6. Become thoroughly proficient in your work. “Knowledge is power” (over your job). It is always easier to do a thing right.

7. Practice being relaxed. Easy always does it. Don’t press or strain. Take it in your stride.

8. Discipline yourself not to put off until tomorrow what you can do today. Accumulations make the job harder than it should be. Don’t drag yesterday’s burdens along with you. Keep your work up to schedule.

9. At the start of every day pray about your work. You will get some of your best ideas that way.

10. Take on the “unseen partner.” It’s surprising the load He will take off you. God is as much at home in offices, factories, shops, as in churches. He knows more about your business than you do. His help will make your work easy.

Source: Guidepost

                        H – Honesty

                        E – Energy

                        A – Acceptance

                        L – Love

                        T – Trust

                        H – Hope

“By being honest, building up energy, accepting and loving ourselves and others and by developing trust, faith, and hope, we support the healing process in our body, mind, heart and spirit. … We change in an environment of love, not criticism.”  

Rev. Stan Hampson

CAN A SUPPLEMENT REALLY HELP DIETERS?

Pills and potions that promise to help people get slimmer are a dime a dozen. The problem is, there’s little scientific evidence that any of the supplements actually work.

One such supplement—conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA—has been tested on humans, with promising results. Michael Pariza, a microbiologist at the University of Wisconsin, recently put 71 obese men and women on a diet and exercise program of either CLA or a placebo daily.

The real deal CLA made a real difference. After six months, all the subjects were about five pounds lighter. But the CLA takers reported having an easier time staying on their diets and experienced fewer hunger pangs. It was also noted that any weight the subjects did happen to regain, during the common fluctuations of dieting, was mostly lean muscle the others regained mostly fat. “This is a big difference, much more like what happens when people exercise,”, says Pariza. “Their weight might not have changed much, but they were slimmer.”

Researchers suspect that CLA works in several ways. “It doesn’t make people lose body fat faster, but it does keep little fat cells from getting larger,” Pariza says. The supplement also helped people emotionally. When the participants were asked periodically how they felt, the CLA users reported a significant improvement in mood and concentration. “That’s important,” says Pariza, “after all, dieting is stressful.

Source: Health Magazine, Nov/Dec 2000 Edited for publication.

HEALTH BUZZ

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Cinnamon: Sweet news for diabetics. Adding a little spice to your diet may help control blood sugar levels.	Nasal Dilators: You know those nasal strips jocks wear? Well, scientists say they simply don’t boost performance.
Day Care Centers: Sure, kids who go there get colds more often. But it turns out they’re less likely to develop asthma.	Saw Palmetto: The herb might help some prostate problems. Too bad many brands contain little of the active ingredient.
Cooked Carrots: With veggies, folks think raw is better. Surprise: Steamed, mashed carrots deliver more antioxidants.	Tongue Studs: Fashion victims beware: Dental experts warn this piercing fad can be downright dangerous.