Ringing in the New Year seems to fill the air with chatter of those New Year’s resolutions of losing weight and getting fit. As the Pied Piper of infomercials and fad diets hypnotize and mesmerize you with six pack abs and sex appeal with claims you will never be hungry and it tastes good too. This is a good time for straight talk to weed through the myths and pave your way to success for a healthier slimmer you in the coming year.
Walter Willett from the Harvard School of Public Health made a statement that is mind boggling and inspiring: “A healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking has been estimated to be able to eliminate 80% of heart disease and 70% of some cancers.” It took awhile for me to wrap my head around this concept and to realize the truth in what he was saying. Once I realized there are many studies supporting this statement I came to the realization that simply changing our dietary habits can have a profound effect on our health.
A lot of the information out there is contradicting about what a “healthy diet” is or how to achieve it. So, where are we to find strong, evidence-based, reliable information to help make sense of a good diet vs. bad diet? I am not a supporter of the USDA’s food pyramid because it contradicts current research. However, I do like The Healthy Eating Pyramid developed by the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. I found the Harvard website (www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/) a great source of information which is cutting edge as well as clear and easy to understand and supported by rigorous research.
What the heck have we been eating over the last decade or so? When we look at the data we see that Americans are more obese than ever. We all are either currently on or have tried a fad diet or at least known someone who has or is. So with all this dieting why are we still grossly overweight? Do fad diets really work? Are they healthy? Which fad diet is best? The simple answers to these questions are, yes fad diets do work, and usually not based on balanced nutritional formulas. So, which fad diet is best? Studies show that no one fad diet is better over another and the most important factor to achieve success is to adhere to the diet. My suggestion if you are going to use a fad diet, use it to kick start your weight loss goal, while formulating healthy lifestyle changes for long term success.
No matter what music the Pied Piper plays, weight gain or loss is based on simple calories in verses calories burned. Look for simple ways to cut calories. For example one 20oz bottle of soft drink has 242 calories and one per day per year totals 88,330 calories divided by one pound of fat (3,500 calories) and you have either a weight gain or loss of a little over 25lbs per year. Don’t let your weight loss be a fad. Eat the right foods, get some exercise, and make a lifestyle change. You will not only feel better, but you will look better and live healthier longer.
Howard Baker, RN BSN
For questions, comments, or suggestions on topics you want to read about please email me at: howard@howardsbaker.com
