Weight watchers points plus

server temporarily unavailable

Weight Watchers haben ihre Punktesystem überarbeitet und kommen mit ein völlig neues Programm - Punkte Plus (oder Pro-Punkte im Vereinigten Königreich).

Die vorherige Punkte-Formel (begann 1997) berücksichtigte Konto Kalorien, Fiber Gramm und FAT Gramm. Die PointsPlus-Formel verwendet Protein, Kohlenhydrat, Fiber und FAT Gramm.

Weight Watchers haben eine Reihe von Jahren, testen das neue Programm (an der Medical University of South Carolina unter anderem) verbracht. Laut Weight Watchers führte, dass die Versuche "eine Verbesserung der Verhaltensweisen, die Menschen helfen, pflegen Gewichtsverlust und eine Reduzierung der Wunsch zu essen, wenn es keine physikalische Hunger oder für Lebensmittel müssen." (Src).

Kritiker der vorherigen Punkte-Formel behaupteten, dass es nicht genau zwischen mehr ernährungsphysiologisch dichten Lebensmittel, und "leere Kalorien" unterscheiden. Dies ist aufgrund der schweren Gewichtung der Kalorien über anderen Nährstoffen Maßnahmen.

Wenn wir einen 100-Calorie-Apfel in einer Hand und ein 100-Calorie-Pack von Cookies in der anderen haben, und wir Sie betrachten als "das gleiche", denn die Kalorien identisch sind, sagt es alles, das über die Grenzen der Verwendung nur Kalorien in der Führung Auswahl von Lebensmitteln gesagt werden muss.

Punkte Plus Deluxe Starterkit

Was ist die neue Formel?

Punkte Plus = (Protein Gramm / 10,9) + (Carbohydrate Gramm / 9.2) + (Gramm Fett / 3.9) + (Fiber Gramm / 35).

So für einen Big Mac,

Punkte plus = 25/10,9 + 45/9.2 + 29/3.9 + 3/35
Punkte plus = 2,29 + 4,89 + 7,44 + 0,09
Punkte plus = 14.71 (vorherige Point-Wert war 13.97).

Beachten Sie, dass diese Formel via Wikipedia (ProPoints ist), und wir können nicht garantieren, dass dies korrekt, und Sie müssen offizielle WW-Tools für präzise Punkte plus-Werte verwenden. Es vielleicht die die U.S.-Formel ist etwas anders. Einige haben vorgeschlagen, der Carb Gram-Wert sollte sein (Vergaser - Fiber) / 9.2-Konto für die Etikettierung Unterschiede zwischen den USA und Großbritannien.

Was wurde geändert in die Punkte plus
Täglich Punkte Vergütungen sind gestiegen.
Behandlung selbst wird gefördert.
Gewicht-Beobachter-Food-Produkte werden in Punkten Werte (Indikator?) steigen werden, dass vielleicht die branded Nahrungsmittel nicht besonders nahrhaften sind.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass Punkte Plus und Punkte eingetragene Marken der Weight Watchers Inc. sind

View the original article here

Poll: The fresh diet fires Carnie Wilson

It's no secret that singer Carnie Wilson has had a very public battle with your weight.

1999, Has gastric bypass surgery some underwent the weight but back won.

Earlier this year spokesman for the fresh diet was you, but your recently for not diminish and fraud on the plan by eating cheesecake released.

The fresh diet is a diet delivery company a days worth of gourmet, portion controlled provides meals and snacks to your door daily. A plan for a women on average around 1200 to 1300 calories per day.

According to the fresh diet Carnie Wilson (as a side business) was make and sell cheesecake and instead of weight on your plan to lose you actually gained weight. To 19 pounds the fresh diet lose before your company but then won cheesecake it all back and more.

Diet companies to high expectations on the prominent place and set you condemned doomed? Me I question if the fresh start diet customers from your program, if you fall off the wagon or help you your focus again?

Maybe treated the fresh diet could have different? What do you think? Participation in the survey and comments below.

Source: Blogging with the stars

Was it right for the fresh diet Carnie Wilson fire?

View the original article here

Mall food courts are roaches crawling.

Compared to a greasy rest area is four star restaurant food court in the Mall, but that's not much to say. It turns out food dishes are just as disgusting.

A MSNBC survey showed many food court of hotspots are oozing with E. coli and mouse poop littered.

Investigators visited shopping malls in New York and Boston, Minnesota, and all kinds of health code violations and unsafe practices found.

Inspection reports indicate that since 2009 in Boston's Faneuil Hall, 43% of the food stalls had critical injuries, 68% of the Mall of America in Minnesota and 84% on the seaport Mall in New York.

Places like Megumi Japan in Faneuil Hall were cited for mouse droppings in his memory. So was the charcoal grill in the seaport Mall. Megumi had an unpleasant Roach problem.

Other violations include storing raw meat at improper temperatures, cooked food too far to keep the heat or fruit sliced not cold enough - both these infractions E. coli bacteria to grow can lead to food to keep.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news and news about the economy

Listen, get what you pay. Sorry, but you not wedge Zagat rated restaurants in between foot locker and build-a-bear workshop. It is a crap food, put it, you go so you can buy more crap to keep.

More restaurants pizzeria in New Jersey should like my uncle. Its clean, the food is fresh and always pass inspection. Then again, you have a judge.

Image credit: SickKids Hellboy movie

View the original article here

Sarah Palin to destroy "Big government" with cookies

Sarah Palin, ex-beauty queen and avid caribou hunters, hates big government. So, the "hockey MOM" has a revolution... cookies installation.

As first lady Michelle Obama goes to support more fruits and vegetables in public schools visited Sarah Palin schools from cookies passed.

Michelle is a plan by the United States Surgeon General, cafeteria food to improve physical education, push and more supermarkets in low-income communities fronting.

But Sarah Palin has other ideas. Earlier this month, "Mama Grizzly" by a school in Pennsylvania with dozens of cookies, a gesture obviously stopped in protest at Michelle Obama's campaign for better nutrition.

"Who the decisions should be what you eat and school choice and everything else?" Palin, asked the students. "There should be Government or should it be parents?"

This is so stupid. If want Sarah Palin drop from a school and hand out cookies, that is cool. I hated school so a free until brightened my day would have cookie. But to some kind of political statement is stupid.

Pressure on schools to improve food is not a "political battlefield". It is a no-brainer. People should be happy Government finally addressing is a problem that a decent chance of fixing it be.

But hear this whole idea of "Let the parents decide" does not work. American children are bold and thicker. So, our children are heads a bunch of cement, or we have lazy parents to teach their children eating habits are good voices too busy for dancing with the stars. I say the parents stench.

Now I don't mean am, say the Federal Government, what can and can food in your own home. This is an idiotic idea. But when a public school says no to junk food, like cookies, then is the rule, period.

Reform of school lunch is not an attack on civil liberties. Dealing with healthier children. But if you think it is for your child to eat lunch without cookies, then grab some why.

Image credit: Ohio River

View the original article here

What are you doing to get intact through the 2010 holidays? [Forum]

It's that time of year. Starting from this week with a big meal for Thanksgiving. What plans do you have in place to ensure that your first new year's weight loss does not include resolution? Now's the time to think about. What about you?

RICK

View the original article here

Link-time! Fitness gifts and more

Most of the Western world is in the middle of holiday gift buying and figuring out what to buy, can be difficult.

ThatsFit.com published just your holiday fitness Gift Guide, that can be used as a great resource to shop for the fitness buff in your family. However, use caution if these gifts for others to buy, because as an unwelcome hint by family members could be taken that a few pounds to lose.

If you look for gifts his parents of small children or soon, I just found out about a nice children's book by award-winning photographer Glenn Losack m.d called bearly the book humor is fit and great photographs encourage parents and their children to think, be as healthy and make wise decisions.

Finally this week when looking for some healthy recipe suggestions to help keep you on track during this holiday season, check WHFoods.com (World's Healthiest Foods) out. They offer a cool recipe Wizard that allows you to choose a healthy diet and then it builds a healthy recipe for you including the food selected.

Image credit: Indo Board

View the original article here

Link-time! Leftover Turkey exposed fast food and more

Many Americans are starting the week with mega amounts leftover Turkey and again on the diet wagon.

If you with all, turkey, waste go let, fight, here's few healthy leftover turkey recipes that make that Turkey disappear, as well as help to resolve, extra you on weekend may have over long put pounds.

Speaking of recipes, I found a cool site VisualRecipes.com how to give not only written instructions to make great tasting recipes, but the process called takes a step further pictures of each step. This is great for many, the culinary challenged.

You are lured often of fast food commercials, showing wonderful looking Burger and food only too be disappointed if you actually said buy food? Author, Jon Feinstein, has documented what fast food really looks like. If the food has been used photographed in fast food show business would go pretty fast all.

Finally ever know this week if you wanted to what it takes, or how long it takes to reach this infamous six pack abs, check out 24DaySixPack.com. This guy has documented every day in the process. It looks it has now a day 25, go figure....

View the original article here

Roni's 100 pounds of weight loss

Success stories always brighten my day and increase my own motivation. It's great to hear about people to achieve your health and fitness goals.

Roni Dr., a 30 year old woman from North Carolina, uses the diet service Sparkpeople (which on diet blog featured has), go to a really strong start to lose 6 lbs in just two weeks.

To start their diets journey weighed Roni 220 lbs. Had bad eating habits, confess that: "I was used to, skip to eat breakfast and a big meal a day."

So, how did you lose almost half of their body weight?

If you are concerned that this type of performance boot camps, diets or pills dangerous slimming includes then read on. Since Roni none of that need.

Took small, reasonable steps add up to a big life change. In particular focused from the outset by you:

Switching soda for WaterEating smaller, more frequent MealsEating lean protein with whole grain CarbsGetting in a regular movement RoutineDoing both cardio and strength camp ExerciseLooking healthy role models for InspirationOnly weighing even a WeekVisualising their future "healthier and happier even"

Roni lost weight in a reasonable, healthy and sustainable way and was motivated by reliable results to see:

I further changes, the more increased my self-confidence and self-esteem, and the more motivated I was. Friends and family started to notice in just a few weeks, I was happier and healthier (and my jeans were too large!).

Whether you have a lot of weight or just a few pounds to lose take inspiration from Roni's history. Small changes really make the difference.

What small changes could you do today?

View the original article here

What Are You Doing to Get Through the 2010 Holidays Unscathed? [Forum]

It's that time of the year. Starting off this week with a BIG meal for Thanksgiving. What plans have you in place to make sure that your first New Year's resolution doesn't involve weight loss? Now's the time to be thinking about it. How about you?

RICK

View the original article here

Poll: Are You Blind To Your True Weight?

The mystery of why some obese people think that they look good in Lycra has been solved.

Usually a distorted body image is discussed in regards to skinny people who think they are fat.

However, a new study reveals that this works the other way too, as many obese women see themselves as not overweight.

The University of Texas Medical Branch surveyed 2200 women between the ages of 18 and 25 about their lifestyle, self-perception and dieting habits. About 25% of the women, who based on BMI were classified as obese, perceived themselves as normal.

Researchers say that this is alarming because if women don't see themselves as having a problem they are unlikely to eat healthy and exercise. Women aren't alone in this area as other recent studies noted that obese men often see themselves as normal also.

Do you struggle with a distorted body image or know someone that does? Participate in the poll and comments below.

Source: Fox News

Do you have an accurate perception of your body?

View the original article here

Link Time! Leftover Turkey, Fast Food Exposed and More

Many Americans are starting the week with mega amounts of leftover turkey and getting back on the diet wagon.

If you struggle with not letting all that turkey go to waste, here's a few healthy leftover turkey recipes that will make all that turkey disappear as well as help remedy the extra pounds you may have put on over the long weekend.

Speaking of recipes, I found a cool site called VisualRecipes.com that not only gives written instructions on how to make great tasting recipes, but takes the process one step further by showing pictures of each step. This is great for the many who are culinary challenged.

Are you often enticed by fast food commercials that show wonderful looking burgers and food, only to be greatly disappointed when you actually purchase said food? Photographer, Jon Feinstein, has been documenting what fast food really looks like. If the food photographed was used in fast food ads, they would all go out of business pretty quickly.

Finally this week, if you ever wanted to know exactly what it takes or how long it takes to achieve those infamous six pack abs, check out 24DaySixPack.com. This guy has been documenting each day in the process. It looks he's now on Day 25, go figure....

View the original article here

3 Ways to Avoid Overdoing it This Holiday Season

Can a single meal trigger a heart attack?

According to researchers, a huge meal similar to what many eat at Thanksgiving or Christmas, can actually set the stage for a heart attack, in those at risk for heart disease.

The study of 1,986 heart attack patients in 2000, suggested that an unusually large meal quadrupled the chance of having a heart attack within the next two hours.

Dr. Lopez-Jimenez said this,

Overeating should be considered as a heart attack trigger, much in the same way as extreme physical activities and severe anger episodes may cause an MI... People at risk for a heart attack should be careful not only about the total caloric intake they eat every day, but the size of individual meals as well.

So, if you tend to eat way to much at this time of year, here are 3 ways avoid overdoing it this holiday season:

1. Downsize Your Serveware
Most people will eat everything that is pilled onto their plates, regardless of whether it's more than they need to feel satisfied. So, eating from a salad plate is a good way to control this.

Studies have also shown that people eat as much as 56 percent more when they serve themselves from a one-gallon bowl, rather than a half-gallon one. So, if you plan to serve your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner from large bowls in the centre of the table, try using smaller serving dishes, as a way to encourage everyone to eat a little less.

This idea works with glassware, too. Large gobblet-shaped glasses can hold up to one third of a bottle of wine. However, people fail to realize just how much alcohol they are consuming from these supersized glasses.

If you drink alcohol, limit your intake to just one small glass of wine. As for juices and soft drinks, they are simply empty calories -- you would be better sticking with water, and saving up the calories for something tastier later on.

2. Portion Control
As an extra way to check that your food portions aren't too big, here are some guidelines: fill half your dinner plate with non-starchy vegetables, then one quarter with starchy carbs, and one quarter with lean meat, or alternatives.

3. Indulge -- but just a little!
Personally, I enjoy dessert way too much to avoid it. If you are the same, pass on the drinks pre-dinner, the bread roll and butter with your entree, and also that extra scoop of potatoes at dinner. Then you can easily enjoy a small piece of cheesecake, guilt-free and without too much sacrifice.

If all else fails, and you end up eating enough to feed a tiny country, get back on the healthy eating handwagon right away, and then get some exercise. There's no point slacking off just because it's the holidays. When you do that, you set yourself up for a long slippery road back to where you were pre-vacation. It's not worth it!

So, what are your tips for surviving the holiday season without gaining those dreaded extra pounds?

Image source: falconreid

View the original article here

Sarah Palin to Destroy "Big Government" With Cookies

Sarah Palin, ex-beauty queen and avid caribou hunter, hates big government. So, the "hockey mom" is mounting a revolution... with cookies.

As First Lady Michelle Obama goes around advocating more fruits and vegetables in public schools, Sarah Palin is visiting schools to pass out cookies.

Michelle is fronting a plan by the United States Surgeon General to improve cafeteria food, push physical education, and to bring more supermarkets to low-income communities.

But Sarah Palin has other ideas. Earlier this month, "Mama Grizzly" stopped by a school in Pennsylvania with dozens of cookies, a gesture obviously in protest to Michelle Obama's campaign for better nutrition.

"Who should be making the decisions what you eat and school choice and everything else?" Palin asked the students. "Should it be government, or should it be the parents?"

This is so silly. If Sarah Palin wants to drop by a school and hand out cookies, that's cool. I hated school, so a free cookie would have brightened up my day. But to make it some sort of political statement is dumb.

Pressuring schools to improve food is not a "political battleground." It's a no-brainer. People should be happy government is finally addressing an issue it has a decent chance of fixing.

But listen, this whole idea of "let the parents decide" isn't working. American kids are fat and getting fatter. So, either our children are a bunch of cement heads, or we have lazy parents who are too busy voting for Dancing With the Stars to teach their kids good eating habits. I say the parents stink.

Now I'm not suggesting the federal government tell you what you can and cannot eat in your own home. That's an idiotic notion. But, if a public school says no to junk food, like cookies, then that's the rule, period.

Reforming school lunch is not an attack on civil liberties. It's about healthier kids. But if you think it's un-American for your child to eat lunch without cookies, then pack them some.

Image credit: Ohio River

View the original article here

Google Street View For Weight Loss Motivation?

I love a good weight loss success story. And, here's one a little different from the norm....

When Bob Mewse, aged 56, saw an image of himself side-on via Google Street View last November, he was stunned at just how out of shape he looked. He commented,

I'd been thinking about losing weight for some time but after seeing that picture, I knew that I actually had to do something about it. I was in such bad condition that I was unable to walk and talk at the same time.

So, after viewing the image, he drastically changed his diet of cakes, potato chips, biscuits and takeaway foods, for healthier foods like salads, fruits, fibrous vegetables, and protein-rich foods. He also started working out three days per week.

This is how Mr Mewse looks now...

He went from a morbidly obese 21st 3Ib to an amazing 14 stone, by making these lifestyle changes.

Isn't that a wonderful result?

Mr Mewse adds,

If I can do this, anybody can - I'm just an ordinary bloke. I feel much healthier now.

I often recommend that clients focus on an image of themselves when they were thinner, to help motivate their weight loss efforts. There are even websites dedicated to this idea, where you can create a virtual thin version of yourself.

Seeing an image of your body at its ideal weight is a powerful motivator. But, as Mr Mewse demonstrated, the opposite can also be true.

So, if you've got a goal to lose weight, which is more motivating for you -- a thin image, or seeing yourself at your heaviest?

Image 1: The Telegraph. Image 2: Mail Online

View the original article here

Poll: The Fresh Diet Fires Carnie Wilson

It is no secret that singer Carnie Wilson has had a very public struggle with her weight.

She even underwent gastric bypass surgery 1999 but gained some of the weight back.

Earlier this year became spokesperson for The Fresh Diet, but they recently fired her for not losing weight and cheating on the plan by eating cheesecake.

The Fresh Diet is a diet delivery company that delivers a days worth of gourmet, portion controlled meals and snacks to your door fresh daily. A plan for a women averages around 1200 to 1300 Calories per day.

According to The Fresh Diet, Carnie Wilson (as a side business) was making and selling cheesecakes and instead of losing weight on their plan, she actually gained weight. She did lose 19 pounds on The Fresh Diet before starting her cheesecake company but then gained it all back and more.

Do diet companies place too high of expectations on celebrities and set them up for failure? I wonder if The Fresh Diet kicks customers out of their program if they fall off the wagon or if they help them regain their focus?

Maybe The Fresh Diet could have handled this differently? What do you think? Participate in the poll and comments below.

Source: Blogging With the Stars

Was it right for The Fresh Diet to fire Carnie Wilson?

View the original article here

Link Time! Fitness Gifts and More

Most of the western world is in the midst of holiday gift buying and figuring out what to buy can be challenging.

ThatsFit.com just published their Holiday Fitness Gift Guide which can be used as a great resource to shop for the fitness buff in your family. However, use caution when buying these gifts for others as they could be taken as an unwelcome hint by family members that have a few pounds to lose.

If you're looking for gifts for small children or soon to be parents, I just found out about a cute children's book called Bearly Fit by award winning photographer Glenn Losack M.D. The book's humor and great photographs encourage parents and their children to think about how to be healthy and make wise choices.

Lastly this week, if you're looking for some healthy recipe suggestions to help keep you on track during this holiday season, check out WHFoods.com (World's Healthiest Foods). They offer a cool recipe assistant that allows you to choose a healthy food and then it builds a healthy recipe for you including the food chosen.

Image Credit: Indo Board

View the original article here

U.S. Sweet Potatoes All the Rage in Europe

Great Britain gave us Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, and John Lennon, so now we're returning the favor... sending the Brits all our sweet potatoes.

While the U.S. dollar sinks deeper into the toilet, American sweet potato exports, between 2005 and 2009, have more than doubled, reaching $51.4 million. Great Britain is the major buyer.

Wow, I can't picture our sophisticated tea-sipping neighbors to the east, cooking up those disgusting sweet potatoes with the marshmallows on top. My word!

American sweet potatoes are becoming very popular in Europe. In Ireland - yes, Ireland, the holy land for spuds - sweet potato imports from the United States are up $125,000. Not a lot? It was zero in 2005.

People from the South are going to laugh at this, but for a long time supermarkets in Europe branded sweet potatoes as in "exotic" vegetable. So, why is sweet potato mania now taking Europe by storm? One answer is kind of funny.

Food safety is a big deal in Europe, and size matters. Luckily new equipment has helped American farmers grow more uniform looking sweet potatoes, making them more acceptable by European standards. Just like the Brits, so concerned with keeping up appearances.

The North Carolina Sweet Potato Commission - no really, there's actually a potato commission - says increased marketing efforts and promotions in European supermarkets have also increased demand overseas.

I'm happy to see this. I think good trade relations between countries is necessary for global prosperity. Plus, sweet potatoes are so good, they're one of my favorite foods; baked, roasted, French fried, whatever! Just not with marshmallows, that way wreaks of mental illness. Sorry.

Now, if you want to add some class to your holiday meal, and not the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, try Mama Pugliese's sweet potato recipe.

Sweet Potatoes With Maple Syrup

3 to 4 sweet potatoes, cut into 1 inch thick slices
1/4 cup natural maple syrup
2 tbsp soy or almond milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, allspice
Sprinkle of salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a shallow baking dish with non-stick spray. Add all of the ingredients on to a baking dish. Toss well to mix and coat potatoes. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Uncover, turn gently, and continue cooking for an additional 20 minutes, or until fork-tender.

Image credit: DisneyLiving

View the original article here

7 Surprising Secrets of Successful Weight Loss

Ever wanted to know the techniques and tricks used by those who successfully lost weight, and kept it off?

Thanks to a scintillating survey conducted by popular weight loss site SparkPeople - we've now got some road-tested tips to give you the best chance at managing weight.

As part of an updated paperback version of the bestselling book The Spark, (new edition here), the authors at Sparkpeople undertook a comprehensive survey of over 2,000 members. Why do 50% of people report losing momentum within 2 weeks of starting a diet? And why do 18% fizz out within just 3 days?

The answer is the 'strong start'. These strong starters lost twice as much weight in the first two weeks, and were five times more likely to reach goals than the false starters.

Track Food and Calories
Both strong and false starters ranked "food tracking" as the one action that made the biggest difference in their programs. 82% of strong starters tracked food every day vs. 65% of false starters, and strong starters were twice as likely to track their calories.Don't put certain foods off limits
Strong starters were less likely to label foods "good" or "bad" and forsake certain foods, and were three times more likely to use portion control techniques that supported consumption of unhealthier foods in moderation.Spend LESS time exercising
On average, strong starters exercised for 30 minutes during the first two weeks; false starters for 60 minutes, suggesting that false starters burned themselves out.Focus on both diet and exercise
74 percent of false starters made both fitness and dietary changes from the outset, compared to 50 percent offalse starters.Engage more with others/have a support network
Strong starters were more than twice as likely to communicate with other members online.Weigh yourself weekly, not daily
Most strong starters weighed themselves weekly, while the majority of false starters did so daily.Focus first and foremost on developing healthy habits, not losing weight
Most strong starters viewed their #1 goal as "building a strong foundation of healthy habits." A majority of false starters made losing 3-4 pounds in their first two weeks their #1 goal, which backfired.Note that these methods worked for many people - but we are all individuals and is it important to find out what works for you.

A big thanks to Sparkpeople and the folks and DailySpark for allowing us to publish this.

View the original article here

Video Exposes Horrible Conditions at Embattled Egg Farm

Earlier this month, Jackson, Mississippi-based Cal-Maine Foods Inc., recalled 24,000 dozen eggs purchased from Ohio Fresh Eggs LLC, of Croton, Ohio, over possible salmonella contamination.

After routine sampling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified Cal-Maine that eggs tested positive for salmonella, spurring the immediate recall.

And now, a Humane Society video taken by an undercover investigator working at the Cal-Maine farm in Waelder, Texas, reveals rampant animal abuse and food-safety violations.

The video is very graphic; lots of dead birds, overcrowded cages, eggs covered in blood, poop, and broken eggs, and - as you can see in the screen capture - a dead bird lying on the conveyor belt as eggs roll by.

The Humane Society says Cal-Maine is the biggest egg producer in North America, and is been cited for infractions before. Previously Cal-Maine recalled 288,000 eggs after the FDA found salmonella enteritidis on test samples.

Other startling sights include, birds with no tail feathers, tumors on their faces, gnarled feet, and rotting corpses mixed in with live chickens.

With the release of the video, The Humane Society hopes to inform consumers about factory farming's dirty little - err, not so little - secrets.

Animal rights is a polarizing issue. The redneck says screw the animals, just eat them. The hippie says meat is murder. Both are idiotic. Killing people is murder, not cows. But you also can't call them dumb animals, heap them in a pile to fester in feces, and then think they're perfectly safe to eat.

Ignore all that blah-blah-blah for second. If we are going to factory farm livestock, we should at the very least do everything to ensure our farming practices protect consumers from ever getting sick - humans first, animals second. And no doubt, if we sure up factory farming to safeguard human health, the trickle-down effect will also improve the well-being of food animals.

As for Cal-Maine, I would fire every executive and bankrupt their personal finances to pay for the necessary improvements.

Image credit: The Human Society

View the original article here

Aerobic and Strength Training Good for Diabetes Control

Diabetes is a pretty big deal -- with rising obesity it has become the epidemic of this century. 23.6 million children and adults in the United States alone are affected (7.8% of the population). Add another 57 million (give or take) who have pre-diabetes, and we have a crisis on our hands that is projected to triple by 2050, and cost over 3.3 trillion (with a "T") by 2020.

It's now pretty common sense that exercise does improve blood sugar control in type II diabetics, however most studies focus on singular exercise interventions.

But, a study from the Journal of the American Medical Association examined the effectiveness of both aerobic, strength training, and combined aerobics and strength training protocols when it comes to haemoglobin A1c levels (a measure of how much sugar is sticking to cells and hence a good predictor of long term elevated blood glucose). Here are the details.

262 men and women with type II diabetesAverage age 56 years9 month exercise programAverage Hemoglobin A1c levels 7.7% (normal levels are 4-5.9%)41 participants were assigned to the non-exercise control group; 73 to resistance training sessions; 72 to aerobic exercise sessions; and 76 to combined aerobic and resistance training.

Hba1c Levels

- 0.34% combo group- 0.16% strength training only- 0.24% aerobic training only

The control group actually increased its use of diabetes medications, while the combination training group decreased its diabetes medication use.

Weight Loss

All exercise groups reduced waist circumference (.75-1.1 inches)The resistance training group lost an average of 3.1 lbs of fat massThe combo group lost an average of 3.7 lbs of fat mass

If I could describe your diabetes action plan in the most basic of terms it would be clean up your diet, move, and lift. In other words, do a combo and stop ordering combos!

Make better nutritional choices by drastically reducing refined/liquid carbs and overall calories, strength train at least two times per week, and get your heart rate going through cardio activity and/or metabolic strength training. Also, keep yourself moving when you aren't doing the above.

Image credit: stevendepolo

View the original article here

Mall Food Courts Are Crawling With Roaches

Compared to a greasy truck stop, the food court at the mall is four-star dining, but that isn't saying much. It turns out food courts are just as disgusting.

An MSNBC investigation revealed many food court hotspots are oozing with E. coli and littered with mouse poop.

Investigators visited malls in Boston, Minnesota, and New York City, and found all sorts of health code violations and unsafe practices.

Inspection reports show that since 2009 at Boston's Faneuil Hall, 43% of food vendors had critical violations, 68% at the Mall of America in Minnesota, and 84% at the Seaport Mall in New York.

Places like Megumi of Japan in Faneuil Hall were cited for mouse droppings in its storage area. So was the Charcoal Grill in the Seaport Mall. Megumi also had an unsightly roach problem.

Other violations included storing raw meat at improper temperatures, keeping cooked food too far from heat, or not keeping sliced fruit cold enough - both these infractions can cause E. coli bacteria to grow on food.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Listen, you get what you pay for. Sorry, but they don't wedge Zagat rated restaurants in between Foot Locker and Build-A-Bear Workshop. It's crap food, put there to keep you going so you can buy more crap.

More restaurants should be like my uncles' pizzeria in New Jersey. Its clean, the food is fresh, and they always pass inspection. Then again, they own a judge.

Image credit: sickboyfilms

View the original article here

Huge Chocolate Christmas Tree Created in France

Christmas: traditionally a time for festive decorations, and festive gluttony. Both have been combined by Patrick Roger, a French chocolatier, who has created a ten-meter (32-foot) Christmas tree... made out of chocolate.

The tree took a month to create and weighs four tons.

Mr Roger spoke of the difficulties involved, and said:

To achieve this kind of architecture - because this really is a piece of architecture - we used a sort of cavity inside to make the chocolate solid enough, because there is very strong vertical pressure.

The tree will be dismantled and given away in return for donations during France's Telethon (a charity event supporting neuromuscular disease research), which runs on December 3rd and 4th.

With four thousand kilos of chocolate, the giant tree contains over 20 million calories - that's over 25 years' worth of calories for an average person.

Image: The Telegraph's video

View the original article here

Weight Watchers Points Plus

Weight Watchers have overhauled their points system and come up with a completely new program - called Points Plus (or Pro Points in the UK).

The previous Points formula (started in 1997) took into account Calories, Fiber grams and Fat grams. The PointsPlus formula uses Protein, Carbohydrate, Fiber, and Fat grams.

Weight Watchers have spent a number of years testing the new program (at the Medical University of South Carolina among other places). According to Weight Watchers the trials resulted in "an improvement in behaviors that help people maintain weight loss and a reduction in the desire to eat when there's no physical hunger or need for food." (src).

Critics of the previous Points formula claimed that it did not accurately differentiate between more nutritionally dense foods, and "empty calories". This is due to the heavy weighting of Calories over other nutrient measures.

When we have a 100-calorie apple in one hand and a 100-calorie pack of cookies in the other, and we view them as being "the same" because the calories are the same, it says everything that needs to be said about the limitations of just using calories in guiding food choices.

Points Plus Deluxe Starter Kit

What is the new formula?

Points Plus = (Protein grams / 10.9) + (Carbohydrate grams / 9.2) + (Fat grams / 3.9) + (Fiber grams / 35).

So for a Big Mac,

Points Plus = 25/10.9 + 45/9.2 + 29/3.9 + 3/35
Points Plus = 2.29 + 4.89 + 7.44 + 0.09
Points Plus = 14.71 (previous Point value was 13.97).

Note that this formula is via Wikipedia (ProPoints), and we cannot ensure that this is accurate, and you must use official WW tools for accurate Points Plus values. It maybe the the US formula is slightly different. Some have suggested the Carb Gram value should be (Carb - Fiber) / 9.2 to account for labeling differences between the US and UK.

What Else Changed in the Points Plus
Daily Points allowances have gone up.
Treating yourself is encouraged.
Weight Watchers food products will be going up in points values (an indicator that perhaps the branded food products are not particularly nutritious?).

Please note that Points Plus and Points are registered trademarks of Weight Watchers Inc.

View the original article here

Avoid a charming food court

Sorry, I could read the content fromt of this page.

View the original article here

Slim down your post Turkey day sandwiches

Small changes can help whip up a lower calorie sandwich:

Swap old fashioned white bread for two disk light wheat bread to to save 150 calories.

Swap-4 ounces light and dark Turkey with skin for 4 ounces skinless breast meat save 41 calories

Swap Mayo, 2 tablespoons light Mayo, 1 tablespoon (my pick?) Hellman's light-you will notice the difference!) and 169 calories to save.

A fridge full of remains can spell disaster diets, but a few changes can make the difference: how cutting calories? Publish your ideas in comments!

View the original article here

Do Turkey day number crunch

Sorry, I could read the content fromt of this page.

View the original article here

Weight observers PointsPlus was

For 13 years the basic principle of weight watchers plan was "calories in, calories out"-using a slide rule or online tools to calculate how many "points" given food or drink contains based on calories, fat and fiber allows dietician, remain within a daily points aim to control your calorie intake and lose weight.

Now, weight watchers has announced that your new PointsPlus system into account is food overall diet, help, members take to create a diet with a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fat and fiber. The message will understand that with your points on nutrient-rich foods is a better choice than using the same number of points to some not so nutritious diet help. The new plan also considered how hard the body has to work to use the power of a particular food and it remains a focus on selection fill you food over those leave hungry sooner rather than later.

I have spoken often high weight watchers and am excited to learn more about the changes. I must admit that I am one of those people "change is scary" and I really liked the points version, but I think it will prove a good change.

For me is the best part I heard habe-- so far - that most go fruits and vegetables than count zero points! I think this will be very good news for those that find every diet hard hunger to halten-felt remorse - you are able to reach most to curb your appetite for fruit and vegetables at any time and stay on track on the new plan.

If you currently weight watchers meetings or it online to follow, what do you think about the changes?

View the original article here

Merry Christmas!

Sorry, I could read the content fromt of this page.

View the original article here

Don't fear the current season scale

If you have already developed holiday scale phobia, it is time, courageous and weigh several times between Thanksgiving and new year's Eve. A study found that people who, assess your weight before and after holidays were motivated more healthy eat and movement between late November and January 1st.

Read related: Choose the right scale

Image: ClipArt.com

View the original article here

Saturday "smart swap!": Starbucks

Sorry, I could read the content fromt of this page.

View the original article here

Banish baking binges

A little too often you will find sample playback head? Stock up on crunchy Snacks--I reach for walnuts, whole grain crackers and carrots. Munching on you is great for fill your mouth while you do to keep from over sampling holiday baking.

Chewing crunchy snacks also helps to relieve stress if you overwhelmed (who is not this time of year?). And, because these foods to chew and Digest than candy take longer, be more satisfied, as these cookies you feel, until are beating you help. Take that taste tests temptation calories!

Image: ClipArt.com

View the original article here

"I tried it!": Yoplait delights

Sorry, I could read the content fromt of this page.

View the original article here

Avoid a Food Court Foible

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Slim Down Your Post-Turkey Day Sandwiches

Small changes can help you whip up a lower-calorie sandwich:

Swap old-fashioned white bread for two slices of light wheat bread to save 150 calories.

Swap 4 ounces light and dark turkey with skin for 4 ounces skinless breast meat to save 41 calories

Swap mayo, 2 Tbsp., for light mayo, 1 Tbsp. (My pick? Hellman's Light -- you won't notice the difference!) and save 169 calories.

A fridge full of leftovers can spell dieting disaster, but a few tweaks can make all the difference: How do you cut calories? Post your ideas in comments!

View the original article here

Saturday "Smart Swap!": Starbucks

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Do the Turkey Day Number-Crunch

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Banish Baking Binges

Do you find you sample a little to often when playing chef? Stock up on crunchy snacks -- I reach for walnuts, whole-grain crackers and carrots. Munching on them is great for occupying your mouth while you are doing holiday baking to keep you from over-sampling.

Chewing crunchy snacks also helps to relieve stress if you're overwhelmed (Who isn't this time of year?). And, since these foods take longer to chew and digest than sweets, they'll help you feel satisfied longer than those cookies you're whipping up. Take that, taste-testing-temptation calories!

Image: Clipart.com

View the original article here

"I Tried It!": Yoplait Delights

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Don't Fear the Scale This Season

If you've already developed holiday-scale-phobia, it's time to be brave and weigh in several times between Thanksgiving and New Year's. A study found that people who assessed their weight before and after holidays were more motivated to eat healthy and exercise between the end of November and January 1st.

Related Reading: Pick the Right Scale

Image: Clipart.com

View the original article here

Saturday "Smart Swap!": Starbucks

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

"I Tried It!": Yoplait Delights

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Banish Baking Binges

Do you find you sample a little to often when playing chef? Stock up on crunchy snacks -- I reach for walnuts, whole-grain crackers and carrots. Munching on them is great for occupying your mouth while you are doing holiday baking to keep you from over-sampling.

Chewing crunchy snacks also helps to relieve stress if you're overwhelmed (Who isn't this time of year?). And, since these foods take longer to chew and digest than sweets, they'll help you feel satisfied longer than those cookies you're whipping up. Take that, taste-testing-temptation calories!

Image: Clipart.com

View the original article here

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Unveiled

For 13 years, the essential principle of the Weight Watchers plan has been "calories in, calories out" -- using a slide rule or online tools to calculate how many "points" any given food or beverage contains based on calories, fat and fiber allowed dieters to stay within a daily points goal to control their calorie intake and lose weight.

Now, Weight Watchers has announced that their new PointsPlus System will take into account foods' overall nutrition, helping members to create a diet with a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fat and fiber. The message will help dieters understand that using their points on a nutrient-rich food is a better choice than using the same number of points on something not-so-nutritious. The new plan also takes into account how hard the body has to work in order to use the energy from a given food and there remains a focus on choosing filling foods over those that leave you hungry sooner rather than later.

I have often spoken highly of Weight Watchers and am excited to learn more about the changes. I must admit that I'm one of those "change is scary" people, and I really liked the Points version, but I think it will prove to be a good change.

For me, the best part I've heard -- so far -- is that most fruits and vegetables are going to count as zero points! I think this will be excellent news for those find any diet tough to stick to due to hunger pangs -- they'll be able to reach for fruit and most veggies any time to curb their appetite and stay on track on the new plan.

If you currently attend Weight Watchers meetings or follow the program online, what do you think of the changes?

View the original article here

Weight Watchers PointsPlus Unveiled

For 13 years, the essential principle of the Weight Watchers plan has been "calories in, calories out" -- using a slide rule or online tools to calculate how many "points" any given food or beverage contains based on calories, fat and fiber allowed dieters to stay within a daily points goal to control their calorie intake and lose weight.

Now, Weight Watchers has announced that their new PointsPlus System will take into account foods' overall nutrition, helping members to create a diet with a healthy balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fat and fiber. The message will help dieters understand that using their points on a nutrient-rich food is a better choice than using the same number of points on something not-so-nutritious. The new plan also takes into account how hard the body has to work in order to use the energy from a given food and there remains a focus on choosing filling foods over those that leave you hungry sooner rather than later.

I have often spoken highly of Weight Watchers and am excited to learn more about the changes. I must admit that I'm one of those "change is scary" people, and I really liked the Points version, but I think it will prove to be a good change.

For me, the best part I've heard -- so far -- is that most fruits and vegetables are going to count as zero points! I think this will be excellent news for those find any diet tough to stick to due to hunger pangs -- they'll be able to reach for fruit and most veggies any time to curb their appetite and stay on track on the new plan.

If you currently attend Weight Watchers meetings or follow the program online, what do you think of the changes?

View the original article here

Do the Turkey Day Number-Crunch

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Don't Fear the Scale This Season

If you've already developed holiday-scale-phobia, it's time to be brave and weigh in several times between Thanksgiving and New Year's. A study found that people who assessed their weight before and after holidays were more motivated to eat healthy and exercise between the end of November and January 1st.

Related Reading: Pick the Right Scale

Image: Clipart.com

View the original article here

Avoid a Food Court Foible

Sorry, I could not read the content fromt this page.

View the original article here

Roni's 100 Pound Weight Loss

Success stories always brighten my day and boost my own motivation. It's great to hear about people achieving their health and fitness goals.
Roni Yonka, a 30-year old woman from North Carolina, used the free diet service SparkPeople (which has been featured on Diet Blog before) to get off to a really strong start, losing 6lbs in just two weeks.
At the start of her dieting journey, Roni weighed 220 lbs. She had poor eating habits, confessing that: "I was accustomed to skipping breakfast and eating one huge meal a day."
So how did she lose almost half her starting body weight?
If you're worried that this kind of achievement involves boot camps, fad diets or dangerous slimming pills, then read on. Because Roni didn't need any of that.
She took small, sensible steps which added up to one big life change. In particular, she got focused right from the start by:
Switching soda for waterEating smaller, more frequent mealsEating lean protein with wholegrain carbsGetting into a regular exercise routineDoing both cardio and strength-bearing exerciseLooking to healthy role models for inspirationOnly weighing in once a weekVisualising her future "healthier and happier self"
Roni lost weight in a sensible, healthy and sustainable way, and stayed motivated by seeing steady results:

The more changes I made, the more my self-confidence and self-esteem increased, and the more motivated I became. Friends and family started to notice in just a couple of weeks that I was happier and healthier (and that my jeans were getting too big!).

Whether you've got a lot of weight to lose or just a few pounds, take inspiration from Roni's story. Small changes really do make all the difference.
What little changes could you make today?
View the original article here

Slim Down Your Post-Turkey Day Sandwiches

Small changes can help you whip up a lower-calorie sandwich:

Swap old-fashioned white bread for two slices of light wheat bread to save 150 calories.

Swap 4 ounces light and dark turkey with skin for 4 ounces skinless breast meat to save 41 calories

Swap mayo, 2 Tbsp., for light mayo, 1 Tbsp. (My pick? Hellman's Light -- you won't notice the difference!) and save 169 calories.

A fridge full of leftovers can spell dieting disaster, but a few tweaks can make all the difference: How do you cut calories? Post your ideas in comments!

View the original article here