Category Archives: Obesity and Diabetes

The Skinny On Intermittent Fasting. Does it Work, or Is it Just Another Diet Fad?

The Skinny On Intermittent Fasting. Does it Work, or Is it Just Another Diet Fad?

Intermittent fasting is quickly gaining popularity in the dieting world. A quick online search about this diet will show hundreds of success stories, with claims like “naturally lead to fat loss” and “eat, fast, and live longer,” (1). Based on the ancestral paleolithic diet, it is believed that brief periods of fasting protect lean bodyContinue Reading

The Nordic Diet: Shed Your Post-Baby Weight Quickly

The Nordic Diet: Shed Your Post-Baby Weight Quickly

Pregnancy is a significant life event for women, involving changes in lifestyle habits and eating patterns, as well as gestational weight gain. The natural gestational weight gain is typically a high concern for expectant mothers, as postpartum weight retention can lead to obesity, decreased libido, and poor self-esteem1. However, according to a recent study, adherenceContinue Reading

The New Diet: Listening to When You are Hungry….Then Eat.

The New Diet: Listening to When You are Hungry….Then Eat.

Diets that restrict calories have been proven to help the public lose weight, however, most gain the weight back in a short period of time after stopping the diet. In the article entitled, “Sensory-Based Nutrition Pilot Intervention for Women,” the researchers evaluated the effects on women’s weight and overall feelings towards food as they attendContinue Reading

Hunger and Cravings may Decrease with Weight Loss

Hunger and Cravings may Decrease with Weight Loss

This study examined the changes in hunger and cravings with a weight loss intervention program within a work-site. The study found that at baseline cravings were more frequent and intense in people with a BMI over 25. As the participants lost weight, their frequency and intensity of cravings decreased along with their hunger. The studyContinue Reading

Is Just Eating Healthy Really Enough for PCOS?

Is Just Eating Healthy Really Enough for PCOS?

     For women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) obesity is a big issue. Losing weight and maintaining a healthy body weight is highly recommended because it helps reduce all other symptoms, one of which is high insulin resistance. Doctors have recommended a low glycemic (low-GI) diet (the recommended diet for diabetics) without aContinue Reading

Artificial Sweeteners Versus Sugar Sweeteners

Artificial Sweeteners Versus Sugar Sweeteners

“Sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverage consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in men” is an analysis of a prospective cohort study that compares the effect of sugar-sweetened beverages and artificial sweetened beverages on type 2 diabetes. The study found that sugar-sweetened beverages do increase the risk of type 2 diabetes but artificial sweeteners doContinue Reading

Lowering Blood Pressure through the Mediterranean Diet

Lowering Blood Pressure through the Mediterranean Diet

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a major contributor to the risk for multiple cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and overall heart health.  “In 2003, the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure estimated that hypertension affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide” (1).  Treatments used for lowering blood pressureContinue Reading

Can Artificially Sweetened and Diet Beverages Affect your Intake of Sweets and Calories?

Can Artificially Sweetened and Diet Beverages Affect your Intake of Sweets and Calories?

There is a vast amount of research and opinions circulating the nutrition industry around artificial sweeteners and their affects on our diets. Consumers are constantly advised conflicting information. One idea is that artificial sweeteners in foods such as diet beverages increase one’s dietary intake and desire for sugary foods. A recent study done by PiernasContinue Reading

Berry Good News! Eating berries may reduce your risk for diabetes

Berry Good News! Eating berries may reduce your risk for diabetes

The consumption of white wheat bread activates the body’s insulin response system1. Eating berries, such as strawberries, cranberries, and blackcurrants, can limit the amount of insulin needed for the body to process the starches found in bread. This is good news for a nation where eating starchy wheat products is a daily occurrence. The benefitContinue Reading

High Fructose Corn Syrup, Are We Still Missing Something?

High Fructose Corn Syrup, Are We Still Missing Something?

There are many articles and blogs over the internet that debate the question if High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is associated with the high rate of obesity and diabetes that we are observing today. I feel a lot of the controversy is due to the fact that the increased use of HFCS parallels the increaseContinue Reading