Hi, Everyone –
According to researchers at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Louisiana, there is actually a virus that causes obesity. The virus, dubbed AD-36, can apparently be passed as simply as the common cold and also causes cold-like symptoms. Here is how it works: the virus apparently replicates itself in fat tissue, thus creating more fat cells, expanding fat and leading to obesity. In one test conducted, nearly one-third of obese people had this virus, as compared to only 11 percent of their healthy-weight counterparts.
I’m interested to hear some thoughts on this so-called “obesity virus.” While it does sound like it has some scientific validity, do you think it will just be used as another excuse?
Dr. Snyder
September 14th, 2009
Hi, Everyone –
There was an interesting article in the New York Times yesterday that highlights yet another American dieting pitfall – sugar. Apparently, we all love our sweets a little too much, especially when it comes to sodas and sweet drinks. Only one can of soda per day exceeds the recommended daily sugar intake. According to Dr. George Bray of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center of Louisiana State University, “the current epidemic of obesity could be explained by the consumption of an extra 20-ounce soft drink each day.”
Soda can be detrimental to your diet, so quit drinking those empty calories and kick the habit! How many cans per day do you drink? Also, if you have any suggestions on how to help others quit, please let us know!
Dr. Snyder
August 10th, 2009
Hi, Everyone -
Finding the right recipes when you are trying to be healthy can be very difficult. However, if you do your research, there are a ton of recipes out there. Check out the one below from FoodFit.com:
Honey Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Dijon
1 whole chicken, about 5 pounds
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
1/4 cup honey
1 lemon, zested, halved and juiced
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 yellow onion, quartered
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season inside and out with salt and pepper.
2. Place the chicken in a large roasting pan.
3. Roughly chop two sprigs of the rosemary. In a small bowl, mix together Dijon mustard, honey, chopped rosemary, lemon juice and lemon zest.
4. Place the remaining sprig of rosemary, a lemon half, the onion quarters and garlic in the cavity of the bird. Using a pastry brush, coat the outside of the bird with the lemon honey glaze.
5. Place the roasting pan in the oven and baste the chicken every 15 minutes with any remaining glaze. Roast until a thermometer inserted into the thigh reaches 180° and juices run clear, about one hour. Remove and discard the skin. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Dr. Snyder
July 20th, 2009
Hi, Everyone –
There are a million diet blogs and Web sites out there right now, and it can be really difficult to navigate through all of them. Well, the blog Does This Blog Make Us Look Fat? was recently brought to my attention and it is worth checking out.
In addition to a great support group, the blog offers tips, tools and an entertaining read. Also, one of the bloggers, Rebecca, is currently testing out FullBar for a week to see how it can help her as a weight management tool. Check it out and watch her progress.
Dr. Snyder
May 20th, 2009
Hi, Everyone –
News recently came out that Coca Cola’s celebrity endorsed Vitamin Water is under the gun by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CPSI) for their less-than-accurate nutritional description of the sugary drink. The CPSI is suing Coca Cola for claims that the drink is healthy, despite containing 33 grams of sugar in each beverage.
Watch out for those supposedly “healthy” beverages because they can really throw off your diet without even realizing it. Most importantly, read your labels and know what you are putting in your body!
Have a great weekend –
Dr. Snyder
April 16th, 2009
Hi, Everyone –
Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, so if you are still trying to figure out what you should get for your sweetheart, try an old standby – chocolate. Not only will he or she appreciate your sweetness, it can be good for health as well!
According to the University of Texas Cancer Prevention Center, dark chocolate can actually fight off cancer. Antioxidants in the chocolate can help fend-off cell damage that can cause tumors to grow. Off course, it goes without saying that moderation is key. You can treat yourself and your loved one without derailing your progress this year. So get some chocolate, grab your Valentine and have a great weekend!
Dr. Snyder
February 13th, 2009
Hi, Everyone –
Today is “Go Red for Women Day” across the country. If you saw an inordinate number of people wearing red today, that’s probably why. This is a great day, especially if you are a woman, to stop and think about your lifestyle, health and whether heart disease could be an issue for you. Heart disease doesn’t just happen to men and it can actually be even more serious for women. For example, women are three times more likely to die from a heart attack than men. Keep this in mind, and keep your heart healthy ladies!
Have a great weekend,
Dr. Snyder
February 6th, 2009
Hi, Everyone -
It’s that time of the year again – Super Bowl time! Whether you are rooting for the Cardinals or the Steelers, we can all agree on the fact that Super Bowl snacks can be treacherous. While I’m sure it will be impossible to avoid all of the chicken wings and dips, check out the healthy takes on some of your favorites below, courtesy of Elaine Magee at WebMD.
Super Bowl Makeover #1 Better-for-You Buffalo Wings
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons flour
2 1/2 pounds (about 28) wing drumettes (look for skinless drumettes if available) 1/4 cup nonalcoholic or light beer (chicken broth or wine can also be used) light blue cheese dressing (optional)
Directions:
1. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the seasoned salt, chili powder, garlic powder, pepper, and flour. Remove and discard the skin from the wings (if you weren’t able to find skinless drumettes). Dip each wing into the seasoning mixture, pressing the mixture onto the chicken to coat well.
2. Generously coat a large nonstick skillet with canola cooking spray and place over medium-high heat. Add the chicken wings (cooking in batches if necessary) and cook for about 4 minutes, or until the bottoms are browned. Flip with prongs and cook for about 4 minutes more.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the beer. Cover the pan and cook for about 5 minutes. If the wings aren’t cooked through, turn them over and cook for a few minutes more. Remove from the heat and serve hot with light blue cheese dressing if desired.
Yield: Makes 7 servings (4 wing drumettes per serving)
Nutritional Information: 174 calories, 29 g protein, 2 g carbohydrate, 4.5 g fat, 1.2 g saturated fat, 73 mg cholesterol, 539 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 23 percent.
Super Bowl Makeover #2 Light 7-Layer Taco Dip
Everyone loves this fun party dip, even kids! Keep it light by serving it with reduced-fat tortilla chips (homemade or store-bought) or reduced-fat crackers. Include 1/2 cup store-bought guacamole (this really cuts down on the prep time) or make homemade by blending the following together in a small food processor:
Ingredients:
Guacamole
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
2 teaspoons lime juice, fresh or bottled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons salsa
Garlic powder or garlic salt to taste (optional)
Black pepper to taste
Dip
8 ounces fat-free sour cream
1-ounce packet taco seasoning mix
15-ounce can fat-free or vegetarian refried beans
1 cup diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
2 cups shredded reduced-fat Mexican-style cheese blend (i.e. Jack and cheddar)
2 1/4-ounce can sliced black olives (optional)
Directions:
* Make guacamole if you haven’t already and set aside.
* In small bowl, blend sour cream with taco seasoning.
* Spread the refried beans in the bottom of a deep-dish pie plate (you can warm the beans up in the microwave briefly to make them more spreadable.)
* Top the beans with the sour cream mixture then top that with the guacamole.
* Spread the tomatoes on top then sprinkle the green onions over the top, followed by the shredded cheese and black olives if desired.
* Serve with reduced-fat tortilla chips or reduced-fat crackers.
Makes 16 appetizer servings.
Per serving (dip only): 85 calories, 5.2 grams protein, 6.4 grams carbohydrate, 4.4 grams fat (1.9 grams saturated fat, 1.9 grams monounsaturated, .3 grams polyunsaturated fat), 7 milligrams cholesterol, .7 grams fiber, 258 milligrams sodium. Calories from fat: 46% .
Super Bowl Makeover #3 Simple Shrimp Dip
Ingredients:
1 cube or tub (8 ounces) of softened light cream cheese
1 cup light or lowfat mayonaise
1 cup fresh small shrimp, rinsed and dried well with paper towels (1 can drained small shrimps can also be used)
Directions:
1. Add light cream cheese and mayonnaise to small mixing bowl and beat until nicely blended. Gently stir in the shrimp. Spoon into serving bowl and serve with dippers of your choice (such as low fat wheat crackers)
Yield: 9 servings (1/3 cup of dip each)
Nutritional Analysis: 116 calories, 6 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, 7.7 g fat, 2.3 g saturated fat, 46 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 266 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 60 percent.
Dr. Snyder
January 30th, 2009
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