We've all been there. In the car, in the grocery store or on a playdate, our toddler or young child asks (or whines) for a snack, sometimes only half an hour after a meal. When kids beg or whine for snacks or treats at random times, it may seem easiest to give in and immediately break out the crackers or fruit snacks. I see it all of the time - little ones saying "I'm huuunnggrryyy Mom!
When it comes to desserts, I'm a picky eater. And I think you should be too. This, coming from the Dietitian who helps parents prevent and manage picky eating with their kids - go figure! Although you should allow yourself to indulge in something sweet regularly - even daily - it's important to be selective in which treats you choose so that you can really make your indulgence count and enjoy every bite.
Most people struggle with their weight at one point or another, even nutrition experts. Achieving sustainable weight loss isn't easy, otherwise everyone would sit at their most comfortable weight.
Being a work-at-home Mom is blissful for so many reasons—you are able to stay in your pajamas for the better part of the day, the coffee is free and flowing, and you're available for your little ones when they need you (ok, maybe not always so blissful).
Celebrity Doctor and star of "The Doctor Oz Show" Mehmet Oz very recently attended a follow-up hearing for the Federal Trade Commission’s fight against bogus diet products. Although he attended more as a victim of fraudulent internet marketing, he was in for a big surprise.
For decades, saturated fat—also known as "bad" fat—has been labeled one of the leading causes of heart disease. Greasy hamburgers, T-Bone steaks, cheesy pizza and cream sauces have long been avoided because of advice given by nutrition professionals such as myself, health officials, and as laid out by national health authorities and heart associations. But the truth is, there is absolutely no link between saturated fat and heart disease risk. But wait. Don't let this new evidence be your license to gorge on greasy burgers everyday.
Ever notice yourself wandering into the kitchen, opening the pantry, and grabbing a handful of crackers or cereal—without even noticing what you're doing? Or do you ever catch yourself eating chocolate chips out of the bag when, really, you were going to the kitchen for a drink of water instead? This happens to all of us.
At some point in our early childhood (around the age of 4), we lose the ability to eat intuitively all of the time—meaning that we start eating for reasons other than just physical hunger. We become influenced by people and things around us, such as our parents, siblings, and friends (and the media) and start eating because of the sight of food, the smell of food, out of habit, because we're told to, or because we're bored, sad or happy, or tired (emotions).
According to an article in Psychology Today, research shows that fewer than half of the people who set New Year's resolutions actually stick to their goals after 6 months. And after a year, the number declines to about 10%.
If you want to learn how to eat according to your natural hunger and fullness cues (which ultimately leads to reaching and maintaining your ideal healthy weight), it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with your own "Hunger Scale." In other words, becoming aware of how hungry or full you are throughout the day and eating according to this.