Before you reach for that banana, feeling all virtuous and pleased with yourself, think again. It seems that even the healthiest food choices can lead you to overeat (and pack on the pounds).
"While fruits are nutritious, too much of even a healthy food can lead to weight gain," said Loyola University Health System registered dietitian Brooke Schantz. "The key is to remember to control the portion sizes of the foods you consume."
It may not sound like rocket science. Still, Schantz insists that it’s easy to lose sight of the basic weight loss equation -- energy in versus energy out.
"I have had many patients tell me that they don't know why they are not losing weight," Schantz said. "Then they report that they eat fruit all day long. They are almost always shocked when I advise them to watch the quantity of food they eat even if it is healthy."
The only exception to the rule: nonstarchy vegetables, provided these aren’t slathered in calorific sauces, cheeses and butter. Veggies to limit are those high in starch, like peas, corn and potatoes.
"People tend to give themselves the freedom to overeat 'healthy' foods," Schantz said. "While the label might say that a food or beverage is low-fat or fat-free, watch the quantity you consume and refrain from eating an excessive amount. Foods that carry these health claims may be high in sugar and calories."
Are you guilty of bingeing on healthy food?
Weight gain may be the least of this archery contender’s worries; after all, she’s eight months pregnant.
But for this eight-time Olympic swimming champion, looking good in a bathing suit suddenly seems relevant.
So says the Australia’s Herald Sun, which scrutinized 26-year-old Leisel Jones’s form, comparing her physique in a recent training session with a photo taken four years ago.
"The Olympic veteran's figure is in stark contrast to that of 2008," reads the caption under a published photo of the elite athlete. The paper went on to ask readers whether Jones looked “fit enough” to compete at the London Games.
Ouch. You would think Olympians by nature would be exempt from the great weight debate. Not so. Luckily the poll itself sparked enough fury from readers for the paper to remove it just hours after posting.
Olympic sprinting gold medalist, Cathy Freeman felt the paper’s actions were “very un-Australian.”
“[Jones is] a triple Olympic gold medalist and a winner of eight Olympic medals for this country,” said Australia’s Olympic chef de mission, Nick Green. “I think she deserves a lot more respect than she was given.”
So what if Jones packed on a few pounds. Swimmers need to be strong and svelte, not skinny. If fact, it’s kind of a prerequisite if you want to win titles and break records. When will the press leave women alone? Let’s hope the negative attention won’t hinder her performance in London.
Health Canada has recalled involves small plastic toy vehicles made by Green Toys, as the wheels can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
The recall involves the following model numbers:
Although neither Green Toys nor Health Canada have received any reports of incidents or injuries relating to these vehicles, customers are advised to remove the vehicles from children and return them to the retail location for a credit.
For further information, customers may contact the distributor Stortz & Associates Inc. at 1-866-747-4191 or by email at [email protected].
From May 2012 to June 2012, approximately 422 Mini Vehicles were sold in Canada.
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