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June 2016 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
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Commercial Diet Claims
Do your research, consult your doctor before choosing one
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
Americans as a group are overweight, even obese. According to an
article in Medical News Today, obesity
rates in Mississippi and Alabama were
above 30 percent while in other states
the rate was over 25 percent. Another
study says the United States ranks last
in preventable deaths in industrialized
nations. Researchers believe many of
these deaths were due to poor nutrition throughout life and a lack of
exercise.
What is a healthy diet? Medical
News Today (MNT) says healthy eating means consuming the right quantities of food from all the food groups
in order to lead a healthy life. A good
diet, says MNT, is part of a nutritionally sound lifestyle promoting good
health and must include a number
of food groups because no one food
group can do it all.
When we eat matters, too, says
MNT. A big breakfast is better than a
bigger meal later in the day. A breakfast
containing about 700 calories is better
for losing weight and lowering the risk
of developing heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Some people turn to commercial
diets to help them lose weight. Most
of these diets offer what is considered
a healthy eating plan by including a
balance of all the food groups, namely
whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, dairy, fat and sugar. Plant-based
diets minimize or completely eliminate
many people’s genetic propensity to
developing chronic diseases and conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and certain
cancers. Some examples of commercial diets include:
1. Weight Watchers.
This is one of the most popular
diets available. It assigns a point to different foods, but many fruits and vegetables are free of points. Fiber foods
have fewer points and higher starchy
foods a much higher point value.
Weight Watchers offers for sale “power
foods” that are touted as adding satiety
while also being low fat and low carb.
Exercise is encouraged; it earns points,
too, which may be used to trade for
food items of your choice. The cost is
standard for the initial payment plan
but with the adding of a coach and
24/7 chats, the cost is about $55 per
month.
2. Jenny Craig.
This diet falls within accepted
ranges for fats, proteins and carbs.
The food is supplied and restricted in
calories. You get a personalized meal
and exercise plan. There is also a plan
for people with diabetes that helps
lower A1C.
3. Ornish Diet.
This diet lays out a plan for strict
nutrition, exercise, stress management and emotional support. It can
be adjusted to allow for big changes to
reverse heart disease and some other
chronic diseases in addition to losing
weight. The diet definitely has cardiovascular benefits.
4. Mayo Clinic Diet.
This diet earns good marks for
healthy eating and may be used as a
tool against diabetes.
5. The Mediterranean Diet.
This is a popular diet for people
who eat lots of fruits and vegetables,
olive oil, fish and other sensible fare.
This diet is one of the best.
Other popular diets include the
South Beach Diet, DASH Diet, TLC
Diet, the Raw Food Diet, the Atkins
Diet, the Zone Diet, the Vegetarian
Diet and the Vegan Diet. Thoroughly
research the pros and cons of any
commercial diet before committing
to it. Be sure to consult your doctor
before starting any diet or exercise
program.
For more information, visit www.
medicalnewstoday.com.
About the Author
Jean is a RN with an MSN from the
University of Cincinnati and a freelance
writer. She is a staff writer for Living Well
60 Plus and Health and Wellness magazines. Jean is preparing to publish her
first book, a novel entitled “The Journey
Toward Healing.”
Some people turn
to commercial
diets to help them
lose weight.