5 Foods A Woman Should NEVER Eat- Diet Blog

5 Foods A Woman Should NEVER Eat- Diet Blog

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New Hungry Girl Shopping list now out

If you are not familiar with Hungry-girl.com get on her mailing list. This site is excellent and offers great tips, product reviews and recipes. Lisa just posted a new and improved shopping list so go get it.

The Official Hungry Girl Supermarket List is one of THE most requested items in HG land. And we're constantly updating it to bring you the latest and greatest supermarket picks in one easy-to-use, super-deluxe list. And this version right here is one of our FAVORITES. So enjoy...

Hungry Girl is a cool Weight Watchers chick and posts points on her recipes. I like her recipe makeovers a lot.

Olive Garden low fat entree - Venetian Apricot Chicken

Today a friend and I were out and stopped at Olive Garden for lunch. We had planned to just do the soup, salad and breadsticks, but since it was a weekend and around 3 the special wasn't going on so we ordered real food.

I will admit that I have a bit of a weakness for Italian sausage and I wanted to check out the Zuppa Toscana soup and asked my server if he knew how many calories it had. He came back with a sheet with the nutrition information guide which gave the calorie, fat, sodium and carb breakdown for pretty much their entire menu. Unfortunately there are not fiber listings on the sheet so I cannot accurately figure the weight watcher points for Olive Garden, but here are the calories and fat for the soup and salad offerings at Olive Garden:

• Chicken and Gnocchi soup - 250 calories and 8 grams of fat
• Pasta e Fagiiolo Soup - 130 calories and 2.5 grams of fat
• Minestrone - 100 calories and 4 grams of fat (2 WW points)
• Zuppa Toscana - 170 calories and 4 grams of fat
• Salad without dressing - 120 calories and 3.5 grams of fat
• Salad with dressing - 350 calories and 27 grams of fat
• Grilled Chicken Caesar salad - 850 calories and 64 grams of fat!!!!

Yes, that was 64 grams of fat for a freaking salad. I love those and they don't love me. LOL.
btw - the breadsticks are 3 points each and so addicting.

I ordered one of the lowest calorie entrees on the menu, the Venetian Apricot Chicken. It was quite yummy and is listed as having 280 calories, 3 grams of fat and 32 carbs. Definitely worth a taste next time you go to Olive Garden. With most of the entrees hovering around four figures for the calories, I feel that I found gold. Just be careful to not be taken in by the breadsticks. Oh, and order water with a slice of lemon to drink (and maybe a free taste of wine too). All together I think I used up about 10 points at Olive garden, including a couple of breadsticks I couldn't resist. Not too bad for a meal out, though.

For more WW points for Olive Garden and other restaurants, visit Health Discovery.

How to Lose Weight by Eating More

by Tommy Galen of Happy Universe

The reason diets don’t work is because we associate pain with food deprivation. Diet equals hunger, and hunger is pain. How could anyone succeed on a diet when pain is the result? Luckily, there is another way. After losing 40 pounds, I can testify that it works. The trick: Eat More! [Read the rest at Dumb Little Man]

The world hates fat people

Although I don't consider myself fat (just slightly soft), it seems that the world wants heavy people to pay more. We saw this with the airlines and their encroachment issues. They pack us in like sardines and then tell us that we're taking up too much space. Geez... Build airline seats for the average adult, not child.

Another thing I ran into is life insurance. I am shopping and trying to get a quote and found that depending on my weight, I may fall into another rate. Do I really need to lose 5 pounds for their fricken underwriter? I wonder how fat he is. The world sometimes seems so cruel....

The FDA shit-list

I ran across this recent consumer alert from the FDA regarding diet products that the FDA deems as unsafe. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01977.html

FDA News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2009

Consumer Inquiries:
888-INFO-FDA

FDA Uncovers Additional Tainted Weight Loss Products
Agency alerts consumers to the finding of new undeclared drug ingredients

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expanding, for the second time, its nationwide alert to consumers about tainted weight loss products containing undeclared, active pharmaceutical ingredients.

The FDA has identified additional weight loss products (Herbal Xenicol, Slimbionic, and Xsvelten) and new undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients (fenproporex, fluoxetine, furosemide, and cetilistat). The current list now includes the following 72 products:

2 Day Diet
Fatloss Slimming
Slim 3 in 1 M18 Royal Diet
2 Day Diet Slim Advance
GMP
Slim 3 in 1 Slim Formula
2x Powerful Slimming
Herbal Xenicol
Slim Burn
3 Day Diet
Imelda Fat Reducer
Slim Express 4 in 1
3 Days Fit
Imelda Perfect Slim
Slim Express 360
3x Slimming Power
JM Fat Reducer
Slim Fast*
5x Imelda Perfect Slimming
Lida DaiDaihua
Slim Tech
7 Day Herbal Slim
Meili
Slim Up
7 Days Diet
Meizitang
Slim Waist Formula
7 Diet
Miaozi MeiMaoQianZiJiaoNang
Slim Waistline
7 Diet Day/Night Formula
Miaozi Slim Capsules
Slimbionic
8 Factor Diet
Natural Model
Sliminate
Eight Factor Diet
Perfect Slim
Slimming Formula
21 Double Slim
Perfect Slim 5x
Somotrim
24 Hours Diet
Perfect Slim Up
Starcaps
999 Fitness Essence
Phyto Shape
Super Fat Burner
BioEmagrecim
Powerful Slim
Superslim
Body Creator
ProSlim Plus
Super Slimming
Body Shaping
Reduce Weight
Trim 2 Plus
Body Slimming
Royal Slimming Formula
Triple Slim
Cosmo Slim
Sana Plus
Venom Hyperdrive 3.0
Extrim Plus
Slim 3 in 1
Waist Strength Formula
Extrim Plus 24 Hour Reburn
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Formula
Xsvelten
Fasting Diet
Slim 3 in 1 Extra Slim Waist Formula
Zhen de Shou

* This product should not be confused with the line of meal replacement and related products that are marketed as conventional foods under the brand name “Slim-Fast®”. The manufacturer of Slim-Fast®, Unilever United States, Inc., maintains that the Slim Fast product which appears on this list is not in any way associated with, sponsored or approved by, or otherwise related in any way to the Slim-Fast® brand of meal replacement and related products.

“These tainted weight loss products pose a great risk to public health because they contain undeclared ingredients and, in some cases, contain prescription drugs in amounts that greatly exceed maximum recommended dosages,” said Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. “Consumers have no way of knowing that these products contain dangerous drugs that could cause serious consequences to their health.”

On Dec. 22, 2008, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or consume 28 different products marketed for weight loss. On Jan. 8, 2009, the FDA expanded the list of tainted weight loss products to include 41 additional tainted products. The FDA will continue to update this list as warranted.

The products listed above, some of which are marketed as dietary supplements, are promoted and sold on various Web sites and in some retail stores and beauty salons. Some of the products claim to be “natural” or to contain only “herbal” ingredients, but actually contain potentially harmful ingredients not listed on the products' labels or in promotional advertisements. These products have not been approved by the FDA, are illegal, and include the following undeclared active pharmaceutical ingredients:

* sibutramine (an appetite suppressant available by prescription only and a controlled substance)
* fenproporex – a controlled substance not approved for marketing in the United States;
* fluoxetine – an antidepressant available by prescription only;
* bumetanide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
* furosemide – a potent diuretic available by prescription only;
* rimonabant – a drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
* cetilistat – an experimental obesity drug not approved for marketing in the United States;
* phenytoin – an anti-seizure medication available by prescription only; and
* phenolphthalein – a solution used in chemical experiments and a suspected cancer-causing agent that is not approved for marketing in the United States.

The FDA has inspected a number of companies associated with the sale of these illegal products and is currently seeking product recalls. Based on the FDA’s inspections and the companies’ inadequate responses to recall requests, the FDA may take additional enforcement steps, such as issuing warning letters or initiating seizures, injunctions, or criminal charges.

The FDA advises consumers who have used any products containing these ingredients to stop taking them and consult their health care professional immediately. The FDA also encourages consumers to seek guidance from a health care professional before purchasing weight loss products.

The health risks posed by these products can be very serious and include high blood pressure, seizures, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), palpitations, heart attack, and stroke. Sibutramine, a controlled substance, was found in many of these products at levels much higher than the maximum daily dosage for Meridia, the only FDA-approved drug product containing sibutramine. These higher levels of sibutramine can increase the incidence and severity of these health risks. Fenproporex, another controlled substance, can cause arrhythmia and possible sudden death.

Health care professionals and consumers should report serious adverse events (side effects) or product quality problems to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail, fax or phone.

* Online: www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm


Information on these products for consumers and health care professionals can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/weight_loss_products.htm

To learn more about the FDA’s initiative against unapproved drugs see the FDA’s Compliance Policy Guide at: http://www.fda.gov/cder/Guidance/6911fnl.htm.

For drug safety information, see: FDA's Drug Safety Initiative.

Chugging right along (not!)

I am really having a difficult time in maintaining my weight loss. I stopped going to my Weight Watchers meetings a few months ago because of the cost. I lost my lifetime status (they only allow you to gain 2 pounds to stay free) and I had other pressing issues for my money, like taking ukulele lessons and my son's therapy for his autism.

Not only did the WW meetings get cut, but going down to the salad bar and buying my lunch stopped. That five to seven bucks a day was a treat I could no longer afford, so I started taking frozen entrees to work most of the time. I do go out maybe once every week or two if I can find a two for one coupon and split the cost with a friend. Seven bucks for a salad is too much. I used to be able to get it for five dollars just a few short months ago. Food prices seem to be going through the roof, both for groceries and eating out.

I don't know what it is with salt, but now I seem to crave it constantly since I've been eating those high sodium TV dinners. Most of them have like 700 mg of sodium. I get home and want nuts or chips or some kind of salty munchie every day. I know that's not helping my weight situation any, but a stalk of celery has no appeal to me whatsoever.

You know, you would think that losing weight would be so cheap because you are eating less food, but it is one of the most expensive things I have come across in my life. The programs, the foods, health clubs and exercise equipment, and on it goes. Despite all the costs, it really only comes down to you making it happen. All diets work if you work them, but there is no magic bullet. You are the one who makes the choices. Nobody is stuffing food in your mouth. That is something we do to ourselves. We know how we are supposed to eat and that we need to exercise to lose weight. Knowing it and doing it are two different things altogether.

Time to get back to doing what we need to do to lose weight. Two pounds a week or bust.

5 Ways to Cut Back on Saturated Fat

Here are some great tips from eatbetteramerica.com


The American Heart Association recommends that we limit saturated fat—to about 7% of calories. Here’s how to reduce sat fat in your diet:

1. Healthy Heart - Eating less saturated fat (from meats and high fat dairy foods) is a key step you can take to help lower blood cholesterol for heart health.

2. Sat Fat Sense - To reduce the saturated fat in your diet, think "liquid": use oils instead of solid fats like butter or shortening.

3. Focus on Fats - Canola, soybean and olive oils are good fats to use for stir-frying, cooking and some baking because they have less sat fat than many other options.

4. Up with Unsat Fat - Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats from olives, nuts and avocados may help lower blood cholesterol. But fats are high in calories so keep portions small.

5. Down-Size - Cut meat amounts in chilis and casseroles in half to cut down on saturated fat which can raise blood cholesterol. Add beans for extra protein and fiber instead. Or, go meatless a few times each week.

I am the coupon queen!

Yesterday we went grocery shopping at Dominicks, the regular grocery store instead of shopping at Sam's Club or Food4Less where we generally shop for food. I wanted to drop by Dominicks to make a deposit at the bank and just to pick up some items on sale. I decided to do my homework first.

I looked at their website to see if there was anything I should pick up on sale while I was there. They had 93% ground beef on sale for $1.89 and a few other things I wanted to pick up on sale. I saw that I could make a grocery shopping list from their online weekly ad and so I did that. They had a coupon section where I could load coupons into my club card and not have to use paper coupons, they also had printable coupons, and a link to Proctor & Gamble brand savers, which I joined. I also visited upromise and coupons.com and sites of products which were on the shopping list that I didn't find a coupon for already such as Progresso soup and found coupons around the web. We also picked up a Sunday paper. Clipped and loaded, I was ready to go shopping.

With all the coupons in hand, it did take a bit longer to shop. We filled the cart with mostly sale items and proceeded to the checkout hoping for the best. I've done this type of thing to a lesser degree before and have saved $20-$30 at the store. I was expecting at least $60 off the bill. When the total came to nearly $330, I was a little anxious, thinking we bought too much stuff. I handed the checker my handful of coupons taken off the web and a couple of coupons that were on packages. Those totaled $8.10 (a bit disappointing). Then he swiped my loyalty card. The total started falling... and falling ... and falling. I said come on ... please get it under $200 and lo and behold, the total went down to $199.49. Whew! Oh, and I also earned United miles, gas credits and money towards my daughter's college fund.

I saved $121.78 on groceries (nearly 40%).

Try this sometime. Doing the prep work really pays off.

Kat
the coupon queen

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

All the ads promise miraculous results.... lose tons of weight really fast. In reality, most people should only strive to lose about a pound to two pounds per week. Knowing that eating 3500 more calories than you burn adds up to a pound, cutting 500 to 1000 calories a day along with adding exercise should help you reach this goal. You should, however, not eat below about 1200 calories per day. That is not healthy and can slow down your metabolism. Don't starve yourself. Eat healthier foods with high fiber, protein and water content. These are the things that help you feel satisfied. Good luck.

New Year ... New You

It is a fresh new year and a time to restart your commitment to getting back into shape. Not every diet works for everyone so you have to find the plan that you are most comfortable with and make a strong commitment inside yourself to reach your weight loss goals. Whether you are trying to lose 10 pounds or 50 pounds, it all depends on YOU and what YOU do. It is a lifestyle choice.

Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that weight loss is as easy as taking a pill. Sure, there are diet aids that can boost your metabolism or block fat absorption in your body, such as Alli, but at what cost... and for how long. There is no magic pill. You still need to diet and exercise to lose weight. If you wish to take weight off and keep it off, you have to burn at least as many calories as you take in and to lose weight you need to burn more. It is as simple as that. May 2009 be your most successful weight loss year ever!

Yogurt Parfait

Yogurt Parfait

1.5 cups of Yogurt
2 Tbsp. Of honey
.5 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup sliced strawberries
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh raspberries
4 tsp. Of low fat granola

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, honey and vanilla extract. Beat with an electric mixer until fluffy and smooth. Place strawberries evenly among four dishes. Divide blueberries among 4 dishes and top each with 3 tablespoons of yogurt. Divide raspberries among 4 dishes and top each with remaining yogurt mixture. Garnish with teaspoon of the granola.

All I want for Christmas is a Gazelle

Just in time for the Holidays. 10% off all products!! . Great gift ideas. Some items have a limited quantity so order today.

debate

Teetering on the edge

Sometimes I get so disgusted with myself. All I have to do is maintain my weight and stay under 140 pounds in order to sustain my lifetime status in Weight Watchers and attend the meetings for free. I blew it this week, but I am right at the edge. I really should be able to turn this thing around but I am wanting to eat all the time and I am finding it nearly impossible to stay around 18 points per day. Who can live on that without eating only bunny food?

This weekend is going to be especially challenging as I will be away from home at a con and eating out a lot. I'm thinking that if I bring in some healthy snacks such as fruit to keep in my room and try to stick to salads most of the time, I should do OK. There is a lot of temptations around though.

Weight Watchers points on Peapod

I just put in an order at Peapod for the first time in several months and discovered a great new feature called Nutrifilter. It allows you to set dietary restrictions and will display related information to help you make the best choices for your particular situation. I chose Weight Watchers so now on most of the products the calculations are done and a little box appears with the points value per serving. Let me tell you, this is really cool. I know many products already have points listed, but those are generally frozen entrees such as Smart Ones and Lean Cuisine. This gives you so much more for all product categories.

Weight Watchers is not the only option. You can choose peanut-free, gluten-free, high fiber, low-sodium, etc. One day I may look at a gluten-free/Casein-free diet for my son and this will be very helpful. Peapod started in the Chicago area and has since expanded to other regions. It is a wonderful service. I love to order from Peapod when I need to re-stock my heavy stuff, like laundry detergent, bottled water and canned goods.Check it out.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

This just out from hungry-girl.com:
Tomato Alert!!!

Wondering what to make of this whole tomato salmonella fiasco? Here's the scoop. The FDA is recommending that people do NOT eat raw red Roma tomatoes, raw red plum tomatoes, raw red round tomatoes, or products containing them (unless said tomatoes have been grown and harvested in select areas listed on the FDA website). Restaurants and grocery stores have been advised not to serve or sell these tomatoes, as well. Tomatoes not associated with this salmonella scare are cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home. For more information on this, click here for the latest updates. FYI, experts say simply washing your tomatoes really well is NOT enough to get rid of the contamination, and the FDA does not recommend cooking these tomatoes either. So stick with those tomato types not associated with the outbreak -- at least for the time being!

Checking in

I'm finally over my horrendous cold that just about killed me for two weeks and now my guy has it. He did teach me how to make homemade lime juice today though. He had picked up a gizmo somewhere along the line that looked sort of like a thick ice cream scoop. I had played with the thing but it made no sense because it seemed like the holes were on the wrong side and I squirted lime juice all over. The way to do it is to put the round end of the lime against the round part of the juicer and squeeze the tool to flatten that lime. It is pretty cool and kind of like squeezing a garlic press. Apparently this type of juicer is popular in Mexico and Latin America. We juiced two limes per glass of water. Yummers!

It's hard to eat when your throat is sore

It is now less than a week until my friends wedding where I will slip into the little satin halter dress to be the maid of honor. Unfortunately, I feel like hell. I woke up several times in pain last night and felt like I had been choking down razor blades. Not fun. So today my diet pretty much consists of hot tea (Moroccan mint organic green tea) and chicken soup. I'm feeling somewhat better now because I've been gargling vinegar and warm salt water every couple of hours. This works like magic and is used by opera singers, or so I've heard. It tastes horrible, but it works like nothing I've seen. If you try this remedy, be sure to rinse your mouth with clean water afterwards as the vinegar is hard on tooth enamel.

Walking off the Weight ... for Autism

My family and I are participating in Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism to raise money and awareness of autistic disorders. My son has PDD-NOS and it is very difficult to understand his condition and get him the help he needs. Please help if you can. Thanks.