USDA’s Food Pyramid Replacement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has updated their food recommendation with MyPlate, which is supposed to be a more accurate and easier to follow compared to it’s successors.

History Lesson

First, let’s quickly recap where we have been, so you can better understand – or appreciate? – where we are now. You be the judge.

1956 – The USDA came up with the basic four basic food groups:

•Grains: bread, cereal, rice, pasta

•Protein: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts

•Fruits & Vegetables

•Dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt

1992 – The USDA made some adjustments to the basic four food groups, and even provided a visual for the first time. This version now provides recommendations, which were under a lot of criticism. Some servings were the minimum recommendations, while other servings were the maximum recommendations. It was confusing and not quite accurate.

“The original icon was a bit misleading, e.g., all fats are bad,” said Sara Bleich, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore.

2005 – The USDA revised the dietary recommendations, serving sizes and came up with a new image and called it MyPyramid. This new pyramid even included some stairs on the side of the pyramid with a persona climbing it to promote exercise – in addition to healthy eating.

2011 - USDA came out with MyPlate, which is a very simple visualization of portion size for each of the major food groups.

If you want to get details about daily recommendations and servings, you will have to go to ChooseMyPlate.gov

“Portion size, even of healthy foods, plays a major role in controlling weight and reducing the risk of a number of chronic diseases,” said Marisa Moore, national spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association.

What do you all think of the new MyPlate that’s now available? do you think that it is easier for you to have a balanced diet?

I think it’s nice to see a visual in the form of a plate, but I am not sure that this provides enough detail. What about healthy forms of protein compared to not-so-healthy forms of protein? Apparently the USDA’s website has it, but I didn’t find it to be detailed enough.

I guess that’s what SkinnyTwinkie.com is here for, right?! ; )

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Tags: dairy, food groups, Food Pyramid, fruits, grains, MyPlate, MyPyramid, obesity, proteins, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, vegetables, Weight Loss

Heart Attack Grill: Worst Food in America?

It’s sad to know that there is even such a place as Heart Attack Grill. It’s a fast food restaurant that emphasizes how bad their food is for your health, and rewards you if you are extremely overweight.

Watch the video below. It’s about a six minute clip from Extreme Pigouts, which shows you just how unhealthy this restaurant really is.

Rock Bottom: Inspiration for Heart Attack Grill

Jon (the owner of Heart Attack Grill) used to own three Jenny Craig® Weight Loss Centers. He thought that they would be a good business and that he could help people. He went through a three month training program where he learned about sales and nutrition. Customers came in, and money was good.

Jon wanted to empower his clients, to reach into their lives and “shock them”. He didn’t believe that Jenny Craig® – or any diet program – could be a real lifestyle change. He said that didn’t see a lot of change in people’s lives because they didn’t have a fear that they were one step away from the grave. Because of this shock factor that he wanted to provide to his clients, he wanted to make some changes within the Jenny Craig® model, but it’s not allowed when working under their chain. So what does Jon do? He decided to go against the health industry and opened up the Heart Attack Grill.

Does Heart Attack Grill help it’s customers?

So, what did you think of the video? I don’t know about you, but the above video makes me want to eat sprouts and go for a very, very long run.

Is this the kind of reaction that Jon, the owner of Heart Attack Grill wants? He says he inspires a positive change since he helps clients realize they hit “rock bottom” and need to change their eating habits, but his customers don’t understand health the way you and I do. I’ll prove it.

I watched an interview with one of Heart Attack Grill’s customers. The customer said that he currently weighs 465 pounds and already has had “three or four heart surgeries”, and has lived through a coma. This customer even said that losing weight to feel good is a “sham”. Why does this customer still come to the Heart Attack Grill? This customer explains “just because they say I can’t”.

This is rock bottom. Unfortunately, this customer, along with many others, still doesn’t realize it.

Having to go through heart surgery – multiple times – is no way to live. A coma? No thank you. My plan to live my life to the fullest, doesn’t involve multiple trips to the hospital.

Creating Bad Habits

If you weigh 350 pounds or more, you get to eat for free. Is this really encouraging people to lose weight? For most people, free food is something hard to say “no” to.

Did you know that Jon gives candy cigarrettes to kids in his restaurant? Sadly, the parents don’t seem to have a problem with this.

Is taste really worth dying for?

The restaurant’s spokesman,Blair River, was an obese man who weighed in at 575-pounds. You can see marketing videos of him bragging about his weight, and obviously not caring about the health effects of eating at the Heart Attack Grill. It was all just a big joke for him.

Unfortunately, Blair River died on March 1, 2011 at the age of 29 due to complications from pneumonia. A healthy 29 year old most likely wouldn’t have died from something like pneumonia. Obesity isn’t something to ignore. Loosing a life over something as preventable as obesity isn’t something we should forget about. It’s especially sad to know that Blair River had a daughter that will have to grow up without her father around because of his life choices.

Obesity is a real health concern, and Blair River is an example of how obesity really can lead to an early death. It’s a lifestyle choice that people make, and if this isn’t a slap to the face, I don’t know what will be.

Greasy Food…*Gasp!*…It’s Everywhere!

Before you get too disgusted by the Heart Attack Grill, you need to realize that this isn’t the first place that sold greasy high calorie foods. People easily chow down on several double cheeseburgers, a large pizza, or fried Chinese take out, and it becomes very easy to pack on the calories, sugar, and fat. Portion sizes provided these days are disturbing, and nutrition is not a concern for store owners. Their bottom line is to make money, not provide you with nutrients.

Whenever possible, you should avoid fried foods. If you decide you want to have something like a pizza anyways, stick to just one slice rather than eating the entire thing! If you can, you can even try to make your own healthier pizza at home. Oh, and if you are still hungry after one slice (which you probably will be), fill up your plate with vegetables or fruit.

You have a choice on how you eat everyday. I hope you choose life, and eat to live.

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Image Credits: heartattackgrill.com

Tags: Blair River, fried food, Heart Attack Grill, high calorie, obesity, review

deluxe honeydrop™ Products

I am so excited to introduce to you healthy beverages that are new on the market! Since learning about the company’s origins, USDA Certified Organic products using simple yet beneficial ingredients, and learning how I can make my own adorable custom “bee tee”, I have recently become obsessed with this fabulous new company! The company is called deluxe honeydrop™, and I’m sure you are going to fall in love with their products as much as I have.

How it all started…

Cancer survivor David Luks developed deluxe honeydrop™ during cancer treatments at Sloan Kettering two years ago where he learned about the benefits of an organic lifestyle. With that knowledge, he decided to create a drink from the land, not the lab.

I got the idea for honeydrop in the wake of having survived cancer. One day, my nutritionist handed me an article about honey and honey’s many health benefits. The article explained that honey is a naturally sweet byproduct of pollination that contains antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins.

Like many of us, David realized that the brands that were promoting their use of honey in products were actually using mostly refined (white) sugar. This of course, defeats the purpose of trying to have a healthy beverage.

Luckily for you and me, David decided to create these healthy and delicious beverages for us – without adding sugar, corn syrup, or artificial products.

Healthy Beverages

Currently, deluxe honeydrop™ includes two organic honey infused organic juices and one organic tea. These beverages are comparable to drinks like Vitamin Water – except these are actually good for you. The beverages contain only 40 calories per serving (2 servings per 16.9 oz PBA-free, recycleable bottle) and each bottle has a spoonful of real honey from Brazil.

The flavors include:

Bee Calm – Chamomile, Tea & Honey

Bee Strong – Blueberry & Honey

Bee Alive –    Blood Orange & Honey

Benefits of Honey

Honey protects against obesity and hypertension; it is lower on the glycemic index (64) relative to sugar (100), making it a more ideal sweetener for diabetics.

Honey is also a great alternative for athletes since it contains glucose and fructose; glucose burns slowly for lasting energy, and fructose burns fast for instant energy and performance.

Honey also naturally helps alleviate sore throats, and contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.

I seriously wonder why anyone would anyone want to use processed sugar over honey!

Where to Buy

This is still a relatively new product, so you will want to make sure that you find or request honeydrop™ beverages at your local grocery or health food store!

Right now,  there are 125 Whole Foods stores across the country carrying deluxe honeydrop™ beverages,  with more expansion planned in 2011.

Enjoy the delicious low calorie beverages, and let me know which one is your favorite – I know, hard to choose which one, right?!

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Image credits: honeydrop.com

Tags: antioxident, athlete, bee, beverage, Blood Orange, Blueberry, chamomile, David Luks, deluxe honeydrop™, diabetic, Fructose, glucose, Health, health food store, Healthy, healthy lifestyle, honey, honeydrop™, hypertension, low calorie, minerals, natural sugar, obesity, organic living, processed Sugar, product review, Sore Throat, sugar, sweetener, tea, USDA Organic, vitamins, Whole Foods

Never forget this Important Habit!

Working out on a regular basis is more than a way to lose or maintain weight. It’s a way of life.

Regular Exercise

Working out on a regular basis helps with many things. I will briefly discuss some of the many health benefits of working out on a regular basis:

•Drops  Insulin levels -High Insulin levels are dangerous since it is the root cause of Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, High Cholesterol, etc. Cardiovascular Exercise is a natural way to lower your Insulin levels.

•Treats Type 2 Diabetes - A couple of the possible side-effects of Diabetes is Heart Disease and Kidney Disease. Both are very serious conditions, and exercising on a regular basis (including a healthy diet) can greatly reduce the chances of having Diabetes.

•Lowers Blood Pressure – If you have High Blood Pressure, you are at risk for Heart Attacks, Strokes and even Kidney failure. High Blood Pressure can be caused by poor eating habits, lack of exercise, and abundant amounts of stress. To help lower your Blood Pressure, it is important to eat healthy (every day, not temporary!) and Exercise on a regular basis. I have personally found that when I am stressed, I need to have a good work out or else it will negatively effect my health.

•Lowers Cholesterol – High Cholesterol is dangerous because it is something that is seen after many years of poor eating and the effects can be quite serious. High Cholesterol causes a plaque buildup in your arteries which can lead to Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and Stroke. It was once believed that only those who were overweight suffered from High Cholesterol levels, but you can be “skinny” and still have high cholesterol. Like I have said many times before…the whole point of eating healthy and exercising is to be Healthy, not necessarily “Skinny”, because “Skinny” doesn’t always mean “Healthy”. Focus on what’s important here!

•Prevents Obesity – Being overweight and obese causes some serious health concerns. Many people suffer from Impaired Immune Systems, Liver Disease, Arthritis, Heart Disease, Back or Shoulder Pain, Stroke, Sleep Apnea, High Cholesterol, Cancer, Type 2 Diabetes, and the list goes on. These are all very serious issues that are all very preventable. Eat well and Exercise on a Regular basis!

•Treats Depression – You would be amazed how much exercising can help prevent and treat Depression! When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are a natural feel-good hormone. Ever heard of a “Runner’s High”? Go out for a run (or walk!) and notice how much better you feel! Bottom line: If you want to be Happy, go Exercise!

“I don’t necessarily believe that you need to take expensive medications to solve many health issues.  The root of the problems are usually because your body is lacking proper nutrition and exercise. Your body needs regular exercise, and most people don’t make the time to exercise as often as their body needs it. ”

~Twinkie

Where to Start?

You may not be able to run, but what about walking? If you can’t walk,  what about clapping your hands or moving your feet? You have got to start somewhere.  Stay consistent, and you will notice the results!

The best way to maximize your exercise regime is to have healthy, well-balanced meals. Your body doesn’t want or need processed sugars, fattening or fried foods- no matter how much you are craving them!

Now it’s time to go out and exercise!

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Tags: Anti-Depressant, arthritis, cancer, cholesterol, Depression, exercise, Fitness, Healthy, heart attack, high blood pressure, kidney disease, liver disease, Medication, natural, obesity, running, Skinny, Stroke, Type 2 Diabetes, walking, Weight Loss

Do you really need Health Insurance?

Many people look at Health Insurance and wonder if it is really necessary for them and their family. Unfortunately, most people put it at the bottom of their priority list. In reality, it shouldn’t even be a question whether they should have it or not.

Don’t let money hurt your health

I know too many people that need to go the Doctor to take care of some serious health concerns, but they don’t because they think they can’t afford the trip to the Doctor’s office. I believe there are some things in life that are priceless. Your health is one of them, and a lack of money should never be a reason why you don’t take care of yourself or your family. The cost of Health Insurance is more than worth it for your family’s health.

Buy it before you need it. Yes, Health Insurance costs money. A trip to the Emergency Room without coverage cost even more. In a state of emergency and panic, you don’t want to worry about money.  Make sure you are getting the treatment you really need.

You can avoid the worry in emergency situations by choosing a health plan that you understand, and a deductible that makes sense for you.

Healthy or not- You need it!

Are you already in good health? Whether you are healthy right now or not, you should always strive to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly. This will not only help with the cost of your Insurance premiums, but may also reduce the risk of needing to go to the Doctors for  a serious health concern. Prevention is key!

Do you have a family history of Heart Disease, Cancer, Obesity, High Blood Pressure, etc? If you do, even more reason to maintain a healthy lifestyle and all the more reason to make sure you have Health Insurance – just in case. I know we don’t like thinking about it, but who does? By having Insurance, it can give you and your family some piece of mind.

Cost of not having Insurance

Not having Health Insurance is not worth the risk for yourself or your family. Here are a couple of common procedures, and the cost associated with each – if you don’t have insurance.

•Back Surgery – Do you have a herniated disc like I did? If I had to have surgery, according to surgery-guide.com, it would cost about $8,000. If you need a more complex back surgery, it could cost upwards of $17,000.

•Heart Surgery – The cost can be $20,000 or more.

•Cancer – There are so many different types of cancers. Based on the type of cancer and it’s location in your body, will be a determining factor to the total cost. So what are some people paying for cancer treatments? The cost can be upwards of $200,000 or more without insurance – this would be for the surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, X-Rays, etc.

•Medications – A single pill can be several hundred dollars. Depending on your needs, it can cost $2,500 or more each month to keep taking the pills your Doctor prescribes to you.

•In hospital stay- Need to stay overnight at the hospital? Plan on it costing anywhere from $750 to $2,500 a night.

Help

I am a huge believer of natural healing and preventative care. Sometimes you have to do more (I don’t like to admit it either), but just in case you need the hospital’s help to get you back on your feet, be sure you get the help you need without breaking the bank.

If you are in need of Health Insurance, check out www.explorehealthinsurance.com to see what options are available to you, and find the plan that is best for you and your family.

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Tags: Back Surgery, cancer, Cost, exercise, Healh insurance, Health, Healthy Diet, heart disease, high blood pressure, Hospital, Insurance, Nevada Insured, obesity, Preventative