Davisson Clinic Presents "Preventing the Holiday Feast of Fat"

For the human body the holiday season is even scarier than Halloween. The body wants to run away from the fat, but the human wants to eat that fat because it is just plain tasty. The holiday tradition has always included tables filled with pies, eggnog and candy. People spend hours over the stove making holiday concoctions to fill the tummies of their loved ones. It’s just tradition. The problem is that between Thanksgiving and New Years people consume on average an extra 600 calories per day. Not so good for that diet. Then that same person that consumed an enormous amount of calories will promise to lose it all after Christmas. It might come as a surprise, but no one has to gorge during the holiday season. Food is usually around all year. It might not be peppermint bark time, but surely when someone craves a usual holiday treat they could make it even if it was summertime. There are ways not to fall off the wagon this season.
Why wait until January to begin an exercise routine? Exercise not only will keep off those extra calories, but it will put you in a holly jolly mood. If a routine is started then it will be easier to keep the routine up after the season is over. Face it, everyone is going to indulge in a bit of holiday goodness, but exercising will definitely help combat the urge and the splurge.

Beware of the liquid form of excessive calories. Most people don’t think of liquid as being fattening unless they are slurping down a milkshake. Those fruity swirls of goodness at parties can add up quickly. The sugar in most alcoholic beverages is astounding. The famous holiday drink of eggnog is almost like drinking a cake made of milk, eggs and sugar. With this said going to a party doesn’t mean being forced to drink water. There are low calorie options of most alcoholic beverages as well as hot cocoa made with healthy ingredients.

Almost everyone will give in and have a few treats no matter how healthy they are trying to be. It’s best to decide before attending the event which foods you just cannot live without and which foods you can leave on the table. If you’ve been craving Aunt Ruth’s chocolate pie all year then have a piece of pie. If you spot a new dessert that looks interesting maybe decide to leave it on the table and just eat that piece of pie. Also keep an eye on the serving size. Allowing yourself some extra calories does not mean it’s time to consume half of the candy on the plate. One thing that just might help you is to visualize the ingredients that went into that dessert before it was made. Visualize eating that piece of butter and that handful of sugar. It might not seem so appetizing this way.

At the heart of it the holidays are not about food. Loved ones are the reason for the season so remember this when food seems to make your thoughts a bit hazy. Hang out with those loved ones and enjoy company instead of eating away in a corner. Lingering near the table of goodies certainly won’t do any good. At company parties get to the dance floor and enjoy chit chatting with co-workers.

Just because society says the average American gains between seven and 10 pounds during the holidays does not mean we have to jump on the bandwagon. Now that type of wagon is one that is just fine to fall from during this holiday season!

Davisson Clinic
Diet by Design Weight Loss Center
Dr. Harvey G. Davisson
Dallas, TX

The Truth About Fad Dieting

The truth about obesity is there is no miracle cure. Every single diet demands effort and care. There are so many contradictions out there about what you can and cannot eat and do to lose excess fat. Let's attack some of those thoughts.

Diet must always be combined with exercise. Even on the hCG diet you must exercise for about twenty minutes to further stimulate the metabolism. Cardio does not have to be a strenuous activity each day. It works best by changing it up. This way your body will not burn less calories for the same job done. Interval training of hard exercise followed by periods of rest will help keep that heart rate high. It is as easy as doing a short warm up of five minutes then going at rigorous speed for one minute then slowing down for two minutes. If done in a cycle it helps burn more calories. Women often worry lifting weights will make them bulky. To combat this it is best to do lift small weights with many repetitions. You will burn many more calories when combining lifting weights with cardio activity.

Protein is many people's answer to curbing appetite and building muscle. There are many different types of protein supplements. Some are not the answer to obesity. Many people do not like the taste of protein shakes and supplements; therefore, most companies throw in added sugar and fats to entice flavor. It is best to stick with protein supplements with ten or more grams of protein and read the label to ensure there are not additives.

One of the biggest fads out there is eating less gluten. Gluten is not the bad guy, but it is found in many baked goods that are packed with fat and calories. Taking gluten out of the diet could mean getting less fiber in your body. Fiber is what makes us feel feel longer and keeps our bowel movements regular. It is fine to cut a bit of gluten out of the diet, but make sure you are reading the nutrition labels so you are not losing nutrients.

The hCG diet or Human chorionic gonadotropin hormone is a way many doctors are seeing a successful weight loss program. This diet combines a low-calorie intake with the hCG which burns the fat instead of muscle. This has been successful in most patients to take the weight away and keep it off, but if it is not followed properly the diet can fail. It must be prescription hCG and not just bought off the shelves as well as the dieter needs to be monitored by a physician to ensure it is working properly.

The pattern seems to be that diets will work if you follow the instructions and put the effort into the new lifestyle. The one thing all dieters and doctors can agree on is that losing weight means burning more calories than taking in each day. No, only eating a piece of pie all day does not mean weight loss will occur either! Losing weight and keeping healthy means eating balanced meals to ensure all parts of the body are working together for a greater good.

HCG Diet featured on The Rachael Ray Show

Davisson Clinic Presents "Fatally Fried"

Fried food seems to be conquering the world. State fairs boast of frying everything from bubblegum to chocolate bars. Dieters have been running from the greasy foods produced from frying for years, but many cannot argue they miss the taste of fried chicken and French fries. Inside the grease pan lies health hazards that outweigh the satisfaction of having a taste of crispy fried food.

Many people use trans fats for frying foods because they are less costly than vegetable oils. Trans fats are hydrogenated vegetable oils that can clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease. The oils and fats that are used to fry food contribute almost ten calories per gram to the piece of food being fried. Many also speculate some fried foods lead to cancer. Butylhydroxytoluene, commonly known as BHT, is frequently used by the food industry to prevent rancidity in packaged baked goods. BHT can cause cancer when consumed in high amounts. Frying foods can also form acrylamides, a substance that may increase risk of cancer and nerve damage. When exposed to heat, sugars and an amino acid called asparagine which are both present in potatoes react and form acrylamides. Acrylamide levels of potato chips increase with frying temperature.

The older generation tells stories of basically cooking with lard. There was a big can of Crisco sitting right beside the stove ready for some cooking. These days fried food is cooked in many different unhealthy oils besides Crisco. Many restaurants claim they are using vegetable oil, but most are truly using highly processed trans fat filled soybean oil.

No, state fairs will probably not soar the popularity of grilled bubble gum and chocolate bars, but those trying to eat healthy can try some alternatives to this frying. Breading gives most foods almost the same flavor as frying. All that is needed is rolling the food in breadcrumbs or crackers and then baking it in olive oil. Roasting, steaming, grilling and sautéing are easy ways to give food a kick. If a consumer still misses the crunchy goodness of fried food then drizzling olive oil over food and sticking it in the oven will give it that same feeling.

Eating the creative fried foods at the fairs are just fine in moderation. Sometimes it is hard to resist the newest fad like the fried margarita!

Davisson Clinic Diet by Design Weight Loss Center
Dr. Harvey G. Davisson
Dallas, Texas
http://www.davissonclinicwellness.com

Sodium the Superhero?

Sodium is not the bad guy on the nutrition label. It is merely something used to spruce up the taste of food and works with potassium in the body to regulate the operation of the nervous system. The problem with sodium is that most people eat much more than required which can lead to many health risks.

The average American consumes 3.4 grams of sodium each day. The recommended intake is 2.3 grams per day or one teaspoon of salt. So how can that little salt shaker on the table contribute to such a large number? The answer is not in that little shaker. Sodium is in many foods. Processed foods are essentially high in sodium. Condiments pack a big sodium punch as well. A tablespoon of soy sauce is a hit of 1,000 milligrams of sodium. One tablespoon of ketchup contains 156 milligrams. Surprisingly even canned vegetables, luncheon meats and cheese have high levels of sodium at certain times. When sitting on the shelves vegetables have little sodium, but when they are canned salt is added to increase the shelf life. Processed cheese and cured meats are stuffed with sodium as a way of preserving the life of the food. This means pretty much all fast food and frozen meals have high amounts of sodium.

Again, sodium is essential to the function of the human body, but it is very easy to overindulge. Too much sodium causes the body to retain fluid making the heart work harder than normal. High blood pressure and heart disease can be the outcome. It eventually leads to weight gain from all of the excess fluid. In worst cases all of this can lead to not only heart disease, but strokes and kidney disease.

It is not impossible to eat without a lot of salt. Always taste food before eating it. Many consume dinner after putting a heaping amount of salt on top of it. It does not mean families have to eat organic and make everything from scratch, but eating homemade meals is good for the system. Avoiding processed and packaged foods is the best. Cooking at home will alleviate many of the concerns regarding what is actually in each meal. For those on the go that just do not have time to cook, it is best to study ingredients and read labels before buying the packaged food. There are healthy alternatives to many items on the shelves.

Every new fad and website will tell consumers different things to eat. One will claim this is killing consumers and one will claim that is killing consumers. Eating everything in moderation will help ease the mind of any consumer. Sodium is a good culprit that is only bad once the consumer makes it bad.

Davisson Clinic Diet by Design Weight Loss Center
Dallas, Texas
http://www.davissonclinicwellness.com

Have Yourself A Healthy Holiday Season

Halloween is quickly becoming overshadowed by Christmas. What, you don’t believe me? These days the store aisles are already beginning to fill with Christmas décor. It is as if the commercialization of Christmas starts earlier and earlier each year. Maybe this is why between Halloween and New Years the average person gains seven to 12 pounds! Halloween gets the ball rolling with candy then Thanksgiving keeps it rolling with those goodies surrounding the Turkey Day feast then you are just rolling downhill as the holiday season is filled with amazing desserts at every small holiday bash. In order not be a statistic start now to ensure you won’t be a turtle on your back in a chocolate filled pool after Christmas.

If you plan on giving candy out this Halloween choose candy you just do not enjoy. If you are a big time chocolate lover then choose candy corn. Give big handfuls of candy to the trick-or-treaters so you will not have leftovers. You must realize healthier might not mean fewer calories. It might have fewer calories, but what about the sugar and carbohydrates? Lower carbs usually means more calories. There is no miracle candy that is going to actually be good for you no matter what the label says to lure you in; however, there are lower calorie treats that are better choices. Licorice, gummy bears, mints and popcorn are all treats that could work for you.
As you dream of sugarplums dancing in your head make a plan to defeat the dreams. The small bites taken of pies, cookies and candy will soar calories through the roof. Make you sure set aside small portions if you really want those desserts. If you do dive into the sugar bowl do not close the door on the plan. Everyone gets off track because we are kidding ourselves if we think we can run from the amazing taste of sugar and butter forever. It can be as easy as taking a walk to burn a few extra calories to get back on track.

It is best to get your fitness on track during this time because once the New Year rolls around people will be jumping on the bandwagon and clogging the gyms. They have put off the goals you have right now. The gyms will be less crowded right now, too! Remember you can have what you want in moderation. Eat a slice of pie instead of three slices of pie. Yes, it tastes yummy, but that holiday dress will certainly not look as good at the Christmas party!

Keep your eye on the prize. The prize being your health and well being. Don’t let Halloween scare you into the spiraling haunted house of calories.

Davisson Clinic
Diet by Design Weight Loss Center
12900 Preston Rd. Suite 1250, Dallas, TX 7523
972.918.0000
http://davissonclinicwellness.com

A Healthy Halloween

Halloween should just be called National Candy Day. As a child don't you remember dumping the bags of candy on the floor sifting through just trying to find the best candy? It sounds so wonderful and comforting, but that candy is full of calories and sugar. Even the sugar free kinds could be discomforting to your tummy. (Who gives sugar free candy to trick-or-treaters anyway?!!) Don't kid yourself; You know some of that chocolate is going to be eaten... by you. It doesn't have to ruin your diet.

The worst thing to do is to save up calories all day to just pig out later on candy. It's about pacing yourself and not pigging out. Start with a workout if possible. You can burn off some calories and ease your mind for the intake later. Eat normally throughout the day so you are not too excited to jump into the pile of candy. Make a pact with yourself that you will only indulge in a certain number of candy bars. That might take a little willpower, but it will save you from feeling really bad later.

Trick-or-treaters moan and groan about the house giving away toothpaste or apples. One day they will be rejoicing that they didn't eat pounds of chocolate every year though! If you really want to stay away from the sugar high be the boring house on the block. Give out the healthy stuff like nuts, raisins and dried fruit. Atleast then you are not left with candy staring at you once the doorbell stops ringing. Don't let the sugar free candy fool you either. Yes, it is "better" for you, but the ingredients often give people an upset stomach and cramps. Throwing back a wad of sugar free candy won't taste as good anyway so it just might not be worth it!

It doesn't help if you have kids and they come in with bags and bags of candy. Kids on a sugar high on the school night of Halloween might mean a long night! It's the kids' loot so you do want to save it for them throughout the weeks to come, but how do you stay away from it? The best thought is to freeze it or just get it out of your sight. If you freeze it then when you see it and get excited your mind must then remember you have to let it thaw and then eat it which will take hours. Yes, hopefully your excitement will fade by the time it would be thawed. Keep the house stocked with healthy snacks so you know there is always an alternative.

Now we get to the worst case scenario. You give in and eat the loot of candy. The healthy way of eating is not ruined forever. Some call it a food hangover! Getting back on track means a few days of healthy eating. Vegetables and greens will help settle your stomach and flush the toxins out of your body.

Halloween is a fun day filled with candy and costumes. The costumes go back in the closet after Halloween, but the candy just turns next into pies and cookies for the holidays. Making smart decisions will help keep those calories at bay and keep you on the right track. Remember a few pieces of candy never hurt anyone, but a load of candy is just a monster filled with calories and sugar!

Davisson Clinic Diet by Design Weight Loss Center
Dallas, Texas
http://www.davissonclinicwellness.com