Archive for the ‘Weight Loss’ Category

Snack Your Way to Thin

Friday, August 13th, 2010

Here’s a fun fact for you: Eating actually burns calories. It’s no joke—5 to 15 percent of your daily energy expenditure is used digesting, absorbing, and storing the food you eat. It’s called diet-induced thermogenesis and it’s one of the reasons why smart snacking throughout the day can actually help you burn fat and lose weight.

Notice I said “smart” snacking. The types of foods you chose can make or break your diet. To help take the guesswork out of healthy snacking, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorites. Bon appétit!

Almonds. Nuts are one of the best snack foods around, and almonds top the list when it comes to health benefits. When hunger strikes eat ¼ cup of these raw or dry roasted, unsalted nuts. You’ll fill up and get plenty of heart-healthy magnesium and vitamin E to boot!

Edamame. Just ½ cup of these little soybeans provides 8 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Better still, you’re eating just under 100 calories.

Celery With Peanut Butter. A stick of celery with a tablespoon or so of peanut butter combines fiber and protein for the perfect between-meal treat. Almond butter makes a nice substitution as well.

Cottage Cheese. A quarter cup of low-fat cottage cheese with chopped tomatoes, bell peppers, or a little salsa tossed in makes a wonderful snack. The cottage cheese provides the lean protein you need to stay satisfied and adding the fiber-rich veggies helps spruce up this otherwise bland snack. 

Hard-Boiled Egg. If you’re looking for a low-carb, protein-rich snack, a hard-boiled egg fits the bill. At just under 80 calories, this snack will curb your appetite and help trim your waistline.

Snack-Size Protein Shake. A small portion of a meal replacement protein shake can make a great snack. Just aim for around 7-10 grams of protein and blend your shake with low-glycemic berries for added fiber.

Reduced Fat Cheese. A one-ounce portion of reduced fat cheese (the size of a pair of dice) gives you 6-7 grams of protein at around 80 calories. One of my favorites is string cheese. It’s tasty and easy to take with you for a snack on the run.

Vegetables With Hummus or Ranch Dip. Cut up some fresh broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, snap peas, bell pepper strips, or cauliflower flowerets and dip them in a little hummus or light ranch dip. The calorie count of the veggies is low, plus they are full of stick-to-your-ribs fiber. Two tablespoons of hummus contains about 60 calories while the ranch dip has about 80.

To learn more about smart snacking and weight loss in general, check out my book, The Whitaker Wellness Weight Loss Program.

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Simple Steps for Boosting Metabolism

Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Metabolism refers to the breakdown and processing of nutrients from the foods we eat and their transformation into energy. Metabolic rate, which differs from person to person, is influenced by a number of factors, such as genetics, body composition, hormones, and gender.

If you have a fast metabolic rate, you’re one of the lucky ones who can eat whatever you want without gaining a pound. However, a sluggish metabolism can make weight loss and even maintaining normal weight an epic battle. But even if you haven’t been blessed with a perky metabolic rate, there are several steps you can take to boost your metabolism naturally. Here are some of my favorites.

Exercise: You probably know that your metabolism shifts into high gear while you are exercising. But did you know that your metabolic rate remains elevated even after you kick off your walking shoes and collapse on the sofa? Studies have shown that regular exercise resets your body’s thermostat for hours after you stop exercising—which is precisely what you want. Shoot for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate activity, most days of the week.

H2O: Water is a crucial element for sustaining all the body’s processes. It also acts as a natural appetite suppressant. You should drink at least eight, eight-ounce glasses of pure, filtered water each day. Try drinking a glass before each meal as well. This aids in appetite control and helps keep you hydrated.

Eat Less, Eat More Often: When you eat less, the body burns those calories for fuel. If you gorge yourself, excess calories are stored as fat. Consuming smaller meals more often throughout the day gives you a steady stream of energy and allows your metabolism to stay engaged.

Green Tea: Green tea is a natural, mild thermogenic agent that can be taken as a pre-meal beverage or supplement. I recommend green tea instead of strong stimulants, which can raise blood pressure and heartbeat, alter heart rhythm, and cause nervousness and insomnia in some people. Drink one cup of green tea or take 100 mg of a standardized green tea extract, one to three times daily, before meals.

Check Your Thyroid: If you are following a healthy diet and exercise plan, using the metabolism boosters mentioned above, and still not losing weight, you may need to take a look at your thyroid function. If you exhibit other symptoms of hypothyroidism—fatigue, cold hands and feet, dry skin, hair loss, constipation—talk to your doctor about a trial of natural thyroid.

Posted in Diet, Foods That Heal, Thyroid, Weight Loss, Wellness | No Comments »

Are Beverages Busting Your Diet?

Friday, June 11th, 2010

If you’re making proper food choices and exercising in an effort to lose weight, but still aren’t seeing results, it might be time to take a serious look at what you’re drinking. New research suggests that what you suck through that straw may be sabotaging your efforts.

A recent study found that Americans consume more than 450 calories each day from beverages alone. And, if you don’t burn off those calories, you could gain an astounding 23 pounds per year. But sometimes it’s hard to gauge just how many calories we’re drinking. To shed some light on this, I’ve compiled a list of common beverages and their calorie counts.

Water (8 oz.) — 0 calories
Tea, unsweetened (6 oz.) — 2 calories
Coffee, black (6 oz.) — 3 calories
Low-Sodium V8 Juice (8 oz.) — 50 calories
Gatorade (8 oz.) — 50 calories
Light Beer (12 oz.) — 95 calories
Wine (5 oz.) — 102 calories
Orange Juice (8 oz.) — 107 calories
Milk, 2 % (8 oz.) — 113 calories
Grape Juice (8 oz.) — 138 calories
Beer (12 oz.) — 139 calories
Non-Diet Soda (12 oz.) — 150 calories

When it comes to imbibing your favorite beverages, beyond knowing the number of calories they contain there are a few other things to look out for. For instance, coffee may sound like a great choice at 3 calories per serving. But when you dump in cream, sugar, and flavored syrups, this healthy drink becomes a nightmare. One case in point: A 16-ounce, white chocolate peppermint mocha from Starbucks contains a waist-busting 470 calories!

Don’t forget about serving sizes either. Gatorade, for example, may only contain 50 calories per serving. But that 50 calories refers to an 8-ounce portion and most bottles contain two to four servings. You also shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that switching to sugar-free or diet versions is an option. This may be appealing calorie-wise, but these drinks are loaded with chemicals and additives and, therefore, in my opinion, have no place in a healthy diet.

So, what do I recommend? First and foremost, drink plenty of clean, filtered water. Aim for 64 ounces each day. If you are bored with plain water, try Perrier or another sparkling mineral water with a zest of lemon or lime. Tea, with its myriad health benefits, can also be consumed at will. And coffee drinkers can feel free to enjoy a few cups a day. Just remember, if you are going to sweeten your coffee or tea, use natural sweeteners such as stevia or xylitol and forego the calorie-dense creamers.

When it comes to juice, the only one I give my patients is Low-Sodium V8 Juice. It’s packed with potassium and lycopene, and has been demonstrated to support healthy blood pressure levels. If you choose to drink alcohol, make it one drink per day. The calories in beer, wine, and mixers can add up, plus, the benefits of alcohol only apply to moderate drinking.

Cheers!

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New Therapy at Whitaker Wellness

Thursday, May 20th, 2010

I’m always on the lookout for new therapies that will benefit our patients at the Whitaker Wellness Institute. When I find something that makes the grade—whether it’s a nutritional supplement, noninvasive treatment or dietary modification—we add it to our treatment protocols.

I want to tell you about our latest addition. It’s a time-honored therapy that has been proven to be effective in clinical trials, yet is completely ignored by conventional physicians. It’s fasting.

Abstaining from food for a few days to a few weeks has numerous—and enduring—benefits. The body is able to get rid of excess sodium and accumulated fluids, resulting in reductions in edema and dramatic lowering of blood pressure. The copious amounts of water you drink during a fast flushes out toxins, making it the best of all detox regimens.

Fasting gives your digestive system a break, which leads to improvements not only in chronic gastrointestinal problems but also in allergies and autoimmune disorders, which are often related to leaky gut syndrome. In addition, fasting provides substantial benefits for patients with diabetes. It improves insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, promotes weight loss, and facilitates the adaptation to a healthier lifestyle after the fast ends.

Fasting is best done in a medically supervised environment, such as the Whitaker Wellness Institute. During your treatment program at the clinic, you will be closely monitored by our professional staff, undergo other therapies for your specific condition, and attend educational activities that will help you stay on track once you leave the clinic.

I personally underwent a five-day fast several months ago, during which I lost 21 pounds, my blood pressure and blood sugar decreased, and my cholesterol and triglycerides improved. The first two days were tough—I was definitely grumpy and irritable. But after I got over the hump, I felt better than I had in years. Best of all, the strides I made during that short fast have endured, and as an added bonus, I find that sticking to a good diet and avoiding salty, sugary foods is now much easier than before. 

If you have diabetes, hypertension, obesity, an autoimmune disease, or digestive issues, I encourage you to look into this remarkable therapy.

Posted in Diet, Nutritional Supplements, Uncategorized, Weight Loss, Wellness | No Comments »

Low Thyroid Getting You Down?

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Are you tired and sluggish? Is your weight a constant struggle? Do you have problems with dry skin, cold hands and feet, depression, or constipation? Then you may well have hypothyroidism. Low thyroid function affects one in 10 Americans and up to one in five older women. Yet this very common condition often goes undiagnosed. 

When it is diagnosed, most doctors write a prescription for Synthroid (levothyroxin). This, in my opinion, is bad medicine. Although the thyroid produces a number of hormones, Synthroid is a synthetic version of just one of them (T4). At Whitaker Wellness, we use only natural hormone replacement, and that includes natural thyroid, which contains the full spectrum of thyroid hormones. Although some people do well on Synthroid, most of my patients note dramatic improvements after switching to natural hormone replacement.

If you’re already using natural thyroid, I’m sure you’re aware that availability has been spotty for some time now. Prescriptions for popular brands such as Armour Thyroid, Nature-Throid, and Westhroid have been on backorder for months. Raw materials shortages may be part of the issue, but other factors are also involved. The FDA has declared that natural thyroid is an unapproved drug and, to distribute it, pharmaceutical companies must go through a lengthy and expensive new drug approval process.

This has nothing to do with the safety or efficacy of natural thyroid, which has been included in the U.S. Pharmacopeia—the official authority for prescription and over-the-counter drugs manufactured or sold in the United States—for more than a century. It’s simply another of the FDA’s attempts to put the kibosh on all forms of natural hormone replacement.

It appears that the shortage of natural thyroid is finally beginning to ease up and limited quantities are being released. If Armour, Nature-Throid, or Westhroid are not available in your pharmacy, contact a compounding pharmacy to see if they can formulate a similar product.

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Posted in Fatigue, Natural Hormone Replacement, Weight Loss | 2 Comments »

Mini-Fast Your Way to Better Health

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

According to a recent online post in the US News and World Report, 62 percent of American’s resolved to exercise more, 60 percent had a goal of eating better, and 46 percent wanted to lose weight in 2010. These aspirations are great but it’s no secret that most New Year’s resolutions are little more than memories by the time February rolls around—and some don’t even last that long.

Losing weight and getting in shape can be difficult, especially if you turn to starvation diets, insane workout regimens, or other drastic measures. But we’ve recently instituted a program at the Whitaker Wellness Institute that helps patients shed pounds, get their diabetes under control, lower blood pressure, and improve health overall. It’s a mini-fast coupled with exercise and it’s so easy, just about anyone can do it.

  • When you wake up in the morning, drink a glass of water or a cup of coffee or tea. It’s okay to sweeten your AM beverage with a little low-calorie sweetener such as xylitol or stevia and to add a small amount of creamer but don’t drink or eat anything else.
  • Next, get out and exercise moderately for 20-45 minutes. You can walk, cycle, or jog—anything aerobic.
  • After your workout, continue on with your day but do not eat or drink anything other than water, coffee, or tea until lunchtime. (You may also take your nutritional supplements if they don’t upset your stomach.) You will probably have to try it to believe it but the combination of exercise and fasting actually blunts your appetite, and the caffeine in tea and coffee helps to put the brakes on hunger as well.
  • Your mini-fast ends at lunch. You should eat sensibly for the rest of the day, focusing on lean protein sources such as turkey, chicken, fish, and eggs, and low-glycemic carbohydrates like beans and legumes, fiber-rich veggies, and a little fruit.

Skipping your morning meal not only cuts down on the calories you take in but adding exercise burns additional calories and helps kick-start fat burning in a process called ketosis.

In a recent study of obese individuals, participants who followed this mini-fast protocol for 12 weeks lost 16 pounds of fat (25 percent of their initial fat mass) plus three inches around the waist. The biggest losers were a man and woman who respectively lost an astonishing 44 and 31 pounds of fat! Additionally, the group’s fasting insulin fell by one-quarter, into the normal range.

Try the mini-fast/exercise combo yourself and let me know how it works for you. Don’t be surprised if you see improvements in all aspects of your health—from lower blood sugar readings and better blood pressure to improvements in energy, weight, and so much more. Good luck to you and here’s to starting 2010 off right.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diet, Exercise, Weight Loss | 3 Comments »

The Fantastic Health Benefits of Fiber

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

We all know fiber is good for us. It helps “move things along.” It aids in satiety, making you feel full longer. And the latest research suggests that getting plenty of fiber may not only stave off type 2 diabetes but also improve blood sugar levels in those already diagnosed with the disease.

Apples may come to mind when you’re thinking high-fiber foods. And with 5 grams in each medium-sized piece of fruit, they’re not a bad choice. (Don’t forget to eat the skin!) However, there are a number of other delicious and healthy high-fiber foods out there. Here’s a list of some of my favorites. 

1 cup beans (12-15 grams, depending on variety)
1 medium-sized avocado (11.84 grams)
1 cup raspberries (8.34 grams)
1 cup soybeans (7.62 grams)
1 cup cooked kale (7.20 grams)
½ medium grapefruit (6.12 grams)
1 cup cooked sweet potato (5.94 grams)

Source: Common Sense Health Web site

While all of these foods contain appreciable amounts of fiber, my number one recommendation is freshly ground flax seed. In addition to providing 11 grams of fiber per quarter-cup, flax is also a great source of protective lignans and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. It has impressive cholesterol-lowering benefits as well.

A few years ago, Beverly M. had a cholesterol level of 307. She read about my recommendations for lowering cholesterol in my newsletter, Health & Healing, and began taking flax seed. Within six months, her cholesterol fell to 206. As she says, “It sure beats Pravachol [a statin drug] with all its side effects at over a hundred dollars a prescription.”

Just buy a cheap coffee grinder , and grind up ¼-cup of flax seeds a day. Mix  in water and drink quickly (it thickens upon standing), or sprinkle on salads, soups, or other foods. You’re bound to notice the benefits soon after adopting this healthy practice.

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Posted in Diabetes, Diet, Prevention, Weight Loss, Wellness | No Comments »

Stepping Toward Weight Loss and Better Health

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Here at the Whitaker Wellness Institute, exercise is part of the fabric of day-to-day life. It’s an essential therapy for all of our patients, and one they practice daily while they’re at the clinic. The program we prescribe is simple, convenient, and pleasant: It’s walking.

Walking tones the largest muscles of your body and helps keep off excess weight. It gets your heart rate up and enhances circulation. It strengthens your bones and heart, improves mood and sleep, and lowers blood sugar and triglycerides—all at minimal risk of injury.

At the clinic, we take our patients on a 10-minute walk after each meal. This is particularly important for people with diabetes because it helps clear glucose out of the bloodstream. We also encourage everyone to walk on their own whenever possible.

In order to track their progress and help motivate them, we use pedometers. Researchers from Stanford and the University of Minnesota recently found that these step-counting devices are a real benefit when it comes to losing weight, lowering blood pressure, and increasing activity levels. 

The scientists reviewed data from 26 studies involving more than 2,700 mostly female participants who were fairly inactive and overweight. Over 18 weeks, those who wore a pedometer took approximately 2,000 more steps every day (that’s almost a mile!), lowered their systolic blood pressure an average of 3.8 points, and decreased their body mass index by 0.4 points. These findings led researchers to conclude that if just 10 percent of Americans started walking on a regular basis, $5.6 billion could be saved each year in heart disease costs.

Walking is one of the easiest—not to mention least expensive—forms of exercise out there. Better still, most anyone can do it. Pedometers, which run about $10–$25 can be purchased in most retail stores or ordered by calling (800) 810-6655. Get yourself one ASAP and gradually work your way up to 10,000 steps per day.

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Posted in Diabetes, Exercise, Heart Disease, Weight Loss | 1 Comment »

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