The Leptin Made Me Do It

 Well, actually not enough leptin.

A recent newspaper article lamented the well -known fact that most overweight and obese people who lose weight are destined to struggle with weight regain.  A study designed to follow participants after 10% weight loss (30 lbs on average in 10 weeks), showed an average of 12 lb weight regain over the next year.  Several hormone levels known to influence appetite (including leptin) were measured.

The hormone levels measured changed in directions that would stimulate appetite and weight regain.  Leptin levels, which when high reduce the body’s tendency to store calories as fat, actually decreased significantly after weight loss. Read more →

That cute little bag of goodies just can’t seem bad, but it packs a punch with calories and sugar, especially when we typically can’t have just one.  Wonder how much that Halloween staple staring at you in the kitchen really has with those excess calories?

(for the most weight gain, that is!!)

Well, perhaps for some of us this doesn’t come as a big surprise, but French fries can help make you fat.

A recently published study in the New England Journal of Medicine compared the weight gain associated with an additional daily serving of different foods.  Over a four year period French fries caused an additional 3.35 lb weight gain.

“This suggests that the path to eating fewer calories is not simply to count calories, but to focus on consuming a more healthy diet in general,” stated the lead author, Dariush Mosaffarian.  And the foods associated with slight weight loss over the same time period?  Fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains and yogurt!

So, next time the choice is between an order of French fries and a fresh salad- choose the salad!

On June 2nd, the First Lady helped to unveil the federal government’s new “food icon”, MyPlate, to serve as a reminder to help consumers make healthier food choices. It’s a simple graphic representation of the 2010 Guidelines for Healthy Americans, and the replacement for the Food Guide Pyramid (the USDA’s 1992 food icon) and/or MyPyramid (the USDA’s 2005 food icon).

The Guidelines main messages include:

Balance Calories

• Enjoy your food, but eat less.
• Avoid oversized portions.

Foods to Increase

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains

Foods to Reduce

• Compare sodium (salt) in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals, and choose foods with lower
  numbers.
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks.

To quote the press release, “As Americans are experiencing epidemic rates of overweight and obesity, the online resources and tools [which can be found on ChooseMyPlate.gov] can empower people to make healthier food choices for themselves, their families, and their children.” Additionally, later this year, USDA will unveil an exciting “go-to” online tool that consumers can use to personalize and manage their dietary and physical activity choices – a perfect compliment to any weight loss program!!