This year, Americans plan to spend about $2 billion on Easter candy according to a recent National Retail Federation survey. All those chocolate bunnies and jellybeans can mean trouble for Americans’ expanding waistlines and our risk for chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
If you’re finding it difficult to maintain healthy habits now, check out my answers to questions from patients and clients who’ve struggled with these issues. The info can help you develop your own healthy strategy.
Q: Is it better to eat a little bit of candy every day or to just allow one day to eat whatever I want if I’m trying to lose weight or maintain my current weight?
A: Consistent eating is really the key. It’s one of the habits that helps people maintain their weight loss according to research from the National Weight Control Registry. Although one day’s splurge day won’t undo weeks of healthy eating, those “I’ll just eat what I want” days can quickly become your new normal. Find ways to include treats in small quantities once in awhile and you may actually stay on track better and not feel the urge to splurge. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy celebratory meals, but enjoyment doesn’t have to equal overindulgence. Be consistent with healthy choices that are working for you, be smart about portions of any high calorie food and when you do allow yourself treats savor every bite.
Q. Should I choose low fat candies, like jelly beans and avoid the chocolate? Continue reading
April is the month for both Oral cancer and Esophageal cancer awareness. In 2011, over 39,000 new cases of oral cancers and an estimated 17,000 esophageal cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S.
You may already limit red meat and avoid processed meat to lower risk of colorectal cancer per AICR’s recommendation. But do you puzzle over calories, fat or what 85% lean means when trying to choose “lean meat and poultry”? If so, the new meat labeling law may help you out.