And the Loser Is . . .

A recent study looked at what foods are the worst if you are attempting to lose weight.  They found that the food that caused a person to gain more weight per serving than any other food out there was potato chips.  They also concluded that eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong foods may be more important than just eating less food in general when it comes to losing weight.

In a similar study, researchers looked at what diet strategy was the most effective.  The two dietary programs that topped the list were the D.A.S.H. program (standing for the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension) and the Mediterranean diet.  Both of these diets promote the consumption of vegetables, fruits, lean protein, whole grains and low-fat dairy (in this order of priority).  Likewise, both approaches recommend avoiding sugars, red meat and salt.  In the end, both diets are quite effective in reducing high blood pressure and reducing weight at the same time.  You should also take note that these approaches turn the food pyramid that we’ve been taught since grammar school upside down.  Rather than grains and dairy as the foundation of our pyramid, they are found in lowest priority while vegetables and fruits make up the base.

Whether it’s these two diets or any other effective diet, one thing is clear.  Sugar and table salt must be reduced while vegetables and fruits must be increased.  Our eating habits are just that – habits.  And to change any habit, you must start by changing your beliefs.  You must start looking at sugar, processed snack foods, fried foods, and artificial sweeteners as poisons that are as toxic as arsenic.  They may not kill as quickly as arsenic, but over time the effect is the same.  Commit to making vegetables and fruits along with lean meats such as chicken, fish, turkey, and low fat beef (preferably free-range sources for all of these) the staples of your diet for just one month while cutting sugars, chips, crackers and snacks for just one month and see what happens.  If you don’t notice a favorable change, consider it a failed experiment and go back to your old habits.