Author Archive for admin

Why Fad Diets Are a Bad Idea

It seems almost as if there is a new fad diet every week. Many of these contain elements of truth, but on the whole they contain much more good marketing than good science.

There is the 3-day diet, which touts eating little more than fruits for three days, followed by vegetables or meat or grains the [...]

An Overview of Dieting and Weight Loss for Everyone

Dieting to achieve weight loss is difficult enough. Doing it right is another matter. Of course, what is ‘right’ for one may not work well for another. Creating a natural weight loss from a balanced, healthy diet takes a little research.

You could just stop eating for a while, at least. But the cravings could drive [...]

What Is the Definition of a Calorie?

Dieters often concentrate on calorie counting. That’s wise, given that the basic equation of weight loss will always remain true: more calories consumed than used leads to weight gain. But that statement makes it sound as if a calorie is something you eat and if you ate fewer you would lose weight. That is not [...]

Taking a New look At The Food Pyramid

The USDA Food Pyramid has been controversial since its first appearance in 1992. While it incorporated many valuable features, it led to some confusion. Attempts to clarify the guidelines it contained in 2005 were only partly successful. What’s the scoop?

The Original Food Pyramid
In an attempt to make dietary guidelines easy to follow, the U.S. government [...]

The Advantages and Risks of Dieting

Nearly everyone thinks that dieting would be a good idea. For many, it is. A recent study showed that the average American now consumes about 22% more calories than those of only a generation ago. With that, it isn’t hard to see why obesity could be a problem.

But dieting is not without risks, especially in [...]

Why Minerals Are Important for Maintaining a Healthy Body

The phrase ‘vitamins and minerals’ often occurs in nutrition articles. But they have distinct differences. Everyone is familiar with some of the essential vitamins (A, B, C, D and others). But what are the essential minerals and why are they essential?

What are labeled minerals are often elements from the Periodic Table, things like iron (Fe), [...]

Pros and Cautions Of Vitamins and Supplements

There are a dozen or more vitamins that play an essential role in a wide variety of our bodies’ functions. Getting these from a healthy, balanced diet is theoretically possible. Many actually do. But it can be difficult, especially today when so many are on the go.

Supplements can help fill the gap. Unfortunately, there is [...]

An Introduction to Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are the new hot item in diet and nutrition. But what are they and why are they believed to be so healthful?

Phytochemicals are a class of compounds found in the highly colored skins of some fruits and vegetables. Since their nutritional properties are still under investigation no FDA guidelines are available about their health [...]

The Pros and Cons of Organic Foods

Much of the writing on diet and nutrition is more than just informational. It often veers into the realm of values and ethics, recommendations about what you should (or should not) do. Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions of organic food. But, while advocates can reasonably debate the pros and cons of an [...]

The Benefits of Nutritional Supplements

A supplement, by definition, is something that accompanies something essential. But, in some cases, nutritional supplements can themselves be an essential part of a healthy nutrition regimen.

Whether because of a busy life style, or an individual genetic or physiological condition, there are those who benefit from nutritional supplements. Everyone requires a certain amount of vital [...]