The 411 on Zero-Calorie Foods

How do zero-calorie or negative-calorie foods add up?

Dieters may try to lose weight by eating low-calorie foods they think will burn up more energy digesting them than the foods contain themselves and call them negative-calorie. They may even give themselves "permission" to eat other unhealthy foods because of these so-called negative calories, but is there such a thing?

No, actually. There is no such thing as a negative calorie food. There are some foods that may burn up some calories while you eat them, but doctors say it's not going to make much difference in terms of losing weight.

Foods that are often called negative-calorie foods may include celery, grapefruit, lemon, asparagus, apples and lemons. Although they aren't going to put you in a negative calorie balance, they still are healthy foods you should be incorporating in your daily diet -- just don't expect the food to do the work for you.

What healthy foods are worth to you

Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy balanced diet and can help you ultimately lose weight if you consume the proper amount of calories in each meal, every day. They're packed with nutrients and fiber, all of which will keep you energized, satisfied -- and best of all -- help prevent you from eating unhealthy foods.

Get a customized diet plan that guarantees healthy weight loss. Call WeightLossNYC today at 718-491-5525 for your initial consultation.

Source: EverydayHealth.com

5 Tips for Balancing Your Plate and Your Weight

1. Half fruits and veggies
Fill half your plate with fruits and vegetables to accompany each meal. Don't forget to make it colorful: select different kinds of produce in a variety of colors, from apples and cucumbers to sweet potatoes and broccoli.
Tip: Eat fruits and vegetables as a healthy side dish and/or dessert.

2. Whole grains
Choose whole-grains for more nutrients and less additives.
Tip: Instead of refined, white-flour products, eat tastier whole-wheat bread and brown rice.

3. Low-fat or no-fat milk
Switch to skim or 1% milk to lose weight. The lower and no-fat versions contain the same amount of calcium as whole milk, but with less calories and saturated fat.
Tip: For a power breakfast, try low fat or skim milk with a high-fiber cereal packed with vitamins and nutrients.

4. Watch what you eat
Eat smaller portions at home and when dining out.
Tip: You can eat with a smaller dish, order a half-size, split a restaurant meal or take home a "doggie bag" to make sure you don't consume too many calories.

5. Drink your H2O
Stay hydrated (and fuller) by drinking water, which will prevent you from filling up on extra calories.
Tip: Avoid additional calories and sugars by skipping sodas, juices and sports drinks.

Start implementing healthy habits to lose weight today. Call WeightLossNYC at 718-491-5525 to schedule your initial consultation.

Source: ChooseMyPlate.gov

One Thing You Should Give Up to Lose Weight

Fast food = fat food

Let's start off by calling fast food exactly what it is: fat food. The only thing is, there's very little food in fast food, as it has no nourishment. It's something that you shouldn't merely cut back on -- it's something that has no place in your diet. Read on for some convincing details that may change your mind if it's a weakness for you.

The facts

What's in fast food? A lot of fat, calories and sodium -- far more than you need. In a recent study, the average fast food lunch contained 827 calories, when the average person only needs about 1,800 to 2,000 calories per day.

The non-ingredients in fast food

Not all foods are created equal, especially when we're talking about fast food. A recent OrganicAuthority.com article by Kimberley Stakal makes a sobering point about not getting what you think you'll be getting at fast food restaurants.

Take scrambled eggs from McDonald's, for instance:

They’re just eggs, right? Sure, if by “just eggs” you’re also including sodium acid pyrophosphate, citric acid, monosodium phosphate and nisin (all preservatives), as well as liquid margarine (which is made from liquid soybean oil, water, partially hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils [trans fats], salt, hydrogenated cottonseed oil [trans fats], soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate [preservatives], artificial flavor, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate and beta carotene [color]).

Someone trying to eat right may think, "I'll just buy some scrambled eggs at McDonald's while on the go. Eggs are good for you, aren't they? At least it's not a cheeseburger and fries." But then you're getting a whole lot of other non-ingredients with those eggs that will only cause you to gain unhealthy weight, up your blood pressure and put you at risk for a whole host of other ailments. Choosing one fast food item over another still isn't helping you.

The verdict?

Avoid fast food at all costs. What you think is cheap and convenient now will only cost you far more in the long run, including your health and medical costs. Remember: fast = fat!

Eat, think and be healthy. Learn how to lose 10 to 20 pounds or more per month. Give us a call at 718-491-5525 to schedule your first appointment.

Source: OrganicAuthority.com

A Sedentary Lifestyle Means Earlier Death

Do you know how long you'll live?

As if you didn't have enough reasons to get regular exercise, a recent study shows that those who sit the most have shorter life spans. This is true even for those who exercise. Read on for more details on the study.

The facts

The study, which included participants 45 years old and older, proves just how vital exercise and staying active are to your health and life expectancy.

Its most striking finding was that people who sat more than 11 hours a day had a 40% higher risk of dying in the next three years than people who sat less than four hours a day. This was after adjusting for factors such as age, weight, physical activity and general health status, all of which affect the death risk. It also found a clear dose-response effect: the more people sat, the higher their risk of death.

It didn't matter whether the study participants were active or inactive, the more they sat the more likely the were to die within 3 years, showing that prolonged sitting was a risk factor in death.

The good news

The evidence did reveal some positive news: Exercising as much as 5 hours a week or more had a much lower risk of death.

This highlights the importance of not only getting exercise several times a week, but also staying active. Find ways to move throughout the day, like standing instead of sitting while you work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator and taking walk breaks several times a day. Your life span depends on it!

Learn more about how to improve your quality of life and keep the weight off. Call WeightLossNYC at 718-491-5525 to make your appointment!

Sources: TheAtlantic.com; Archives of Internal Medicine

Fast Facts on Fish Oil

Know your Omega-3s and 6s

Have you discovered the fat-melting qualities of fish oil yet in your quest to lose weight? If not, don't just give it a try -- make it a mainstay in your diet.

Also known as Omega fatty acids, fish oil can help your health in many different ways and should be an important cornerstone of your everyday diet. Read on for more information on how you can benefit from fish oil.

Burn fat faster
You need fat in order to lose weight -- the good, healthy kind. This includes Omega-3 and Omega-6. We need these fats to promote our health and facilitate weight loss, but most Americans do not get enough.

Sometimes a supplement is necessary to make sure you're getting a balance of these healthy fats. Results from a daily dose of Omega-3 can be seen in anywhere from a few days to several weeks, but it's no quick fix. It's important to take it every day on a long-term basis for the best results and overall health.

Health benefits

Fish oil can improve so many aspects of your health, there are almost too many to count. Some of these include your heart, vision, joints, immune system, digestive system, pancreas, blood pressure, cholesterol, hormones, mood, energy and more.

Additionally:

• Moderate amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet have shown to reduce your risk of a first heart attack by 30%.

• Symptoms in such inflammatory diseases as rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's disease are also decreased.

• Omega-3 fatty acids also prevent artery-hardening and heart disease-causing plaques

Stock up on fish oil at your next visit. Call WeightLossNYC at 718-491-5525 to schedule your appointment.

10 Important Reasons to Cut Sugar

Sugar's toll on your health

The bitter news that the average American eats 130 pounds of sugar a year explains why obesity and other weight-related health problems are on the rise. Sugar causes weight gain and can also affect your health in the following negative ways, which is more than enough convincing evidence to show that sugar has no place in your diet.

What the research says about sugar

1. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of childhood and obesity
2. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of childhood sickness
3. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of Type 2 diabetes
4. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of hypertension
5. Sugar is believed to be the main cause of heart disease
6. Sugar is blamed as a culprit of rising rates of number one killers such as heart disease
7. Sugar increases blood levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol
8. Sugar increases risk factors for cardiovascular disease
9. Sugar helps cancer cells grow
10. Sugar is addicting and has a drug-like effect on the brain

The sugar solution

Your solution to avoiding the above health problems is to cut sugar from your diet. As the evidence shows, sugar is toxic and has no health benefits. It's not only harmful to your health, but it can also be addicting, so even a small amount could potentially lead you to wanting more, which can make you gain weight and also put you at risk for serious health conditions.


Foods with hidden sugar

In addition to avoiding processed and packaged foods that are high in sugar, look out for foods with hidden sugar in them. You'd be surprised which ones do contain sugar: bread, yogurt, sauces and peanut butter.

Are you frustrated with fad diets or dieting with no direction? Learn how to lose weight the fast and healthy way with WeightLossNYC! Call 718-491-5525 for your first appointment.

Source: cbsnews.com

3 Great Reasons to Eat More Beans

Eat your legumes!

Yes, beans really are a miracle food of sorts. Packed with fiber and a high water content, they can also help you stay nice and trim. Here are some great reasons why you should make beans a staple in your diet.

Beans are satisfying

Because they contain a lot of fiber and water, they help you feel full and satisfied -- in a good way. The benefit: You eat less food and snack less, which can help you lose weight as you consume less overall calories. Fill up on healthy foods like beans instead of high-calorie foods with no health benefits!

Stay or get thin

Because you stay fuller longer and eat less, that means you'll be thinner, have less weight around the waist and weigh on average 7 pounds lighter than those who do not regularly consume beans, according to a recent study.

Other health benefits

With a slimmer waistline, you'll also have a decreased chance of diabetes and heart disease. The antioxidants present in beans (1/3 of your daily intake) can also help keep the free radicals at bay and provide some protection against cancer, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Tip: If you buy canned beans, find a low- or no-salt version.

Source: fitsugar.com