Juicing: Detox or Delusion?

There has been so much ignorant hype regarding juicing as of late. Juicing, as the trendy mainstream population calls it, is believed to be an efficient way to detox the body. I say our organs, most notably the liver and kidneys, do a pretty damn good job of that already. Plus, our immune system fights infection. There is nothing found in medical literature stating that juicing helps detoxify our bodies. By juicing, you are separating the juice from the fiber of the fruits and vegetables. Thus, you will not feel as satiated upon ingesting a “juiced meal.”  Fiber is necessary to regulate blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and the GI tract. Secondly, in comparison with the amounts of fruits and vegetables needed to juice, you are consuming much more sugar than if you were to physically eat the fruits and vegetables.

So, is this juicing diet sustainable? No. You are depriving your body of necessary protein and carbohydrates. Yes, I said carbohydrates—your body’s primary source of fuel! Of course you will lose weight while juicing, but you are losing mostly water weight (i.e., 1 gram of carbs is equal to 3 grams of water), and your muscle tissue is breaking down as well (ketosis) due to not being supplied with adequate amounts of protein.

I’m not saying all modalities of juicing are bad. Just consider what you are doing first and how you are implementing the process. For short-term, immediate, necessary, cosmetic, satisfying weight loss, this will work wonders. For long term health, not the best way to go about it. Simply put: plan ahead and focus on long term benefits. Eat sensibly and live fully.

The Results Are In: There Is No "Best Diet"

There is no best diet. The foods you should be eating are very dependent upon your lifestyle.  Level of activity, allergies, intolerances, and causes of inflammation are just a few of the things that should be taken into account. For those that follow the cult of one specific diet, it’s time to reconsider your position. Much like personal training, each person’s nutrition should be treated on an individual versus a one-size-fits-all basis.

FDA Proposed Nutrition Labeling

Finally, a step in the right direction! It amazes me every time I see someone pick up a product from the shelf, look at the nutrition label, and think things aren’t bad based on what the label says. Labels are deceiving, and oftentimes serving sizes get overlooked. The FDA’s new nutrition labeling proposal would require that all the contents of the package, including how much of the product a person should consume in one sitting, be identifiable at a quick glance—no thinking or calculating needed. I believe this will make a difference and promote greater health awareness.

Two Simple Tips to Curb Overeating

As a society, we are often bombarded by the media regarding food, diets, what works, and what doesn’t work. As individuals, we have no choice but to make choices. This can be overwhelming. Without background knowledge or a firm grasp on nutrition, we are left to the opinions, biases, misinformation, and marketing ploys of others.

Here are two safe, simple solutions for cutting down food intake, especially if you’re looking to curb overeating/binge eating: 

1. Drink a glass of water before each meal. Already do that? Then drink two. Water induces a feeling of satiety, not to mention that it’s good for you! Considering our bodies are roughly 70% water, why would we want to deprive ourselves in the first place?
2. Eat a medium size portion. Do not eat until you feel stuffed. Try eating less than you normally would, then…wait. Give it 20 minutes to hit bottom. We often eat and eat and eat until we can no longer stomach any more food, giving us a false sense of satisfaction.  Eating slower and allowing things to settle will sate us to a more comfortable degree, which puts you in control of the situation.

Always be mindful of the situation and what you are eating. You can show up to the gym, exercise outside, or do your at-home dvd’s, but the bottom line is you cannot, I repeat cannot, out-train a poor diet.

National Nutrition Month

March is National Nutrition Month. In celebration, here’s a list of fruits and vegetables that you can enjoy for both taste and health benefits. I suggest you begin incorporating these foods into your diet if you are not already doing so. The takeaway: keep your diet colorful!

The Carb Controversy

This may be a lengthy article, but it's a great read that contains valuable information. For those carb haters, indulge in some knowledge. For those carb advocates (complex mind you, not simple), enjoy. The key is sustainability. Don’t fall victim to fad diets, and don’t believe the myths!