Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Fat Traps

First I'll start by saying that I hate the four-letter word "diet" simply because of the negative connotations it conjures up. The actual definition of diet is “a prescribed selection of foods.” That being said, paying attention to the foods we choose to eat has a profound effect on our overall well-being and weight.

One of the most common diet downfalls most of us encounter (including me) is our choice of beverages. A perfect example is a “blended coffee drink” from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts. Most of these beverages average at least 439 calories; those extra calories can lead to a 20-pound weight gain in one year. Yikes!

I’m not asking you to give up your morning coffee, because I certainly couldn’t dream of giving up mine. However, a simple switch to plain brewed coffee (which is nearly calorie-free) can save you a ton of calories. But I won’t be a total party pooper on this one; if you love specialty drinks, simply choose a smaller size and skip the whipped cream and syrups (add the sugar yourself). Presweetened drinks can contain 20 teaspoons of sugar which is double the 10 teaspoons of added sugar any of us need on a daily basis.

As always, bon appétit!

2 comments:

  1. Just look at the first three letters of diet, "die" and this should basically tell you that it is destined to not work:-)

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  2. Well said, Eric!

    When most people want to lose weight, their first thought quickly turns to the latest fad diet. Often a quick 5 to 10 pounds will come off, then when old eating habits return, so do the pounds! The only way to enjoy permanent weight loss is to accept that a "diet" is a lifestyle, not an event.On many diets, we're simply not eating in a way we can sustain for the rest of your lives.

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