WebMD-related stories
Fast Food Fries - Which Are Best?
Hungry Girl tells snack lovers how to score the healthiest processed foods, and WebMD names the best fast food french fries. Hey, if you're going to indulge in fried foods, known for their high calorie and fat content, it's good to choose from the lesser of all evils, right?WebMD compared french fries at 14 major fast-food chains. Here's what they concluded about one of America's favorite foods:
Lowest in Calories
- Sonic Drive-In regular fries (75 g): 220 calories
- McDonalds small fries (71 g): 230 calories
Lowest in Fat
- Sonic Drive-In regular fries (75 g): 9 grams total fat
- McDonald's small fries (71 g): 11 grams total fat
Lowest Percentage of Calories From Fat
- Sonic Drive-In regular fries (75 g): 37 percent
- Dairy Queen regular fries (114 g): 38 percent
Lowest in "Bad Fats" (saturated and trans fats)
- Sonic Drive-In regular fries (75 g) = 1.5 grams saturated fat + 0 grams trans fat
- McDonald's small fries (71 g) = 1.5 grams saturated fat + 0 grams trans fat
Now, we're not giving you free reign to chow down on french fries (or the other fast foods featured in the gallery below), but we know that sometimes, fast food just happens. And when it does, we encourage you to choose wisely and eat in moderation.
Diet Friendly Fast Food
By Karen Asp
You don't have to give up your favorite drive thru joints just because you're trying to slim down. Instead, make wiser choices, says Hope Warshaw, R.D., author of 'What To Eat When You're Eating Out.' Need some help? Click through this gallery of Warshaw's low-calorie picks at eight fast food restaurants.
McDonald's
1. Quarter Pounder without cheese and mayo (410 calories)
2. Asian Salad with Grilled Chicken (300 calories)
3. Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait with Granola (160 calories)
Subway
1. 6-inch Breakfast Western Omelet Sandwich (400 calories)
2. Veggie Delite Wrap (400 calories)
3. 6-inch Turkey and Ham Subon Honey Oat Bread (290 calories)
Panera Bread
1. Whole-Grain Bagel with 1 tablespoon reduced-fat veggie cream cheese (400 calories)
2. Low Fat Vegetarian Southwest Tomato and Roasted Corn Soup (110 calories for eight ounces)
3. Asiago Roast Beef Sandwich (350 calories for half)
Taco Bell
1. Tostada, Fresco Style (200 calories)
2. Ranchero Chicken Soft Taco, Fresco Style (170 calories)
3. Gordita Supreme Beef (310 calories)
Arby's
1. Chicken, Bacon and Swiss sandwich (460 calories)
2. Sourdough Ham Melt (380 calories)
3. Junior Roast Beef Sandwich (270 calories)
Fazoli's
1. Spaghetti with Marinara Sauce (450 calories for a small)
2. Cheese Pizza (270 calories per slice)
Chick-fil-A
1. Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich (270 calories)
2. Southwest Chargrilled Salad (240 calories)
3. Chick-n-strips (290 calories)
Au Bon Pain
1. Vanilla Yogurt with Granola and Blueberries (320 calories)
2. Jamaican Black Bean Soup (240 calories)
3. Turkey and Cranberry Chutney Sandwich (340 calories for half)
Why You Can't Lose Weight + Tips for a Fix
Jonny's Take, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
- You have a low resting metabolic rate, and high metabolic efficiency. What this basically means is that you "burn" fuel (calories) at a lower rate while resting, and are efficient at using calories while exercising (meaning it "costs" you fewer calories to run on a treadmill than your neighbor). According to Dr. Victoria Catenacci, a University of Colorado researcher, this can account for up to 22 pounds of weight gain!
- You are female. Because women have less muscle than men, they burn fewer calories (remember you burn calories in your muscle cells, not in your fat cells).
- You experience hunger, satisfaction and stress differently than others. We're just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding this one, but it's pretty obvious that some people struggle with appetite and stress a lot more than others.
- You don't like to exercise. This could be considered a big eye-rolling "duh," but some people seem to be genetically adapted to more activity than others. Mice that are bred for wheel running take to it like a surfer dude to the Malibu coastline. Others prefer the mouse equivalent of sunbathing.
- Your mother ate a high-calorie diet while pregnant. Emerging -- and disturbing -- research has been showing that what both your mother (and even your grandmother) ate may have an effect on you and your body weight.
- You weigh what you weigh because of your toddler diet. This is one reason why people like me are so adamant about teaching parents how important it is to shape tastes and habits early on while you still have some control over things.
All this is fine and dandy, but I fear that a lot of people reading the WebMD piece might be forgiven for throwing up their hands and saying, "See, there's not much I can do about it! Let's go to McDonald's!"
Counting calories can be counterproductive
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Derail. You know the word. Let's face it, most of us working toward good health through diet and exercise have an intimate relationship with the word. Diet derailers are everywhere -- in your house, in the grocery store, at work, at play, in your head even. Here, we'll address the very things that throw us off course. Together, we'll learn how to avoid our diet traps -- and how to get back on track when we can't.
Our friends at Diet Blog think calorie counting is one of the worst diet derailers around. Why? Because research shows that low-calorie diets not only don't work, they actually make you fatter. Check out these eight consequences of calorie counting: A slowed-down metabolism, a net gain in percent body fat, loss of muscle mass, an increase in appetite and cravings, an obsession with food and cooking, depression, fatigue, and overall weight gain. I'm not too keen on these eight. How about you?
Lower your risk of heart disease with six steps
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
If I told you six ways to help prevent heart disease, would you follow them? I'm just a writer -- so maybe, maybe not. Fair enough. But what if the leading heart disease experts told you six ways to stave off this leading cause of death, would you listen then? Cool. I was hoping you would.According to a recent WebMD article, if everyone in the U.S. were to follow only a few easy-to-follow steps, it could prevent more than 27 million heart attacks and about 10 million strokes over the next 30 years.
Step One - Quit Smoking
Step Two - Lower your Body Mass Index (BMI) out of the range considered obese
Step Three - Rein in your LDL ("bad") cholesterol
Step Four - Lower your blood pressure to a safe level
Step Five - Get your blood sugar under control, especially if you have diabetes
Step Six - Take aspirin if your physician tells you to due to your heart attack risk
The article goes on to say that 78 percent of U.S. adults aged 20-80 do not currently follow at least one of these steps when necessary.
Hot dogs and other healthy summer kid food
Healthy Kids, Nutrition & Supplements
Summer is the perfect time for hot dogs at the family BBQ, big pretzels at the county fair, and cold treats straight from the ice cream truck. Although these foods can be less-than-perfect options for our kids who love them so -- think lots of salt, sugar, and fat -- WedMD says they can be not so bad, really. Check them out.- Nachos & Quesadillas
- Hamburgers & Hot Dogs
- Ice Cream
- Frozen Yogurt
- Waffles and pancakes
- Marshmallows
- Popcorn
- Watermelon
Try these flat-belly foods
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements, Men's Health
There's a reason why olive oil was treasured by the ancient Greeks and chocolate was considered sacred by the Aztecs, although that reason may escape the modern day dieter. Each contains a great deal of fat, which is why these foods -- as well as others like them -- may never find a place in a person's diet today. The mere mention of the word "fat" is enough to send shivers up some people's spines. Too bad, really, because these same people are missing out on some of the best flat-belly foods you can eat.WebMD recently listed what they consider to be among the best flat-belly foods, and it may come as a bit of a surprise to some of you that they are all high in fat. But hold on, not just any fat, monounsaturated fat. Good fat. The type that lowers LDL cholesterol and cuts disease risk. And, the type that, if eaten in moderation, can help you lose weight -- hence their flat-belly food designation.
For a more comprehensive look at each of these foods, click here to check out the full WebMD article. In the meantime, take a quick look below at the the foods that made the cut.
Metabolic syndrome on the rise in obese children
HealthWatch, Healthy Kids, Obesity, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Reviews & Products, Nutrition & Supplements
An eye-opening study from the University of Miami revealed that by ages 12 to 14, half of obese children have metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors that predicts type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
This information is cause for concern, as the numbers of obese children has continued to rise steadily since the data for this study were collected (between 1999-2002, at which time more than 17 percent of chidldren aged eight to fourteen were obese).
As these children age, their chances of facing a lifetime with a chronic illness escalates if they're weight is not reined in. As one researcher from the University of Miami study states in a WebMD article, "If a kid is age 8 with metabolic syndrome, it will take 10 years or less for that child to become a type 2 diabetic or develop heart disease."
The study analyzed data data on some 1,700 children as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.Does money make us happier?
Stress Reduction, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment, Motivation
Money can't buy you happiness. That's how the saying goes, anyway. But has anyone ever subjected to this theory to any kind of scientific method? As a matter of fact, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have, and their findings seem to support this popular tenet.According to the research, money does play a role in the initial stages of happiness -- to the point where basic needs are met. Beyond that point, however, the affect money has on happiness appears to be far less significant. So, if money doesn't bring joy into people's lives, what does? Family ties, say researchers. Surveys on this topic indicate that while happiness is less strongly tied to changes in income, there is a strong association to changes in the quality of family relationships over time.
However, just as you still might disagree with these findings, so do some economists. As stated in a recent WebMD article, polling data from rich and poor countries reveals that satisfaction is highest among people living in the richest countries. And, within those countries, people with higher incomes tended to be happier than those with less money. In the U.S., for example, 90% of people in households making at least $250,000 considered themselves "very happy," compared to just 42% of people in households with incomes below $30,000.
Ask Laura! 10 Ways to Spot an Exercise Addict
Life Fitness is a process of continuous growth: physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Need motivation and guidance to facilitate positive changes in your life? Ask Life Fit Expert Laura Lewis!Dear Laura,
Working out is a major part of my life. After I leave my job around 5pm, I go to the gym every night and typically spend three hours working out. My girlfriends at work think that I am obsessed with exercising, even calling me an "exercise addict." I don't think I am! I just care about feeling healthy and looking my best. What do you think?
Thanks.
Ms. Fitness, Chicago, Illinois
Dear Ms. Fitness,
Being Fit versus being obsessed with fitness can go hand in hand. Yet, in order to identify if you really are a addicted to exercise, you can begin by asking yourself a series of questions. Here are 10 Ways to tell if you are indeed an Exercise Addict:
8 ways to hone in on depression
When it comes to feeling barely blue or downright depressed, women tend to ask for help more than men ask for help, say the experts at Ladies Home Journal. With WebMD reporting that nearly six million men will have at least one major episode with depression each year, it's clear a good bunch of men -- while they might not ask for it -- need a good dose of help. In order to draw these guys out and get them the assistance they need, let's be on the lookout for these eight signs of trouble.- Withdrawing from others and spending more time alone, watching TV, playing video games, or pursuing other solo activities.
- Increased drinking or use of mood-altering drugs.
Brain-eating amoeba causes concern for CDC
HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Celebs & Entertainment
What seems more like something out of a 1950s science fiction movie is actually a growing concern for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Six young men died last year after swimming in lakes or pools infested with a brain-eating amoeba known as Naegleria fowleri or N. fowleri, and guarding against another infection of these microscopic predators remains a hot issue as summer approaches.
According to an article featured on WebMD, the amoeba thrive in warm, fresh water all over the world. In the U.S., it inhabits the relatively hot waters of lakes, hot springs, and poorly maintained pools in Southern or Southwestern states. And, equally as unnerving as its ability to thrive in such environments is the fact that its moniker is in no way an understatement -- the amoeba literally feeds on the human brain.
WedMD reports that victims usually die seven to 10 days after infection, although symptoms may not appear for up to 14 days. Initial symptoms include headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and stiff neck. Later-onset symptoms include confusion, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations. Death follows the first symptoms by three to seven days.
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.
These healthy foods cost less than a buck
HealthWatch, Diet & Weight Loss, Alternative & Green Health, Nutrition & Supplements
Americans are being hit in the wallet at almost every turn these days. Between exorbitant gas prices and rising food costs, it's becoming increasingly difficult to eat healthy. While most people would much rather purchase lean meat and poultry, for example, the disparity in pricing between such foods and highly-processed foods makes the decision based more on personal finances than on personal health.
Fortunately, there are some healthy foods that won't break the proverbial bank. WebMD recently listed ten of them, in fact, in an article titled 10 Healthy Foods for Under a Dollar. Check 'em out!!
1 - Apples
2 - Banana
3 - Baby Carrots
4 - Canned Beans
5 - Canned Tomatoes
Reasons why you're packing on pounds
For all the women out there who are trying really hard, but for some reason can't seem to shed any pounds (or, worse yet, still continue to put on more pounds!), there may be some other factors at play.
WebMD recently listed 5 Surprising Reasons Why You're Gaining Weight. Each represents a possible explanation for why the numbers on the scale keep rising, in spite of your concerted effort to eat right and exercise.
Could any -- or all -- of these possibly be what's holding you back?
1. You're Not Sleeping Enough.
2. You're Stressed Out
3. You're Taking Certain Medications That May Cause Weight Gain
4. You Have a Medical Condition That Can Contribute to Weight Gain
5. You're Going Through Menopause
For a more detailed explanation of each of these potential reasons why your efforts may be falling short, read the whole WebMD article by clicking here.
Ease muscle soreness with light exercise
Womens Health, Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Men's Health
If you're feeling sore from yesterday's heavy workout, conventional wisdom dictates that you should take the day off. Not necessarily, says a recent report in the European Journal of Applied Physiology.
In a study of 18 volunteers who performed intense workouts over a fourteen day span, 9 of them also performed lighter sessions the next day. Researchers found that both groups reported equal amounts of muscle soreness, indicating that performing the light workout did not cause any additional pain or damage to the body during its recovery from the heavy workout the day prior.
Some doctors actually suggest doing a light workout to help alleviate muscle soreness, as keeping your muscles in motion may provide some relief.
Whether you choose to take the day off, or ease the soreness through light exercise, just make sure that you don't perform a heavy workout on consecutive days (unless you are working completely different body parts on each day).
Foods for casual dieters
Diet & Weight Loss, Fitness, Nutrition & Supplements
There are a number of ways to drop some pounds, many of which require a change to your current diet. We know that extreme, crash diets don't work, so avoiding them altogether is a smart move. That leaves the more sensible approach: eating foods that are lower in calories, fat, and simple carbs.
This can either mean a dramatic change to what your current food intake consists of, or it can be a more subtle effort. The former usually involves eating skinless chicken breast, healthy fish, copious amounts of vegetables, and so on. Clearly, this is the healthiest and most effective way to get the job done. But, not everyone wants to deviate from their current diets to this degree. The latter, however, requires that a person change their current diet slightly, but enough to make consistent, noticeable change to their health. Will it work as fast as the more hardcore approach? Probably not. But will you stick to it? Most people will.
To help the casual dieter along, WebMD has compiled a list of the 17 Best Foods For Dieters. Nowhere on this list will you find measured portions of buckwheat or protein supplement shakes. Instead, what you'll find are a list of lower-calorie and lower-fat options of foods you may already be eating. Over time, this reduction in calories and fat will help you get closer and closer to your goal weight.
