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4 "Bad" Fats You Should Be Eating, According to Dietitians - EatingWell
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4 "Bad" Fats You Should Be Eating, According to Dietitians
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Do you meal prep the same meals each week? Laying out five containers of the same lunch and dinner for the week may be a popular -- and easy – cooking option, but it has a few big drawbacks. Eating the same food all the time, especially if it's not well–balanced, can deprive your body of nutrients it needs. Not to mention, it can be boring.
Find out all the reasons you should start adding more variety to your menu. If you're looking for more tips on nutrition, learn about the foods that promote good gut health, how to eat a well-balanced diet on a budget and why dessert may actually be good for you.
Figuring out what to eat every day can be time consuming and downright exhausting. Not only does it require planning, but sometimes it requires an extensive amount of time cooking.
There's a lot that goes into creating daily meals, and the more different things you eat, the more work it requires. Because of that, it can be attractive to meal prep a collection of dinners and lunches all at once to eat throughout the week. It takes the work out of mealtime each day and gives you more time to relax.
However, eating the same meals day in and day out may not be the best for your health, even if you're eating healthy meals. For one, unless you're eating perfectly rounded meals each day, chances are you'll miss out on some needed nutrients by not diversifying your plate. You may also be hindering your gut microbiome or even preventing you from losing weight if you're trying to do so.
Eating everything the same day after day may be easy on your schedule, but your body greatly benefits from variety. A variety in diet can help your microbiome, ensure you're getting all your needed vitamins and nutrients and can keep your palate entertained. After a while, it certainly gets boring to eat repetitively -- plus this can affect weight loss if you're trying to shed a few pounds. Here's what you need to know.
When you change up what you're eating with every meal, your gut gets all kinds of different bacteria -- and that's a good thing! Studies have shown that various bacteria can keep your gut healthy, especially if you're eating the right foods with the right combination of good bacteria. When you eat the same thing constantly, you're not giving your microbiome the chance to experience new bacteria, which means you can get sick more often. Even worse, if you're eating the same poor-quality, unhealthy food constantly, your gut has even less of a chance of cycling through the right bacteria to keep you healthy.
The FDA has a guideline for what adults should get in terms of vitamins each day, whether it's through food or supplements. Most likely, you won't be getting the full recommended daily value of every single vitamin your body needs -- for heart health, bone health and more -- if you're eating the same meals day in and day out. Though taking daily vitamins as supplements can help your body get what it needs, research has shown that supplements aren't always as effective as getting your vitamins from food. By varying the food you're eating each day, you can make sure your body is getting all the vitamins you need with minimal supplementation.
Similarly to the way the same meals can deprive you of vitamins you need each day, they can also deprive you of other nutrients, like protein and fiber. Again, because your meals likely aren't hitting on every single value you need each day of vitamins and nutrients, you could be missing out on getting enough of these things. Your body needs sufficient protein to keep all its cells healthy -- and to create new cells -- and your body needs fiber to regulate blood sugar.
Fiber also helps keep you regular, and if you're not ingesting enough of it, you can get backed up. Other nutrients your body gets from food are carbohydrates and fat, both of which give your body energy. While these words may sound "bad" if you're dieting, your body does, in fact, need these things to keep your whole system in check. It's just a matter of choosing the right sources to keep you healthy.
At the end of the day, meal-prepping the same meal for every day or every week may be easy, but it's boring. There are so many amazing foods to be had around you, and every day is a new opportunity to try something new. Even if you are a picky eater and don't want to stray too far outside your comfort zone, you can change up how you prepare your food and what sides you include.
Expanding your horizons -- and your palate -- can make mealtime more interesting. This is also an opportunity to make sure you're eating a well-balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins and nutrients your body needs. Plus, if you're looking to lose weight, changing up how you get your nutrients can help your body to continue to burn fat and shed pounds.
If you're looking to liven up your palate, try checking out your local farmers market for new ingredients to cook with or try a meal delivery service. These meal kits are a great way to try new foods that you can recreate later.
Creating a diet out of whole, diverse foods can not only ensure your body is getting all the nutrition it needs, but it keeps your stomach and brain satisfied. Preparing a variety of healthy foods can keep your body healthy in a number of ways and it will continue to keep mealtime interesting. Even if you're looking to save time on meal-prep, you can still change it up with what you're preparing so you're always giving your body exactly what it needs.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images
Politicians are human beings who need to consume food and water in order to live just like the rest of us. But they should really consider only taking in sustenance alone in a darkened room, just to be safe. Chris Christie is forever the governor who berated a guy while clutching an ice-cream cone. The only thing most people remember about Senator Amy Klobuchar’s 2020 presidential bid is that she was accused of eating salad with a comb. Mehmet Oz might be in the Senate today if not for his mistaken belief that Pennsylvanians were worried about the skyrocketing price of crudités.
Now, Ron DeSantis has been hit with a food-related accusation so weird it may end his 2024 presidential bid before it officially starts. The Daily Beast reports that according to two sources, the Florida governor once ate chocolate pudding with three fingers:
The chatter over DeSantis’ public engagement has also surfaced past unflattering stories about his social skills—particularly, his propensity to devour food during meetings.
“He would sit in meetings and eat in front of people,” a former DeSantis staffer told The Daily Beast, “always like a starving animal who has never eaten before… getting shit everywhere.”
Enshrined in DeSantis lore is an episode from four years ago: During a private plane trip from Tallahassee to Washington, D.C., in March of 2019, DeSantis enjoyed a chocolate pudding dessert—by eating it with three of his fingers, according to two sources familiar with the incident.
At first glance, this may not seem like such a big deal. Pudding is delicious. A finger makes an acceptable utensil in an emergency. And who among us hasn’t tried an odd food maneuver when trapped on a plane? The Daily Beast doesn’t even focus primarily on the pudding incident; it appears at the end of a piece about how the Florida governor “struggles with basic social skills” required of a politician. But I’m calling it now: This story will follow DeSantis like pudding sticks to fingers.
The devil is in the details. The report doesn’t say DeSantis dipped a finger into his pudding sheepishly; he used three fingers, presumably as a scoop. And it’s established in the preceding paragraph that he regularly ate during meetings, “like a starving animal who has never eaten before… getting shit everywhere.” This paints a vivid picture of being trapped in a conference room with your boss as he shoves most of his hand into a pudding cup, scoops the goo into his mouth, licks his fingers, and goes back in for more, with chocolate still smeared around his lips. Disgusting!
Even worse for DeSantis is how funny the word “pudding” sounds. And it’s a dessert for children. The Florida governor wants to look masculine and tough, and there are already reports that Donald Trump plans to mock his primary rival’s height and weight. While I personally support people of all ages, body types, and gender expressions consuming a deliciously chocolatey treat, it’s a bad look for a GOP presidential candidate.
To be clear, I’m not saying that voters are going to hear this story and instantly decide they can’t vote for DeSantis. But I do think the image will lodge itself in people’s subconsciouses. Pretend you’re a GOP primary voter listening to the Florida governor touting his record on flouting public-health recommendations, harassing migrants, and ridding schools of “wokeness.” Sounds pretty good, right? Now picture those same ideas coming out of a man who’s been credibly accused of licking dessert from his paw like a cartoon bear. How do those talking points sound now?
I know what you may be thinking: Wait, isn’t DeSantis’s biggest rival a guy who loves ketchup on well-done steak? Yes, Donald Trump being weird with various foodstuffs — from a taco bowl to Diet Coke to “dangerous” fruit — is basically a genre unto itself. But the 45th president has so many strange peccadilloes that it’s just become part of his oddball charm. And while Trump’s fingers may be short, at least he didn’t eat pudding with them.
For years, you’ve probably been told that you have to cut all carbs to successfully lose weight. But it turns out you should keep eating a select few. Carbs aren’t evil—your body needs them and they could be the best type of food for weight loss! When consumed in moderation, healthy carbs can actually keep you full and satiated longer throughout the day.
Whether you’re starting your weight loss journey, or are looking for fresh ideas to spruce up your diet, experts say that non-starchy vegetables and whole grains are the best carbs to eat and still lose weight. To learn more about these carbs, we spoke with Barbara Kovalenko, a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant at Lasta. She said that non-starchy vegetables and whole grains are the best because they are low in calories but high in fiber. Read on to find out more!
According to the Food and Drug Administration, the daily recommended carb ratio should be 300 grams per day (when you're eating a 2,000-calorie diet). One healthy carb that Kovalenko recommends is non-starchy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, and zucchini.
"Non-starchy vegetables," she explains, "are a great carb option for weight loss because they are low in calories and high in fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied with fewer calories. They also provide important nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals, that can support overall health and weight management." They can be eaten raw and added to salads. Or, they can be roasted, sautéed, steamed, or grilled. And, if you're looking to add flavor without any extra calories, consider adding herbs and spices that can also boost your immunity like rosemary!
Quinoa, brown rice, oats, and barley are some common whole grains and unlike refined carbs which can lead to inflammation, Kovalenko says that you can still eat and lose weight. "Whole grains are another great carb option for weight loss because they are also high in fiber, which can help you feel full and satisfied. They also provide important nutrients, such as B vitamins and minerals, that can support energy levels and overall health," she notes. "Additionally, consuming whole grains has been linked to a lower risk of obesity and other chronic diseases."
And, thankfully, whole grains can be cooked in a variety of ways, she says, "such as boiled, steamed, or baked." You can also add vegetables or spices and herbs to make your whole grains even tastier without the extra calories. Kovalenko also warns that It's also important to keep portion sizes in mind, "as whole grains can still contribute to calorie intake if consumed in large amounts." Check out some life-changing portion control hacks that dietitians swear by for weight loss.
Now you know just how beneficial carbs can be! While refined and processed carbs like those found in white bread can make inflammation so much worse and should be avoided, you should instead opt for carbs that are full of fiber and give your body energy. Experts like Kovalenko says that non-starchy vegetables and whole grains will satisfy your carb craving without adding extra pounds. However, she also warns that "it's important to also include a variety of other foods, such as lean protein, healthy fats, and fruits, to ensure you are meeting all of your nutrient needs."
By now, most people are used to Gwyneth Paltrow‘s bizarre health trends but talk of what the star eats in a day has set the internet ablaze.
During a podcast appearance on The Art of Being Well with Dr. Cole, Paltrow, 50, was asked to describe her current wellness routine.
“I like to eat dinner early in the evening,” Paltrow started, going on to say she does a “nice” intermittent fast. (Intermittent fasting is the practice of cycling between eating and abstaining from food for particular blocks of time.)
As part of the fast, the Iron Man star’s first meal of the day comes around noon: coffee.
At lunch, Paltrow said she likes a bone broth soup.
For dinner, the Goop CEO follows a paleolithic diet, a fad diet that excludes processed foods, dairy, sugar and salt. Paltrow’s meal consists of “lots of vegetables.”
Paltrow said she also tries to do one hour of movement every day, either a walk, Pilates or a Tracy Anderson workout. She then uses a dry brush on her skin and gets into an infrared sauna.
A TikTok clip of Paltrow talking about her diet has since gone viral. The video has been viewed 2.4 million times as of this writing.
Social media users took instant issue with Paltrow’s restrictive diet. Many called her the “ultimate almond mom,” a term used to criticize mothers who push their own unhealthy relationships with food onto their children.
Lauren Cadillac, a registered dietician from New York City, responded on TikTok and called Paltrow’s eating habits “disordered.”
“THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD,” Cadillac wrote, noting that was especially true for Paltrow, who stands about five feet, nine inches tall.
Cadillac’s rebuttals were simple: “Bone broth is not a meal.”
@feelgooddietitian #duet with @dearmedia #gwynethpaltrow this isnt #wellness this is DISORDERED. THIS IS NOT ENOUGH FOOD especially for someone that is 5’9” Please stop following and listening to celebrities for your health and wellness advice. #disorderedeating #disorderedbehaviour #orthorexia #intuitiveeating #foodfreedom
Kim Lindsay, another dietician from Australia, also criticized Paltrow’s “wellness routine.” She warned her followers to eat regularly throughout the day “and enjoy all foods as part of a balanced diet.”
@kim_nutrition #duet with @dearmedia #gwynethpaltrow So much diet culture in this ‘wellness routine’. I worry about how many people will follow this. Please remember to eat regulalry over the day and enjoy all foods as part of a balanced diet xx #dietculture #wellness #dietitian
On Twitter, more people chimed in on Paltrow’s diet.
“How long has Gwyneth Paltrow been detoxing surely she can’t have anything left at this point,” one Twitter user wrote.
how long has Gwyneth Paltrow been detoxing surely she can’t have anything left at this point where does it end
— Mollie Goodfellow (@hansmollman) March 14, 2023
“I don’t know what Gwyneth Paltrow thinks she’s promoting in that clip but it’s not wellness,” wrote another critic.
Trending Now
I don’t know what gwyneth Paltrow thinks she’s promoting in that clip but it’s not wellness.
— Steevie 🇬🇭🇬🇭 (@StephanieYeboah) March 15, 2023
Gwyneth Paltrow’s ‘The Goop Lab’: Fact-checking the health claims
During the same interview, Cole asked Paltrow to name the “weirdest wellness thing” she’s done.
“I have used ozone therapy rectally,” she answered. “It’s pretty weird.”
Paltrow said the treatment was “very helpful,” but did not elaborate.
Despite Paltrow’s claims of seeing benefit, ozone therapy is not FDA-approved. The practice uses ozone, a type of oxygen, to boost oxygen levels in the body for purported immune system and health benefits. The treatment can be applied to skin, vaginally or rectally, administered into the blood through an IV or injected into a patient’s muscle.
The FDA claims ozone therapy has no useful medical application and may irritate one’s lungs.
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Are you a shift worker who struggles with nutrition? Or maybe you’re a parent who’s spending a lot of hours up at night with a child?
Shift work and ever-changing schedules can make it very challenging to eat well. Healthy food options are generally more limited in the wee hours, and people are affected by increased cravings when they’re tired. It’s just easier to reach for “comfort foods” when you’re low on energy. To help you make the best of tough situations, here are some tips to improve your nutrition, whether you’re working the night shift, tending to a sick child or dealing with anything that affects your sleep patterns.
First, prioritize protein. Protein is an essential macronutrient that helps you feel satiated longer. That feeling of fullness will stop you from reaching for quick snacks that don’t align with your nutrition goals. Lean protein can be prepared in advance, so you don’t have to cook – think chicken breasts and cold cuts. Other options include beef jerky, protein bars and protein shakes, all of which are now commonly sold at all-hours convenience stores.
Dreamstime
When looking for late-night food, single-serve soups, pasta dishes, rice, steamed veggies and bagged salads are easy wins.
In addition to high-protein options, add veggies and some fruit to your late-night snacking. Fresh chopped veggies, berries, nuts and seeds store and travel well in reusable containers, so you can get them ready in advance. And if you’re out of these items, many gas stations now stock them in their grab-and-go sections.
If you’re on the road late and have to dine out, search for entrées that have lean cuts of meat, such as chicken wraps, and round the meal out with a healthy side salad. Ask for dressing on the side so you can control how much you add. Avoid deep-fried, fatty foods such as burgers, nachos and wings, and stick to water instead of soda or alcohol.
Fast-food and drive-through options have become better than they once were. Most popular chains will have nutrition information available online or even right on site. If you have to buy food when it’s late, plan ahead so you can hit a place that has healthy fare.
To get the best results with nutrition, you just can’t ignore preparation and planning. I’d recommend you establish routines wherever you can to help you succeed. For example, shop on a schedule for foods that you enjoy and that help you hit your goals. Single-serve soups, pasta dishes, rice, steamed veggies and bagged salads are easy wins. Frozen meals are also an excellent option if you pick the ones that are lower in fat. When you have time, batch-cook and portion out several meals to get you through your next shifts or any tough period where sleep is irregular.
Nutrition isn’t complicated, but it’s not always easy to eat well – especially if you’re keeping odd hours. Focus on consistently taking small steps in the right direction. With every win, you’ll gain momentum and move closer to your goals. Be patient and be consistent.
Crystal Kirby-Peloquin
The Sweaty Truth
Crystal Kirby-Peloquin is the owner of 204 Lifestyle and CrossFit 204. Email her at crystal@crossfit204.com
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