Eat, sleep & be healthy
Can you spot the dietary landmines here?
Whether eating out, working out or jumping into bed, it seems like everything we do has a bearing on our health — and we’ve got a wide variety of health news this week to prove it. Based on the amount of time I spend thinking about my health one would think I would be in great shape and always making smart eating choices – sadly this is not always the case.
Sticking to your healthy diet at a restaurant can be tough, especially when menus are designed with profits rather than calories in mind. Based on infrared eye scans, one researcher has found that diners spend the least time studying the salad section of restaurant menus — probably the very place we ought to focus longest. When it comes to appetizers, watch out for the first two and last two items on the list. Research shows those are the items that get ordered most often, so you might find the biggest portions — and highest prices — there. (YouBeauty)
We all know that reducing calories is good for our waistline, but now doctors are studying “caloric restriction” as a treatment for asthma, breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and more. So far the evidence isn’t conclusive, but it’s definitely intriguing, so you’ll want to check out this post for more information. (My Health News Daily)
This one is my favorite and something I constantly debate with AM workouts. When there just aren’t enough hours in the day, choosing between sleep time and exercise time can be a tough decision. But registered dietician Nicole German has a rule of thumb: “When you are pressed with the decision of getting to bed early or getting in an exercise session, sleep wins.” That’s because research shows that lack of sleep can suppress the hormone that makes us feel full, while increasing the hormone that makes us feel hungry. In other words, we’re likely to eat more when we’re tired, so the best “diet” rule just might be a good night’s sleep. (Diet Blog)
Sometimes there’s just no way to get a full 8 hours’ of quality sleep, and that can leave us feeling draggy the entire next day. Instead of reaching for more caffeine, Leta Shy suggests stretching, drinking more water, or getting up for a quick walk to boost energy levels. Also, because fatigue is largely mental, try to zing your brain by changing your surroundings or planning for something you enjoy. I have tried this at work and find the most success with a handful of quick stretches and walking to fill up my water bottle. (FitSugar)
If you’ve spent any time at the gym recently, you’ve probably seen trainers putting people through their paces on big rubber balls, wobbly platforms or vibrating surfaces. This is known as Unstable Surface Training, or UST, and it’s supposed to build a better body by activating more muscles in each exercise. But does it actually work? Crabby McSlacker takes a look at the evidence and finds that it’s a little “shaky.” (Cranky Fitness)
Walking is one form of exercise that no one can question — but even then, a proper workout depends on getting your heart rate up to a certain level. You can wear one of those funny straps around your chest, but that’s not the only way to mind your heart rate, as Wendy Bumgardner reports. (About.com / Walking)
Photo credit: dmbaker via iStockphoto
