Soft Drinks Not So Soft When It Comes to Gaining Weight

Soft drink consumption results in increased calorie intake, and reduces the consumption of fruits and milk, showed a recent study. Also, consumers of soft drinks have an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to the same study.

Soft drinks are one of the main factors that lead to obesity, although not the only one, according to existing data, stated study's co-author Kelly Brownell.

Sodas have other effects beside satisfying thirst. Soft drinks may increase hunger and make people crave for other foods because of their high level of sweetness.

Researchers noticed that the calorie intake is actually greater than the amount of calories from soda, because the soft drinks makes people eat more.

Soft drinks consumption is also responsible for lower intakes of calcium, fiber, fruits, and milk, showed the study.

Soda consumption is strongly connected with Type 2 diabetes, study proved. The risk to develop diabetes is twice as big for women who consume one or more sodas per day, than those who drink less than one soft drink per month.

The study’s results raise serious concerns about the numerous cases of Type 2 diabetes, especially among children, according to researchers.

Consequently, the Center for Science in the Public Interest has asked schools to stop selling soft drinks to students. The group also required health notices on all soft drinks and warnings about health problems that may occur because of them. Some of the usual health problems are osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, or tooth decay.

The soft drink industry designed beverage guidelines meant to limit sugary sodas and offer more diet soft dinks, water, juice, energy drinks, or milk to students.

All foods and soft drinks should be consumed with moderation because they play a key role in a healthy diet, says Tracey Halliday, spokesperson from the American Beverage Association.

The American Beverage Association declined to adopt the study’s conclusion, and stated that soft drinks alone cannot be responsible for obesity.

The Blood Type Diet

This nutrition plan was created by Peter D`Adamo, and is based on the blood types.
For people with O-type blood , the recommended diet is low-carbohydrate, low in diary products, and high in proteins from meat and fish. The specific foods that must be avoided by people with this blood type are oranges, avocados, and Brazil nuts.

People with A-type blood should not eat red meat. Fish, vegetables, and a low dairy intake are allowed. These people should also do only light exercises.

Blood type “B” people should eat plenty of meat, dairy food, fruits, vegetables, and some fish. People with this blood type should avoid bacon and chicken.
People with AB-type blood should combine the diets from A- and B-types blood.

A sample diet specific to A-type blood:

Breakfast should include grapefruit juice, coffee, herbal tea, water with lemon, or oatmeal with soy milk. At lunch apples, one slice of wheat bread, or a Greek salad are allowed. For lunch, a herbal tea is indicated. As a snack, people with A-type blood should eat two plums, green tea, or two rice cakes. For dinner, they may try frozen yogurt, broccoli, herbal tea, Tofu Pesto Lasagna, or red wine.

A sample meal plan for “B” type blood :

Breakfast should contain grape juice, rice bran cereal with banana, fluidizer cocktail, or skim milk. Lunch may include green salad, a sandwich made of two slices of bread, a thin slice of cheese and turkey breast, mayonnaise, or mustard, or some herbal tea. The snack should be a fruit juice sweetened yogurt or an herbal tea. At dinner, the recommended food for those with B-type blood is fresh fruit, broiled fish, herbal tea, or steamed vegetables.

The diet for AB-type blood :

For breakfast, two slices of Yogurt-Herb Cheese or Ezekiel Cheese, and drink water with lemon or coffee. Lunch should include Caesar salad, two slices rye bread, two plums, four ounces sliced turkey breast, or herbal tea. For a snack, Tofu Cheesecake or iced herbal tea. The dinner should include Tofu omelet, mixed-fruit salad, stir-fried vegetables, or decaffeinated coffee.

The diet for O-type blood :

For breakfast, six ounces of vegetable juice, two slices toasted Ezekiel bread, a banana, or herbal tea. Lunch may include spinach salad, apples, pineapple slices, or six ounces of organic roast beef. As a snack, a slice of cake or an herbal tea. The dinner may contain mixed fresh fruit, sweet potato, steamed broccoli, herbal tea, or lamb and asparagus stew.

Use Physical Activity to Fight Depression

Physical activity can increase your energy, make you sleep better, and bring a brighten mood. Physical activity cannot replace therapy or medical care for depression but it can make you feel better and self-confident.

People who have depression are dealing with fatigue, motivation problems, or lack of energy. The key is to get started. Be patient with yourself, and try not to see the exercise program as a burden. You can get the same fitness benefit if you break your exercise program into smaller pieces throughout the day.

Practice regularly and choose only physical activities that you enjoy, so you can stick to your plan. There`s no need to push yourself too much. Studies showed that it`s more likely for your mood to be improved by moderate exercise than excessively workouts.

Choose aerobic activities like biking, brisk walking, swimming, or jogging. Stretching or lifting weights are also benefic. If you are a sedentary person, take it step by step. A good place for you to start may be from a few minutes of walking (or other activity) at any pace, and perhaps in a few weeks you`ll want to do it more often.

Join an aerobics class and spend time with other people. You should be surrounded by positive people, family, or friends that can support you.

It`s good to do workout outdoors. Perhaps the trees or the grass can help you see things different, in a new perspective. Outdoor light may improve your mood, especially in the winter.
A positive environment should help, so you can listen to your favorite music, wear headphones while you`re jogging but stay away from traffic.

Always consult a physician before starting a fitness program. This information is not a substitute for medical advice.