This blog is outside my usual remit.  I don't comment on nutrition as I'm not qualified to do so.  Also nutrition and dietetics relate to the "symptom" i.e. excess weight.  My work focuses on the causes - the reasons that lead to excess weight.


However, this article reminded me of a story my father told me.  My dad was born in 1916 (yes, I'm THAT old - although he was a later years father to me).  He spoke of the privations experienced in England in the war and  post-war years when rationing was in place.  People ate very little in the way of animal products, and obtained their nutrition from grains and fruit/vegetables.  For example, cheese was restricted to 2 oz. per week, butter the same level.  Overall health actually IMPROVED during this time.  


What's the point?  Well, we feel that meat and dairy are essential to life but they're not.  The evidence shows that restriction in this area is not harmful, more to the point is beneficial.  


I'm not advocating a vegetarian or vegan diet, even though I have opinions in this area.  What I am saying is that if we have more reliable and verifiable information, we can make a more informed choice.  The attached article is about how Denmark survived the North Sea blockade during WW1.  Interesting stuff, I hope  you enjoy it.


And, yes, I bought tofu today, but don't hold it against me, ok?


http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2012nl/jul/lessons.htm

Stress - its not the end of the world...

Think like an elite athlete.  Perceptions are critical - its not about how it is...its about how it is IN YOUR PERCEPTION.


http://www.theage.com.au/executive-style/management/blogs/performance-matters/stress-wins-gold-medals-20120730-2382b.html


Change your perception and change your feelings.  Our thoughts are not necessarily the truth.  If we choose our thoughts, we can choose much more in our lives.  We don't necessarily need to stuff them down with food, or any other external soother.

Love this quote

Its amazing what you find when you go exploring on the "electric interweb".  Such as the following quotation.


"An ounce of behaviour is worth a pound of words" Sanford Meisner


Had to throw the "u" in behavior, just to stay true to my roots.


What does that mean?  What do you think it means?


Something about "changing your thinking is fine and good....but there must also be a change in behavio(u)r.

What behaviour have you changed today?  What can you still do before midnight?

Think about it.

An "occasional" treat...

With the emphasis on occasional.  The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare have reported that treats give us more than 1/3 of our calories.


"On average, “treats’’ or extra foods such as chips, biscuits, pastries, soft drinks and alcohol contributed 36 per cent of the energy intake for adults and 40 per cent for children."

Just think about how much more delicious and filling foods we could consume with that 36% of calories.  Or what if we lost half of those calories - we'd probably lose our spare tyre, too.  Not to mention those pesky little deposits of plaque in our arteries.

36% - that's a lot.  Think about it.

http://www.theage.com.au/lifestyle/diet-and-fitness/its-official-we-eat-too-much-20120717-227bh.html

It doesn't have to be that complicated.

We often apply complex and incredibly specific rules to our weight loss eating.  Only x for breakfast, no snacks, ban certain food substances, eat lots of goji berries and chia seeds, but not after 7pm.


Recent research has indicated that it is more simple than that.  Published in the Journal of the Academy of Dietition and Nutretics is a report indicating several, simple, key differences a person can make to take charge of their weight loss journey.


1.  Keep a food journal


2.  Avoid eating out


3, Never skip meals




1.  This device keeps us from having short term memory loss but also allows us to get an overall picture of how well we could be doing in relation to our previous eating habits. It is a reminder and a reward in itself.
  
2.  We have almost no control over what goes into the food that other people prepare for us.  The humble caesar salad can be LOADED with high fat calories and yet we think we're making a good choice.  Restaurant food relies on oil and butter and cream for mouth flavour.  Even that grilled fish has been doused in oil.  Whereas at home we have 100% control and we can have it just the way we like it and want it, thereby eliminating a whole raft of guilt and self-flaggelation.


3.  Skipping meals can induce the famine effect in the body and work in totally the opposite way that we intended it to. Keep the body adequately fueled throughout the day and it will love and appreciate you.  Trying to make up for "being bad" by skipping meals means you just aggravate that reptilian brain of yours and it sends you strong messages about hunger and re-feeding.


And guess what - it is all self-help, not some expensive, commnercial plan either.  Start writing! Invent your own caesar salad and eat regularly.  Its not rocket science, its rock-it common sense.






http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247839.php

Stating the obvious

Western Australia has started a shock campaign about obesity, just like the ones for smoking and the old original for AIDS 20+ years ago.  As I keep reiterating, working on the symptom (or effect) is.....ineffective. One has to address the causes.  And there are many.  Dr Leah Brennan, a health psychologist who is an expert on obesity referred to our weight problems as a "normal response to an abnormal environment".  Surely the money spent on the W.A. campaign could be better spent on education, and obesity programs that tackle the causes?  And where are the inpatient programs for obese adults - NOWHERE.

http://www.dailylife.com.au/health-and-fitness/shaming-the-overweight-20120711-21vdk.html