Dietary Supplements vs Food: What's the Difference?

Supplements seem to be the new thing nowadays.  You see advertisements of them everywhere, whether it is on TV, the flyer for your local CVS, or in your Food Network magazine.  The supplements advertise containing a whole bunch of vitamins and minerals, and are convenient because you can just pop one in your mouth and you are on your way.

The question you may be thinking is: are supplements really as good as their nutritional food counterparts?

The answer is: Yes, and No.  Supplements are good for you if you are having trouble getting a particular nutrient into your diet.  (Example: Calcium).  But, supplements should not be used as an excuse to eat whatever you want.  Some people have the thinking of "I take supplements to get my vitamins, so I can eat whatever I want for the rest of the day."  

That is a BAD way of thinking.

Supplements do contain Vitamins and Minerals, but not calories which fruits and vegetables have.  Calories are essential because our body burns them for energy.  Fruits and vegetables also contain things like antioxidants and phytochemicals, which help your body defend itself against disease.

Bottom line: Use supplements as a means of helping you get the vitamins and minerals you need, not as a substitute for healthy eating.

Source: http://www.dineoncampus.com/stjohns/show.cfm?cmd=newsletter 

Protein Ice Cream: The Newest Supplement

Earlier today, I was reading a magazine and stumbled upon this very interesting article.  The article talked about this new protein ice cream that had come out.  For each 2 scoop serving, the ice cream had 217 calories, 14g of fat, and 21g of protein.

This low-sugar, whey-infused ice cream was created by Jacob Kennedy, a "gym-going chef" who was fed up with the lack of good tasting post-workout options.  According to taste testers, this ice cream tastes better than the normal ice cream, because it is churned slowly. 

For all the ice cream lovers out there, this must feel like a dream come true.  Ice cream that contains 40% of my daily value of protein per serving?  Plus, it's low fat and low sugar, and tastes great!  That means I can eat ice cream all day and still be healthy, right?

Not so fast.  Even though this ice cream is healthy for you, it is still meant to be a post workout supplement.  This means you eat it AFTER working out. 

Unfortunately, this ice cream can only be found in London.  So all we can do is look at the pictures on their website, and drool, hoping that one day, we will get the chance to try this palatable treat.


Source: Men's Health Magazine UK

What is Your Body Type?

I'm sure all of you know at least a skinny person who seems to eat a lot but not gain any weight. I know I do.  You may wonder how is this possible.  Is there a black hole in their stomach?  Does their body not process calories?  Are they human?

Well, I found an article online that can help explain some of this.  The article, which is shown below, talks about the three main body types people have.  They are: ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. 

 

The skinny person I was talking about in the first paragraph is most likely an ectomorph.  An ectomorph is a person who finds it very hard to gain weight.  Typical traits of an ectomorph include fast metabolism, small shoulders, flat chest, and lean muscle mass.

You can read more about ectomorphs, and the two other body types here: What is Your Body Type?

Oasis of the Seas Best Food

As some of you may know, the Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world.  I had the pleasure of cruising on that ship the past week.  I have to say, it has to be seen in person to be appreciated.  Looking at pictures is remarkable, but being on the ship is another level of awe-inspiring.  The ship features things like FlowRider surfing simulator, ice skating rink, rock climbing wall, and the first ever Zip-Line at sea.  

One of the favorite things to do on cruise ships is to eat.  I admit, I stuffed my face every day (and enjoyed it).  Because there are over 20 dining options on the cruise ship, it is impossible to try them all in the span of one week.  Listed below are 5 of my favorite foods that I enjoyed in the past week, along with where you can find them, and a picture I took of them.  Hope it looks as good as it tasted!

Kummelweck Sandwich

Location: Park Cafe

Price: Free

Description: This Roast Beef sandwich is a guest favorite.  Slices of roast beef is piled in between a nice bun with salt and some seeds on top.  The secret Kummelweck sauce is hidden on the insides of the bun.  Perfect for lunch, or a quick snack.

Izumi Sushi Rolls

Location: Izumi Restaurant

Price: $6-$8 per roll

Description: I was very pleasantly surprised with the quality of sushi from Izumi.  I have eaten a lot of sushi in my life, and these are some of the better quality rolls that I have had.  Shown in the picture is the Snow Crab California roll and Dragon Eel roll.  For those who love sushi, you have to give this place a try.  It is worth every cent.

Honeydew Melon Soup

Location: Opus Dining Room

Price: Free

Description: All of the chilled soups offered on board are delicious.  They remind me more of a smoothie, than a soup.  And I love smoothies.  Some of the chilled soups offered are Strawberry, Pineapple and Lychee, and the Honeydew Melon soup shown below.  After being in the hot sun all day, these soups are a perfect way to rehydrate at dinner.

Fisherman's Plate

Location: Opus Dining Room

Price: Free

Description: This was offered on our second formal night, and boy was it delicious.  Lobster tail is a staple of cruise ship dining, and the lobster tail here is one of the better ones that I have had.  The meat is succulent, and there is shrimp and some vegetables to help give the meal additional textures.  

Low Fat Mango Pudding

Location: Opus Dining Room

Price: Free

Description: I regret not ordering this dessert for myself.  This picture is of my mom's mango pudding, which was offered on the first night of our cruise.  I only tried a bite of this, but it was a bite I will remember for a long time.  The mango pudding is both soft enough to melt in your mouth, yet rigid enough to retain the ship as you pick it up with a spoon.  The flavor is light, yet distinct.  It is the perfect dessert for people who want a delicious end to a delicious meal.  

Using your Brain to help you Lose Weight

I recently read this article in Bottom Line magazine and found it to be very interesting.  The article talks about how a lot of people are struggling to lose weight.  Often times, they lose weight, but they end up gaining it back.  All of these diets and calorie counting isn't working for them.  This article talks about using your Brain, your most powerful organ, to help you lose weight.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

Strategy one: Look at your feelings

 

When you wish to eat, ask yourself whether you really are hungry.  Pay attention to your stomach.  Is it full or empty?  Ask yourself, Do I really need food right now?

 

People often eat for reasons that have nothign to do with hunger.  We eat when we're upset, frustrated, bored, etc.  The act of eating is a disctraction from uncomfortable feelings and a coping mechanism that makes the feelings less intense. 

 

Studies have shown that mood strongly affects food choices.  One study published in American Demographics found that people gravitate towrad ice cream and cookies when they're sad...potato chips when they're bored... and pizza or steak when they're happy.

 

My advice: Before you eat anything, seriously ask yourself why you want it.  If you haven't eaten for several hours, you're probably just hungry.  But if you're craving a snack even though you ate recently, you're probably dealing with emotional hunger.  Ask yourself, "How am I feeling aobut the world today?"..."What's my mood?"..."What do I really need at this particular moment?"..."Does my stomach feel empty?"

 

When you eat only when you're hungry and you don't use food for an emotional fix, you've achieved homeostasis, a type of mind-body balance in which you desire only what you need. 

 

Imagine a single cell floating in a petri dish.  It doesn't think about food.  It takes in nutrients when it needs them and stops when it has had enough.  It is in a perfect state of homeostais. 

 

You can achieve the same harmony by being self-aware, or mindful.

 

What do do: Suppose that you came home from work and already are anticipating the taste of chocolate.  Don't go straight to the pantry.  Instead, run through the mindful list.  If you determine that you are experiencing only emotional hunger, take three very deep breaths and smile.  This simple exercise can make the craving go away.  It also works if you've already started eating and don't want to overeat.

If you wish to read the rest of the article, obtain a copy of Bottom Line Magazine Volume 34 Issue 15, or comment below and I will send you the rest of the article.