Healthful Bites

Be Choosy

We’ve heard that you shouldn’t grocery shop on an empty stomach because you’ll choose things to satisfy your raging hunger. But how does exercise and other types of bodily excitement fit into the choice equation?

Apparently, the more “aroused” (this doesn’t quite seem like the correct word here, but I’ll use it since the scientists did!) you are, the harder it will be to resist temptations. So if you had a really taxing day at work or ran a 10K in your personal best, you will be more likely to give in to that slice of cheesecake on the dinner menu that evening.

When you’re in a state of calm happiness, you’re much more likely to make healthier choices, the Journal of Consumer Research reports. And if your body has been working hard accomplishing some other task besides resisting that temptation, it will be more likely to give into it. In one of many similar studies, participants were asked to remember either a two-digit or a seven-digit number. Those asked to remember the longer number were more likely to choose M&Ms over grapes than their less mentally-taxed peers.

Mental energy is required to make wise health choices. Makes sense to me! But now there is evidence to back this up. You can utilize these findings by making sure that you are in a positive and relaxed state of mind when making big decisions and wellness-related choices.

Have you noticed times in your own life when you have battled unhealthy urges and won? How did you do it and what circumstances were you in?

 (Image from Top Stocks)

Peter must have had a hard day at work if he’s thinking about pushing that button :)

Organically Duped

People generally believe that organic foods, particularly desserts, have fewer calories than they actually do. “Organic” is often thought of as a synonym for “healthy” or “low calorie,” although this is often not the case.

Since weight is basically an equation taking into account calories consumed and calories burned, even eating too many organic calories can pile on the pounds. And as sales of organic foods have jumped over the past 20 years, consumers may be putting away many more calories through their organic items than they believe they are, University of Michigan researchers say.

Organic diners may feel less likely to act on other health-promoting behaviors, such as exercise, after eating organics, since they feel that they have already covered their health bases. In this study, college students believed that Oreos labeled as made with organic flour and sugar could be eaten more often and contained fewer calories than traditional Oreos.

Just as a reminder: if something is grown with fewer (or no) chemicals, it is most likely better for the Earth. And it could be better for your body…but not necessarily. You still need to check your labels to find the true story!

Do you seek out organic foods? If so, do you still read the labels?

 (Image from Slashfood)

Just because the cookie is organic doesn’t mean it is calorie-free!

Water cooler conversation starter: We all know that good sexual health is vital. (Heck, even Dr. Oz says you should be having more it!)  And protecting yourself from creepy STIs is super smart. So one Massachusetts school is now offering free condoms to any student after he or she receives a consult with the school nurse. All students in the school are eligible for this program, even those as young as first grade—leaving many more conservative adults outraged.

Do you think there should be a minimum age for minors involved in programs like this? Would you be upset if your child, sibling or cousin went to a school that distributed condoms to all?

Dilly-Dally at Dinner

Countless studies have reported the effects of eating slower. Taking your time at the table increases satisfaction, allows your brain and stomach to register the food consumed and can help you to avoid eating out of necessity when in a group (hey, if everyone else is still eating, I better go for seconds)!

Slowing down while eating is also important because it gives time for your body to release hormones that make your stomach feel full, so says new research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. During the study, participants ate ice cream either quickly or slowly—the poor quick eaters left feeling less full and probably had killer ice cream headaches too!

Prior to this study, scientists had known that hormones play a role in feeling full. The new bit of knowledge gained from this study is that the rate at which you eat can affect the amount and timing of hormone release.

They eat so fast, do you think competitive eaters feel full afterwards?

(Photo from si.com’s Extra Mustard Blog)

Texting’s Not Always the Enemy

Lately the war against text messaging has hit the road, and texting has been dealt some major negative PR. But healthcare workers are teaming up with a technology program called CareSpeak to give some positive press to text messaging.

Adherence to medications increases when a patient is texted with reminders, reports research from Mount Sinai Hospital discussed in the New York Times. Teens especially benefit from this service, as in the past, this population has had a hard time making health issues “hit home.” Since teens often feel invincible, medication often falls by the wayside. This can be a huge issue among young transplant patients, the NYT article explains. (Plus teens are much more comfortable with cell phone technologies than, say, seniors).

CareSpeak texts reminders to patients when it is time to take their medicine and this simple message increases the likelihood that medicine is taken. Patients can tailor the messages to arrive at the time that is best for their schedules and are required to respond to the message, confirming that they took their medication, within one hour. If CareSpeak doesn’t hear back, the healthcare professional or parents will be contacted. While this seems a little bit “tattle tale,” I really appreciate the fact that this program is preventative (making sure patients take their medicine) rather than reactive and totally treatment based (we’ll just deal with the problem that comes from skipping medicine after the patient feels the effects of med-neglect).

Cool things to watch related to this program: developers are hoping to send photos of the pill patients should take along with the message and refill reminders may also become a part of the text plan.

What do you think: is this be pesky or practical?

(Image from Neighborhood Crime Map)

Water cooler conversation starter: Are good sprinters born or made? Hard to say, but researchers at Penn State suggest that long toes and an optimal ankle tendon length can make runners more successful sprinters. Do you think genetics or training has a larger role in your innate athletic abilities?