This article from New York Times reports that people who wore doctors’ coats had heightened attention and did better on some observational tests that those who wore painters’ coats or street clothes.  It appears from these studies that what we wear can affect our psychological processes and how we respond. Similarly, it has been shown that obesity can negatively impact our self-perception.  I guess there is something to be said for “dressing the part”… Via Nytimes.com
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This article from New York Times reports that people who wore doctors’ coats had heightened attention and did better on some observational tests that those who wore painters’ coats or street clothes.  It appears from these studies that what we wear can affect our psychological processes and how we respond. Similarly, it has been shown that obesity can negatively impact our self-perception. 

I guess there is something to be said for “dressing the part”…

Via Nytimes.com

This is a interesting way to help children with Type I diabetes learn about providing their insulin injections and how different foods affect their blood sugar.  I am not sure how  feeding the bear actually works, but it is a cool idea.   Via GOOD
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This is a interesting way to help children with Type I diabetes learn about providing their insulin injections and how different foods affect their blood sugar.  I am not sure how  feeding the bear actually works, but it is a cool idea.

  Via GOOD

In grad school I was lucky to be able to take a class on Positive Deviance taught by its pioneers Jerry and Monique Sternin.  Positive Deviance is an interesting method of behavior and social change that is based on the idea that there are members of every community (positive deviants) whose uncommon, but successful characteristics or actions enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers.  I am reminded of Positive Deviance when I hear of the Invasivore Movement, which helps reduce the populations of invasive species by turning the species into a food item.  Check out this article on the Invasivore Movement as well as the Positive Deviance home page. Via GOOD
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In grad school I was lucky to be able to take a class on Positive Deviance taught by its pioneers Jerry and Monique Sternin.  Positive Deviance is an interesting method of behavior and social change that is based on the idea that there are members of every community (positive deviants) whose uncommon, but successful characteristics or actions enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers.  I am reminded of Positive Deviance when I hear of the Invasivore Movement, which helps reduce the populations of invasive species by turning the species into a food item.  Check out this article on the Invasivore Movement as well as the Positive Deviance home page.

Via GOOD

Taco Bell partners with Frito-lay to take over your lunch. Read this review before you dig in… Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco Lightning Review: Love and Vomit Via Gizmodo
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Taco Bell partners with Frito-lay to take over your lunch.

Read this review before you dig in…

Taco Bell Doritos Locos Taco Lightning Review: Love and Vomit

Via Gizmodo

Guacamole is one of my favorite foods.  Nutrient dense avocados, which make up the base of guacamole, are a good source of heart healthy, monounsaturated fats as well as fiber and many vitamins.  While it is necessary to watch the portion size of guacamole as well as the amount of tortilla chips that are eaten with it, it can be a nutritious and tasty food.  Even this guacamole looks delicious to me… Via Bonappetit.com
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Guacamole is one of my favorite foods.  Nutrient dense avocados, which make up the base of guacamole, are a good source of heart healthy, monounsaturated fats as well as fiber and many vitamins.  While it is necessary to watch the portion size of guacamole as well as the amount of tortilla chips that are eaten with it, it can be a nutritious and tasty food. 

Even this guacamole looks delicious to me…

Via Bonappetit.com

You likely have heard of the latest dietary evil, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  I think this article does a good job highlighting that the real issue here is excessive sugar consumption, no matter what form it is in.  High Fructose Corn Syrup is very similar to table sugar (sucrose) chemically and provides the same amount of calories gram for gram.  Some studies on high fructose corn syrup have shown increases in belly fat and decreases in insulin sensitivity compared to glucose although the issue remains inconclusive. As this article states, whether you are consuming sucrose or HFCS, the important thing in to avoid excess.  The 2010 US Dietary Guidelines recommend that less than 5-15% of calories consumed per day should come from the combination of added sugars and solid fats (not 25% as the article states).  So try to limit your added sugar intake, whether it be sucrose or HFCS.  Via Gizmodo
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You likely have heard of the latest dietary evil, High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS).  I think this article does a good job highlighting that the real issue here is excessive sugar consumption, no matter what form it is in. 

High Fructose Corn Syrup is very similar to table sugar (sucrose) chemically and provides the same amount of calories gram for gram.  Some studies on high fructose corn syrup have shown increases in belly fat and decreases in insulin sensitivity compared to glucose although the issue remains inconclusive.

As this article states, whether you are consuming sucrose or HFCS, the important thing in to avoid excess.  The 2010 US Dietary Guidelines recommend that less than 5-15% of calories consumed per day should come from the combination of added sugars and solid fats (not 25% as the article states).  So try to limit your added sugar intake, whether it be sucrose or HFCS. 

Via Gizmodo

A recent study found that those who consumed diet soda regularly were at an increased risk of suffering a vascular incident than those that drank regular soda.  This was a fairly large (~2,500 subjects), NIH funded study.  Like most nutrition research, this topic requires more studies before a conclusion can be made.  Even the principle author wrote a disclaimer saying “Our results suggest a potential association between daily diet soft drink consumption and vascular outcomes. However, the mechanisms by which soft drinks may affect vascular events are unclear. There is a need for further research before any conclusions can be drawn regarding the potential health consequences of diet soft drink consumption.” These findings go against what I would expect from a basic science perspective because it would make sense that moderate diet soda consumption compared to regular soda consumption would result in less weight gain and therefore less risk of vascular events.   As a habitual diet soda drinker, I am not going to transition to regular soda anytime soon, although as with all items in my diet, I will try to consume diet soda in moderation.  Via GOOD
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A recent study found that those who consumed diet soda regularly were at an increased risk of suffering a vascular incident than those that drank regular soda.  This was a fairly large (~2,500 subjects), NIH funded study.  Like most nutrition research, this topic requires more studies before a conclusion can be made.  Even the principle author wrote a disclaimer saying “Our results suggest a potential association between daily diet soft drink consumption and vascular outcomes. However, the mechanisms by which soft drinks may affect vascular events are unclear. There is a need for further research before any conclusions can be drawn regarding the potential health consequences of diet soft drink consumption.”

These findings go against what I would expect from a basic science perspective because it would make sense that moderate diet soda consumption compared to regular soda consumption would result in less weight gain and therefore less risk of vascular events.   As a habitual diet soda drinker, I am not going to transition to regular soda anytime soon, although as with all items in my diet, I will try to consume diet soda in moderation. 

Via GOOD

Imposing a “Fat Tax,” a tax on high fat and sugar foods that exists in some countries, could be an interesting method of helping Americans slim down.  Similarly an increase in tax on cigarettes and gas may also help improve the health of Americans, although likely to be highly unpopular and controversial.  I think I could get behind these taxes if there were social systems put in place to help Americans adjust, but I am not sure the American culture would accept the tax.  What do you think? Via The Daily Meal
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Imposing a “Fat Tax,” a tax on high fat and sugar foods that exists in some countries, could be an interesting method of helping Americans slim down.  Similarly an increase in tax on cigarettes and gas may also help improve the health of Americans, although likely to be highly unpopular and controversial.  I think I could get behind these taxes if there were social systems put in place to help Americans adjust, but I am not sure the American culture would accept the tax.  What do you think?

Via The Daily Meal

This is an interesting idea, but I wonder how much obesity rates would increase if we decreased our metabolic rate and size and were still surrounded by the current American food environment and culture. Via Gizmodo
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This is an interesting idea, but I wonder how much obesity rates would increase if we decreased our metabolic rate and size and were still surrounded by the current American food environment and culture.

Via Gizmodo

So we have known red meat can increase your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease for many years.  A new, large study has gone a step further and found that consuming at least one serving of red meat per day increases your mortality risk, even when controlled for other lifestyle factors.  The study found that processed meat brings with it an even higher risk, likely secondary to the saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives contained in processed meat.   While the study did separate out processed meat, it is did not specify what type of red meats (lean versus fatty) were consumed.  I think the things to take away from this study are to incorporate other animal and vegetable proteins into the diet instead of relying mainly on red meat and when consuming meats, choose those that are lean when possible.  Via ABC News
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So we have known red meat can increase your risk of developing colon cancer and heart disease for many years.  A new, large study has gone a step further and found that consuming at least one serving of red meat per day increases your mortality risk, even when controlled for other lifestyle factors.  The study found that processed meat brings with it an even higher risk, likely secondary to the saturated fat, sodium, and preservatives contained in processed meat.   While the study did separate out processed meat, it is did not specify what type of red meats (lean versus fatty) were consumed. 

I think the things to take away from this study are to incorporate other animal and vegetable proteins into the diet instead of relying mainly on red meat and when consuming meats, choose those that are lean when possible. 

Via ABC News