Why weight loss programs and junk food don’t mix

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The world’s oldest person, Besse Cooper, turned 116 yesterday. Her secret to such a long life? She doesn’t eat junk food!

Unfortunately, the old adage rings pretty true—we are what we eat. The foods we consume shape us and contribute to our health. Junk food is one of the worst deterrents to weight loss programs—it’s typically high calorie, contains harmful synthetic chemicals and preservatives, and contains few, if any, nutrients. 

Most junk food, such as chips, candy, ice cream, baked goods and fast food, is highly processed and lacking in essential nutrients. In addition to the chemicals used as preservatives and for flavor, junk food typically has high sugar content—exactly what medical weight loss centers want you to avoid. Eating junk food causes spikes in blood sugar and starts that cycle of blood rushes and crashes, resulting in increased hunger shortly after eating it, even if you’re using weight loss pills prescribed by a medical clinic to help you suppress your appetite.

Studies show that junk food has also been linked to various cancers, birth defects and chronic illnesses. It definitely does nothing to help your energy levels and immunity, which is something we need the food we eat to do. Medical weight loss centers recommend that you eat foods that are fiber and nutrient-rich—that means wholesome, non-processed foods like fresh fruit and vegetables.

Whether or not you’re following a diet or one of the many weight loss programs available, eating junk food is a detriment to your health. It increases your LDL cholesterol levels, raises blood pressure, reduces the ability of your digestive system to function efficiently, weakens immunity and causes a sluggish metabolism. The result is an increase in fat storage in your body—aka weight gain or obesity.

Eating junk food regularly can lead to major health problems, as well as a much larger number on the scale. Even when you take weight loss pills prescribed by a medical clinic, your body will not be able to utilize all the excess calories that junk food provides. Not only does eating junk food lead to obesity, it can cause cardiovascular disease and the other problems mentioned above. Is that candy bar really worth it?

Recommendations from Weight Loss Centers —eat like an Olympian

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The Summer Olympics were very inspiring—especially if you’re an American. Gold medals aside, the athletes who participated were all amazing shape. This is obviously due to disciplined workouts and practice schedules, but also to eating well. If you’ve ever followed any diets or easy weight loss programs, you may recognize some of the healthy eating habits that professional athletes typically follow. If your goal is to get your body in competitive shape, our weight loss centers recommend that you adopt a few, if not all, of the following behaviors:

Avoid processed sugar. Weight loss centers recommend eliminating sugar as much as you can. Not only does it usually contain empty calories, it can have a high fat content and will cause your blood sugar to spike rapidly, resulting in a cycle of sugar rushes and crashes that can ultimately cause weight gain. There is nothing healthy about processed sugar, so find some alternatives like fruit or dark chocolate to curb that sweet tooth. If you need help with ideas, visit one of the many clinics that specialize in medical weight loss to determine some selections that won’t hinder your weight loss efforts.

Ditch the cheese. Whether you’re following one of our easy weight loss programs or just trying to maintain a healthy diet, it’s best to eat cheese in moderation. Cheese typically has both a high saturated fat and calorie content, though it is a good source of source of protein, phosphorus and calcium. The best thing to do is think of it as an accent, not a main ingredient. Use it sparingly to add a little flavor, and stick to the cheeses that are naturally low in fat, such as goat cheese, part-skim mozzarella, Neufchâtel and Farmer’s cheese.

Go whole-wheat instead of white. Whole wheat grains, aka “healthy carbohydrates,” are complex to digest and healthier overall. They’re a great source of fiber, which fills you up and staves off hunger. Meanwhile, white flour does the exact opposite. Your body basically transforms it into sugar, thus putting you on the same blood glucose cycle that processed sugars do. 

Swap out salt. Salt causes water retention and can raise blood pressure. Try to use more flavorful spices and herbs instead of adding salt to your meals. Cayenne, pepper, garlic, red pepper and rosemary are excellent alternatives that also have metabolism revving effects. For other salt substitutes, ask the physicians at one of the clinics that specialize in medical weight loss.

Summer, strawberries & successful weight loss programs

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Strawberries are one of the most delicious fruits of summer. They’re an ideal food for those following weight loss programs, and are packed with antioxidants, nutrients and fiber. Plus, their sweetness can curb your sweet tooth so you don’t go off track with fattening, sugar-laden indulgences.

For thousands of years, the strawberry was considered a luxury item, savored only by royalty and the wealthier classes. What most people don’t know is that strawberries have been used for their therapeutic properties for as long as they’ve been eaten. With their strong content of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, they’ve been found to be a natural complement to both eastern and western medicine.

Much research has shown that the nutrient content of strawberries contributes to improved cardiovascular health in a variety of ways. With their extremely high fiber content, they help to fight obesity by staving off hunger. By replacing sugary treats with strawberries, patients have a much easier time staying on track with all types of weight loss programs. Strawberries have also been shown to have positive effects on blood vessels and platelets, therefore decreasing the risk of coronary heart diseases. In addition, they boast a great deal of heart healthy nutrients such as vitamin C, B1, B6 and K, as well as iodine, manganese, potassium and pantothenic acid.

In addition to high antioxidants levels, strawberries have such a strong vitamin C content that they help to lower blood pressure and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.  Medical weight loss clinics are big proponents of foods that are rich in vitamin C, as they naturally boost immunity and helps ward off chronic disease and illnesses.

Strawberries have also been found to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, somewhat due to a high percentage of manganese, a powerful antioxidant that helps to battle free radicals, oxidative stress and cellular inflammation. Manganese is also essential to building strong bones and maintaining structure.

Another reason why strawberries are often recommended by physicians at medical weight loss clinics is because of the significant research showing that the ellagic acid present in many red and dark fruits and berries can boost activity among cancer-fighting cells.

Foods like strawberries make it easy for individuals to fight obesity and lose weight. A healthy diet packed with antioxidant-rich foods like strawberries, coupled with an exercise program that includes group workouts, cardio and resistance training, can help prevent potentially dangerous diseases and help you live a longer, healthier life.

An apple a day keep weight loss programs at bay

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Maybe an apple a day won’t keep weight loss programs away entirely, but they’ll help you have success with them—and if you incorporate them into your diet for the long term, apples will help you maintain permanent results.

Crisp juicy apples are like the wallflowers of the superfoods. These days, people are more wowed by flashier fruits, such as Acai, Goji berries, mangoes and pomegranates. But did you know that most medical weight loss centers recommend apples for their myriad health benefits?

An obvious reason that apples help individuals achieve success with programs for weight loss is their volume—apples are low in calories yet high in soluble fiber. Apples are rich in pectin, a form of fiber that is often used in various products for weight loss. Pectin provides galacturonic acid, which lowers the body’s need for insulin, helps prevent spikes in blood sugar and may help with diabetes management.

Research shows that apples are strongly linked to improved heart health. Eating apples is proven to lower the risk of both coronary and cardiovascular disease. In addition, they are a great source of vitamin C, which boosts our immune systems. One apple alone can provide 14 percent of the RDA of vitamin C!

Studies conducted in Finland report a decreased risk of stroke, and experts worldwide tout its antioxidant compounds for lowering LDL (‘bad”) cholesterol— you can reduce your cholesterol by almost 16 percent simply by eating two apples a day. They also have significant anti-inflammatory effects. It makes perfect sense that physicians at medical weight loss centers recommend getting apples into your diet.

Another important benefit that makes eating apples so essential for easy weight loss programs is that they protect against metabolic syndrome, which increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Researchers also believe that the high levels of flavonoids in apples reduce the risk of various cancers, particularly lung, breast, liver and colon. French researchers found that apple-specific flavonoids decrease the risk of osteoporosis among post-menopausal women and may also increase bone density. In addition, apples contain boron, which strengthens bones.

Eating apples before exercising may also boost your stamina. Apples are packed with an antioxidant called quercetin, which makes more oxygen available to your lungs, thereby increasing endurance—probably another reason they make good ingredients for products for weight loss!

Make your apple pick for your daily routine and start eating them today! It doesn’t matter whether you choose Fuji, Granny Smith or Red Delicious—recent research shows that even eating dried apples help people lose weight. The bottom line: apples satisfy your hunger and promote weight loss while providing a host of nutritional benefits.

Why weight loss clinics recommend berries

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Berries are delicious and offer wide-ranging benefits—almost too many to count. They’re delicious, anti-inflammatory, and the best weight loss clinics recommend them as ideal snacks. Packed with antioxidants, berries are one of the most powerful foods when it comes to fighting diseases and illnesses.

In fact, research shows that berries have the highest level of antioxidants, which are cancer-fighting compounds, of any fruit. These nutritional powerhouses are great for those following easy weight loss programs, as their volume is very filling and their benefits vast. Scientific evidence shows that blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and other berries are good for the brain and may even help prevent age-related memory loss. In addition, they’re great for our skin and help fight anti-aging!

Regardless of whether they’re fresh, frozen or freeze-dried, berries are essential to maintaining your nutritional requirements while cutting caloric intake as part of any easy weight loss programs. Keep in mind that the darker the berry, the higher its phytochemical content will be, resulting in even greater health benefits.

Both weight loss clinics and personal trainers tout berries because they pack a powerful punch against heart disease. A diet rich in berries also improves blood pressure and HDL cholesterol levels due to their high content of flavonoids, such as anthocyanins, one of the most beneficial antioxidants, which give both blueberries and strawberries their bright color. These compounds help regulate blood flow and lower the risk of high blood pressure. Other beneficial compounds that berries contain are polyphenols and bioactive substances, such as vitamin C.

Personal trainers and doctors at medical weight loss centers recommend berries because they are low calorie, yet high in water content and fiber. When you have a craving for sweets, berries can satisfy that urge without derailing diets and weight loss programs. With their significant cardiovascular benefits, you simply can’t go wrong. Try them alone or add them to Greek yogurt, salads, cereal and steel-cut oatmeal. Eat as great a variety as possible—with so many options it’s easy. Here are some great types to try: blueberries, Acai berries, aronia berries, bilberry, blackberries, black Currant, boysenberries, cranberries, goji berries, gooseberry, mulberries, pyracantha berries, raspberries, strawberries and yumberries.