Diets, Health and The New Year

Peter Finch as news anchor Howard Beale in Network

I may make this an annual December 31st event.

Last year I heard way too much BS on diets and health going into the New Years holiday. I just couldn't take it anymore so I whipped off an “I’m mad as h_ll, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” post. It felt  so good after and I think it was a great public service announcement.

Well "they" are on their way out from under their rocks again today and for the next week or two so here is the entire post again...
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I Call BS

There Are No Silver Bullets Tonto

Happy New Years to All except liars and shysters. A little harsh you say... why you say? It's the season when many of us try to correct our bad habits. And always in the top 5 New Year's resolutions will be get healthier and lose weight.  And I see them coming out from under their rocks.

There will be well meaning (but clueless) experts telling you what to do or eat. I listened to one on the radio this morning. In 20 minutes, she had not one fully true statement. There will be the outright shister wanting you to believe only they have the magic knowledge. There will be compelling stories that are sprinkled with pseudo-scientific BS and if you don't know better, you may believe it. There will be celebrities who you trust making a pitch for this diet plan, that magic supplement or a magic energy bracelet.

Are you really that clueless? Well if you are, I will give you some clues to look for...  

First key phrase that I hate:

• Supports the Immune System - I don't know what this means and I'm a doctor. I call BS anytime you hear this
• Increase your metabolic rate - I call BS
• Burns fat - I call BS
• Loss weight while you sleep- Really?- A major I call BS
• Emerging studies or science reveals- I call BS
• Promotes or Supports whatever - really... then how? prove it sucker - I call BS 99% of the time
• Colon health - again a 99% bogus phrase to fleece you  - I call BS again
• The magic of -I don't believe in magic - I call BS
• Leading experts - you can be sure they aren't - I call BS ever time
• Antioxidants - not a bad thing by it self but almost always BS- just eat your veggies.
• Stem cells - I just saw an ad to "turn on" stem cells in the skin. I see a major cancer risk if true. I call BS again 
• "Detoxifying" What does that mean??? - This one is just plain stupid - I call BS

Other things to watch for:

•  Infomercial - BAD- Always
•  Doctor or Dietitian provided to the local TV station by your hospital system - Usually good
• "Expert" on morning TV- frequently bad- watch for key words. 
• An advertised product - almost always bad - I will say I believe Weigh Watchers is GOOD for adults.
• Your PCP (Primary care provider) - Usually good
• A friend or relative - Almost always wrong. 99.9999%
• You mother - better than you think usually

Some general rules that may help:

1. The middle of the bell shaped curve is usually the correct place to be. This means that the mainstream is more likely to be correct then the extremes.
2. Your local nonprofit hospital system will have you best health in mind.
3. Almost all PCP's are good resources for you.
4. Even your insurance company wants you healthy. Even if yours is a blood sucking leach on society, a healthy you is cheaper than a sick you.
5. Drug companies almost always try to sell inappropriate and expensive drugs.
6. Most of the time when a insurance company doesn't pay of a $200 or a $500 procedure from your marginal care provider, it is of little or no value. The first clue to these providers is that they don't take insurance because they don't want a third party that has some knowledge taking a close look at them. The shyster will ding you over and over. Run the other way and rescue your friends and family.
7. If they tell you that doctors or the AMA doesn't want you to know a secret. I again call 100% BS. Hold on tight to your wallet.
8. NEVER make a major change in your diet or exercise program without consulting you PCP.

Final thoughts:

1.  A pound of fat is about 3500 calories. So a can of pop or 12 oz of juice a day is 20 pounds of weight gain per year.
2. Weight is all about calories in and calories out.
3. Your thyroid is probably fine but your doctor can check. There will always be somebody willing to give you an excuse if you'll pay for it.
4. A low glycemic diet will help you control your appetite. But be careful what is called low glycemic. I just saw a recommendation for a "healthy" low glycemic breakfast of a glass of OJ with a bunch of heavy cream.. NOT healthy nor low glycemic.
5. If it sounds stupid or too good to be true , it probably is stupid or too good to be true.

Special note: I'm changing my comment policy for a while so I don't get slammed. I will be approving all comments for now before publishing. If you want to disagree... Start your own blog and say whatever you want. I will publish comments that I consider scientifically sound but ranting or pseudo-scientific BS will not be published.

Sorry, I stepped on toes but it needed to be said.
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The end... Now I feel good... I love musing...

May you all have a Healthy and Happy New Years. Bless you all and may your year be full of joy and happiness.

DrDan


Updated

December 31 2011

DrDan

Broccoli Slaw

Crunchy and tasty, it seems to be everybody's favorite. The one side dish that is present at all holiday meals and any other important meal in our family for the last 30 years has been broccoli slaw.

Many times before the family knows what the main dish is there is the "Are we having broccoli slaw?" question. Now I call that a good dish. I have been meaning to publish this family favorite for over a year but never got the pictures. Just too many things going on and not my responsibility.

Click to Read More and Get Recipe

Chocolate Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake

A tasty and moist treat that is dairy free. We were in need of a dairy free holiday treat last weekend and this was just the trick.

You can do this either non-diary or with diary depending on the ingredients you chose. I  went with a margarine and a cake mix that both were dairy free but if food allergies are not an issue for your family, almost any cake mix and margarine/butter will do.

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Seasons Greetings to All

 Wishing you all the happiest and healthiest holiday season and New Year.

DrDan

Rachael Ray's 5 Minute Fudge

An excellent and easy fudge for the holiday season. We first saw this recipe when Rachael Ray was on Oprah and Rachael Ray Throw a Holiday Party- about 5-6 years ago. Since then it has been a Christmas tradition at our house. It's been made for presents and cookie exchanges along with extra for family. And everybody asks for the recipe. So that is my Christmas present to you... easy fudge.

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Easiest Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

Here is the ultra simple way to make shredder chicken for anything. Mexican, BBQ and any number of other uses. The idea and pictures are by my daughter Christine at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic. You just dump it in slow cooker with some broth and spices.

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Easy Chicken Stir Fry

An easy chicken stir-fry that uses what you already have in the pantry to make a healthy tasty meal. None of those special sauces here.

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Simple Healthy Crockpot Italian Chicken Vegetable Soup

An easy slow cooker soup. It's chicken, veggies and tomatoes with an Italian flair. A healthy soup for all diets but good enough for the first course of that fancy Italian meal. But the real plus is the taste and ease of this soup.

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Clark Family Sweet Potato Casserole

Golden sweat crunchiness. A holiday side that will have them asking for the recipe. When families come together for a holiday, traditional dishes from all sides of the family help make the event special. This is a recipe brought into our family from my son-in-laws family for our first Thanksgiving together and has been a staple ever since.

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