Author Archives: Margaret

About Margaret

Maggie is a journalist with a passion for nutrition, fitness and environmental health. She's a lifelong figure skater who continues to coach, and also enjoys cooking and running.

Stuff People Say in the Diet and Fitness Industry

Originating with a Twitter account owned by Graydon Sheppard and Kyle Humphrey, popularized through YouTube video and quickly generating a whole universe of spin-offs, the “Sh*t People Say” meme has proved to be a thoroughly entertaining phenomenon. Some may take offense, some may already think it’s played out, but we couldn’t resist sharing a few of the gems that apply to our work here at DietsInReview.

Stuff Foodies Say

Our love of real, unprocessed, organic foods here at DietsInReview is sure to cause a lot of people to stick most of us in the “foodie” category. Shopping at the farmers market or Whole Foods, participating in a CSA and obsessive back-of-package label reading are some of the key characteristics of the foodie. They typically love greens, local food and sustainable farming, and may also adopt more rigorous eating regimes, such as going vegetarian, raw, local, vegan, paleo or gluten-free.

One thing we’d like to add to the script:

“I only shop at perimeters of the grocery store.”

(more…)

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Margaret

Retrofit Offers a Long-Term Approach to Weight Loss Maintenance [GIVEAWAY]

All too often in the weight loss industry, companies stay in business because of their clients’ failures. Many programs are effective at helping their clients lose weight, however, they don’t help them maintain the loss in the long term and benefit from returning clients.

retrofit weight loss programRetrofit offers a very different kind of service, one that’s geared to help you maintain your goal weight as much as it is designed to help you get there. That’s only one of the many advantages Retrofit offers clients in its 12-month plan. It combines the convenience of an online diet with the best expert advice and personal attention of a weight loss clinic. Unlike many online programs that simply supply users with meal plans and workouts but no personal interaction, Retrofit provides each client with a team of wellness experts.

This team of experts makes up the core of the Retrofit experience, and consists of a registered dietitian, an exercise physiologist and a behavior coach. “They’re the most educated team out there,” says Kim Evenson CMO at Retrofit. She adds that compensations is based on their ability to help clients reach their goals by the end of the year. You will meet with each member of the team during scheduled video conferences, but they are also always available if clients have additional questions. They will help you craft a weight loss plan that’s totally based on your needs and that can work with the realities of your lifestyle. Additionally, there’s a program adviser who “functions like your admin,” explains Evenson. “That person is with you from day one through the very end of the program.”

(more…)

Posted on February 1, 2026 by Margaret

Fran Drescher Campaigns to Get Carcinogens Out of Household Products

Fran Drescher, herself a uterine cancer survivor, has launched a new campaign to get cancer-causing chemicals out of homes and banned from manufacturing. Drescher points out that these chemicals are in all kinds of household products, from cleaning to body products. So, as part of her Cancer Smhmancer Movement, she’s created “Trash Cancer,” an initiative to help promote awareness about everyday toxins.

(more…)

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Margaret

A Healthy Grocery List for Gourmet Tastes

pile of seeds on an orange fabricWhen we think of items that delight the the foodie palate, things like cheese, wine, chocolate and pastries are often first to come to mind. These decidedly high calorie items must be enjoyed in moderation to maintain a good health, but there are a number of exotic tastes that are also very healthy. Assembled below is a list of epicurean delights that are also nutritionally sound.

1. Expeller Pressed Olive Oil. An expeller press mechanically extracts the oil from seeds or fruits like olives. This traditional method doesn’t require chemicals and produces a better product. “When the first press happens, all the nutrients come out in the oil and that’s the highest quality,” says Chef Marcus Guiliano, owner of Aroma Thyme Bistro.

2. Bulgur Wheat. This nutritious wheat has a low glycemic index and is high in fiber. Made from a pre-cooked wheat berry, serve it as you would cous cous or rice.

3. Coconut Milk. Gaining recent traction as a dairy substitute, coconut milk adds a sweet note to all kinds of recipes. Although it’s high in fat, it’s also a good source of lutien, a key nutrient for eye health.

(more…)

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Margaret

Certified Naturally Grown Offers Alternative to USDA Organic

round certified naturally grown sealIn 2002, a federal law passed that only allows products to be labeled “organic” if they have gone through the USDA certification process, but not every farmer who uses organic practices has the certification. The process is time consuming and also comes with a thousand dollar fee, and some small farmers simply find that the USDA’s program is a bad fit for the scale of their operations.

However, Certified Naturally Grown (CNG) offers farmers and beekeepers a way to assure consumers about their practices. We are frequently warned that the word “natural” is a marketing term used in greenwashing, but the farmers who participate in this program are committed to healthy and sustainable agriculture. “The O-word is forbidden unless you get special permission to use it, so we’re the alternative way to describe what they do,” explains Alice Varon, the executive director of Certified Naturally Grown. “It can be a very convenient short-hand way of communicating about their growing practices.”

There are 800 farms and apiaries located in 47 states that have the grassroots certification. From a consumer’s perspective, produce that carries the Certified Naturally Grown seal is equivalent to that which carries the USDA certification. It’s grown without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, synthetic herbicides or fungicides. Certified Naturally Grown’s standards are based on internally recognized standards. “We’re not trying to define anything radically different,” says Varon.

(more…)

Posted on January 26, 2026 by Margaret

Michelle Obama Announces Healthier School Lunches Today

michelle obama addressing nutrition First lady Michelle Obama has championed the issue of children’s health and nutrition through her Let’s Move! campaign and other programs that improve access to fresh produce. Today, she and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced changes to the national school lunch program, as outlined by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act that was passed last year. The act gives the USDA the authority to set nutritional standards for all foods served in schools.

The event was held at Parklawn Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia. Students and parents attending the event will be served a healthy meal prepared by celebrity chef Rachael Ray and school’s food service staff.

(more…)

Posted on January 25, 2026 by Margaret

Phase Oil: Another Fat Secret of the Restaurant Industry

phase oilPhase oil is probably not something you’ve ever heard of, or even considered cooking with, but you’ve probably eaten it. It’s a common butter substitute that is used in many restaurants and hotels, primarily for frying but can also be added to baked goods and other recipes. Created by Ventura Foods, Phase Liquid Butter Alternative contains a number of very unhealthy ingredients, outlined below, which is why you should be concerned about eating it.

  • Liquid and hydrogenated soybean oil: Phase contains 18 percent saturated fat and 1.5 grams of trans fat per tablespoon.
  • TBHQ: Tertiary butylhydroquinone, an antioxidant commonly added to fry oils to retard spoilage and make them better suited for heavy-duty use.
  • Soy Lecithin: Also found in baked goods, margarine, chocolate and ice cream, this common constituent of animal and plant tissues, lecithin is a source of the nutrient choline. It keeps oil and water from separating out, retards rancidity, reduces spattering in a frying pan, and leads to fluffier cakes. Major natural sources are egg yolk and soybeans.
  • Dimethylpolysiloxane: A polymer composed of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms and having two methyl groups attached; it can, depending on molecular weight, have properties ranging from oils to plastics.

(more…)

Posted on January 24, 2026 by Margaret

Ron Paul Calls Voter Fat

Usually, when candidates make television appearances, the objective is to win over viewers, not insult them. However, Ron Paul took a different approach in this clip from The Morton Downey Jr. Show, a right-wing talk show that aired from 1988 to 1989. When Paul appeared on the show, it would have been in between the terms he served as a member of the House of Representatives. It should be noted that Paul’s actions are apparently not out of line with the show’s tone, as host Morton Downey Jr. reportedly yelled at audience members frequently.


(more…)

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Margaret

Bodybuilder Diane Muller Shares Weight Training Tips for Women

Bodybuilder for 911StrongIt’s a sad truth that many women avoid weights. Either they’re made uncomfortable by the macho association with the weight room or they’re afraid of looking bulky. In reality, strength training is an necessary part of maintaining weight loss and weight training is a great way to build muscle. All too often, women focus on burning calories with cardio, but if they’re not also strength training, this can result in a loss of muscle mass.

Diane Mueller, a bodybuilder and team leader for 911Strong.com, says that women don’t have to worry about bulking up. “If you’re a female, you don’t have the hormones to bulk up the way that a male or someone who uses chemical enhancements would, which is basically testosterone.”

Getting started in one of the biggest hurdles in creating a weight training program. “The biggest fear is stepping into the gym,” says Diane, adding that many women feel fear being judged. “I think once they get in there, and once they look around, they see that there’s so many different types of people in the gym. Not all of them are body builders.” To help get over any initial intimidation, Diane suggests getting a training buddy. “It’s nice to go with a friend. You feel a little more confidant when you go almost anywhere with a friend.”

(more…)

Posted on January 20, 2026 by Margaret

Bill Clinton Takes on Childhood Obesity

logo for Healthier GenerationFormer President Bill Clinton has been working to help fight childhood obesity in schools, through the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The alliance is working with 13,000 schools across the country. The integrated program involves teaching kids to eat better and helps teachers get kids moving more throughout the day. There are also boot camp programs for teachers, to help them better understand the importance of physical activity and improve their own health.

“Kids spend six to eight hours a day in school, so they want school to really emulate the environment they want to produce at home,” Ginny Ehrlich, CEO of Alliance for a Healthier Generation, said on the Today show.

(more…)

Posted on January 18, 2026 by Margaret

Paula Deen Opens Up About Her Diabetes

celebrity chef paula deenFood Network star Paula Deen announced today that she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about three years ago, confirming rumors.

“I had to figure things out in my own head,” Deen said on the Today show. “I could have walked out and said, ‘Hey y’all, I have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes’ and walked away. I had nothing to give.” Now, however, Deen has partnered with the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, to create a program called “Diabetes in a New Light.” She manages her diabetes with daily injections of Victoza, made by Novo Nordisk, and has also made lifestyle changes such as cutting back on sweet tea.

Deen wants her fans to know that diabetes isn’t a “death sentence,” and is using Diabetes in a New light to share diabetic recipes and advice. Deen’s sons, Bobby and Jamie are also working on the project, and the materials have been reviewed by the American Dietetic Association. The team will be traveling around the country to demonstrate the new lighter recipes.

(more…)

Posted on January 17, 2026 by Margaret