Author Archives: Samantha

About Samantha

Samantha Bandasack is a junior at Wichita State University studying marketing and communications. She enjoys staying healthy by practicing hot yoga, weight lifting, and eating plenty of spinach so she can still have her favorite cookies.

HealthBuzz October 12: Organic Companies Anti-Prop 37, Sarah Palin’s Diet, and Healthy Caramel Apple Recipes

We’re just hours away from the weekend! So that means it’s time for a dose of healthy news from DIR and our friends. This week’s headlines include a story about major organic companies funding against GMO labeling, a lunch lady told to stop making healthier food, and caramel apple-inspired recipes for fall.

Sarah Palin’s Going Rogue by Writing a Diet and Fitness Book

If you can’t get enough of Sarah Palin then you’ll want to pick up her diet and fitness book when (and if) it is for sale, which she announced is in the works. It will be interesting to read and hear about the things in her book because the former Alaskan governor once bashed the idea of serving healthy snacks in schools. Do you think people will take the book seriously? Tell us what you think!

Paul Ryan Would Leave Joe Biden in the Dust if Politics Was Gym Class

Thursday’s presidential debate probably left some questions relating to America’s future answered and others unanswered. So we were questioning who would win the election depending on who has the best physical fitness and personal diet? Take a look at Congressman Paul Ryan’s and Vice President Joe Biden’s fitness routine and diet habits and tell us what you think!

Major Organic Brands, Like Kashi and Naked, Funding Anti-GMO Labeling Campaigns

The vote for California’s Prop 37 is next month and if it is passed it will radically change the processed food industry. Many Californians and organic brands like Clif Bar, Annie’s and Uncle Matt’s are in favor of Prop 37. However, other organic brands like Kashi, Naked, and Silk are donating thousands-to-millions of dollars to fund anti-GMO labeling campaigns. Do you think the organic companies shouldn’t be donating against GMO labeling and practice what they preach? (more…)

People on Weight Watchers Lose More Weight Than Those in Clinical Weight Loss Programs

Losing weight can be a struggle, which is why there are many different types of weight loss programs people can try. Weight Watchers is a leader, topping best-of lists year after year, and a weight loss program formulated to help people eat healthier while incorporating more physical activity into their lifestyles. Millions have had successfully lost weight with the help of Weight Watchers, including celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Hudson, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Weight Watchers isn’t just another diet, it may very well be one of the better approaches to weight loss overall.

As reported by ABCNews, a new study published this week in the journal Obesity found weight loss programs like Weight Watchers could be as effective in losing weight as clinical programs.

The study followed 141 overweight or obese adults who were split in three groups. One group was in a weight loss behavioral program led by a health professional, or Weight Watchers. Another group was led by instructors who have had a successful weight loss journey. And, the third group was a combination of the two.

Participants were involved in group counseling with either professionals or their peer groups and they changed their diet and incorporated more physical activity into their lives. Researchers followed the participants for a year and in the end saw tremendous amount of weight loss from the participants. (more…)

HealthBuzz October 5: Health Care Debates, Obesity Bullies, and Fall Comfort Food

It’s Friday, meaning it is time for a dose of healthy news. Join us for the #HealthBuzz chat on Twitter @DietsinReview to discuss each of these stories live.

#HealthBuzz kicks off at 12:00 p.m. CST – We look forward to seeing you there to discuss this week’s top stories.

ObamaCare’s Future a Hot Topic in Romney’s and Obama’s First Presidential Debate

After months of campaigning and trash talking, President Obama and former Governor Romney were finally face-to-face debating each other Wednesday night. The hottest topic during the presidential debate was health care, or some may call it “ObamaCare.” Tell us what you thought of this week’s presidential debate!

Julia Kozerski Documents 160-Pound Weight Loss With Her iPhone

Weight loss stories are truly inspiring. Before and after pictures of Julia Kozerski speak for themselves. She lost 160 pounds through calorie counting, exercising, and a clean diet, all documented with iPhone photos from dressing rooms. Read about Julia’s true weight loss story!

TV Anchor Stands Up for Herself in Honor of Anti-Bullying Month

Bullying doesn’t just exist in the school play yard. Bullying can even be in the workforce. Jennifer Livingston is a new anchor in Wisconsin who was recently bullied by a viewer for her weight. He emailed to call her “fat” and “obese.” Jennifer didn’t let the bullying viewer have the last word, she fought back and gave the viewer her thoughts with a powerful message about body image. (more…)

X-Factor Judges “Give a Fat Boy a Chance,” Advancing 540-Pound Freddie Combs to Next Round

Auditioning for a show can be nerve-wracking for anyone, especially when the judges who determine your fate are Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell, and LA Reid. You want everything to be perfect during the audition.

This week the ‘X Factor’ judges were put to the test when Freddie Combs sang on stage in his wheelchair. He wanted the judges to “Give a fat boy a chance.” Freddie Combs is a 540-pound, 41-year-old minister who is a Tennessee native. Before Freddie sang to the judges, he talked about his weight struggle. In 2026, Freddie weighed 920 pounds and was on his death bed. But, through a proper diet and exercise he has lost close to 400 pounds. After his near-death experience, Freddie continues his fight with obesity. He has a whole new outlook on life, which made him want to audition for the show.

Once Freddie started singing “Wind Beneath My Wings,” the audience and judges were stunned. They heard a beautiful voice coming out of a man that many people wouldn’t think is beautiful. Freddie’s sound was reminiscent of Clay Aiken’s gospel voice. After Freddie finished singing the judges made it clear that they were judging him on his voice, not outer appearance. (more…)

HealthBuzz September 28: Lady Gaga Reacts to Fat Comments, Fitness App Buyer Beware, and Pumpkin Inspired Recipes

You tune in to HealthBuzz every Friday to READ about the latest health news, but we think it’s time we all got together to CHAT about the latest health news, too.

Starting today, we’ll have a live one-hour #HealthBuzz chat on Twitter @DietsinReview every Friday. We’ll explore the six stories we highlight here in Health Buzz each week, opening up to constructive sharing, insights, opinions, and reactions.

#HealthBuzz kicks off at 12:00 p.m. CST – we look forward to seeing you there to discuss the following stories.

Now, dig in to the top stories for this week…

Lady Gaga Poses Nearly Nude to Fight Against Media Fat Comments

Fame, fortune, and being a pop-culture icon is awesome, right? Lady Gaga must have it all. But, she has been scrutinized by the media for her recent weight gain. Usually, celebrities do no like to comment about their weight gains or losses. However, Lady Gaga took pictures of herself nearly naked to show the world that she has a perfectly normal body.

Cows Being Fed Gummy Worms: The Health Consequences

We’ve all heard of the horrible things large cattle operations do to fatten cows up, like feeding cows corn knowing they can’t digest it. Now, dairy farms on a budget are feeding cows candy. Candy is bad enough for human bodies, what does it do to a cow’s body? Find out the health consequences of eating a candy-fed cow. (more…)

JAM’s One Minute Fitness Break Could Set a World Record Tomorrow! Will You Pledge?

Obesity rates in America has soared in the last decade. Our country’s health is so alarming that New York City has passed a soda ban and President Obama requires restaurant chains to display their nutrition information on menus. First lady Michelle Obama has even focused her platform on creating “Let’s Move”, a program to help control childhood obesity.

On September 27 at 10:00 local time, we can all work together to promote a more physically active society. JAM wants everyone across the nation to take a Minute for Fitness break. It is a fun way to break away from a familiar routines and get some physical activity. JAM needs 2 million people across the country to not only get up and move, but join together to break a world record as well!

JAM is a program that recognizes that Americans need more physical activity. JAM delivers that activity and health education to schools and offices while teaching adults and children how to live a healthy lifestyle. Kids and adults participate in a one-minute fitness routine which includes five simple exercises. The first exercise is to Raise the Roof, where participants simply motion their arms above them ten times. The second exercise is called Knees, Waist, Toss Arms and for ten reps participants touch their knees, waist, then toss their arms in the air. Then they Mimic a Sport, which is acting out a sport, like pretending to hit a baseball. In the fourth exercise participants act as if they are hula hooping with an invisible hula hoop. For the last exercise they use their fingers to make a heart and sway from side to side. (more…)

Ear Stapling is Another Unfounded Weight Loss Craze

We’ve all seen people do crazy things to try to lose weight. Eating baby food, Shake Weight, limiting calorie intake, and so much more. But, have you heard of stapling a part of your ear to help lose weight? It’s becoming more popular as the rumor says ear stapling can help with weight loss.

Ear stapling stems from ancient Chinese acupuncture. Claims have been made that staples surgically placed in the ear’s inner cartilage will release endorphins. (Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that affect a person’s stress and anxiety levels.) The ear staple in this location is said to target the stomach. It can decrease a person’s appetite, reduce stress, and increase the metabolism. The staple can be left in place for several weeks or even months.

I recently talked to Amy who got her ears stapled to help with her weight loss. She told me that she got her ears stapled because she didn’t want to do meal replacements; she wanted something that would help her behaviorally, let her mind make the right decisions for her body, not a pill.

As a massage therapist with nearly 20 years experience, Janelle Robertson of The Trove says, “It is my understanding and belief that unless a person is emotionally ready for weight loss, the application of needles or staples will not enhance any physical benefits toward weight loss.” She says that in managing a variety of illnesses and diseases for her clients, sometimes the referral to an acupuncturist is necessary; but even then she says, “I recommend the most qualified practitioners who will educate consumers on the benefits of acupucture for health and well being.”

On Tuesday, Amy paid 60 dollars to get each ear stapled and so far she has lost three pounds. Amy said she is watching what she eats on top of going to the dance studio. The person who performed the stapling for Amy said she should see results within one to two weeks. As Amy is getting older her metabolism is decreasing and she wants to get to a healthier weight, without doing anything mainstream. Hopefully, the ear staple helps with her weight loss journey. There is nothing like seeing average Americans lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle, especially when they are aging. (more…)

HealthBuzz September 21: 7 Fall Family Activities, Jennifer Aniston’s Smartwater Commercial, and Banana Filled Recipes

Today marks the first day of fall! Before you clock out for the weekend take some time for a healthy dose of news. This week’s HealthBuzz consists of hot headlines from DIR and our partner sites, including Shape, IVillage, and Fitday, as well as some delicious banana recipes from Undressed Skeleton and Thinin10.

Don’t wait until the last day of the week to hear from us! Follow us on Twitter and Pinterest! Also, don’t forget to ‘Like Us’ on Facebook for the chance to win a year’s supply of guacamole from Wholly Guacamole!

Choose the Right Gym For You (So You’ll Actually Use the Membership)

With the fall and holiday season quickly approaching, gyms will be filling up with people wanting to maintain their health and figure for social gatherings and special events. Gyms can be uncomfortable and expensive and there is nothing like wasting money on a membership that you don’t use! Let us help you choose the right gym with this helpful guide.

Seven Fall Activities For the Whole Family

September 21 is the official day of fall! What better way to enjoy the weather then with your family? Stephanie Mansour from Step It Up With Steph shares seven fall activities for the whole family. There is even a healthy recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds! Fall has never been so healthy before. (more…)

Rural Americans More Likely To Be Obese Than Urban Dwellers

Does your environment have an impact on your lifestyle?  According to a new study published in the journal Rural Health, the answer is ‘yes’ as those living in the country are more likely to be obese than Americans living in cities.

As reported by ABCNews, approximately 70 million of Americans call rural areas home and face many challenges concerning their health as a result.

Christie Befort, an assistant professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center, comments on the result of the study: “The rates of obesity were much higher than previously reported based on self-report, with 39 percent of rural Americans being obese compared to 33 percent of urban Americans.”

To collect data for the study, researchers manually measured participants height and weight, doing so in person as people tend to exaggerate how tall they are and how much they weigh.

In addition to finding rural Americans to be more obese on average than urban Americans, researchers found that younger generations between the ages of 20 and 39  living in rural America are more likely to be obese than their urban counterparts. Because of changes in technology, manual labor in rural areas has decreased and young adults have less physical work to do. (more…)

HealthBuzz September 14: NYC Bans Soda, McDonald’s Shares Calories, and Healthy Comfort Food Recipes

Ah, the weekend is upon us and it is time for a dose of healthy news. This week’s HealthBuzz is filled with buzzworthy headlines from DIR and our friends, like Shape, iVillage, Fitday. Plus, we offer some guilt-free comfort foods like 12 healthy pop-tart recipes from Undressed Skeleton.

You don’t have to wait until the last day of the week to hear from us! Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest, or ‘Like Us’ on Facebook

New York City Soda Ban Passes; Soda Industry Plans to Fight

Since Mayor Bloomberg proposed NYC’s soda ban a couple of months ago, citizens have been vocal about their support or opposition. As of Thursday morning, NYC approved the ban of sugared beverages over 16 ounces. But, Major Bloomberg and public health officials in NYC shouldn’t celebrate their victory just yet. There is a possibility that the soda industry plans to fight back. New Yorkers for Beverage Choices has already started campaigning in opposition of the ban.

McDonald’s Posting Nutrition Information on Menus Nationwide, but Will it Do Any Good?

Get ready to see calorie counts on McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru menus. Wednesday morning the company announced that they will be posting their meals’ nutrition information on their menus. Do you think the nutrition information will change the eating habits of fast food customers? Our resident dietitian, Mary Hartley, comments.

Regular Yoga Practice May Increase Productivity at Work

Yoga offers a great deal of health benefits, like less stress, toned body, and improved digestion. September is National Yoga Month, and our yoga expert Jill mentioned that those who practice yoga regularly may even see an increase in productivity at work. See what other benefits practicing yoga brings. (more…)

McDonald’s Posting Nutrition Information on Menus Nationwide, but Will it Do Any Good?

Ever wonder how many calories are in a McDonald’s meal? If you do want to know just how nutritionally void that Big Mac is, you would have to pull up the information on the restaurant’s web site. Until now!

Today, the corporation announced that they will list nutrition information on restaurant and drive-thru menus nationwide. President Obama’s new health regulation requires restaurant chains to post calorie information. McDonald’s move comes ahead of federal government regulation that could require major chains to post nutrition information as early as next year.

Jan Fields, president of McDonald’s USA, said in a press release that the company volunteered to give out their nutrition information. “We believe it will help educate customers.”

I asked our resident dietitian, Mary Hartley, what she thinks of McDonald’s providing their nutrition information, and she said, “It’s good publicity and they (McDonalds) know it really won’t make a difference, but who knows what will happen over time. Many people have no idea of how many calories they need and so the information is meaningless.” She points to the fact that New York City has required calories posted on menus for several years and it’s done little to change buyer behavior there. (more…)