Tag Archives: calories

Ask Fast Food Employees for the Inside Scoop on Menu Ingredients and Preparation

When you are in a rush and hungry, we’re all guilty of turning to fast food. It is quick and convenient. However, it’s anything but healthy.

People hear the horror stories about fast food chain employees who tamper with food. Just last week, one diner found a finger at Arby’s. Yet, we rarely get to hear about what is actually in our food. Most employees are preparing food in a harmless fashion for consumers. They get to see all the content that goes into a one-dollar hamburger. This isn’t another article about the terrible things employees do to food, instead it is about how people are blinded by marketing tactics and advertisements.

A recent thread on Reddit asked restaurant employees to share what they know about the preparation, ingredients, and processing of the foods they served. (more…)

Posted on May 22, 2023 by Samantha

Fasting 16 Hours a Day Shows Benefits Over Calorie Counting

In the world of health, fitness and weight loss, there seem to be a large number of studies constantly conducted to help us figure out how to fight obesity and get healthy. Recently, another study with important outcomes has published with some drastic results.

Identified as a way to have your cake and eat it too, this study shows that eating your last meal of the day earlier, and then fasting for a 16 hour stretch before eating breakfast, can decrease the risk of weight gain and decrease the onset of weight related diseases. The study was headed by regulatory biologist Satchidananda Panda of the Salk Institute in California. and was done on mice. He made the statement, “We have to come up with something that is a simple alternative to calorie counting.” The results of the study were published in the journal Cell Metabolism. Within the study, the participating mice were divided into groups and had a regulated diet for a total of 100 days. (more…)

Posted on May 18, 2023 by Descygna

California Teens are Eating Less at School, a New Study Reports

Is it possible that the West-coast population is eating less than us East-coasters and Midwesterners? According to a new study, that may be the case; especially when it comes to California teens.

The new study published in the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine found that California teens are eating less at school. And although the margin may be small – about 158 calories – nutrition experts say this could make a big difference in the long run, especially since they also seem to be eating less added sugar and fat than students from others states.

The 14 other states included in the study reportedly have less strict nutrition standards, which may potentially be the reason their students are consuming more calories during the school day. But what isn’t clear is why California students also seem to be eating fewer calories at night when they arrive home from school.

Authors of the study say California’s nutrition laws are what’s likely contributing to the surprising results, since the state limits the amount of unhealthy snack foods and sodas schools can sell to students – including the content of vending machines. (more…)

Posted on May 14, 2023 by Dana

‘Why Calories Count’ Provides an In-depth Look at Calories and How we Should View Them

Calories in, calories out; calorie counting; calorie restriction. With constant talk of calories in our society, it’s hard to decipher fact from fiction. And that’s exactly why nutrition professors Marion Nestle and Malden Nesheim set out to write ‘Why Calories Count: From Science to Politics.’

In their book, Nestle and Nesheim seek to bring clarity on the topic of calories by discussing what we need to know about them, how we should view them in our approach to health, and how the food and diet industries have conditioned us to view them.

After reviewing the book a few weeks back, I was very impressed its content and message as I didn’t realize all of the intricacies of the calorie myself before digging into Nestle and Nesheim’s writing. And with much interest surrounding the book as it approaches its April 18th release, I grew curious about what the authors’ intent was in writing the book, and what they were ultimately hoping it would achieve.

So, I reached out to Malden Nesheim via email and he graciously agreed to answer my questions. Here’s what he had to say about ‘Why Calories Count.’ (more…)

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Dana

Cutting Calories With Rocco DiSpirito on The Doctors

I count calories. I’m not always happy about it, but since the magic thin pill hasn’t been perfected just yet, and I like my skinny jeans, I count those pesky calories. I’ve entertained many fad diets, metabolism boosters, and have literally run myself until I’ve broken. None of these tools have been as effective in maintaining weight as a notebook and a food scale.

This Tuesday, November 15, 2024, celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito will join the cast of The Doctors to discuss this very issue on the show. DiSpirito is also giving away some great calorie cutting tips, many I plan to be marking in my trusty little notebook.

The episode will be themed, “Thinner, Younger, and Sexier in 30.” DiSpirito will be revealing 30 calorie savers from his new book, Now Eat This- 100 Quick Calorie Cuts. These cuts are surprisingly easy and impactful. For example, using all fruit jam instead of butter on your morning toast will save 370 calories a week. Other great tips include doubling the celery in tuna salad, ordering half the cheese and doubling the veggies when you get pizza, or substitute salsa for queso dip at a party. All of these simple ideas will save hundreds of calories and sacrifice no flavor.

The general idea is to honor those pesky calories yet not become a diet food eater. DiSpirito says this method is for the person who doesn’t want to diet and who doesn’t want to exercise. He hit the nail on the head when it comes to weight loss. It’s not about the latest gym group exercise class or a rigid diet plan, it’s just about calories.

(more…)

Posted on November 15, 2023 by Lacy

10 Whimsical Ways to Cut 100 Calories

Written by Randy Fritz, co-creator with Diana Herrington at Real Food for Life

One hundred calories doesn’t seem like a lot, but you can easily add at least one or two of these fun, easy strategies and they will add up over time.

I’m not lazy by any means, but in my opinion, if you have to strain or deprive yourself, you may not keep it up. To eliminate calories, you can either burn them up by adding a preferred activity or avoid the calories by making a smart substitution of some common food you are eating.

I have listed only healthy, green tips. Hopefully these examples will help jog your mind to others. What steps do you take to be active and be smart?

(more…)

Posted on October 12, 2023 by GuestBlogger

Calorie Counting Isn’t All That Bad

Maruchy Lachance is president of Running Ninja!, a lifestyle brand for runners by runners. Running Ninja! offers a wide variety of apparel and gifts for runners to keep you happy and inspired while you’re on the run.

Most of my blogs are inspired by conversations I have with friends and family about their efforts towards living a healthy lifestyle. What I usually find is that almost always one of them is embarking on yet another new way to keep extra pounds off and stay toned. Recently my friend told me that she is no longer counting calories. She will just be eating certain foods that she can indulge in and will not pack on the pounds. This sounded like a fantasy weight management program, so I listened.

She went on about the approved foods for this program and I quickly realized that the reason she will lose weight is because the list is made up of foods that no one will want to eat, let alone, indulge in.

We are all tempted by the promise to lose weight using some magical and sacrifice-free method, but the reality is that weight loss and weight management does involve some work, but can still be manageable and delicious. (more…)

Posted on August 14, 2023 by GuestBlogger

20 Ways to Cut Breakfast Calories Without Noticing

Try as we might, there’s no way to escape the science of calories. Every calorie counts and unfortunately lots of our favorite foods have too many calories. But don’t fret, life doesn’t have to be lived eating flavorless celery and lettuce. There are lots of great ways to cut calories without feeling like you’re being deprived.

Here are 20 great tricks we’ve compiled to help you get through the most important meal of the day with fewer calories, and without sacrificing taste.

1. Use Blue Diamond Almond Breeze milk instead of cow’s milk
While a cup of whole milk contains nearly 150 calories, Almond Breeze contains no more than 45 calories. The unsweetened flavor has 40 calories per cup and the vanilla and chocolate flavors have 45 calories per cup. Yes, chocolate milk for 45 calories per serving, you read that right.

(more…)

Posted on August 2, 2023 by Lacy

5 Worst Restaurant Foods for High Calorie Foods

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has announced the “winners” of its award for most caloric food items at restaurants. The group points out that most people should be limiting their daily food intake to about 2,000 calories. These items either come close or even exceed that recommendation.

Before we get into naming the nominees, let’s just say that the top two have names that leave little doubt that you are in for an overindulgent experience: Cold Stone Creamery and The Cheesecake Factory.

Here are some of the lowlights as collected by The Center for Science in the Public Interest: (more…)

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Jason

Restaurant Menus Inaccurately Count Calories

In an effort to meet consumer expectations and comply with new state regulations, most restaurants and fast food joints have begun listing calorie counts on their menus. This information is used by consumers to make educated and well thought-out decisions about their meals. It’s supposed to help fight obesity by allowing the health-conscious population to enjoy eating out without entirely giving up on their nutritional goals.

A study was recently published in the Journal of American Medical Association that exposes the truth about restaurant menus. According to CBS News, nearly one in every five restaurant menus contains inaccurate calorie counts. In most instances, the laboratory results revealed a measly 10 calorie difference. However, some menu items (close to 20 percent) contained more than 100 calories over what the menu claimed, with one dish setting the record for inaccuracy at being 1,000 calories off.

(more…)

Posted on July 21, 2023 by Theresa

Restaurants are Lowering Calories before Posting Numbers on Menus

If ignorance is bliss, many restaurants are scrambling to adjust their menus before the law states that their patrons can be ignorant no more.

The Food and Drug Administration is expected to require any chain restaurant with over 20 locations to post calorie counts on their menus by the end of 2024. Even though this rule is pending, it is already leading to some very positive changes in the food industry.

While many restaurant goers probably knew the loaded nacho platter, cheesy pasta, or battered chicken dish they ordered was high in calories before, it’s possible that seeing just how high the totals get will influence their decision in the future. If consumers see that the one meal they’re ordering contains more than half of their day’s calorie requirements, restaurant owners are assuming their sales will decrease.

Currently, many chains are quickly attempting to rework their menus. Many favorite items are being lightened up so that they contain fewer calories. Some establishments are attempting to balance the menus more by offering more healthy items along with high calorie fan favorites.

(more…)

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Lacy