“Joy of Cooking” Supersized Too!
Looks like it’s not only the fast food chains, restaurants, and packaged food producers who are supersizing and adding to the obesity crisis here in the U.S. The “Joy of Cooking” cookbook is in on it too.
A new study presented at annual meeting of the Obesity Society showed that recipes from the “Joy of Cooking” cookbook your grandma (or great-grandma) made, were a lot smaller and had less fat and sugar than today’s version. Yup, even the Joy of Cooking has been slowly supersizing too, it seems.
The researchers of the study analyzed the servings sizes and calorie content of all seven editions of the cookbook, with the first one being in 1936 up to the most recent version of 1996. They found that in 1936, the average number of calories per recipe was 2,124 and TODAY it’s 3,052. In 1936, the average calories per serving was 268, and today it’s risen to 436. Per serving that’s an increase of over 60%!
So basically, if you cook and eat a recipe from today’s version of the cookbook, you’ll be consuming (on average) an extra 168 calories more than grandma did. Though an extra 168 calories may not seem like a lot to you, consider this: all it takes is an extra 100 extra calories a day to gain 10 pounds a year. That’s it! (See how easily those extra calories can sneak up?).
And this is not the first time the Joy of Cooking has supersized either. Even the 1997 revision of the cookbook increased portion sizes, lowering the number of servings per recipe but keeping the amount of food the same.
But if the Joy of Cooking has been (and is) slowly supersizing, that just means other cookbooks are doing it too.
So are the cookbook companies at fault and to blame for keeping us fat — by increasing the number of calories, fat and sugar in their recipes? Or are they just keeping up with the times? Are you surprised to hear they have supersized? Would you REALLY want a small sized cookie from 1936, or do you prefer the big, giant ones you find now in the store?
I want to hear YOUR thoughts….??
Please share your thoughts and comments – click on the link AT THE BEGINNING OF THE POST that says “Leave a Comment”. I want to hear how you feel about all this!!
10 Amazing Foods to Add to Your Diet
It seems like almost every day the news media is reporting on some food that’s found to be bad for you. One day it’s carbs, another day fats, and yet another day meat – I mean, how is a girl supposed to EAT??
Now I must admit that I don’t believe there are many “bad” foods (it’s all about balance, right?).
But these YES foods are packed with essential nutrients and compounds that have been positively associated with preventing diseases and minimizing the adverse effects of aging (how great is THAT?)
But here’s 10 AMAZING foods you should be adding to your diet:
1. ALMONDS – They’re one of my favorite snack foods and a good source of potassium, low in ‘bad’ fats and high in ‘good’ fats. However, like most nuts they are high in calories so watch how many you eat. I usually eat about 10 or so as a snack. And they’ll keep you FULL for a while, really.
2. SALMON - We’ve been hearing a lot about omega-3 fatty acids. In short, they are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. So we must get them from foods. The American diet is also severely lacking in omega-3 and salmon is a great way to get some.
3. APPLES – They do say that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and I couldn’t agree more! They’re crunchy, come in many colors, and available in the U.S. most of the year. They’re a good source of fiber too.
4. BROWN RICE - You’ve probably heard by now that we all need to eat more “whole grains”. Brown rice is a whole grain and much superior to white rice. White rice has basically been stripped of the good stuff while brown rice includes the bran and germ of the natural grain. It is SO EASY to replace white rice with brown rice and get the added benefits.
5. STRAWBERRIES – I fell in love with strawberries in France. They eat them in season when they’re bursting with flavor and are a bright red color. I would literally buy 4 pints at the local farmer’s market and eat them within a few days – easy for me to do! Like most berries, they contain powerful antioxidants and lots of vitamin C.
6. TOMATOES - They eat a lot of tomatoes in both Italy and France and those Mediterraneans are doing something right – and tomatoes are a big part of the picture! They’re loaded with vitamin C and have lycopene which has shown to have cancer-preventing properties.
7. QUINOA - Another whole grain option which is becoming popular today, though I actually discovered it in France. It’s been around for thousands of years (yes, thousands!) and native to South America. It was even once called the “Gold of the Incas” for it’s values in increasing the stamina of warriors. It’s high and protein and also a complete protein, which means it contains all nine of the essential amino acids.
8. YOGURT - The French are known for their love of yogurt and I can tell you the yogurt isle at the supermarket in France is HUGE. Personally I eat the whole-milk yogurt, though the low-fat ones are good too. I ONLY buy the PLAIN yogurt as the fruit and other flavored ones here in the U.S. have LOTS of sugar. Best to add your own fruits (like strawberries) and a pinch of sugar for just a touch of sweetness.
9. CARROTS - Remember parents and doctors telling us to eat our carrots to help our eyesight? Turns out they were right! Carrots have antioxidant compounds that help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer, and also promote good vision, especially night vision.
10. KIDNEY BEANS – They’re rich in fiber, iron and protein. They can be a great substitute for the occasional meatless meal and a good source of magnesium, folate, and potassium. They’re also full of fiber which helps keep you full.
Though you may hear about good foods and bad foods, just know that all foods are fine if eaten in moderation. But if you’re looking to eat BETTER, these amazing foods can to point you in the right direction.
© Dinneen Diette, 2008
Technorati Tags: Nutrition, Dinneen Diette, Eat Without Guilt, amazing foods, good diet foods
7 Easy Ways to Make Exercise a Habit
This time of year many of us have made resolutions to make positive changes in our lives, only to find by the time February rolls around we have either given up or not really followed through.
I thought it would be a good idea to expand on a favorite resolution for many people, and that is to exercise. The only way to really make it work is to make it a HABIT. Here are some tips to show you how:
1. Give Yourself at Least One Month – It takes a good 30 days for something to become a habit. Ever notice how some companies give you a 30-day product trial? This is often done with computer software and also infomercial products sold on TV (think of Proactiv). Okay, you’re probably thinking, “what does this have to do with me getting off my butt and exercising?” The point is, usually after one month of doing something consistently (and seeing results), it is more difficult to give up.
2. Do It Daily (or almost) – Remember when you were a kid and your mom made you brush your teeth daily (or hopefully twice a day)? Well, there’s a reason for that. If you do something daily it is more likely to become a habit. Do you really have to think about brushing your teeth in the morning anymore ? No! (at least let’s hope not). You can do the same for exercising. Now I don’t suggest jogging or running every day (your muscles need a rest), but you can still make exercise a part of your daily routine. On the days you don’t run, you can walk or at least do some stretching.
3. Be Consistent – Consistency is really key to making changes stick. Best to do the habit the same time of day, every day. After time it will naturally fall into place.
4. Find a Buddy - It’s much more difficult to put off going for a walk if you’re meeting a friend. You don’t want to disappoint them and they can help keep you motivated.
5. Write it Down – Keep a journal or just use a notebook to write down what you did that day. This way you can visually see your progress and there’s a positive reinforcement to writing something down.
6. Start Simple – Too many people hit the fitness center with gusto or decide to run for an hour every day. Then they just get too overwhelmed and give up. Take small steps and keep it simple. You can’t change overnight. Remember, it’s about the pace, not the race.
7. Just Do It - Like the famous slogan, just get out there and do it! Don’t think too much and make excuses. Just get outside or step on that treadmill. Once you start it’s more difficult to stop. Often the most difficult step is the first one. The days I don’t feel like exercising I just put on my workout clothes, go outside and 30 minutes later I’m so glad I did.
Making new changes, like exercise, is not always easy. But it can be done! Just remember, after 30 days it will get easier, and the next 30 days even more so. Before you know it, exercise will be a habit which you’ll enjoy doing and will become automatic.
© Dinneen Diette, 2007
Technorati Tags: Exercise, Dinneen Diette, Eat Without Guilt
