John McGran's blog

When it comes to weight loss, it's often true that what you think you know can hurt you.

They're called diet myths -- and they're the cause of weight loss failure for many of us.

Today, with the help of NBC Chief Medical Editor Nancy Snyderman, we're going to bust 10 of the most prevalent diet myths so you can drop those pesky extra pounds once and for all!

Last year, Dr. Snyderman discussed weight loss fallacies in her best-selling book, Diet Myths That Keep Us Fat (Crown). So Nancy, what are the "truisms" that just aren't true?

"Most of us have been following certain 'rules' for losing weight all our lives," she notes. "These rules come and go. We are fascinated by them; we follow them. We throw out everything we’re doing and embrace the latest rule.

"If it doesn’t work, we blame ourselves for messing up. The truth is that these rules are largely 'myths,' misinformation that is often considered to be true."

Myth #1: Your Weight Is Your Fault

Weight control is not about willpower, and it's more than just what you put in your mouth (or don't). Obesity and being overweight are problems of many causes.

Myth #2: Your Body Shape Doesn’t Matter

It has been proven that body shape can be an indicator of an increased risk of serious diseases. Fat around the waist, for example, has been linked to not only a greater risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke, but also hypertension, breathing problems, disability, some cancers and higher mortality rates overall. 

Myth #3: Calories Don’t Count

The "magic formula" to weight loss isn't about gimmicky diets. It's about calories in, calories out. A recent Harvard study proved it once and for all.
 
Myth #4: Carbs Are Bad for You

Carbs are not the enemy. They are the sugars, starches and fibers found in our food. Carbs are also the primary source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phtyochemicals.

Myth #5: Carbs Are Good for You

For those of us with celiac disease and a reaction to gluten, certain carbs are not just bad, but they can also be life-threatening. Just as there are good fats and bad fats, there are good carbs and bad carbs.

Myth #6: Diet Drugs Are a Magic Bullet

Developing a safe, effective diet pill remains the Holy Grail in obesity treatment. Scores of diet pills have come and gone, raking in billions of dollars for pharmaceutical companies. Unfortunately, we are no closer to having that magic pill than we were 30 years ago.

Myth #7: Dieting Is All You Need to Lose Weight

It is a myth that we can diet our way to slimness without ever lifting a finger or leg or even a dumbbell -- a myth on par with "lose weight while you sleep" or "all-natural fat magnet zaps fat" and other claims that are about as credible as a note from the tooth fairy.

Myth #8: Supplements Will Make You Thin and Healthy

Americans spend $22 billion a year on supplements. People believe supplements can replace not only food but also medicine. I do not mean to be a killjoy but more negative science on supplements is crossing my desk than ever before.

Myth #9: Low-Fat Diets Are a Waste of Time

This is a huge myth that has been gathering steam for decades. There is too much evidence that reducing your fat intake, particularly from certain types of "bad fats," will indeed lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, cancer and other diseases.

Myth #10: You Can’t Keep Weight Off

To keep off weight -- and stay healthy -- you need to boost your fruit, veggie and complex carbohydrate intake and consume no more than 20 to 30 percent of your calories from fat. Portion control is critical too.

"Many of us have been fed bad information about diet, nutrition, and weight loss. Bad information means bad choices, and bad choices mean bad results — or no results," Snyderman says.

"You can’t get in shape and stay healthy unless you know the truth."

No truer words have ever been spoken Nancy!

Mr. Bad Food - a.k.a. - John McGran *John McGran is the Chief Blog Editor for Diettogo.com
*Connect with John on Facebook & Twitter

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To me, a diet that doesn't involve snacks is a sad thing indeed.

Somewhere along the line I have developed a habit -- maybe even a NEED -- to eat or drink something while I work on a computer. And since my job requires me to plow through my workday hand-in-mouse with my computer I tend to eat and drink a little too often.

Luckily for me -- and millions of other overweight Americans -- snacking is a perfectly acceptable part of a healthy diet.

Please keep in mind that between-meal snacking does not mean padding your daily caloric intake. It means spreading out the calories so you eat four or five times a day rather than the traditional three.

A while back I sat down with my good friend Beth Aldrich and asked her for some good advice for us snack-happy dieters. Here is the advice the green living expert, writer, engaging speaker, media personality and food coach spoon-fed me:

Beth's 9 Best Snacking Tips

1. Designate a snacking zone

And be sure to only snack in this zone. You'll avoid countless calorie build up because of mindless munching in front of the TV or computer.

2. Make it quick

If you need to snack on the go, think beyond a bag of potato chips. Bring a handful of almonds, sunflower seeds or walnuts or even string cheese, yogurt sticks, cereal bars or other drip-free items to keep your car crumb free.

3. Don't be fooled by labeling gimmicks

Foods marketed as low-fat or fat-free can still be high in calories. Likewise, foods touted as cholesterol-free can still be high in fat, saturated fat and sugar. Check nutrition labels to find out the whole story.

4. Go for the grain

Whole-grain snacks - such as whole grain pretzels or tortillas and low-sugar, whole-grain cereals can give you energy with some staying power.

5. Out of sight, out of mind

If the cookie jar is full, you'll probably clamor for cookies. But if there aren't any cookies in the house, fresh fruit or raw veggies may seem more appealing.

6. Think outside the box

Try something new, such as fresh pineapple, cranberries, red or yellow peppers, or roasted soy nuts. Slice a whole-wheat pita and enjoy with hummus.

7. Revisit breakfast

Many breakfast foods - such as low-sugar, whole-grain cereals and whole-grain toast make great afternoon snacks.

8. Sweeten it up

Healthy snacks don't need to be bland. To satisfy your sweet tooth, try frozen yogurt or frozen fruit bars or agave nectar.

9. Drinks count, too

Drink plenty of water between meals. Liven it up with a squirt of lemon, cranberry or other fruit juice.

Happy snacking!

For more information on Beth, check out www.BethAldrich.com.

Mr. Bad Food - a.k.a. - John McGran *John McGran is the Chief Blog Editor for Diettogo.com
*Connect with John on Facebook & Twitter

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The Diet-to-Go weekly Diet Blog Carnival returns with five great features culled from reader submissions. Today's hot topics include serving up a healthy St. Patty's Day, taxing soda and strength training for better weight loss.

If you haven't sent us a link to check out, be sure you do -- we rely on health-minded individuals like you to keep us submerged in scores of entertainingly informative blogs from around the Internet.

The topics we especially love are those having to do with dieting, eating healthy and getting fit so be sure to submit your favorite blogs that fit those categories.

5) Serving up a Healthy St. Patrick's Day

A few years after starting the Healthy Voyager blog, I decided to share more then just my travel tips and began to share holiday ideas and recipes. I've made it a point to cover most of the biggies and fun ones and St. Patrick's Day always makes the cut ; )

This year is no different! I'm collected a few recipes to help you feel luck, as well as a bit healthier, this coming day of clover, green and liquor overload.

Full article: http://healthyvoyager.com/blog.html

4) Will Taxing Soda Lead to Weight Loss?

Researchers at the University of North Carolina studied the eating habits of 5,115 adults, between the ages of 18 and 30, over a 20 year period. The study looked at consumption of soda, pizza, hamburgers and whole milk. They found that a 10% price hike led to a 7% decrease in soda consumption, and an 11.5% decrease in pizza consumption.

When it came to soda, researchers reportedly found that a $1 increase in the price of soda resulted in an intake of 124 fewer calories per day. As a result, participants lost weight. From this, researchers propose that an 18% tax on soda would result in 56 less calories per day, with the long term result of 5 pounds per year.

Full article: http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2010/03/12/will_taxing_soda_lead_to_weight_loss.php

3) 25 Longevity Secrets Learned From the Blue Zones

Want to look better, feel healthier, age younger, and live past 100? Then check out the Blue Zones, where this is far more common than in the United States. Five Blue Zones have been identified and include Sardinia, Okinawa, Loma Linda, Icaria, and Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

The top three killers of Americans including heart attack, cancer, and stroke, are much lower here. In addition, not only are life years extended, but healthy life years as well. Women can also expect a much more pleasant trip through menopause.

But what do these areas from across the world have in common? By checking out the below 25 longevity secrets from the Blue Zones you can find out.

Full article: http://surgicaltechnicianschools.org/?page_id=115

2) Strength Training and Weight Loss

The metabolic benefits attributed to lifting weights have been well documented. Not only is there a significant caloric cost associated with strength training (provided rest intervals are limited and sets are sufficiently challenging), but it also increases excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (i.e. the afterburn) so that calorie burning continues for up to 38 hours or more after a workout.

Further, muscle itself is a metabolically active tissue that serves to keep your metabolism stoked round the clock. By increasing muscle development, strength training indirectly promotes better weight management.

Bottom line: An exercise program aimed at weight loss should always have a strength training component.

Full article: http://workout911.com/?p=892

1) Dr. Abby says Women Crave Food Differently than Men

Are there gender differences with regard to food cravings? YES! There are important differences regarding our biological needs, which create different cravings.

Estrogen causes cravings for fat/sugar combinations to create our beautiful breasts, hips and thighs, which aid us during pregnancy. Testosterone creates cravings for fat/protein combinations to build strong muscles for the "hunt." Doesn’t it ring true that women want their sweets but men want their steaks?

See, it’s not our fault; it’s hormonal!

Full article: http://yourfinaldiet.blogspot.com/2009/11/dr-abby-says-women-crave-food.html

Yes, it's Over...

There you have it for this week. The show is over and the tent is coming down. But be sure to come back next Friday and every Friday for the best dieting blogs out there.

Please submit your favorite blogs -- written by you or maybe even ones you've read on your personal journey to wellness.

The submission link is: http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8199.html

By one estimate, we eat nearly one-third of our meals away from home. That means a lot of money for restaurants and plenty of temptation and stress for the dieting diner.

Before you head back out to your favorite eatery, digest the following seven dining-out tips served fresh by Dr. Paul Rivas, author of The Cheater's Diet (HCI). 

"Whether you end up at the local fast-food burger joint or a white-linen restaurant that offers nouvelle French cuisine, eating out can severely test your resolve to stick to your diet," Dr. Rivas says.

"To make matters worse, trying to decipher what’s healthful on a typical menu can be like trying to look up a phone number blindfolded."

A Dieter's 7-Tip Survival Guide for Dining Out

Follow the 50/50 rule

Eat only half of everything on your plate and bag the rest for another time. Half the food means half the calories. You won’t be deprived of anything. Restaurants are notorious for offering portions that are way out of proportion to a size that’s healthful and satisfying for you.

Order à la carte

You don’t want to find yourself looking down at a plate filled with some food that will make you fat and wreck your health. French fries are a good example. They’re pure carbohydrate drenched in saturated fat and smothered in salt. And if you get into a test of willpower over them, you’ll lose. Ordering each course individually can save you a considerable amount of grief.

Go for whole foods and fish or poultry

Pasta should be a small side dish, not a main course. Skip anything that’s breaded or battered, and if you need a sauce to liven up your fare, try salsas or relishes.

Stick with soups and salads

Soups are great for satisfying your appetite without loading you up with carbs or fats. Any watery food is. Salads are another great option, although be careful not to load up on croutons or to smother your veggies in creamy dressing. You can quickly turn a salad into a calorie-dense meal if you’re not careful.

Order from the appetizer menu

You can make an interesting meal out of appetizers, and because they often comprise small portions, they’re a great way to control your food intake. Be careful of the kinds of appetizers you choose, however. A mountain of nachos, cheese and refried beans will not help you stick to your plan.

Tell the server, "No!"

Say “No” to sugar and bread, and insist that the server check with the chef to make certain what you’ve ordered doesn’t contain butter. Many restaurants, especially expensive ones with great chefs, add gobs of butter to many dishes to enhance the taste.

Skip the sauces and dips

This is tough advice, I know, but those dips can add significantly to your calorie intake. If you’re going to eat carrots and broccoli spears dipped in bleu-cheese sauce, you may as well leave the veggies in peace and attack a pint of chocolate cookie dough ice cream!

I have two young children. One is 12 and he will eat -- or at least try -- just about any food. The other is 10. She subsists on a diet of chicken nuggets, fries, cheese sandwiches, grilled steak and peanut butter toast. Oh, and ketchup... lots and lots of ketchup.

I'll admit here have been times when my youngest has nearly driven her mom and dad over the edge. In fact, I harbor one shameful memory of a desperate time when we tried to force our daughter to simply try a bite of a new food.

I still shake my head at the thought of that moment.

But now I have a new friend and a new approach. Meet Tamara Follett, author of The Stay-Full Diet, and check out her advice on...

How To Get Your Family To Eat Healthier... Without Badgering or Hunger Strikes!

Getting your family to eat better doesn’t have to involve hog-tying and force-feeding. Mercifully, most of the hysteria and tearful threats can be avoided entirely by following these 5 simple steps.

As we hear almost daily on the news, even if your family isn’t overweight, there are significant long-term health benefits to eating better, (not the least of which is living longer!).

And even if you have a family of junk-food addicts, you can -- with a little dedication -- transition your family’s palate into a healthier arena. It’s just that the transition to a new way of eating for junk-foodies will have to be VERY subtle.

Once you’ve decided to improve your family’s nutritional intake, the objectives are to introduce more vegetables into your family’s diet, (because you can never have enough vegetables!), reduce fats (for obvious reasons!) and add fiber (which leaves you with a full feeling longer, and has numerous health and digestive benefits).

Quick tips to get you headed in the right direction

1. Start by adding gradually-increasing amounts of veggies to your casseroles, stews and meat dishes. The idea is to avoid the inevitable resistance by sneaking the good food into your meals.

Use more rich heavy sauces that can successfully hide the fact that the veggies outweigh the meats by a considerable margin. For example, low-calorie Szechwan Stir-Fry Sauce or Jamaican Jerk Sauce will overwhelm the taste of the veggies. (But read labels! Many sauces contain too much fat, and you can usually make the same sauce in minutes at home, with half the fat!)

Add as much flavor and spice as your family can tolerate, and they’ll never notice the meat proportions are shrinking. (My own observation is that the more flavorful the food, the more filling it is. Eat a small bowl of vegetable curry, and see if you aren’t just as full and satisfied as if you had eaten a plain boring chicken breast!)

2. To increase your family’s fiber intake, stock up on a variety of whole grain cereals your family likes. Cereal makes a healthy filling snack for kids at any time of the day or night, so get away from the cereal-is-only-for-breakfast mindset. Have a wide selection available for them to choose from, to keep cereal from becoming boring.

Add the merriment factor for the kids by letting them mix their own “customized” cereal from the array of cereals, sliced fresh fruit, and dried cranberries or chopped dates you have laid out. They’ll have fun mixing their own and trying everyone else’s combinations to see which one is best!

In addition, there are thousands of high-fiber, low-fat recipes out there using breakfast cereal as a base, including some fabulous dessert recipes! Your family will never guess it is good for them!

3. Follow up each meal with a rich fruit-based dessert, and the bowl of ice cream in front of the TV every night won’t be missed. Fresh fruit crumbles, peach and yogurt parfaits, upside-down Pineapple Cake made with pancake mix. Next to these, plain old ice cream or candy will seem boring.

4. Make snack foods, instead of buying them! With homemade snacks, you can control what goes into them. And there are entire cookbooks containing nothing but quick-and-healthy snacks that will convert even the most staunch junk food addict, because homemade snacks are heads and tails over store-bought!

5. Challenge yourself by cooking meat for one meal, but use the meat over three meals. You have one chicken? Cook it, but make it last three meals with casseroles and pasta dishes that don’t need much meat. You’ll cut down on calories, AND on your food bill!

You will note that the above tips require pre-planning and more prep time, but honestly, by the time you and the kids make it down to McDonalds, you could have made something at home. Home cooking doesn’t have to equate to time-consuming!

Plan meals for the whole week ahead and do all your grocery shopping at once. If multiple planned recipes require the same chopped vegetable, chop all you’ll need for the whole week and store in a plastic bag. This will cut down on prep time for you, during the week.

Follow these tips, don’t rush things, and the transition to healthier eating will be relatively painless. Once a week, cook your family’s favorite meal, and they’ll likely never notice that both you and they are eating healthier!

Bon appétit!

NOTE: Tamara has written four nonfiction books, the latest of which is The Stay-Full Diet, which details the methods she used to lose 65 pounds and keep it off.

A while back I had the pleasure of interviewing Victoria Moran, author of The Love-Powered Diet (Lantern Books). I really liked Victoria'a message because, unlike nearly every other trendy or fad diet out there, her love-powered diet starts from within and rebuilds the follower into a happier, healthier individual.

What I want to share with you today are a pair of key passages from The Love-Powered Diet -- "Things Foods Addicts May Think" and "Things Food Addicts May Do."

See how many of these remind you of yourself.

Things Food Addicts May Do

• Hide food

• Sneak food

• Go on diets, usually on Mondays

• Make promises, vows, and deals with themselves, others, and God about eating less and losing weight
 
• Lie to themselves, others, and God

• Avoid scales or weigh themselves compulsively

• Dissociate from their bodies — live from the neck up

• Put off living—shopping, swimming, vacationing, making love — until weight is lost
 
• Detest physical exercise or become addicted to exercise (but may still detest it)
 
• Feel unattractive or conditionally attractive based on a scale number or clothing size

• Hate fat people (or hate thin people)
 
• Have special binge foods as drugs of choice (chocolate, sweets, salty snacks, cheese, and rich, creamy foods are favorites) but could binge on almost anything in a pinch

• Vomit after a binge or even after a moderate meal or snack (bulimia)

• Eat others’ leftovers, unthawed frozen foods, or nonfoods (e.g., the paper from around a muffin, used tea bags, chewing gum)
 
• Diet successfully for a time, then gain back as much or more weight than was lost (the ability to diet eventually ceases altogether)

• Find it easier to fast than to eat moderately

• Push food on other people, especially when depriving themselves

• Cook and bake — though in later stages of the disease, these may fall aside in favor of ready made, instant - gratification items
 
• Please people, be sweet
 
• Make jokes, be jolly
 
• Be defensive, feel put upon, take up the cause of "fat lib"
 
• Deal inappropriately with anger, either denying ("stuffing") it or having attacks of rage, usually toward someone powerless, such as a child or companion animal
 
• Switch compulsions, such as giving up food for a time and becoming addicted to drugs, sex, working, or spending

Things Food Addicts May Think

• This time will be different
 
• I ate too much (or gained weight) so I’m a bad person
 
• No one else eats like I do
 
• If you really knew me, you wouldn’t like me
 
• I’m fat and disgusting
 
• I broke my diet so I’m a failure
 
• Since I ate that cookie, it means I’ve blown it and have to eat a quart of ice cream
 
• I’ve lost weight now so life is supposed to be perfect

• I’ve lost weight now so I’m cured

• I’ll just have a little bit
 
• I’ll get back on my diet tomorrow
 
• Eating will make me feel better
 
• I have to eat something to get through this tragedy/term paper/telephone call

• A venti cappuccino is really just a big cup of coffee
 
• When I lose weight, I’ll be beautiful

• When I lose weight, my husband/wife/lover will love me (or I’ll find a husband/wife/lover who’ll love me)

• When I lose weight, my mother/father/other significant person from my past will love and accept me (even if they’re dead)

• When I lose weight, I’ll do everything I ever wanted to do
 
• I feel fat (in response to being full, depressed, premenstrual, or constipated, or as a response to rejection, disappointment, or presumed failure)
 
• If I eat while I read, it won’t count (the same goes for food sampled during cooking)

• I deserve a treat (euphemism for extra food), or I deserve to be punished (food can do that, too)

• Eventually, I’ll just have the surgery and lose weight that way

Sound familiar? If so, you may be a food addict too. And if that's the case, Victoria says no trendy or fad diet is going to help you slim down and stay slim.

What you do need is to come to grips with the fact you are powerless over food and need inner strength and guidance to help you overcome the issue.

You can learn more by getting a copy of The Love-Powered Diet or by checking out Victoria's website http://www.victoriamoran.com/

I've been dieting for about a month now and I am doing okay at weight loss but I know I could be doing better if I got my butt off the couch and started working out more often.

I keep telling myself that this coming "Monday" will be the day I start exercising in earnest. But it just doesn't seem like that particular Monday ever arrives.

Frustrating? Yes. Impossible to overcome? No.

My good pal Alicia Kirschenheiter is a total wellness guru and she's agreed to nudge me in the right direction with her five steps that she says will transform me from couch potato to fitness fanatic.

See if Alicia can motivate you to get moving too.

The 5 Steps

1) Put Down that Chip

Decision time is the hardest part! That's right. The first step to wellness is the decision to be well. That's a decision that can be made every minute of every day at any time.

But make no mistake it must be a conscious decision that requires weighing the consequences, the benefits and -- above all -- your own readiness to change.

2) Start Moving

So where should you start? With 30 minutes of activity, that's where. Most experts advise at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity a day. Unless you have a medical reason, you should strive for a half hour of movement.

This can be as easy as walking. The great part about it: You can break those 30 minutes up however you want. Find time for 10 minutes in the morning, another 10 in the afternoon and the final 10 at night. Work it in to your convenience.

3) Challenge Yourself

Once you get the 30-minute thing down from step 2, it's time to make those 30 minutes work more effectively for you. This can be as easy as walking faster, changing your stride, adding in skips and jumps (up in the air, not hurdles) and heading for the hills!

If you are using a treadmill, try a steeper incline. Then add a few other machines into your mix. You can even throw in a few punches and kicks -- yes, anger works for fitness! Jumping jacks, high hops and skipping rope will also fire up your metabolism. Just be sure to get off the machines before you start jumping around!

4. Pick up a Weight 

Now that you are in the groove let's keep it going by adding in some weights. Use light weights to start and do one or two sets of 12–15 repetitions. Your best bet is simple exercises that work big muscles like squats or military presses. Start once a week and build up to 2-3 times a week.

Adding in weights will help you burn calories and sculpt your body. Keep it up and you'll keep the weight from returning.

5. Learn to Love It

I said it before and I'll say it again: Without the right attitude your best intentions are probably doomed to fail. I mean it when I say you need to learn to love activity. There needs to be something inside of you that recognizes the successes and benefits in what you are doing.

You need to take note that you are feeling better, breathing easier, and climbing the stairs without needing oxygen! Cling to those improvements in your health.

All of your successes will make all of your setbacks -- and everyone has them -- seem much less important in the long run. Once you feel the success you'll want it all the time! 

For more great advice from Alicia, check out her Diet-to-Go blog. 

I don't know about you but there are too many days I awake and ask myself, "Why did I have that third slice of pizza when two were more than enough?" or "Why didn't I stop at four wings rather than stuff down seven?"

The bigger question is, "Why do we overeat?"

The Nutrition Diva -- Monica Reinagel -- tackled this subject in the Diet-to-Go February newsletter. In case you missed it, here is the beginning of her insightful blog.

At the bottom of today's blog we have the podcast link you can use to listen to Monica discuss this important subject. Stop beating youself up and start grasping why we do the things we do to sabotage our attempts at weight loss and healthy eating.

Monica notes, "There's a growing body of evidence showing that that environmental cues may have a much bigger impact on how much we eat than physiological hunger—factors such as how much food is on the table or in the package, how much the people around us are eating, and even how big our plates are have a huge effect on how much we eat."

About Monica Reinagel, The Nutrition Diva
Monica Reinagel is a board-certified Licensed Nutritionist and a professionally-trained chef. She is the host of the Nutrition Diva podcast which is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips network. She has authored three books on health and nutrition, developed recipes and diet plans for websites and other publications. Monica's professional affiliations include the American Dietetic Association, the International Association of Culinary Professionals and the American Guild of Musical Artists.

Reprinted by arrangement with Quick and Dirty Tips, a division of Macmillan Holdings, LLC.  

Having a snack attack? Do you still find yourself snacking between meals? We recommend fruits and vegetables, but if you feel the need for a little more – maybe something to satisfy that sweet tooth – then try one of our deliciously healthy between-meal snacks.

Snacking has gotten a bad rap for far too long.

According to the medical experts at WebMD.com, “One of the biggest myths about snacking is that it's a bad thing. The truth is that it's not snacking itself that's bad for us. It's all the junk food people like to snack on that gives snacking a bad name: chips, candy bars, french fries, sugary sodas, and so on.

"In fact, if you eat until you are comfortable (not 'full') at lunch, chances are you'll need a mid-afternoon snack to tide you over until dinner with plenty of energy. The secret is to snack only when you need to and to select smarter snacks."

Go ahead and eat up!

See? You can have your cake and eat it too – when that snack cake is a good nutritional fit for your healthy diet!

We don't want you to go hog wild with between-meal eating. Snacking in conjunction with your meal plan will add calories and reduce your weight loss progress – unless you are very active and participating in an exercise program.

But if you can use the extra calories and need an afternoon nosh to keep those hunger pangs at bay, then we advise you to check out our new snack assortment that's available for our mail-order clients.

Here are my 10 favorite snacks

Baked Lays Potato Chips: Baked potato chips are just about the perfect snack – crunchy and slightly salty!

Whole Wheat Soft Pretzel with Mustard: When the chips are down, try pretzels... big, soft pretzels!

Homemade Chocolate Brownies: This is hands-down our most popular snack item.

Coconut Macadamia Nut Butter Ball: Exotic and decadent-sounding but deliciously healthy!

Peanut Butter Ball: Mmm... a peanut buttery treat that won't gum up your diet!

Rice Krispie Treats: No misprint here... this crispy rice is oh, so nice and not just for the kiddies!

Apple Cinnamon Bars: It's like eating a slice of portable apple pie!

Strawberry Fruit Bars: Who doesn't like Mother Nature's super snack – strawberries.

Orange Creme Low Glycemic Designer Protein Shake Mix: It's like drinking a Creamsicle!

Cranberry Crave Granola Cookies: And that's the way the cookie crumbles -- our 10th and final favorite snack!

For more information and to order a few great snacks go to http://diettogo.com/mail-order-snacks

Step right up and feast your eyes on the five wonders of the dieting blog world -- it's Diet Blog carnival time here at Diet-to-Go and we've selected the best of the best from the blogs submitted by readers and experts just like you.

The topics we love are those having to do with dieting, eating healthy and getting fit so be sure to submit your favorite blogs that fit these categories.

You don't have to be the author to submit a blog. Your pick could be something you read -- something that inspired or educated you. If you've stumbled upon a great blog recently be sure to share it with the world here at the Diet-to-Go Diet Blog Carnival.

You'll find the submission link at the bottom of today's blog. But now, get ready to be amazed... informed... and educated!

5) Putting the squeeze on your fruit juice

Without a doubt, fresh is the way to go!

When it comes to juice, I will always drink freshly made juice. Store purchased juice is a distance second.

I do try to make a very conscious effort to continually increase the amount of natural food that I eat. At the same time, I try to reduce the amount of processed food that I eat. I am very good at achieving that goal in the morning. The evenings are sometimes a different story. The reason I try to eat more natural food is pretty simple. It is better for you and it helps you to lose weight...

Title: Fresh vs. Store-Bought

Link: http://www.fitnessover50.org/fresh-vs-store-bought

4) How journaling helps thwart binge eating

Are you sick of overeating? Your late night eating? Do you want to jump on the path to recovery from binge eating disorder yet you don’t know where to start?

In my initial recovery stages one technique that really helped me is awareness journaling. Awareness journaling is a a little different from regular journaling.

Awareness journaling is NOT simply recording your days events or keeping a diary.  Awareness journaling is about breaking down your thoughts and emotions in real time...

Title: Binge Eating Disorder Recovery Tip 35

Link: http://howtostopeating.com/blog/binge-eating-disorder/binge-eating-disorder-recovery-tip-35

3) How seniors can avoid weight weight-loss surgery

Nobody wants weight loss surgery and for older people it is particularly bad news. It is the last resort and those who have it are often at their wit's end. They have tried everything and it has failed.

There is, of course, more to it that just failing to lose weight. They may well have been suffering from stress or depression and perhaps other illnesses as well. A person who needs weight loss surgery is often not greedy and idle, they have a real problem.

But don’t forget that fat people started thin and, if they can control their weight gain early, they may well avoid escalating into obesity as they get older. It’s worth trying...

Title: 5 Ways Not to Have Weight Loss Surgery

Link: http://www.seniorwalkingfitnessblog.com/uncategorized/five-ways-not-to-have-weight-loss-surgery

2) Recipes & lessons for the "every day" cook

I write this blog and share my recipes and lessons for the "every day" cook. Whether we have formal training or not, we all have to eat. Several times a day!

I love the craze surrounding food and cooking -- there's even an entire television network devoted to it! But with food as fashion, the concern has mostly been taste, not nutrition. What's gotten lost is the concept of food as fuel.

We need it to survive, and if we want our bodies to perform optimally, we have to put the best stuff in. Lean proteins, heart healthy fats, vitamin-rich vegetables and whole grain carbohydrates. The good stuff...

Title: Food: Fashion or Fuel?

Link: http://thesveltegourmet.blogspot.com/2010/02/food-fashion-or-fuel.html

1) How the poor economy affects your health

Times of recession have an effect on our health. The recent Great Recession has already created changes to our overall health, according to different experts. The pressures that come with recession, as well as lifestyle changes that it entails, often cause health changes.

However, it is unclear whether these changes are largely good for our health or bad for our health.

Some say that the effects are positive, forcing us into better lifestyle decisions. Others insist that the effects are negative, creating a situation of deteriorating health...

Title: 25 Ways the Great Recession Is Affecting Our Health

Link: http://mhadegree.com/2010/25-ways-the-great-recession-is-affecting-our-health/

Yes, it's Over...

There you have it for this week. The show is over and the tent is coming down. But be sure to come back next Friday and every Friday for the best dieting blogs out there.

Please submit your favorite blogs -- written by you or maybe even ones you've read on your personal journey to wellness.

The submission link is: http://blogcarnival.com/bc/submit_8199.html