Healthy Portions Magazine

New This Week

In this issue we look at how stopping smoking may affect your weight, and diet plans by nutritionists. We also profile one of the most popular diet plans, learn more about a bestselling diet book, examine a long-used prescription diet drug, and more.

Smoking: Will Quitting Mean Weight Gain?

If you've quit smoking, congratulations! Obviously, quitting smoking is a good thing and has many health benefits. However, there is an additional obstacle present for many that do. According to various studies, the average smoker gains about 8 pounds after quitting. So, it's a concern for many women. In fact, many women, especially teenagers, take up smoking as a weight control measure.... Read more

Nutritionists: Mapping Out Your Diet

Nutritionists generally are not affiliated with the medical profession as closely as dietitians. Nutritionists do not have access to prescribed drugs but they encourage their clients to take a variety of supplements. Usually, the nutritionist themselves can provide these. Nutritionists are not as clinically inclined as Registered Dietitians (RDs). Their main focus is to look at the "whole" person and not just a particular area. Nutritionists practice under a holistic concept... Read more

Company Profile: The Zone Diet

The Zone Diet doesn’t ask you to count calories. Instead of emphasizing calories, it views food as a "drug" that dramatically affects your body’s production of the hormone insulin. Barry Sears believes that significant swings in insulin levels affect mood, endurance, mental acuity, and weight gain or loss. Over time, uncontrolled insulin levels will have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being.... Read more

Book Review: Somersizing (Suzanne Somers)

Somersizing was developed by TV celebrity Suzanne Somers, (best known for the 1980’s sitcom, Three’s Company). She has become a weight loss celebrity and some dieters swear by her methods, including aficionados of low-carb diets. The diet is a low carbohydrate high protein diet that has a calorie intake of 1100-1300 calories per day. The Somersizing diet is a mixture of several ideas as it is part food combining and part Atkins style low carbohydrate diet.... Read more

Rx Diet Drugs: Phentermine

Phentermine is taken once per day, with a typical cost of $40-50 per month. This diet drug, which has been used for decades, originally had a limitation of 12-20 weeks. However, today it is commonly used for much longer periods with few reported problems. Many bariatricians use it with their patients for as long as several years. Some states may have limits, however.... Read more

Smooth Moves

In our Workout Video Library you'll find a variety of exercise choices, sure to get you motivated and moving. Remember to check with your doctor before beginning any exercise program, and start out at a level appropriate to your current fitness level.

New! Workout Video Library

Second Helpings

Check out this week's healthy diet choice, California Style Salad, and other delicious and easy to prepare diet recipes... Read more

What's News?

Q & A: The Risks of Being Overweight... Read more
Adding New Foods May Lower Cholesterol... Read more

Tuesday, February 5, 2008