Diet Watch Blog

God, help us figure this out

A few months ago, several of the bloggers/writers I follow were involved in an online debate about two competing theories that attempt to explain the current epidemic of overweight and obesity.  The theories:

Carboydrate/Insulin (as argued by Gary Taubes)
Food Reward (as argued by Stephan Guyenet)

The whole dustup was about as interesting to me as [...]

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source

I just read ”Low-Carbing Among Friends, Volume 1″ by Jennifer Eloff, Maria Emmerich, Carolyn Ketchum, Lisa Marshall, and Kent Altena.
?   ?   ?
If you’re serious about low-carb eating, you’ll want this book.  Five well-known low-carb cooks and chefs present many of their best recipes in a straightforward format.  All 300+ recipes are gluten-free, wheat-free, and sugar-free.  I [...]

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source

Rapper Fat Joe is in a YouTube video talking about his 100-lb (45 kg) weight loss by eating low-carb.  He’s not doctor, but he knows a lot about preventing diabetes and heart disease.  He’s livin’ it.
Steve Parker, M.D.
h/t Tom Naughton

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source

What a wonderful chicken soup recipe! It’s so quick and easy to put together, and the balance of flavors is just fantastic. If you love spicy Asian food you MUST try this recipe!

Vietnamese Chicken Soup recipe – 163 calories

Ingredients:
8 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 ounce cellophane noodles
1 tablespoon peanut oil
2 teaspoons minced ginger
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons fish sauce
28 ounces chicken broth
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Preparation:
1. Soak the cellophane noodles in very hot water.
2. While the noodles are soaking, cut the chicken breasts into thin julienne strips.
3. In a deep skillet, heat the peanut oil over medium-high heat; add the chicken, ginger, garlic and pepper flakes.
4. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring; then add the fish sauce and broth and bring to a boil.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for about 8 minutes (until the chicken is done).
6. Drain the noodles and cut into short pieces (about 1-1 1/2 inches long).
7. Arrange noodles at the bottom of the bowls; ladle the soup over the top and sprinkle with cilantro, basil and green onions.
8. Serve with chile paste or Tuong Ot Sriracha (Vietnamese hot sauce) if desired.

Servings: 4

Nutritional information for one serving:
Vietnamese chicken soup calories: 163
Total fat: 6.1 g
Cholesterol: 36.2 mg
Sodium: 1427.6 mg
Total carbs: 8.6 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 17 g
Weight Watchers points: 4

Photo credit: katclay

You might also like these low-cal chicken recipes:

• Lemon Chicken Soup recipe – 110 calories
• Mango Chicken recipe – 141 calories
• Low Calorie Chicken Thigh recipe – 200 calories
• Healthy Chicken and Mushroom recipe – 189 calories
• Mahogany Chicken recipe – 186 calories

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By Dietrecipes Source

I saw the author of Choose to Lose on a rerun of Dr. Oz yesterday.  Then I checked the book’s sales rank at Amazon.com (22nd overall—a blockbuster in my view).  (Don’t get me wrong; I’m not in the habit of watching Dr. Oz.)  Here’s my review of 2012’s Choose to Lose: The 7-Day Carb Cycle [...]

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source

I like the simplicity of this vanilla cupcakes recipe. Almond extract can be used in place of the vanilla if desired.

Easy Vanilla Cupcakes recipe – 182 calories

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups sugar (or 3/4 cup Splenda)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk (or half and half cream)
1/2 cup shortening
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla (or 1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract)

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar with the flour, salt and baking powder until combined.
3. Add in the milk or shortening cream, eggs and vanilla
4. Beat on medium speed of an electric mixer until just blended, scraping the bowl constantly. If the batter is too thick, you may add in a few more tablespoons milk or cream.
5. Pour into paper-lined muffin tins, filling under just three-quarters full.
6. Bake for about 20-22 minutes or until the cupcakes are done (be careful not to overbake as the cupcakes will become dry).
7. Immediately remove from the pans and let cool completely before frosting.

Servings: 1

Nutritional information for one serving:
Vanilla cupcakes calories: 182
Total fat: 6.7 g
Cholesterol: 22 mg
Sodium: 193 mg
Total carbs: 28 g
Fiber: 0.3 g
Protein: 2.4 g
Weight Watchers points: 4

Photo credit: Rachel from Cupcakes Take the Cake

You might also like these low-calorie dessert recipes:

• Banana Blueberry Muffins recipe – 174 calories
• Sugar-Free Biscotti recipe – 111 calories
• Creamy Lemon Squares recipe – 106 calories
• Low Calorie Biscotti recipe – 90 calories
• Rice Crispy Bars recipe – 181 calories

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By Dietrecipes Source

This beef and broccoli recipe easily rivals any Chinese restaurant beef and broccoli. It’s delicious and it doesn’t require any unusual ingredients. Serve over hot rice.

Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry recipe – 153 calories

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless round steak or 1 lb charcoal chuck steak, cut into thin 3-inch strips
4 cups broccoli florets
3 tablespoons cornstarch, divided
2 tablespoons water, divided
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 small onion, cut into wedges
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 tablespoons brown sugar

Preparation:
1. In a bowl, combine 2 tablespoons water with the garlic powder and 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth.
2. Add the beef strips and toss.
3. In a wok or large skillet over medium high heat, stir-fry the beef in 1 tablespoon oil until it reaches desired doneness; remove and keep warm.
4. Stir-fry the onion and broccoli in the remaining oil for about 4-5 minutes.
5. Return the beef to the pan.
6. Combine the brown sugar, soy sauce, ginger and the remaining cornstarch with water until smooth; add to the pan.
7. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes.

Servings: 4

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 153
Total fat: 7.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1363.1 mg
Total carbs: 19.5 g
Fiber: 7.8 g
Protein: 4.9 g
Weight Watchers points: 4

Photo credit: gkdavie

You might also like these low-calorie beef recipes:

• Beef with Cucumbers recipe – 176 calories
• Ground Beef Gyros recipe – 198 calories
• Vietnamese Beef Meatballs recipe – 85 calories
• Low-Fat Beef Meatballs recipe – 171 calories
• Bulgarian Princess Sandwich recipe – 177 calories

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By Dietrecipes Source

Whenever you’re in a hurry, you can fix this quick side dish recipe. It has an awesome flavor as it is, but for an even more superb taste you can add a little garlic and balsamic vinegar. Enjoy!

Mushrooms and Green Beans recipe – 176 calories

Ingredients:
3 lbs fresh green beans, rinsed and ends trimmed
1 lb fresh mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
2 bunches green onions, sliced
1/2 cup butter
salt, to taste

Preparation:
1. Melt the butter and saute the onions and mushrooms in a large skillet.
2. Add the green beans and cook until tender.
3. Season with salt to taste and serve.

Servings: 8

Nutritional information for one serving:
Calories: 176
Total fat: 11.9 g
Cholesterol: 30.5 mg
Sodium: 99.5 mg
Total carbs: 16.2 g
Fiber: 7.1 g
Protein: 5.5 g
Weight Watchers points: 4

Photo credit: rolled_trousers

You might also like these diet side dish recipes:

• Kosher Pickles recipe – 67 calories
• Strawberry Cucumber Salad recipe – 41 calories
• Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Sauce recipe – 111 calories
• Brussels Sprouts Fish Sauce recipe – 143 calories
• Savory Sweet Potato recipe – 120 calories

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By Dietrecipes Source

U.S. obesity rate over last 40 years

Beth Mazur over at Weight Maven has posted a lecture by Dr. Stephan Guyenet in which he outlines the changes in American diet over the last 100 years.  It’s only 16 minutes long.  You may  find an explanation for our excess weight problem. 
Steve Parker, M.D.

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source

Not a great week in terms of fitting back into my suit pants.
Weight: 172.5 (78.4 kg).  Up from last week.
Who knows?  I may be back down to 170 lb tomorrow.
No sugar?  Not quite: 5 of the tiny Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, one sugar cookie, too many sugar-dusted peanuts.  And I didn’t work out at all. 
Had [...]

By Advanced Mediterrranean blog Source