Study: Diet soda as risky as regular

Study: Diet soda as risky as regular

BY JAY LINDSAY
The Associated Press
BOSTON – People who drank
more than one diet soda each
day developed the same risks
for heart disease as those who
downed sugary regular soda, an
inconclusive study found.
The results surprised the researchers
who expected to see a
difference between regular and
diet soda drinkers. It could be,
they suggest, that even no-calorie
sweet drinks increase the
craving for more sweets, and
that people who indulge in sodas
probably have less healthy
diets overall.
The study’s senior author, Dr.
Vasan Ramachandran, emphasized
the findings don’t show
diet sodas are a cause of increased
heart disease risks. But
he said they show a surprising
link that must be studied.
“It’s intriguing and it begs an
explanation by people who are
qualified to do studies to understand
this better,” said Vasan,
of Boston University School of
Medicine.
However, a nutrition expert
dismissed the study’s findings
on diet soda drinkers.
“There’s too much contradictory
evidence that shows that
diet beverages are healthier for
you in terms of losing weight
that I would not put any credence
to the result on the diet
(drinks),” said Barry Popkin, of
the University of North Carolina
in Chapel Hill.
Susan Neely, president of the
American Beverage Association,
said the notion that diet drinks
are associated with bulging
waistlines defies common sense.
“How can something with
zero calories that’s 99 percent
water with a little flavoring in it
... cause weight gain?” she said.
Researchers found those
who drank more than one soda
per day – diet or regular – had
an increased risk of metabolic
syndrome, compared to those
who drank less than one soda.
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster
of symptoms that increase the
risk for heart disease including
large waistlines and higher levels
of blood pressure, blood sugar,
cholesterol and blood fats
called triglycerides.

Diet Tricks that Deliver

by Alison Stuart, Good Housekeeping Aug. 2007
No matter what plan you're following, certain weight-loss strategies are guaranteed to bring success. Try integrating these four into your life today

Don't Be Your Own Worst Enemy
Hide tempting snacks- if they're out of sight, it'll be a lot easier to keep them out of mind. One study from Cornell University showed that women who were offered chocolates from a clear bowl ate 71%more than those served from a dish that concealed the candy. The best way to go: Don't keep bad-for-you foods in the house at all (If you don't buy it, you can't eat it)

Stay Strong
If the scale goes a couple of pounds in the wrong direction, there are ways to get back on track. One trick that works: Write down not only what you eat, but what triggers your appetite. For example, you might find that you do well all day but mess up with midnight snacking. Or that 3pm. in the office might be your lethal hour. Once you know your weakest times, you can defend yourself with safer snacks.

Get Moving
You can shed pounds with just 30 minutes of exercise a day (and yes, speed walking counts, even if it's just up and down the hallway).

Eat Slower
Anything that lengthens your meal is good for weight loss, because your brain needs 20 minutes to get the signal that your body is full. The simplest way to avoid rushing; Choose time-consuming foods. Dishes that are hot, for example, take longer to eat. And work hard for your snacks- freeze a piece of dark chocolate and see how lond it takes to nibble your way through.

Free Wrap Skirt Pattern Online

I have been drooling over a skirt at Tznius.
But did not want to spend $40.00. Then a friend shared that there are instructions FREE online. And it is extremely easy to make. I got mine done in my babies nap time. I altered the instructions to 8" at the waist and the length of my piece of material for my dd. Then I made the waist band the length of her fabric. You will find links to the instructions below.
Wrap it Up

Site to help you find the Perfect Jeans

Image from Allposters.com

Edited: Just discovered my link didn't work, it's fixed now!

Finding the Perfect Jeans
A friend showed me this site and I wanted to share it with all you. You answer questions about your shape, height, weight and preferences. Then they will tell you what will jeans will fit your body!

I'm a Mom to the Power of 7

I received my last Old Schoolhouse and thought the home schooled rindstone shirt was really cute. Then I went to the website.
http://www.couturemoms.com  And while I thought the shirts were really cute they were WAY to EXPENSIVE. Sorry I will NEVER spend $40 on a shirt. So I did what I always do!!!   I made one myself. (This is part of why Patrice named me Prairie Lady)

I found nice black tshirts for $6.50 at walmart. Then I found Iron on rindstones in the craft department for $2.00. They were on sticky paper in strips. I removed all the stones. Then I laid out the letters on at a time. Then stuck them to the original sticky paper that the stones had been on. And worked on it one letter at a time.They moved really really easily.  I think they turned out pretty good. Can't wait to mail Mom heres! And I loved the idea your a mom to the ____ power!