I feel icky. My office hosted a little Halloween gathering today and in the spirit of the season, I had a slice of cake, a handful of chocolate candy and a piece of banana bread. Yes, I know...control is not always my strong suit. Thank goodness I saved myself additional calories by eating a small cup of yogurt with fruit for breakfast and a light lunch and Cherry Coke Zero this afternoon! As long as I avoid any more high-calorie snacks and eat a healthy dinner tonight, I should be in decent shape.
Anyway, I know I'm not the only one who struggles with food come the holidays. And with Halloween just around the corner, and the calendar starting to fill up with festive parties, those weight woes will only add up. Still, there are some ways to celebrate the season without packing on the pounds. Check out this video release for some examples of ways to enjoy your holiday favorites, minus the extra weight. I particularly liked this tidbit:
Q: Diet sodas and "light products" cause weight gain because they include low-calorie sweeteners like aspartame - myth or fact?
A: Myth. A number of studies over the years have determined that low-calorie sweeteners do not increase appetite, food intake or weight gain. In fact, the vast majority of scientific literature confirms the safety and benefits of using low-calorie sweeteners and low-calorie products for weight control and weight loss. For example, a team of researchers from Harvard spent two years investigating how the addition of the low-calorie sweetener aspartame to a multidisciplinary weight control program would affect obese women. They found aspartame not only helped with weight loss, but also with long-term weight maintenance. In another report, recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers reviewed over 200 studies on the effects of low-calorie sweeteners on appetite, food intake and weight. They concluded that low-calorie sweeteners can be beneficial for weight management. Cutting 150 calories a day from your diet by using light products can result in a 15-pound weight loss over the course of a year. So don't believe the misinformation on the Internet about low-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame. Numerous studies demonstrate the safety and benefits of aspartame, and major health organizations including the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association agree that low-calorie, sugar-free foods and beverages can be a safe option for those who want to control their weight.
I'll raise a diet soda to that one! Happy Halloween!
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