Archives for October 2021

We all give into cookie cravings every now and then. But, it’s best to keep these moments of weakness few and far between, says women’s health experts Marla Ahlgrimm. Why? Because sugar is quite simply an empty calorie that’s bad for human health.

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, sugar is little more than empty calories. This means the body doesn’t really know what to do with them, and they don’t turn into usable energy. What sugar does, however, is cause a host of issues, including weight gain, diabetes, and cavities.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that people in the United States tend to consume around 300 calories per day that come from sugar. This comes in many forms, from creamers added to our coffee to candy bars eaten on the go. Because the body burns sugar calories much faster than others, people tend to get hungrier faster after eating sugary treats.

Sugar is also a contributing factor to diabetes. While sugar does not directly cause diabetes, it does significantly increase a person’s risk, particularly for people who consume multiple sugary drinks each day. Drinking and consuming sugar is also a fast-track toward cavities, says Marla Ahlgrimm. This is because sugar actually eats away at a protective coating on the teeth.

Perhaps most alarming is that people who consume high amounts of sugar are more likely to have heart disease than their non-sugar-eating counterparts. This is another circumstance where excess consumption of sugary drinks, including sodas and sweet tea, may be the culprit.

Ultimately, Marla Ahlgrimm says there’s nothing wrong with giving in every once and a while. However, she explains that it’s best to leave added sugar foods for special occasions, and stick to healthier sugars, such as those that come from fruit, for every day indulgences.

Marla Ahlgrimm says that women are known to try diets of all kinds. One of these is the plant-based diet. But, is it healthy? Keep reading for more information.

Marla Ahlgrimm explains that a plant-based (also called plant-forward) diet focuses specifically on foods derived from plants. This includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, and oils. Although most foods on this diet are grown from the earth, people on a plant-based diet are not always vegetarians but, rather, limit their meat intake significantly. People on plant-based diets may also eat dairy products from time to time.

One of the most popular plant-based diets focuses on Mediterranean foods. According to Marla Ahlgrimm, there is quite a bit of merit to having a Mediterranean diet, and research finds that this may reduce heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. People eating a Mediterranean diet also enjoy poultry, fish, and other meats throughout the week, but the majority of the foods they eat are plants.

Vegetarianism is a more extreme plant-based diet. However, there are several subcategories, including flexitarian, Pescatarian, and vegan. A Flexitarian has the widest variety of food options, a pescetarian eats vegetables plus seafood, and a vegetarian abstains completely from animal products, including meat, cheese, and eggs.

If you are looking to get started on a plant-based diet, Marla Ahlgrimm says to talk with your doctor first. Then, evaluate your plate. The vast majority of what you eat should be vegetables, fruits, or grains. She says it is also helpful to center your foods around vegetables and fruits rather than to base your meal on the meat you’re having. A crucial aspect of a plant-based diet is variety. Marla Ahlgrimm suggests eating foods of all different colors. For example, green spinach, orange carrots, and yellow peppers. Each color of vegetable or fruit offers a unique blend of vitamins and nutrients so balancing what you eat will ensure you get a variety of the things your body needs.