Pucker up for lemon juice 🍋

Among numerous other health benefits, the acidic nature of lemon juice blunts blood sugar spikes and helps control the release of energy after a meal. Also:
Lemon juice is an excellent source of vitamin C- a 1/4 cup of lemon juice, just 15 calories’ worth, packs almost 50 percent of your daily value.
One study in the journal “Public Health Nutrition” found that low vitamin C increased the likelihood of developing abdominal fat by 131 percent.
Another study of more than 20,000 people showed that people who ate the most vitamin-C rich foods were three times less likely to develop arthritis than those who ate the least.
Vitamin C helps prevent cholesterol from sticking to cell walls, and lemon’s flavonoids attack free radicals and protect against cancer.

Heart Disease & Fat - The American Paradox

Before the 1920s, heart disease was rare in the United States. By the mid 1950s, however, heart disease was the leading cause of death, as it still is today, for both men and women.
If fat is so bad for us, one would assume that Americans started eating more of it in the 1900s, in step with these rising rates of heart disease, not to mention rising rates of diabetes and obesity. That assumption, however, is incorrect.
Internationally renowned nutritionalist and biochemist Mary G. Enig, PhD, has studied the eating patterns of Americans dating back as far as the late 1800s. In her highly regarded book ‘Know Your Fats’ (Bethesda Press, 2000), she convincingly uses U.S. Department of Agriculture data to show that fat consumption and heart disease have no connection whatsoever. According to her review of government health records and food consumption statistics, Americans cut back on animal fat between 1910 and 1970. In the early 1900s, Americans were eating mostly saturated and monounsaturated fats in the form of butter. lard, coconut oil, and olive oil. By the 1970s, Americans were eating fewer animal fats and less butter and lard. Since the 1970s, Americans have cut back on saturated fat even more.
Has all of this fat cutting done any good for our hearts? No. Heart disease rates are going up, not down.

When someone offers you food that you are trying not to eat

Saying no requires you to put aside your need to please others. Be assertive. Say something like, “I feel flattered that you thought to bring me this find. I am trying hard to lose weight, however, and this is not one I can eat. I feel horrible that I need to turn away your offer, but I hope you understand.” If this person is a true friend or supporter, he or she will sympathize. Friends and loved ones should want to help us grow into our better selves. If you feel guilty about turning down these requests to eat, realize that the friend or loved one is the person who should feel guilty. That person is the one who is blocking you from growing into a better you.

Success Story

Maureen Wellington lost 12 pounds on The Stubborn Fat Fix!

This is the only diet that works for me. I just needed a little guidance and motivation to get myself to do it. The Berkowitzes handed me a list of food recommendations, and I follow it. I’ve lost 2.5 to 3 inches all over my body. This weight loss is costing me a small fortune in alterations. I feel so much better now too. My blood pressure and blood sugar are down.

Since I committed myself to the plan, I have not had any cake, pie, or ice cream. Do I miss them? No; I’m better off if I don’t eat sweets. I keep them out of the house. I now watch everything that goes in my mouth. I’m more aware of eating, and I reach for real foods rather than processed foods. It’s a healthy lifestyle, bottom line.

After you reach your weight goal

You will need to remain conscious of your eating choices for the rest of your life. You don’t, however, have to eat 100 percent healthy all of the time. Most of the time, eat real foods: eggs, meat, vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, and so on. Some of the time, splurge. It’s okay to enjoy ice cream every once in a while. It’s okay to savor a chocolate chip cookie or a small slice of pie. It’s okay as long as you hold yourself to a reasonable portion and stay in control as you eat.