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Impossible burgers. Macrobiotics. Keto. With all the different diet trends out there today, its becoming more and more difficult to figure out which one might be right for you. It seems like a new way of eating pops up with each passing day, which just adds to the confusion. Should you eat mostly meat, or no meat at all? Is the vegan diet extremist and unhealthy (some places have declared it illegal to raise your kids veganyikes!) or is it the best diet out there? Or maybe the paleo diet has it right?

Related: Is a Vegan Diet Safe for Kids? We Weigh the Pros and Cons

Arguably, the vegan and paleo diets are two of the most popular diets in recent years. Thats a bit of a head scratcher, since the two diets seem diametrically opposed in the foods they promote and restrict. More recently, the pegan diet has gained popularity as a hybrid of these two eating plans. Sound bizarre? We thought so, too! But, says John OConnor, founder of the startup Gene Food, which works to identify the right diet based on your genetic makeup, In some respects, the pegan diet is the best of both the paleo and vegan worlds, since it removes the most inflammatory foods from each diet.

In this article, well fill you in on everything you need to know about the pegan diet, including what you can and cant eat, and some of the main benefits and drawbacks as well.

The concept of the pegan diet was first introduced by Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Blood Sugar Solutionand the hilariously titled, Food: What the Heck Should I Eat? (because who hasnt been there?). In an attempt to avoid the extreme restrictions placed by both the vegan and paleo diets, Dr. Hyman envisioned a hybrid that would allow followers to enjoy a wider array of foods while still avoiding processed foods high in sugar and fat and devoid of nutrients.

Like vegans, followers of the pegan diet seek to fill about 75% of their plates with fruits and vegetables at all meals. A small amount of high-quality meat is OK, but beans, a veritable staple of the vegan diet, are a no-no, since they can lead to a spike in blood sugar. OConnor says, The pegan diet, as a low-sugar, mostly plant-based diet, focuses on plant foods less likely to spike insulin, thereby helping you keep your blood sugar under control.

Wondering exactly what you can and cant eat as part of the Pegan diet? Here are lists of each for easy reference.

Related: Tips on Following a Plant-Based Diet From Top Vegan Chefs and Bloggers

Perhaps the biggest benefit of the pegan diet is that its much more flexible than the two diets it came from. It restricts legumes, but those who dont struggle to keep their blood sugar under control can enjoy a small serving each day. It allows for small amounts of meat, which is a huge draw for anyone whos uninterested in following the vegan lifestyle, but the amount of meat is small as to avoid causing high cholesterol.

The pegan diet is going to be a good option for those looking to decrease inflammation or eat a more nourishing diet, since it focuses predominantly on nutrient-dense veggies and whole, real foods. Its a great option for anyone coming away from a standard American diet, interested in becoming healthier, and reducing their reliance on processed foods, says Samantha Presicci, the Lead Registered Dietitian (RD) at Snap Kitchen.

Eat an apple to boost heart health. High-fiber foods can lower triglycerides, or fatty lipids found in your blood. Aim for 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day with picks like oatmeal, beans and pears.

Any time a diet restricts large food groups, such as meat or dairy, two concerns immediately arise: how to get enough calories to fuel your body, and how to replace nutrients that may be lost by cutting foods out of your diet. Thats why followers of diets like veganism, paleo and as an extension, peganism, need to have a thorough understanding of what theyre doing.

OConnor says, The biggest challenge with the pegan diet is getting adequate calories. Since the diet does restrict many different food groups, it can be a challenging diet for someone who is underweight or trying to gain weight. Many versions of the pegan diet allow for omega-3 rich fatty fish and eggs. But if the diet is strict pegan, nutrient deficiencies can be a concern, especially vitamin D, B vitamins, and vitamin A and K.

For example, the pegan diet calls for followers to avoid beans, which contain not only protein, but loads of soluble fiber, which is key to lowering cholesterol. And dairy is also banned, which is a common source of calcium and protein for most Americans.

When deciding which diet to follow, here are a few things that might help reduce confusion and help you determine whats best for your individual situation.

You should always consult your physician before making any sort of drastic changes to your diet. He or she can help guide you in making the right choices. Furthermore, a baseline physical and blood test can give you key insights into your health before making a change. For example, if you have high cholesterol but dont want to give up meat entirely, the pegan diet could be a good solution for you. Your medical professional can also advise you of any supplements you might need.

Today, there are a host of genetic tests you can take that will give you insight into your bodys unique needs. GenoPalate and Gene Food are two that will give you a complete nutritional profile based on your genetic makeup. And remember, its always a good idea to discuss your findings with your regular doctor.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About Home Medical Tests, Including Which Ones Are Most Accurate

Lets face itits hard to make drastic lifestyle changes. If you sign up for something too extreme, youre less likely to stick to it in the long run. So if youre considering going pegan in a family of die-hard steak eaters, youve got a tough road ahead of you. OConnor agrees, saying, Combining these two diets leaves you somewhat limited in terms of your food choices. So be sure to consider your day-to-day when deciding whether you can stick to the diet or not.

Find out whether keto or Whole30 is better for weight loss.

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Pegan Diet 101: What Foods to Eat on the Pegan Diet, Plus Pros and Cons - Parade

Gunnar Peterson: 3:45 a.m., which means I have to handle my sleep differently than other people. It's an ongoing thing, right? Some people have a problem getting their training up to speed, some people have a problem locking their nutrition in, and some people just can't drink enough water. My problem is my sleep and my other forms of recovery. Starting about three years ago, I got really diligent with recovery protocols. NormaTec massage, Headspace [a meditation app], all of those things.

I love that you just grouped Headspace into the recovery suite. Do you track your sleep?

Yeah, I use SleepScore. I try to think of it like this: I'm trying harder, and I'm not perfect at it, but I'm doing better. If I'm keeping tabs on myself and I'm holding myself accountable and I'm not doing it in a stressful way, then I'm already way better off than I was. Sometimes the knee-jerk reaction is to be angry at the app when it tells you that youre not sleeping well, but I can't be angry at it. It's like getting the test back when you know you didn't study. You can't be pissed that you got a D, you know? You earned that. You didn't do the work.

Do you eat before you leave your house at the crack of dawn?

I eat a Split, which is essentially nut butter and jam. That way, I don't train while fasting. I used to do that for years. I talked to my nutrition guy and told him, "I just feel like I come in flat all the time." So he told me to try this routine. The nut butter slows the absorption of sugar, so you don't spike and then fall off. I feel like I get more out of my workouts with this.

I also drink 25 ounces of water first thing when I wake up. We know so much about hydration, especially if you read some of the stuff that comes out of the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. Guys are making way better choices on that front nowadays. Some of the guys I work with are drinking, like, six liters a day.

Whoa. And after you drink all that water?

I get in workout clothes and get to the gym by 4:30. I answer any e-mails, then I'm on the bike or doing another form of cardio by 5:00. I do 30 to 45 minutes of cardio unless, God forbid, I have a cancellation, and then I'll knock out an hour. But cancellations are rare.

Are you a post-workout-protein-shake kind of guy?

Yeah. I use Transformation protein powder and water. It's egg and pea protein.

Do you have any feelings on the whole I only eat plant-based proteins trend?

I think you have to go with what works for you. I watched the movie The Game Changers [a film about the benefits of a plant-based diet], and of course you're swayed right out of the gate. But then youve got to pump the brakes and look at it for what it is. It's interesting, there's definitely some take-home information, but its not going to swing me all the way.

So what happens after the protein shake?

At 10:30 a.m. I have another Split, and then around 1:00 p.m. I have lunch, which is typically salmon and a carb. The carb is usually a yam or rice. Sometimes quinoa. I also like eating spinach and sliced tomatoes.

And for dinner?

I get home and I usually have something right out of the gate, maybe some chicken. And then Ill have dinner with the family, but I eat my own stuff. They'll do Taco Tuesday or get pizza. And of course, who doesn't like that stuff? I just don't like the way it makes me feel, so its not worth it for me.

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Gunnar Peterson: The Real-Life Diet of the Trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers and Other Assorted Stars - GQ

Carrie Underwood's not only known for her flawless vocals and successful music career, but also for her healthy lifestyle choices.

Despite the country star's desire to be as healthy as possible, she admits that during the holidays, she lets some of that go. Although the Oklahoma native doesn't always know where she'll be spending Thanksgiving, she always makes sure to eat her favorite foods every year.

"We don't have too many set-in-stone Thanksgiving traditions," Underwood shares with her record label. "I find myself a lot of time working on or around Thanksgiving or unable to get home or whatever. We try to be together, but sometimes that just doesn't work out."

"We eat. I eat a lot every year on Thanksgiving," she says with a laugh. "I never skip that tradition."

She continues, "But yeah, that's the gist of it, and I'm kind of lucky. I get two Thanksgivings because I also get to celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving with my husband's family, so if I don't hit one, I'll definitely be able to get the other one."

Underwood's had quite the year, giving her plenty to be thankful for, including her husband, Mike Fisher, and her two songs, Isaiah and Jacob. The country star also recently wrapped up her wildly successful "Cry Pretty Tour 360."

"My list of things I'm thankful for is too vast," she explains. "First and foremost, my family. We had a baby earlier this year, which is crazy to think about all of the things that we've done. Starting off this year pregnant, having a baby, and all of the places that he's already seen. I'm thankful for health and safety along all of our travels."

"Of course, I'm thankful for the tour, and I'm thankful to the fans that have come out to see us," she continued. "There's a lot to be thankful for. God has blessed us with some incredible stuff, and hopefully, we've done good with what we've been blessed with."

Underwood recently received an American Music Awards for Favorite Country Album for Cry Pretty and Favorite Female Country Artist.

The country star's latest single, "Drinking Alone," follows up previously released singles from her Cry Pretty record including "Cry Pretty," "Love Wins," and "Southbound."

Link:
Carrie Underwood Happily Gives Up Healthy Diet Every Year On Thanksgiving - iHeartRadio

You probably know chia seeds as that superfood component of your favorite smoothie recipe. Now, theyve grown so popular that people are drinking them straight as chia seed water. Some commercial chia seed beverages are even available in grocery stores. But are chia seeds all theyre cracked up to be? We asked a nutritionist to give us the details.

Chia seeds are robustly nutritious seeds that originate from the plant Salvia Hispanic L, says Alicia Romano, M.S., R.D., L.D.N., C.N.S.C., registered dietitian at Tufts Medical Center and media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics. The seed itself is a complete protein and one of the richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids. One thing that makes chia seeds unique is that they absorb water quickly and can take in up to 10 times their weight in liquid, creating a gel-like texture.

How do you drink chia seeds with water?

Chia seed water is essentially just chia seeds and water, although some recipes call for flavorings such as citrus or sweeteners, says Romano. The benefits would be the same as the general health benefits of eating chia seeds. However, suddenly adding a ton of fiber to your diet can result in stomach discomfort, so if youre new to chia seeds you might not want to down a whole glass of the stuff. Romano recommends increasing your water intake and adding chia seeds gradually to your diet, whether you mix them into oatmeal or a smoothie, or drink a smaller amount of chia seed water. Remember, everything should be done in moderation.

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Chia Seed Water Health Benefits Chia Seeds Nutrition - GoodHousekeeping.com

Life expectancy is largely determined by how well you protect yourself from developing diseases that cause irreversible damage to your vital organs, such as your heart and brain.

Cancer and heart disease, for example, often loom large in peoples minds, and for good reason - they are major killers both in the UK and worldwide.

Fortunately, steps can be taken to stave off the risk of developing deadly diseases and certain foods have been shown to offer a robust defence.

It is well understood that diet plays a key role in protecting against life-threatening complications, and mounting evidence suggests specific food items can offer a host of health benefits.

Eating medjool dates, an edible sweet fruit, is a prime example, and numerous studies point to the nutritious benefits of eating the Moroccan fruit.

The sweet snack is rich in fibre and antioxidants which may help to protect your heart.

Evidence suggests that fibre can help lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol and keep your arteries clean, reducing your risk of heart disease.

READ MORE:How to live longer: Five diet tips to prevent disease and boost life expectancy

Cholesterol is a waxy substance found in your blood and high levels of LDL cholesterol leads to a buildup of cholesterol in your arteries and can act as a precursor to heart disease.

One test-tube study found that Medjool and other date varieties lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol and prevented the buildup of plaque in the arteries.

Plaque accumulation can eventually block blood flow, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

Medjool dates are also a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.

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The specific antioxidants found in Medjool dates - carotenoid and phenolic acid - have both been studied for their beneficial effects on heart health.

The antioxidants found in Medjool dates have also been shown to protect your cells from oxidative damage - a chemical reaction that takes place in the body that can lead to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and brain ailments.

In addition, fibre plays an essential role in keeping your digestion healthy and eating enough fibre may also reduce your risk of digestive diseases like colorectal cancer.

In a three-week study, 21 people ate seven dates (168 grams) per day and significantly improved their bowel movement frequency, compared with when they didnt eat dates.

Animal studies have also been linked to the antioxidants found in dates to improved brain health, associating them with lower levels of inflammatory markers and reduced brain plaques associated with conditions like Alzheimers disease.

One study in dried fruit found that dates had the highest antioxidant content when compared with figs and prunes.

In addition, the nutrients found in dates may also support bone health as they contain a small amount of calcium and are a good source of potassium, manganese, and copper, all of which are important nutrients for bone health.

In addition to eating certain food items, regular exercise can extend your longevity by fighting off a wide-range of deadly complications.

As Harvard Health noted: Regular exercise helps fend off high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes, and a host of other chronic diseases.

In a recent article in The American Journal of Medicine, Dr. Harvey Simon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital reviewed current research on the health effects on both ends of the exercise spectrum, from minimum to maximum.

Modest activity - even as little as one hour of walking or gardening per week was linked to lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and death from all causes, according to an analysis of 22 studies that included more than 320,000 adults.

One study found that people who did moderate exercise just 15 minutes a day tended to live an average of three years longer than their inactive peers.

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How to live longer: Eating this sweet snack could increase life expectancy - Express

It was a landmark report, meant to recast the way we think about humankinds approach to foodaddressing global nutrition deficits and the agricultural impacts of climate change alike.

But when the 49-page, Harvard University-backed EAT-Lancet report and its planetary health diet was finally released to the public, it landed with a thud.

To address the challenges of food security, nutrition, and sustainability, the reports authorsprominent researchers from institutions across the globecalled for big changes. Britons were urged to cut their beef intake to one burger every two weeks. Much of the western hemisphere was urged to rely more on plant-based foods.

There were criticisms: The report omitted the role food technology companies might have in building a sustainable future. And scientists have questioned whether, if followed, the dietary guidelines would actually make food unaffordable for more than 1 billion people.

Amidst all the discussion, though, one subset of people was especially vocal: meat eaters.

According to an analysis by researchers at Stockholm University and published in The Lancet, a group of meat-eating proponents started the hashtag #yes2meat up to a week before the report was published on January 17, 2019. Many of those responses were critical of the report, and some of them were defamatory, according to the researchers. (The group includes Victor Galaz, deputy director at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, which is a scientific partner of the EAT Foundationthough the researchers state they were not funded by EAT.) Some of the negative posts accused the EAT-Lancet report of being part of a larger vegan agenda. Others went straight for the reports lead author, Harvard professor Walter Willett, accusing him of having conflicts of interest.

By analyzing Twitter data encompassing 4,278 users and 8.5 million tweets, the researchers dissected how the movement built steam and shaped discussion of the report. By actively promoting #yes2meat right before, during, and after the EAT-Lancet Commission launch, this counter movement was approximately ten times more likely to be negative about the Commission than positive or neutral, the researchers wrote.

Most of the interactions were by actual skeptical humans, as opposed to bots, according to the analysis. Among the critics were proponents of the fat-heavy keto diet and the Nutrition Coalition, a group affiliated with Nina Teicholz, an author who has criticized nutrition movements that suggest eating less meat.

That kind of infighting isnt new, and it isnt over either. In September, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine suggested the health benefits of cutting out meat were minimal, sparking a fierce rebuke from Willetts colleagues at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Those findings, too, have been accused of falling prey to the influence of corporate funding.

This new analysis shows that social media can have a significant effect on public perception of these scientific spats. Ostensibly, there were three groups of people chattering online about the report: those promoting it, those skeptical of it, and a third, ambivalent group that was found to have grown more skeptical over time as more and more interactions about the report were negative. Of the tweets mentioning EAT-Lancet, the researchers found 29% were positive, 32% were negative, and 38% were neutral. The combined audience was about 60 million people.

The finding raises important questions about how to communicate scientific findings in a world increasingly connected by social media. Given the difficulty in designing definitive nutrition studies and tabulating lifetime environmental impacts, the debate over the medical and environmental health of meat consumption is far from over.

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How pro-meat Twitter scrambled the rollout of the planetary health diet - Yahoo Finance

Extra virgin olive oil also forms an essential part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been shown to boost brain health.

One study published in the journal Neurology, found that older people who followed a Mediterranean diet retained more brain volume over a three-year period than those who did not follow the diet as closely.

In addition to olive oil, the Mediterranean diet includes large amounts of fruits, vegetables, beans and cereal grains such as wheat and rice, moderate amounts of fish, dairy and wine, and limited red meat and poultry.

Researchers gathered information on the eating habits of 967 Scottish people around age 70 who did not have dementia. Of those people, 562 had an MRI brain scan around age 73 to measure overall brain volume, gray matter volume and thickness of the cortex, which is the outer layer of the brain.

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Dementia care: Best cooking oil to use if you want to prevent the degenerative condition - Express

Lorraine Kelly is the presenter of the daytime TV show,Lorraine. During her long career, she has fronted shows including GMTV, ITV Breakfast, and Daybreak. In recent years, some fans have noticed her staggering weight loss and Lorraine has revealed she dropped two dress sizes by cutting out one thing - what did she cut out?

Previously Lorraine revealed that after noticing herself gaining weight, the Scottish journalist decided to change up her lifestyle.

During her weight loss transformation, Lorraine decided to adjust her diet and exercise routine and after doing so managed to slim down from a size 14 to a size 10.

Speaking on This Morning, she said regular aerobic exercise helped kick start her weight loss and she has since released a DVD sharing her routines.

I really look forward to my classes, and with the new DVD we wanted to show what a class was like, she said.

READ MORE:Harry Melling:Harry Potter 'Dudley Dursley' actor unrecognisable after dropping 4st 5lb

"Its great going to keep fit but mentally it also makes me feel better.

Lorraine told presenters her weight loss made her more confident and prompted her to make bolder choices with her fashion outfits.

The TV personality has managed to keep the weight off by sticking with the athletic habits and she can be seen regularly posting about her intense workouts on her social media accounts online.

Previously, Lorraine posted about her love of fitness classes and even shared on Instagram a video of one of the dance fit classes she attends.

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She captioned the post: Shes on fire! Great class tonight with @maxicise.tv#happy #fit #healthy#wellbeing".

Lorraine is also known for regularly going on long walks with her border terrier pup, Angus, which keeps her active and fit with minimal effort.

But, what did she cut out, in particular, to trim down?

Speaking of her diet, the journalist opened up about struggling with portion sizes and she has tried to cut out snacking, in particular, to trim down.

Lorraine said: I dont think diets work. Its all about portion control. My husband cooks for me and sometimes I ask, How many people are cominground?

She admitted that she isnt a big fan of diets, instead, she found cutting back on how much she ate at each meal helped her shape up.

She said: Portion control and not snacking so much are important, as well as being sensible.

Fellow British TV presenter, Kate Garraway has also noticeably trimmed down, but how did she do it?

Previously it was revealed that the Good Morning Britain presenter lost two stone ahead of entering the Im A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! jungle.

She revealed that she cut out one particular food group out of her diet to trim down. Speaking to Fit & Well magazine, she said: I tried different popular diets and realised, because of the crazy shifts I do, I regulated my energy with sugar bursts.

I dont think I ate a lot of sugar but by 8am Ive always had loads of chocolate.

She also cut out caffeine in her new diet plan. She explained: Now I eat avocados obsessively because I found one of the diets was high in good fat, medium protein, and zero sugar which is a bit extreme for me.

But eating avocados and low-sugar foods help keep my energy levels up.

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Lorraine Kelly weight loss: ITV star drops two dress sizes by cutting out one thing - Express

Matthew Asher, Carlsbad Current-Argus Published 6:56 p.m. MT Nov. 26, 2019

Carlsbad sophomore wrestlers Matthew Najera, right, and Anthony Fuentes, left, pose on Nov. 22, 2019. Both wrestlers made it to the state tournament last year and work hard to maintain their wrestling weights, even during the holiday season.(Photo: Matthew Asher/Current-Argus)

Despite the myth that during the 6-week holiday season Americans will put on six or seven additional pounds of weight due to the holiday traditions of eating more than usual, theNew England Journal of Medicine last year reported the number is closer to one pound of weight added.

A single pound may not sound like much, but when you're a wrestlerwho has to carefully monitor weight throughout the season, a one-pound difference can be huge.

Carlsbad sophomore wrestlers Matthew Najera and Anthony Fuentes, both who made it to last year's state tournament, want to enjoy their Thanksgiving dinners and make some special concessions leading up to the big feast to make sure they can still make weight before their next wrestling meet.

Matthew Najera goes for a takedown during the Saturday portion of the 2019 NMAA State Wrestling Championships.(Photo: Matthew Asher/Current-Argus)

Najera was named Carlsbad's most improved wrestler from last year, qualifying for the state tournament and came in 6th place in the 126-pound division during the final tournament. Moving up in weight this year, Najera's "walking weight" is currently 138 pounds.

Najera's plan for weight management is to add more exercise rather than alter his diet too much if he's trying to shed the final few pounds. This means staying after practice to either lift weights or go on an extra run before he eats a clean dinner, usually fish or chicken and a lot of vegetables. He said he'll eat food if it's been cooked with olive oil, just so long as nothing in the meal is deep fried.

Once Thanksgiving week rolls around, Najera adds to his workout routine to make sure he can enjoy his Thursday dinner. Najera said he will typically lose about four pounds of water weight after a day exercising. This allows him to not place any restrictions on the kinds of food he can enjoy, just the amount of total food he'll consume, he makes sure to always have one helping of stuffing with brown gravy, his favorite side dish.

"I eat full servings. The only thing I really stay away from is eating too much," Najera said. "I'll have a slice of pie, I just won't have the whole thing. I enjoy the food but I won't overeat. I don't have sodas at all and just drink a lot of water."

Anthony Fuentes (top) wrestles Kelvin Alarcon of Roswell in the 120-pound division.(Photo: Matthew Asher/Current-Argus)

Fuentes made it to the state tournament last year wrestling in the 120-pound division. He's now moved up several weight classes withhis "walking weight" around 140 pounds so he makes sure he can lose the two pounds required before any match.

His typicaldiet consists of eggs in the morning, whatever the Carlsbad High cafeteria is serving for lunch and a high-protein, high-vegetable dinner at home. Fuentes says me makes sure to drink a lot of water and nothing else throughout the day.

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With Thanksgiving this week, Fuentes makes sure to be especially careful with his food before Thursday and adds some additional exercising if he feels he needs it. Just like with Najera, he doesn't limit what food he eats, just how much of it.

"I'll eat whatever my mom is serving.I love mashed potatoes with brown gravy," Fuentes said."Afterwards I'll go exercise to burn off all the calories. I usually run a lot."

Mike Najera is the father of both Matthew and Marcus Najera and a former Carlsbad wrestler in his own right. He graduated from Carlsbad in 1995 and wrestled in the 138-pound division, winning state that year. He's spent the last six years helping to coach the current crop of Carlsbad wrestlers and remembers the entire team postponing Thanksgiving entirely when the team would have a weekend meet.

"When the kids were on the travel team that weekend we'd have to weigh in on Friday so we wouldn't let them eat Thanksgiving morning," Mike Najera said. "Once we came back from it on Sunday we'd have a whole Thanksgiving meal put together by the entire team. We'd have a couple of turkeys and the moms would make all the side dishes. We'd meet up at my house and have that big Thanksgiving dinner."

Mike Najera noted he's happy with Matthew Najera and Fuentes sticking only to water during their training.

"Soda is bad for your system," Mike Najerasaid. "It builds up lactic acid and makes you tired faster. No sodas. No carbonated drinks. Just water. Your muscles rebuild themselves on water. For food, your body takes a while to digest all the meats, depending on what it is. If kids are cutting lots of weight I suggest they not eat a lot of meat and eat more vegetables and items their body will process faster."

Mike Najera did say he's looking forward to his mother's cornbread stuffing with lots of gravy added.

"I did all my weight cutting when I was in high school," Mike Najera said while grinning and patting his stomach for emphasis.

Matthew Asher can be reached at 575-628-5524, masher@currentargus.com or @Caveman_Masher on Twitter.

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Carlsbad wrestlers Najera and Fuentes share Thanksgiving diets - Carlsbad Current Argus

If youre anything like me, youve probably gone through phases in your life where despite a reasonably healthy lifestyle you become frustrated with the diminishing returns on your diet and exercise plan.

For years, I was checking what I thought were all the appropriate boxes. I had eggs and fruit after my morning workout. I toted a packed salad to work. I ate a balanced dinner with my family at a reasonable hour. I regularly worked out, running four or five days per week. And if I noticed the number on the scale starting to creep up, for a day or two I would go cold turkey on all carbs, including fruit and vegetables, to stop the upward trend.

Looking back, however, I wasnt sleeping well. I was hungry (okay, hangry) most of the time. And I was discouraged about the number on the scale continuing to increase despite my best-laid plans. Through my network, I came to know Leslie Ann Quillen, a Durham-based personal trainer, nutrition coach for women and founder of FatLossLifestyleSchool.com.

While most would call her a gym nut, Quillen learned that theres more to changing bodies than pumping iron.

It has been six months since Quillen helped me switch up my workouts and meal plans. And Im happy to say, Im fuller, happier and less stressed. In fact, at my last physical, my cholesterol was down 60 points, my blood pressure at a steady rate, and the scale is at a steady spot Im happy with.

Her approach is to do what you need to do for you. Dont listen to the noise. Ignore trendy diets. Reduce stress, eat well and move your body so you can kill it both at home and at the office.

Stress and the gut

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Quillen believes that chronic stress is whats driving most of the problems that women face. By ignoring stress, it manifests in other ways. So many women come to me saying, Im bloated all the time. I think I might have Irritable Bowel Syndrome or a food allergy, said Quillen. That may be the case, but let's rule out the obvious stuff first, like stress. If you get your stress levels down and you are still dealing with digestive issues or other health concerns, then absolutely see a doctor.

As I learned from Quillen, or LAQ as her fans call her, in a sympathetic state, your autonomic nervous system prepares the body to react to stresses such as threat or injury. It causes muscles to contract and heart rate to increase, and digestion is not a priority if your body thinks its in danger. Instead, blood flow goes to big muscles like your arms and legs so you can run from tigers, your cranky two year old or demanding boss.

Meanwhile, your lunch is just sitting in the gut, not moving and you feel bloated. Slowing down and learning to manage stress is the key to a happy gut, she told me.

Its all about the protein

The No. 1 thing women tend to struggle with most is eating enough protein, said Quillen. They dont want to hear it, but its true. Granola bars and fruit smoothies arent the solution. They are cute packaging marketed to women.

Quillen credited a regimen of simple but tasty high-protein meals with a cup of vegetables at every meal (yes, even breakfast!) to help her clients achieve a fat loss lifestyle.

She added, It's not about going no carb or counting macros or intermittent fasting, it's about finding the right amount and type for you based on your goals. About what works for your body.

But what about counting calories?

If your goal is fat loss, you must be in a slight caloric deficit to lose fat, and it's not as much as most people think, said Quillen. She advised that eating real, whole nutrient-dense foods that you love will help you feel full and not be hungry. I dont count calories or macros and I don't teach my clients to either. We eat real food. We move our bodies. We stay consistent with the big rocks nutrition, movement and stress management and the results come in waves.

No longer hangry

With Quillens help, Ive switched up my diet and roll my eyes at the ladies in my office kitchen talking about their fasting intervals. I usually put a runny egg or two on reheated roasted vegetables from the previous nights dinner for breakfast, a salad with a LOT of protein for lunch, and a flavorful dinner comprised of meat and produce. My favorite late afternoon snack, the one that prevents my 4 p.m. meltdowns at the office and my 5:30 p.m. meltdown at home, is a half a can of tuna mashed with half an avocado and sprinkled with Trader Joes Everything but the Bagel Seasoning. Simple, flavor-forward whole foods to keep me happy, healthy, and wise.

Exercise change up

One of the most important lessons Ive learned from Quillen is that I needed to change up my approach to exercise. Sure, an hour-long slow jog is great for clearing the head occasionally, but all that was doing was revving up my appetite. Instead, she helped me create a workout plan five days per week for about 30 to 40 minutes a session.

No time for an hour-long gym session? No problem. A few days per week I lift heavy weights. The others I run sprints or do run-walk intervals. I dig in to the HIIT (high intensity interval training) videos for free on YouTube and Amazon Prime. And the real secret sauce? Adding a 30 minute leisure walk every single day, whether its a rest or a workout day, to move my body and lower my stress level.

The big takeaway for me was that the root cause of most of my health hiccups, from my expanding waistline to rising cholesterol levels, was stress. And without taming that beast, I would never have the energy I desired to keep up with my busy working mom life. And while well-intentioned, my daily static runs were leaving me starving. And, my four small meals a day were the wrong composition to grow lean muscle. Im down about 10 pounds, my clothes fit better, and I have hanger-free energy to get me through my entire day.

Jennifer Folsom is vice president of client delivery at Washington, D.C.-based management consulting firm RIVA Solutions Inc. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia, with her husband Ben and three sons, 17-year-old twins Josh and Will, and 12-year-old Anderson. Her practical guide to modern working motherhood, "The Ringmaster," will be out Jan. 7, 2020

Link:
My journey to ditch the fad diets and lower my stress this is what worked - NBC News

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