Weight Loss Gone Too Far

I'm all in favor of living a healthy lifestyle and finding a weight that's healthy for your individual body frame, but weight loss can go too far. In fact, it already has for many people.

I receive an influx of disturbing e-mails from teens every week who are obsessed with being thin, even though they are a healthy weight. But can you blame them if this is what our society accepts?

I was so glad when Tyra Bank's started the "So What!" campaign because I think it's exactly what this weight-conscious world needs. Read more about it here.

Flat Stomach Happy Foods

There's so much talk about what kinds of foods you should eat to achieve a flat stomach. But keep in mind, foods can also have a major impact in your mood.

Joy Bauer's book, Food Cures, provides outstanding information on healthy eating that will benefit your stomach as well as your mind.

For example, here are 10 foods that researchers found to be great for weight loss and mood lifting...

1. Wild salmon (rich in omega 3 fats and vitamin D)

2. Spinach - (rich in folic acid and soluble fiber)

3. Skim milk - (rich in Vitamin D and B12)

4. Ground flaxseeds (rich soluble fiber, omega 3 fats and folic acid)

5. Blackberries (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

6. Omega 3 fortified eggs - (rich in omega 3 fats, Vitamin D and B12)

7. Sardines ( rich in omega 3 fats and Vitamin D)

8. Soybeans - (rich in soluble fiber, folic acid and omega 3 fats)

9. Beans (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

10. Brussels sprouts (soluble fiber and folic acid)

Plus an extra for good luck!

11. Sunflower seeds - (rich in soluble fiber and folic acid)

To learn more about healthy eating and foods that are good for you mind and body, get Joy's book, Food Cures.

Beware of The Whole Grain Claim

I got a very helpful e-mail today from Mike Geary, author of "The Truth About Six Pack Abs".

Lots of cereals (and other carb products) are now plastering the phrase "Whole Grain" across the front of the box to make you think their products are made entirely with whole grains. Mike explains that while they may add some whole grains, a lot of these companies are still using mostly refined flour and sugars.

He also gave a great tip on how to tell if a carbohydrate source is actually good or not. Check the label and make sure there are at least 2-3 grams of fiber per every 10 grams of carbohydrates. While this is not the golden rule, it can be applied to most carb products.

If you want to receive Mike's useful eating and exercise tips, you have to buy his book. I must admit, I've learned a lot from him in the past few months.