Effective Weight Loss Tools Include A Scale And A Spreadsheet

A two-year U.S. clinical study finds that regular self-weighing and weight recording – known as the “Caloric Titration Method” or CTM – can be effective in losing weight and keeping it off, especially for men. For the study, 162 participants were told to use whatever dieting method they preferred to lose 10 percent of their body weight, in one percent increments, by one year. Half of the group were required to weigh themselves daily and track their weight. The researchers found that CTM produced “a small but sustainable weight loss in overweight males.” CTM seems to reinforce some behaviors, such as eating less, and strengthens others, such as going for a walk, to maintain body weight.

"Frequent Self-Weighing and Visual Feedback for Weight Loss in Overweight Adults. ", Journal of Obesity, June 17, 2015

Company Unveils Line Of “Free-From” Baking Mixes

A “free-from” food company will launch to retailers in August a line of ready-to-use bake mixes that are gluten-free, non-GMO, and free of the top eight food allergens. The mixes from Enjoy Life Foods (Schiller Park, Ill.) are also kosher and halal certified, made with ancient grains (including Ethiopian teff), plant proteins and a probiotic “enhancement.” The baking mixes are available at $8.49 each now at the Enjoy Life online store. Varieties include pancake/waffle, pizza crust, brownie, muffin, and all-purpose flour.

"Enjoy Life Foods debuts new line of functional allergy-friendly baking products", NewHope360.com, June 17, 2015

FDA To Food Companies: Three Years To Get Rid Of Trans Fats

After taking a close look at all of the available evidence from scientific studies, the FDA has told food companies to rid their products of all partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of harmful trans fats in the American diet, within three years. The agency in 2013 made a preliminary ruling that PHOs were not “generally recognized as safe,” then considered all public comments on the proposal. The three-year compliance period will give companies time to reformulate products without PHOs or petition the FDA for special exemptions from the ban. After three years, “no PHOs can be added to human food unless they are otherwise approved by the FDA,” the agency said.

"FDA takes step to remove artificial trans fats in processed foods", News release, USFDA, June 16, 2015

Research Links Nut Consumption With Lower Mortality Rates

Men and women who snack on nuts or peanuts are significantly less likely to from respiratory disease, neurodegenerative disease and diabetes, according to a Dutch study begun in 1986 involving 120,000 adults aged 55-69. The minimum daily intake of nuts or peanuts should be about 10 grams, or about 0.35 ounces. A standard serving of nuts is about one ounce. Peanuts and tree nuts are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, fiber, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds that, the researchers said, reduced death rates. The protective effect of peanuts did not apply, however, to peanut butter.

"Relationship of tree nut, peanut, and peanut butter intake with total and cause-specific mortality: a cohort study and meta-analysis. ", International Journal of Epidemiology, June 10, 2015