Its official: Red Wine is essential to your health!

Well, let me explain.  I just read through Dr. Oz's article in Time Magazine (BF has a subscription) entitled "What to Eat Now: Uncovering the Myths About Food".

 

(Source)

I would just like to note one of the most important lines from this article which states, "Still, you should drink some red wine every day: it has relatively few calories and induces milder hangovers than other sources of alcohol, and it is thought to raise good cholesterol and reduce the bad kind, as well as protect arteries against cholesterol-related damage.  Red wine is also usually consumed in the company of others, so it encourages human connection, a very powerful factor in maintaining health." However, Dr. Oz doesn't suggest turning into a boozebag.  Its all about moderation.

Sold.

(photo courtesy of my Italy trip and MC photography)

But seriously, the article does shed some light into food myths that I have read about over the years.  Whole milk is good, but in moderation.  Why?  Because when you take out the fat in milk, you are left with too many natural sugars that act like insulin.  Calcium and fats from dairy are used to bind with fat being processed in your stomach, thus lowering the absorption.  Moreover, there were no differences among children's weights when they consumed skim, 1%, or whole milk.

The same can be said about low-fat foods or no fat foods that we've seen on the market over the last several years.  I, at one time, subscribed to these beliefs because I thought that they would help me lose weight.  In fact, I think I saw myself gain weight at this time!  Why?  Again, when you take the fat out of food (that's naturally processed) you then increase other things like sugars and carbs (which ultimately break down into sugar).  These foods also leave you feeling less full and you wind up eating more calories than you had hoped.

Basically, this is information many of us have known for years and what I'm excited to report I have already established as my Munching Mantra, which is that you can eat what you want, but in moderation.  Stick to the vegetables, fruits, meats, carbs, and fats, but do it all in moderation.  You CAN have too many fruits and diabetics know this well.  You CAN have too much meat, as is seen in higher cholesterol counts.  You CAN have too many vegetab... well, if you have a lot of broccoli you have a lot of gas.  I don't think having a TON of vegetables will ever be bad for your cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, etc.  But still, remember that your Munching Mantra should include Moderation (and alliteration for all of you nerds out there).

(Spinach is often seen in my meals)

Atkins got squashed because your glycogen stores become too low.  The same was said for the Paleo Diet as Dr. Oz suggested that many grains help to fight cancers, and most paleolithic people lived only until the age of 40. You might have a sick body, but you'll be dead.

Ok, that might have been a tad exaggerated.

Dr. Oz was also sure to mention that people are different.  A small percentage of people cannot tolerate sodium in their diets, thus they must be mindful of what they eat.  The same goes for those individuals with Celiac disease or other intestinal diseases that affect the absorption of grains and carbs.  But instead of taking out that group of food altogether (you need Salt for your heart to beat) try products like quinoa and chia for those with Celiac or yogurt, kefir, cheese, and other fermented dairy products for those with a lactose intolerance.

(a bowl full of cottage cheese, strawberries, and chia)

Moreover, Dr. Oz discusses the balance between diet and exercise.  The old philosophy is true, in that calories in must equal calories out to maintain your weight (calories in less than calories out means weight loss, and the vice versa leads to weight gain).   However, new research suggests that its not just how many calories are found in the foods you eat, but the types of food you eat.

Foods that added pounds:  No surprises here.... French Fries, Potato chips, sugary drinks, meats, sweets, and refined grains.  The foods most associated with losing weight: yogurt, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  And although there might not be the superfoods still yet to be discovered, we know that berries and broccoli are our best friends.

Dr. Oz also discussed, in depth, about supplements and vitamins but all I could really pull from that was that each person has a specific vitamin regiment that you should use based on diet, sun exposure, exercise habits, and alcohol intake.  Then you go somewhere fancy and they give you their fancy idea of what you should be taking and when.  However, when Dr. Oz began to follow his new routine of vitamins and nutraceuticals, he noticed a significant weight gain thanks in part due to people's psychology; basically, what you can't have you want, and you make poorer choices when you think you are invincible.

Sure you could go organic, but you could also go to ye old supermarket and stick with fresh meats, veggies, fruits, whole wheat and multigrain breads, nuts, olive oils, and dairy products.  Just the basics, with some dark chocolate and red wine to boot.  Oh, and moderation is your Munching Mantra, remember that.

All in all, eat well, eat mindfully, don't deny yourself, but remember to stick with the basics!

Oh yea, and go to Living Social where you can spend $10 to get $20 worth of food at Whole Foods!