Just Say No: Healthy Eating and Peer Pressure

Are you living a healthy lifestyle, or would you like to? Either way you are well aware of peer pressure to eat foods that are not part of this healthy lifestyle. If you have been consistently worried about the foods you have been eating under peer pressure – then you have found your solution! All takes is a little know-how to get people off your back!

You will probably find parties and other social gatherings play a major role in the peer pressure effecting your healthy lifestyle, especially if alcohol is involved. You need to remember though that alcohol carries hundreds of empty calories in just one drink, but under the pressure of your friends and family to have just one drink and relax may be very difficult. One way to overcome this is to offer to drive them to a bar instead. Suggest “going out” and since you will be the designated driver, they will not want you to drink. And they will probably even buy you waters or juice at the bar and help pay for the gas – it’s a win-win situation!

Another situation where you may feel pressured to eat is at work in a meeting where the boss has ordered lunch for everyone, or even when you may go see a client where they have supplied lunch. The only solution to this is to politely decline. It may even be easier to inform your boss or client in advance that you will not be eating. You can even pack a healthy lunch for yourself and take it along.

Even if you are good at resisting temptation; Birthday parties, baby showers, weddings and other special occasions can be hard on your healthy lifestyle. What do you do when someone hands you a piece of cake and will not take no for an answer? Little white lies may be appropriate in these kinds of situations. You may for example explain to them that your stomach has been upset earlier and that you do not want to risk having a piece of cake, this will convince them to keep the food away from you! You may even go as far as to say that you have bit of a chocolate/nut/dairy allergy depending on the food been offered to you.

Remember that it is fine to say no to bad foods because of peer pressure, but you must take careful note of the foods that you refuse – You must continue eating healthy foods. If you start saying no to food in general then dangerous eating disorders can develop which will give all you friends, family AND doctor a good reason to worry!

any that you’d like to share? Anything that makes dieting easier for you? any foods that fill you up and help with cravings?

Just wondering. I’ve been on a 1500 calorie diet for a week and a half and i’ve been sticking to it. and i’d like to keep on it. what are some things that make it easier on you and help you stay on your diet?

The pharmaceutical companies who manufacture weight loss pills are enjoying a boom time at the moment feeding off the desperation of a populus that is increasing in weight year after year.

Sales of prescribed weight loss pills and over the counter variants are going through the roof since the health scares surrounding types of this product caused it to be removed from circulation during the late 1990s. Links to heart valve disease were something of a death nail to the weight loss pill market.

Nowadays, the weight loss pill is experiencing a renaissance. According to the pharmaceutical companies these weight loss pills are made completely of natural ingredients and are no longer of risk but yet they are still dogged by health issues.

Weight loss pills can be either prescribed or bought over the counter and the difference between the two are briefly highlighted here:

Prescription Weight Loss Pills:

Weight loss pills that are prescribed are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration agency. These pills have been monitored and scrutinized by the administration prior to use by the general public and as such are deemed the safer option.

The most popular of these is Xenical which works by reducing the amount of fat consumed by the body by 30 %. Unfortunately, Xenical is still dogged by side effects that include passing gas, abdominal cramping, increased number of bowel movements, leakage of oily stool and a loss of total control over bowel movements.

Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Pills:

The temptation to use over-the-counter weight-loss pills is often irresistible and the fact that many are not regulated warrants the question, are these products safe?

There are many pharmaceutical companies cashing in on the revived weight loss pill market and this is mirrored by the myriad of products available. Here is a shortlist of products, their claims and what you need to know:

1 Hoodia:

Possibly one of the better known products, claims to decrease appetite substantially.

Verdict: No conclusive evidence to support any of their claims.

2. Alli:

Reduces fat absorption by the intestines. A lesser strength variant of Xenical.

Verdict: As one of the few FDA approved over the counter weight loss pills it has the benefit of backing to substantiate its weight loss claims.

3. Guar gum:

Stops absorption of fat and suppresses appetite.

Verdict: Unlikely to cause weight loss, can cause gastrointestinal problems.

4.Green tea extract: Much revered in certain circles as it is claimed to increase metabolism

Verdict: Limited supportive evidence.

There are literally hundreds more all with relatively the same verdict. There is one resounding factor that all of these weight loss pills have in common. They all state that they are more effective when used in conjunction with a diet and a exercise routine.

If you decide to use a weight loss pill and follow its instruction to use a diet and an exercise program isn’t that hiding whether or not the tablet is effective or not?

Personally, I would forget the weight loss pill and look for an effective weight loss plan that will:

1. NOT tell me to go on a low calorie diet yet still provide me with fast but sustained weight loss

2. NOT put my health at risk

3. NOT cost a fortune

4. NOT be difficult to keep up

Never take diet drugs if pregnancy is suspected or if you are allergic to sulfites and tartrazine. Individuals under 18 or over 60 should consult their doctor prior to taking weight loss pills

The 2008 selection of ten success stories where EU action has led to tangible results in the everyday lives of citizens. These range from measures to mitigate the financial crisis to ensuring the safety of toys. More: ec.europa.eu

The Nutrisystem diet is created to take the guesswork out of dieting, eliminate time consuming shopping and preparation, and allows for convenient weight loss. Based on the Glycemic Index, which measures the quality of carbohydrates and their impact on blood sugar levels, this program creates delicious, prepackaged, and ready to eat meals that are delivered right to your doorstep. No more grocery lists, pre-planning, and stressing over what to eat. Nutrisystem takes the hassle away from dieting and allows you to focus on reaching your weight loss target.

For many dieters, stress and busy schedules often get in the way of successful weight loss. When we are pressed for time or faced with too many choices, we often make poor eating decisions. Nutrisystem offers a list of prepackaged foods for breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner, and desert. Simply click on what foods on the list appeal to you and Nutrisystem brings the meals to you. No more counting calories, weighing, or measuring what you eat. Just click and enjoy.

The meal plan is based on low-fat foods and a balanced diet from the Food Guide Pyramid. Whether you enjoy pastas, sweets, salads, rice, or meats, Nutrisystem includes a wide variety of meals for whatever you crave. Combined with an exercise plan, this program provides optimum weight loss results while relieving the stress of dieting.

For those that choose not to eat the prepackaged foods for every meal, Nutrisystem provides healthy guidelines for grocery shopping and food preparation. No matter what you choose, by following the Nutrisystem program, you will be on your way to making healthy eating choices and losing weight.