![]() |
![]() |
Nutrition Information |
|
||
![]() |
![]() |
Beverages Boost Calorie Intake, But Many View Fluids As Calorie-free!
Beverages - and not just alcohol - are a significant if little recognized source of calories in North American diets. Yet many people seem to believe that if a calorie is ingested in fluid form, it's a freebie. "They just don't put it in the same category - they're not eating, they're quenching a thirst," says Richard Mattes, a nutrition professor at Purdue University in Indiana who has done extensive research on beverage consumption. Sure, most people know a thick milk shake, a sugary cola or a pint of beer isn't the best choice for someone on a diet. But how bad could iced tea be? And a bottle of juice is good for you, right? A refreshing Frappuccino? Heck, that's basically a coffee slush, isn't it? Not exactly. Between the ingredients and the sizes in which they are sold, many drinks contain a surprising number of calories, enough to derail any weight loss or maintenance regime. "I really believe that beverage consumption is contributing to the weight issue in a very substantive way," says Mattes, who notes there's been a huge jump in sales in virtually all beverages - with the exception of milk - in recent years. Perhaps nowhere is the issue of calories in drinks more evident than in the offerings available at the ubiquitous premium coffee shops. Last summer the staff of The Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter did some research on the calorie and fat counts of popular summer drinks. The newsletter, from the esteemed Friedman School of Nutrition, Science and Policy at Boston-based Tufts, goes out to about 150,000 people a month. The findings were eye-popping. A Starbucks Venti (large) caramel macchiato with whole milk contains 310 calories and 12 grams of fat. A large Tazoberry and Cream contains 560 calories and 15 grams of fat, nine grams of which are saturated fat (the kind we're supposed to avoid). A large Strawberry Fruit Coolatta at Dunkin' Donuts had no fat, but 540 calories. Their large Vanilla Bean Coolatta contained 880 calories and 34 grams of fat - most of which were saturated fat. "For a moderate-sized, not particularly active woman, that's half their (required) caloric intake for the day," Mattes says of the Coolatta. Larry Lindner, executive editor of the Tufts newsletter, says most people don't realize these drinks are sending their calorie intake soaring. "And I have a feeling if people knew just how many calories were in these things, if they familiarized themselves with the numbers, these things would be easier to forego on a regular basis," Lindner says. Diana Steele, a dietitian in private practice in Vancouver, says she often sees teenage girls who skip lunch because they're trying to lose weight, then order coffee or chocolate drinks mounded with whip cream and laced with syrups in coffee shops. "Suddenly they're consuming 600 calories in an after-school beverage. And they have no idea that the calories in that drink are so high - because it's not food," Steele says. That's the thing. It is food. But the head doesn't recognize it as such. Neither does the stomach. That's because liquids don't satiate people the same way solids do. "They don't make people feel full and as a consequence they add them to their diet rather than substituting for other caloric sources. So total caloric intake is going up," Mattes explains. He has the evidence to prove it. A few years ago, Mattes did a study in which a group of students were given a 450-calorie soft drink every day for a month. After a month off, the students were given 450 calories worth of jelly beans daily for a month. The students logged their daily food intake and weight throughout the study. When the students were getting the jelly beans, they instinctively cut back on other calories. They made no adjustment when they were getting the sugary drink and their weights went up, he says. Another problem might be slotted under the heading "but it's good for me." That problem is juice. Juice in and of itself is fine and is a healthy part of a balanced diet. But people rarely drink juice in the portions the experts recommend (Canada's food guide suggests a serving of juice is half a cup). Therein lies the difficulty. "Juice is a healthful food. But 16 ounces," - that's two cups -"at one sitting is not. That's what it comes down to," Lindner says. Steele urges her clients to get the benefits of juice by eating the whole fruits. Eating two oranges instead of drinking their juice is more filling and provides more fiber, which is something most Canadian diets lack, she explains. Other popular beverages like non-diet soft drinks and power drinks are full of calories - calories someone may not need, Steele adds. "I think that it's OK to have calories from a couple of glasses of milk in a day or a glass of pure fruit juice but when it comes to something like a SoBe beverage where you're getting 350 calories in a bottle and it's pure sugar with some flavoring, there's no nutritive value. That's like eating a bag of candy." The same applies to alcohol. Steele calculated that a single drink a night for 10 months would lead to a six pound weight gain, if the drinker didn't cut back on other calories. It's not all bad news, however. While beverages can be a diet problem, they can also be an easy diet solution. Many people find it easier to drop a few pounds by altering the types of beverages they drink than by cutting back on foods, both Lindner and Steele say. "So I think just a little education could help people either stay away from these things or really use them as an occasional treat." The idea isn't to cut fluid intake, but to switch to low- or no-calorie beverages, Mattes says. "The message should not be don't drink. Hydration is important. You either have to switch to lower calorie beverages or you have to consciously control it." Author: Susan Rutter -- Publisher, Nutritionist, and Instructor who assists patients and the public make healthy choices and changes in their lives. Web Site: Healthy YOUbbies. http://www.geocities.com/healthyoubbies/
Look For
MORE RESOURCES: Maui County’s vacation rentals at 49.3% occupancy in June, down double-digits from last year Maui Now Vacation rentals post statewide occupancy drop Honolulu Star-Advertiser Amid housing crisis, Maui commission votes to phase out thousands of short-term rentals Hawaii News Now Maui Moves Closer To Phasing Out Thousands Of Short-Term Rentals To Deal With Housing Crisis Honolulu Civil Beat Astoria weighs licenses for vacation rentals Daily Astorian Maui takes step toward crackdown on short-term rentals Travel Weekly Cowboy Country: Rustic Airbnbs for the Cowboy in You TravelAwaits Business Report: June vacation rentals Hawaii News Now The 8 Best Vrbo Vacation Rentals Next to USA National Parks Hotels Above Par Astoria weighs licenses for vacation rentals The Bulletin Vacation rentals to become a $100bn industry this year TravelDailyNews International A treehouse retreat is Kentucky’s most wish-listed Airbnb stay. Take a look inside Lexington Herald Leader Vacation Rentals and Luxury Trips: Travel Startups Raise $106 Million Skift Travel News 10 Vacation Rental Companies to Try If You’re Over Airbnb Hotels Above Par 7,000 West Maui vacation rentals may turn into long-term housing; Planning Commission deliberates Hawaii News Now Maui Planning Commission to take action on phasing out thousands of vacation rentals Hawaii News Now Prominent Hawaii economist apologizes for obscene gesture during short-term rentals hearing Hawaii News Now Hidden cost of vacation rentals skyrockets property taxes for hundreds of local homeowners ActionNewsJax.com Global Short Term Vacation Rentals Business Report GlobeNewswire Five Perfect Parisian Rentals for Your Olympics Vacation Elite Traveler San Diego’s short-term rental rules a year later: Is the city cracking down on scofflaws? The San Diego Union-Tribune The Rise Of Vacation Rentals: How Technology And Preferences Are Shaping The Market Travel And Tour World How to Avoid Paying Vacation Rental Fees The New York Times Vacation Home Openings This Time of Year on Oregon Coast? Yes, Even in Pacific City Oregon Coast Beach Connection How B2B startup Inhaven is reworking vacation rentals Digital Commerce 360 Emerald Coast by Owner (ECBYO) Unveils New Website With Expanded Coverage and Enhanced Features StreetInsider.com DeSantis vetoes short-term vacation rental bill Florida Phoenix Gov. DeSantis vetoes vacation rental bill News 13 Orlando Florida Gov. DeSantis vetoes vacation rental bill that gave state more authority Tallahassee Democrat Maui County’s Move Against Vacation Rentals Likely To Bog Down In Court Honolulu Civil Beat AG Ashley Moody Warns Floridians About Vacation Rental Scams In Summer Scams Series Tampa Free Press Florida Governor Vetoes Bill Regulating Vacation Rentals coastalbreezenews.com A new vacation rental problem travelers need to know about The Seattle Times Global Vacation Rental Market to Hit $100 Billion This Year eTurboNews | eTN Maui Council Budgets $300,000 To Study Impacts Of Eliminating 7,000 Vacation Rentals Honolulu Civil Beat Vacation Rentals Florida Trend FL lawmakers pass state regulations on short-term vacation rentals; how will it play out? Florida Phoenix Tybee officially passes ban on vacation rentals. Here's what that means for the island WJCL News Savannah One of Michigan's Hottest Resort Towns Are Sick of Tourists & Blame Them For All Their Troubles 1077 WRKR Vacation Rentals: How to Shrink Your Carbon Footprint The New York Times Counties differ in approach to regulating vacation rentals Hawaii Tribune-Herald Buckingham Vacation Rentals Visit Lake Tahoe Vacation Rental Prices Come Down From Pandemic High The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News Florida’s Vacation Rental Bill awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' review. St. Augustine Record Galveston Central Appraisal district begins treating vacation rentals as businesses Galveston County Daily News Hawaii lawmakers take aim at vacation rentals after Lahaina wildfire amplifies Maui housing crisis The Associated Press Lee Cataluna: Phasing Out 7,000 Vacation Rentals On Maui Would Be A Sea Change - Honolulu Civil Beat Lee Cataluna: Phasing Out 7,000 Vacation Rentals On Maui Would Be A Sea Change Honolulu Civil Beat Editorial: New limits on Marin vacation rentals make sense Marin Independent Journal Governor signs measure giving counties authority to convert vacation rentals into housing Hawaii News Now Vrbo's Top Vacation Rentals for 2024 Include Homes in Cabo, the Caribbean, and Sedona Travel + Leisure Maui Mayor Richard Bissen announces bill to phase out vacation rentals in apartment districts Maui Now Short-Term Dwelling and Vacation Rental Licensing Boulder County (.gov) Vacation rentals, presidential politics in Florida and the financial forecast for abortion amendment WUSF A Statewide Ban On Vacation Rentals? The Idea Is Gaining Steam After The Maui Fires Honolulu Civil Beat Hawaii governor pledges to sign vacation rental regulation bill Courthouse News Service Vacation rental bill divided lawmakers. Now it's drawing calls for DeSantis to veto it Tallahassee Democrat Short-term vacation rental bill barely passes Florida House Florida Phoenix Reconnect With Nature When You Stay At These Charming Rentals In Georgia Only In Your State Ucluelet council removes several vacation rental restrictions Tofino-Ucluelet Westerly News Letter: Vacation rental vs. low to middle-class housing The News Guard |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
Brown Sugar is Not Brown Rice Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers to the MericleDiet newsletter, "Reference your tip regarding diabetes. The only sugar I use is brown and is this a concern in my case?"Answer:The word "brown" has gotten a lot of play lately regarding "healthy eating. Food Additives: Safety versus Health Maintenance / Prevention The topic of food additives is not quickly addressed in one article. Searches on the internet can reveal information that is either pro or con regarding food additive substances. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation. Sounds like nothing extraordinary, but indeed its benefits are measureless. Vitamins and Minerals for a Healthy Reproductive System Vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential to the development and proper performance of the reproductive system. Nutrition plays a vital role in the development and maturity of the reproductive system through childhood and adolescence and can even affect the endocrine system which regulates the hormones that rule the functions of the reproductive system. Dietary Sources of Vitamins and Minerals Whenever possible, we should try to get our antioxidants and other essential vitamins and minerals through our diet. A proper diet is necessary to offset the signs of aging and the foods listed here tend to be healthier than a burger and fries. The No 1 Reason Why Most Diets Fail & What to Do About It How many times have you tried to diet/lose weight in the past?How many times have you had some initial success only to fall short of your goals?How many times have you achieved your initial goals, only to see them fly away faster than you were able to enjoy the fruits of your labour?Why does this happen?In most cases, the answer is simple. You've failed one test. Antioxidants - Add a Lean, Muscular Body to the List of Benefits! I'm sure by now you've heard all about the amazing health benefits of antioxidant rich foods in your diet. Not only do these free-radical fighting antioxidants help you look and feel younger by slowing down the aging process, but they also help to prevent cancer, heart disease, and loads of other degenerative diseases. Organic Food - The Benefits of Natural and Organic Produce Having spent most of my life living off of junk food, I was pretty shocked when I started learning about what goes into the produce we consume every day from the grocery store.Most of the produce you would buy at the grocery store has been genetically modified to be more appealing to the customer. The Versatility of Actinase Protein Complex The ingredients list found on the back or side panel of every commercially available food product - with few exceptions - serves as the consumer's best starting point for understanding the real contents of each product. It discloses the ingredients that make up the product, sorted in order from most abundant to least abundant. Food thats Good for a Healthy Heart Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Omega 3s: Using Our Heads to Nourish Our Brains We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care of our organs by the foods we injest. When we think about our diet we cannot help but think about the effect our choices have on our heart, liver and other internal and external organs. Is It Possible To Follow a Strict Diet Program and Still Have A Normal Lifestyle? Following a diet program of any sort can sometimes be restricting depending on different circumstances. A Strict diet program can be hard to stick to and the best diet programs are the diet programs that you can definitely stick with for the rest of your life. Manganese 101 Manganese is a metallic mineral that was discovered by a 17th century German chemist named Johann Glauber, though it was not isolated in a pure form until 1774, by Johan Gahn. It was Gahn's associate, a Swedish chemist, Carl Scheele, who first determined that manganese was an element. Poor Dental Hygiene May Account for Poor Health Bright white teeth and fresh breath does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth!� General health is directly related to gum health.� Gum disease has been linked to several medical conditions such as stroke, diabetes, heart attack and worsening lung disease. Fish Oil The research in support of dietary omega-3 fatty acids (such as in fish oils) continues to flood the scientific literature. This is perfectly predictable given our genetic roots. Eating Healthy in a Time-Starved World Americans are literally running out of time. Achieving a work-life balance, which is still a luxury for tens of millions of working parents, has been overtaken by an even greater demand: a work-life-nutrition balance. Omega 3, Close to A Medical Miracle of our Century OmegaRx Fish Oil, quoted as being close to a Medical Miracle in our Century! Omega 3, The Good Fat, Is on your side, they contribute to your good health. They are also a big part of Dr Barry Sears Zone Diet. Turn to Diet for Everyday Ailments The old clich� that you are what you eat is quite true. Many people suffer from certain health conditions that even though may not be cured, can be controlled through your diet. The Niacin Rush Your face turns flush and your skin starts to itch. Your heart begins to beat faster. Small Changes Yield Big Benefits You can start today - right now, even - on a road to feeling better, looking better, living longer and enjoying a far better quality of life.We're all familiar with the big steps:If you smoke, do yourself and those who love you a huge favor - STOP. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2005 |