THE REAL SKINNY... ON HEALTH & NUTRITION IN AMERICA

Welcome to The Real Skinny... where I will dissect some of the myths surrounding the health, nutrition, food & fitness industries in the United States. I started this blog because I am exasperated by all of the misinformation and propaganda we are fed (pun intended) by the government and the mainstream media about our food supply and the fitness industry here in the U.S.

Like many of you, I have long considered myself to be a healthy person. I regularly followed the advice of so-called experts in the nutrition fitness industries about the latest diets and exercise regimens. I exercised almost every day - sometimes for several hours at a time – and I ate what most people consider to be a very healthy diet. I always ate whole grains, low fat dairy, veggies, fruit and lean meats. I counted “calories in” vs. “calories out” religiously. Despite all of my efforts, I was still plagued with a host of issues including excess body fat. My frustration with this predicament – some might call it my obsession – led me to dig a little deeper into the nutrition/health advice I was getting.

My research began with a few magazine articles and websites. Gradually, as I did more independent research, I started to believe strongly that much of what passes for mainstream thinking on nutrition and fitness is complete nonsense. I now spend a big chunk of my free time reading everything I can on this topic – and the more research I do, the more convinced I am.

I am not big on conspiracy theories. I don’t think the CIA introduced crack cocaine into the inner city, and I don’t think George Bush had a heads-up about 9-11. But I have come to believe that the federal government and the agribusiness community have so dominated the debate on this issue that the American people are not exposed to any other line of thinking. And where has this gotten us? Americans are unhealthier and more overweight than ever.

I would like to share some of these concerns with a wider audience outside of family and friends - the poor souls who have already been subjected to my rants these past few years. For their sake and yours, I decided to take my rants to the masses. I look forward to sharing some of what I learn along the way as I attempt to educate myself and anyone who will listen about what it truly means to be healthy in America.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Spring Break


Do you ever have a week where no matter how hard you try, it seems like you will never be able to check everything off your “to-do” list? I am having one of those weeks… In fact, I’ve had several of those weeks – all in a row! Between work craziness and too many personal obligations, I feel as though I am not doing anything well. Don’t you just hate that feeling?

While lately it feels as though I am barely keeping my head above water, I am grateful to have a good job and to have extra-curricular activities that bring so much joy to my life.  And hey, that includes writing this blog!
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Monday, April 9, 2012

Sugar is STILL the Devil!

Anyone else out there break into the Easter basket this weekend? Perhaps, like me, you had a few too many treats and not enough greens. Given all the chocolate bunnies, eggs, jellybeans and peeps still hanging around this day after Easter, I thought I would explain again why I like to say that sugar is the devil!

Last week, in case you missed it, 60 Minutes aired a report entitled “Is Sugar Toxic?” I highly recommend you watch the brief 14 minute video if you haven’t done so already.
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Sunday, April 1, 2012

Not So Thin Mints?


I have a bit of a bone to pick with the Girl Scouts of America. I know they are well meaning. In fact I admire what they stand for and I support many of their activities. This time of year, however, I always get a little irritated with them, because I’ve had just about enough with their annual cookie sales. Do Americans really need another avenue to pump more processed sugar into their already sugar-stuffed diets? 

If Americans only ate a couple of Girl Scout cookies each year – assuming they also ate plenty of fruits and veggies of course - it probably wouldn’t be the end of the world. Sadly, that is not the case. Most of us eat Girl Scout cookies by the boxful and we rarely eat enough of those other nutrient-rich foods like vegetables and fruit.  When was the last time you heard of someone saying, “I’m going to put down this box of Samoas so I save enough room for some steamed broccoli?”  

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