After "how long did it take you to lose the weight", this is probably the question I'm asked most often. I tend to eat meals that are easily prepared simply because I don't have a lot of time to prepare a full meal in the oven or on the stove top. I'm going to add a "MENU" page to the website and update it periodically throughout the upcoming weeks that will list a variety of the foods that I consume on an average week.
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Since only sugar-free candy comes to mind, I'll go with that's what you're asking about. If there's something else you're referring to, please write back and let me know. Unless you're a diabetic, there is no nutritional benefit to eating sugar-free candy as opposed to regular candy. Let's take a look at the nutritional value of Hershey's peanut butter cups. The sugar-free variety has 170 calories, 12 grams of fat and 0 grams of sugar in a 39 gram serving (28 grams equals one ounce so this equates to slightly more than an ounce). The regular variety has 197 calories, 11 grams of fat and 19 grams of sugar in the same amount. You do save approximately 27 calories and 19 grams of sugar by eating the sugar-free, but you add one gram of fat. In my opinion, all things being basically equal, I would opt for the regular variety and avoid the artificial sweeteners and possible flatulence and loose stools that often accompany them. But, as mentioned above, if you are a diabetic there's obvious benefit to the sugar-free variety.
P.S. No candy was eaten in the researching of this question. The information was obtained online! :)
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Yes and no. How's that for an answer? I will use artificial sweetners when I drink diet soda or a flavored coffee beverage, but when I want to add sugar to coffee I usually use regular sugar. A packet/teaspoon of sugar has four grams of sugar, which equates to 15 calories. Adding one (or even two) to your coffee, tea or cereal isn't going to derail your plan to Go to Health. Conversely, a diet soda as zero grams of sugar and zero calories, but a 12 ounce soda has approximately 30 to 46 (depending on the variety) grams of sugar. At four grams of sugar per teaspoon, you're talking about 7 1/2 to 12 grams per 12 ounce serving and about 110 to 170 calories. Huge difference! That being said, I find that consuming artificial sweetners causes me an almost abnormal craving for carbohydrates. There are actually scientific studies that support this claim. Please visit Worth Repeating. So that's why my answer is yes and no. I try to avoid them when possible, but if I'm drinking soda I opt for diet or if I'm drinking a flavored coffee beverage I'll have the sugar-free syrup instead of regular. Saving me - depending on the size of the beverage - about 70 to 140 calories in the coffee beverage and 110 to 170 in the soda.
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Well, I hope I'm not too late and the candy is still intact. I know this question can apply to any holiday so I know the answer isn't too late. While it doesn't help your weight loss or weight maintenance cause, recognize that your friend probably believes she (or he) is doing something kind unless she's really cruel and is trying to sabotage you. She may even be trying to sabotage you subconsciously. Whatever the case, don't feel as if you need to eat the candy. You might want to talk to her and let her know that you would prefer she didn't buy you candy (or any other gift that's edible!). Since you're concerned about hurting her feelings, give the candy away by taking it to work or dropping it off at a senior center, library, school office or fire/police station. Particularly if it's not opened. The times being what they are, it may not be accepted if it's opened. I would discourage you from giving it to another individual because you don't want to become your friend and sabotage someone else. Even if they haven't spoken the words that they are trying to eat healthy, that doesn't mean they aren't. If you don't trust yourself having it in your home until you can re-gift it, then throw it in the garbage. It's not a waste of money! The money was wasted when your friend bought the candy. And better that the candy is wasted in the garbage than "waisted" on you!
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Before I address the question, I would like to say that this applies in any relationship: mother/child, siblings, friends, other family members, co-workers, etc.
First of all, your wife is lucky to have you to support her. The fact that you're asking shows your concern. Secondly, it might be easier for you to accept her decision if she said, "I choose not to go out to eat" rather than
"I can't." Saying "I can't" gives the impression that she's not allowed to. Then again, maybe she feels that she's "not allowed" to.
I wouldn't push the issue right now, but when your wife is more comfortable eating out, here are a few tips to help her succeed:
1 - Allow her to pick the restaurant. She knows where she can eat and stay on her food plan.
2 - Allow her to order her meal without "interference." Don't ask her if she'd like an appetizer, suggest one selection over another, comment on how delicious something looks, etc.
3 - Don't spring it on her at the last minute. Allow her to plan for the evening out. It will help her feel more in control.
4 - Allow her to order first so she's not swayed by your choice. It also gives you the opportunity to suggest splitting the meal after she orders. Simply allow her to order then add, "Hey, do you want to split that?"
5 - Don't comment on what she's eating. Keep the "can you have that?", "is that all you're getting?", "isn't that fattening?" comments to yourself. If she chooses something that you think is something she may regret eating, ask her if she'd like to split it (like I mention above). If not, leave it be. Perhaps she's decided to splurge for the evening out. If you see that a pattern has developed or she's reverted to old habits, that's another issue. If she expresses regret at her choice at a later time, ask her how she'd like you to help her handle that in the future.
6 - Last, but certainly NOT least, ask her what you can do to help her? Removing the bread basket from the table, skipping the appetizer and/or dessert, eating at certain restaurants that cater to those trying to eat healthy, avoiding restaurants that she finds challenging, etc.
Again, this question can apply to any situation in which someone is accustomed to eating out with another person, not only spouses. Keep those questions coming!
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I ate approximately 1,200 calories a day. However, I would strongly encourage someone to eat at least 1,500. Whatever you eat to lose the weight is what you need to eat to keep the weight off. Allowing yourself the extra calories makes it easier to maintain your weight loss. When in doubt, check with your health care professional.
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From the time I joined (January 9, 2001) until I reached my goal weight (November 17, 2003) it was two years, ten months, two weeks and one day! I have it memorized.
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