Dr. Susan Michell - Nutrition Expert Dr. Susan Mitchell Nutrition Expert
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September 1, 2011

Put on Some Pounds? Will Your Partner Dump You?

Have you gained any weight lately? How does it make you feel about yourself in terms of your overall self-esteem and sexuality? One of my girlfriends refers to this recently acquired weight on her back as ‘fack’ or back fat! If you’re involved with someone, does your partner support you and help you work to reach your desired weight and health goals?

Did you hear about the survey recently discussed on the Today show by psychotherapist and Today show contributor Dr. Robi Ludwig? The poll was a joint collaboration between Cosmopolitan magazine and AskMen.com and asked all types of relationship questions.

Of course the one I want to focus in on has to do with weight gain. Don’t miss this… according to this poll of 70,000 people, nearly 50% of the men said they would dump a partner who gained weight. This is in comparison to only 20% of the women who responded the same.

According to Dr. Ludwig, she has not found this response to be typical in her private practice. She says that women are much harder on themselves and their looks and weight than their partners. Do you agree?

Do you think this survey response has to do with women being more objectified than men where their bodies are constantly evaluated and sexualized…and at younger and younger ages? Think about celebrities. Gain weight and your tabloid fodder. By the way, seems to me, this is true more for women but not so much for men. Hmmm

According to the Journal of Obesity, weight discrimination is an issue for woman.

Why do you think weight gain in women is such an issue for men? Going back to the Today show segment, is it because a man’s partner is seen as an extension of him and reflects how he wants to be viewed by the world? Do you think an overweight partner sends the message that the guy is not successful or has poor self-esteem?

Ladies, when you gain weight, is your self-esteem or sexy feeling diminished? Do men pick up on this? I’m not sure there’s one answer but rather a tightly interwoven net of thoughts and feelings. Whatever happened to mutual support, understanding and working together?

I want to know what you think so post your comment on my blog at susanmitchell.org or Facebook page…both which you will find at susanmitchell.org

On a completely separate note, if you plan to grill out this weekend, try these grilling recipes from I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter! 

*** For sharing their recipes with you, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!Ò has provided BBQ Roll-Up Tool Sets as giveaways so register to win one of these grill sets today! ***

 SHRIMP SCAMPI SKEWERS

4 servings            Prep Time: 10 minutes     Marinate Time: 10 minutes     Cook Time: 5 minutes

1 lb. uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails on

4 green onions, cut into 1-1/2-inch pieces

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 lemon, halved and sliced

20 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spray Original

Combine shrimp, onions, lemon juice and garlic in medium bowl. Cover and marinate 10 minutes.

Alternately thread shrimp, onions and lemon slices on skewers*. Grill or broil, turning once and spraying with 10 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spray Original, 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink.

Just before serving, spray with remaining 10 Sprays.

*If using wooden skewers, soak in water at least 30 minutes prior to use.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 130, Calories From Fat 20, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 2g, Cholesterol 170mg, Sodium 190mg, Total Carbohydrate 6g, Sugars 1g, Dietary Fiber 2g, Protein 24g, Vitamin A 8%, Vitamin C 50%, Calcium 8%, Iron 20%

Recipe Courtesy of Unilever Kitchens

 

SUMMERTIME GRILLED VEGETABLES

4 servings            Prep Time: 5 minutes     Cook Time: 10 minutes

3 lbs. your favorite vegetables (red onions, zucchini, asparagus, bell peppers), sliced or cut into chunks

30 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spray Original

Alternately thread vegetables on skewers*. Grill or broil vegetables until tender. Arrange vegetables on serving platter. Spray with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!® Spray Original.

*If using wooden skewers soak at least 30 minutes prior to use.

Cost per recipe**: $4.92

Cost per serving**: $1.23

**Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 90, Calories From Fat 10, Saturated Fat 0g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 40mg, Total Carbohydrate 17g, Sugars 9g, Dietary Fiber 6g, Protein 5g, Vitamin A 60%, Vitamin C 170%, Calcium 6%, Iron 20%

Recipe Courtesy of Unilever Kitchens

Want more? Listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast


April 19, 2011

Screen Time Making Couch Potatoes of Your Kids?

Are you concerned that your children have way too much face time with a screen…TV, computer, cell phone, and video games?  You’re probably right on target. According to the National Institutes of Health, children and teens spend more than four hours watching TV every day and more than seven hours using some type of entertainment media.

Needless to say, physical activity just isn’t happening which means that inactive children are more likely to be overweight. WeCan! (Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition) is a science-based national education program from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and helps children ages 8-13 stay at a healthy weight.

This week is Screen-Free Week, a great reason to scroll down screen time and replace it with physical activity.

So whether you’re a parent or health professional or both, try some of these easy ways to reduce screen time plus check out these tips for getting active that include ideas such as:

•       Walk your children to school

•       Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV

•       Play with your kids at least 30 minutes per day

•       Dance to music with your kids

Do you have tips that work in your family to stay active and cut face time with a screen? Tell me.

Win a Copy of “7-Day Menu Planner for Dummies“! Register for a chance to win a copy of “7-Day Menu Planner for Dummies”! We’ve got delicious, nutritious meals for your family… so register now to get cookin’!

Want more? Listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast


January 19, 2011

How Big is Your ‘BUT’?

Is life getting in the way of what you want to accomplish? Do you have dreams and goals that you want to come true but your ‘but’ gets in the way. No, not that ‘butt’ although you might be feeling that your bum or backside is a little larger than it was in 2010.

I’m talking about the ‘but’ that keeps you stuck in your rut and prevents you from moving ahead and reaching your goals. You know the ‘but’…you would like to take that spinning class ‘but’ your schedule is already jammed or you feel exhausted and need to get more sleep ‘but’ it never seems to happen.

Let 2011 be the year you have a mental boot camp with yourself and kick the ‘but’ out of your life. A mental boot camp is an up close and personal inventory. Take a hard look at your day-to-day life and decide what must be addressed, changed, adapted, deleted, whatever…so that you and your family find more contentment.

During your mental boot camp, ask yourself some of these questions:

* Do you stress-eat? If so, get rid of the foods that call your name. Clean the pantry or fridge so you have to work harder to get those stress foods. Don’t completely give up these foods because then you will want them even more. Instead, buy the smallest size of the best item, such as high quality chocolate, and truly enjoy it.

* Are you drinking your calories? Notice where your calories are coming from …lattes, smoothies, sweetened tea and sodas, energy drinks…and pay attention to the size of the container. Remember…bigge size = bigge thighs.

* Did you have a fight with someone you care about and turn to that bag of chips in the pantry for comfort? Time to deal with these emotions and find healthier (calorie free) options for comfort. Have a plan…call a friend, go for a walk, watch a funny show…defuse the situation and stay away from the food. I realize that some issues are way bigger than this…that’s why it’s important to go thru a mental boot camp so you know if counseling or help of some type is needed.

Instead of a focus on weight loss or exercise, review your life and the contentment you feel or don’t feel. Why? Your contentment level and attitude affect your weight. When you are overwhelmed and stressed, it’s impossible to find the time to eat well, shop and prep food, exercise or do anything else for yourself…and you feel guilty when you do.

Stress eating and binge eating are often tied to tough and emotionally stressful events in life and how you cope with them. Food is an outlet and is available ever direction you turn. It’s legal and calls your name when you’re mad, hurt, sad and stressed…you known what I mean.

When I was writing books, I realized I truly was the author of those books, which meant it was up to me to write and complete them. The same is true for you. You are the author of your book…your life. As the author, you have the ability to change the chapter in 2011 if it’s not working for you.

Listen to this week’s podcast below.

Listen to this week’s podcast



April 21, 2010

Easy Snacks and Meals to Fuel Fitness

Easy Snacks and Meals to Fuel Fitness

To fuel up for fitness, here are a couple of my favorite (and easy) breakfast/snack ideas courtesy of Family Circle magazine:

  • careamelChocolate-Peanut Butter Oatmeal
    ½ cup rolled or quick oats made with 1 cup fat-free milk
    1 tablespoon creamy natural peanut butter
    2 teaspoons mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

I’m a self-proclaimed chocoholic so even this small amount of chocolate chips satisfies me.

  • Apple & Nut Butter (snack)
    1 medium apple, sliced and spread with two tablespoons almond butter 
    My breakfast version    : I spread almond butter on whole grain toast, followed by the apple slices and a drizzle of honey. If you haven’t tried almond butter, it’s worth the extra expense as an alternative to peanut butter.

Try this 20-minute recipe from the Family Circle kitchens: Red snapper with gazpacho salsa

I hope spring is all around you…the weather is warming up, the birds are singing, and flowers are starting to bloom. I’m ready to take my workout…outdoors. How about you? I am a walker, especially on the weekends when I have more time to be outside.

For those of you who have listened to my podcast for a while, you know that Family Circle along with the American Heart Association sponsor the annual Start! Walking Challenge. You can find out more at familycircle.com/walk2010 or in the May issue. This month the focus is on walking and eating to lower cholesterol. You’ll find a very helpful mix-and-match meal plan.

familycircle_may10_120_o.jpg Margit Ragland, Health Director at Family Circle joins me on the podcast this week to talk about the Walking Challenge with a focus on cutting your cholesterol level in three ways:

  1. Keeping a cap on saturated fat that can raise your total and lousy LDL cholesterol levels while it shrinks your good cholesterol…HDL.
  2. Focusing on fiber, a nutrient that works like a sponge to help rid your body of cholesterol.
  3. Loading up on superstar foods that conquer cholesterol-like oats, nuts, beans, fish, soy, and even dark chocolate.

Listen to this week’s podcast


February 17, 2010

Speed Demon: Try Interval Training for the Calorie Burn

Do you have days when exercise just isn’t happening? The mind is willing but your jammed schedule is not. I know I do. Then you’re going to like this research. The Harvard Alumni Health Study found that climbing stairs at a moderate pace burns calories faster than walking on level ground. This burst of exercise or what’s often referred to as interval training changes up the pace for a short amount of time. Think about it. Do you sit most of the day? A couple of months ago I started getting up from what I refer to as my ‘bubble-butt’ chair every hour or two. I climb the stairs close to my office a couple of times and go back to my desk. It helps clear my brain, gets me moving and burns some extra calories.

Another study from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland found that small amounts of what researchers referred to as HIT or high intensity interval training (we’re talking 6-30 second sprints or a total of 3 minutes on a stationary bike done twice a week) improved insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. Both are linked to the risk for type 2 diabetes. Now I can find time for short bursts of exercise. W hat about you?
FC030110COVER.jpg
Remind yourself that although it’s cold outside, hydration still needs to be top of mind when walking or climbing stairs. Family Circle has a promotion going on where you have a chance to win a high-tech water bottle. Go to momster.com/fc/hydrate and share the ways you stay hydrated. If they choose your suggestion as one of their favorites, they will send you a high-tech water bottle from Innate ($16 value). Momster.com is their new social networking site for Moms of tweens and teens.

Margit Ragland, Health Director from Family Circle is my guest on the podcast this week and she shares a casserole with style. Check out the recipe for Chicken Curry & Brown Basmati Rice. A combination of curry powder, chickpeas, golden raisins, brown basmati rice and red peppers give this casserole a fresh flair that the entire family with like. From the nutrition viewpoint, what’s not to like about the prebiotic inulin found in raisins and the antioxidant content of curry powder (thus its golden yellow color from the turmeric). Give it a try and tell me what you think. It comes in under 300 calories per serving with 10 grams of protein and, 7 grams of fiber and 7 grams of fat (only 1 saturated).

Listen to this week’s podcast


January 13, 2010

Believe It, Be It with TV’s The Biggest Loser Ali Vincent

pic-loserAli Vincent was the “one to watch” on Season 5 of TV’s popular reality show, The Biggest Loser. She won the competition while viewers watched her amazing transformation from overweight and discouraged to fit and inspiring. As a nationally and internationally ranked synchronized swimmer, Ali never thought she would have a weight problem. She was a competitive athlete! Ali readily admits that when she gave up swimming, she never replaced that activity with anything else. Gradually, by adding five pounds at a time, after thirteen years Ali tipped the scales at 234 pounds. dftcq4mm_49ch2zm4g5_bWith determination, a positive outlook, and a commitment to her goals, even when she was voted off the show, Ali Vincent lost 112 pounds and became the first female Biggest Loser.  Ali joins me on the podcast this week to share her experience and philosophy that you can also read about in her book “Believe it. Be it.”

Check out our Cyber Weight Loss Club and you’ll see Ali’s before and after weight loss photos! Share your story and photos and we’ll enter you in a drawing at the end of January to win a copy of Ali’s book Believe It, Be It.

Listen to this week’s podcast


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