Kellogg's Special K Challenge

Eating cereal as part of a diet plan to lose weight? Is it possible?

Well, according to the Kellogg’s Special K Challenge it is doable, and one just might “Drop a jeans size in 2 weeks.” According to Kellogg’s website www.specialk.com, you can follow the Special K Challenge Instructions to get started with your diet plan:

Meal 1:
Start your day with:
Any Special K Cereal, 2/3 cup skim milk and your choice of fruit, or have a Protein Shake or Protein Meal Bar. When selecting Special K Low Fata Granola Cereal, choose either 2/3 cup of skim milk or fruit.

Meal 2:
Replace a second meal with one of these yummy options:
- Serving of cereal
- Protein Meal Bar
- Protein Shake

Meal 3
Eat your third meal as you normally do.
Remember, you can make this meal either the first, second or last meal of the day.

SNACKS
Enjoy two great-tasting Special K snacks every day (and at any time)!

Kellogg’s claims that individuals that take on this diet challenge can lose up to six pounds in about two weeks. The Special K challenge is meant for a temporary weight loss regimen that will help encourage individuals to eat healthier and responsibly. The Special K Diet tips encourages individuals to stay active to burn additional calories, drink an adequate amount of water to support digestion, not to skip meals or snacks, and to not consume alcohol because it negatively affects one’s metabolism. Advocates of the diet say that the Special K Challenge helps one to lose weight through portion control.

Of course, for any diet plan, one must be careful and educated about the possible health risks involved. According to www.livestrong.com, there are three problems about the Kellogg’s Special K challenge: 1. An unbalanced diet, 2. Lack of whole grain, 3. And lack of effectiveness.

According to some health websites, the Special K Challenge does not deliver all the needed nutrients the body needs to optimally function. The diet plan is also very high in sugar content and low in fiber content. Whole grains are essential in one’s diet, but the Special K products are made from refined grain. The American Heart Association states that whole grains should constitute no less than half of one’s daily intake of grain. Also, the effectiveness of the diet is also not as high as Kellogg’s puts it out to be. Without the backup of health care experts or exercise recommendations, this diet is questionable to many.

VitaminWater: For It or Against It?

In recent years, the Coca-Cola company has been getting heat and even sued because of its health claims on its line of VitaminWaters.

For It
Many bottled-water fanatics embrace the opportunity to get hydrated as well as obtain some well-needed vitamins with every bottle of vitamin water they consume. Glaceau, the maker of fruitwater, vitaminenergy, smartwater, and vitaminwater, enriches their flavored water with nutrients to re-energize and help you get through your day. According to Glaceau’s Brand Overview of VitaminWater,
“A recently-completed clinical study proved what we have known all along: the vitamins in vitaminwater power-c (dragonfruit) are absorbed by the body equally as well as those in traditional foods… Glacéau products are specially formulated to help people on the go feel better, perform better and live healthier lives through better hydration. As such, we are proud to partner with athletes, artists, actors and other individuals who embody the ideal of good health and wellness and who genuinely incorporate glacéau products into their healthy lifestyles.”
Many celebrities who endorse in Glacéau’s products are 50 Cent, Jennifer Aniston, Shaquille O’Neal, and Tom Brady.

 
Against It
According to some researchers, the amount of vitamins in these waters is only about 10-20% of your daily value. Though vitamins have been added to these waters, it is uncertain how much of the vitamin really gets absorbed by the body. For example, vitamins A and E are fat soluble vitamins and are only able to be absorbed with fat – which water does not contain. Also, vitamins in bottled water slowly lose their potency as time goes on. On top of all this, for every 20-ounce bottle of vitamin water, you get about 100 to 125 calories and 33 grams of sugar. Many feel like the name “Vitamin Water” is misleading because if you do not pay attention to the ingredients listing, you would not have guessed that sugar is the third ingredient. So, to many, this “vitamin” water is actually “sugar” water. What is the most shocking is that Coca Cola’s attorneys' response in a court session to the latest charge made against them was: “…no consumer could reasonably be misled into thinking vitaminwater was a healthy beverage.”

What do you think? Are you for VitaminWater or against it?

Acai Berry

The Acai berry has been causing immense hype among the health cautious population. Everywhere you go, whether it be a local smoothie store, frozen yogurt store, or supermarket, acai berry can be found. So, what is this mysterious, super fruit that has recently made its way in the United States? This purplish-blue berry originated from the Amazon rainforest. It is said to contain lots of beneficial vitamins, such as E, B1, and A, as well as antioxidants, omega-3, and amino acids. It can also be consumed in powder, capsule, or fresh form. So what are the pros and cons of this superfruit?

Health Claims of Acai Berry Juice:

Antioxidant: contains flavonoids and anthocyanins (which gives the berry its deep purple and bluish color) that helps protect the body system, helps to reduce stress, prevention of diseases such as cancer and heart diseases caused by oxidative stress

Energy: increases energy and stamina, steadies blood sugar levels in the body, relieves sexual dysfunction, and helps with insomnia

Anti-aging: preserves brain function, helps maintain vision, helps to alleviate skin irritation and digestive problems

Weight loss: helps to burn fat and speed up digestion; filled with amino acids, phytosterols, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids

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Lack of scientific evidence:

According to many scientific researchers, the health benefit of eating or consuming acai berry products is no different from eating any other fruits, such as blueberries and red grapes. Apart from the benefits of consuming fruits, research does not see a distinctive connection between acai berry and better health. Also, no scientific evidence support its weight loss claims. It is true that acai berries do contain high levels of antioxidant, but it is not known how much humans are able to fully absorb.

Individuals who are allergic to berries or pollen should avoid this berry.

Job's Tears

Conventional Medicine versus Alternative Medicine: The Western practice of medicine falls within the category of conventional medicine, due to the fact that the western medicinal approach is scientific based. Alternative medicinal approaches, which is more prevalent in other countries such as Asia, are not solely based upon scientific research but, rather, traditional or ancient approaches (acupuncture is an example of alternative medicine).

Coming from an Asian family, there are lots of natural and herbal foods and practices that I have been exposed and accustomed to. My family strongly believes that on top of conventional methods, alternative medicines and approaches are also important and beneficial for one's health. There are also those who believe that an integration of both a conventional and alternative approach (also known as a complementary approach) is beneficial.

In the Western culture, alternative medicinal approaches may not be very prominent or widely known. In Asia, a tropical plant called Coixseed, also known as "Job's Tears" (in North America it is commonly referred to as the "Chinese pearl barley") is widely consumed due to its health benefits. It has been said that this grain got its name from the biblical story of Job; Job was a righteous man who shed tears due to the suffering and pain he went through. In Asia, Job's Tears is used both as a food and medicine - for example, it is used to treat certain tumors and cancers. According to http://www.namuorganics.com/namu-job.html:
"Japanese scientists have isolated numerous active chemical components from Job's Tears which include coixol (anti-inflammatory, antihistaminic, muscle relaxant, fever reducing, etc.) and coixans (peptide-containing polysaccharides that have sugar-lowering properties)."

This website also lists the nutrients found within Job's Tears:
"...lipids (glycolipids, phospholipids, sterols, etc.), amino acids, adenosine, thiamine, and others."

Also, according to http://healthydoses.wordpress.com, "The neutral lipid isolated from the endosperm of Job’s tears (NLEJ) has been known to possess an anticancer activity with relatively low toxicity."

Because alternative medicinal practices are not prevalent in the Western culture, there is little information and research that back up the health claims of Job's Tears. Not to mention, Job's Tears is not sold in the United States. According to www.wedmd.com, "Job's tears contains chemicals that might interfere with cancer cell growth. Other chemicals might also have antioxidant effects and might also decrease growth of bacteria and parasites. But most research on Job's tears is in animals and test tubes. There isn't enough information to know if Job's tears works the same way in people."

Job 1:21
And said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Wheatgrass

You probably have heard of a certain supplement called Wheatgrass sometime or another but never really knew what it was. So, what is wheatgrass? According to Mayoclinic.com, "Wheatgrass is a nutrient-rich type of young grass in the wheat family that is sold in a variety of forms as a dietary supplement."  It can be taken in many forms, such as powder, tablet, or even in a juice or smoothie.

On the packaging, it claims that this grass "is the most potent, convenient & affordabe way to help achieve your 5+ daily servings of vegetables" and that it "boosts energy & immune system." On the back of the bottle, it also lists a bajillion health benefits of this grass:


- increases & sustains energy naturally
- detoxifies & cleanses your body
- high alkalinity helps balance acidic pH levels
- strengthens immune system
-complete food with enzymes & all essential amino acids
- natural source of antioxidants to help repair damaged cells
- field grown outdoors through winter
- vegan, gluten free and raw


And, if you're not convinced yet, it also states that "Per 8 gram serving, Amzazing Grass Wheat Grass offers:"
- a naturally balanced source of Phytonutrients & Carotenoids
- 2x more dietary fiber than an 8 gram serving of out bran
- 2x more iron than a 30 gram serving of fresh spinach
- excellent source of folic acid, beta carotene & vitamin C
- 25% Green vegetable protein
- 100% Whole leaf powder... Not from juice!

Of course, for every “miracle” product out there on the market, the consumer would also like to know the cons and negative side effects (if any) of the product. According to many reliable sources, there is still no hard evidence for the health claims that wheatgrass proclaims.

According to http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_1634415.htm:

“The review [on wheatgrass], published in the Australian Consumers' Association Choice magazine, concludes that while wheatgrass has some nutritional value, it's no miracle drink.
The review found only "limited supporting evidence" for claims of the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of wheatgrass and little confirmation for claims it builds red blood cells and improves circulation and tissue oxygenation.”

Many health policy officials and doctors also emphasize that wheat grass health claims may be a bit over the top with lack of scientific support. According to Viola Korczak, an Australian Consumers’ Association health policy officer, "It's certainly not bad for you, but the claims that are made are perhaps a lot of hype without any real evidence.” Dr Peter Clifton, head of CSIRO's nutrition clinic, also says that wheatgrass is "very trendy ... but it probably isn't any different from any other type of grass".

There are also possible side effects when taking wheatgrass, such as detoxification side effects, nausea, and allergic reactions.

Detoxification side effects: The possible detoxification side effects of wheat grass are an upset stomach, diarrhea, skin outbreaks, queasiness, and mild fever.
Nausea: Wheatgrass does not blend well with other foods in the stomach so drinking it on an empty stomach is the best way to prevent nausea.
Allergic Reaction: Individuals who are allergic to wheat should also not take this supplement. Allergic reaction could lead to a swollen throat or hives.

In purchasing a health product, one must research and review both the pros and cons of the product, in order to weight the benefits and risks associated with it. The advantages of taking wheatgrass is that it contains many antioxidants and beneficial nutrients for one’s body. The disadvantage is that it is quite expensive, does not contain dietary benefits, and there is no solid evidence to support the belief that it may reverse the symptoms of cancer.