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September 23, 2004
Prairie Fare: Drinking More Milk, Getting More Sleep Linked with Weight Management
“Eat all you want, don’t do any exercise and the weight will fall off,” the advertisement promised. I heard that enticing radio ad on my drive home from a recent nutrition conference. All I had to do was order the capsules and take them before going to bed. Easy weight loss is the American dream these days. Unfortunately, there’s little research backing the claims of most advertised dietary supplements. Supplements are not regulated as foods and drugs are. The manufacturers do not have to prove supplements are safe or effective. Instead, it’s up to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prove they are unsafe or ineffective. With thousands of products on the market and fewer FDA labs, it’s really up to the buyer to beware. Losing weight is on the minds of millions of Americans. According to a recent survey conducted on behalf of the American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council, more than half of Americans see giving up their favorite foods as the biggest weight loss obstacle. About two out of three Americans say that dairy foods rank among their favorites, and 63 percent said they would be happier about their weight loss plans if they didn’t have to avoid dairy foods. Some good news: We can enjoy more calcium-rich dairy foods and burn more fat. Enjoying more dairy foods, as part of a reduced-calorie eating plan, promotes weight loss better than reduced calories alone. Dairy foods also help prevent weight gain in both children and adults. Plus, calcium-rich dairy foods help keep our bones strong. According to recent research, calcium plays a role in metabolism by basically increasing fat breakdown and reducing fat formation. To reap the benefits, enjoy at least three servings of milk, yogurt or cheese daily. A serving is one cup of milk or yogurt or 1 ounce of cheese. Getting more sleep may help with weight management, too. Most of us are a little short of sleep in today’s fast-paced world. When we’re tired, we may compensate for lack of energy by eating more or skipping opportunities for physical activity. Losing sleep consistently may alter metabolism. A recent study showed that less sleep is linked with higher body mass index. When it’s time to wake up, boost your calcium with this coffee beverage. It’s less expensive than buying a latte. The recipe is adapted from the 3-A-Day Dairy program. For more information, visit its Web site: http://3aday.org/
### Source:
Julie Garden-Robinson, (701) 231-7187, jgardenr@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
Market Advisor: |
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North Dakota State University |
