If you're watching the NBA playoffs, you're seeing a lot of head fakes from the likes of B-ball All-Stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry. These moves open lanes and get them to the basket. And when Bad Carbs and Proteins fake out your head (and they do), they go right by your brain's defense and straight to your basket, too, for a slam dunk!
Researchers from Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy have shown that some foods help prevent weight gain, while others make it worse - even if your calorie count seems to be on the mark! Refined grains, starches and sugars (which have a high glycemic index, meaning they quickly turn into sugar in your body) are associated with the most weight gain. Combine them with high-saturated-fat meats, and you gain even more. For example, eating red meat with white bread (a hamburger and bun) is guaranteed to fake out your head by messing with your brain's appetite control and calorie-burning centers. The result? You lose the battle of the bulge.
So don't count calories; they're not all equal! Stay away from red and processed meats. (If you do eat them, have a BIG load of fresh veggies, too. The researchers say that helps limit weight gain.) And stick with 100 percent whole grains, seafood, skinless chicken and nuts. The study found that they promote weight loss. Remember that a 400-calorie corned beef on rye IS NOT equal to a 400-calorie serving of grilled skinless chicken over quinoa with sauteed spinach. That's your three-pointer!
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.