Some final thoughts on fitness and nutrition
This month spent on fitness and nutrition blogging has been quite different from the previous two months. While AIDS and global population seem like difficult, nearly intractable problems, personal fitness is something that seems attainable. Even though many people are overweight and out of shape, others have done amazing things.
I have a running partner who [...]
Battle of the diets: Mediterranean versus DASH
It seems like every few months we hear about some new diet that is supposed to help us melt away the pounds and add years to our lives. But how different are these diets, really? I’ve already discussed studies suggesting that the DASH diet does indeed appear to decrease risk of heart disease and reduce [...]
A week on a low-sodium, low-fat diet
A couple weeks ago I had a bit of a scare regarding my blood pressure. A drug-store machine had measured it at 144 over 93, which put me squarely in the range considered “high blood pressure.”
But a subsequent visit to the doctor allayed my fears. The doctor’s reading was just 122 over 68, which he [...]
A day at McDonald’s vs. a day on DASH
This week I’ve been trying to eat according to the DASH guidelines for lowering blood pressure. It actually hasn’t been too difficult — partly because I’m not following their strictest guidelines, which call for just 1300 milligrams of sodium and 16 grams of saturated fat a day. I’ve been shooting for 2300 milligrams of sodium [...]
Helping kids eat better by changing school lunches (Part 2)
Yesterday I discussed two studies on school lunches in California — one showing that students bring lunches from home tended to eat healthier foods, and one showing that kids will keep buying food at school even when the only option is healthy foods.
But both of these studies had flaws. The first study was conducted before [...]
Helping kids eat better by changing school lunches (Part 1)
Last year a study was released suggesting that kids who bought lunch at school tended to eat less healthy foods than kids who brought their own lunch from home. Since the National School Lunch Program in the US is supposed to encourage children to eat better, this was quite a blow. If kids don’t eat [...]
False alarm on high blood pressure? I’m doing the DASH anyways
Last week I posted that I probably have high blood pressure: With a drug store reading of 144 over 93, and a couple earlier measurements that were almost as high, it seemed inevitable that a doctor’s visit would confirm that I do have high blood pressure.
Yesterday was the big day, and instead of confirming my [...]
Quick links: Real-world exercise and nutrition
I just have time for a couple quick links today.
First, an article in the NY Times about whether exercise can actually help you lose weight. Short answer: Probably not, but it may help you keep the pounds off. Click here to read the whole thing.
Second, I’ve done a podcast about my post last week on [...]
Can diet be used to control high blood pressure long-term?
Do a search for “high blood pressure” or “hypertension” and you’ll find that nearly every health website recommends the DASH diet to control blood pressure. It makes some sense: If sodium and saturated fat cause high blood pressure, then removing them from your diet should make it come back down.
But changing your eating habits is [...]
144 over 93
My heart sank as I looked at the digital readout. Really? Me?
After a week and a half of monitoring my daily exercise and food intake I had been feeling pretty good about myself, all things considered. Now I get this.
Blood pressure below 120 over 80 is considered “normal,” and for years at my doctor’s visits, [...]
About
The Daily Monthly is Dave Munger's multi-layered exploration of ideas and issues affecting all of us today.
One post per day, one topic per month
Subscribe (RSS)
