Don't Trust Calorie Counts on Menus

According to researchers at Yale University, including calorie counts on menus seem to affect diner's choices. But what use is that if the reported calorie counts are wildly inaccurate?



A report in next month's Journal of the American Dietetic Association finds that the published calorie counts for so-called "reduced calorie" meals served at various chain restaurants were wildly inaccurate. On average, the actual calories were almost 20% higher, but the range of discrepancy was huge.


Some of the tested entrees contained fewer calories than advertised. For example, a slice of thin-crust cheese pizza from Domino's was listed at 180 calories but actually provided only 141. Several others were within 5% of the menu listings. A Taco Bell Crunchy Beef Taco was exactly as advertised: 191 calories.


However, an order of Szechuan-style asparagus from P.F. Chang's, which was listed at 260 calories, actually contained 558. And the Taco Bell Chicken Taco Salad, listed as 326 calories, was actually 607 calories.


In some cases, the serving size was the culprit. A side order of grits from Denny's is listed at 86 calories on the menu, for example. However, the 262-gram serving delivered to the table was twice as large as the 113-gram serving listed on the menu. Total calories: 258. Always be careful of SUPERSIZING specials.


Another problem was that low-calorie entrees often come with free side dishes that are not included in the posted calorie counts for the dish. For example, the petite sirloin steak served at Ruby Tuesday's weighed at 118 grams, exactly as advertised and, at 244 calories, actually came in slightly under the posted calorie count of 271. However, it came with a side of broccoli and a baked potato, which added another 667 calories to the meal.


Obviously putting calorie counts on menus is only going to help diners moderate their caloric intake if they bear some resemblance to reality. In the meantime, I'd take them with a grain of salt. If what arrives at your table looks like way too much food for the advertised calorie counts, it probably is. Be familiar with and pay attention to portion sizes. For example, do you know what a 118g (4-ounce) steak looks like? Check out this Portion Control Slide Show from WebMD( link is proved on this post located by the arrow). And finally, be aware of extras and sides that aren't included in the posted calorie counts.

Your Healing Journey Toward Mental Health

If you are now about to begin working on recovering from the effects of trauma, or if you have already begun this work and are planning to continue making some changes based on what you have learned, you will need courage and persistence along the way. You may experience setbacks. From time to time you may get so discouraged that you feel like you want to give up. This happens to everyone. You may ask the question can something good come out of adversity? Often in the face of adversity, we are unable to see anything through our pain. The only thing we can think about are questions. Why is this happening to me? How will I go on? How will I survive?

Notice how far you've come. Appreciate even a little progress. Do something nice for yourself and continue your efforts. You deserve an enjoyable life.

Always keep in mind that there are many people, even famous people, who have had traumatic things happen to them. They have worked to relieve the symptoms of this trauma and have gone on to lead happy and rewarding lives. You can too.

There are some that feel “Although we may want to, we should not turn away from our pain. It is felt by some that "breaking  barriers is the way we feel all of our feelings during these times of adversity and heartache". It has also contended by some that
"denying our pain, or denying our feelings, will not benefit us in any way". "In fact, it will likely prolong our troubles. But if we look at our situation, and face our problems head-on…we will triumph.”

Contrary to this view, Weinberger

 has validated “repression” as a coping mechanism which may be necessary to survive the moment of trauma because accurate recall would be induce more pain then we could endure.

Weinberger developed the concept of a “Repressive Coping Style”, which he operazionalized as a specific combination of anxiety and defensiveness. Postulating four combinations of responses to threat; Weinberger defined repressors as individuals who express low anxiety and high defensiveness.

Forcing yourself to “feel a certain way” or to recall traumatic events because it is believed that you must “feel your feelings” may do more damage than good. Understand that timing is everything and to be able to gain prospective without re-traumatizing yourself is the kindest thing to do for you. This is why it is a process, a Journey of healing, of increased optimism and “Resolution”. 

Remember, always be kind to yourself. As stated by Louise Hay

” you are in exactly the place that you should be” if it were not so you would be in a different place.


http://www.healyourlife.com/blogs/louise-hay-blog/somethings-fishy

cbruce

Taking Care of "YOU"

Taking quiet time for yourself each day is how you help to promote a healthy mind and spirit. These quiet activities also tend to reduce stress and lower blood pressure; so give it a try.

Concept of "Resolution"

Is a recalibration of thought process..

It is an lookout..an observation tower over looking your life with balance of perception between life’s struggles , tragedies or pain and pleasures.

It is a refocusing of “life’s eye” it is the ability to observe not with detachment but with integration and in the absence of psychological paralysis, and/or crushing, life altering pain.

It is the ability to recall ones tragedies with safety; that the recollection will not devastate you.

It is the ability to remember your previous devastations with a new understanding and a new comfort around your experiences.

It is the antidote for trauma..

It is your counterbalance..

it becomes your comfort zone..

it is your new lens with which you see the world..

With which you recall your life ..

With which you process your information.

With which you see yourself(self image)..

A prospective that is automatic..

Which will take you forward now that you have gone backward.

It is your mountain to climb..

it is your Salvation

It is YOUR Resolution..It is YOUR Solution.