Diet Debate Standoff: Low Fat, Low Carb, or Mediterranean

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Lynn Difley
The latest news on the diet quandary filled the headlines this week. A 2-year study compared low fat, low carbohydrate, and Mediterranean diets. The study involved 322 people in Israel, more male than female, most of them obese. The group was unique in that they all worked together so it was easy for a dietitian to monitor their food intake.
The low fat diet allowed folks 1500 calories a day for women, 1800 for men, with no more than 30 percent of the diet obtained from fat.
The Mediterranean diet emphasized lot of fruits and vegetables, the same caloric restrictions as low fat, but allowed 35 percent of the diet to be obtained from designated healthier fats, such as olive oil and nuts.
The low carbohydrate diet had no caloric restrictions, but kept carbohydrate level to 20 grams a day for the first two months, increased to no more than 120 grams at any time.
So guess what the results were? The low fat net loss diet was 6.5 pounds, compared to 10 pounds for those following the Mediterranean diet, and 10.3 for the low-carbs.
Other health related factors, such as blood pressure, physical activity, and cardiovascular and liver function improved in all three groups. The greatest improvement in lipid levels occurred with low carbohydrate eating, while those in the Mediterranean diet group achieved the most favorable changes in fasting blood sugar and insulin levels.
Testers say, “Clearly one diet doesn’t fit all.” This could be good news for those who have struggled to count calories or fat grams; maybe a carbohydrate-restricted diet is best for them.
Whether you have followed any or all of these diet plans, maybe one of the most significant facts in the diet face-off is the weight lost. This was a two-year study, and the calorie restriction was fairly significant, yet the most weight lost, 10 pounds doesn’t seem like a whole lot to me. Would you be willing to count carbs for two years, to lose 10 pounds? If you have a lot of weight to lose, what method would you pick, or what have you tried in the past that was effective? Could it be, as Gina Kolata says in her book “Rethinking Thin” that maybe we are becoming a race of larger humans? That the standards currently set for ideal weight are no longer appropriate? That those are our examples, the cover girl and boy and movie star physiques that we admire and envy are the aberrant form, that we are evolving to a larger body type and it is healthy to carry more than 5% body fat? We all know it is possible to be heavy and healthy? Is it possible that it is not only possible but is becoming the norm and our current ideal weight charts and goals need to be revised to allow for the new body shape and weight allowance?

The Age Old Question, How Many Pounds Of Air Shall I Put In My Tires?

Well sir, I have never been accused of being terribly smart and politicaly astue, so here I go jumping from the frying pan into the fire on a subject that some have said in the forums is a dead horse and beaten to death. But there is more to the tire pressure story than just when will it fail or blow up. Or how much pressure to ad and when.

We all know that a tire that is under inflated will use more power to make it roll than a properly inflated tire. That is because of these factors:

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Montezuma’s revenge, the trots, or simply - Diarrhea.

What made me think about it was a recent camping trip, a group of friends that like to ride motorcycles went down to Johnstown PA to go to a motorcycle rally called “Thunder in the Valley “. If you were there and were looking for the big tough, mean looking bikers. . . That wasn’t us! We had fun but one of our members had a spell of Diarrhea and missed most of the event that he had taken time off from work, driven far to attend and was looking forward to. This sounds like most of the camping trips we all take and who wants them ruined? How can you keep this from happening to you?

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Valid Mileage Comparisons

The mail bag is getting full and it would be the polite thing to do to answer the questions and make room for more. Santa Skip wrote the following after I used the term Tommy Knocker:

“I spent my younger years exploring the ghost towns of CO, to me a tommyknocker was a little elf who lived down in the mine, if he liked you he would show you where the gold, (was) if he didn’t he would cause all kind of problems.”

One of the neat things about traveling is that you get to learn that an expression that you grew up with have different meanings regionally. But this is a new meaning of Tommy Knocker to me.

Chuck wrote the following after my comments on driving at 55 miles per hour:

“I’m posting this as a reality check. I’m getting better MPG at 68-72 mph (2200 rpm) than at 55 mph. I drive a F250 with a V10. With or without the 5th wheel trailer I get better mileage at a higher speed and higher rpm. At my last fill up I got 10.8 mpg. I traveled 107 miles with the 5th wheel trailer and 190 miles without the trailer. In the past if I drove at 55 I would get around 8 to 9 mpg. Has anyone else seen this type of mpg driving faster instead of slower?”

Under real world conditions it is almost impossible to get accurate fuel economy numbers. Back in the dark ages, about 1980 something, the EPA was in the process of certifying fuel savings devices. They invited a group of automotive writers to a test drive to provide the EPA with numbers of fuel economy improvement of the new Volkswagen E Shift light system. It was a computer controlled device that would turn a light on on the dash that would signal the driver when to up shift for best economy. The route was from the tip of Long Island to Newport, Rhode Island. Lots of rolling hills.

VW teamed up the drivers and it happened that Dan Holt, then a writer/editor with the Society of Automotive Engineers publication, and I drew the duty as partners. Now not to say that we were heavy, but between the two of us we exceeded the load carrying capacity of the car, not counting our luggage or our camera gear. Now as every one knows writers have imagination. Dan and I being both engineers decided that we would show some real fuel economy, and here is how we did it.

The first thing that we did was to eliminate rolling resistance. We stopped and pumped the tires up to 80 PSI. The car rode like it had Freddy Flintstone Hard Rock tires. Then we applied some simple junior high school physics. Gravity. We figured with our combined weight, the weight of the car, and gravity, that we could use the engine on down hill runs to get the speed up, and then coast up the next hill. Foot to the floor in high gear going down hill, put the tranny in neutral and shut the engine off for the uphill coast. In several instances on the run we were able to leave the engine off for several hills as well as seeing the tach hit red line in high gear.

VW controlled the record keeping of fuel in each car with a burette attached to the front bumper and at each fuel stop they measured fuel used and filled the burette to the full line and we ventured out again. Well Dan and I placed second in this 50 car run with around 100 miles per gallon. A couple of guys from one of the magazines out did us by a couple of miles per gallon. I think they ran a bit more air in their tires but they used the same techniques. We did show VW that we could get good mileage but it did little for the certification of the Up Shift Light. And we broke speed laws and really had a ball.

The moral of the story, which is a true story all the way, is that determining a difference in fuel economy means measuring apples against apples under like conditions with only one variable at a time. Driving cost over an extended period of time is a valid number.

Pet Travel Challenges

All of us like to travel with our pets when we can. It’s no fun for them (or us) when we have to leave them behind — even for a short time. Although traveling with pets has gotten easier and more fun with all of the pet travel products available on the market, we still encounter various challenges as we trek across town or across country. Read more

“Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro” DVD released

RV.net echoes the announcement of Mark Polk’s brand new DVD titled “Drive your Motorhome Like a Pro”, co-hosted with Lorrin Walsh, author of the book by the same name. As indicated in the press release, this DVD provides the tools to increase one’s awareness of driving motor coaches, and demonstrates unique driving techniques needed to become a safer and a more confident driver.

We thank our bloggers for their dedicated efforts to keep the RV community informed and entertained. Therefore, when we find out that one of our bloggers has released a new book or product, we help them spread the word.

RVing with pets and their unique needs

I would bet that most people who travel with pets have a canine along with them in the RV, car or plane. But there are a lot of folks who travel with their cats, birds and other pets as they head out for business or pleasure. The type of pet you travel with can have unique requirements for feeding, comfort, safety and other considerations. Birds, for example, have much more stringent travel needs than dogs. Some people would argue that cats are more difficult to travel with than dogs. Read more

Update on Fugitive Samuel Israel

As an update to our post “U.S. Marshall’s Office seeking RV Community’s help“, Fugitive Samuel Israel turned himself into authorities on July 2nd in Southwick, MA. For more information on his surrender, visit the U.S. Marshall’s website.

US Marshall’s Office seeking RV community’s help

UPDATED ON 7/02/08
U.S. Marshals Announce Surrender of Convicted Hedge Fund Fugitive Samuel Israel
For more information go to http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals/news/chron/2008/070208.htm.

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The FBI and US Marshall’s office has asked for help from the RV community to track down a fugitive. He is thought to be traveling in a 2007 Coach Freelander. If you have any information please contact the authorities as listed below:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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CONTACT:
Southern District of New York
Deputy U.S. Marshal William Dundon
William.dundon@usdoj.gov

June 19, 2008

U.S. MARSHALS ARE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE BELIEVED TO BE DRIVEN BY FUGITIVE SAMUEL ISRAEL, III. ISRAEL IS WANTED FOR FAILING TO SURRENDER TO SERVE A 20 YEAR SENTENCE.

2007 COACH FREELANDER RECREATIONAL VEHICLE (RV)
NY LICENSE PLATE: EEN-5973
COLOR: WHITE
VIN: 1GBJG31U451240922

SAM ISRAEL HAS BEEN KNOWN TO USE THE ALIASES SAM RYAN AND DAVID S, CLAPP.

THIS VEHICLE HAS A HYDRAULIC LIFT ON THE REAR WHICH MAY BE CARRYING A BLUE 2005 YAMAHA SCOOTER. THERE MAY BE BODY DAMAGE ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS LAST SEEN ON JUNE 6, 2008 IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY. ISRAEL MAY BE AT RV PARKS, CAMP GROUNDS, OR HIGHWAY REST AREAS.

SUBJECT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS. INDIVIDUALS WITH INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS CASE SHOULD CONTACT THE UNITED STATES MARSHALS SERVICE AT 1-800-336-0102.

WANTED By U.S. MARSHALS
Sex………………………………………. MALE Race…………..WHITE OR WHITE HISPANIC Date of Birth……………………. 07/20/1959 Place of Birth……………………..LOUISIANA Height……………………………………..5′11″ Weight…………………………… 200 pounds Eyes……………………………………. Brown Hair…………………………………….. Brown Scars/Tattoos……………. Arm, Nonspecific; Tattoo on Hip (non-specific)

Subject is wanted by the US Marshals for failure to surrender for sentence. Subject was sentenced to 20 years in a federal prison and failed to surrender.
Subject is considered armed and dangerous

http://www.usdoj.gov/marshals

NOTICE TO ARRESTING AGENCY: Before arrest validate warrant through National Crime Information Center (NCIC). If arrested or whereabouts known, contact the nearest United States Marshal’s Office or call the United States Marshals Service Headquarters at 1-877-WANTED2.

Feed Your Brain?

By Lynn Difley
Since the days of Hippocrates folks have been looking for ways to improve their health through foods. While the popularity of this notion comes and goes with the times, the basic premise of paying attention to food intake with a mind to optimal value for health remains valid. Most of our current studies have established the power of a healthy diet to improve cardiovascular health and decrease the risks of cancer; diet also has a profound effect on the health of your gray matter.
Giving your brain the right kinds of foods can boost its endurance levels, thought processes, acuity and cognizance, as well as all over mental function. Isn’t it handy that experts tell us that what is good for the heart is also good for the head? If you follow the heart-health recommendations you help preserve cognitive skills while decreasing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
The brain depends on a vast network of blood vessels to provide adequate nutrient, energy and oxygen supply to its cells. Transportation of these supplies depends on the health of the cardiovascular system. The cardiovascular transportation system is critical to both the heart and the brain. Elevated cholesterol levels contribute to clogged arteries in both. Diets high in saturated fats, cholesterol and trans fats increase risk of arterial disease. Studies have also established a connection between brain health and vitamin B. Many health experts recommend taking a daily multi-vitamin tablet to cover all bases. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also just as crucial to the brain as it is to the heart. Excess weight increases risk of vascular disease, cognitive problems and dementia. A heart healthy diet, in addition to regular physical activity will promote weight loss and arterial health while decreasing the risk of cognitive decline.
The best way to protect the brain from degenerative disease is to reduce the damage of free radicals by consuming a diet rich in fruits and vegetables– the antioxidant supply house. A study on aging in Chicago found that eating 2.8 servings of vegetables per day (far less than the recommended minimum 6) slows the rate of mental decline by roughly 40% compared with eating less than one serving daily. Green leafy vegetables produce the strongest benefits–so Popeye was right!
While the consensus is that a multivitamin is a good way to get your necessary minimum quantity of vitamins and minerals, experts declare that the best source of antioxidants and vitamin E is your food. Consuming a variety of foods–trying to include a “rainbow” of color hues in the veggies you eat is superior to taking a pill. Consuming the vitamins in their natural form provides the broadest range of complementary nutrients, photochemical and oxidants to maximize brain health. The best place to find the source for maximal protection to your gray matter is in the produce section, and the best weapon for ultimate brainpower and heart health is your daily exercise practice.

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