What is 'Metabolic Syndrome'?

You may have heard this term on the news or read it in a magazine, and just know that it's BAD. You may also fit the criteria defined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the American Heart Association.

Diagnosis is based on having 3 or more of the following:

1. A waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women.
2. A blood pressure of 130/85 mm Hg or higher, or drug treatment for hypertension.
3. A triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher, or drug treatment for elevated triglycerides.
4. A fasting blood glucose level of 100 mg/dL or higher, or drug treatment for elevated glucose.
5. A high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level less than 40 mg/dL for men or less than 50 mg/dL for women, or drug treatment for reduced HDL.

Those with 'Metabolic Syndrome' have a 5 fold relative risk of developing Diabetes if they don't already have it. Risks also include stroke and cardiovascular disease.

To reduce belly fat and improve lipid profiles and blood sugars: EXERCISE, eat healthier, lose weight, and to keep reading my blog :)

American Runs On...

Good Nutrition?

Fruits and Vegetables?

WRONG. Dunkin' Donuts. And if you live in New England you can't go past 3 blocks without seeing one.

Dunkin's first store opened in 1950 in Quincy, MA by William Rosenberg, who previously opened a popular donut/coffee shop named "Open Kettle". Per Wikipedia, DD's now serves 2.7 million people per day at 6,400 locations. Holey Jittery Carb-fest.

REMEMBER THIS GUY!?

As with most fast food joints, healthier options are becoming available. I wanted to take a closer look into DD's Smart Menu to really see if it is smart.

First off, there is a DD's Nutrition Advisory Board with MD's and RD's. That eased my concerns a little bit. Secondly, the DDSMART menu promises that food and beverage labeled with the smart logo have 25% less calories, fat, sugar, OR sodium compared to their base product AND/OR contain ingredients that are nutritionally beneficial.

Check out the items offered here

My verdict? It's "OK"....

1.Why isn't the Whole Wheat bagel on the Smart Menu (versus the multigrain)?
   The whole wheat bagel has 70 less calories & 4.5 grams less fat than the multigrain.
Likely answer: The Multrigrain bagel has 4 grams more fiber and 2 grams more protein. If you look in the ingredient list online, it contains soy fiber..likely giving the fiber an extra push. To save on calories a bit I'd pick the Whole Wheat variation if available.

2. Low-fat Blueberry Muffin?
OOO its on the smart menu, it must be good. Not so much. The muffin still contains 430 calories (YIKES!) and a sugary load of 41 grams of sugar!!!

3. Coolata's on on the list.
Why? Probably because they cut out 25% of calories than their last one. For a small you get 49 grams of sugar. It's like eating 23 pixie sticks.


Bottom Line:
Don't fall under the assumption just because somethings on the SMART menu its healthy and good for you. Its just 25% less in something that the real thing or has 1 good thing about it (fiber). You may be better off knowing that instead of making these items a daily habit (like a lowfat blueberry muffin).

What's the not-so-awful DDSMART items?

• Latte Lite: Espresso and skim milk..you get a good calcium punch with this drink
• Coffee with skim milk and splenda: low in calories
• Egg white and cheese wake up wrap: You get a good dose of protein to 'wake up' despite the long ingredient list (that always turns me off).
• Unsweetened Iced Tea: A almost no calorie refresher without any sugar...ahhhh..

Atleast they don't have a scary clown mascot.