Good morning. In today’s edition:

• Snacks Constitute Almost 1/4 of a Day’s Calories in US Adults & Account for About 1/3 of Daily Added Sugar, a New Study Suggests. Data From Surveys of 23,000+ People Found Adults Averaged 400-500 Calories in Daily Snacks–often More Than They Ate at Breakfast–that Offered Little Nutritional Value

• Down 100lbs!

• Pole Dancing Classes Boost Women's Mental Wellbeing, Study Finds

• Stressful Environments and Lack of Social Support Associated With Long-term Negative Responses to Psychedelics

…and lots more. Have a great day!

FOOD & NUTRITION

Snacks Constitute Almost 1/4 of a Day’s Calories in US Adults & Account for About 1/3 of Daily Added Sugar, a New Study Suggests. Data From Surveys of 23,000+ People Found Adults Averaged 400-500 Calories in Daily Snacks–often More Than They Ate at Breakfast–that Offered Little Nutritional Value

Did you know that snacks are a big part of what American adults eat every day? A new study has found that snacks make up about a quarter of the daily calories for adults in the U.S. That's as much as a whole meal! Plus, these snacks add a lot of sugar to our diets but don't offer much in the way of good nutrition.

Christopher Taylor, a professor at The Ohio State University, led this study. He and his team looked at survey data from over 23,000 people. They found out that most adults eat 400 to 500 calories from snacks every day. That's often more than what they eat for breakfast.

But here's something interesting: people with type 2 diabetes tend to eat healthier snacks. They eat less sugary stuff and snack less in general. This shows that learning about diabetes can help people make better food choices. Taylor thinks we should teach more people about healthy eating, even those who don't have diabetes.

Taylor also says it's important to think about our whole diet, not just cut out sugar and carbs. When we stop eating something unhealthy, we should replace it with something good. For example, if we eat fewer sweets, we should eat more fruits or veggies.

Lastly, Taylor suggests planning our snacks just like we plan our meals. This helps us make sure we're eating healthy things, especially during busy times like the holidays.

Source: news.osu.edu

WEIGHT LOSS

Down 100lbs!

Georgia, a mom of three, made a big promise on her wedding day. She wanted to change herself in a year. She was over 200 pounds and found it hard to keep up with her kids. Her goal was not just to lose weight but to feel better about herself.

Her journey started with walking. Soon, she was going to the gym six days a week. She also watched what she ate, counting calories and choosing healthier foods. Georgia shared her story on social media and inspired over 300,000 people.

She didn't stop eating her favorite foods like cake or pizza. Instead, she ate them in smaller amounts. At first, losing weight was slow. But with regular effort, she started seeing results.

Georgia's exercise grew from walking with her baby to doing gym workouts. She used social media to learn new exercises, showing her dedication.

A year later, Georgia went back to the beach, proud of what she achieved. This journey was important for her, showing that she could do something just for herself.

Dietitian Carrie Glassman says Georgia's way is a good example. It's about small steps and understanding that not all calories are the same. Staying regular with your diet and exercise is key.

Georgia's story shows that big changes are possible with willpower and steady steps. Her advice to others? Just stand up and start. Georgia proves that small, steady actions can lead to big changes.

Source: TODAY

HEALTH

Pole Dancing Classes Boost Women's Mental Wellbeing, Study Finds

Guess what? Pole dancing is more than just a fun workout - it's great for your mental health too! A new study found that this dance style really boosts how women feel about themselves, especially in terms of their sexual confidence.

We all know dance is a great way to express ourselves and feel good. But not much was known about how modern dances like pole dancing affect our minds. This study, led by Jalda Lena Pfeiffer, looked into it.

Here's what they did: they got 50 women, all over 18 and new to pole dancing, and split them into two groups. One group took pole dancing classes for eight weeks, and the other group just waited.

The classes mixed regular exercises with pole dancing moves. Despite some changes because of COVID-19, like having to sometimes practice at home, the study was a success.

And the results? The women who did pole dancing felt better mentally. They thought more clearly and were more hopeful about the future. They also felt more confident and less worried about sexual stuff. They even liked their bodies more.

However, the study found that pole dancing didn't change everything. Things like overall self-esteem didn't really shift.

In short, pole dancing could be a cool new way for women to feel better, especially about sexual confidence. But the researchers say more studies are needed to be sure.

So, if you're looking for a new way to feel good, pole dancing might be worth a try!

Source: psypost.org

Stressful Environments and Lack of Social Support Associated With Long-term Negative Responses to Psychedelics

Did you know that drugs like LSD and magic mushrooms can sometimes cause long-term mental health problems? A new study has found out more about this.

Rebecka Bremler and her team at Imperial College London wanted to learn about the bad effects of these drugs. People are excited about how these drugs might help mental health, but not many talk about the risks. So, they started to investigate.

They asked people online who had tough experiences with these drugs to answer questions and do interviews. They found out that taking too much, using bad quality drugs, or using several types at once can be risky. Also, where you are and who you're with when taking the drugs matters a lot. If you're in a stressful place or don't have friends around to help, it can lead to trouble.

Many people had what's called a 'bad trip,' which is a scary drug experience. This often led to anxiety, panic, and feeling like things aren't real.

This study is important because it shows how your surroundings and feelings can change your drug experience. As these drugs might be used more for health reasons, knowing the risks is very important.

The study had some limits. It was based on what people remembered and the group studied wasn't very big. The researchers want to do more studies to understand these risks better. They think it's important to know about the dangers as well as the benefits.

Source: psypost.org

✢ A Note From Hem Hero

The information in this health newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment; always consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your health. The publishers are not responsible for any actions taken by the reader based on the information provided.