Do You Really Want to Know How Many Calories Are In That Meal?</h1> <article> <h1>Do You Really Want to Know How Many Calories Are In That Meal?</h1> <p>Shana — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:28:55 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Do You Really Want to Know How Many Calories Are In That Meal?</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/18/2013 - 11:28am by Shana Lebowitz</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Greatist Op-Eds analyze what’s making headlines in fitness, health, and happiness. The thoughts expressed here are the author’s and don’t necessarily reflect Greatist’s outlook.</span></em></p> <p></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">These days no one can scarf down a Big Mac or a triple latte from Starbucks, claiming innocently that they “didn’t know how many calories it had.” </span><a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-04-01/politics/35260000_1_calorie-counts-menu-boards-display-calorie-information" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Since 2012</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, U.S. restaurant chains with more than 20 locations have been required to post the calorie content of every menu item.</span></p> <p>But <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1687518">new research</a> suggests independent and small chain restaurants, which aren’t required to post any nutritional information, are still causing problems. According to the study, <strong>these venues offer meals substantially higher in calories than those from chain restaurants</strong>. The study authors recommend the creation of a national requirement for calorie labeling in all restaurants, in order to dissuade food vendors from offering huge portion sizes and to encourage customers to make healthier choices. </p> <p>On the one hand, such a law could make it easier to eat healthfully no matter where we decide to dine. But it’s also possible that having calorie information so handy could make us <a href="http://greatist.com/health/orthorexia-when-healthy-eating-turns-obsessive" target="_blank"">too focused on the nutritional value</a> of our food and could render us incapable of enjoying the experience of dining out. Knowing that health encompasses both physical factors (i.e. the risk of obesity) and mental factors (i.e. the pleasure we get from sharing a big bowl of spaghetti with our friends and family), <strong>is it possible to have a truly “healthy” experience eating outside our home?</strong></p> <h3><font face="Avenir Heavy"><span style="line-height: 31.5px;">WHAT'S THE DEAL?</span></font></h3> <p>In <a href="http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1687518">the study</a>, Tufts University researchers looked at 157 different meals from independent and small chain restaurants in the Boston area. To figure out the number of calories in meals where nutrition info wasn’t available, they used bomb calorimetry — essentially setting the food on fire to determine its energy content. Turns out <strong>the average meal contained a whopping 1,327 calories</strong>, which is 49 percent more than some popular meals from the largest national chain restaurants. In the study’s conclusion, the researchers recommend that all restaurants start posting nutrition info, in order to help customers avoid the kinds of meals that contribute to weight gain and obesity.</p> <p>That recommendation seems pretty reasonable in light of research that suggests posting calorie counts may encourage consumers to eat less at restaurants. <a href="http://www.ajpmonline.org/webfiles/images/journals/amepre/AMEPRE_3781-stamped-050713.pdf">One recent study</a> found that <strong>caloric intake declined significantly among women (but not men) at chain establishments including coffee shops and taco restaurants within a year and a half after they started posting nutrition info</strong>. But there’s reason to believe that the same findings won’t apply when people dine at other kinds of restaurants.</p> <h3>Why It Matters</h3> <p>Posting nutrition info has its place. It’s a great idea for situations in which we might not be so mindful of the food we’re scarfing down. One of the main reasons people give for eating at fast-food restaurants, which make up a substantial portion of chain restaurants, is (duh) that they’re “quick” ((<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19027410">Why eat at fast-food restaurants: reported reasons among frequent customers</a>. Rydell, S.A.,Harnack, L.J., Oakes, J.M, et al. University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN. Journal of the American Dietetic Association 2008 Dec;108(12):2066-70.)). When we’ve got just a few minutes to grab lunch and what’s in it is the last thing on our minds, <strong>having signage indicating which sandwich has the fewest calories (or which clock in too high) can be helpful</strong>. It’s not just food that’s a problem — sugary drinks and sodas can he high in calories, too. (Good thing Coca Cola is making its nutrition labels <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-08/coca-cola-to-show-calorie-counts-while-ceasing-ads-for-under-12s.html">easier to read</a>). And maybe more offices should follow D.C.’s trend, and start <a href="http://washingtonexaminer.com/d.c.-to-start-counting-calories-on-drink-vending-machines-in-municipal-buildings/article/2529885">posting calorie counts</a> in beverage vending machines.</p> <p>But, <strong>sometimes, we’re interested in a meal that’s more about the whole dining experience</strong> and not just about the grub. In these cases, we might actually have given a lot of thought to the meal — not necessarily about its nutritional value, but about the restaurant ambience and the company we’re inviting. More often than not, these meals will take place at those independent and small chain restaurants, the one back home that sells the best sandwich in the world and the one where we go with our families to celebrate. In these cases, food takes on an important meaning beyond its nutritional profile. While posting calorie counts at these venues could make us more mindful of how much soup we’re slurping or how much butter we’re spreading on our appetizer, it could also effectively “ruin” a nice night out.</p> <p>What would it be like to live in a world where we have constant access to nutrition information? The answer probably depends significantly on the individual. There are certainly people who would benefit, but it’s possible that the consumers who would end up using this information are those who are more concerned with their eating habits in the first place. Recently, <a href="http://www.yaleruddcenter.org/resources/upload/docs/what/policy/StudentPerceptionsNutritionLabeling_HEJ_4.13.pdf">researchers have started considering</a> the way posting nutrition info would affect people suffering or recovering from eating disorders. It’s unlikely that posting calorie counts would cause an eating disorder in a person who wasn’t predisposed to one, but it is reasonable to think that <strong>being bombarded with nutrition info could make someone a little too obsessed with making sure all their food met certain nutritional standards</strong>.</p> <h3>The Takeaway</h3> <p>There’s no right or wrong answer to whether posting calorie counts in all restaurants is a good idea. But if lawmakers do decide to enforce this requirement, health experts should be prepared to carefully consider the psychological ramifications of this change. Eating isn’t just about the physical food, and <strong>access to nutrition info can both improve and take away from this important experience</strong>.</p> <p><em>Would you want your favorite restaurants to display calorie counts? Let us know in the comments below or tweet the author at </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanadlebowitz"><em>@ShanaDLebowitz</em></a><em>.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="Do You Really Want to Know How Many Calories Are In That Meal?" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/health/restaurant-calorie-counts" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=k7nR4zHOv6o:ZR2BXd-O8jc:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=k7nR4zHOv6o:ZR2BXd-O8jc:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=k7nR4zHOv6o:ZR2BXd-O8jc:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Apricot, Apple, and Coconut "Yogurt" Parfait</h1> <p>Aylin Erman — Sat, 18 May 2013 11:28:08 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Apricot, Apple, and Coconut "Yogurt" Parfait </h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/18/2013 - 7:28am by Aylin Erman</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">T</span>his recipe and photo were created by contributor Aylin Erman of Glow Kitchen. Learn more about Aylin and this recipe by checking out her <a href="http://www.glowkitchen.com/?p=10027">accompanying post</a>.</em></p> <p>In the morning, you want to reach for something that's both refreshing and nutritious. Yogurt is a popular part of breakfast, but many brands on the market are over-processed, laden with sugars and preservatives. Make breakfast body (and animal) friendly with this vegan apricot and green apple coconut yogurt parfait. Feel free to replace the fruit components with those of your choice. Enjoy!</p> <h3>Recipe: Apricot, Apple, and Coconut "Yogurt" Parfait</h3> <p><em>Serves 1</em></p> <p><strong>What You'll Need:</strong></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px;">1 can (14oz) BPA-free full-fat coconut milk, chilled<br /> 1 tablespoon agave or maple syrup<br /> 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br /> 1/2 green apple<br /> 3-4 fresh apricots<br /> Cocoa powder for garnish</p> <p><em>Note: If coconut milk's a bit too creamy for you, or you'd like a breakfast treat a bit lower in calories, try subbing in plain coconut milk yogurt or plain cow's milk yogurt!</em></p> <p><strong>What to Do:</strong></p> <ol><li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">In a bowl, whisk together the thick part of the coconut milk with the vanilla extract and sweetener until smooth.</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Chop the green apple and apricots into small pieces.</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">In a glass cup or small bowl, place half of the green apples on the bottom. Top the apples with half of the coconut milk yogurt, and then the chopped apricots followed by another layer of the coconut milk.</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Top the second layer of coconut milk with the remaining chopped apples.</span></li> <li><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Add a light dusting of cocoa powder for some extra flavor, and enjoy!</span></li> </ol><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">What's your favorite way to start the day? Share with us in the comments below!</span></p> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <span rel="schema:url" resource="/health/vegan-coconut-yogurt-parfait-healthy-recipe" class="rdf-meta"></span><span property="schema:name" content="Apricot, Apple, and Coconut "Yogurt" Parfait " class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=uEgsKm4IZpc:QUWngjsGS8g:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=uEgsKm4IZpc:QUWngjsGS8g:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=uEgsKm4IZpc:QUWngjsGS8g:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Prioritize Creative Activities to Cut Out Work-Related Stress</h1> <p>The Greatist Team — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:08:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Prioritize Creative Activities to Cut Out Work-Related Stress</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/17/2013 - 12:08pm by The Greatist Team</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p>What gets your creative juices flowing? Writing in a journal, creating art, or even cooking dinner with a friend can all be good ways to <a href="http://greatist.com/happiness/manage-workplace-office-stress" target="_blank">chill out</a> and find your center after a tough day at the office. Setting aside time to let your creative or social side come out to play is a proven strategy to prevent work burnout.</p> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-left: 0px; "><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold; font-family: 'Avenir Heavy'; ">Do it Today:</strong> This week, make time for creative pastimes to reduce workplace stress and general anxiety. </p> <h5>No Man (or Woman):</h5> <p>Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed! Learn how to <a href="http://greatist.com/happiness/learn-how-say-no">say “no”</a> graciously with these easy tips.</p> <h5>Warm and Fuzzy:</h5> <p>Some studies show that office workers who look at <a href="http://greatist.com/happiness/cute-animal-video-productivity-022313">cute animal photos</a> are more productive. Cue up the kittens!</p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="Prioritize Creative Activities to Cut Out Work-Related Stress" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/tips/stop-stressing-at-work" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hkV66pmOvog:9MBKWCDUeJQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hkV66pmOvog:9MBKWCDUeJQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hkV66pmOvog:9MBKWCDUeJQ:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Lauren Fleshman on Running, Blogging, and World Domination</h1> <p>SophiaBreene — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:18:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Lauren Fleshman on Running, Blogging, and World Domination</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/17/2013 - 11:18am by Sophia Breene</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><div class="caption-full">Photo: Amos Morgan, Oiselle</div> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Lauren Fleshman isn’t your average jock. In fact, were real life like high school, we don't know where she’d sit at lunchtime. If you subscribe to </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">Runner’s World,</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> you probably checked out her </span><a href="http://asklaurenfleshman.com/rwcover/" style="line-height: 1.5em;">cover-worthy six-pack abs</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> in November 2011 and have been reading her new column, </span><a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/person/lauren-fleshman" style="line-height: 1.5em;">The Fast Life</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.<strong> If you’re a track junkie, you’ve doubtless taken note of the 5K whiz’s </strong></span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.usatf.org/Athlete-Bios/Lauren-Fleshman.aspx" style="line-height: 1.5em;">impressive results</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> at the NCAA, National, and World Championships.</span></strong></p> <p>But she’s not just a speed demon on the track — <strong>Lauren Fleshman’s an entrepreneur, dedicated blogger, and serious businesswoman.</strong> I talked with Fleshman about how juggling a few careers (no biggie) has improved her running and changed her life.</p> <h3>Dear Abby…err, Lauren</h3> <p>In 2010, after seven years as a professional runner, Fleshman hit a patch of bad luck. A foot surgery sidelined her for 18 months, and Fleshman felt alienated from her former training buddies during the long, solo road to recovery.<strong> Luckily, she found a way to keep herself busy and stay connected with other runners.</strong> She broke out the laptop, tapped into her teacher brain (she has a Master’s in Education from Stanford), and launched <a href="http://www.asklaurenfleshman.com">Ask Lauren Fleshman</a>, a site where readers can submit their running queries and get answers from the pro herself. In addition to the Q&A, the site includes Fleshman’s personal journal, in which she writes about her daily life, struggles, experiences, and latest ventures.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Three years later, the site’s still going strong — so strong, in fact, that Fleshman is getting ready to launch a redesign that will make it even easier to answer reader’s questions. What’s the rationale behind the crowd-sourced running advice column? </span><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">According to Fleshman, it’s all about sharing the love (and experience).</strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> “Faced with an 18 month recovery from foot surgery, my blog became a place where I could make my experiences, mistakes, and successes available publicly for others to learn from. There is no need for us to all keep making the same silly mistakes and reinventing the wheel by ourselves to fix them… not when there are professionals with tons of knowledge to share,” she says.</span></p> <p><strong>Far from distracting from her pro running career, Fleshman believes that maintaining Ask Lauren Fleshman has made her a stronger, happier athlete. </strong>“The loneliness of professional athletics is very real, and every time I read a question from a reader, I am reminded of the universality of certain experiences, fears, and doubts,” she says.</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Even after getting healthy and running in the 2012 Olympic Trials (she did not qualify for the London Games), Fleshman’s kept up the blog. <strong>Far from withdrawing into herself and her training as she’s gotten more successful, she’s made her life an open book. </strong>From her considerable struggles with injury to daily goings-on with her triathlete husband and soon-to-be-born baby (due in June), the blog is a testament to a life that’s sometimes messy, often disorganized, and definitely doesn’t always go according to plan.</span></p> <h3>The More (Fans, Projects, Friends), The Merrier</h3> <p>Fleshman’s commitment to teaching and connecting with other athletes goes far beyond her blog. Off the track, she’s become involved in sports from head to toe (or rather, from mouth to feet) via protein-bar company Picky Bars and athletic outfitter Oiselle.</p> <p>In 2010, Fleshman, her triathlete husband <a href="http://leapdaysports.com/">Jesse Thomas</a>, and pro marathoner Steph Rothstein launched <a href="http://pickybars.com/">Picky Bars</a>, a line of gluten- and dairy-free protein bars. <strong>After making snacks at home to fit their own various allergies and nutritional needs, the crew put their bars on the market. </strong>Since the founders know that fueling up for multiple training sessions each day is no joke, Picky Bars are loaded with a nutritionally sound balance of protein, carbs, and fats for optimum performance. The trademark slogan — “It’s freaking science, dude” — sums this up pretty well.</p> <p>This past winter, Fleshman made waves in the running world by quitting the world-famous <a href="http://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=5">Oregon Track Club Elite</a> and severing ties with Nike, her sponsor for the past ten years. <strong>These days, she’s running and working with </strong><a href="http://www.oiselle.com/"><strong>Oiselle</strong></a><strong>, a small women’s running apparel company based in Seattle.</strong> Fleshman’s <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/trackandfield/index.ssf/2013/01/goe_distance_lauren_fleshman_b.html">partnership arrangement</a> is a little unorthodox — she has an ownership stake in the running company and is involved in the business side of things. She believes that joining Oiselle during her pregnancy (while she’s on hiatus from training and competition) has some perks. She explains, “without being laser focused on my own racing goals, I [am] able to direct my passion and time investment into Oiselle's goals and dreams, and develop a really strong foundation for the future.”</p> <p>So what’s next? Like fellow pro runners (and parents) Paula Radcliffe, Bernard Lagat, and Kara Goucher, having a baby doesn’t mean Fleshman’s out of the game — in fact, she’s chomping at the bit to head back to the track. I asked her if she was nervous about reentering the arena after such a long hiatus. Her response: <strong>“There is so much more left in the tank, so much fast left in these legs, and they are practically itching to get out there again!” </strong></p> <p><i>Keep up with Lauren at <a href="http://asklaurenfleshman.com">asklaurenfleshman.com</a> or follow her on <a href="https://twitter.com/laurenfleshman">Twitter</a>.</i></p> <p><em>Square photo: <a href="http://www.asklaurenfleshman.com">www.asklaurenfleshman.com</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="Lauren Fleshman on Running, Blogging, and World Domination" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/fitness/lauren-fleshman-running-and-blogging" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hRFjqilh2r4:gPF83Hc2UQ8:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hRFjqilh2r4:gPF83Hc2UQ8:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=hRFjqilh2r4:gPF83Hc2UQ8:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Ever Run to Make a Train? Better Hope No One Filmed it [Slo-Mo Video]</h1> <p>nicolemcdermott — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:28:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Ever Run to Make a Train? Better Hope No One Filmed it [Slo-Mo Video]</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/17/2013 - 9:28am by Nicole McDermott</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I’ve done it upwards of 30 times. I’ll clock everything </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">just</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> right, and make sure I have all of my necessary belongings. But no matter how prepared I think I am to make my train from Grand Central to Connecticut each and every workday, something goes awry. Whether congested streets hinder my calculated walk pace, or a delayed 6 train holds me up in the tunnel, <strong>I’m left with only one choice: Run my tush off</strong>.</span></p> <p>Thankfully, as far as I’m concerned, no one has captured my jaunts on film. The guy who <em>did</em> film fleeing folks is Vimeo user <a href="http://vimeo.com/user18237845" target="_blank">Andy Lisa</a>. Earlier this week, Lisa uploaded the short montage above of commuters sprinting for the doors ( (believed to be shot at London’s St. Pancras Station).</p> <p>A video of people awkwardly running to make a train is funny enough (you know, when it's not us), but to slow 'em down and really analyze their form? Now <em>that's</em> funny, especially since — for better or for worse — we've all been there before. Hey, at least it's <em>some</em> kind of exercise?</p> <p>Each unfortunate runner is tagged with a charming description and played against some fitting hair metal music. Our clear favorite has to be the "Still Time to Check Out Chicks," though we do have a soft spot for the "Dignified Dart." Well played, Mr. Lisa. And though I wish it wasn't the case, <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I generally fall between a "self-conscious scuttle" and a "Lady Trot." Next up: I'm working on mastering the "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yB2qLj3Nmok" target="_blank">Hoff</a>."</span></p> <p><em>What kind of late-to-the-train runner are you? Let us know in the comment section below or tweet the author <a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicmcdermott" target="_blank">@nicmcdermott.</a> </em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="Ever Run to Make a Train? Better Hope No One Filmed it [Slo-Mo Video]" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/fitness/running-train-slo-mo-video-051713" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=JBuhvCXO2DA:Up30dHDL9UY:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=JBuhvCXO2DA:Up30dHDL9UY:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=JBuhvCXO2DA:Up30dHDL9UY:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>From Mani-Pedis to Mind Games: In the Gym with Bodybuilder Phil Heath</h1> <p>nicolemcdermott — Fri, 17 May 2013 11:28:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>From Mani-Pedis to Mind Games: In the Gym with Bodybuilder Phil Heath</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/17/2013 - 7:28am by Nicole McDermott</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><div class="caption-full"><br /> Photo by Chris Sorenson/ The Vladar Company</div> <p>After graduating from the University of Denver with four years of Division I basketball under his belt, <a href="http://www.phillipheath.com/index.php" target="_blank">Phil Heath</a> decided to buck the corporate world, and well, all things conventional. Instead, he devoted hours to bulking up in the gym, then donned <em>very</em> small skivvies to show off his physique front of thousands of spectators. In just a few years’ time, Heath transformed himself from a basketball star to a professional gym rat who took the bodybuilding world by storm. </p> <p>The colossal 33-year-old, affectionately called “The Gift,” is a two-time reigning <a href="http://mrolympia.com/" target="_blank">Mr. Olympia</a>, the annual competition that crowns the world’s best bodybuilder (and the title that launched Arnold Schwarzenegger’s career). In 2003, Heath entered his first competition — the <a href="http://www.jefftaylor.com/" target="_blank">Rocky Mountain National </a>Physique Committee USA Championship — and walked away with the overall title. Ten years later, he’s the biggest name in bodybuilding (but seriously, he’s huge).</p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">We talked to the hulk-like superstar about his seven daily meals, training mind games, and starring role in this year’s </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd-4qBhUSR4" style="line-height: 1.5em;" target="_blank">Generation Iron</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> (the remake of the 1977 docu-drama </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwIGjTj97hg" style="line-height: 1.5em;" target="_blank">Pumping Iron</a>,<span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> starring Ahhhnold himself). Find out how he transitioned from the court to the weight room, sculpting an award-winning body in the process.</span></p> <p><strong>What does it take to feed Phil Heath in a day?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Steak and pasta, for sure. A normal breakfast for me would be a cup and a half of </span><a href="http://greatist.com/health/ask-expert-should-i-only-eat-egg-whites" style="line-height: 1.5em;" target="_blank">egg whites</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> and eight ounces of grilled chicken with a cup and a half of oatmeal.</span></p> <p><strong>Do you have any foods you steer clear of while training?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Any type of fast food. Especially before training, even if it is a cheat day.</span></p> <p><strong>What does “cheat day” mean for you? Do you stick to a cheat meal or have at it all day?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">If I were to cheat it would be just a meal. Normally in my off-season [when the focus is on building mass] I have a cheat meal maybe every four or five days, and then pre-contest (that’s four months before a contest) I rarely do </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">any</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> cheating. I’ve done shows for the past ten years and I could probably count on one hand how many times I’ve had a cheat meal, let alone a cheat day, during my preparation for a contest. But when I do I have a good time. I don’t mind a good pizza, and I definitely don’t mind a good beer.</span></p> <p><strong>How did your training change from a team-oriented sport like basketball to a one-man sport like bodybuilding?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">With bodybuilding, we’re targeting specific muscle groups, while in basketball we’re working on more explosive movements. In bodybuilding we work one area for one or two hours, whereas in basketball it would be 30 minutes and you’re done. You’d go three days a week, and that would be that. Now I train — in weights alone, not even including cardio — usually around 20 hours a week, usually over six days. I have the luxury of being able to train whenever I want to.</span></p> <p><strong>Do you ever absolutely dread training?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">There are days where you wake up and you’re looking at your schedule and say, “how am I going to find time to get this workout in?” After the gym there’s easily another 15 hours of the workday that I have — meetings, or meet-and-greets, running my own website — a lot of business stuff. I always tell myself I can take a day off, but it’s not going to help me any. Luckily nowadays we have plenty of motivational things, like you can watch a video of some famous guy on YouTube right before you train and go kill it. Sometimes I listen to some Tony Robbins. You start really owning the fact that you are special and in order to reach that higher level, you have to invest that time. The cool thing about bodybuilding is that you get what you put into it.</span></p> <p><strong>After you’ve put in all that time training, what do you have to do to look show-ready?</strong><br /> You better get a good shave. You’ve got to have <em>that</em>… organized. I also go get a pedicure and a manicure.</p> <p><strong>Seriously?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Ya! Here’s how I look at it. You’ve got to make </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">everything</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> look good. And our hands are beat to crap from lifting all these weights. Let’s be serious. If you were judging something and you saw some guy with talons coming out of his toenails, that would be pretty gross. If your feet look like moldy bread, then let me tell you it’s going to detract from people’s attention. Plus, if you look good, you feel good. You better look good when you’re only wearing little posing trunks.</span></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Beyond training, and a good shave, what does it take mentally to be Mr. Olympia?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">It takes a lot more than people think. You have to own the fact that first of all you’re doing this because you really like it. Early on, I think a lot of guys and girls lift because they may have body image issues. Maybe they had someone pick on them, or they’re trying to impress somebody. Sooner or later you’re going to have to rewire your mindset and say, “Hey look, I’m really just doing this because I like the way I feel and the way I look.” Each day I have the opportunity to be better or worse. There’s no in between. There’s no such thing as practice makes perfect. For me it’s trying to live a perfect, driven lifestyle. Everything that has to do with my goal applies. Everything that’s outside of that goal does not.</span></p> <p><strong>Do you have any go-to mantras while you are training or up on stage?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">I usually tell people that if it were easy then everyone would be doing it. If you want something you’ve never had before, you’ve got to be willing to do something you’ve never done before. I look at the weights and say, "It’s going to be a bad day for you and a good day for me.</span>"</p> <p><strong>Can you tell me a little bit about your new movie, Generation Iron, and what it feels like to stand in Arnold’s shoes?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Obviously being in the same conversation as Arnold Schwarzenegger is amazing. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be able to do that, especially with my background being a former basketball player. But now that we’re here, it’s awesome. Generation Iron is taking on kind of the same format as the docudrama, Pumping Iron. For me to be the king on the hill, I’m just very excited and honored to be in that position. I hope people really hone in on our hard work and dedication. I was able to show people that I can be funny yet serious at the same time.</span></p> <p></p> <p><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;">Beyond the muscles and perfectly manicured toenails, what makes you stand out against your competitors?</strong></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Many bodybuilders are very introverted. I’m in your face. I’m almost like a WWE wrestler. People ask me, “Are you going to win?” No disrespect, but what kind of question is that? To me that’s like asking Steve Jobs when he was working at Apple, “Do you think the new iPhone’s going to kick ass?” I think Arnold and I share that intense bravado. I don’t like to use the term arrogance, because we all have big egos in this industry. But you’ve got to have a big head to be successful. Some people might say I’m cocky, but I’m just reminding some of these guys who say I’m no good, that I’m good.</span></p> <p><strong>Can you tell me about your nickname, “The Gift”?</strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">To me it doesn’t have anything to do with being a gift to the world. It’s that I have a gift, and it’s not just one. Obviously I was blessed to be able to do what I do on stage, that’s a given. But we all have a gift and it’s our job to share that with the world. At some point you’re going to be called upon to do something outside of that craft that you’re really successful at. This isn’t the career path I knew I’d be on when I was in college, but I’m glad I’m in it because I get to impact people.</span></p> <p><em>What mantras do you use to push through a workout? Let us know in the comment section below or tweet the author </em><a href="http://www.twitter.com/nicmcdermott" target="_blank"><em>@nicmcdermott</em></a><em>. </em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="From Mani-Pedis to Mind Games: In the Gym with Bodybuilder Phil Heath" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/fitness/bodybuilder-phil-heath" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=-QRSbYMFJ2Q:z4Mm8IwTnro:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=-QRSbYMFJ2Q:z4Mm8IwTnro:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=-QRSbYMFJ2Q:z4Mm8IwTnro:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday May 17th</h1> <p>The Greatist Team — Fri, 17 May 2013 03:46:35 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday May 17th</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/16/2013 - 11:46pm by The Greatist Team</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p> </p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Hey, GWOD-ers, we're nearing the end of this strength-based cycle programmed by </span><a href="http://roglawfitness.com/" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Rog Law</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> and </span><a href="http://www.niashanks.com/" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Nia Shanks</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">.</span></p> <p><em><strong><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Starting today and through the coming week, feel free to add in 15-20 minutes of interval runs, cycling, or rowing after the strength portion or on 1-2 rest days per week. We'll be gradually ramping up conditioning starting in a week and a half!</span></strong></em></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Got questions? Email us at gwod [at] greatist.com!</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">For a warm-up, we recommend a few minutes of </span><a href="http://greatist.com/fitness/how-foam-roll-pro" style="line-height: 1.5em;">foam rolling</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> followed by:</span></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=qaaU4EZpmE8"><em>Wall Ankle Mobilization</em></a><em>: 8 reps per leg </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of6OYuyYCxE&feature=player_embedded"><em>Wall Hip Flexor Mobilization</em></a><em>: 8 reps per leg</em> </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><em><a href="http://www.ericcressey.com/exercise-of-the-week-scapular-wall-slides"><em>Scapular Wall Slides</em></a><em>: 10 reps </em></em></em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJb5dObKVk8"><em>Split Stance Adductor Mobilization</em></a><em>: 8 reps per leg</em> </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47TFfKzpfVk"><em>Quadruped Extension-Rotation</em></a><em>: 8 reps per side</em> </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D9BlJQQBaqo"><em>Supine Bridge</em></a><em>: 10 reps</em> </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDUBX30fuDw"><em>Pullback Buttkicks</em></a><em>: 5 reps per leg</em> </em><br /><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DykSyvPxmZA"><em>High Knee Walk</em></a><em>: 5 reps per leg</em></em></p> <h5>2 days/week:</h5> <p><i>Rest</i></p> <div> <h5>3 days/week:</h5> <h5><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Avenir Medium', Futura, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 1.5em;">1) </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_vzh4MxVeM" style="font-family: 'Avenir Medium', Futura, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 1.5em;">Rack pull</a><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Avenir Medium', Futura, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 1.5em;"> 4 sets if </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: 'Avenir Medium', Futura, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 1.5em;">5 reps</span></h5> <p><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">2A) Push-up 4 sets of 6</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">2B) 1 arm dumbbell row 4 sets of 6</span></p> <p>3A) Dumbbell lateral raise 3 sets of 10-12 (don't worry about going heavy on this one)<br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">3B) Reverse crunch 3 sets of 10-12 reps</span></p> <p><span style="color: rgb(143, 143, 143); font-family: 'Avenir Heavy', Futura, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.5em;">4 days/week:</span><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">1) Chin-up or assisted chin-up 3 sets of as many as possible</span></p> <p>Circuit: set the clock for 15 minutes and repeat the following circuit as many times as possible, taking as little rest as necessary.</p> <p>2A) Barbell Romanian Deadlift – 5 reps<br /> 2B) Mountain Climbers – 15 reps each leg<br /> 2C) Single Leg Hip Thrust – 10 reps each leg</p> <p style="font-family: 'Avenir Book'; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.74902);"><em style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'Avenir Book Oblique';">Enjoy your GWOD? Why not track your workout?! Below are two great tracking options:</em></p> <p style="font-family: 'Avenir Book'; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.74902);"><em style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'Avenir Book Oblique';">Track on WeightTraining.com with just 1 click, and check out the <a href="http://www.weighttraining.com/groups/greatist" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">WeightTraining Greatist Group</a>: <a href="http://www.weighttraining.com/workout-plans/greatist-gwod-2-day-plan-4-22-5-19" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">2 day program</a> | <a href="http://www.weighttraining.com/workout-plans/greatist-gwod-3-day-plan-4-22-5-19" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">3 day program</a> | <a href="http://www.weighttraining.com/workout-plans/greatist-gwod-4-day-plan-4-22-5-19" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">4 day program</a></em></p> <p style="margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: 'Avenir Book'; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.74902);"><em style="font-style: normal; font-family: 'Avenir Book Oblique';">Track on <a href="https://www.fitocracy.com/" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Fitocracy.com</a> and post about your awesomeness on the <a href="https://www.fitocracy.com/group/9208/?feed" style="color: rgb(167, 169, 172); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">Greatist Group</a>!</em></p> <p> </p> </div> <p> </p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="Greatist Workout of the Day: Friday May 17th" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/gwod/051713" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=_kVlYGAnKaU:nfwovBg53OQ:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=_kVlYGAnKaU:nfwovBg53OQ:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=_kVlYGAnKaU:nfwovBg53OQ:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>15 Key Resources for Women’s Health</h1> <p>SophiaBreene — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:59:15 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>15 Key Resources for Women’s Health</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/16/2013 - 3:59pm by Sophia Breene</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Ladies: It’s time to show your body (and mind) some love. May 12 to 18 is the 14</span><sup>th</sup><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> annual </span>National Women’s Health Week (<a href="http://www.womenshealth.gov/about-us/" target="_blank">NWHW</a>)<span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. <strong>This year’s theme, “It’s Your Time,” promotes self-awareness and self-care among women. </strong>The goal? To educate women on how to keep themselves healthy and happy for life.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The week encourages women to take control of their health by eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding risky behaviors, managing stress, and scheduling regular preventative medical checkups and tests. To celebrate, we’ve rounded up 15 of Greatist’s most informative and thought-provoking resources on women’s health.</span></p> <h3>General Health<br /> </h3> <p><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://greatist.com/health/lifetime-medical-checkups-infographic" style="line-height: 1.5em;">A Lifetime of Medical Checkups</a></strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Save this cheat sheet and never be confused at the doctor’s office again! Regular medical exams can save your life, no matter if you’re 20 or 75. Study up on when to hit the MD.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-vitamins-and-minerals"><strong>The Ultimate Guide to Vitamins and Minerals</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and veggies is the best way to incorporate vitamins and minerals, but taking supplements can help fortify the bod. Here’s a definitive list of all of the power players and how they affect health.</span></p> <p><strong><a href="http://greatist.com/health/how-live-forever-infographic">How to Live Forever</a></strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">The quest for immortality is as old as life itself. What are the habits of those who live the longest? Start eating less, moving more, and reducing stress during your salad days to add years to your life.</span></p> <p><strong style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://greatist.com/happiness/women-more-tired-than-men-041513">All the Sleepy Ladies: Why Women Get More Tired than Men</a></strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">New research suggests women are more likely than men to say they’re tired. They’re also more likely to experience sleep disorders, and to be disturbed by their bed partners. We take a look at the science to figure out why.</span></p> <h3>Birth Control<br /> </h3> <p><strong><a href="http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-contraception">The Ultimate Guide to Contraception</a></strong><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Everything you ever needed (or even wanted) to know about preventing pregnancy, from the efficacy of certain methods to their side effects. </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">All </em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">parties involved in intercourse should be responsible for choosing and using contraception.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/over-the-counter-birth-control-112712"><strong>News: Birth Control May Eventually Hit Pharmacy Shelves</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Easier access to birth control pills for women of all ages can help prevent unplanned pregnancies. There’s long been a push for over-the-counter access to the birth control pill, and the American Congress of Obstetricians recently gave the nod for prescription-free oral contraceptives. Hopefully, this push will help OTC birth control get the green light from Congress.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/birth-control-affects-attraction-to-men"><strong>Do Birth Control Pills Control Who We’re Attracted To?</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Always checking out tall, dark, and handsome men? It may be due to your birth control. A new study looks at how The Pill affects women’s preferences in men. Read on to get the information behind the Jedi mind tricks.</span></p> <h3>Menstrual Cycles and Hormones<br /> </h3> <p><strong><a href="http://greatist.com/health/get-flo-alisa-vitti-talks-hormones-health-and-empowerment">Get in the Flo: Alisa Vitti Talks Hormones, Health, and Empowerment</a></strong><br /> Greatist interviews Alisa Vitti about what menstruation can teach us about our overall health, and how paying attention to periods and hormonal balance can change women’s lives.</p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/womens-periods-sync"><strong>Do Women’s Periods Really Sync Up?</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Sleep-away camp lore says that groups of women who work together, live together, or just spend a lot of time together get on the same menstruation cycle. Greatist gets to the bottom of this popular myth.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/news-hormone-predicts-severe-pms-study-suggests"><strong>News: Hormone Predicts Severe PMS, Study Suggests</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Some women get pre-period stomach cramps and bad moods, while others experience cravings and bloating. Why so much disparity among women? Turns out, ladies with severe PMS are more sensitive to a particular hormone called allopregnanolone.</span></p> <h3>Breast Health<br /> </h3> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/breast-cancer-social-good-102512"><strong>8 Social Good Campaigns Fighting Breast Cancer</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">October is official Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we should be raising awareness (and money) all year long. Here are eight companies who are supporting the cause.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/breast-cancer-check"><strong>Healthy Breasts: What Everyone Should Know</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Young or old, every woman should pay attention to breast health. This quick guide includes all the 411 on keeping breasts healthy at all ages.</span></p> <h3>Sex and Relationships<br /> </h3> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/health-benefits-of-sex"><strong>How Sex Can Improve Our Health, Besides it Being Sex</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Getting lucky tonight? You may be in for more than you bargained for — in a good way! Read on to learn about the unexpected mind and body benefits from sex between consenting adults.</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/happiness/friends-with-benefits"><strong>Do “Friends with Benefits” Really Benefit Us?</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Anyone who’s gone to college — or, heck, anyone — is probably familiar with the concept of “friends with benefits.” But what does science have to say about these relationships? And what “benefit” (besides the obvious one) do they really bring to our lives?</span></p> <p><a href="http://greatist.com/health/ultimate-guide-safer-sex-infographic"><strong>The Ultimate Guide to Safer Sex</strong></a><br /><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">A roll in the hay can be a good time, but there's more to sexual health than just getting it on. Here's what you need to know about safe sex.</span></p> <p><em>What are you doing to celebrate Women’s Health Week this year? Tell us your plans in the comments below or find the author on Twitter at </em><a href="twitter.com:SophBreene"><em>@SophBreene</em></a><em>. </em></p> <p><em>Photo: <a href="http://www.bigstockphoto.com/image-29656550/stock-photo-young-woman-running-outdoors-in-a-city-park-on-a-cold-fall-winter-day-(motion-blurred-image)">Bigstock</a></em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="15 Key Resources for Women’s Health" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/health/womens-health-resources" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=BYCC2BGzDzU:OPBc_fUSUTo:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=BYCC2BGzDzU:OPBc_fUSUTo:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=BYCC2BGzDzU:OPBc_fUSUTo:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>The UN Says We’ll All Eat Insects in 2050. Here’s Why That’s Not So Bad</h1> <p>David Tao — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:28:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>The UN Says We’ll All Eat Insects in 2050. Here’s Why That’s Not So Bad</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/16/2013 - 2:28pm by David Tao</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><em style="font-family: 'Avenir Medium'; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.5em;">Photo: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cygnus921/" target="_blank">cygnus921</a></em></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">They’re creepy, they’re crawly, and they’re most definitely not welcome in our closets and cupboards. But on our dinner plates? That’s a whole different story. <strong>A new UN report says humans could become increasingly reliant on insect protein</strong> for nourishment. But before mourning the loss of civilized cuisine, we examined why eating bugs could be the next great thing in food — and indulged in a six-legged taste test.</span></p> <h3>You Want Flies With That? — What It Is</h3> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Population scientists generally agree the Earth will be home to roughly 9 billion people by 2050. </span><a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3253e/i3253e.pdf" style="line-height: 1.5em;">The recent UN report</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> comes as researchers and governments search for answers on how to feed our next great baby boom. Some estimates indicate we’ll need to </span><em style="line-height: 1.5em;">double</em><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> food production just to keep up with demand. One of the biggest challenges for future food producers revolves around protein.</span></p> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">As </span><a href="http://www.economist.com/blogs/graphicdetail/2013/05/daily-chart-11" style="line-height: 1.5em;">The Economist</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> illustrates in a nifty series of graphs, current sources of animal protein — especially in livestock-reliant Western countries — are pretty inefficient when it comes to converting animal feed to human food. (For example, it takes a full 8 kilograms of feed to grow a single kilogram of beef.)</span></p> <p>That spells trouble for humans <em>and</em> the environment. As we’ve <a href="http://greatist.com/health/eating-bugs-sustainable-protein-122112">written about before</a>, raising insects requires significantly less water, waste, and space than most of our current go-to meat sources ((<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21206900">An exploration on greenhouse gas and ammonia production by insect species suitable for animal or human consumption</a>. Oonincx, D.G., van Itterbeeck, J., Heetkamp, M.J., et al. Laboratory of Entomology, Department of Plant Sciences, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. PLoS One 2010;5(12):e14445.)). Insects can also be <a href="http://discovermagazine.com/2008/may/07-want-to-help-the-environment-eat-insects#.UZTpHCs-uK9">downright healthy</a>, high in nutrients like iron and vitamin B on top of their top-notch protein. So, on a planet where environmental and food resources are already stretched thin, population growth necessitates some radical new thinking.</p> <p>That’s why the <a href="http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3253e/i3253e.pdf">UN report</a>, published May 13, is such a fascinating read for foodies (even despite its prodigious, 187-page length): It’s a logical call to arms for eaters worldwide, complete with suggested action plans and current successes in the world of "<a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/04/0416_040416_eatingcicadas.html">entomophagy</a>," a fancy term for the eating of insects. From Europe to Asia, companies are already developing efficient, clean methods of producing edible bugs, though much of what gets hatched currently goes toward fish food. (Eating insects isn't new for non-Westerners, cultures all over the globe have been enjoying creepy crunchies since the dawn of time.) ((<a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23020616" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19, 181, 234); text-decoration: none; ">Potential of Insects as Food and Feed in Assuring Food Security</a>. van Huis, A. Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, 6700 EH Wageningen, The Netherlands. Annual Review of Entomology.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.5em; ">))</span></p> <p>Given a big enough economic impetus — perhaps an impending global food crisis — a huge market could emerge to breed bugs as high in flavor as they are in energy. And that means <strong>we might not be far off from crickets, mealworms, and even cockroaches hitting dinner plates everywhere.</strong></p> <h3>Grasshopper Tacos — The Taste Test</h3> <p><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Of course, it’s one thing to postulate about the future of food; we had to put our bugs where our mouths were. That meant a trip to </span><a href="http://toloachenyc.com/index_mn.html" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Toloache</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">, an eatery in midtown NYC known for their margaritas and, uhm, grasshopper tacos. One takeout order of the "chapulines" — which the server assured me were freshly pan fried — and I was back to Greatist HQ, ready for my inaugural insect meal.</span></p> <p>I couldn’t help but feel an inherent twinge of hesitation before I took the first bite, and I worried my (largely senseless) American sensibilities could get the better of me.</p> <p>That aversion isn’t entirely without merit, as most people who grow up in the U.S. aren’t first exposed to insects under sanitary conditions. But while popping non food-grade arthropods in our mouths isn’t the best idea, I reminded myself that it wasn’t all that different in principal than eating related exo-skeletal treats like lobster or crab. (I could see seafood aficionados as the first to adopt an insect-heavy diet.)</p> <p>Another possible and momentary aversion was the vast number of individual organisms I was about to eat in one sitting. And if tacos full of grasshoppers are bad, imagine how many mealworms would go into an imitation beef patty. <span style="line-height: 1.5em;">But as someone who’s enjoyed plenty of hamburgers over the last decade, I’m already used to sampling from potentially </span><a href="http://rense.com/general8/fastfood.htm" style="line-height: 1.5em;">hundreds of animals per bite</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. </span></p> <p><strong>With no excuses left, I took the plunge, along with a few other brave greatists who lurked too close to lunchtime</strong>. The verdict? Not bad, with an aftertaste like roasted nuts and lemongrass. While they won’t be replacing my favorite taco fillings anytime soon, the grasshoppers provided a nice salty crunch that worked especially well with guacamole. The other tasters echoed my sentiments, though we couldn’t agree on exactly what they tasted like beyond salsa verde (which they happened to be cooked in).</p> <p>That illustrates a key point in modern cuisine that should give picky eaters some solace: At the end of the day — and in an age of both international seasonings and chemical flavor enhancements — <strong>insects will probably end up tasting however we want them to taste</strong>. Texture might be a tougher obstacle, as it is for <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1993883,00.html">almost all imitation meat</a>. But it’s surely not an impossible issue to overcome, and hey, the grasshoppers I tested already lend themselves to crunchy, bagged snacks. So while eating insects will undoubtedly take some getting used to for Westerners, the question will inevitably shift from “Why do I have to eat <em>bugs</em>?” to “Are these crickets free range?”</p> <p><em>Would you eat insects as a primary food source? Sound off below and tweet the author <a href="http://twitter.com/d_tao">@d_tao</a>.</em></p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="The UN Says We’ll All Eat Insects in 2050. Here’s Why That’s Not So Bad" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/health/un-report-insects-food-051613" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=Yyb46USw1Xs:oBdN88O7Be4:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=Yyb46USw1Xs:oBdN88O7Be4:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=Yyb46USw1Xs:oBdN88O7Be4:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> <article> <h1>How to Find Love in 4 Minutes: The Science of Speed Dating</h1> <p>Shana — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:48:00 +0000</p> <div class="field field-name-title field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:name"><h2>How to Find Love in 4 Minutes: The Science of Speed Dating</h2></div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-greatist-rss-author-date field-type-ds field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even">05/16/2013 - 12:48pm by Shana Lebowitz</div> </div> </div> <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"> <div class="field-items"> <div class="field-item even" property="schema:articleBody content:encoded"><p><em style="line-height: 1.5em;"><a href="http://greatist.com/news">Greatist News</a> examines and explains the trends and studies making headlines in fitness, health, and happiness. Check out all the news <a href="http://greatist.com/news">here</a>.</em></p> <p>Before the rise of Tinder and OKCupid, back in the days when banging our friends didn’t require a Facebook account, there was speed dating.</p> <p>Essentially, a session of heterosexual speed dating involves a group of women sitting around in a circle and a group of men who rotate around them. Everyone gets a chance to meet (and flirt); and successful pairings are given contact info to try their luck in the "real world."</p> <p>Speed dating is useful for obvious reasons, like sharing horror stories about inappropriate participants. But, for two Stanford researchers, speed dating also provides rich material for analyzing the science behind romance and attraction. According to their findings, <strong>there are a few key elements of the standard four-minute speed date that consistently predict whether two people will hit it off</strong> or head for the hills — even outside of the speed-dating arena. Some of the results are a no-brainer (women like men who are interested in them), while others are less intuitive (who knew asking too many questions was a faux pas?).</p> <h3>What’s the Deal?</h3> <p><a href="http://www.soc.ucsb.edu/staff/rawlings/Making_the_Connection.pdf">Researchers recruited</a> graduate students from an “elite private American university” to take part in a series of speed dating sessions in 2005. Everyone participated just once, and all students were promised the contact information of anyone they matched with. The daters wore audio recorders during their four-minute interviews (so no lewd comments, please!). In the end, researchers ended up accumulating transcripts of 1,100 dates. All daters also filled out surveys about their demographic, personal interests, and dating experience.</p> <p>After analyzing all the data, the scientists came to the conclusion that there are certain key factors that predict whether couples “clicked.” Perhaps surprisingly, <strong>men and women usually said they clicked when their conversations were mostly about the women</strong>. Less shocking, women were more likely to say they connected with men who used appreciative language (“That’s awesome!”) and who interrupted them — but only as a way to show understanding and engagement (“Exactly”).</p> <p>And for those who think it’s a good idea to ask a bazillion questions about where their partner grew up and the name of his or her childhood pet, think again: <strong>Asking questions usually signalled a lack of connection</strong>, probably because women felt that they had to act curious in order to keep a boring conversation going. Signs of a good conversation were subtler, like varying one’s speech to get louder and softer.</p> <h3>Why It Matters</h3> <p><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/per.768/abstract" style="line-height: 1.5em;">Some previous research</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> on speed dating and first encounters has found that physical attractiveness pretty much determines whether two people are initially into each other ((</span><a href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19558447" style="line-height: 1.5em;">What leads to romantic attraction: similarity, reciprocity, security, or beauty? Evidence from a speed-dating study</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">. Luo, S., Zhang, G. Department of Psychology, Social Behavioral Science Building, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC. Journal of Personality 2009 Aug;77(4):933-64.)). <strong>But this new study adds to a growing body of research suggesting there are other factors, aside from a pretty face, that predict whether two people click.</strong> For example, </span><a href="http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/faculty/pennebaker/reprints/Ireland_et.al_LSM&relationships.pdf" style="line-height: 1.5em;">one study found</a><span style="line-height: 1.5em;"> that speed-dating couples with similar speaking styles were more likely to report a mutual connection.</span></p> <p>What seems pretty clear from all the research is that speed dating isn’t just B.S. In general, <strong>people are pretty quick to determine whether they like each other</strong>. (Four minutes might be pushing it, though, since <a href="http://living.msn.com/love-relationships/love-sex/study-it-takes-men-20-minutes-or-less-to-decide-if-they-want-a-second-date">some research</a> suggests it takes 20 minutes for people to decide whether they want a second date.) And first impressions may be more important for men than for women. In <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2026636/Half-men-know-Miss-Right-date--women-need-six.html">one survey</a>, one in five men said they’d experienced love at first sight, while only one in 10 women said the same.</p> <p>Still, the researchers’ findings aren’t meant to be rules for how to interact on a first date. Instead, they’re observations about the factors that contribute to romantic chemistry. When on a first date — or, really, in any situation — <strong>it’s probably best to just be yourself</strong>. There’s no use faking a connection: If you don’t click with your potential mate, you probably wouldn’t want to be in a relationship with them anyway.</p> <p><em>When it comes to romance, how much do first impressions matter to you? Let us know in the comments below or tweet the author at <a href="http://www.twitter.com/shanadlebowitz">@ShanaDLebowitz</a></em>.</p> </div> </div> </div> <span property="schema:name" content="How to Find Love in 4 Minutes: The Science of Speed Dating" class="rdf-meta"></span><span rel="schema:url" resource="/happiness/science-speed-dating-love-051613" class="rdf-meta"></span><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=cpQnVTv6_H8:Tf6eXANekCk:yIl2AUoC8zA"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=cpQnVTv6_H8:Tf6eXANekCk:gIN9vFwOqvQ"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~ff/greatist?a=cpQnVTv6_H8:Tf6eXANekCk:qj6IDK7rITs"></img></a> </div> </article> </main></body></html>