Where Texas Measures Up

CalorieLab (http://www.calorielab.com/) computed the fattest state rankings for this year (2008) based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Texas came in at #16 with 27.2% of the Texas population considered Obese and 65.8% of the Texas population considered to be Obese AND Overweight. Mississippi took the #1 spot as the fattest state and Colorado was #50 as the leanest. The good news is that in 2007 Texas was #12...so we are improving. But being the 16th fattest state out of 50 isn't exactly something to jump for joy over!

According to the National Health Institute (NIH), "Overweight" is defined as a body mass index (BMI) value of 27.3% or more for women and 27.8% or more in men. "Obesity" is defined as a BMI of 30 and above. (Notable, some very muscular people may have a high BMI without health risks)

The body mass index (BMI) equals a person's weight in kilograms (kg) divided by their height in meters (m) squared. Since BMI describes body weight relative to height, it is strongly correlated with total body fat content in adults.

To estimate BMI using pounds and inches, use the weight in pounds (lb) divided by the height in inches (in) squared and multiply the result by 704.5.

These are SCARY stats people!

7 WORST MALL FOODS

Okay...so you're at the mall and hunger strikes! We all know that mall food probably isn't the best food but these 7 dishes are insanely bad. Even my mouth hit the floor at some of the nutritional statistics. I mean seriously!! So the next time you are at the mall and your stomach starts to growl avoid these 7 evils at ALL COSTS!

1. Smoothie King's Hulk Strawberry Smoothie (20oz): 1044 CALORIES; 35g FAT; 120g SUGAR! Okay people, that is for the 20oz which is the SMALL and it contains more calories than 2 Big Macs! Instead try this: Low-Carb Strawberry Smoothie (20oz): 268 CALORIES; 9g Fat; 3g SUGAR!

2. Starbuck's Double Chocolaty Chip Frappaccino w/ Whipped Cream (16oz/Grande): 510 CALORIES; 19g FAT (11g saturated fat); 59g SUGAR; 300mg SODIUM! Okay, I know this one just sounds bad by the name but would you have guessed that it contains about 1/3 of the amount of fat you should have in ONE day!! Instead try this: Coffee Frappaccino Light Blended Coffee (16oz/Grande): 130 CALORIES; 0.5g FAT; 16g SUGAR!

3. Coldstone's PB&C Shake (large): 2010 CALORIES; 131g FAT (68g saturated fat); 153g SUGAR! This frosty monster contains an entire's day worth of calories and almost three and half times the the daily limit for saturated fat! WOW! Instead try this: 16oz Sinless Oh Fudge Shake: 500 CALORIES; 2g FAT!

4. Auntie Anne's Jumbo Preztel Dog: 610 CALORIES; 29g FAT (13g saturated fat); 1150mg SODIUM! This concoction contains almost half your daily upper limit of fat and sodium. Try this instead: The Orginial Preztel without salt and butter: 310 CALORIeS; 1g FAT. That is a much better snack!

5. Cinnabon's Caramel Pecanbon: 1092 CALORIES; 56g FAT; 47g SUGAR! This one roll contains about half the calories and almost all the fat you should consume in ONE day! Try this instead: The Minibon: 300 CALORIES; 11g FAT.

6. Wendy's Sweet & Spicy Boneless Wings: 550 CALORIES; 18g FAT; 27g SUGAR; 2530mg SODIUM! Okay, calorie-wise this isn't a bad choice if it makes up your entire lunch, BUT it contains more salt than you should have in a single day let alone a single meal! Try this instead: The Utlimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich: 320 CALORIES; 7g FAT; 8g SUGAR; 950mg SODIUM! That is still a lot of sodium people so don't make this an everyday habit!

7. Dunkin Donuts Coffee Cake Muffin: 620 CALORIES; 25g FAT (7g saturated fat); 54g SUGAR; 93g CARBS! Muffins are typically thought of as healthier than doughnuts. NOT ALWAYS TRUE! You would have to eat three glazed doughnuts to match the nutritional stats of this single muffin! Try this instead: One Glazed Doughnut: 220 CALORIES; 9g FAT; 12g SUGAR; 31g CARBS!

My Tip: PLAN AHEAD! If you know you are going to be at the mall during the lunch hour pack some healthy snacks that you can munch on (like fruit, nuts, or raisins) to help satsify your tummy so you don't go running for the food court!

Fast Food Rules

You can still make healthy food choices even when fast food is your only option. Here are 3 tips to help make it easier to eat on the run:

Healthier Fast-Food Rule No. 1: Be Cautious About Condiments
Half the fat grams in Arby's Southwest Chicken Wrap and their Ultimate BLT Wrap come from the ranch sauce or mayonnaise. Believe it! Some fast food condiments add a lot of fat and calories -- like mayonnaise- and oil-based sauces. Others are lower in calories and have no fat, though they will add some sodium. Use a little catsup, mustard, marinara, or BBQ sauce instead of creamy sauces and spreads. Half a packet of BBQ sauce or honey-mustard sauce from most fast-food chains, for example, will add about 23 calories, no fat grams, and about 80 milligrams of sodium.

Healthier Fast-Food Rule No. 2: Watch Out for Side Dishes
Anything on the side that's fried is suspect, like French fries and onion rings. If you need something to keep your entree company, look for fresh fruit cups or side salads (and use half a packet of the reduced-calorie dressing). The other option is to bring your own fruits and vegetables from home. Don't laugh -- I've done this plenty of times!

Healthier Fast-Food Rule No. 3: Look Out for Liquid Calories
The last thing you need when eating at a fast-food chain is to drink something that gives you calories without nutrients, like soda, sweetened tea, lemonade, and fruit drinks. It's even worse if your drink is also loaded with fat -- like shakes. Choose either a no-calorie beverage (like water, unsweetened tea, or diet soda) or one that contributes some nutrients along with its calories (like low-fat milk or 100% orange juice).

Look at the Numbers!

47% of Americans overestimate how many calories they should eat daily!! And when 53% of Americans are trying to lose weight, and 25% of Americans are trying to maintain their current weight, this could be a problem!

Here is a general rule for people trying to safely lose weight (at about a pound a week):

• YOUR WEIGHT * 11 = The number of calories per day you should be able to eat and still safely lose about a pound per week.

What Americans are doing to lose weight:

• Changing how much they eat.....71%


• Exercising.....................................62%


• Changing how often they eat.....44%


• Counting Calories........................19%