It is amazing isn't it? We learn one thing today, just to be told the next, it is not so !

Healthy eating today has become such a chore.....eat and be happy?

I think part of the problem with bagels, is that they are much, much larger than they once were. They used to be equivalent to two pieces of bread, now they are often equivalent to 3, 4, or even 5 pieces of bread. Same with muffins today.

I think all the added sugar, and salt, is a big problem in cereals, I only eat oatmeal, Red River cereal, grits, cream of wheat, Cheerios, shredded wheat, or Grape Nuts. I saw a big change when I switched to these from some other cereals. I did lose some weight (which thanks to different meds. I've put back on) but more importantly my blood sugar levels were lowered. Oh and I always eat some form of protein at breakfast, if not eggs, a hand full of nuts, slice of ham etc.

Well, if you read Gary Taubes book _Good Calories, Bad Calories_, he makes a strong case for fats and proteins reducing hunger, while carbohydrates tend to increase cravings and hunger. New research seems to show that the low carb diets are more effective than the low calorie diets for losing weight. Thus it makes sense that eating eggs (protein and fat) would be more effective in keeping weight down than cereal (oatmeal or highly processed cereal foods) or bagels. When I started looking into the glycemic index of foods a few years ago, I learned alas that I was very mistaken about bagels being healthier than breads.

so true! the american dietietic association has issued many conflicting and confusing recommendations over the years. i don't think this one came from them but it does conflict with their 8 servings of carbs per day guideline. the ada is currently struggling with the obesity epidemic since they issued the new food pyramid maybe 20 years ago.

i think many health recommendations made by experts and committees are made without proper long term study. i won't start ranting here, but the ada and ama have retracted many of their former claims i.e. vitamin c benefits vs. toxicity, the safety and benefits of hormone replacement therapy in older women, to name a few. while it is true that health science advances make this necessary, patient reports of symptoms/side effects not consistent with the "rules" are too easily dismissed. (i learned years ago that not enough sunlight could cause rickets so used sunscreen sparingly on my kids. dr.'s fussed at me, too bad. guess what they've recently discovered?)

so, back to eggs. high quality protein keeps blood sugar levels more stable by curbing insulin, which not only makes us feel like snacking, but even in the absence of additional calories, encourages the body to store fat. (diabetics may have difficulty with protein synthesis so should follow dr.'s prescribed diet).

the atkins diet is too restrictive and does not promote health, but other diets that focus on the protein/fat/carb balance are probably worth checking out, like the one WS suggests. (thank you WS).

I have also tried to keep up with the back and forth, here today and gone tomorrow, diet and health tips for the past 8 years as a keen interest of mine.

Even the USDA continually releases new versions of the food pyramid.

One thing that will never change is that it takes a deficit of 3500 calories with restriction and/or exercise) to burn (lose)1 pound of fat, rule of thumb.

In your personal quest to get the most "bang for the buck" you learn that the healthy and natural foods provide the best fuel. I have always chose eggs over a bagel, but for the most part, the better food choices became a journey of education and awareness.

"One thing that will never change is that it takes a deficit of 3500 calories with restriction and/or exercise) to burn (lose)1 pound of fat, rule of thumb."

Why,why why??? does it go on so easy and take so much effort to lose it!!!

If I work in an isolated part of the country( totally away from all temptation) and live off of romaine lettuce, other fruits & veggies, plus do a lot physical work, then in about two months I can drop about 7lbs. I'm convinced that my body is the economy car of bodies- takes so little fuel.

RATS!!!

By the way, the slim fellow in the picture recommends raw chicken- maybe even eggs- unprocessed of course.

eggs were given a bad rap for so many years, even after it was found that high cholesterol is not so much caused by cholesterol containing foods as genetics and a lack of exercise.

i ♥ eggs. interesting article.

i also might mention also that one needs a balance of good carbs and protein to maintain a healthy body.