Support Group Newsletter - Weight Loss · Fad Diets/Diet Trends In The News We are all well aware...

Support Group Newsletter

Volume 4, Issue 4 Winter 2014 - 2015

JFK For Life 1

NESLKDF’KF’S

In The News

We are all well aware that obesity is an

epidemic in the United States. But did you know

that obesity is a growing problem worldwide?

Obesity is more common in developed countries

than in poorer nations, but it is rising in both, says

a report published in the medical journal Lancet.

On my recent trip to Portugal, obesity was

almost non-existent in the small towns. There

aren’t any fast food establishments and most

people walk or use a bicycle. But in Lisbon, a

thriving metropolis with an underground metro,

electric tram service and bus lines, the opposite is

true. Lisbon is also home to the ‘golden arches’.

It is counterintuitive to assume these

environmental influences and lifestyle choices

don’t factor in when seeking the causation of the

rise in obesity.

For more on the topic go to:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-population-

is-getting-fatter-global-obesity-rates-rise/

Pat

JFK for Life’s Medical Director, Dr. Alexander

Abkin has been voted one of NJ TOP DOCS in

Bariatric Surgery by New Jersey Monthly

magazine for the 8th

consecutive year!

Dr. Alexander Abkin and his practice are

dedicated to minimally invasive weight loss

surgery and medical weight loss management. Dr.

Abkin’s philosophy is that bariatric surgery is a

highly successful way to resolve diabetes and

other life-threatening medical problems found in

morbidly obese patients. In the past 16 years he

has performed more than 7000 bariatric

procedures.

Through regional affiliations, Dr. Abkin provides

exceptional care throughout New Jersey by

offering a full spectrum of options, including

gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band and sleeve

gastrectomy. Using the laparoscopic approach, he

helps patients return to a better quality of life

quickly and with less discomfort.

Dr. Abkin is a board-certified surgeon, a fellow of

the American College of Surgeons, a member of

the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric

Surgery, the Society of American Gastrointestinal

and Endoscopic Surgeons and the American

Medical Association.

Congratulations Dr. Abkin!

Inside this Issue:

In The News

Portion Control Page 2

Congratulations/Calendar Page 3

Fad Diets/Diet Trends Page 4

Food Addiction Page 6

Metabolic Set Point Page 7

Halt the Salt Page 8

Chat About Recovery Page 10

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-population-is-getting-fatter-global-obesity-rates-rise/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-population-is-getting-fatter-global-obesity-rates-rise/



JFK For Life 2

Post-Operative Portion

Control

Protein -

¾ of container

Vegetables, Fruit, Whole Grains –

¼ of container

For more information about Portion Control

Contact:

Kelly DiFabio, RD and

Andrea Roberts, RD

732-283-1900

Meal Ideas by Phases Phase Protein Vegetable Fruit Whole

Grain

2

2 oz.

greek

yogurt

1 oz Low

sodium v8

juice (some

contain

fruit)

X 1 oz farina

Skim

milk

1 oz Low

sodium v8

juice (some

contain

fruit)

X

3 oz farina

with skim

milk

Skim

milk

3 oz Cream

tomato

soup made

with skim

milk

X ½-1 tbsp

farina

3

¾ LF

cottage

cheese

Pureed

cucumbers

and dill

into ¾

cottage

cheese

1 tbsp

canned

pears

X

¾ beans

and LF

shredded

cheese

2 tbsp

pineapple

Salsa

Canned

pineapple

X

¾ egg

whites

and LF

cheese

1 tbsp

chopped

broccoli

and ½ tbsp

salsa

X Or ½ tbsp

farina

/oatmeal

4

¾

chicken

(3 oz

cooked)

1 tbsp

shredded

carrots

SF orange

marmalade

(baked on

chicken)

½ tbsp

brown rice

3 oz

turkey

chili

1 tbsp

finely

chopped

bell

peppers

X 1-2

crushed

whole

grain

crackers

(used as

garnish)

1- 2 inch

meatball

Pureed

tomato

sauce

X 1 tbsp

cooked

wheat

pasta



JFK For Life 3

Congratulations

To Terry who recently celebrated her 3 year “surgi-versary”

AND

To Elizabeth who recently celebrated her 2 year “surgi-versary”

AND

To our members who recently celebrated their 1st “surgi-versary” :

Phyllis, William, Linda, Nancy, Richard, Franz and Cherie

AND

To our members celebrating their 180 day “surgi-versary”:

Collin, Laura, Linda, Cynthia, Luann, Joe, Cynthia, Susan, Darrell, Jennifer and

Anthony

All together they have lost a total of

Wait for it…..

1, 354 lbs!

WELL DONE EVERYONE!

Calendar

December 9th New Patient Seminar ~ 7pm

December 10th Support Group Mtg ~ 6:30pm

December 17th Chanukah begins

December 18th Support Group Mtg ~ 6:30pm

December 23rd

Festivus (For all the Seinfeld

fans)

December 25th Christmas Day

January 1st NEW YEAR’S DAY 2015

January 8th Elvis’s 80

th Birthday!

January 14th Support Group Mtg ~ 6:30pm

January 19th Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 20th New Patient Seminar ~ 7pm

January 22nd

Support Group Mtg ~ 6:30pm

February 1st SuperBowl XLIV

If you wish to attend one of our evening seminars for

prospective patients, please call (732) 744-5955 to

register. If you cannot come in the evening, you can

arrange a one-on-one session with the bariatric

program coordinator. Call the number above or email

Pat Sullivan at [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]



JFK For Life 4

With all the focus

on weight in our

society, it isn't

surprising that millions of people fall victim to fad

diets and bogus weight-loss products. Most of us

have fallen for the testimonials and endorsements

by so-called "experts" who claim to have fast,

easy and permanent results with a money-back

guarantee.

The bottom line is simple: If a diet or

product sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

There are no foods, pills or powders that

magically burn fat. No products will miraculously

melt fat while you watch TV or sleep. Replacing

meals with special drinks or bars may result in the

loss of a few pounds, but it will only be

temporary. Some ingredients in supplements and

herbal products can be dangerous and even deadly

for some people.

Diets that claim you don’t have to

exercise, have you eating unlimited amounts of

certain foods (like the cabbage soup diet), totally

eliminate certain food groups (like carbohydrates)

will only help you to lose time and money, not

weight.

So the next time you see an infomercial

about the latest weight loss miracle product, turn

off the tv, have some lean protein and take a brisk

walk!

Test your knowledge of these fad diets:

1. What is the Paleo Diet?

a. A diet plan developed by William

Paley, the legendary broadcast giant.

b. A diet based on emulating the diet of

our hunter-gatherer ancestors.

c. A diet based on eating only raw foods.

d. A diet based on eating only organic

foods.

2. The latest fad diet is called the “Werewolf

Diet” because

a. You eat only red meat and nothing else

b. It is based on the idea that the moon’s

gravitational pull affects our bodies in

the same way as the tides in the ocean

do.

c. It was developed by Lon Chaney Jr’s

great grandson.

d. You can eat anything you want when

the moon is full.

3. The Fast Diet is also know as the 5:2 diet

because

a. It allows you to eat whatever you want

for five days but only eat 600 calories a

day for the other two.

b. You loose 5 pounds in 2 days.

c. You eat for 5 days and totally fast for 2

days.

d. You loose 5 inches every 2 days.

4. Which statement is true regarding the

Lemonade Diet?

a. You drink two tablespoons of freshly-

squeezed lemon juice, two tablespoons

of grade-B organic maple syrup, 1/10

teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 10

Continued page 5



JFK For Life 5

Test your knowledge (Continued)

ounces of filtered water – 6 times a day

for up to 2 weeks

b. It was the diet followed by Beyonce

when she prepared to be in the movie

Dream girls in 2006. She lost 20 lbs.

c. This diet has been around for 50 years.

d. As a long-term method for weight loss,

it is hopeless, impossible and down-

right dangerous.

5. Which statement is true about the

Hollywood Cookie Diet?

a. You can eat any type of cookie, except

Oreos.

b. It was developed by the staff of

Sesame Street and inspired by Cookie

Monster who has never had a weight

problem.

c. You consume special high-protein,

high fiber cookies for breakfast, lunch

and snacks.

d. You deprive yourself all day and then

binge all night on cookies.

Answers found on page7

Fads come and go, but the idea of dieting

itself has been around for centuries!

In 1810 an English physician, Dr William

Wadd, published a survey of the most popular diet

advice of the time which included chewing

tobacco, reading aloud, sweating, sprinkling the

body with hot sand, eating a bar of soap a day and

strictly no vomiting after supper.

In 1820 Lord Byron popularizes the

Vinegar and Water Diet, which entails drinking

water mixed with apple cider vinegar.

In 1890, diet guru Horace Fletcher insisted

one could chew his way to a perfect weight. Each

mouthful of food must be chewed into liquid

oblivion; "Fletcherizing" meals insured that no

more food would be taken in than was absolutely

necessary. Fletcher, dubbed "the Great

Masticator," also called for lower meat

consumption and higher carbs and vegetable

intake.

During the first half of the 20th

century it

wasn’t uncommon for cigarette manufacturers to

promote the health benefits of smoking. Several

companies claimed that their cigarettes could help

you lose weight: "Light a Lucky and you’ll never

miss sweets that make you fat," proclaimed one ad

in 1929.

Urban legend has it that opera singer

Maria Callas dropped 65 pounds during the

1950’s on the Tapeworm Diet, allegedly by

swallowing a parasite-packed pill.

The Sleeping Beauty Diet, which involves

sedation, is rumored to have been tried by Elvis.

You can’t eat if you are asleep!

So what do we learn from this? History

shows us that diets and fads are nothing new. If

some of this information makes you giggle, it

should. People will do almost anything to lose

weight!



JFK For Life 6

Food Addiction

What is food addiction?

For many years, overeating and obesity were

identified as eating disorders caused by emotional

problems. Many individuals who used food to

manage their emotions or deal with stress were

treated through counseling or psychotherapy. But

for the true food addict, the problem is more

complex.

Food addiction is a serious problem that has

become a focus of interest for researchers who try

to uncover why certain behaviors and processes

promote obesity. Some people, no matter how

hard they try, just cannot control themselves

around certain foods. Despite their best intentions,

they repeatedly find themselves eating large

amounts of food, despite knowing that it may

cause them harm.

Food addicts are addicted to certain foods in

the same way as drug addicts are addicted to

drugs. Just as alcohol or cocaine are the

substances that trigger those addictions, there are

substances that trigger a food addict's out-of-

control eating. These substances are typically

refined carbohydrates, sweeteners, fats and

processed foods. These foods seem to affect the

same addictive brain pathways that are influenced

by alcohol and drugs.

Studies show that repeated exposure to large

amounts of palatable foods can alter the brain

similar to addictive drugs. After long term

consumption of highly palatable food, the brain

gets “rewired” and sends out a message to

‘consume more.” Your brain becomes more

sensitive, to the point of thinking constantly about

eating these rewarding hyper-palatable foods.

Neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that

communicate information throughout our brain

and body, relay signals between nerve cells, called

“neurons.” The brain uses neurotransmitters to tell

your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe, and your

stomach to digest. They can also affect mood,

sleep, concentration, weight, and can cause

adverse symptoms when they are out of balance.

The neurotransmitters that are implicated in drug-

seeking behaviors are also implicated in food

intake.

One of these neurotransmitters is dopamine.

Dopamine plays a major role in reward motivated

behavior. In certain areas of the brain when

dopamine is released it gives one a feeling of

pleasure or satisfaction. These feelings of

satisfaction become desired. To satisfy that desire

the person will repeat behaviors that cause the

release of dopamine. Food releases dopamine.

That is why people want food even though their

body does not need it.

Hyper-palatable is a new buzzword in the diet

and food industry. It refers to foods that don’t just

taste good. They taste really, really, really good.

These hyper-palatable foods act as rewards. Even

if you're not hungry, you'll still keep on eating

after you're full. Some foods are almost as

"rewarding" as the drug cocaine. Now if you are

dealing with stuff almost as "rewarding" as

cocaine, you are dealing with an addictive

substance. The product gets your attention, it stays

in your memory, it changes your mood and it

becomes your focus. You begin to spend your

time thinking about your next meal.

A significant contributor to food addiction and

obesity is the food industry itself. Dr. David

Kessler, former head of the Food and Drug

Administration has written a book entitled “The

End of Overeating: Taking Control of the

Insatiable American Appetite”. In it he describes

how the food industry has combined and created

foods in a way that taps into our brain circuitry

and stimulates our desire for more.

Continued page 7



JFK For Life 7

Food Addiction (Continued)

The combination of fats, sugar and salt

stimulates our

desire to eat and leaves us wanting more and

more even when we’re full.

Here is a link to a video series from the

University of California that explains the concept

of food addiction. It is very informative.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl

ayer_embedded&v=Xn1cI8FNU6M

Food addiction is real.

Sad, But True. . .

The number of overweight or obese individuals

worldwide increased from 857 million in 1980 to

2.1 billion in 2013. That's nearly 30% of the

world's population, up from about 20%.

Answers to Fad Diet quiz:

(1) b (2) b (3) a (4) a, b, c & d (5) c

Copies of recipes are now AVAILABLE in the wire baskets outside the nutritionist’s office in

Edison

YOUR METABOLIC SET POINT

Excess body weight is often difficult to

lose, yet easy to gain back. Those who

successfully drop a significant amount of body

weight often end up at the same weight or higher

than they started. It has been suggested that a

metabolic set point is to blame.

Your body weight set point is the number

on the scale your weight normally hovers around,

give or take a few pounds. Body weight and fat

levels are regulated by a complex system of

signals in your body. These signals control your

appetite, digestion, energy balance and

metabolism to keep your body weight and fat at a

steady level or “set point”.

The Metabolic Set Point Theory states

that the body has a natural tendency to maintain a

specific weight and will adjust internal body

processes accordingly. If our bodies go above or

below our set-point range, our metabolism will

speed up or slow down to get our weight back in

line. Because your body works to defend its set

point, dieting and exercise are rarely effective in

helping people with obesity achieve and maintain

a health weight long term. When you go on a diet,

your body thinks it’s being starved and its survival

instincts kick in. As a result, your body stores

energy-rich body fat, and you can’t lose weight

easily. Your body’s hormones are working against

you, too. When weight is lost, lower body fat

levels trigger hormones that encourage the body to

get back to its previous weight set point.

Continued page 8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xn1cI8FNU6M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xn1cI8FNU6M



JFK For Life 8

YOUR METABOLIC SET POINT (Continued)

A New England Journal of Medicine study

showed that while dieters may initially lose

weight, their bodies’ change levels of hormones

that encourage weight regain in response to the

weight loss. These hormones increase appetite,

decrease feelings of fullness and slow down

metabolism.

Bariatric and Metabolic surgery may

reset your “set point”

In order for a person with obesity to

achieve significant long-term weight loss, the

body’s weight regulation system must be reset so

that the body will stop storing excess fat. By

altering the complex relationship your body has

with food and its metabolism, bariatric surgery

helps reset your body’s ability to effectively

manage weight. New research indicates that some

types of bariatric surgery (gastric bypass and

vertical sleeve gastrectomy)) have metabolic

impacts that enable a new, lower set point,

allowing the body to return to a lower body fat

level. By altering the anatomy of the stomach

and/or intestine, these surgeries affect hormonal

signals, resulting in decreased appetite, increased

feelings of fullness, increased metabolism, and

healthier food preferences.

These positive changes allow your body to

lose weight without the internal fight to return to

the higher set point.

If you recently celebrated a milestone or a WOW moment, please share it with us.

Email Pat

[email protected]

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR

FACEBOOK PAGE!

ON IT YOU WILL FIND MEETING

REMINDERS AND INTERESTING

ARTICLES.

IN CASE OF A SNOW EVENT THIS

SEASON, CANCELLATIONS AND

OFFICE DELAYS AND CLOSURES WILL

BE POSTED THERE

HALT THE SALT

The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans

currently recommends no more than 2,300

milligrams of sodium per day (about a teaspoon of

salt) for most adults. For individuals with high

blood pressure, African Americans, middle aged

and older adults, the recommendation is 1,500

milligrams per day (about 5/8 of a teaspoon).

Continued page 9

mailto:[email protected]



JFK For Life 9

HALT THE SALT(Continued)

The American Heart Association/American Stroke

Association recommends limiting salt intake for

ALL adults to 1,500 milligrams per day.

Seventy-five percent of the salt Americans

consume comes from salt added to pre-made food

by manufacturers or added by cooks at restaurants

and other food service establishments.

The Nutrition Facts Label on food and beverage

packages is a useful tool for making healthful

dietary choices and monitoring how much sodium

is contained in a food you are considering.

Use the Percent Daily Value (%DV) to

Compare Products

The %DV tells you whether a food contributes a

little or a lot to your total daily diet.

5%DV (120 mg) or less of sodium per

serving is low

20%DV (480 mg) or more of sodium per

serving is high

Sodium Is Everywhere

Foods that otherwise seem healthy may have

high levels of sodium. Examples include

cottage cheese and turkey breast deli meat.

Some foods that an individual may eat several

times each day, such as bread, add up to a lot

of sodium even though each serving may not

be high in sodium.

Sodium is already part of processed foods

when you purchase them, and it cannot be

removed.

Sodium content can surprise you. For

example, before it arrives at the grocery store,

raw chicken and pork can be injected with a

sodium (or saline) solution which increases

sodium content.

Different brands of the same foods may have

different sodium levels. For example, sodium

in chicken noodle soup can vary by as much as

840 mg per serving.

http://www.cdc.gov/salt/food.htm



JFK For Life 10

Chat About Recovery

By Karen Rose LCSW, ACSW

Making the choice to work toward a new

normal is a huge decision but not new in the life

of a person who has tried to lose weight. Over the

years we have come to accept criticism, low self

esteem and even given up on ever fully believing

we can lose weight and keep it off. How often do

we willingly give up on those experiences and

feelings that nourish us while still believing that

deprivation is the path to lose weight? The result

is that we are increasingly left with only work or

other stressors that often deplete our resources,

and with nothing to replenish or nourish us,

exhaustion and frustration results. But has it ever

worked?

It can be eye opening, even shocking, the

first time we realize that it is not what we are

eating but what is emotionally disturbing us that

triggers us to find comfort in that apple pie, BBQ

ribs or chocolate chip cookie. That ‘Ah ha’

moment when we realize changing our lifestyle

can be done one step at a time with the right tools.

Mindfulness is a tool thousands of years

old but when coupled with understanding healthy

and satisfying food choices it can change our

world view. Using mindfulness concepts can fit

into our modern day life and strengthen our

sensitivities and encourage us to use our Wise

Mind. We become open to the moment, not

reacting to stress or emotions but understanding

what is happening. It encourages our awareness

of the truth and the process of change. It enables

us to be accepting without presumptions or guilt

about this moment. We start living in the ‘what

is’ as opposed to ‘what was’ or ‘what if’. Being

mindful is giving ourselves the tools and freedom

to leave habit, negativity and reactivity behind.

Recovery is not about waiting, hoping or

wishing. It is building your future by creating and

doing this moment mindfully.

From KP:

“I was able to fit into an XL child’s jacket instead of an adult size and save $100!”



JFK For Life 11

The staff of JFK for Life extends to you and your family our best wishes for peace, joy and good

health in 2015!

Support Group Newsletter - Weight Loss · Fad Diets/Diet Trends In The News We are all well aware...

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Transcript of Support Group Newsletter - Weight Loss · Fad Diets/Diet Trends In The News We are all well aware...