Belly Fat Buster | Greenlite Medicine

Written By Michal Yaron, Nutritionist & Health Educator

Research shows that humans have an inborn desire for sweetness. While historically essential for survival, being naturally drawn to sweetness isn’t helpful when people are trying to lose weight in this modern age. This is why more and more consumers and manufacturers seek no or low-calorie alternatives to white table sugar, without sacrificing sweetness. Yet this welcomed trend raises misconceptions and confusion over which sugar alternatives are the best.

Sweeteners can be divided into three basic categories:

sugars that have 4 calories per gram (nutritive)
sugar alcohols (lower calorie)
those that are have no calories (nonnutritive).

Full calorie sweeteners

Many so-called natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, molasses or agave nectar, are often promoted as healthier options than processed table sugar. Yet, nutritionally speaking, they aren’t significantly different. They contain the same amount of calories as regular table sugar (4 calories per gram), and can raise blood sugar just as table sugar can. Though some proponents of agave nectar say that it doesn’t cause blood sugar spikes, scientific evidence doesn’t support such claims. Simply put, sugar is sugar is sugar, and there’s no health advantage to consuming added sugar of any type.

Many products labeled “no sugar added” actually contain one or more of those nutritive sweeteners. Check labels carefully and watch out for products listing any of the followings: Fructose, brown rice syrup, honey, raw honey, agave nectar, coconut palm sugar (or coconut nectar sugar), date sugar, grape juice concentrate, apple juice concentrate, barley malt syrup, sugar cane juice, brown sugar, turbinado sugar, evaporated cane juice, maple syrup, maple sugar, corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, glucose, sucrose, dextrose, maltodextrin.

Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols are carbohydrates that occur naturally in certain fruits and vegetables, but can also be manufactured. Despite their name, they aren’t alcoholic (they don’t contain ethanol). Sugar alcohols are often combined with artificial sweeteners in products to enhance sweetness. The most common include: sorbitol, xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, mannitol, isomalt, and erythritol.

Sugar alcohols contain calories, but less than regular sugar. Much controversy has developed surrounding their bioavailable calories. To be on the safe side, consider them as about 2 to 3 calories per gram. Keep in mind that unlike artificial sweeteners, sugar alcohols are carbohydrates and can raise blood sugar levels. But because your body doesn’t completely absorb sugar alcohols, their effect on blood sugar is less than that of other sugars. This is especially true for xylitol and erythritol, but watch out for others like maltitol and sorbitol which behaves almost like sugar in the body.

Sugar alcohols are not without side effects, though. Because they are not completely digested and absorbed, eaten in large amounts (usually more than 50 grams but sometimes as little as 10 grams) they can have a laxative effect, causing bloating, gas and diarrhea. Lately erythritol is gaining momentum as a replacement for other sugar alcohols in food, as it is much less likely to produce gastrointestinal distress.

Non-calorie sweeteners

Non-calorie sweeteners provide a sweet taste without calories or carbohydrates. This category also includes low-calorie sweeteners which are much sweeter than table sugar (thus used in such small amounts that they are considered virtually non-caloric). Additionally, this category includes other non-nutritive sweeteners which are not metabolized for energy and pass through the body unchanged. These sweeteners include the artificial sweeteners acesulfame potassium/acesulfame K (Sunett, Sweet One), aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet), neotame (NutraSweet), saccharin (SugarTwin, Sweet’N Low) and sucralose (Splenda & altern).

Artificial sweeteners have been the subject of intense scrutiny for decades. Critics say that they cause a variety of health problems. However, there’s no sound scientific evidence that any of them cause cancer or other serious health problems. And numerous studies confirm that they are generally safe in limited quantities.

A new type of sugar substitute recently introduced to the market is rebaudioside A, which is derived from the stevia leaf. Stevia is not a sugar and is calorie free. Unlike artificial sweeteners, it’s from a natural (though still highly refined) plant source. Due to its unique characteristics, stevia is fast becoming popular in the US. It’s often blended with erythritol to improve palatability (Truvia and PureVia brands).

When looking for low-sugar and low-carb foods, keep in mind that while artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes can help with weight management, they aren’t a magic bullet and should be used only in moderation. Just because a food is marketed as sugar-free doesn’t mean it’s free of calories and carbs, manufacturers often increase fat content of sugar-free foods to make food more palatable. Always read the Nutrition Facts label, paying special attention to calorie and carbohydrate content. And remember that processed foods, which often contain sugar substitutes, generally don’t offer the same health benefits as whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables. While artificial, it is still possible for artificial sweetners to trigger sugar cravings and some people. The best solution to combat our body’s biological desire for sugar is to try and avoid sugar completely and satisfy our natural sweet tooth with fruits and vegetables. Furthermore, try to keep in mind that the less sugar you eat, the less sugar you crave.

by Jennifer Weintraub MD of Duet Plastic Surgery

Congratulations on your choice to live a healthier lifestyle! Making the effort to eat well and stay active has undeniable health benefits, both physically and mentally. However, many people are surprised to discover that as they lose weight, their skin may start to appear saggy and loose. While weight loss is a huge accomplishment, many people are disheartened by the way their bodies appear afterward, and cannot fully enjoy their thinner figures due to their excess, hanging skin.

Excess skin after weight loss can range from mild sagginess to significant folds of extra tissue that literally hangs off the body. This extra skin can interfere with not only peoples’ self-images, but also with their ability to wear properly-fitting clothing. The loose skin can also cause rashes or other skin irritation, making it difficult to exercise and remain active.

Body contouring procedures are surgical interventions that are designed to address the extra, loose skin that remains after people lose weight. People who have lost weight and have maintained their weight loss through a proper diet and active lifestyle are good candidates for body-contouring procedures. While loose skin can occur in nearly every area of the body after weight loss, some of the most common areas addressed by surgery include belly, arms, and breasts.

Abdominoplasty (“tummy tuck”)

The skin of the abdomen is frequently affected by weight loss. Not only does skin not “bounce back” after losing weight, but many people are left with unsightly stretch marks on the belly. Abdominoplasty, or “tummy tuck”, is a procedure that removes the excess skin and fat as well as stretch marks of the lower abdomen. The abdominal muscles are often tightened to help narrow the waistline. Liposuction is added when appropriate to further sculpt the abdomen and flanks. All of these procedures can help restore your contour after weight loss. Abdominoplasty takes 2 – 3 hours, and the resulting scar lies low on the abdomen near the pubic area, where it can be easily concealed by underwear or your bathing suit. Contouring the abdomen allows people to see their true figures by removing the extra, hanging skin.

Brachioplasty (“arm lift”)

Loose arm skin is another frequent issue for people after losing weight. Many weight-loss patients notice that although they are able to tone their muscles with exercise, they are unable to tighten the skin that hangs from the arms. Some people have likened the excess, hanging skin to “bat wings.” This skin can be difficult to conceal when wearing short sleeves, and can cause people to feel self-conscious. An arm lift, or brachioplasty, is a procedure that removes excess skin and some fat in order to create a toned appearance in the arm. The incision is made along the upper, inner arm. The procedure takes approximately 2 hours, and is done in an outpatient setting. As an alternative to an arm lift, liposuction may be considered if the skin quality of the arms is good but fat remains after weight loss.

Mastopexy (“breast lift”)

Breasts are another area commonly affected by weight loss. A breast lift reshapes the breasts to a more youthful, rounded shape and also repositions the breast and nipple to a more natural position. There are several different ways to perform a breast lift, depending on the extent that the breast droops. A subtle breast elevation can be done simply with an incision around the nipple/areola, while a more extensive lift requires a vertical incision and possibly an “anchor” type incision.

In addition to the breasts sagging, weight loss often causes women to lose fullness in their breasts, particularly in the upper portion. In these situations, a breast lift can be combined with an augmentation. Breast implants can help bring fullness to the upper portions of the breasts and shape them, restoring their youthful appearance. Breast lift surgery is typically done in an outpatient setting, and many women describe an increase in their confidence and self-image after these procedures.

Losing weight is a huge accomplishment, and should be a significant source of pride. Loose skin does not have to be a permanent impediment to feeling comfortable. As plastic and reconstructive surgeons, our goal is to help patients complete their weight loss process through body contouring procedures and increase their confidence in their bodies. These procedures can be done safely, and can often represent the final step in a person’s weight loss journey.

Click here to find out more information about Duet Plastic Surgery and “The Duet Concept”.