Saturday, 2 February 2013

Discrimination Against Obese People It Happens Everyday

While not fair, people do judge others on their appearance.  If you're fit and attractive that will usually work in your favor, but if you're overweight that can not only work against you but it can lead to outright discrimination against obese people. 

Many times people will think that an overweight person is a slob, or lazy, or lacking in self control.  Unfortunately, many other people may have one or more of these traits but with an overweight person, the 'proof' is visible.  Most types of discrimination are very subtle. They can be anything from a small smile, to a fat joke, to turning away laughing when they spot someone who is obese.  All of these things hurt and an obese person will get to the point where they see a slight everywhere, sometimes when there really isn't one.

One of the worst places for fat discrimination is in the workplace.  Many times someone will be on the fast track for a job they applied for online and once they get to the company for a face to face interview, they will be told that they won't be hired.  What seemed like a sure thing online is suddenly not going to happen and really nothing changed.  Their resume is the same as it was online, their past experience and education are still the same.  The only thing that happened is that their potential employer didn't like the way they looked. 

While not legal, fat discrimination happens daily,  and if you can prove it's happening you have legal remedies, but how can you prove it?  More often than not, you can't.  You just won't get that promotion or raise you've been hoping for and you may 'know' that it's because you're overweight, but you can't prove it. 

And, on the other side of the coin, many companies who have to pay health insurance premiums don't think that they can afford it, or that it's fair, to have to pay more for people who are overweight (this often extends to smokers too) since they will have more health issues than someone who is in good health and doesn't smoke.

People who are overweight are far more likely to have health issues, many of them severe.  They are more likely to miss work more often and need more medical care.  So, while not condoning any type of discrimination, it is important to understand  that this isn't a simple issue.  There are many elements that have to be considered.

The likelihood of fat discrimination will increase dramatically in some professions. Anything related to cosmetics or personal appearance will be the hardest for a fat person to get their foot in the door or to advance once they've gotten in.  For example, a high end car salesman, a cosmetics store clerk, a boutique employee, a health club employee, etc.  These are types of places that rely on the appearance of their employees to help make sales.  An unattractive or fat employee might not help sales and they may actually hurt sales.

Discrimination against obese people happens, and it's wrong.  Though this isn't a black and white issue.  When an employer refuses to hire someone just because they're overweight but it won't have an impact on their ability to do their job, it's wrong.  If, on the other hand, an employer has to maintain a certain image just to have their business to be successful, it may not be right, but it's not unreasonable either.

Diabetes Obese Natural Treatment Options

Diabetes happens when your body can't properly utilize insulin.  Many times diabetes comes with obesity.  There are diabetes obese natural treatment options that you can use to help control your diabetes naturally. 

Here are some simple steps you can start taking today, just don't forget to talk to your doctor first:

1. Don't eat as much highly processed food.  These foods have a lot of sugar, fats, and preservatives all of which can help you gain weight.  By cutting these foods out of your diet, you may be amazed at how the weight just seems to fall off of you.

One rule of thumb that may help is to stay away from white foods.  The truth is that white bread, white rice, white potatoes, and white sugar, are loaded with calories and very few nutrients.  Instead of the whites, try some whole grain bread, wheat pasta, brown rice, and yams.  These choices will offer you a lot more nutrient value.

Instead of processed foods stick with more fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins such as lean meat.  Try to cook your meals rather than use the frozen dinners and really try to stay clear of the fast food meals.

2. Drink more water.  It's amazing the number of people in our country who are dehydrated.  If you feel thirsty, it's already too late, you're dehydrated. If your urine is a really dark yellow that is also a sign of dehydration.   Drinking a lot of water can not only keep you hydrated it can also flush toxins from your body and make you feel more full so you don't eat as much.

3. Stay away from soft drinks.  They are loaded with sugar (the diet drinks might not be the best option either since there is some evidence to suggest that the chemicals in diet soda can be bad for you over time) and they don't offer your body any worthwhile vitamins or minerals - they don't even really hydrate you they actually will make you more thirsty.  You may actually be surprised at how many 'hidden' calories you are taking in each day just by drinking soda.

4. Get more exercise.  I don't mean to sound like a broken record but if you want to be thinner and healthier, you need to give your body what it needs: good food and a lot of exercise.  It's ok if you start small, just go for a walk or take the stairs at work, etc.  The important thing is that you start getting more exercise into your life every single day.  Make it a priority not an afterthought and it may be hard at first but soon you'll wonder how you ever lived without exercising.

Just remember that there are diabetes obese natural treatment options that you can use that will not only help you overcome your diabetes but also help you lose weight and start living a more healthy lifestyle.  Just follow these tips and also discuss other options with your doctor.  The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be where you want to be: healthy, fit, and happy.

Cutting Calories While Dieting With Cheap Snack Food

Snacks are some of the most expensive foods on the market. It is not uncommon to spend $5 on a big grab bag of chips and a 44 ounce soda at a gas station. Not only are you wasting a lot of money when you make such purchases, you are also contributing to an unhealthy waist line.

Cookies, chips, crackers, and soda are all problem areas both for the diet and for the budget. So, here are 10 healthy snacks which have less than 200 calories and are also under $2 per serving.

1. Raw veggies dipped in fat-free ranch dressing:
Include lots of bright-colored veggies like carrots, green, red and yellow peppers, broccoli and tomatoes. Red peppers contain almost four times more vitamin C than oranges! Calories: 60 Cost per serving: $1.49. Serving size: 1 cup veggies, 2 tbsp. dressing.

2. Hardboiled egg
One whole egg provides 7 grams of protein but 212 mg cholesterol. If you're concerned about the cholesterol, toss the yolk and just eat the white. Calories: 78 Cost per serving: $0.28. Serving size: 1 whole egg.

3. Dark chocolate chips - 60% cacao
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants and phenols, which can lower blood pressure. Calories: 80. Cost per serving: $0.11. Serving size: 16 chips.

4. Mozzarella cheese stick rolled up in a turkey slice
Provides 15% of the recommended daily calcium and 18 grams of protein. Try dipping in spicy mustard for some kick. Calories: 90. Cost per serving: $0.85. Serving size: 1 cheese stick, 1 turkey slice.

5. Apple with peanut butter
Apples have fiber to make you feel full longer. Spread on some peanut butter for flavor, but limit the portion size of the peanut butter since it is high in calories. Calories: 105. Cost per serving: $0.95. Serving size: 1 medium apple, 1 tbsp. natural peanut butter.

6. Low-fat cottage cheese
A good source of calcium and protein, but those with high blood pressure should eat cottage cheese in moderation because of the high sodium content. Calories: 110. Cost per serving: $0.90. Serving size: ½ cup.

7. Fresh berries with fat free yogurt
Berries contain antioxidants to help you prevent cancer and heart disease, and yogurt is a nutritious alternative to whipped cream. Sprinkle on some ground flaxseed for additional heart health benefits. Calories: 115. Cost per serving: $1.81. Serving size: 1 cup berries, 1/4 cup yogurt.

8. Whole grain crackers with hummus
Hummus is made from chickpeas, a great lean protein. Whole grain crackers are a preferable alternative to those made with white flour. Calories: 137. Cost per serving: $0.47. Serving size: 10 small crackers, 2 tbsp. hummus.

9. Almonds
Almonds make you feel full and studies have shown they can lower cholesterol, but they're high in calories so limit the portion size. Calories: 160. Cost per serving: $0.55. Serving size: 1 oz.

10. Low-fat yogurt
Another good choice for calcium, providing 20% of the recommended daily allowance. But yogurt can be high in sugar. Reduced-sugar varieties have about 100 calories. Cost per serving: $0.59 Serving size: 6 oz.

As you can see, you don't have to break the bank when your trying to eat healthy. With a little common sense and sticking with cheap snack food, cutting calories can be fun and you can lose weight at the same time.