J.L.
Greger, a professor emerita of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, enjoys
putting tidbits of science into her novels. Today she talks about Murder: A
New Way to Lose Weight,
her newest mystery/suspense release, and offers some nutrition and weight loss
advice. Learn more about J.L. and her books at her website. -- AP
A Big Portion of Murder
The National Institutes of
Health (NIH) estimates one-third of American adults are obese; one-third are
overweight.
WOW! That means there should
be a big market for my new novel Murder:
A New Way to Lose Weight.
In this mystery/suspense
novel, Linda Almquist is investigating Dr. Richard Varegos, a "diet
doctor," for recklessly endangering the lives of his obese research
subjects. He is convinced he’s found an
easy way for obese subjects to lose weight - just alter their gut flora. Sounds
strange to you? Actually it is an active area of research on weight control.
In this
blog, I’m going to focus on more mundane aspects of weight control – ways to
eat fewer calories. I’ll try not to sound like a retired professor of nutrition
that I am. Obviously, exercising more is also important, but cutting calories
is enough bad news for today.
SURPRISE! Bet you ate and drank more than you thought. Now analyze your behavior considering the next two points.
Decrease
portion size. When I was a teen (before the introduction of the quarter pounder and
supersizing - Oh dear, now you can guess my age.), I might have selected a
small cheeseburger (300 calories) and small fries (230 calories) for lunch. Now
you might select a double quarter pounder with cheese (750 calories) and large
fries (500 calories.) The difference is 720 calories (3,600 calories per week).
You
could lose a pound of weight a week if you substituted a small cheeseburger and
small fries for a quarter pounder with cheese and large fries for lunch every
weekday. Of course, that assumes you won’t increase what you eat at other meals
and snacks or decrease your activity. I know that’s easier said than done. No
wonder “diet doctors” jazz up their basic advice.
Decrease
fat, sugar, and alcohol intake. Let’s just look at beverages today.
Those are really sneaky sources of calories. Most sweet iced teas, iced
coffees, fruit juices, and regular sodas (16 oz.) contain 130-190 calories and
many fruits smoothies (12 oz.) provide 200-250 calories, while the unsweetened
tea, black coffee, and diet sodas contain no calories. And it’s easy to drink
three (probably more) glasses in a day.
You
do the math. The calories add up quickly.
Decide
to follow this unpalatable advice. Some find it easier to live with their decisions to
eat smaller portions if they chew gum between meals or drink at least one glass
of water before each meal. Seasoning mixes can add flavor to foods that
otherwise might be bland when fat is removed.
Did
you learn anything new on weight control? Probably not. You already knew the
basics of dieting. You, like me, just don’t follow the advice.
That’s
why so many researchers study obesity. Meet several of them when you read Murder: A New Way to Lose Weight. It
just might make you decide dieting isn’t so hard after all.
Murder: A New Way to Lose Weight
Someone in a southwestern medical school doesn’t like women.
Two have been murdered already. Linda Almquist suspects the deaths are related
to her investigation of Dr. Richard Varegos, a “diet doctor.” He is alleged to
be recklessly endangering the lives of his obese research subjects. Maybe she’s
wrong. The murders might be related to something in the past – something
involving her boss, the Dean. While Linda fears for her job, the police fear
for her life.
Buy Link
Coming Flu (the
prequel to Murder: A New Way to Lose Weight)
When a mysterious flu breaks out in La Bendita,
an upscale gated community near the Rio Grande, the lives of its residents
change radically --and instantly. The few who are fortunate enough to avoid the
killer flu become virtual prisoners in their homes when a quarantine is
imposed. One resident, Sara Almquist, a medical epidemiologist, is compelled by
habit and training to examine the elements of the epidemic, even when it means
she pries into her neighbors’ lives. Sara finds promising clues--maybe too
many.
