Go to any restaurant from a fast food joint to a fine dining establishment and you are likely to find an array of sweeteners available.  A familiar rainbow of white, pink, blue, and yellow have become as commonplace on a table as salt and pepper.  Artificial sweeteners have provided a way for savvy dieters to enjoy a sweet treat without increasing calories and ruining diet efforts.

In a perfect world pregnancy would result in a 7-pound weight gain, followed by the birth of a 7-pound baby, and an instant return to pre-pregnancy weight.  However, the development of a human baby is a very complex process involving a cascade of physiological changes including weight gain. 

For a long time fat has been labeled as the bad guy when it comes to weight loss and good health. The principle of the low-fat diet started out simple: “Eat less fat!” This diet then evolved to: “Eat good fats, not bad fats!” Today we are advised to: “Eat good fats in moderation, limit bad fats, and steer clear of really bad fats!” Confused yet

There are many professions that allow people to “fly under the radar.”  For instance, when my fiancé and I are out and people inquire about our professions, he usually receives a smile and a nod when he says he is a planner.  Unfortunately, being a dietitian does not allow for such a luxury.  It is rare that I can reveal my profession and not be bombarded with questions and comments about the latest trends in weight loss.

By now we have learned to become skeptical of the late- night infomercials boasting weight loss methods that seem too good to be true.  Simply “pop a pill” or “make a shake,” or “eat all you want, and never exercise,” everyone seems to have the easy answer how to drop the poundage.  All, of course, for a portion of your income.  But what if I told you the real answer is as simple (and free) as turning off the TV and getting some z’s?  That definitely sounds too good to be true, right?