In January 2012, Drivers Wellness featured a special weight-loss section. Are you participating in any of the weight-loss methods? Are they working for you, or do you still find yourself struggling with “weighty” issues? If you find that you are unable to make a commitment to a program, or that you struggle with “yo-yo” dieting, take a step back and look at it this way.

Several wellness sites note that people who have a lifestyle coach or an accountability partner, or are in a program in which they have help making good food choices, lose more weight than those who try it alone. A recent study at Johns Hopkins Hospital confirms that fact. The study involved telephone and web-based coaching to help patients lose weight. Results indicated that 40% of the patients enrolled in the study lost at least 5% of their body weight and gained significant health benefits.

No matter what “diet” plan you follow, if any, remember to eat a wide variety of foods in moderate amounts. Also, enjoy your meal at a leisurely pace and in the company of others whenever possible. And finally, consider teaming up as you work towards better health. Your partner will help keep you 'drivin' straight' on the road to health.

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A word of caution if you currently take medication that you bring with you on your truck: be aware that most medications have a temperature safety range of 58F to 86F. Note also that some medications need to be kept refrigerated (check the label). If you are taking medications and leave them in your truck, they may be exposed to temperatures outside the recommended range, potentially causing the composition of the medication and its effectiveness to change.

Tablets are generally more robust than liquids. However, all medications should be stored out of sunlight and in a cool, dry environment. That’s why it’s recommended that medicines should not be stored in a bathroom or kitchen cabinet, as they are subject to temperature changes and high humidity from showers and cooking.

And be aware of the expiration date, as expired medicines may have lost some of their effectiveness.

And an added word of caution: when picking up a prescription, read the label to ensure it was filled correctly. Most pharmacy labels now have a description of the product; read the info sheet that comes with the medication. Follow the instructions, and if you experience any side effects, let your pharmacist know. This information is then relayed back to the manufacturer for post-marketing studies.

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Did you ever play Where’s Waldo, the game where you try to find where Waldo is hiding in the picture? This month, let’s play Where’s the Trans Fat. It’s actually hiding in plain sight all over the place, even in foods labeled “0 Trans Fat.” Legally a label can say “0 Trans Fat” as long as the total amount of partially hydrogenated oils is less than 0.5 grams; that may not seem like a lot, but if you add up all the less than 0.5 grams in the food you consume, you will end up getting quite a bit of the “bad” fat that raises your bad cholesterol and lowers the good one. Most of us know that Trans Fat is found in fried foods, but did you know it is also in:

• Non-dairy coffee creamers?
• Microwave popcorn with butter or other pouredover flavors?
• Margarine sticks? (Whipped spreads are usually OK.)
• Many frozen or creamy beverages?
• Meat sticks/jerky sticks?
• Canned meats/chilies?
• Shelf-stable packaged puddings?

Read the label before you eat. If the ingredients list includes hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, consume with caution—or better yet, avoid them altogether!

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In our January Drivers Wellness feature, we made recommendations for starting the day right with a good breakfast. Here is some interesting information about breakfast cereals.

The Environmental Working Groups (ewg.org) analyzed 84 cereals and posted a list of the worst choices for a healthy breakfast. Did you know that some cereals (1 cup serving) can have 20 grams of sugar—more than a Hostess Twinkie?

The next time you are at a breakfast buffet with cereal choices or eating cereal at home, take a moment to read the nutritional information on the side of the box. And remember that a serving is ¾ cup (the size of a single serving box), not a bowlful.

Making wise cereal choices can help if you are following the Glycemic Index plan (green, yellow or red light foods), or just watching calories. So for all of us who love those delicious cereals (I’ll abstain from mentioning brands—you know which ones I am talking about!), we need to exercise caution in how often we eat them. And if you really want some, try them as a snack or dessert, rather than a breakfast meal choice. 

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