Though the proposal has already been denied once by a judge, city health officials have tweaked and reworked their original plan, hoping that the changes will be just what the doctor ordered. The idea behind the law would be to assure that burger-and-fries consumers were aware of the nutrition values of their food. To do this, calorie counts would be displayed next to their corresponding offerings, as large and prominent as their prices.

Resistance to the law has been met on several counts, most understandably with the restaurants that feel they are being micromanaged by the government. Their argument? Nutrition information is readily available online and many times onsite, so to add calorie counts to the menu would cause unnecessary clutter. Additionally, customers may not want to see the nutritional information for what they’re ordering. Furthermore, fast-food chains have said that the health department simply doesn’t have this kind of authority.

Only time will tell what happens on New York City’s fast food menus, though one thing is true: the country is fighting a weight battle and something must be done.

1) Cereal with fruit
If you love sweet cereal, you aren’t stuck with sugared cereals. Instead, you can eat healthy whole grain cereal and add fruit. Blueberries, strawberries and bananas are examples of fruits that go great with cereal.

2) Low fat, low sodium bacon
Low fat, low sodium bacon has all the great taste you expect from bacon, but it’s much healthier. You can also try turkey bacon, which doesn’t taste quite the same but is even better for you!

3) Protein shake
If you want to add more protein to your diet, a good way to do so is to start your day with a protein shake. You can either buy a premade shake at the store or you can blend your own. You should be able to get at least 20 grams of protein per glass.

4) Eggs with salsa
Instead of using butter to add taste to your eggs, use salsa instead. Salsa is very low in calories and tastes great when mixed with scrambled eggs. You can also add vegetables such as onions, peppers and tomatoes.

5) Peanut butter pancakes
You can replace the syrup on your pancakes with peanut butter. Peanut butter has a lot more healthy vitamins and minerals than syrup. You can also top your pancakes with fresh fruit or low sugar jelly.

Here is a list of the top ten brain foods:

1. Water: Water doesn’t contain any vitamins but it’s essential for your body. Dehydration is a big enemy for your brain so make sure you drink enough water throughout the day.
2. Grape juice: With a healthy amount of antioxidants, grape juice is great for brain function. It should help you short-term memory and hand-eye coordination.
3. Eggs: Having eggs for breakfast is a great way to start your day. Eggs contain choline, which is great for improving your memory.
4. Beef: Beef has a lot of iron in it, which is vital for your brain – especially for children. Lean beef is perhaps the best source of iron available.
5. Hot cocoa: If you want a dessert, consider having hot cocoa. Cocoa has antioxidants that have proven to slow the aging process.
6. Olive oil: Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is very good for your brain. It contains polyphenols which helps regulate your blood pressure.
7. Milk: Milk has a lot of vitamins that help your brain including phosphorus and vitamin D. It also contains a healthy amount of protein.
8. Spinach: If you eat a lot of salad, consider switching from lettuce to spinach. Spinach is nearly four times healthier for you than lettuce.
9. Almonds: Although almonds have a relatively high amount of fat, the type of fat in almonds is actually good for your body – and specifically your brain.
10. Blueberries: Blueberries are the ultimate brain food. Not only is it a fantastic source for antioxidants, it has many other vitamins and minerals helping your brain.

The best and most obvious source for high protein foods is meat. While virtually any type of meat contains protein, for a quick meal, you can find some fat-free meat products at your local grocery store such as fat-free hot dogs and fat-free ham. These options are convenient for days when you do not have time to prepare a meal.

Perhaps the best type of meat for you is turkey, which is virtually all protein. Look for low-fat cuts of turkey, such as breasts, as opposed to the legs. The same holds true for chicken – as chicken breasts are a source of high protein and very little fat.

Fish and shrimp are two other great sources of protein. Almost all types of fish is low in fat and high in protein. Consider fish that is high in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. Shrimp, depending on how it’s prepared, is almost always fat-free. Avoid breaded fish and shrimp and do not deep fry it. Instead broil, grill or bake your seafood.

Other sources of protein that might surprise you are milk, cheese, beans and nuts. Fat-free milk and cheese is a great source of healthy protein. Fat-free refried beans are popular and taste almost exactly like regular refried beans. Nuts are also a terrific source of protein, as well as nut based products such as peanut butter. However most nuts are also high in fat, so watch your portion sizes.

There are also a number of foods specially designed for those people on a high protein diet. At your local grocery store, look for protein shakes, protein bars and even products such as protein fortified breads and protein fortified water.

A high protein diet is a good way to gain muscle while losing weight. If you are doing a weight training program, you’ll need to consume more protein than the average person. However, you should also consider the fat content of food because many foods that are high in protein are also high in fat.

Steaz Energy is a new kind of energy drink for athletes or anyone looking for a healthy, organic fuel. An all-natural source of energy that promotes endurance and increased stamina for peak athletic performance, Steaz gives you a natural boost without highly refined sugar, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Steaz Energy comes in four flavors – Berry, Orange, Lime and Diet Berry. The Diet Berry has 50% of the calories of the original without using additives or artificial sweetners.

Steaz is also the maker of a wonderful group of Green Tea Sodas that contain the same health benefits as a full cup of green tea including antioxidants and healthy minerals. The company usea organic cane juice instead of conventional sugar or high-fructose corn syrup like other beverages. The soda comes in a variety of flavors, including Ginger Ale, Root Beer, Cola, Grape, Raspberry, Lemon Dew, Orange, Key Lime and Diet Black Cherry.

I recently had an opportunity to try various flavors of both Steaz Energy and Steaz Green Tea Soda. The energy drinks are refreshing and give you a quick boost. The taste of the Diet Berry is so similar to the regular Berry that it’s probably to your benefit just to get the diet. As for the Green Teas Sodas, it takes some time to get adjusted to the taste compared to traditional sodas. But they are definitely flavorful.

Visit steaz.com to find out where to buy Steaz products.

Though science has claimed in the past that low-fat diets would reduce the risk of various cancers, no definitive evidence could be produced. But in a recent study of post-menopausal women, the subjects who cut their dietary fat to 20 percent of their total caloric intake also cut their chance of getting ovarian cancer by a stunning 40 percent.

The only caveat? This isn’t a quick fix: you have to stick with the diet for the long haul. This is great news, however, as up until now, the only measures to prevent ovarian cancer were for women of childbearing age to take birth control pills or to have the ovaries removed completely.

While subjects in the study showed reduced risk for ovarian cancer, the rates for breast cancer and colo-rectal cancerwere unaffected. However, unlike other cancers, ovarian cancer is particularly lethal, with a five-year survival rate of only 45 percent.

In addition to helping improve insulin sensitivity, a low-glycemic diet will help with the pathogenesis of acne. In other words, reducing your intake of foods high on the glycemic index may help clear up skin problems and diseases. Of course, a low-glycemic diet is also known for helping reduce body mass and weight, as these foods decrease blood sugar spikes and help you feel full for longer. For this reason, foods low on the GI index are integral parts to diets such as the South Beach Diet.

So how do you get on a low-glycemic diet? It’s easier than you might think: first, eliminate “white” foods. This includes potatoes, white bread, pastas, and other treats made with white flour. Try replacing with sweet potatoes, whole wheat bread and whole wheat pasta. Snack on raisins, veggies, and fruits throughout the day, adding some peanut butter for fat and protein.

Other low GI foods include low-fat yogurt, banana bread, baked beans, wild rice, oatmeal, and a host of other goodies. Check out info, facts, and delicious recipes at the Glycemic Gourmet.

Obesity-related problems are among our nation’s most serious health problems, and in a fast-paced world of over-consumption and high-fat foods, it’s very difficult to forever change our exercise and eating habits. And with all the fad diets out there promising to help us lose 82 pounds in the next 30 seconds, it’s tempting to try the easy way.

But, unfortunately, the easy way just doesn’t work; what we need is a lifestyle change. You’ve probably heard the term before, possibly even in relation to certain diets. A lifestyle change is one with which you change your eating habits permanently, for the long-run, thus reducing fat intake and upping the amount healthy foods in your diet.

There are certain “diets”, like South Beach, that teach you how to eat differently and more healthily. They stress terms like whole grains, fresh, lean proteins, and fruits and veggies. While called diets, these ways of eating are not in the same category as such trends that include 7 days of nothing but watermelon or bowls of translucent liquid for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These diets are how you’ll trim your waistline, get your heart in shape, and live a longer life. These are the diets that stand the test of time.

Dieters have a choice of two different diet programs with Weight Watchers.

in “The Flex Plan,” foods are assigned a point value and each dieter is assigned a set number of points they are allowed to consume each day. The number of points depends on the dieters current weight. Participants can also use 5 extra flex points each day, if they need them.

For many years, Weight Watchers was based on this plan. However in recent years, they have developed a different plan – “The Core Plan.” This diet plan classifies certain foods to a list of “core foods.” These foods include some lean meats, whole grains, fat-free dairy products, fruits and vegetables.

On “The Core Plan,” dieters are permitted to eat core foods without restricton “until satisfied, not full.”

Dieters also attend weekly meetings and weigh-ins, where they get support and information about achieving their weight loss goals. There is normally a registration fee for Weight Watchers. However, sometimes they offer specials for free registration. There is also a small fee to attend each meeting, or you can choose to pay $39.95 per month to attend unlimited meetings and have use of all the eTools available.

Even if you don’t want to attend meetings, you can pay the $39.95 for Weight Watchers Online. This program provides a method for independent weight loss as participants have access to diet support materials, recipes and fitness information online.

Over the years, studies have shown that Weight Watchers members lose three times more weight when attending meetings regularly.

Jenny McCarthy is Weight Watchers current spokesperson. Sarah, Dutchess of York, was a celebrity endorser of Weight Watchers years ago.

You can read more about how Weight Watchers works or register for the program at WeightWatchers.com.

Enter NutriSystem, a startlingly convenient and delicious food program, delivered monthly right to your door. The NutriSystem Nourish program is based on the Glycemic Index, so it not only monitors the overall health of foods, but also their affect on your blood sugar levels.

NutriSystem foods are delivered to your home or office — wherever you choose — and include pre-packed breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks, and deserts. With over 120 different products to choose from, you control what you eat and NutriSystem controls the portions. All you need to do is add a few fresh items, bought at your local grocery store, to your meals, and you’re set.

NutriSystem prides itself on being “packaged for portability,” so you don’t need to refrigerate or freeze any of your foods. Simply stack them on a shelf and take them as you need them. For about than $300/month, you’ll receive 28 breakfasts, 28 lunches, 28 dinners, and 28 snacks/desserts that will go wherever you go. Your food options will include goodies such as blueberry muffins, lowfat granola cereal, chocolate chip pancakes, black beans and rice, turkey hot dogs, sweet potatoes with cheese, basil chicken breast in a tomato sauce, flatbread pizza, pasta fagioli, veggie fajitas, caramel crunch popcorn, peanut butter cookie, zesty herb snack mix, and so much more.

One of the best things about the NutriSystem product is that it takes your needs into account. They’ve developed plans for women, senior women (over 60), men, senior men (over 60), Type II diabetics, and even vegetarians. With variety like that, it’s hard to say no, isn’t it?