Pop Quiz: NewMeMD 's 7 Side Effects of Drinking Soda

Here’s a little "pop" quiz  question from our NewMeMD wellness team about the average food & beverage consumption in the U.S.: 

What is the single biggest source of calories for Americans. Is it white bread, Big Macs or Hot Dogs? The answer... is actually SODA. 

You might say, "But I drink diet soda, which contains zero calories and sugar." Sounds like the perfect alternative for all you waistline watchers out there, right? Hardly so. 

Before you pop the top of that caramel-colored bubbly drink, we at NewMeMD think you should know this: Although your diet drink may not contain any calories (much less ANY nutritional value), guzzling diet sodas comes with its own side effects which could harm your health... from damaging your kidneys to even adding more inches around that mid-section.

Learning about these 7 side effects of drinking diet soda may help you kick the can for good.

1. Kidney Problems

Something you may not already know about your diet soda is that it can affect your kidneys. An 11-year study from the Harvard Medical School (on more than 3,000 women) revealed diet cola can be associated with a two-fold increased risk for declining kidney health. And get this--More than 2 sodas a day was found to cause a significant reduction in overall kidney function (yikes).

2. Metabolic Syndrome

Based on a 2008 diet soda study of almost 10,000 adults even one soda a day is linked to a 34% higher risk of Metabolic Syndrome, and the side effects of this condition (like belly fat and high cholesterol) can put you at greater risk for a heart attack.

3. Obesity

You read that right...diet soda doesn’t help you lose weight after all. A study from the University of Texas has found out the more diet sodas someone drinks, the more chances of that person eventually becoming overweight. Drinking just two cans of the carbonated stuff day may actually expand waistlines by, get this... 500%, because artificial sweeteners can disrupt the body’s natural ability to regulate calorie intake based on the sweetness of foods!

4. A Terrible Hangover

One of the worst things you can do with zero-calorie pop is to mix it with alcohol... like ordering a 'Vodka Diet' (vodka with any type of diet drink). Why? Because these types of cocktails could make you feel drunker, faster. Studies show sugar-free mixers generally allow liquor to enter your bloodstream much quicker, giving you a much bigger buzz (which could lead to a much more excruciating hangover the next day).

5. Cell Damage

Diet sodas contain something regular sodas don’t have: mold inhibitors. These chemicals can be found on the ingredient labels of your drinks under names such as sodium benzoate or potassium benzoate. Scientific compounds such as these have the ability to cause severe damage to your DNA (our building blocks of life) by literally suffocating your cells.

6. Rotting Teeth

Diet soda has a pH of 3.2, which means it's very acidic. Just like in science lab, liquid substances with high acidity can dissolve things... In the case of diet drinks, we're referring to the destruction of your tooth enamel (as in, way more tooth decay, missing teeth and more fillings). Adults who chug three or more sodas a day can surely anticipate dental health problems down the road, so remember: just because a soda is light on the calories doesn’t mean it's light on the acidic content!

7. Reproductive Problems

Diet or not, soft drink cans are coated with the chemical bisphenol A (otherwise known as BPA), which has been linked to everything from heart disease to obesity to reproductive problems. If you ask us, all of this sure is a lot of risk to take just to sip down a substance simply because it contains zero calories, right?!

No one is saying you can't ever have a soda, but there certainly are other alternatives for improving your lifestyle and or managing your weight.

At NewMeMD we can customize a weight loss program designed for your specific needs or recommend some of our other treatments to help trim you down without any of the side effects that accompany a diet soda. 

For information about our products & services click here to visit our web site NOW.

Here's to a refreshing, much healthier (and calorie-free) solution to a smaller waistline!
--Your NewMeMD Wellness Team

The Pursuit of Happiness (& Health): NewMeMD 's 10 Healthiest & Happiest U.S. Cities

We've searched far and wide for the healthiest and happiest cities in America. 

If your city isn't on here, don't pack your bags just yet... We at NewMeMD identified just what it is exactly that put these zip codes on the list, and the info we found could help you to be happier and healthier wherever you may live!

1. Salt Lake City, UT
This part of the state named by the Ute Indian tribe long ago reportedly has significantly low rates cancer among inhabitants. And thanks to heavy Mormon influence in Utah, people tend to eat and live much cleaner in Salt Lake City than Americans do in other regions.

2. Anaheim, CA
It doesn't hurt that Anaheim is home to what's known by many as "The Happiest Place on Earth" (Disneyland), but the real reason this metropolis is at the top of the list is because statistically, residents here are more focused on fitness and tend to maintain a healthy weight (based on national standards).

3. Minneapolis, MN
This metaphorical twin of St. Paul, Minnesota boasts top scores for heart health, because the locals 'round here strongly believe that food is medicine for their hearts ("you betcha"). This city also has the highest number of Farmer's markets per capita.

4. Denver, CO
Known mostly for its winter vacation resorts and ski lodges, this Rocky Mountains region has recently been recognized for its healthy BMIs, ground-level cancer rates and significantly low numbers of those who smoke (cigarettes, that is).

5. Jersey City, NJ
The Guidos and Guidettes must be doing something right! Jersey City has the highest concentration per capita of fitness professionals and was recently documented as having the most gyms among other American cities.

6. Portland, OR
Not only is Portland the most populous city in Oregon, the people there are heart healthy, cheerful, and have easier access to affordable produce.

7. Honolulu, HI 
They may say, "Alo-HA..." but for these islanders optimal health is no joke. Recent reports show the island of Honolulu has off-the-charts mental health scores (we're guessing this has something to do with their beautiful beaches). This is just more proof that being outdoors can give you an improved sense of well-being and reduce stress.

8. Seattle, WA
They didn't just pioneer the grunge trend and bring us Starbucks coffeehouses, This city in Washington state also helps produce one of the highest number of U.S. college graduates. This, in turn, makes 'Seattle-ites' much more optimistic as individuals. Oh, and they reportedly purchase a lot more organic produce than residents in other health-conscious towns!

9. Lincoln, NE
This happy city in the Corn Husker state was recently acknowledged for having the country's lowest unemployment rate. Additionally, inhabitants in Nebraska's capital are exceptionally heart healthy overall.

10. Virginia Beach, VA
Those who call The Old Dominion home not only possess extremely healthy cholesterol levels, consumer reports show they're also huge buyers of athletic clothing (which implies they must exercise regularly, right?!)

Okay so what's the secret? The answer is, there really is NO secret as to why these cities are so happy and healthy. Put simply, inhabitants of these areas are active, they eat right and they just try to live stress-free lives as much as possible. At times it may be a struggle to live a lifestyle like this, but if YOU really want it... YOU too can achieve it!  

At NewMeMD we can customize a a healthy lifestyle or weight loss program designed for your specific needs. We understand one size does not fit all, which is why we offer a variety of physician-guided programs and packages that can be individualized with your objectives in mind.  For information about our services click here to visit our web site NOW. .

Here's to finding the pursuit of happiness & good health, along with a new YOU!

--Your NewMeMD Wellness Team

Here Comes the Sun (Dried Tomato Chicken): NewMeMD hCG Recipe of the Week

A little fun in the sun is always nice... and so are tomatoes (especially because they're allowed on most hCG weight loss programs)! 

Check out this week's featured recipe from your NewMeMD Wellness Team: 

hCG -Friendly Sun Dried Tomato Chicken

Ingredients: 
- 1 lb. of boneless, skinless chicken
(organic if possible. 87 cal. per serving)
- 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth (20 cal.)
- 12 sun-dried tomato slices (NOT packed in oil. 22 cal.)
- 10 peeled cloves of garlic (10 cal)
- ½ onion sliced into thin rings (12 cal.)
- ¼ cup of white wine vinegar (31 cal.)
- dried oregano to taste (approx. 12 cal.)
- ground black pepper to taste (approx. 15 cal)

Total calories per serving: 209

Instructions:
1. Brown chicken with 1/8 cup of broth in a skillet on medium high heat. 
2. In a casserole dish: layer onions, sun-dried tomato and garlic. 
3. Top onion/tomato/garlic layers with chicken when fully browned. 4. Pour 1 cup of broth and vinegar over chicken (after it's been added to your casserole dish).
5. Sprinkle with oregano and pepper. 
6. Cover and bake for 45 min. at 350 degrees.
7. Cool then serve and enjoy eating hCG -friendly!

For more healthy lifestyle solutions or information about our medical weight loss programs & products CLICK HERE to visit our web site!

Red, White & Blueberries: Try this Patriotic hCG Recipe from NewMeMD for July 4th!

Here's a fresh & fruity recipe from our NewMeMD wellness team with a nice crunch that's perfect for the 4th of July or any summer day. It's hCG-friendly too!

Blueberry, Strawberry & Jicama Salsa

Yield: About 3 cups of fruity salsa

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

1 cup fresh blueberries (84 cal.)

1 cup diced strawberries (46 cal.)

1 cup diced jicama (49 cal.)

1/3 cup chopped cilantro (1 cal.)

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (17 cal.)

2 tablespoons finely chopped jalapeno, stemmed & seeded (8 cal.)

Juice of 1 large lime (11 cal.)

Salt, to taste

Total calories: 206

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine blueberries, strawberries, jicama, cilantro, red onion, jalapeno and lime juice. 
2. Stir until well combined. 
3. Season with salt to taste. 
4. Serve & enjoy eating healthfully!

Note: This salsa is also great with grilled fish or chicken. It is best eaten the same day it is made.

For more information about healthy living or details about our products and services CLICK HERE to visit our web site.

Here's to a nutritious Independence Day!

--Your NewMeMD Wellness Team