Bad news for America: New study states dieting may increase your chance for flu

January 12, 6:12 AMDisease Prevention ExaminerPeggy Kraus

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Real food anytime of
year. Photo.

Americans love to hear that being 'bad' is really good for them. Take for example how the sales of red wine shot up by over a million cases in the 8 weeks following 60 Minutes' segment linking the consumption of wine with low rates of heart disease or how the myth that olive oil is 'good' for you has penetrated our dining habits.

Now, researchers have interpreted laboratory data to 'prove' that Americans shouldn't diet in the winter months because a reduced caloric intake will increase their chance for contracting the flu. This information will give Americans the go ahead to eat with reckless abandon. That's just what we need.

Even though the data supports these findings, I disagree with the inferences made:

• The study information encourages poor nutrition habits.  Americans understand this as, "It's OK to eat unhealthful foods during the winter."

• The study information encourages dieting.  We know that dieting doesn't work. Temporarily improving the qualtity of foods and restricting your caloric intake will help you shed punds, but shortly after returning to your old eating ways you will pack on the pounds again.

Health professionals need to encourage Americans to focus on the foods that contain the vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and phytochemicals that bring about lasting weight loss and long-term health, i.e. vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes, certainly NOT spread this sort of nonsense.