It’s dog’s life: Calorie Counting on Four Paws

Obesity Is A Problem For Dogs, Too!

Our dog, CPU, loved eating people food and it was hard to ignore those pleading brown eyes. Like 40% of American pet dogs she was overweight. She got downright nasty when we tried to cut back and glared at us.

Our vet explained that we weren’t being kind to her by letting her have the extra food and that her obesity could lead to a shorter life. He listed many other medical problems that sounded similar to what my doctor had told me. However, unlike CPU, I wouldn’t have to worry about incontinence from being overweight.

We haven’t met our neighbors walking their dogs lately. Everyone seems to be working longer, with less time for exercise the pooch.

I identify with CPU feeling that food is love. When we are too busy to walk her she begs more from the grandchildren and even steals food.  I used to hide food too.

CPU was not happy being put on a diet. My mother was furious.

“You just want her to look like those dogs in the commercials. CPU doesn’t have to have a perfect body.  Dogs are for loving; a few extra pounds won’t hurt.”

She wouldn’t understand Lillian Cox’s blog to help her dog, Mama, trim to a  goal weight of 75 pounds.

But I appreciate the blog. I know how hard it is to lose weight and every bit of encouragement is needed. I’m making extra time to give CPU more cuddles and her new walking program is good for both of us.

How about you? Do you have an overweight dog in your house?

Who Knew? Gum is Good for You?

gumballs

It should come as no surprise that the Wrigley Science Institute has just discovered that gum is good for you and is presenting this information at Experimental Biology 2009 in New Orleans. For me, this discovery has come not a moment too soon.

I have always loved chewing gum. But my teachers described it as hideous, disgusting and unsanitary. They made snarky comments about cows chewing their cud. My childhood terror was being caught chewing gum and forced to wear it on my nose.

If only teachers had known that chewing gum can lead to better learning. Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine found that the lucky half of the 108 eighth-grade math students who chewed gum during homework and tests had a 3 percent increase in their standardized math test scores and better final grades.

But I don’t chew gum to be smarter. Sugar less gum reduces my cravings. Investigators at Louisiana State University agreed and found that chewers reported decreased feelings of hunger and cravings for sweet foods. I always thought that I was burning calories by chewing gum and it turns out I was correct. The prestigious Mayo Clinic concluded in the New England Journal of Medicine that the body burns 11 calories an hour just by gum chewing and it is possible to burn off an equivalent of 11 pounds per year and raise the metabolic rate by approximately 20%. Of course, you would have to chew gum every waking hour for this to happen but it’s nice to know that my mastic enjoyment comes with a positive price tag.

Researches are able to provide us with even more reasons to chew. The American Dental Association reminds us that “chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes following meals can help prevent tooth decay”. GERD suffers will be surprised to learn that the increased saliva flow washes away acids and bacteria in the mouth and increases stomach antacid.

All I have to do now is remember to pop a piece of gum. But if I do that it may even help my brain since there is some evidence that chewing increases flow to the brain and head up to 25%.