At most Thanksgiving dinners, a selection of pies is almost as traditional as the turkey. But that slice of pie doesn't have to tip the scales of dietary regret. It just takes a little moderation and common sense.
Take a small slice. Most pies should serve at least eight people.
Choose a fruit pie. It's likely to have less fat and fewer calories than a creamy pie such as pumpkin (a painful decision for some).
Ease up on the crust. It's the biggest nutritional culprit in most pies, with up to 220 calories and 15 grams of fat. A pie with only a bottom crust cuts these numbers in half.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Can gum be good? For those trying to keep off the pounds, taking up gum-chewing might not be a bad idea. There's actually a bit of scientific evidence showing that chewing gum helps fight fat in a number of ways. The handful of studies so far suggest that chewing gum might help reduce cravings, particularly for sweet snacks, and spur people to cut their daily intake by about 50 calories. The latest study, presented at the annual scientific meeting of the Obesity Society, showed that gum-chewing people consumed 67 fewer calories at lunch and didn't compensate by eating more later in the day. Many of the men in that study, which, like the others in the field, was small, said they felt less hungry after chewing gum.
WASHINGTON POST
Protecting boys A study cited by doctors in the United Kingdom noted an increasing number of male toddlers admitted with penile crush injuries. They attribute this to a growing trend for heavy wooden and ornamental toilet seats.
