Kent State Interns

  Faint, Puke, Die, or Keep Walking. The wise words of TV personality Jilliam Michaels trainer on Biggest Loser. But are those words really that wise? And did this TV show leave its contestants and most of America in a worse place? In short, yes.  Over the 18 seasons of Biggest Loser we watched 14 contestants on average go from their starting weights of sometimes up to 400 pounds drop as much as they could as fast as they could, all well-being publicly shamed on national television. With the idea that they would fight tooth and nail to get to their dream bodies and they would do it only with diet and exercise and emerge a healthy and happy person once it was all done. Well also keeping in mind that you would be kicked off the show if you did not lose enough. All with challenges designed to make you crack and trainers pushing you to know you were never going to be good enough.  A 2016 study published in the journal  Obesity  followed contestants after being on th...

   What Happens When TV Takes it too Far? In recent years the TV world has found a few found fascination with pushing the human body to the breaking point. With survival shows like Naked and Afraid, Survivor, Extracted, and most of note Alone taking the world by storm it’s safe to say the TV networks know that the viewers have caught the survival bug. But what happens when the after care of competitors is neglected, and what is the real tole on their bodies once the cameras turn off for good?  Producer Pender of US History Chanel told reporter Andy Dehnart that the preselection for participants is rigorous and that they must meet with the team to make sure they are fully equipped to be out there. They meet with an on staff “nutritionist” so they can get the “vibe” of what their diet traditionally looks like, as well as safe ways for them to bulk up. However, the aftercare on a show like alone does go further then most. They do not just give the contestants a flight home a...

If fall had a soundtrack, it would be warm, nostalgic, and a perfect balance of sweetness and spice. And if fall had a cookie ? It would definitely be a warm chai sugar cookie. Taylor Swift once mentioned making chai cookies for friends, and ever since, fans have tried recreating their own versions. These cookies blend soft sugar-cookie comfort with tea-inspired spices, making them perfect for fall gatherings, late-night baking sessions, or simply listening to Red (Taylor’s Version) with your cat. Below is my Swiftie-approved guide to chai-inspired cookies at home, BH’s Version .   Dry ingredients 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ tsp baking soda ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground cardamom ½ tsp ground ginger ¼ tsp nutmeg A pinch of cloves Wet ingredients ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp heavy cream Topping ¼ cup sugar + ½ tsp cinnamon   Directions In a medium bowl, whisk all dry ingredient...

If you’re hosting guests with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance this Thanksgiving, don’t panic! It’s entirely possible to pull off a delicious and cozy feast without missing any of the classics we know and love. With a little planning and a few simple swaps, your table can be just as familiar (and maybe even tastier) as a traditional spread. Here’s how to make it happen:   Start with the Easy Wins A lot of Thanksgiving staples are naturally gluten-free. Think:   Turkey Mashed potatoes Roasted veggies Cranberry sauce   So, no need to reinvent the entire menu. Start with what already works and build from there.   Keep an Eye Out for Sneaky Gluten Gluten can hide in strange places. Broth, gravy packets, spice mixes, even some canned pie fillings can contain it as a thickening agent. Just give labels a quick read and look for “gluten-free” to save yourself the surprise later.   Make Simple Swaps You don’t have to create brand-new recipes—just tweak what you alrea...

If you have a sweet tooth, then this one is for you! Personally, I have a tendency to overindulge in sweet treats. Sometimes, when I want a sweet treat, I try to make it a little bit healthier so that I can feel my absolute best while also not depriving myself of the things that make me happy. My favorite solution to this is yogurt bark, and it's completely customizable to your preferences! It's nutritious and delicious, packed with nutrients such as calcium, fiber, vitamin C, and other antioxidants, making it the perfect snack for flu season and overall health.  Here's my personal recipe. Let me know if you give it a try! Ingredients: 1 32-oz tub of regular or Greek yogurt (vanilla or strawberry preferred). Fruit of your choice (I prefer to use blueberries, strawberries, and banana slices). Honey and/or peanut butter (optional). Chocolate chips (optional). Other preferred toppings such as coconut, almonds, etc. (optional).  Equipment needed: 1 large cookie sheet with raise...

          Shorter days and dark November mornings can feel brutal, especially when you’re knee-deep in dietetic rotations and these settings don't wait for sunlight. There’s something about dragging yourself out of bed at 5:02 AM when it’s still pitch black that just feels wrong. Some mornings, I take an extra five minuted to sink into my oversized chair, coffee mug in hand, and stare at the ceiling, always wondering how humans survived before cozy blankets and caffeine existed. Lately, I’ve had to get extra creative just to make it through those early wake-ups without turning into a zombie.     One of the first things I’ve learned is to lean on light whenever possible. A few minutes with my newly acquired light therapy lamp while sipping coffee feels like it has flipped a switch in my brain. It wakes me up and makes the day feel a little more doable. Whenever I can, I also do my best to take advantage of natural sunlight, whether that’s stepping...