Find your best self before the wedding ceremony and read marriage, relationship, and wellness tips from Denver wedding officiant, Michael Moody.

Michael Moody 3/23/17 Michael Moody 3/23/17

"25 Ways to Get Healthier in One Minute" Review

If you're reading this, you're probably overwhelmed with a million tasks on your list. Have no worries! I chose the best ways to improve your health in just a minute (from the weight loss list "25 Ways to Get Healthier in One Minute")!

DRINK A GLASS OF WATER

The Institute of Medicine suggests that as much as 75 percent of the population is dehydrated at any given time. Unfortunately, drinking inadequate fluids can make you feel hungry, put a strain on your kidneys, and can make it harder for your intestines to effectively and expeditiously digest food.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: What is the proper amount of water that we need? While the general recommendation of 8 cups per day may be an adequate guide and goal, ultimately you need to be mindful of your physical self to determine your true need. Chances are that you'll never feel a burst of energy with enough water. On the other hand, you will feel tired or experience cramps when dehydrated. Check-in with your body every hour and assess your need before there is a deficiency.

STAND UP

Those long hours behind a desk are no friend to your waistline or health in general. However, it only takes a minute to combat the deleterious effect of this all-too-common habit. Researchers in Melbourne, Australia have discovered that alternating sitting and standing, as opposed to lengthy periods of just sitting, can reduce blood sugar highs and lows that can lead to hunger pangs, so if you’ve got a little time on your hands, stand up.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Is there enough research to support this claim? I'm not sure yet. One thing we know for certain: Your hip flexors tighten while seated and may tilt your hips in a compromising position. Translation: Give your back some relief and extend your body from its sitting, flexed position.

GIVE SOMEONE A HUG

If you’re into it, and they’re into it, go ahead and give someone you love a big bear hug! Not only can giving your sweetie a squeeze burn a few calories, it can also improve your overall health. In fact, researchers at the University of North Carolina and the University of Pittsburgh have discovered that hugging can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Nevermind the miniscule amount of calories burning hugging someone (a little weird). No doubt about it: Giving hugs can lead to more positive interactions in your life...which may lead to less negativity and stress

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

Got a minute? Go ahead and take a few deep breaths. Mindful breathing is an easy way to relax when you’re feeling stressed, and research suggests it can help improve surgical outcomes, keep your heart rate steady, and lower blood pressure.

DO A ONE-MINUTE MEDITATION

All it takes is a minute to get a clearer mind and healthier body. Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found that meditation can relieve anxiety, physical pain, and even some symptoms of depression, so if you find yourself with a minute to spare, try channeling your inner om.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Breathing...meditation...mindfulness...know these terms-they're probably missing from your life. Anytime a personal training client exhibits a limited range of motion or tightness in a stretch I always ask them to take a deep breath. You might be surprised how this simple strategy will reduce tension in the body and increase the range of motion. Just imagine what a collection of deep breaths and a focus can achieve during meditation!

SIP SOME TEA

Not a coffee drinker? Not a problem! Sipping a glass of green tea can help increase your energy level and may even help you slim down faster. Just make sure you're opting for an unsweetened version — many of the green teas you'll find at the supermarket are loaded with sugar and high fructose corn syrup.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: How many hyperactive tea drinkers do you know? They always seem relaxed to me...especially as they sit, relax, and sip. Take note: You may need to slow down your life to improve your health. Don't forget that not all tea is the same. Read the box!

REST YOUR EYES

A mere 60 seconds definitely isn’t enough time for a nap, but it’s plenty of time to give those peepers a break. The American Optometric Association recommends taking regular breaks from staring at your computer screen to prevent eye strain, so if you’ve got a minute to spare, give yourself some shut-eye.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: More strain to any part of the body isn't good. The same principle applies to your eyes.

How else can you improve your health in one-minute?

Picture Credit:
Zerobelly.com-Is the key to better health in your cup?

More to Read:
Are you ready to try a few weight loss tricks from a personal trainer in Chicago? Check out 6 Things 'Successful Diets Have In Common.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 25 Ways to Get Healthier in One Minute " on Zerobelly.com.

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

Michael Moody—author of the self-improvement book Redefine Yourself: The Simple Guide to Happiness and host of the “The Elements of Being” podcast—is an ordained minister serving Denver and other towns across Colorado. He is a 2023 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award winner in both Denver and Chicago (his eighth consecutive year), was named “Best Business of 2024 and 2025” by Three Best Rated, and earned “The Best Wedding Officiant in Commerce City, Colorado for 2024” from Quality Business Awards USA. Since 2012, he has officiated more than 300 weddings.

Specifically, Michael officiates wedding ceremonies in the Denver neighborhoods of LoDo, River North, Washington Park, Cherry Creek, City Park, Central Park, Capitol Hill, Cheesman Park, Park Hill, Highland, Platt Park, Lower Highlands, Sloan Lake as well as the zip codes 80215, 80214, 80204, 80203, 80205, 80207, 80218, 80219, 80222, 80223, 80224, 80246, 80238, 80221, 80022, 80230, 80231, 80202, 80209, 80247, and 80210. Michael also serves as an ordained minister in Golden, Boulder, Breckenridge, Frisco, Aspen, Vail, Estes Park, and more.

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

Michael Moody 3/15/17 Michael Moody 3/15/17

"Is Stress Making You Fat? Science Finds a New Link" Review

Have you changed everything from your diet to your fitness regiment and still haven't lost weight? The answer may be the amount of stress you endure. Check out this very convincing article on why we should limit the emotional burden we bear (from the recent weight loss article "Is Stress Making You Fat? Science Finds a New Link").

Health.com: Is Stress Making You Fat? Science Finds a New Link

Sure, your life is bananas. And maybe you feel like you can manage it all just fine. But here is a powerful reason to pencil in some me time: Feeling stressed for months at a time can up your risk for obesity, according to scientists from University College London.

Their new study used hair clippings to measure levels of the stress hormone cortisol in people’s bodies. Hair samples provide more accurate hormonal data than other types of samples, the authors say, making their findings some of the strongest yet to suggest that stress and weight are closely linked.

For the study, published today in Obesity, the researchers collected locks from more than 2,500 men and women over a four-year period and analyzed them for accumulated levels of cortisol. (The samples were cut as close as possible to the scalp, and represented hair growth over about two months.)

The researchers also recorded participants’ weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference over time. And they noticed a clear connection: People who had higher levels of cortisol in their hair tended to rank higher on all three physical measures, as well.

In fact, people classified as obese based on their BMI (30 or greater) or waist circumference (greater than 102 centimeters in men or 88 centimeters in women) had particularly high levels of cortisol in their hair.

These findings support previous research that suggests that high-stress levels can trigger unhealthy habits—like losing sleep and eating “comfort food” high in sugar and fat. Other studies have shown that cortisol levels can affect metabolism and fat storage in the body, implying that weight gain could potentially occur even if a person’s behaviors don’t change.

But most studies have relied on measurements of cortisol in the blood, saliva, or urine—which can vary depending on situational factors and time of day. The relatively new technology of measuring hair cortisol provides more accuracy for long-term cortisol measures, say the authors, and strengthens the existing research.

The association between cortisol levels and waist circumference is particularly important, says lead author Sarah Jackson, Ph.D., a research psychologist in the Department of Behavioral Science and Health since carrying fat around the midsection is a known risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, and early death.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: You can't achieve your most ideal self without looking at every facet of your life including the mental, emotional, and physical parts of you. They are intertwined and require a multi-prong approach. This couldn't be any truer when pursuing a weight loss goal.

Without a doubt, there is no bigger challenge than managing your physical self and the responsibilities of your personal and professional lives. No surprise, you and many others are overwhelmed with stress (and your weight is suffering as a result). While these recent findings may not anything new, they once again affirm an important notion: weight loss requires more than a focus on fitness and nutrition.

The authors noted that their study participants were all 54 and older and mostly white, and pointed out that the study's findings may not apply to a younger or more diverse group of people. They also can’t say which came first: obesity or elevated cortisol levels.

Susan K. Fried, Ph.D., professor of medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, and bone disease at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, said in an email that it’s possible that obesity could trigger higher stress levels. The study’s cortisol measurements reflect exposure over a couple of months, “but the obesity in the people studied likely developed many years earlier,” says Fried, who reviewed the research but was not involved herself.

“Thus, these high hair cortisol values may simply reflect social or biological stress associated with being obese,” she says. For example, stigma and medical conditions associated with being overweight (such as high blood pressure and arthritis) could both cause stress over time.

Jackson agrees that this is a possibility, but says it can’t hurt to be aware of how stress might influence weight gain: “I think the take-home message from our study is really to try and maintain awareness of healthy lifestyle habits during times of stress."

“When we’re stressed out we may find it more difficult to find the motivation to go for a run or resist unhealthy foods, and that’s when it is easier for weight to creep on,” she says. It could also be helpful to identify ways to reduce exposure to stressful situations, she adds, or to find ways of coping with stress that doesn't involve food.

If further research is able to identify a cause-and-effect relationship—that is, show that stress and cortisol levels are directly responsible for fueling weight gain—it could lead to new ways of using stress reduction to prevent and treat obesity, says Jackson.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: What great insight, huh? Not so fast. You shouldn't believe everything you read...at least not yet. More research is needed. With this being said, it's okay to listen to any health and fitness claim, but you need to take responsibility and continue your research. Don't take everything on the surface. Do you really know what this claim is based on? Most health proclamations are backed by studies but what do you know about the studies? Who funded the study? Could there be a conflict of interest? How many people participated? How were they recruited? Are they representative of the general population? Are they representative of you? What was the scientific approach used in the study? Do other studies support or dispute this claim? Why or why not? Reading these types of articles aren't enough. You need to ask the right questions too. I give Health.com professional credit for exploring the study in more depth. Specifically, looking at the participants and whether these findings generalize to the greater population.

Picture Credit:
MSN.com-Is this research a step in the right direction for people trying to lose weight?

More to Read:
Are you ready to try a few weight loss tricks from a personal trainer in Chicago? Check out 6 Things 'Successful Diets Have In Common.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " Is Stress Making You Fat? Science Finds a New Link " on MSN.com.

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

Michael Moody 2/27/17 Michael Moody 2/27/17

"45 Vegetarian Protein Sources You Should Be Eating" Review

Are you looking for protein sources outside of meat? Here are my favorites from the recent weight loss list "45 Vegetarian Protein Sources You Should Be Eating".

EGGS

Eggs are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats and are an excellent source of protein, with 6 grams of the stuff in a single 70-calorie egg.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: The word vegetarian is defined as "relating to the exclusion of meat or other animal products from the diet". If this is so, why are eggs, which is an animal product, on this list of vegetarian protein sources? My guess is that people still think eggs are dairy (thanks to the lobbyist-influenced version of health, the Food Pyramid)...and dairy, for some unknown reason, is not considered an animal product (which doesn't make sense). Moral of the story: Eggs don’t belong on this list, but, yet again, they have appeared on another vegetarian list. Nevertheless, if you choose to eat an animal protein, I think eggs are the best whole nutritional option after fish and seafood. Like all animal products that cause inflammation, though, you should be mindful of its effect on your body.

EDAMAME

A single cup of edamame contains 17 grams of protein, 8 grams of fiber, and is a great source of heart-healthy fats.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: If you choose a soy product, I believe that this is the only acceptable form. Why? It's whole and unprocessed, of course. I'll admit, though, there is much to debate about the health benefits of soy. To be safe, limit your consumption (think GMOs).

ALMONDS

In just half a cup of almonds, you get 15 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and high levels of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamin K. Whether you're eating them raw, using almond flour in your cooking, or adding them to your salad, almonds are one of the easiest ways to get more protein in a meat-free diet.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Almonds, as well as most nuts, are easy to add to everything. While this article is bragging about its protein and fiber, you should still be mindful of the (good) fat and calories it may add to a meal.

CHICKPEAS

Chickpeas pack a lot of protein in a small package, whether you're adding them to your salad or topping your veggies with hummus. One cup of chickpeas contains half of your daily potassium, nearly 70 percent of your daily iron, and 39 grams of protein — that's as much as you'd get in half a dozen eggs!

BLACK BEANS

Black beans are a staple in many vegetarian meals, thanks to their high protein and fiber content, with 39 grams of protein and 29 grams of fiber per cup.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Most beans are great source of fiber and protein. I add beans to every meal of my day. If you're worried their physical effects on your body, drain and heat them thoroughly to remove as much of the symptom-causing lectin as possible.

LENTILS

Filling and easy to incorporate into everything from baked goods to curry, lentils should definitely earn a spot on your grocery list. While a full cup of cooked lentils has only 230 calories, you'll also get 18 grams of protein and 16 grams of fiber.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Outside of beans, lentils are another big punch of protein and fiber in one bite.

HEMP MILK

Yes, it comes from the same plant as pot. No, that doesn't mean it will give you a buzz. What hemp milk will give you, however, is a great dairy milk alternative with 3 grams of protein and 2 grams of fiber per cup. Make sure your hemp milk is unsweetened, though — many brands add as much as 30 grams of sugar per cup to this normally low-carb drink.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: I also add hemp seeds to my meals for the same nutrition as well.

CHIA SEEDS

With 6 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber in just 2 tablespoons, you'll be making your favorite food way more filling when you sprinkle these bad boys on top.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: You can easily add any seed to your meal to increase it's nutritional density. Chia seeds are my favorite. They offer protein, fiber, and plenty of the omega-3 fatty acids!

SPINACH

10 ounces of spinach has 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and more than 500% of your daily vitamin A.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Make Bugs Bunny proud and start eating this leafy protein option instead of your typical lettuce. Try to choose the most nutrient-dense option whenever possible.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS

A cup of Brussels sprouts (which is a pretty small serving, considering each individual sprouts' size), has 3 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and more than your daily recommended dose of vitamin C.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Not a high portion of protein, but a nice addition to any plate. Keep in mind that Brussels sprout tossed with olive oil and bacon may offset these health benefits.

What other vegetarian protein sources are missing from this list?

Picture Credit:
Zerobelly.com-Are lentils a good protein source?

More to Read:
Are you ready to try a few weight loss tricks from a personal trainer in Chicago? Check out 6 Things 'Successful Diets Have In Common.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 45 Vegetarian Protein Sources You Should Be Eating " on MSN.com.

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

Michael Moody 2/21/17 Michael Moody 2/21/17

"42 Ways to Beat Your Junk Food Cravings" Review

On a weight loss regiment but can't stop craving junk food? I stripped the top 7 ways to halt the temptation from the nutrition article "42 Ways to Beat Your Junk Food Cravings". Take a look!

EAT A PROTEIN-RICH BREAKFAST

Start your day on the right foot and keep those junk food cravings at bay by loading your breakfast with protein. Not only will doing so keep you full for longer than a carb-heavy meal, it can also help slim you down. Research published in the International Journal of Obesity reveals that individuals who ate eggs for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight and reduced their waist measurement by 34 percent more than those who ate bagels instead.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: My Atkins fans are probably jumping in excitement! #ProteinForever #AnimalsAreMyBestFriendWhenICanEatOne Slow down for a moment and dissect what this suggestion really means. Up to this point, most people favor the quick and easy carb breakfast of cereal and fruit (which is a carb overload intending to spike your blood sugar levels and disrupt your ability to lose weight). We can fairly state that this meal is lacking serious nutrition. Where is the healthy protein? Where is the healthy fat? While I encourage you to add protein to your breakfast, it should still be a plant-based focus with a close eye on a ratio of protein, fiber, fat, and vitamins/phytonutrients.

TAKE A BITE AND TOSS IT

They say the first taste is the sweetest, and that’s certainly true when it comes to junk food. Sometimes, all you really want is the comfort or flavor of a certain food, but not the whole thing. If your craving is too hard to pass up, make a habit of allowing yourself a single bite and tossing the rest (or giving it to a friend). Some people even go as far as dumping salt or cleaning fluid on their trigger food to break the temptation to go back for more.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Do you really need to dump cleaning fluid on that irresistible piece of cake? Probably not. Simply putting it away or disposing it should be good enough. Know yourself, though. If you think you might sneak back into the fridge, throw it away or give it to your neighbor.

DO A PANTRY PURGE

Your home may be your castle but it may also be a contributor to your poor eating habits. Cleaning out your kitchen and getting rid of any snacks you’re likely to binge on can make it a whole lot easier to make good choices when hunger strikes.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: "If it's there, I'll probably eat it" most likely applies to most of us. Do yourself a favor and remove the temptation while you create new healthy habits (and yes, your health is worth wasting $15 of unhealthy food).

CHANGE YOUR ROUTE HOME

Passing by a million fast food joints on the way to school or home from work can make it all too easy to give into temptation. Whenever possible, try taking routes that avoid fast food chains or places you’d usually stop — out of sight, out of mind.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: An incredible amount of money is spent learning about consumer psychology. If you can't resist the colorful sign and mouth-watering window pictures, no one blames you. The restaurants are appealing to your unconscious. Limit this persuasion by taking the other scenic ride home.

PRE-PORTION YOUR SNACKS

Instead of buying a whole bag of something and telling yourself you’ll just have a little, portion out your snacks the second you get them home. Doing so can help you start to enjoy those foods you crave in moderation instead of binging.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Planning and prepping your meals will always increase your chances of weight loss success.

CONSIDER WHAT YOU'RE CRAVING

Sometimes, our cravings are telling us something, and it’s not always such a bad idea to listen. If you’re craving orange juice, you may need to up your intake of vitamin C. Craving pizza? It could be a calcium deficiency you’re trying to fix. Once you’ve figured out what’s at the root of your craving, you can help crush it by adapting your diet. If you still feel a serious urge to snack on junk foods you don't even want on an intellectual level, it might be time to have your doctor test you for a vitamin deficiency.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: It isn't likely that what you crave is specifically linked to a deficiency in related nutrition. If your diet is nutrient deficient in any way, though, your body may tell you to seek out more fuel until you find it.

SKIP THE ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS

You may think you’re saving yourself calories by eating a sugar-free version of your favorite sweet, but those artificial sweeteners you’re chowing down on could be compounding the problem. Artificial sweeteners activate the same part of your brain as regular sugar, and can actually make cravings for the real stuff worse.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Not only is an artificial sweetener a foreign substance that leads to inflammation, but it will also trigger a similar insulin response as sugar. Despite our best efforts, we can't trick our brain on this one.

What other ways do you beat your junk food cravings?

Picture Credit:
bijouxandbits.com-What does adding more protein to your breakfast mean to you?

More to Read:
Are you ready to try a few weight loss tricks from a Chicago personal trainer? Check out 10 Secrets to Lose 25 Pounds Now.

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Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " 42 Ways to Beat Your Junk Food Cravings " on MSN.com.

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!

Michael Moody 2/17/17 Michael Moody 2/17/17

"The 40 Most Fattening Kids' Menu Meals" Review

This is a list of the most common food items on a kid's menu...and you might be surprised by their stats. Even if you don't have kids you may still want to avoid these foods (from the weight loss article "The 40 Most Fattening Kids' Menu Meals").

BOB EVANS CHOCOLATE CHIP PLENTY-O-PANCAKES

Each stack of these sweet flapjacks adds a startling 850 calories to your little one's daily intake, potentially increasing their risk of obesity in the long run.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Our first lesson here: Kids CANNOT eat whatever they want. From the ages 0-7, they are experiencing the greatest period of physical development (you can legitimately argue to the age of 21 in fact). Why compromise their growth with unhealthy and inflammatory foods? Because they'll start fussing and throwing the vegetables back at you. Alright...fair enough. Nevertheless, you'll want to control their routine as much as possible. While the high caloric Bob Evans Chocolate Chip Plenty-O-Pancakes may not lead to your child's weight gain (lucky kid), how do you think it's affecting his or her overall health and growth production? Are you truly providing the nutrient-dense food he or she needs for long-term health?

CHICK-FIL-A NUGGETS

Chick-Fil-A may have added a few healthier options to its menu, but its kids' meals aren't exactly a recipe for the all-day energy kids need to stay active. With fried chicken nuggets, greasy waffle fries, and apple juice tallying 600 calories, 26 grams of fat, and 945 milligrams of sodium, you'd be far better off making lunch for your little ones at home.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: "But it's chicken..." should no one say ever. While our society is protein obsessed, the obesity rate continues to rise among children. Is there a correlation here? No matter if you want to blame our friend Mr. Chicken or the sugary apple juice, something is missing here: Vegetables. I know...I'm too predictable. Don't settle for easy, and make half of your child's plate veggies (even if you must serve the high caloric, fatty fried chicken nuggets).

SCHLOTZKY'S CHEESE SANDWICH KIDZ MEAL

How bad could a cheese sandwich really be? If you're eating it at Schlotzky's, the answer is "really bad." A single grilled cheese and French fry meal from this chain have an astonishing 798 calories, and that's before you even add a drink or dessert.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Should anyone have nearly 800 calories in one meal? Absolutely not. Best way to gain weight: Eat more than 400-500 calories per meal (and not just talking about your child).

YARDHOUSE PEPPERONI PIZZA

If you ask a dozen kids what their favorite food is, I'd be willing to be that at least half would tell you it's pizza, specifically the pepperoni-topped variety. However, if you're hoping to keep your kids healthy in the long run, steer clear of the pizza on Yardhouse's kids' menu, which contains 840 calories, 41 grams of fat, and 1.5 grams of trans fat.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: I have a confession: I love pizza. It's still one of my favorite meals. Unfortunately, I avoid it at all costs. It's a fatty, simple carb dream preparing you for insulin shots and heart medicine. Try your best to teach your child portion control and substitute half your pizza meal with (you guessed it) veggies.

IHOP JR. CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

With 500 calories, 26 grams of fat, and half a gram of trans fat, you'd be much better off making your kids some whole grain waffles (sans fried chicken) at home.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: If you make this dish at home, bake the chicken in almond flour and substitute the dairy with almond milk. You'll save an immense amount of fat and calories.

CHIK-FIL-A CHICK-N-STRIPS

Sugar, salt, and saturated fat team up for an unhealthy trinity in Chick-Fil-A's Chick-n-Strips meal. Topped off with waffle fries and chocolate milk, this meal packs 700 calories, 71 grams of fat, 7 grams of saturated fat, and 970 milligrams of sodium.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Please reread the chicken nuggets section above and reflect.

CLAIM JUMPER PASTA WITH BUTTER

For many picky eaters, buttered noodles are among the few palatable foods out there, leading many kids' menus to offer this simple dish as an alternative to hamburgers and chicken fingers. Unfortunately, at Claim Jumper, ordering the Pasta With Butter means you're likely getting more calories than you would in the aforementioned meals. Each serving of this unhealthy dish has 972 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 872 milligrams of sodium.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: This famous dish brings back memories of my mother's masterful cooking: Buttered Noodles! Who doesn't love butter and noodles (together or separate)???? Of course, you need to add more salt for taste! Thank you, Claim Jumper, for perfecting this dish! With 972 calories, 32 grams of fat, and over 800 milligrams of sodium, it might just be one of the worst filler foods for kids.

OLIVE GARDEN MAC AND CHEESE

Olive Garden's Mac and Cheese may clock fewer calories than its counterparts in other restaurants, but when it comes to sodium, it's keeping the competition tight. In each portion of Olive Garden Mac you'll get 350 calories, 3 grams of saturated fat, 2 grams of trans fat, and 1040 milligrams of sodium.

Personal Trainer Wisdom: Most Mac and Cheese options are higher in calories. Despite Olive Garden's efforts to minimize the calories and fat, it still has no more value than the buttered noodles above. Let's face it...if your children are dependent on most of the meals on this list, they most likely are lacking serious nutrition.

What other fattening meals do parents feed their kids?

Picture Credit:
Michael Pohuski-Are chicken strips really that unhealthy?

More to Read:
Are you ready to try a few weight loss tricks from a Chicago personal trainer? Check out 10 Secrets to Lose 25 Pounds Now.

***************

Article Credit:

Author: Michael Moody Fitness with excerpt sourced from the article " The 40 Most Fattening Kids' Menu Meals " on Zerobelly.com.

About the Author: Michael Moody, Wedding Officiant

If your Denver neighborhood or Colorado town isn’t listed here, no worries! Please contact Michael to propose a wedding ceremony location in a different area!