A recent study found an anti-obesity effect in a variety of squashes and pumpkins.

Over an eight-week trial, mice were fed a high-fat diet and supplemented with PG105, a water soluble derivative of the Cucurbita moschata. Their body weight and fat storage was successfully suppressed with PG105. The overall amount of food intake was not affected. Furthermore, PG105 protected the development of fatty liver and increased the hepatic beta-oxidation activity. Results from blood analysis showed that the levels of triglyceride and cholesterol were significantly lowered by PG105 administration, and also that the level of leptin (excreted by fat cells) was reduced. Adiponectin, the modulator of a number of metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid catabolism, was increased.

This remarkable effect on fat metabolism was made possible by the decreased abilities of lipogenic genes (fat-producing) while simultaneously kicking up the lipolytic genes (fat-burning). Since this affected the beta-oxidation of fatty acids, it would presumably create a rise in ketones. If the body can maintain normal blood glucose while producing all these ketones, this might demand consideration that ketosis is not only safe for diabetics, but healthy. I'm anxious to see further research.

It's not an oxymoron -- it's quite possible to control the rise of blood sugar with the foods you eat. This does not entail culinary tomfoolery, skipping meals or any shenanigans you ordinarily would expect from a quick fix. Many of these tips come from a fully certified dietician, Joy Bauer.

Joy suggests pairing every meal with a lean protein. Protein helps slow the absorption of carbohydrates, so include lean red meat, skinless turkey and chicken, egg whites, seafood, legumes or tofu with every meal. She also suggests you choose blood-sugar friendly carbs, such as those higher in fiber. Fiber is that part of the food that we cannot break down and absorb. As Americans looked for convenience, many people turned to processed foods and away from the fresh vegetables and fruits that could provide adequate fiber, which also slowed the absorption of sugar into the blood stream. If you must eat pasta -- cook your pasta al dente. The more pasta cooks, the more starch breaks down, making it easier and quicker to digest (thus, raising blood sugar faster). For those of you who are willing to give it a try, checkout Dreamfields pasta. It has only 5 grams of digestible carbs per serving and 5 grams of fiber.

Focus as much as possible on the fiber-rich foods. Joy suggests eating more legumes. This is accomplished by adding chickpeas to salads and stir-fry's, kidney beans to chili, and lentils to soups, or pureeing beans to make dips. One more little tip to reduce the sugar shock into the body: add acid to your meals! Vinegar, yogurt and lemon can each slow blood sugar response. Enjoy vinaigrette on salad, yogurt with fresh fruit, or fresh lemon juice on vegetables. If you'd rather eat your fiber in a good old fashioned muffin, check out Miracle Muffins. Just add water and bake. With approximately 100 calories per muffin and over 6 grams of fiber you can't go wrong. Bon appétit, everybody!

Wouldn't it be nice to find a diet that insists you stop fretting over carbs, fats and calories? Well a diet wouldn't be a diet unless it had rules. So what if the rules focused on combining fiber with lean protein at every meal? This is entirely possible, according to Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of The F-Factor Diet.

Tanya Zuckerbrot has spent more than a decade working with busy, successful clients who want and need to lose weight. She's watched fad diets come and go, offering only a temporary fix-and a lot of misinformation about healthy eating. To this end, Tanya has developed a plan that makes losing weight and keeping it off easy and convenient. Her healthy, delicious, sustainable diet redefines fiber as an essential piece to achieving weight loss with the added benefits of an energy boost, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.

The F-Factor Diet is made up of 3 simple stages, each including a wide array of foods, packed full of fiber and available in any supermarket. She also hand-picks specialty products that compliment the high fiber goal of her plan and come nicely equipped with good taste! The F-Factor Diet also includes more than seventy-five delicious recipes-and a complete set of guidelines for those who don't cook.

Beyond her refreshing approach to easy weight loss -- Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., is a nutritionist in private practice, based in New York City and Miami Beach. She serves on the advisory boards of Shape and Men's Fitness magazines, and has appeared on Today and Fox News, among other shows. If the suspense is killing you and you must get a copy today -- checkout Amazon.com for your copy of The F-Factor Diet.

Realizing how influential carbohydrates can be on blood sugars, I swore myself to celibacy from baked goods long ago. However, my closed-door policy underwent peace talks after I had the pleasure of speaking with Ramsey Makar, founder of Miracle Muffins. Miracle Muffins are diabetic friendly premium muffin mixes with a plethora of wholesome goodness. Fresh baked, every time -- all you have to do is add water!

Miracle is a strong word. However, when you see the impact these muffins have on blood sugar -- you'll agree it's miraculous. Ramsey wanted to create a muffin that his diabetic mother could enjoy without the rise in her sugar. He concocted a recipe that contains generous amounts of fiber, healthy soy protein, low-glycemic sweeteners, and is very low in fat. Another fact for good measure -- the muffins fit comfortably into the diet programs of Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach, LA Weight Loss, Nutra System and Zone.

I saved the best part for last -- the flavors! Each muffin is fresh-baked so you spare nothing on taste. The flavors available are: banana, blueberry, black cherry, chai spiced black tea, cinnamon green tea, chocolate black cherry and gingerbread. The muffin mixes have two versions based on the sweeteners used -- Spnenda or Xylitol. It says something profound about a product that actually helped an Olympic athlete lose weight! When you visit the Miracle Muffin site, take a peek at the You Tube video, read the mesmerizing nutrition details, and indulge yourself in the Miracle Muffin experience. You'll be a believer, too!