Ford: AHS decisions can serve up confusion
That was a time of childhood delights, including the thrill of the midway, going on the rides with my father.
But reliving my childhood is not what prompts thoughts of the past. It is the reality of today, when serious voices advise women who are pregnant, infants too young to be vaccinated and those who are immune-compromised to avoid the Stampede grounds. That they should be cautious of this year's annual celebration of all things Calgary and country.
The reason is as simple as it is stupid and surprising.
Measles. A childhood disease supposedly eradicated after a vaccine was introduced in 1963. Within five years, the incidence of measles had dropped more than 97 per cent.
Now, nearly 60 years later, we are facing a resurgence of a disease that was considered banished. What's next? Polio? Iron lugs?
I don't understand why adults refuse vaccinations for themselves or their children. I don't understand why proof of vaccinations aren't required in order to be enrolled in school. Also, I don't 'get' the stupidity of grown-ups putting their own children and the public at risk for whatever ignorant reasons they come up with.
Why is measles so dangerous? Because it is so highly contagious and lingers in the air.
Enter professional advice to be wary of participating in the joys of Stampede.
All of this is just one more head-scratcher involving the Alberta health system. Whatever the provincial government is trying to do, I don't understand.
Confuse the public to the point it can ram through whatever changes fits the hard-right program that has changed this province into a conundrum?
I could investigate. I could ask questions of those involved, even do a computer search. But that would not bring the reality of what is transpiring into focus before Albertans who have no access to professionals, but rely on AHS being there when it is needed.
As someone 'captured' by the system, just another patient, the changes to the health system are puzzling. It is as if a shiny new bauble is waved before us with a 'look over here' message.
Alberta measles cases surpass 1,000
How will the measles outbreak in Alberta affect kids?
There are many examples of how the public has been distracted. One is splitting AHS into four silos, each presumably with its own well-paid management and bureaucracy. Don't ask if any are experienced or qualified.
In case the public focuses on that, we are again 'told' to look away.
What is the reasoning (one that makes sense) behind making some of the most vulnerable, neediest and poorest pay for COVID shots? As a senior, I don't like the idea, but paying $100 for protection is not going to break my bank.
Does any of this make sense to ordinary people who want 'the system' to function for the people, not in spite of the people?
I write not to complain, but to make public the real concerns so many Albertans have with our public health-care system. (Wait times excluded.) This is inspired by experience, having spent much of this year at the whims and vagaries of the system.
I ask if anyone can explain AHS to me. I must pay for COVID shots, but licensed caregivers are coming to my house twice weekly to 'tend' to cuts to ensure they heal. I appreciate the treatment, but reflect that at the same time, AHS sent me a bill for $1,880. That was to cover the costs of providing my husband with a bed in a crowded four-person ward while awaiting placement in a facility. (He's now in private care, no thanks to 'the system.')
It's not as if we had a choice. Major surgery rendered me physically incapable of personally caring for him. Home was not an option. This was not my choice, but happenstance.
It has taught me that transparency is a joke and 'care' is a matter of personality.
How? All of the health-care professionals have the qualifications; only some have the personality to deal with the sick, frail, aging and sometimes dementia-stricken.
This matters because the person receiving care is at the mercy of individuals directly, not the system.
If AHS needs to be shaken up, start with vetting the staff for more than professional qualifications.
Catherine Ford is a regular columnist.
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It can get your rate too high (overestimate) or too low (underestimate). That's because of different body shapes, muscle, and body fat amounts. The calculator can get your BMR wrong if you: What Can You Eat on a CICO Diet? You can eat anything, as long as you eat fewer calories than you burn. 'You can eat Twinkies all day long as long as you stay within a certain calorie limit,' says Langer. But that's not the best way to build healthy eating habits. 'Four hundred calories of Twinkies don't offer the same nutrients and health benefits as 400 calories of lean protein and fiber -rich foods like fruit,' says Langer. If you follow the CICO diet, Langer suggests to get most calories from: Whole, unprocessed foods Fruits Vegetables Whole grains Nuts Lean protein like fish, seafood and poultry Eating healthy is key for good overall well-being. Your food's macronutrients (carbs, fats, and protein) have a big impact on how full you feel. And healthier foods can help you stay full longer. Does the CICO Diet Help Lose Weight? Usually, fewer calories can help you lose weight. One study showed eating different amounts of protein, carbohydrates, and fat made no difference. But eating fewer calories did. And people lost similar weight, no matter which diet they followed. The quality of your calories also counts, says Langer. Your body absorbs most calories from a muffin. But you only absorb about 20% of the calories from almonds. And a diet made up of ultra-processed foods can add roughly 500 more calories a day. 'Whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are higher in fiber, which helps you feel full faster,' explains Langer. 'You'll naturally eat less because you won't be as hungry.' Is the CICO diet sustainable? The CICO diet can help you reach your short-term weight loss goals. But it may be hard to keep up. 'It's very hard to track calories so rigorously for an extended period of time,' says Langer. 'A fixation on calories can also make you feel deprived, and you may get frustrated and give up.' Benefits of the CICO Diet Research shows most of us think we eat fewer calories in a day we really do. But if you track calories, you'll know more about your diet, says Langer. And this may help you lose weight. The CICO diet is flexible, too. You can eat what you want — as long as you eat fewer calories. It works with a wide range of eating patterns. You can follow the Mediterranean, DASH, or low-FODMAP diet. And with CICO, you can indulge sometimes. You can treat yourself to pizza or a brownie. Studies show self-monitoring your daily food stats can also help. Use paper or an app to log your: Food and calorie intake Physical activity Weight Recording these can help you successfully lose weight. 'It can also help you figure out where there's room for improvement," says Langer. "For example, you may need to eat more fiber or more protein." Potential Drawbacks of the CICO Diet There's no one-size-fits-all method for weight loss. While the CICO diet may work for some, it won't work for everyone. Risks of nutritional deficiencies The CICO diet allows any type of food. But eating mainly junk food means fewer nutrients. This can raise your risk for nutritional deficiency. The most common vitamin deficiencies are: Vitamin B6 Vitamin D Iron Weight loss plateau It's common to hit a weight loss plateau. At first, you may rapidly drop weight. That's because your body mostly burns calories in a type of stored glucose called glycogen. But then you'll start to lose muscle along with fat. This muscle loss can cause your metabolism to slow down. And burning fewer calories can slow your metabolism and weight loss. 'Our bodies fight back when we lose weight because they think we're going into starvation mode,' says Langar. Your body also releases ghrelin — the hunger hormone. And it's harder not to eat if you're hungrier. You'll need to drop even more calories or exercise more to lose weight, says Langar. But that may be hard to do. Mental health issues Some studies suggest higher risk for depression symptoms with calorie restricted diets. But people eating nutrient-based diets didn't report depression. And certain vitamin deficiencies can cause depression, too. 'It can also become very isolating to be on a strict CICO diet,' explains Langar. 'You may avoid going out for dinner with friends, for example, because you worry you'll blow through your calorie budget.' It can become easy to feel guilty or ashamed if you go over your calorie limit. You may see this as a failure. And this can worsen how you feel about yourself. Risk of worsening eating disorders Using an app may make your eating disorder worse. A small study found that a group of 75 people with eating disorders used an app to track calories. And over 70 out of the group said the app made their symptoms worse. 'It may [worsen] a certain rigidity of thinking linked with an eating disorder,' says Langar. Counting calories gets easier. But after doing it over and over all day, you may start to feel anxious about food. Especially if you don't know how many calories they have. May not be suitable for everyone Lifestyle choices (calories in and out) are just one factor affecting weight loss. Weight loss can depend on your: Family genetics Medications Lifestyle choices (eating habits and exercise) Medical conditions Environment Sleep habits One small study found personalized weight loss programs works best. 'There's no one cookie cutter approach to weight loss,' says Langer. How to Try the CICO Diet Safely The CICO diet is best with help from a registered dietitian nutritionist, says Smith. They can look at your eating habits and health. Your dietitian can also estimate your best calorie range. They'll also suggest nutritious and filling foods to eat. Here are some safe ways to try the CICO diet. Focus on whole foods Eat low-calorie fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These high-fiber foods help you feel full. They're also packed with nutrients. Eat mindfully Slow down and focus on each bite of food. You'll enjoy the taste more and feel full faster. Don't go too low Each day, you should eat at least 1,200 calories for women or 1,500 calories for men. Try some simple swaps Swap high-calorie foods for lower-calorie choices. Instead of a latte, try coffee with a little milk. For dessert, try a bowl of strawberries instead of ice cream. Craving savory? Have a cup of air popped popcorn instead of chips. Takeaways The CICO diet is simply 'calories in, calories out.' You just eat fewer calories than your body burns each day. But the diet works short-term, raises your risk for nutritional deficiencies, and can trigger disordered eating patterns. To safely try CICO, talk to a registered dietitian nutritionist first. FAQs About the CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) Diet Will I lose weight if I burn all the calories I eat? No, usually you'll lose weight by burning more calories than you eat. A good rule of thumb is to burn about 500 more calories than you eat each day. What is a realistic amount of weight to lose in 30 days? 'A 5% weight loss is a realistic goal for a 30-day time frame,' says Smith. For a 150-pound woman, that means about 7 1/2 pounds in a month. Can you exercise on a CICO diet? Yes, exercise is important for the CICO diet. Physical exercise helps you burn more calories than you eat. This can also help you lose weight. It builds muscle mass to keep up your metabolism. Is a 1,200-calorie deficit diet good for weight loss? A 1,200-calorie deficit isn't usually suggested for weight loss. Talk to your nutritionist, but a 500- to 750-calorie deficit is often suggested. And try to eat at least 1,200 calories a day for women or 1,500 a day for men.
