On its surface, the cause of the Western world's obesity epidemic seems simple: People are eating too many calories and getting too little calorie-burning exercise; the imbalance manifests as excess fat. But this explanation is too simple.

There's been a lot of buzz recently about a new study that punched a few new holes in the already-tattered notion that weight gain and loss is simply a matter of "calories in vs. calories out."

Facts won't make you achieve the ideal figure, a healthy heart, or freedom from aging and disease.  Life isn't a puzzle with many pieces that need to fit where they belong. Life is an unfolding process, and it's your choice to make that process into one of continuous evolution.

I was confused about the difference between these two systems so I spoke with registered dietitian Susan Weiner, who straightened me out.

Glycemic index is certainly a useful tool, but it does not (yet) appear to be the single best answer for controlling blood sugars or preventing the development of Type 2 diabetes.

Because they are rich in the good fats, almonds have a high satiety factor. That is, they help us to feel full, which also helps us to eat less.