Latest news with #JonathanAlpert
Daily Mail
21-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Trader Joe's shoppers race to buy limited edition treat
Shoppers are rushing to purchase a beloved Trader Joe's treat in stores nationwide. Social media chaos erupted on Reddit after customers spotted the limited edition desert in stores last week. The treat, Carrot Mini Sheet Cake, became an instant fan-favorite after making its store debut last year. Now that they are back, customers are hoping to snag them before they're sold out everywhere. 'WOW! I just tried this for the first time. The cream cheese frosting is UNREAL. This may be the best out of all the mini sheet cakes,' a Reddit user wrote. 'I don't quite understand how it's meant to be more than one serving? I'm pretty sure it's meant to be consumed all at once,' a shopper joked on an additional post. Stores nationwide have been selling the sheet cake for $5.49 to $5.99 per package. The sheet cake began flying off the shelves just months after fans went wild over the chain's Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark. The sheet cake debuted in Trader Joe's stores last year and quickly became a fan favorite desert Trader Joe's created the popular sheet cake by taking notes from the 'Medieval masses and grandmas of yore,' according to the product's description. The desert is a mix of shredded carrots and warm spices baked together in a 'sweet and nutty base.' Cream cheese icing tops the cake, and no baking or heating is necessary to enjoy the treat. Multiple social media users have already claimed they would purchase the cake again and freeze it so that they can eat it in the future. 'I went last night and picked one up. Just cut a good slice out, ate it and found it to be absolutely delicious,' a shopper commented. 'Not overly sweet, the cake was moist and cream cheese frosting was subtle. Now I need to buy another and freeze it for future eating.' Others were glad the cake was missing a common ingredient in baked goods - nuts. 'No nuts?! I can actually have them?! Score!!! So many of the commercial carrot cakes have walnuts in them so I can't have them. This is exciting!,' a fan responded. Social media users insisted they needed to try the sheet cake and claimed they ate a significant amount of free samples In addition to its signature foods, Trader Joe's made headlines last year for its mini tote bags, which swept the internet. The mini totes sold out quickly and purchased by customers who waited in lines wrapped around buildings. The viral mini canvas tote is one of the common $2.99 must buys that has been found on resale websites for prices up to $1,000. The chain's latest hot commodity items were Mini Pastel Canvas Tote Bags, which hit shelves before Easter. Customers were lining up like crazy to purchase the limited-edition tote also worth $2.99 in stores. 'People's obsession with these mini Trader Joe's reusable bags highlights a unique intersection between consumer behavior, branding, and social status,' psychotherapist Jonathan Alpert told FOX Business. 'These bags have transformed from simple and practical grocery carriers to coveted items that carry a certain cultural cachet.' It's unclear which stores are still selling the pastel-colored totes, but one to four bags in the set have already been listed for thousands of dollars on eBay. Trader Joe's is in the process of opening a dozen new stores across 10 states. Its latest store openings were in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Seattle, Washington, earlier this month. Trader Joe's had already opened 34 stores across the US last year, many of which received hundreds of shoppers on opening days. As of now, Trader Joe's operates more than 600 grocery stores nationwide.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed climbing autism rates among children. In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among 8-year-old children, researchers found that one in 31 children — more than 3% of America's kids — had ASD. Bill Gates Likely Had Autism As A Child, He Reveals: 'Wasn't Widely Understood' ASD was found to be 3.4 times more likely in boys than girls, and the prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic White children. The CDC confirmed that ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher in 2022 than the previous year, as one in 36 kids were diagnosed with autism in 2020. Read On The Fox News App By 48 months of age, identification of ASD was higher among children born in 2018 than among those born in 2014, which suggests "increased early identification consistent with historical patterns." Kids With Autism Supported By Service Dogs, As Research And Families Note 'Incredible Changes' "[This] underscores the increased demand and ongoing need for enhanced planning to provide equitable diagnostic, treatment and support services for all children with ASD," the CDC commented in the report. "The substantial variability in ASD identification across sites suggests opportunities to identify and implement successful strategies and practices in communities to ensure all children with ASD reach their potential." Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said he considers the CDC's findings "alarming but not surprising." "We're living in a time when diagnosis has become the default, not the exception," he shared with Fox News Digital. "Whether it's children in schools or adults in therapy, more and more people are being told they have a disorder." Alpert suggested that this spike in autism is part of a "much larger trend." Cdc To Launch Study Into Vaccines And Autism, Possible Links: Report "Are we really seeing an epidemic of illness, or are we expanding definitions to the point where normal variation gets labeled as pathology?" he questioned. "I see it in my practice every week – patients who come in are already convinced something is wrong with them because of a checklist they found online or a therapist who rushed to diagnose." "Many are struggling, yes — but they're being failed by a system that offers quick labels and long-term treatment plans instead of results." The expert called out behaviors like shyness, awkwardness and emotional sensitivity, which were "once seen as a part of the human experience," but are now being treated as "symptoms of a disorder." "People deserve honesty, not confusion," he commented. "They deserve to know whether a diagnosis is grounded in real clinical need or in shifting cultural norms and professional convenience." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter Regarding the potential link between vaccines and autism, Alpert said this could be linked to a larger issue of trust in institutions, including mental health. "When the field becomes more focused on image and ideology than outcomes, people tune out," he said. "And that's the crisis we should really be focused on." A spokesperson from the New York-based nonprofit Autism Speaks commented that these findings reflect "real progress" in children being identified more accurately through increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and more "consistent, standardized screening tools." "While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60% to 90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics," they said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Still, one thing is clear – this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research — not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today." The spokesperson called for changes in policies and budgets to reflect this "new reality." "That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number — it's a call to action." Autism Speaks reiterated that research confirms vaccines "do not cause autism," and advocated for vaccine information to be "based on scientific evidence." "We recognize the administration's interest in autism research and reiterate our long-held position that federal investments need to be increased and focused on evidence-based advancements that benefit autistic people and their families," they said. For more Health articles, visit "Moving forward, meaningful research must be grounded in rigorous, evidence-based methods and carried out in partnership with the autism community, including scientists, clinicians, autistic individuals and families."Original article source: Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
Fox News
17-04-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Rising autism rates now affect 3% of children, says CDC report
New data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed climbing autism rates among children. In 2022, a surveillance program called The Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network began monitoring children aged 4 to 8 across 15 U.S. states, focusing on multiple benchmarks of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Among 8-year-old children, researchers found that one in 31 children — more than 3% of America's kids — had ASD. ASD was found to be 3.4 times more likely in boys than girls, and the prevalence was lower among non-Hispanic White children. The CDC confirmed that ASD prevalence among 8-year-olds was higher in 2022 than the previous year, as one in 36 kids were diagnosed with autism in 2020. By 48 months of age, identification of ASD was higher among children born in 2018 than among those born in 2014, which suggests "increased early identification consistent with historical patterns." "[This] underscores the increased demand and ongoing need for enhanced planning to provide equitable diagnostic, treatment and support services for all children with ASD," the CDC commented in the report. "The substantial variability in ASD identification across sites suggests opportunities to identify and implement successful strategies and practices in communities to ensure all children with ASD reach their potential." Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said he considers the CDC's findings "alarming but not surprising." "We're living in a time when diagnosis has become the default, not the exception," he shared with Fox News Digital. "Whether it's children in schools or adults in therapy, more and more people are being told they have a disorder." Alpert suggested that this spike in autism is part of a "much larger trend." "Are we really seeing an epidemic of illness, or are we expanding definitions to the point where normal variation gets labeled as pathology?" he questioned. "I see it in my practice every week – patients who come in are already convinced something is wrong with them because of a checklist they found online or a therapist who rushed to diagnose." "Many are struggling, yes — but they're being failed by a system that offers quick labels and long-term treatment plans instead of results." The expert called out behaviors like shyness, awkwardness and emotional sensitivity, which were "once seen as a part of the human experience," but are now being treated as "symptoms of a disorder." "People deserve honesty, not confusion," he commented. "They deserve to know whether a diagnosis is grounded in real clinical need or in shifting cultural norms and professional convenience." Regarding the potential link between vaccines and autism, Alpert said this could be linked to a larger issue of trust in institutions, including mental health. "When the field becomes more focused on image and ideology than outcomes, people tune out," he said. "And that's the crisis we should really be focused on." A spokesperson from the New York-based nonprofit Autism Speaks commented that these findings reflect "real progress" in children being identified more accurately through increased awareness, broader diagnostic criteria and more "consistent, standardized screening tools." "While there are many factors driving these numbers, research shows that 60% to 90% of autism risk is rooted in genetics," they said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "Still, one thing is clear – this steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research — not only to understand its causes, but also to support the growing number of people diagnosed today." "This steady increase in prevalence calls for deeper, sustained investment in autism research." The spokesperson called for changes in policies and budgets to reflect this "new reality." "That means expanding access to early intervention, strengthening educational and healthcare systems, and providing supports that span a lifetime. This data is not just a number — it's a call to action." Autism Speaks reiterated that research confirms vaccines "do not cause autism," and advocated for vaccine information to be "based on scientific evidence." "We recognize the administration's interest in autism research and reiterate our long-held position that federal investments need to be increased and focused on evidence-based advancements that benefit autistic people and their families," they said. For more Health articles, visit "Moving forward, meaningful research must be grounded in rigorous, evidence-based methods and carried out in partnership with the autism community, including scientists, clinicians, autistic individuals and families."
Fox News
05-03-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Trans surgeries increase risk of mental health conditions, suicidal ideations: study
So-called "gender-affirming surgery" could lead to dangerous mental health effects, a new study has found. Transgender individuals face "heightened psychological distress," including depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation, "partly due to stigma and lack of gender affirmation," as stated in the study, which was published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine. Researchers from the University of Texas set out to determine the mental health impacts from transgender people who underwent "gender-affirming surgery." The study focused on 107,583 patients 18 and over with gender dysphoria, some who underwent surgery and others who did not. They determined rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance-use disorders were "significantly higher" among those who underwent surgery, assessed two years later. Males with surgery had depression rates of 25% compared to males without surgery (11.5%). Anxiety rates among that group were 12.8% compared to 2.6%. Depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation and substance-use disorders were "significantly higher" among those who underwent surgery. The same differences were seen among females, as those with surgery had 22.9% depression rates compared to 14.% in the non-surgical group. Females who had surgery also had anxiety rates of 10.5% compared to 7.1% without surgery. Surgeries that aimed to "feminize individuals" showed "particularly high" rates of depression and substance abuse two years after the procedures, the study found. "Findings suggest the necessity for gender-sensitive mental health support following gender-affirming surgery to address post-surgical psychological risks," the researchers wrote. Jonathan Alpert, a Manhattan-based psychotherapist and author, said the study findings highlight the "often overlooked" psychological risks that accompany gender-affirming surgery. "While these surgeries can be critical in helping individuals align their physical appearance with their gender identity, they are not a cure-all for the mental health challenges many transgender individuals face," Alpert told Fox News Digital. "These findings suggest that surgery alone doesn't eliminate the complex psychological burdens that stem from societal stigma and personal struggles with identity," he went on. "In fact, taking a scalpel to treat a psychological disorder can sometimes lead to more issues as the study results are elucidating." Florida neurosurgeon Dr. Brett Osborn agreed that "surgery is no guarantee of happiness." "The key question remains: Is the surgery itself causing distress, or are preexisting mental health issues driving people toward it? Correlation or causation? No one knows." A 2022 study showed that around 1.4 million American adults identify as transgender and about 0.6% of all American adults experience gender dysphoria. "The dramatic upward trend of gender dysphoria among young people in recent years should raise serious questions about the role of cultural and social influences," Alpert said. "While increased awareness has made it easier for some children to express their struggles, we cannot ignore the possibility that social contagion, along with peer influence and social media — may be contributing to this surge." Teens who are being treated for gender dysphoria should be "properly supported and treated with compassion" without being pressured into making "life-altering" medical decisions, Alpert advised. "Gender-affirming surgery is aggressive, permanent and laden with risk." Both experts caution against rushing into surgery or other irreversible decisions. "Remember, gender-affirming surgery is aggressive, permanent and laden with risk," Osborn told Fox News Digital. He expressed the same cautions about hormone therapy — "we're talking about irreversible changes that demand lifelong management." For more Health articles, visit "Too many rush into these interventions without fully understanding the consequences," he went on. "The push for faster access to these procedures ignores a critical reality: Long-term psychiatric support is essential." Fox News Digital reached out to the study researchers requesting comment.
Fox News
28-01-2025
- Health
- Fox News
Healthy, satisfying alternatives to potato chips: 'You'll adjust'
Ever reached into a bag of potato chips and found yourself unable to put them down? There's a psychological reason for this behavior — but there are healthier alternatives that can satisfy the same cravings. "When under stress, the body releases cortisol, which then increases desire for comfort food, such as sweets and salty foods," Jonathan Alpert, a New York-based psychotherapist and author, told Fox News Digital. "These foods then lead to a feeling of satiation or even indulgence, providing a temporary reprieve from negative or difficult emotions, such as stress and anxiety," he said. Performance coach and wellness expert Jacob Zemer, also in New York, shared some of his favorite alternatives to potato chips – snacks that are salty and satisfying, but with a side of added nutrients. "There's nothing wrong with potatoes, and that's a common misconception," Zemer said. "The problem comes when you start to fry things. Then you're adding fat plus carbohydrates — which is a recipe for diabetes." Potato chips, he said, "basically are saturated fat, combining refined carbohydrates." Zemer added, "Potato chips are highly palatable and that's the term we use to describe them on a nutrition level. And that happens when you have something that has both carbs and fats in it. And [potato chips] are very savory because of that salty element." When seeking alternatives to chips, Zemer said he looks for products that pass the "protein test" – having at least 10 grams of protein for every 100 calories. In particular, Zemer counts himself as a fan of Quest Chips and Legendary Chips, both of which pass this test, he said. Zemer also looks for salty foods that contain a high level of fiber, which helps create a full feeling. "You're less likely to binge on those," he said of those types of foods. "There's a great pretzel alternative that's found currently at Costco," Zemer also told Fox News Digital. "It's called Crisp Power. And they actually have high protein and high fiber, and they're essentially pretzels." In addition, Zemer said he recommends what he called "single-ingredient foods" that can be salted, such as edamame. "Only keep foods that are good options in your house." These are a "great solution" that can satisfy a salty craving without empty calories, he said. For more Lifestyle articles, visit While making dietary changes can be a challenge, Zemer said he encourages people to hang in there when adjusting to a new situation. He shared his three biggest tips for adopting new habits, especially with food. "I think the biggest thing is to find something in the meantime that actually satiates that salty craving," he said. Once that item is found, then get rid of the unhealthy options. "The reality is, over time, you'll adjust to it." "Only keep foods that are good options in your house," Zemer said. "Don't bring the potato chips home. Don't bring them with you. Give yourself the options." The third piece of advice, he said, is to stick with it. "Taste buds shed about every 30 days," he said. "So, even if at first you're not in love with something, the reality is, over time, you'll adjust to it."
