Insider Today: Blood sugar no-no's
- This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.
Welcome back to our Saturday edition! If you're reading this on your phone in the morning, you're breaking one of Jeff Bezos' rules. His fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, revealed they have a no-phones rule in the morning to have a "magic moment" to themselves.
On the agenda:
- The US Open is the perfect event to end summer.
- These 2024 status symbols show that it's not all about quiet luxury anymore.
- A dietitian shares 5 common mistakes people make when worrying about blood sugar — and what to do instead.
- Hotel employees share the 7 red flags to look for when checking into a hotel.
But first: InsideLongevityCon.
If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here.
This week's dispatch
In it for the long run
No one typically asks about the food at a conference. So, what do longevity experts eat at a conference about longevity?
When the leading scientists in aging and longevity gathered at the 11th Aging Research and Drug Discovery in late August, the food was good and nutritious, writes Business Insider's health correspondent Hilary Brueck.
I spoke to Hilary, who trekked to ARDD 2024 in Copenhagen, about a diet's impact on longevity and how her conference experience influenced her menu back home.
You reflected on what attendees ate at ARDD. What can one's diet reveal about the potential for their longevity?
Diet is one component that can have an impact on longevity. Researchers will always say that physical activity and exercise are probably the thing that has the biggest impact on longevity and then genetics. So, there's not really one thing driving longevity. But obviously, the food you eat and how much you eat impact the way your body functions.
If there was one food item that you'd incorporate into your diet after attending the conference, what would that be?
Taking their concept of the power salad. You can just have some lettuce and top it with hummus and whatever herbs and veggies you have lying around. Personally, I love cheese, so I'd probably stick some cheese in there. Making this meaty salad is relatively easy.
Meet me at the US Open
The US Open is having a moment. Though it's always been popular, this year, it has become the go-to place for celebrities, influencers, and brands to stand out at the end of summer.
That's partly because of the growing cultural influence of tennis. Fashion, food, and famous faces are all part of the spectacle of the US Open. And if you don't know the difference between game, set, and match, don't fret — casual tennis fans find the open more welcoming than most other sporting events of its caliber.
Are we still talking about tennis?
Also read:
- The creator of the US Open's popular $23 cocktail puts a spin on the recipe when he makes it at home
- 6 things you didn't know about the US Open, according to Grand Slam champions
Loud(er) luxury
The dominance of quiet luxury is coming to an end. Status symbols that are a little more recognizable, like a Tiffany or Van Cleef bracelet, are hot right now. The same goes for items that incorporate Western and corporate influences.
Loud logos aren't quite in vogue yet — but they may be on the way.
Also read:
How to avoid being hangry
The hottest wellness trend right now is tracking your blood sugar spikes. Your blood sugar can affect your energy and mood throughout the day — and there are plenty of devices that can track it all for you.
But the problem is that many people don't know how to eat for balanced blood sugar, a registered dietitian nutritionist told BI. Common mistakes like fearing fruit or cutting out certain food groups will only make you feel groggy and have you crashing in the afternoon.
Here's what you should do instead.
Also read:
Red flags for your next stay
More people are choosing to book a hotel room over Airbnb on their trips. But that doesn't mean hotels are always the perfect solution.
From how your bed is made to burned-out lightbulbs in the lobby, these signs might indicate you made the wrong choice. Hotel employees shared the red flags you should look out for when checking in.
What we're watching this weekend
- "The Perfect Couple": Netflix's latest limited series stars Nicole Kidman as the matriarch of a wealthy family who finds itself wrapped up in a murder mystery.
- "The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives": Mormon #MomTok (and its soft-swinging drama) get the reality TV treatment in this new Hulu series.
- "The Boy and the Heron": The 2023 film from legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is now available on Max.
Deals we love
- Backpack falling apart?: As we enter a new semester, it might be time for new gear. We tested tons of styles to find the 14 best backpacks for college students to carry their laptops, books, and more with ease and comfort.
- Skip the salon: These brands will have your nails looking pristine at a moment's notice. Our favorite press-on nail sets are so quick, easy, and long-lasting that they'll have you skipping your pricey salon visits.
- Cut the cord and save: Streaming services are expensive, especially when you factor in just how many there are to subscribe to. That's why we rounded up the best streaming deals available now, including Paramount Plus, Peacock, and some of the best sports streaming services.
More of this week's top reads:
- Jessica Fern's 'Polysecure' promised a world beyond monogamy. She didn't say it would be easy.
- How to invest 3% of your day in exercise to live longer, according to an expert in healthy aging.
- I spent 8 days in Panama and returned feeling like I visited 3 different countries. Here's why it's worth a trip.
- After having 4 kids, I had to change the way we travel. I look for playgrounds wherever we go and allow fast food.
- Photos show the lavish interiors of The Elms, a Rhode Island mansion built for a coal millionaire in the Gilded Age.
- I made Ina Garten's 5-ingredient burger patties. They tasted amazing and came together so quickly.
- I spent 4 nights on the Amalfi Coast. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, but I'd never go back.
- A couple moved onto a never-ending, around-the-world cruise that's been stuck at port for 3 months — see inside the Villa Vie Odyssey ship.
- I thought I was giving my kids the best childhood ever until my 4-year-old asked why we didn't own a 'bigger golf cart'.
The Insider Today team: Dan DeFrancesco, deputy editor and anchor, in New York City. Lisa Ryan, executive editor, in New York. Amanda Yen, fellow, in New York. Grace Lett, editor, in Chicago.