Covertly Cleaning Up.

The big bad food company, it's a phrase most of us have heard whether we are familiar with food and nutrition or not. Many people assume that food companies are hiding things from consumers. Their objective may still be to increase the money that lines their pockets, but what they’re hiding may not be what you think.

While reading the winter issue of the ADA times, a publication from the American Dietetic Association, I read about the food trends predicted for 2011. Mintel, a London based market research firm, predicted that companies will reduce sodium, added sugar and fat from their products without advertising the changes. I immediately had two questions:

1. Why would companies start making healthful changes now?

2. Why aren’t they advertising the reductions?

According to Dr. Douglas Balentine, Director of Nutrition Sciences from Unilever, the newly released Dietary Guidelines for Americans are more effective than we thought. Maybe the public doesn’t fully grasp the concepts, but industry has taken notice and taken action. Dr. Richard Black from Kraft spoke in another class of mine and said, “Consumer interest in health and wellness is growing.” Companies are reformulating products to be healthier to meet the growing demand from the public.

So why aren’t these companies using the healthful changes to sell more products?

I had the pleasure to attend a seminar in which Ed Frechette, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Au bon pan, spoke about covertly making their products healthier. “People don’t buy something if you tell them it’s healthy. As soon as you put the badge of ‘healthy’ on something it wouldn’t sell.”
Here is a video of the seminar.

I wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth when it comes to believing certain things that food companies say. Although, I feel a little better knowing they are trying. Food companies may be sneaky, but in this case it is in the best of ways.

Tomorrow is Registered Dietitian Day!

As a newly credentialed Dietitian I am happy that there is a day in March devoted to promoting Registered Dietitians. Here are a few things you may like to know:

What does a Registered Dietitian do?

• Registered Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition who can translate the complicated science into realistic solutions for healthier eating. 
• Registered Dietitians use their skills to help people make individualized and positive changes in eating behaviors. 
• Registered Dietitians can work in a wide range of places such as in hospitals, schools, public health clinics, nursing homes, fitness centers, food management, food industry, universities, research and private practice. 
• Registered Dietitians promote the advancement of the nutritional status of Americans and people around the world.

What is the difference between a Registered Dietitian and a Nutritionist?
Registered Dietitians and Nutritionist have the same interests in promotion of healthful eating habits and increasing physical activity. The difference lies in their educational qualifications and experience.

Registered Dietitians have degrees in nutrition, dietetics, public health or a related field from well-respected, accredited colleges and universities. They have also completed a 6-24 month long internship to complete 1,200 hours of supervised practice. RDs must also pass an examination to be eligible for registration with the American Dietetic Association. Many states also license RDs to ensure that nutrition information that is promoted to the public is evidenced-based. In order to keep their credentials and license they must also complete continuing education credits by attending lectures, pursuing graduate studies, reading peer reviewed journals and more.

A Nutritionist may not have the same education requirements, depending on the state, as an RD. Anyone with an interest in nutrition can call themselves a nutritionist. It would be irresponsible of me to say that nutritionists are not well-qualified, just that the term isn't as regulated as the RD, and therefore you should check a nutritionist's qualifications before choosing to use their services.

Why would you consult a Registered Dietitian?

1. If you have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. 
2. You are considering having or have had gastric bypass or lap band surgery. 
3. You have digestive problems. 
4. You are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. 
5. You need guidance and confidence for breastfeeding your baby. 
6. Your teenager has issues with food or unhealthy eating behaviors. 
7. You need to gain or lose weight. 
8. You are caring for an aging parent. 
9. You would like to eat better or learn more about nutrition. 
10. You would like to improve your performance in sports. 

To find a Dietitian near you visit the American Dietetic Association's website!

March is National Nutrition Month!

Each year the American Dietetic Association chooses a healthful eating theme to promote throughout the month of March. This year's message is "Eat Right with Color."


Creating a colorful plate for meals and snacks is important because it assures that you're eating a wide variety of foods. Each different color represents a broad range of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Treat your plate as a paint palate using a combination of whole grains, low-fat dairy, lean meat, fruits and vegetables. Make a point to choose as many different colors as you can each day. Have a bright and healthy month of March!

More Labeling Woes.

The giants of the food industry, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), have announced a new labeling program called the Nutrition Keys. They claim the development of the Keys was in response to Michelle Obama's request for a consistent front-of-pack labeling system. Front-of-package labeling refers to any health and nutrition-related message or symbol displayed on a food label. Here are a few examples:

 The Nutrition Keys, which will begin appearing on the front of packaged foods in the next few months, is the food industry's fancy, new labeling system. It's a glorified nutrition facts label, only it contains less information in a bigger font and it appears on the front, as opposed to the back, of the package. The icons display the calorie, saturated fat, sodium and sugar content of the product along with the serving size.

                                    
The decision to put the proposal into action came after the results of an International Food and Information Council study that was meant to evaluate the effectiveness of the Nutrition Keys. The conclusion was that consumers prefer the Nutrition Keys over other labels, but the results offer no evidence that shoppers are more willing to buy those products or if purchasing them will lead to healthier eating habits. The IFIC report states that the new label "strengthen(s) consumers' comprehension and comfort levels with the information provided." The GMA and FMI seem to have taken the only positive message out of the study and run with it.

Are we really confident that the food industry has our health, and not the depth of their pockets, as a prime interest? This isn't the first time food manufacturers have "taken action" to develop a unified front-of-package label. Their last attempt was known as Smart Choices. The green checkmark was used to promote “healthy” foods and listed the calorie amount along with servings per container on the front. It was abandoned in 2009, after scrutiny by the FDA and investigations into its validity when the logo started appearing on sugary cereals and frozen treats. The program's supporters argued the sugary cereal had been fortified with vitamins and the frozen dessert was low in calories and fat.

                                                              
Although the Nutrition Keys slim down the Nutrition Facts Label and make some of the information more visible, they still require the shopper to contemplate the overall quality of the product. The same limits and confusion of the Nutrition Facts Label remain. A new front-of-package location and a larger font won't mean squat to someone who typically spends under 13 seconds choosing one product over another. I understand the convenience factor, but summarizing the Nutrition Facts Label to give a quicker "peek" at the content is a little too reductive for me.

Let's End American Heart Month on a Sweet Note.

Before American Heart Month officially ends I would like to share my favorite cookie recipe with everyone. Mainly because they are so good and easy to make. They also contain whole grains, fruit, nuts, and are low fat too! I wouldn't recommend eating the whole batch for the sake of moderation, but they are definitely a minimum-guilt snack.

Banana Coconut Cookies

                                                   

Ingredients:

2 bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar 

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 teaspoons milk (you can use soymilk, almond milk or rice milk)

1/2 cup all purpose

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened, you can also omit this if you aren't a coconut fan)

1/4 cup of your favorite crushed nuts (optional)

1/4 cup of dried fruit (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.

2. Blend together mashed bananas, vanilla, sugar, oil and milk with a potato masher or anything that can get the job done.

3. In large bowl mix together flour, baking soda and cinnamon.

4. Stir in the oat flakes and then fold in the banana mixture well.

5. Fold in shredded coconut, nuts, and dried fruit.

6. Scoop spoon-sized portions onto a lightly oiled cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes.

They may not be too beautiful to look at, but I promise they taste amazing, Enjoy!

MObama Deserves a Thank You.

The First Lady's success in establishing the Let's Move Campaign and then furthering its goals over the past year have been substantial. I think that she deserves a "Thank You" from our nation, whether we have been directly affected by her initiative or have only heard about the fruits of her labor in our neighborhood or state. Here is a recap of what she has done in the past year:


1. Organic White House Vegetable Garden- On March 20th of 2009 the Obama's broke ground on the White House's South Lawn, with over twenty students from a local elementary school, for an organic vegetable garden. The White House has not had a garden on it's property since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden during World War II. The Obama's hope to set an example of healthful eating for the country by educating children about nutritious, locally grown fruits and vegetables. The first lady is hoping children will become interested in where their produce comes from and influence their families and communities to eat healthier.

2. Let's Move!- A little over a year ago the First Lady announced her initiative to find a solution to childhood obesity in the United States that encourages healthful eating and physical activity. The five key components that the campaign focuses on are creating a healthy start for children, empowering parents and caregivers, providing healthy food in schools, improving access to healthy affordable food and increasing physical activity. Here is video of Michelle Obama recapping the last year of Let's Move!


Here are a few highlights of the campaign's accomplishments:

• USDA's healthier U.S. School Challenge programs, which recognize schools that promote healthful eating and physical activity, has been adopted by the campaign and expanded.
• USDA's Chefs Move to Schools pairs chefs with interested districts to develop healthful menu items and incorporate local food. This program has also been adopted by the initiative and participation and interest from schools has skyrocketed. 
• National conversation has shifted its focus to the issue of childhood obesity and many people have joined the discussion leading to a great deal of inspiration and ideas aimed at solving the problem.
• Recognition and support from the food industry, in response to the campaign calling for better access to and greater affordability of healthful foods for all Americans, has led to the Grocery Manufacturers Association's development of the Nutrition Keys and Walmart's Nutrition Charter. 
• Government officials within some communities have taken action to improve access to healthful foods and fund physical education programs. 

3. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010- In August of 2010 the First Lady began speaking to congress about how important the passing of this act would be for our nation. Apparently her speeches were effective because on December 13th, 2010 the bill was presented to President Obama who signed the act into law. The bill gives funding to federal school meal and child nutrition programs. It ensures the additional enrollment of 115,000 low income children to provide access to nutritious meals. Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids will improve the quality of school meals, mirroring the goals of Let's Move!, by reworking nutritional standards of meals and monitoring schools for adherence.


4. Walmart Nutrition Charter- Not long after the first anniversary of the Let's Move Campaign this year, Walmart announced its Nutrition Charter to provide healthier and more affordable food for its customers. The nation's largest food retailer has promised to:

• Build new stores in areas that currently have little access to healthful foods.
• Make healthful food more affordable.
• Participate in developing consistent front-of-package labeling to make it easier for shoppers to identify healthful foods.
• To commit, by 2015, to carrying only items that have reduced their sodium content by 25%, reduced added sugars by 15% and eliminated trans fats. 

Over 140 million people shop at Walmart each week. The company is also the largest customer of most food companies putting significant pressure on the industry to provide its customers with healthier products or face being removed from the shelves.

February 9, 2011

“We applaud the First Lady’s advocacy efforts for better nutrition for America’s children. She has served as a powerful catalyst in our efforts to make food healthier and healthier food more affordable and we look forward to continue working with Let’s Move to bring better nutrition to kitchen tables across the country.”

- Andrea Thomas, Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Walmart

5. Restaurants- Michelle Obama has been discussing the restaurant industry's role in her campaign with the National Restaurant Association over the past year. Her hope is for the adoption of smaller portions and children's meals that include healthful alternatives to the traditional french fries and soda accompaniments. The White House has said that the talks are still in the early stages and that no formal agreements have been made.

Thank you Michelle Obama and everyone who have contributed to furthering her campaign, I hope the year ahead will be just as fortunate as the last!

Fill up your cup with...

Coffee, coffee, coffee! The amazing warm, brown, liquid is important to many Americans’ morning routines, especially mine. The caffeine kick helps those of us with non-stop lives to wake up and begin our days. The varieties and brands that have recently boomed into the market prove that we hold our morning cups near and dear to our hearts. Some people view their coffee habit as a guilty pleasure, but new research suggests that maybe people should replace their shame with a pat on the back. 

Alas, a break for our dear friend coffee. Studies have been emerging that link drinking coffee with a handful of health benefits including reducing cancer risk, preventing Type 2 diabetes, and maintaining heart health. Much like tea, coffee is rich in antioxidants. In fact, most of the benefits of drinking coffee are associated with its high antioxidant content (substances found in certain foods that help to decrease free radicals in the body).  Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage healthy tissues and organs and are shown to be a contributing cause to many chronic diseases.            

            

Coffee, believe it or not, is a plant-based beverage that contains vitamins and minerals. A study by Salazar-Martinez et al revealed that magnesium, vitamin B3, potassium, and niacin are all present in coffee. This doesn't mean that you should skip a serving of vegetables and replace it with a cup of coffee. Although it contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it isn't as nutrient dense as whole fruits and vegetables. Coffee won't be the cure-all we have all been searching for, but at least now you can look at it with a new perspective. No longer will you see that brown liquid as a simple vessel for your caffeine, but as a healthful addition to your balanced diet (just hold the cream and sugar). So go ahead, drink that morning cup with your head held high!