Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Patrons will be able to find the calorie count on all their favorite McDonald's foods.
McDonald’s, the largest quick-serve restaurant in the United States, recently announced that it would join the list of a small number of restaurants that provide calorie information on their menus McDonald’s stated in its press release that labeling of menus was a part of an overall nutrition plan. In addition to the inclusion of calories on the menus, McDonald’s will test foods that will increase the number of wholesome choices on its menus in 2013. Using the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans as a guide, McDonald's will include more recommended food groups in the following ways: These plans follow the introduction this past summer's “Favorites Under 400” a menu that highlights information on customer favorite foods and beverages. …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Younger women aren't the only ones with body image issues.
Typically people assume that younger women are the main sufferers of eating disorders but a new study indicates that women over 50 also suffer from a variety of types of disordered eating. The study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders assessed body image in 1,800 US women. The study found that 27 percent of women over age 50 were overweight, 29 percent were obese, 42 percent were normal weight and 2 percent were underweight. In assessing eating behaviors the study found that 4 percent of the women binge eat, about 8 percent purge after eating by either vomiting or over-exercising and 70 percent reported dieting to lose weight. Of more significance 36 percent spent at least half of their time in the previous five years dieting…
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Utilize fruits and vegetables while they are in season.
Do you struggle to meet the daily recommendations for fruit and vegetable consumption? If you answered yes, count yourself among the millions of Americans who are consuming less than the recommended intake of fruits and vegetables. The latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that fewer than 25 percent of Americans get the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables and in Missouri that number is just over 11 percent of adults and only 8 percent of adolescents. There is good news, produce is at its peak during the summer and local markets can make trying it more enticing. If you’d like to work on boosting your intake do three things. Including produce in your eating plan is important to your …
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Here are the dietary guidelines for whole wheat.
The focus on overweight Americans, and the desire to turn the trend around, has resulted in many theories about the cause of the overweight and obesity trend. Suggested triggers for being overweight have ranged from sugar sweetened beverages to the latest “hot-button” gluten or wheat. With all of these “theories” what does the evidence show? The U.S. Department of Agriculture tracks the wheat crop both in terms of acres planted and in wheat consumption; data indicates that wheat consumption is on the decline. Wheat consumption fell from an estimated 146 pounds per person in 2000 to a low of 134 pounds in the mid-2000s. In 2008 consumption patterns showed a slight increase to 136.6 pounds but this per person intake is a 10.2 pound per …
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Here are some tips on choosing healthier options for your ice cream treat.
Trying to beat the heat often involves looking for cool beverages but frozen treats like popsicles, ice cream cones and sundaes can also provide a cool taste and a bit of variety. In fact, July is National Ice Cream Month. If you’re choosing frozen treats just remember to monitor the portions you choose. Ice cream cones, single serve cups and frozen treats that come on bars are good ways to know how many calories you are consuming and to make it easier to limit portions but sundaes, especially with several toppings can often lead to large portions and a larger number of calories. If you enjoy sundaes consider a few of these ideas to help you “have your ice cream and eat it to.” First, decide if you want full fat ice cream or yogurt or if …
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Here are some tips on choosing the right professional for you.
If you are like most people you’ve noticed how sometimes nutrition advice comes from a nutritionist and sometimes it comes from a dietitian or a registered dietitian (RD). And if you are like most people you’ve wondered – What is the difference The difference is that the term dietitian, and more significantly the RD, has a clear definition that includes an education based on the science of food and how the body uses that food. The “Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics” clearly outlines the coursework required for someone to call themselves a dietitian. In addition, the Commission on Dietetic Registration outlines the experience needed to take the credentialing exam and the continuing education needed to maintain …
Thursday, June 14, 2012
When it comes to purchasing food, taste is the number driver, followed by price and then healthfulness, according to a recent survey.
The International Food Information Council Foundation (IFICF) annually conducts a survey on Americans views about food, food safety and health. This year the results reflect the same overall emphasis as results from previous years. When it comes to purchasing food, taste is the number driver, followed by price and then healthfulness comes in third. At the same time, nearly all of those surveyed reported trying to improve at least one of their eating habits. The web-based survey of 1,057 Americans, between the ages of 18 and 80, took place in April of this year. The participants of the survey reflected the demographics of the U.S. population for age, race/ethnicity, gender and region of the country. This year's survey is the seventh annual …
Monday, May 21, 2012
Eating more Omega-3 fatty acid is good for the brain.
Several new studies have looked at the health of the brain, as well as memory and learning, and it seems the inclusion of fish in your diet is an important component. Studies have looked at fish intake and its impact on memory, learning and even mood. While the extent of research is still limited, studies do show that those who eat fish more often, many studies indicate at least once a week, have greater brain volume. Researchers suggest that the impact of fish on the brain is related to the Omega-3 fatty acid content of the fish. Omega-3 fatty acids help increase blood flow, fight inflammation and prevent accumulation of plaque associated with Alzheimer’s. It is well documented that fatty fish helps protect the heart and arteries from …
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
A new study on glycemic loads.
Managing what you eat and how much exercise you get are frequent messages to those who are trying to lose weight. A new study says that the types of carbohydrates you eat may impact inflammation, a contributor to the diseases that so often accompany being overweight. The study in the Journal of Nutrition followed 80 men and women, aged 18-45 years, for 46 days. One half of the participants were overweight or obese and one half were normal weight. Over the course of the study participants followed two different 28 day eating plans. One 28 day plan consisted of eating foods that are digested in a way such that they increase blood sugar levels more quickly and the other 28 day plan included foods that are more slowly digested, causing a …
Monday, April 23, 2012
A new study recommends a high dairy diet.
The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend a daily intake of three servings of dairy, where milk, yogurt, cheese and fortified soy beverages are included in the group, but many Americans do not consume the recommended amount. A new study indicates that premenopausal women who are dieting need to consume adequate dairy when trying to lose weight to help prevent bone loss due to weight loss. The study, from McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario, in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, followed 90 overweight or obese women, ages 19 to 45, for 16 weeks. The study consisted of calorie-restricted diets and daily exercise with three subgroups. One group ate a high dairy diet, one group had a medium dairy and one a low …
