Just Do It! (Not Original, I Know…)

exercise-fitness

Here’s  the problem.  Over and over again I hear from parents ”how can I get my child to be more active?”  For those kids who are athletic or participate in sports, physical activity comes more easily.  You don’t have to worry so much about it.  If you have a child that is not interested in playing sports, getting them moving can be more challenging.  Every kid (and every adult) should be physically active.  We have got to stop making excuses.  We know that modeling our own active lifestyle will have the biggest influence on our children.  Number one in every household is, hopefully, that parents and/or caregivers value exercise and the positive impact it has on health.  Of course, this is reflected in your own behavior which includes exercise at least 3 days a week.  Honestly, we should really be physically active each and every day.  As Nike tells us “just do it!”  It is short, sweet, and to the point.  Nothing else needs to be said.

Have you ever exercised and regretted it?  Have you ever gone for a walk on a beautiful day, come home and said to yourself, “Darn, I wish I hadn’t done that.”  Well, let me tell you, YOU HAVEN’T.  I like to exercise, however, just like everyone else there are days when I can talk myself out of it.  I can tell myself I have too much to do.  One of my favorite things to do is to not shower in the morning,  put my workout clothes on, and tell myself I’m definitely going to work out.  Oh, first I have to check my email, urgent overnight texts, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google maps, and maybe check my kids’ cell phone usage on Verizon.  Ok, now its time to get on the treadmill.  No, wait, I wanted to order some new shoes on Zappos.com.  I better do that.  Getting some water to get on the treadmill.  Geez, the baseboards are really dusty in the kitchen.  Yep, I’m gonna clean the entire kitchen from top to bottom (that never really happens but I do think about it).   Next a friend calls to go to lunch.  A girls gotta eat, right?  You have to nourish yourself  prior to exercising.  Yeah, I’ll do it when I get back from lunch…   You get the point, right?  By dinner time when I’m still in my workout clothes having never worked out, I’m pretty disappointed in myself.  Even if you don’t feel like exercising, just do it!  Once you get started,  you’ll be happy you did.

What kind of activities can your youngster do?  The answer is anything.  You might have to try everything.  You HAVE to focus on fun.  Telling them how healthy it will be for them is just not gonna do the trick.  Sharing that this will decrease their risk of stroke or heart attack when they get older – not so effective.  Getting them to laugh, giggle, break a little sweat (ok, maybe not), enjoy time together with you or a friend will be much more likely to get them interested.  Something we all can do is walk.  Take opportunities when the weather is nice to go for a walk together.  With younger kids you can skip, jump, make games up as you go along (warning: DO NOT do this with a middle schooler or teen – it’s negative impact on your relationship with them can be life altering).  It’s best if you can get them involved in at least one structured activity a week such as a class/team/afterschool club.  What are some other things to try?

  • Bike riding
  • Roller skating/roller blading
  • Jumping rope
  • Classes at a local YMCA (Some have workout rooms for kids/teens with instruction)
  • Dance class (Lots of varieties)
  • Gymnastics
  • Yoga
  • Trampoline (with sides, of course)
  • Wii Fit, Dance Revolution, etc. (It’s better than nothing!!)
  • Jogging (go to a track and let them keep tabs on the increase in their fitness level:)
  • Family hikes, bike rides and/or anything else that you can all do together
  • Activities/classes done with a friend are even more appealing

instoreDanceClasses

These ideas are just the tip of the iceberg.  There are an infinite number of possibilities. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy.  I am saying your physically active lifestyle will have a HUGE impact.  Keep trying.  Keep trying new things.  Make it fun and positive.  Reward them!  Remember winners never quit and quitters never win – it’s true!  Never ever give up on your children….and last but not least….JUST DO IT!!!

“Movement is a medicine for creating change in a person’s physical, emotional, and mental states.”  – Carol Welch

Thought this was funny….

“The word aerobics came about when some gym instructors got together and said, “If we’re going to charge $10 an hour, we can’t call it jumping up and down.”  Rita Rudner

Pasta with Shaved Brussels Sprouts and Parrano Cheese

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Whole Wheat Pasta and tagged with ,

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I just wanted to share a recipe with you that is quick, easy, and really tasty.  Chances are your family will like this.  Assuming, of course, that they are not opposed to eating brussel sprouts!!  When the brussel sprouts are shaved, their taste is not quite so severe.  My own kids like them this way.  Another suggestion – Whole Foods 365  is the best tasting whole wheat pasta around.  Again, my family will eat this and not some other brands of whole wheat pasta.  Usually I get the shaved brussel sprouts at Wegman’s.  If you can’t find them, you can use a mandoline to shave them.

1 pound whole wheat fusilli pasta

2 cups shaved brussel sprouts

1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth

3 tbsp. olive oil

Parrano Cheese Flakes                                                                          010

1.  Boil pasta until al dente.

2.  Saute the brussel spouts in the broth and  1 tbsp of olive oil for about 15 minutes or until softened.

3.  Place the brussel spouts in a bowl.  Sprinkle some Parrano cheese flakes on top (this helps them to melt a bit).  Put the pasta and 2 tbsp olive oil on top and mix   together.

4.  After mixing,  sprinkle more Parrano cheese on top.

5.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!

Start with a Healthy Heart!

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in National Heart Month and tagged with , , , , , ,

healthy heartIt seems appropriate that February would be National Heart Month.  After all, it brings us the Valentine’s Day holiday.  That gets us thinking of  hearts in a happy way.  However, we need to be serious when thinking about keeping our hearts and blood vessels healthy.   Did you know that heart disease kills one in three women while breast cancer kills one in twenty-nine?  It also takes the lives of thousands of men.  One thing that really stands out to me with heart disease is we absolutely can make changes in our lifestyles that can reduce our risk of getting it or at least delay its progression.  Diet, exercise, medication and stress control can significantly impact your  heart health.   If you have a family history of cardiovascular disease – you really need to pay attention and be proactive with regards to cardiovascular care  It’s never too early to start heart healthy eating.  Include plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as a daily part of your children’s diet, starting  in toddlerhood so they develop a taste for those foods and develop lifelong good eating habits.

What are some changes you can make that can significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke?  Primarily keeping your cholesterol (LDL and HDL) and triglycerides in check and maintaining a normal blood pressure.   How can we do that?  Start by knowing your baseline lipid  laboratory values (cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides).  I am a firm believer that teens need to get their lipids checked to make sure there is no early indication of  plaque formation.   Now you will not get a recommendation for this from your physician or pediatrician but I think it’s important to have a starting point – especially if you have a family history.  Prevention is the key!  Keeping those arteries clear at a young age is vital!  Cholesterol numbers should be checked every five years if results are within normal limits.   If you have abnormal values,  labs need to be drawn more frequently.  Normal values are:

  • Blood Pressure – 120/80 or below
  • LDL cholesterol – Optimal is considered to be below 100.  Above optimal – 100-129.  Borderline high – 130-159.  High 160-189.
  • HDL cholesterol – Optimal is considered 60 and above.  Less than 40 in men and less than 50 in women is considered low – higher risk of heart disease.
  • Triglycerides - 150 or below is considered normal.  150-199 is mildly high.  200-499 is high.  500 or higher is very high.
  • Cholesterol – Less than 200 is desirable.  200-239 is borderline.  240 and above is high.

Please note also that if you have heart disease or blood vessel disease, some experts recommend your LDL cholesterol be below 70.  This you would need to discuss with your physician.

LDL cholesterol (low density lipoproteins) are the “bad” guys.  They carry cholesterol to the cells and cause plaque to form on the artery walls.  Genetics, smoking, obesity, a high saturated fat diet and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to higher levels of LDL’s.  HDL cholesterol (high density lipoproteins) are the “good” guys.  They carry cholesterol away from the cells where it goes to the liver for reprocessing.  Recent studies have also shown that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of HDL may inhibit the buildup of plaque on artery walls.  For every one point increase in HDL, there is a three percent decrease in a person’s risk of suffering a fatal heart attack.  That’s motivating to get your HDL number up!  How can we increase HDL?  Exercise, weight loss, increasing dietary fiber, consuming omega-3 fatty acids, limiting intake of simple carbohydrates (yup), and choosing mono- and polyunsaturated fats over saturated fats can all help increase HDL levels.

One of the most important dietary considerations for keeping your heart healthy is making sure you get enough fiber.  Fiber has been proven to help lower LDL cholesterol.  Haven’t you seen those Cheerios commercials?  Do you know you would have to eat 28 bowls of cereal to meet your needs for the day?  They boast about all the fiber in Cheerios but there is really only 1 gram/serving.  Ok – back to business.  Incorporate fiber into your diet as often as possible.  The recommended amount of fiber for children and adults is 14 grams per 1000 calories.  That pretty much means about 14-21 grams for children and 28 grams for adults per day.  Good sources of fiber include oat cereal, lentils, beans, fruits/vegetables, whole wheat and whole grains.  You really have to make an effort to get your fiber.  Some foods with the highest amounts of fiber are  black beans (15 grams/cup), raspberries (8 grams/cup), pears (5.1 grams), oatmeal (4 grams/cup).  To see a list of high fiber foods go to www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/063008p28.shtml.

Next, you want to make sure you are getting a healthy dose of omega-3′s.   Omega-3 fatty acids from fish and flaxseed are found to help protect against heart disease, specifically they help lower triglyceride levels.  Elevated triglycerides are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease which increases your chance of heart attack or stroke.  Foods high in omega-3s include salmon, sardines, walnuts, and flaxseed.image11

Plant sterols and stanols have been linked with a reduction in LDL cholesterol.  Foods that are high in these compounds include brussel sprouts, beets, oranges, cauliflower and whole grains.  You can also find some products fortified with these such as margarine spreads.

Bottom line is that you need to know your  blood lipid numbers.  Follow a diet high in fiber, omega-3′s and plant sterols and stanols.   That pretty  much covers fruits, vegetables and whole grains – things we all should be including in our diets anyway.  Don’t smoke.  Keep stress under control.  Exercise!   If you have a family history of heart disease, see your doctor or a cardiologist prior to age 40.  Don’t wait until something happens.  Our genes are very powerful predictors of our future health.   Some people find that their weight is within normal limits, they don’t smoke, they work out regularly, and eat well but still have elevated cholesterol.   It is possible.  If all of those things don’t keep your numbers in a healthy range, do what you need to do.  It you need to be on medication for your cholesterol and/or blood pressure, do it!  The Mayo Clinic has a heart disease risk calculator tool www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-disease-risk/HB00047.  Try it and see where you fall.  Be proactive and be heart smart!

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Benjamin Franklin

The Incredible, Edible Egg!

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Eggs, Uncategorized and tagged with ,

Hard_Boiled_Eggs

Holidays are over. As always, it’s kind of a relief when it’s all done. It was a special holiday season this year with some things that are going on with my family. We were able to really cherish our time together. I really feel blessed. As I was taking ornaments off the tree, one shattered on the floor (of course, it’s always one of our more expensive or sentimental ornaments). For some reason, it entered my mind that I was glad it wasn’t an egg because that would be a real mess to clean up. Don’t know why I thought that, I’m just telling you I did. Then I started thinking intensely about eggs. Odd, you may say (agreed). Well, as I was undecorating I was also thinking I needed to get back on track with my erratic dietary behavior that evolved about mid-December. I may have had one (maybe two) too many chocolate-caramel dipped pretzel rods. Time to decrease the sugar-laden, high fat goodies I’d been chomping down with fresh fruits, veggies, and lean protein choices. What better food to increase in your diet than eggs?

It seems everyone likes eggs. Kids and adults alike love these compact little orbs. Eggs can be hard-boiled, scrambled, fried, poached, over-easy, made into an omelette, put on a sandwich, etc. Eggs are economical at about fifteen cents per egg. Did you know that eggs provide 7 grams of the highest-quality protein available while containing only 72 calories (and only 17 calories if you’re just eating the egg white)? That’s a nutrition powerhouse! Not only do they provide a good deal of protein to help you feel full longer, but they also contain many other vitamins and minerals. Eggs are a decent source of vitamins A and D (one of the few foods to naturally contain vitamin D). They are rich in choline, a nutrient that has been shown to help maintain your memory. They are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants which have been found to help maintain healthy vision and prevent macular degeneration. Many people think that eggs are a “bad” food because of the amount of cholesterol in them. While it can’t be disputed they contain approximately 200 mg of cholesterol, your body adjusts to this incoming amount by producing less. Saturated and trans-fat are the biggest culprits when it comes to elevating cholesterol. If this is a concern of your’s or your child’s, simply consume more whites than yolks. For example, instead of two whole eggs, have one yolk and two egg whites. Also, it’s probably best to limit your egg consumption to no more than four yolks per week. However, I would rather cut back on other foods which are high in saturated fat than cut back on eggs.

egg-and-cheese-waffle-sandwich

Eggs are an ideal food to get children cooking. There are many fun things kids can do with eggs. They can make scrambled, fried eggs or an omelette and gain kitchen skills by cracking the eggs and whisking them. You can use a variety of cookie cutters and make different shapes in the center of toast and fry your egg (as in picture below – called eggs in a hole). Kids can also pick out their favorite veggies, cheese or whatever else they think might taste good with eggs! Eggs be eaten for snacks, breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hard boiled eggs are a convenient, nutritious snack to keep in the fridge to just grab and go. Egg sandwiches are not just for breakfast! Use eggs as your protein on a sandwich instead of lunch meat. Accessorize with spinach, arugula or the green of your choice to increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Add salsa or some diced tomatoes for extra flavor. Sprinkle some shredded cheese of your liking to finish things off. Honestly, this is making me hungry as I am writing this! For dinner, you can even make a combination of eggs, pasta or rice, and vegetables (check out http://www.nyti.ms/W2JVre). One other breakfast suggestion, scrambled eggs in your oatmeal! Don’t make that frowney face, it’s really good (throw in a few scallions,  too).

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I am making January egg month and will be posting egg facts and recipes on Twitter and Facebook. There are many “new” foods out there and I am all about learning about the latest superfoods. However, let’s not forgot the old tried and true egg and what an asset it is to our diets!

“I have had in my time, memorable meals of scrambled eggs with fresh truffles, scrambled eggs with caviar and other glamorous things, but to me,there are few things as magnificent as scrambled eggs, pure and simple, cooked and perfectly seasoned.” James Beard

How About Some Humility (and Humanity) with Your Holiday?

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Humility, kindness, Uncategorized

Ok, admittedly this is a weird blog to be putting out there around the holiday season, but I just can’t help myself.   Weird in the fact that it is not obviously nutrition related.  But I actually think it does affect the way we feel about ourselves, thus how we treat our bodies.  This is something I feel passionately about and is a missing piece for many  (adults and children alike).  Also, if you are looking for blogs on healthy holiday snacks, meals, or treats, how to keep the weight off during the holidays, low calorie recipes, high calories recipes, average number of calories in a Thanksgiving meal, high fiber foods, low fiber foods, energy drinks are bad, coconut water is good, gluten free anything,  alcohol packs on the pounds, cleansing diets, green smoothie recipes, etc., etc., etc., you can google any of these and find a ton of hits.  It might be more difficult to to find a blog on the topic above.  Although maybe not.  Just go with me here and if there is any piece of this that hits home or you can share with your child, please do so.

Is there anybody who can say they are not a fan of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas?”  It’s an absolute holiday classic and I could watch it a million times.  I found this picture above which is one of my favorite scenes from this movie.  The Grinch does his absolute best to take Christmas away from the Whoville people but he can’t do it.  The Whovillians wake up Christmas morning only to find all their presents, food, decorations, etc. are gone.  All the things we spend so much time preparing for the entire holiday season, gone.  The Grinch, expecting the Who’s to be miserable and sad, all gather outside, hold hands, and sing around the tree.  They are still smiling and appear happy.  Clearly, it’s a fantasy.   But wouldn’t it be great if it weren’t?

The people I admire most in this world are those that seem happy and at peace with themselves, no matter what their life circumstances.  I don’t feel envious of the person with a bigger house, designer clothes, or more Facebook “likes.”  I aspire to be that person that tries to see the glass half full (I said I ASPIRE to be not that I always am).   Or that person that doesn’t worry about what people  think of them.  They put on no pretenses.  They DON’T need approval from those around them.  They feel it from within and don’t need to advertise their new job promotion, how proud they are of a child, or how their “perfectionism” is their biggest weakness (as if answering a job interview question).   I also appreciate those that are able to admit their weaknesses, faults, and shortcomings.   To truly be able to search within yourself and  admit certain things about yourself, is invaluable.  How else do we improve upon ourselves?   For example, do you know any one that  supposedly has NEVER done anything they are ashamed of, wished they hadn’t, or maybe was not ethically the “right” thing to do (and neither have any of their relatives, by the way)?  And they will NEVER admit it.  It seems these people are perfect or wish to be perceived as such.  Would it be so bad to say they are sorry or have some regrets?   We are all human.  We all do and say things we shouldn’t.  We have all done things where we lay in bed at night and say “I shouldn’t have done that.”  Would it be so bad to admit it?  At least to maybe to a good friend or  two?  Is it best to present an image to the world that may not be authentic?  I try to figure out why people are like this.   I can only guess it makes them feel good or superior in some way.  Maybe pride gets in their way.

What is it we want to teach our children?  I happen to live in an area that is very affluent with many kids that have not had to deal with adversity.  As parents, we make it easy for them to not take responsibility for themselves.  We just can’t do enough to try to make them happy.   Do we benefit them by ALWAYS being their advocate?  Can we help raise better children by sometimes letting them fail and pick up the pieces?  Do we help them by praising them when they don’t deserve it?  Is it in their best interest to post a Facebook comment (I assume people do this so their kids, others, and their children’s friends will see) informing the world of your inability to contain how special they are and how proud you are of them?  Do people know we all feel that way about our kids?

Let’s take this holiday season to really think about how we would like to raise our children and what the best ways are to help them become responsible, caring adults.   I’m going to make some suggestions that  will only benefit them in the long run and help prepare them for the real world.

Love your children unconditionally, always

Praise them WHEN they DESERVE it.  Do not use praise loosely.  The real world won’t.

Let them resolve their own problems.  Do not “fix” things for them.   Mom and Dad are the only ones who do this.  Their boss, college professor, or police officer, will not.

Do not accept disrespectful behavior.  This must start at a young age.

They are not your “friend” or “equal.”  Do not treat them as such.

Model and teach kindness and compassion.

Encourage them to be who they are.  Not who they think people want them to be.

Show them that material things don’t matter.   This could be the toughest lesson of all.  Especially if an expensive car, designer clothes, fancy dinners out, handing them money at the drop of a hat are how we are living our lives.  Children become defined by these things instead of who is at the inner core of their being.

Being their advocate is important, however, doing this when they have done something wrong sends the wrong message.  Again, in the real world no one is going to do this for them.  They need to learn there are consequences to their actions.

Just keep in mind they WILL lie to us.  They WILL skew a story that makes them look good.  Their friends are always the bad guys.  I personally do not want to have my children make me look foolish.  It’s embarrassing when everyone knows something about your child and you think they are God’s gift to this world.   I have experienced this personally so this one is near and dear to my heart.

Model and teach them how to be a good friend.

I’m tired of hearing “boys will be boys” or “that’s the way girls are today.”  That’s “normal.”  There are behaviors I just cannot and will not tolerate from my own children.  Do not accept meanness, cruelty, or not being a good friend as “normal.”  I am not saying I can control these things but I will not accept them if I do find out.  Some things are just wrong and our children need to know this.  Let’s stop making excuses as to why bad behavior is ok.

Children will make mistakes.  Let’s help them learn from them.

I could go on and on.  Bottom line is that there is too much egocentrism in general in our society.  I think as a community we promote it in our children.  Let’s teach them how to be kind to themselves and to others.  If they are kind to themselves, they will find it easier to be kind to their bodies.  Whether this means not being critical of their own body weight or appearance or making healthier food choices, this all ties together.  Let’s make our goal for ourselves and our children to love ourselves and others during good times and bad.  Even though we don’t get the grade we want, the designer jeans we need, or make the sports team, it’s ok.   My quote today is from a coffee mug that I got and I LOVE it:

“Peace.   It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”  Unknown

Philosophy of Food

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Uncategorized and tagged with

Did you ever wonder about your relationship with food?  Do you eat to live or live to eat?  Do you think of foods as “good” and “bad”?  As a dietitian, you probably think I have it all under control.  Well, I don’t.  I love food.  I love exercising.  I am always striving to achieve a healthy balance between the two.  The older I get the more difficult it is to achieve the balance.  My goal for my young patients is for them to develop a healthy relationship with food.  The thing is, that can be different for all of us.  The picture above exemplifies the very last thing you want.  Would you look forward to a meal if someone were forcing  you to eat things  you didn’t like?  Even though I don’t think of foods as good and bad, I do think there are “anytime” foods, “sometimes” foods, and “indulgent” foods.  My ideal rules of everyday eating go something like this:

  • Everything in moderation.  You can eat any foods you want in appropriate portion sizes.  If everyone followed this one simple rule, I think the obesity rate would plummet.  Modeling this behavior for your children is key.
  • DO NOT LET YOURSELF GET TOO HUNGRY!!!! I cannot emphasize this enough.  When we are starving, we shovel in food so fast we don’t realize we are full yet.
  • Pick foods you like.  Just because you see a recipe for Tofu Baked Oats don’t think you “should” eat it because it is good for you.  Number one when making  your food choices – YOU HAVE TO LIKE IT!!!!!!  This does not mean you don’t try new things.  I am just suggesting that when you come to the realization you don’t like something,  such as kale smoothies, let yourself off the hook.  You’re not going to maintain any eating plan where you are forcing yourself to eat things you don’t like.  Not all of us like every single food that is “healthy” for us.

  • When you crave a food, give into your craving.  Eating an apple when what you  really crave is  Oreo cookies can eventually lead to overeating.  Your best bet is to have a cookie or two.  Usually this can satisfy the craving.  Of course, it may take some willpower to limit the quantity you eat but remember the “everything in moderation” rule.  Once you eat your cookies, the craving should subside.
  • Some days you may eat more than others.  It’s all a balance.  If you overeat on one day, try to get back on track the next day.  We’ve all heard this before, don’t give up because you’ve had a bad day.
  • Make sure to weigh yourself once a week.  Most of my patients report gaining weight during periods when they were not weighing themselves.  Seeing that number on the scale go up can help you monitor your eating habits and get back on track.

Below is a list of how I categorize my  foods

My “anytime” foods are primarily fruits and vegetables.  These are generally low-calorie foods that are packed with nutrients and fiber.  Consume these foods the most.

“Sometimes” foods encompass a huge list of things.  Just about everything goes in to this list for me.  This includes meats, dairy, snack foods, starchy vegetables, etc.  Sometimes calories may seem a little high, however, eaten in moderation it’s ok.  Scattered among the “anytime” foods should be your “sometimes” foods.  For example, in the morning you may have an apple (anytime), oatmeal (sometime), and orange juice (sometime).  Lunch may be half a hoagie (sometime) and carrots (anytime).  Dinner may be chicken breast (sometime), baked potato (sometime), green beans (anytime).  This is just an example but the key with the “sometimes” foods is portion control.

“Indulgent” goods are those that make your eyes bug out when reading the nutrition label.  For instance, you want to get a slice of cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.  One slice of Adam’s Peanut Butter Ripple Cheesecake provides an astronomical 930 calories and 59 grams of fat!!!   Ok, so get what I  mean by indulgent?  However, very occasionally these are ok.  It might even be a good idea to eat only half of food like  this.  Given the richness, chances are it will satisfy you.

I like to stress the fact that we should be able to eat all the foods that we enjoy.  Portion control along with good food choices is the best path to take.  Oh, and remember to think about how the food you are eating tastes.  Did you ever notice that the first bite of food tastes the best?  As we satisfy our hunger, the pleasure we get from the taste of foods diminishes.  Pay attention to this.

I hope this helps as we are fast approaching the holidays.  Remember your motto:  “Everything in moderation.”

“Eating is not merely a material pleasure.  Eating well gives a spectacular joy to life and contributes immensely to goodwill and happy companionship.  It is of great importance to the morale. ”  Elsa Schiaparelli

Too Much Information…

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Uncategorized, Weight Loss Gimmicks and tagged with ,

Sometimes I find there are just too many choices of EVERYTHING.  Food, clothes, tv channels, paint colors, pots and pans, carpets, cleaning products, and experts in EVERY subject!  I don’t know about you but I find this frustrating and overwhelming.  Don’t you ever just want three choices and you can pick one and be done?   Of course, food and nutrition is no exception from all of this madness.   It is abundant, contradictory, inaccurate, and sometimes can be misleading.  What is the best way to navigate through all of this information?  Listed below are some suggestions.  Also, be sure to share these with your tween or teen as they are particularly vulnerable to misinformation, misleading ad claims, and unhealthy weight loss gimmicks.

Pick your favorites (be it a person, magazine, website, blog).  Limit to no more than three to follow on a regular basis.  If you need information on a particular subject that your “favorites” aren’t covering, then research beyond your usual scope to get your answer.  Trust me this works.  At first you will feel like you might be missing something but you’re really not.  Daily MAJOR newsworthy stories  will be covered by a variety of venues such as tv, newspaper, radio, blogs, etc.  If you follow a couple of websites or blogs, you’ll figure out which ones you find the most pertinent to your life.

When reading or hearing information, don’t just assume it is true or accurate.  If it is a scientific study, what were the parameters they used to conduct the study?  Is Maxwell House funding a study touting coffee as reducing the risk of heart disease?  How many subjects were used in the study?  If it is subjective information or opinion, just use common sense.  Also, make sure you check out the credentials of people writing articles and blogs or proclaiming they are experts on a certain topic.   Recently I found out that Dr. Oz’s (yes, the Dr. Oz who now is everywhere doing everything) daughter, Daphne, is the nutrition and health expert on the show, “The Chew.”  Her credentials?  She is a 2008 graduate of Princeton with a BA in Near Eastern Studies.  Hmmm….she’s probably pretty knowledgable in the field of nutrition.  A blog I just read stated that Daphne Oz must be an expert by heredity.  I had to laugh when the blogger said by that logic if your parents were astronauts, you could be captain of a space shuttle (maybe with an accounting degree).   Again, just because someone can pass themselves off as an expert, doesn’t really mean they are an expert.  Valid credentials are at least a good starting point to have in order to call yourself an “expert.”

Be cautious when selecting nutrition products, especially ones that promise life changing results.  If a product claims things such as “immediate results,”  “five pound weight loss in five days,” or “cures all your ailments (most recently one that comes to mind is coconut water), be skeptical as to whether or not it will work.  Not that some of these products aren’t good or beneficial (and often expensive), but just as there is no magical method to lose weight, there is also no ONE magical food or beverage that is going to make you super healthy (or skinny)!

Some of these false advertising claims are extreme but some are much more subtle and harder to decipher.  If someone we trust seems to be promoting a product, things can really get complicated.  Jillian Michaels is a good example of this.  Many people gained respect for her as a trainer on “The Biggest Loser.”  Now this is the same person putting her face on a box  that says ”America’s Toughest Trainer Makes Losing Weight Simple.”  Really???   Is losing weight EVER simple???  She has the magic pill!!  There is no way I will support her or her products.  There are thousands of Jillian Michaels out there not willing to endorse a  product making false claims.  Be careful of “big, well-known names” that start endorsing various products.  Red flag.  Some may be perfectly effective, reputable products but proceed with caution.
Lastly, limit the amount of time you find yourself sitting at your computer surfing the web.  I find myself doing this more than I would like to admit.  Sometimes I waste hours and by the time I’m done I can’t remember one thing I’ve seen or have read.  This is my own personal goal to limit the amount of time I do this.  TOO MUCH INFORMATION AND I AM OVERLOADED!!!!
Many of us know all of this.  Let this serve as a reminder.  All too often, a friend will ask me about a specific product or weight loss method.  We can all be vulnerable when we learn of something that seems like it could really address a particular concern or problem.  Always remember, when something sounds too good to be true, it usually is!
“Information overload is a symptom of our desire to not focus on what’s important.  It IS a choice.”  Brian Solis

Teaching Kids How to Make the Right Choices

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in kid food choices, Uncategorized and tagged with ,

What do you think about when you look at this picture?    I often keep a bowl of candy on the coffee table in my family room.  This may surprise you that a dietitian would do this.  This candy bowl (I usually put M&Ms in it) can last for weeks, slowly but surely dwindling down.  Sometimes it gets depleted in a single day.  Those are usually the days my kids have friends over.  You would think these kids had never had candy in their lives and may  never be able to get it again.  Is it possible that being too restrictive with what we allow our kids to eat can backfire?  Of course, we have to guide our children and help them make good nutritional choices.  However, we must  be aware that being overly controlling or too restrictive may increase the chance that our kids will go nuts when they are in the presence of the food they are not allowed to have.  We need to teach our kids to have their own internal barometer.  Eventually our goal for them is to make decisions because they think it is a good decision for them – not to please their parents, conform to their friends ideas, or do what they think most people would do.

My mantra is everything in moderation.  An ice cream cake on a birthday is ok – it doesn’t have to be a tofu carrot cake.  Candy on Halloween?  It’s Halloween – what kid gets excited when they get an apple in their bag?  There is always talk about having mini-bran muffins, low-fat cheese sticks (you get the idea) at a school holiday party.  Really?   That sounds fun.  Heaven forbid the kids get a sugar rush!  Clearly, this is not desirable but there are worse things in life.  On the other hand, if these are the foods you and your children honestly prefer, go for it.   I think we all strive for that goal but for many it’s just not realistic.  When we make goals that are not realistic, we often fail.  I think the majority of people like to have an occasional indulgence – especially kids.

 We are human beings.  We desire and crave things that give us pleasure in life.  Decadent,  fat and calorie laden foods are one of those pleasures.  Remembering everything in moderation….there is a big difference between eating an occasional piece of cake and gorging daily on half a cake.  It is healthy to be trim.  It is life-threatening to be too thin with an eating disorder.  Having a nightly glass of wine or a beer is ok.  The extreme of that is alcoholism, which can lead to its own set of tragic outcomes.  Can we somehow teach our kids to eat a wide variety of food in portion appropriate amounts to promote lifelong good health?  To ensure good health are they never allowed to eat Oreos?  I’m not saying it’s easy to achieve the right balance.  I’m not saying I have all the answers.  I am saying an occasional “bad” food is not so bad.  Just like an occasional glass of wine is ok.  I am also saying we want our kids to make the same choices when we’re not watching them as they would if we were with them.  Realistic goal?  I’m not sure…

Modeling our own eating behavior, discussing food and nutrition with our kids (not talking at them), making sure you incorporate foods they enjoy into every day, and including them in making food decisions are some ways we can lead them down the path to opting for good choices .    But remember be cautious about being too restrictive or controlling with their eating habits.  This could just backfire when you’re not looking.

Eventually the child above is going to pick the apple over the lollipop because that is what they want – not you.   You don’t want them picking the apple in front of you but the lollipop when you’re not around.

“We are apt to forget that children watch examples better than they listen to preaching.”  Roy L. Smith

Guest Blog – Nutrition and Cancer

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Cancer, nutrition and cancer and tagged with ,

I was asked to share a blog written by Jillian McKee (jilliansmckee@gmail.com) regarding nutrition and its importance before, during and after cancer treatment.  Her website is http:/www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jillian/bio.htm

Nutrition Should Be a Focus Before And After Cancer Treatments

Cancer treatments can be very harsh to the body. The second and third treatment is not going to be any easier on the body than the first one. This is usually the case with oral drugs, chemotherapy and all of the other treatments that are out there. The side effects can be severe. One of the best ways to prevent the severity is through practicing good nutrition.

Penn Medicine has released a list of cancer guidelines that state the importance of exercise during and after cancer treatments. The reason is to help with the rehabilitation and preventing other problems.

The same is true of nutrition. Focusing on good nutrition before and after cancer treatments will ensure the body stays strong, recovers quickly and doesn’t endure any other problems. Cancer is hard enough on the body. Getting diabetes, heart disease or anything else in addition can only weaken the body further.

Various types of cancer will result in different treatments and different side effects. Mesothelioma treatment side effects can cause problems with digestion, dehydration and much more. With the right changes to your diet, you can help to compensate for these. This will provide you with a better quality of life when you don’t have to deal with so many of the side effects.

The severity of the side effects is often proportionate with your body weight as well as the strength of your body. Your body weight can be managed through proper nutrition. Similarly your body will go stronger when you’re eating the right balance of foods.

You have heard the same things before. You must control your calorie intake. Talk to your doctor to find out how many calories you should be consuming each day. From there, take the time to work with a nutritionist to see what kinds of foods are best for you.

Leafy greens have a number of benefits. They act as antioxidants and they will aid in digestion. Since one of the side effects of many cancer treatments is indigestion and constipation, eating lettuce, cabbage and other vegetables can help you get through these side effects with ease.

Other foods that you should focus on include a lot of garlic and herbs. These contain a lot of vitamins and minerals that you won’t find in processed foods. Many of these have been proven to help with cancer and the side effects that it causes on the body.

Do your research. The type of cancer that you have been diagnosed with may affect some of your body’s normal functions. If you eat different foods than you have been eating, it may help you to counteract some of the problems that you would otherwise face.

Nutrition has always been an important thing to work on throughout your life. As you prepare for cancer treatments, you want to focus on getting more nutrients into your body than ever before. Talk with your doctor, stock up on fresh ingredients and get ready to eat healthier so that you feel healthier.

Are “Bubba” Burgers Better Named “Blubber” Burgers???

Posted by Jamie MacGibbon, RD, LDN in Hamburgers and tagged with , , ,

Do you ever find it difficult to make a meal your entire family will eat?  I say I won’t do it – make something different for everyone but I do.  Recently, I realized how bad it really was when someone once asked me what I was making for dinner that evening.  I told him my husband and son were having salmon, my other son was having filet mignon, and my daughter was having spaghetti.   The person howled with laughter as he exclaimed he wished he lived at my house.  This is an issue I’m going to deal with as matter of a principle.  After all, I’m not a short order cook and I am certainly not preparing all this food with a smile on my face.

In the meantime, I had been very excited about a classic food I found that everyone seemed to like – Bubba burgers.  I had always been skeptical about any frozen, premade burgers.  These truly were delicious.   As life would have it, when we discover something that seems too good to be true, unfortunately that’s often the case.  We had been eating these convenient, delectable burgers for  over a year when I decided to read the nutrition label.   Honestly, I felt like a child who just learned there is no Santa Claus.   Believe me, my motto is everything in moderation.  HOWEVER, there are certain foods in which their nutritional value just crosses the line for me.  Bubba’s now were one of them.  When a food crosses the line, there is something on that label that is soooo outrageously unhealthy, I just won’t eat it.  Recently I was at the supermarket and tossed a Marie Callendar’s Chocolate Satin Pie in the cart.   Just before the checkout person scanned the pie, I looked at the nutrition label – 410 calories (not SO bad for dessert), 29 grams of fat (45% of the daily value – I’m starting to feel uneasy), 14 grams of saturated fat (70% of the daily value – penalty, red flag, nada, no way).   I could literally visualize the fat clogging the arteries of my family – certain to be followed with TE Patch Breaking News, “Mainline Family Perishes of Massive Heart Attack.”

The debate I’m having within myself is do I continue to buy Bubba’s for my family.  My middle son, who shall remain nameless,  proclaims these are the only burgers he will eat.  He is by far my most fussy eater.  Hasn’t had fruit since he was one and consumed a baby food jar of mashed bananas.  True story.  Anyway,  as good as Bubba’s are there are other burgers which are tasty and not quite so damaging nutritionally.  Admittedly, a burger isn’t winning any heart healthy food awards.  However, eating a different burger can be one of those small changes that makes a difference in your overall diet and, more specifically, your heart health.

Ok, now the “meat” of this blog (lol).  I am going to compare some different burgers and you and your family can make the decision for yourselves.  Now remember DV (daily value) is based on a 2,000 calorie diet.  Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your specific calorie needs.  This certainly gets the point across.  Also, remember the recommended fat consumption per serving of food is 5 grams of fat, 3 grams saturated.

Bubba’s (5 oz.):  430 calories (320 fat cals, 76% of total calories come from fat) -  35 g fat (54% DV), 15 g saturated fat (75% DV)

Ground Chuck (6 oz. 80/20):  418 calories (244 fat calories, 58% of total calories come from fat) – 28 g fat, 10 g saturated fat

Ground Beef (6 oz. 90/10):  346 calories (164 fat calories, 47% of total calories come from fat) – 18 g fat, 8 g saturated fat

Jennie-O Lean Turkey Burger (5 oz.):  160 calories (40 fat calories, 25% of total calories come from fat) – 5 g fat, 2 g saturated fat

Boca Classic All-American Meatless Burger (2.5 oz):  90 cals (20 fat cals, 22% of total cals from fat) – 2 g fat (3% DV),  2 g saturated fat (2% DV)

Take note of the gradual differences from the granddaddy of fat and calories (the “Bubba”)  down to the meatless burger.  Just remember you have many different options to make a great burger.  As I always say, it doesn’t matter how healthy it is if you don’t like the taste.  Chances are you can always find a healthier option that can also be a great tasting option.  Next battle is tackling which are the most nutritious, tastiest toppings…

Instead of my usual quote, I will leave you with an interesting fact.  Did you know that a typical hamburger in 1957 weighed one ounce and contained 210 calories?  Today that same burger would weigh six ounces and pack a whopping 618 calories.

I just want to thank everyone for reading my blogs!   Please let me know if you have a topic you would like me to cover or a question or comment on a specific blog.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.  As Julia Child says, Bon Appetit!