Thursday, September 26, 2013

September, Fruit and Veggies - More Matters Month


Key Consumer Message:
Dietary Recommendations 
for Americans, 2010 
Fruits and Vegetables 

There are three reasons to eat the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables.
1. Most vegetables and fruits contribute a wide variety of nutrients, including folate, magnesium, potassium, dietary fiber, and vitamins A, C, and K. 
2. Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with reduced risk of many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancer.
3. Most fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol and are low in calories and fat. Eating more will help maintain a healthy weight.

From MyPlate.gov
What Foods Are in the Fruit and Vegetable Groups?

Fruits. Any fruit or 100% fruit juice counts as part of the Fruit Group. Fruits may be fresh, canned, frozen, or dried, and may be whole, cut-up, or pureed.

In general, 1 cup of fruit or 100% fruit juice, or ½ cup of dried fruit can be considered as 1 cup from the Fruit Group. The following link lists specific fruits and amounts that count as one cup of fruit (or in some cases equivalents for ½ cup are noted.) MyPlate Fruits. 

VegetablesAny vegetable or 100% vegetable juice counts as a member of the Vegetable Group. Vegetables may be raw or cooked; fresh, frozen, canned, or dried/dehydrated; and may be whole, cut-up, or mashed.  Vegetables are organized into 5 subgroups, based on their nutrient content. Dark-green vegetables; Red and orange vegetables; Beans and peas (legumes); Starchy vegetables; and Others. 

In general, 1 cup of raw or cooked vegetables or vegetable juice, or 2 cups of raw leafy greens is considered as 1 cup from the Vegetable Group. The following link lists specific vegetables and amounts that count as 1 cup of vegetables (or in some cases equivalents for ½ cup are noted).  
MyPlate Vegetables. 

How many fruits and vegetables 
are needed daily?

Safety with Fruits and Vegetables
* Rinse and wash fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating them. Under clean, running water, rub fruits and vegetables briskly with your hands to remove dirt and surface microorganisms. Dry with a clean cloth towel or paper towel after rinsing.
* Keep fruits and vegetables separate from raw meat, poultry and seafood while shopping, preparing and storing.




Teaching Kids to Eat Their
Fruits and Vegetables



Healthy Kids PSA: Color of Life

Bring color to your life, and your plate, with nutritious, delicious vegetables.
Visit
Fruits and Veggies, More Matters for healthy recipes, menus,
fruit and vegetable nutrition information, tips on healthy
meal planning and how to get your kids involved in healthy cooking!




Fruits and Vegetables Song


Resources














Friday, July 12, 2013

Cow Appreciation Day

July 12, 2013 Cow Appreciation Day
Origin. For one day only, black and white spots, cow bells and furry ears will be appropriate attire at Chick-fil-A restaurants all across the nation. In celebration of Cow Appreciation Day (an unofficial yet nationally recognized holiday), Chick-fil-A will award a FREE Meal (breakfast, lunch or dinner) to any customer who comes to one of their 1,600+ restaurants fully dressed as a cow.

Other Option for Cow Appreciation Day. Try a vegetarian meal today.





Wednesday, May 22, 2013

May 22, International Day for Biological Diversity:
Water and Biodiversity

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). The 2013 theme is Water and Biodiversity; chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation. In addition, the period 2005-2015 is the International Decade for Action 'WATER FOR LIFE'.




UN Secretary-General message
"International Year of Water Cooperation 2013"


The United Nations has prepared materials on Natural Solutions For Water Security. This is a segment on "The Elements of Good Practices in the Drinking Water Sector".

Finalists of 2013 edition of UN-Water 

´Water for Life´ Best Practices Award



Clean water, free of pollution, bacteria and other contaminants, is the bedrock upon which sustainable, thriving and equitable human societies are built. Good governance of the ecosystems providing us with quality drinking water is an essential pre-requisite involving the cooperation of private sector enterprises, all levels of government, public agencies, indigenous and local communities, NGOs and other relevant stakeholders.

Water is a deeply local issue in terms of availability, economic and environmental setting, climate and conflicting interests. 

Good policy approaches for drinking water require holistic strategic approaches involving full consideration of:
* Water quality and availability
* Managing drinking water for both present and future needs
* Maintaining ecosystem integrity and functions

* The role of biodiversity
* Realistic approaches

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Allrecipe's Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers
Fails the Nutrition Analysis Review

Fails the Nutrition Analysis Review

Below is the nutrition analysis from Allrecipes compared to our Review. Both companies used the same database. The results show a significant difference.

Procedures.
1. Repeat Dietitians-Online's analysis. Look for errors. 
2. Duplicate the author’s numbers, if possible. 

Results.
1. Results were 
duplicated related to the author’s failure to drain and strain the beans.
2. The recipe called for a 16 oz can black beans, drained and strained. Produced 12.5 ounces black beans and significant less sodium.
3. The nutrition analysis should be based on the Edible Portion of foods; not As Purchased (unless eaten whole).

The Homemade Black Bean Veggie Burgers can fit into the following food plans with the help of a registered dietitian: low calorie, low fat, sodium restricted, and high fiber. Good source of vitamin C and A.

Background
Performing a nutrition analysis by database requires knowledge and skills in culinary art, food science, production, waste, straining, draining, marinating, nutrient absorption, software pros and cons, and conversion factors. Nutrition software is only as good as the professional interpreting the data. 


For the past 25 years I've specialized in Nutrition Analysis and Recipe Modification. My mission is to locate inaccurate nutrition analysis; provide nutrition information when it is not available; and offer modifications for special dietary needs.

If you need assistance with your Nutrition Analysis needs,
please contact us.

Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN
recipenews@gmail.com

Saturday, May 18, 2013

You are Invited to the Opening of the Eatright Art Gallery

The theme of the gallery ....

-The presentation of food should stimulate the palate, excite the senses, and nourish the body. -Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN

- When you prepare nourishing foods with love, passion, and creativity, people will delight in your creations. - Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN




Please make a donation. Monies raised goes to employ
Special Need Adults.



Thank you for your generosity and kindness.



Choose from hundreds of food photographs, graphic designs
or we can customize your own brand

All Photographs and Graphics are original designs and are available for purchase.
Cost $6.00 per design (exclusivity is available for an additional charge).
The designs are available only in a digital format (jpg; bmp; pdf)
Contact Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RDN, LN
for purchase
recipenews@gmail.com
954-796-7235
Thank you.
Prepared by Dietitians-Online©, 2013

Visit Dietitians-Online, to view
the art gallery on the website.



Saturday, April 6, 2013

April 7, 2013 - World Health Day
Control Your Blood Pressure


World Health Day is celebrated on April 7 to commemorate the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948. Each year a theme is chosen to address a significant global health concern. The theme for World Health Day 2013 is controlling high blood pressure, which affects more than one in three adults worldwide. High blood pressure or hypertension can lead to fatal heart attacks, strokes, and chronic heart and kidney disease.

Many people do not know they have high blood pressure because it does not always cause symptoms. Hypertension is easily diagnosed and treated if health care services are available. 

For many people, lifestyle changes are sufficient to control blood pressure. For others, medication is needed.
Early detection is key; all adults should know their blood pressure.






Salt Matters: Preserving Choice, 
Protecting Health

Where does sodium come from?
Sodium comes from natural sources or are added to foods. Most foods in their natural state contain some sodium. However, the majority of sodium Americans consume comes from sodium added to processed foods by manufacturers. While some of this sodium is added to foods for safety reasons, the amount of salt added to processed foods is above what is required for safety and function of the food supply.

Reading Labels
When you buy prepared and packaged foods, read the labels. You can tell the sodium content by looking at the Nutrition Facts panel of a food. Listed are the amount for sodium, in milligrams (mg), and the “% Daily Value.” Also read the ingredient list to watch for the words "soda" (referring to sodium bicarbonate, or baking soda), "sodium" and the symbol "Na" to see if the product contains sodium.



Salt and/or Sodium Descriptors
Salt Free:  Meets requirements for "sodium free."
Sodium Free: Fewer than 5 milligrams sodium per serving.
Very Low Sodium:  35 milligrams or less sodium per serving.
Low Sodium: 140 milligrams or less per serving 
Reduced Sodium:  At least 25 percent less sodium per serving.
Unsalted:  Has no salt added during processing. To use this term, the product it resembles must normally be processed with salt and the label must note that the food is not a sodium-free food if it does not meet the requirements for "sodium free".

The FDA and USDA state an individual food that has the claim "healthy" must not exceed 480 mg sodium per reference amount. "Meal type" products must not exceed 600 mg sodium per labeled serving size.

Sodium and Hypertension.
In order for a food to make an Allowable Health Claim it must contain a defined amount of nutrients. In relationship to sodium and Hypertension the amount is 140 milligrams or less sodium per serving.

American Heart Association (AHA)
The American Heart Association recommends you choose and prepare foods with little or no salt to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Aim to eat less than 1,500 mg of sodium per day (less that 3/4 teaspoon of salt).
The AHA is working with federal agencies to identify ways to reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply. The association is encouraging food manufacturers and restaurants to reduce the amount of sodium in foods by 50 percent over a 10-year period. AHA will help Americans lower the amount of sodium they consume by the following strategies:
 1. Reduce the amount of sodium in the food supply,
 2. Make more healthy foods available (e.g., more fruits and vegetables); and
 3. Provide consumers with education and decision-making tools to make better choices.

 Tips for reducing sodium in the diet
 1.  Choose fresh, frozen or canned food items without added salts.
 2.  Select unsalted nuts or seeds, dried beans, peas and lentils.
 3.  Limit salty snacks like chips and pretzels.
 4.  Avoid adding salt and canned vegetables to homemade dishes.
 5.  Select unsalted, lower sodium, fat-free broths, bouillons or soups.
 6.  Select fat-free or low-fat milk, low-sodium, low-fat cheeses and low-fat yogurt.
 7.  Use spices and herbs to enhance the taste of your food. 
 8.  Add fresh lemon juice instead of salt to fish and vegetables.
 9.  When dining out, ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.
10. Don’t use the salt shaker. 


Resources.
WHO, A global brief on hypertension

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). National High Blood Pressure Education Program


The International Society of Hypertension (ISH). ISH's main objectives are to promote and encourage the advancement of scientific knowledge in all aspects of research and its application to prevention and management of heart disease and stroke in hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases around the world. 

The World Hypertension League (WHL). The objectives of the World Hypertension League (WHL) are to promote the detection, control and prevention of arterial hypertension in populations.







































Friday, April 5, 2013

National Week of the Ocean
March 31 - April 6, 2013
The Oceans Impact on Nutrition


National Week of the Ocean is sponsored by National Week of the Ocean, Inc. in cooperation with the City of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
 
The goals are to encourage ocean exploration which includes commerce, history, food sources, endangered sea creatures and issues such as offshore drilling and ocean dumping.


The health of the ocean is essential to human survival. The ocean is a major source of food, medicine, and jobs. Fish from the ocean is the primary source of protein for one in six people on earth. Protecting the ocean protects our health, our economy, and our children's future.


  National Week of the Ocean
 
It's Time to Start a Sea Change
The Ocean Conservancy believes it's time to look beneath
the surface to see where the health of our planet really begins.
 

Exploring Oceans - Disney



1. The oceans occupy nearly 71% of our planet's surface.

2. More than 97% of our entire planet's water is contained in the ocean.

3. Fish supply the greatest percentage of the world's protein consumed by humans. More than 3.5 billion people depend on the ocean for their primary source of food. In 20 years, this number could double to 7 billion.

4. Each year some 70 to 75 million tons of fish are caught in the ocean. Of this amount around 29 million tons is for human consumption.

5. Eighty per cent of all pollution in seas and oceans comes from land-based activities.

6. Death and disease caused by polluted coastal waters costs the global economy $12.8 billion (US) a year.

7. Plastic waste kills up to 1 million sea birds, 100,000 sea mammals and countless fish each year. Plastic remains in our ecosystem for years harming thousands of sea life every day.

8. Over the past decade, an average of 600,000 barrels of oil a year has been accidentally spilled from ships, the equivalent of 12 disasters the size of the sinking of the oil tanker Prestige in 2002.

9. Although coral reefs comprise less than 0.5 per cent of the ocean floor, it is estimated that more than 90 per cent of marine species are directly or indirectly dependent on them.

10. Species of fish endangered by overfishing are tuna, salmon, haddock, halibut, and cod.









Resources.



Dietitian Blog List