Introducing the Green Foods National Nutrition Month

Green Foods

Host: Grace

Food Sources

Alfalfa, Artichokes, Arugula, Asparagus, Avocado, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Broccoli rabe, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, Chives, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Dandelion Greens, Edamame, Endive, Fennel, Green apples, Green Beans, Green cabbage, Green Grapes, Green Olives, Green Onion, Green Pears, Green Peas, Green Pepper, Green Tomatoes, Honeydew, Kale, Kiwi, Leeks, Lettuce, Limes, Mint, Okra, Oregano, Parsley, Pistachios, Snow Peas, Spinach, Sugar snap peas, Swiss Chard, Tarragon, Tomatillo, Wasabi, Watercress, Zucchini.

Do you know other foods that are Green?

Ways to increase Green Food Intake:
•Add spinach or broccoli when cooking pasta, rice or soup.
•Freeze green grapes for a sweet snack.
•Add thin slices of green apples or zucchini on a sandwich.

About Green Fruits and Vegetables.
Green in plants signifies the presence of the plant pigment chlorophyll. The nutrients found in these fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risks, lower blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol levels, improve vision, enhance the immune system, and fight harmful free radicals.

Green fruits and vegetables are rich in many vitamins and minerals, such as calcium, folate, vitamin C, and beta-carotene (vitamin A). They contain phytochemicals such as luteins and indoles, which may reduce the risk of heart disease. They are high in fiber and support a healthy digestive system.

Definitions:
Phytonutrients (or phytochemicals) are found in plants. They are part of what gives fruits and vegetables their colors. Phytonutrients help protect plants from diseases found in the environment and protect us in a similar way. Studies have linked an increase of fruit and vegetable intake with lowering the risk of specific cancers and heart disease. The following list describes how phytonutrients may also help protect human health.
1. Act as an antioxidant.
2. Improves immune response.
3. Improves cell-to-cell communication.
4. Destroys cancer cells.
5. Repairs DNA damage caused by toxins in the environment.

Antioxidants. As the body uses oxygen, there are by-products (known as “free radicals”) that can cause damage to cells. Antioxidants can prevent or slow down the damage caused by these free radicals and decrease the risk of many chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. Antioxidants may also improve the immune defense and lower the risk of infection. Some examples of antioxidants include vitamin A (beta-carotene), vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, lycopene and flavonoids.

Wellness News employs young adults with "Special Needs" (Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy). My staff started the project in September 2010. Over the next five months, we would take over 600 photographs of colorful foods in order to create the March presentation for NNM. Many of the photographs are available for purchase with the proceeds going to special need young adults. Contact Dr. Sandra Frank for additional information (recipenews@gmail.com).

Prepared by
http://www.dietitians-online.com/
http://www.weighing-success.com/
Wellness News (www.weighing-success.com/WellnessNews.html)
http://www.wheelchair-connection.com/
Sandra Frank, Ed.D, RD, LDN
Jake Frank
Lance Li

Jonathan Cruz

What a Difference Some Color Can Make!

Book Review: The Small Change Diet, 10 Steps to a Thinner, Healthier You

A weight control program emphasizing small changes and a lifetime of health. The author, Keri Gans, a registered dietitian shares her simple steps to achieving healthy, continued weight loss by making small adjustments that often lead to the biggest impacts. The key is mastering one new habit before expecting yourself to tackle another.

Each chapter describes a step in the program and excuses used "not to succeed"; tips to overcoming these excuses and a short review to see if you're ready to move onto the next step.

Take your time! Once you’ve completed all ten steps, you’ll feel healthier and thinner for a lifetime. The Small Change Diet turns "unhealthy" habits into healthy new habits that become second nature.

A great book for an individual looking for a refreshing and practical guide to achieving permanent weight control, while learning to enjoy healthy foods. Also, a terrific resource for registered dietitians who want to learn how to handle obstacles and excuses they may experience with their clients.

I found myself smiling each time Keri mentioned an excuse – I’ve used in the past or my readers have asked me.

Here is Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN in her own words
as she describes "The Small Change Diet."

 

About the Author: Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN

Keri Gans is a Registered Dietitian in private practice in Manhattan. She holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Ohio University. Before working solely in private practice Keri was a clinical staff dietitian at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan and North General Hospital in Harlem.

Keri has made numerous television appearances, including ABC Eyewitness News, Good Morning America, Discovery Times, and Fox The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet, and Dr. Oz's show. She is a regular guest on Sirius/XM's Dr. Radio and is frequently quoted in national publications. For over 5 years Keri was seen weekly on Manhattan public access TV in a nutrition lifestyle program called “Diet Diva”.

Keri is very active in professional organizations. She is a Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and ADA Delegate for the New York State Dietetic Association (NYSDA). Other past volunteer positions include: NYSDA President, NYSDA PR Chair, NYSDA Annual Meeting Chair, Greater NY Dietetic Association PR Chair and Treasurer. Keri is the proud winner of the 2010 NYSDA Media Excellence Award and 2006 NYSDA Emerging Dietetic Leader Award.

You can learn more about Keri Gans
by visiting her online resources.
Website. http://www.kerigansnutrition.com
Twitter. http://twitter.com/kerigans

Check Your Batteries Day and Recharge March 13, 2011

Every day your body needs to recharge.
A great way to recharge is to start your day off with a healthy breakfast.

Registered Dietitian Day 2011 Quotes from Dietitians Worldwide

The goals of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) are to provide consumers with information on how to lead healthy lives, promote education, advance nutrition knowledge through research, and learn to make healthy choices.

Dietitians-Online was created to acknowledge the contributions of Registered Dietitians on the Internet and their global impact.

The experience in working with Dietitians-Online has been an amazing journey. I’ve met and discovered dietitians who demonstrate commitment, dedication, creativity, knowledge and excellence in the dietetic and nutrition profession. As I review and learn from the work of my colleagues and observe a new generation of dietitians, I am excited about the future of our profession."  -Sandra Frank, EdD, RD, LDN

Congratulations to
all the Dedicated Dietitians!

The video can be viewed as a slideshow for your convenience.
See below or Click the following link: Dietitians-Online

Dietitians-Online has available the RD Quotes from 2010 and

“The History of the American Dietetic Association”

 
Gifts for a
Registered Dietitian





 

National School Breakfast Week March 7-11, 2011

Rise and Shine with a Healthy Breakfast
A Special Thank You to Raffi and the Centre for Child Honouring for
providing permission to use "Rise and Shine" to encourage a Healthy Breakfast.

*Children who eat breakfast are less likely to be overweight.

*Children who eat breakfast have more energy.

*Children who eat breakfast concentrate better.

*Children who eat breakfast have higher grades in school.

*Children who skip breakfast may have learning and behavioral problems.

*Children who skip breakfast may develop nutritional deficiencies.

*Children who eat breakfast are

Alert, Energized and Ready for a Brand New Day.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) created the School Breakfast Detectives Campaign to promote awareness about the benefits of school breakfast.

Resources and Tools
SNA’s Member resource website www.schoolnutrition.org/nsbw has menus, checklists, logos and activity sheets to help get your NSBW celebrations started.

"School Breakfast Detectives" Book Cover Contest
This year students have the opportunity to design their own school breakfast detective in the form of a book cover. Students also need to give the book a title with a healthy eating message e.g. "The Case of the Missing Breakfast".

All local contests end on March 11, 2011, and national entries are due March 31, 2011. Find out more and download contest forms at www.schoolnutrition.org/nsbw.

Raffi" (Raffi Cavoukian), C.M., O.B.C.

Founder and Chair, Centre for Child Honouring

He is known to millions as "Raffi", a beloved songwriter and performer, author, ecology advocate and founder of Centre for Child Honouring. Child Honouring is a vision for creating a humane and sustainable world by addressing the universal needs of children.

In his career, which spans three-decades, Raffi has refused all commercial endorsement offers, and Troubadour Music, his own company, has never directly advertised or marketed to children. He is a passionate advocate for a child’s right to live free of commercial exploitation.

"We invite you to be a part of the global movement that views honouring children as the best way to create sustainable, peacemaking societies."  - Raffi

To learn more about the Centre for Child Honouring, please visit the
Centre for Child Honouring and join "the compassion revolution."

Student Dietetic Association at FIU is Spreading the Word about Healthy Eating

The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) at Florida International University (FIU) are eager to share with the community the importance of eating healthy and creating awareness of the obesity epidemic. 

FIU SDA visits Coconut Palm Elementary School and shows the kids new fruits and vegetables they didn't know existed.

FIU SDA students participate in a "healthy protest where they walked around the FIU campus with posters about alarming statistics about obesity, as well as healthy tips.

SDA teams up with the meditation club and creates healthy snacks for stressful times during finals and midterms.

The future of Dietetics and Nutrition

are in Good Hands.

Dietitians on YouTube and in the News February 22, 2011

February 22, 2011

Five Tips on Organizing the Kitchen
For Healthy Eating From
Dietitian Ashley Koff

Dietitians Association of Australia recommends looking for the APD credential when choosing a dietitian. APDs are university-qualified and have extensive expertise in nutrition. Finding an APD is easy -Go to www.daa.asn.au Great message from our colleagues down under.

Fat State Stretched Thin: Tenn. Covers Gastric Bypass, by Daniel Potter.
Tennessee's state Medicaid program faces hundreds of millions of dollars in budget cuts in the coming months. The program, known as TennCare, won't pay for overweight patients to get counseling from dietitians, but it will pay for the morbidly obese to lose weight through surgery, such as gastric bypass.

On Nutrition: What about protein? By BARBARA QUINN.
The Monterey County Herald (MCT). Barbara Quinn is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. She is the author of "Diabetes DTOUR Diet," Rodale, 2009. Email her at bquinn@chomp.org.

CIGNA CP : Six Easy, Fun Steps to Better Health.
CIGNA and Healthy Kids Challenge, working together since 2004 to fight obesity, today announced the launch of their latest initiative – an online CIGNA Mix Six for Healthy Balance Toolkit offering real-life ways for individuals, families and employers to incorporate better health into their daily routines.

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Turns 40

I first learned about CSPI in the mid 1970’s. I was working on my undergraduate degree in Dietetics and Nutrition when I heard about a conference on regulating food advertising aimed at children.  A topic, I am deeply concerned about, then and now. Michael Jacobson, PhD, Executive Director and one of the original founders of CSPI was the keynote speaker. His enthusiasm and determination was contagious.

Founded in 1971, CSPI has worked vigorously to educate the public, advocate government policies consistent with scientific evidence on health and environmental issues, and question industry’s influence on public opinion and public policies. Over the years, CSPI has earned the respect of consumers, politicians, health professionals, media, government agencies, and scientific communities as an influential and independent science-based organization and consumer advocate.

 Mission Statement. 

“CSPI is a consumer advocacy organization whose twin missions are to conduct innovative research and advocacy programs in health and nutrition, and to provide consumers with current, useful information about their health and well-being.”

Nutrition Action

Major Changes in the Food Environment

May 7, 2008

CSPI publishes the “Nutrition Action Healthletter”, known for its current and objective information on nutrition and health concerns. The content represents CSPI’s three main goals:

1. To provide useful, objective information to the public and policymakers and to conduct research on food, alcohol, health, the environment, and other issues related to science and technology

2. To represent the citizen's interests before regulatory, judicial and legislative bodies on food, alcohol, health, the environment, and other issues; and

3. To ensure that science and technology are used for the public good and to encourage scientists to engage in public-interest activities

Topics are easy to understand and are written by experts in the field, such as CSPI nutrition director Bonnie Liebman, MS. One of my favorite sections is the “Right Stuff vs. Food Porn”.

CSPI is an organization made up of dedicated individuals. The work they have accomplished in the last 40 years is remarkable. As an educator and journalist, my responsibility is to continue to inform the public of reliable resources.

To the new generation of concerned citizens, politicians, health and science professionals, media, and government agencies, CSPI is an organization to follow. You can also become involved by joining CSPI Action Network.

To learn more about CSPI visit
Website.  CSPI
Facebook. CSPI
YouTube. CSPI TV
Subscribe to Nutrition Action
Join CSPI Action Network
Make a Donation

I was too shy back in the 1970s to say thank you; I hope it’s not too late.

Happy Birthday CSPI and Thank You for Keeping us Safe and Informed.

with warm regards,
Sandra Frank, Ed.D., RD, LDN
Dietitians-Online.com

Weighing-Success.com
Wellness-News

CSPI in the News

Kellogg's Agrees to Reduce Junk Food Marketing to Kids

 May 9, 2008

    

 Heart Attack Entrees and Side Orders of Stroke

June 3, 2009 

Unsafe levels of sodium chloride, or salt, in chain restaurant meals increase one's chance of developing hypertension, heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The nonprofit food safety and nutrition watchdog group today is exposing chain restaurant meals with dangerously high levels of sodium and is renewing its call on industry and government to lower sodium levels in foods. Here is some news coverage of CSPI's report. 

 

 

CSPI is currently working on the following issues:

1. Get junk foods out of schools nationwide.
2. Rid the food supply of partially hydrogenated oil, the source of artificial trans fat that promotes heart disease.
3. Reduce sodium in processed and restaurant foods.
4. Improve food safety laws and reduce the incidence of foodborne illness.
5. Advocate for healthier, plant-based, environmentally friendly diets.
6. Ensure accurate and honest labeling on food packages.
7. Require basic nutrition labeling on chain-restaurants’ menus and menu boards.
8. Provide responsible information about the benefits and risks of agricultural biotechnology.
9. Obtain greater federal funding for alcohol-abuse prevention policies; and
10. Expose industry influence over the scientific process and in government policy-making.

Resources and References
1.  Highlights from 40 Years of Accomplishments 
2.  Happy Birthday to Us! (pdf)
3.  Right Stuff and Food Porn 
4.  Menu Labeling, FDA Reform, and School Foods Victories Cap Year 39 for the Group Sometimes Known as the "Food Police" (pdf)

A Heart Healthy Valentine

Collection of heart shaped and heart healthy foods with special valentine messages for a heart healthy life.

Wishing you love, laughter, health and friendship.

America Goes Red for Women Across the Country

Go Red For Women encourages awareness of the issue of women and heart disease, and also action to save more lives. The movement utilizes the energy, commitment and power women have to band together and collectively wipe out heart disease. It challenges them to know their risk for heart disease and take action to reduce their personal risk. It also gives them the tools they need to lead a heart healthy life.

Go Red and Beat It!
Texas Health Fort Worth employees are joining together to beat heart disease. A creative and innovative video depicting the employees passion to raise awareness of heart disease, Texas Health Fort Worth wants to know what you are doing to beat this disease?

Red Heart Dance - MetroSouth Medical Center

MetroSouth Medical Center employees produced a video to raise awareness
about heart health. They urge all who are risk to Know Their Numbers By Heart

Life's Simple Seven

Life's Simple Seven:‎ 1. Get Active; 2. Control Cholesterol; 3. Eat Better; 4. Manage Blood Pressure; 5. Lose Weight; 6. Reduce Blood Sugar; and 7. Stop Smoking.

Tell five family members and friends how they can get heart healthy. Visit the American Heart Association. A warm thanks to the Broward County Dietetic Association for their assistance in helping spread this Heart Healthy message.

 

Outrunning My Shadow
GoRed Day in Las Vegas

GoRed day is the fight against Heart Disease in Women. Video shot at Macy's
and The Freemont Street Experience in Las Vegas

Greystone Healthcare Management (Florida, Indiana and Ohio) .
Prepared this video to create awareness of Heart Disease,
the leading cause of death in the United States.

Anadarko: Go Red For Women Day

Jersey Shore University Medical Center
Go Red for Heart Disease Awareness

National Girls and Women in Sports Day February 2, 2011

25th Annual
National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NAGWS)

To celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day, these top female athletes share why they love doing what they do. As seen on GoGirlWorld.org, a site by the Women's Sports Foundation.

On February 2, 2011, thousands of sports educators, coaches, athletic directors, recreation organizers, association members, sponsors, students, and parents across the country will gather to celebrate NGWSD and the 2011 theme "Play, Believe, Achieve."

National Girls and Women in Sports Day

Founded in 1987, National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebrates the participation, success and accomplishments of girls and women athletes.

Despite the advances made in the 38 years since Title IX was enacted, high school girls receive a million fewer sporting opportunities than males. American University is trying to improve these numbers by encouraging girls to participate in sports.

 

The Women’s Sports Foundation is a member of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) coalition. Other members include: Girls’ Incorporated, Girls Scouts of America, National Association for Girls and Women in Sport, and the National Women’s Law Center.

NGWSD is marked annually with events around the country and on Capitol Hill to celebrate the achievements of girls and women in athletics. It is also an important day to promote the continued development of opportunities for girls and women to play sports and live physically active lives.

Opportunities for All Girls and Women

Jennifer Ruddell,  a basketball player and paralympic gold medalist teaches the techniques of shooting, hopping and tilting, and wants every girl to give it a go! 

Always a Way to Play from GoGirlWorld on Vimeo.

View the 2011 National Girls and Women in Sports Day Community Action Kit.

Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDE Nutrition Expert

My next stop on my Dietitian journey through the Internet brings me to the
Hispanic Foodways and Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDE 

"Food is not just nourishment, it's part of culture.
It helps people celebrate, mourn and mark life's important moments."

- Lorena Drago, MS, RD, CDN, CDE

Lorena Drago is a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator, author and consultant. She is senior associate director of Ambulatory Care Nutrition Programs at Lincoln Hospital in the Bronx and maintains her own private practice.

Lorena is the owner of Hispanic Foodways, which specializes in the multicultural aspects of diabetes self-management education, creating culturally and ethnically-oriented nutrition and diabetes education materials. She is the author of Beyond Rice and Beans: Caribbean Latino Guide to Eating Healthy with Diabetes and a contributing author and co-editor of Cultural Food Practices and Diabetes.

Lorena has appeared on several TV shows speaking about diabetes management, including The Early Show, CNBC's dLife TV and New York’s “ Diálogo con Glenis” a live Spanish community cable show, where she discusses nutrition and diabetes, topics especially relevant to the Latin community of the Bronx.

Lorena served on the American Association of Diabetes Educators board of directors and volunteered as a nominating committee chair of the Member Interest Group Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition; chair of the American Diabetes Association Latino Committee and as past president of the Metropolitan New York Association of Diabetes Educators in 2004.

Drago graduated from Hunter College of the City University of New York with a Masters of Science degree in Food and Nutrition, and received her BA in Home Economics, Food and Nutrition from Queens College.

AADE 2009 - Lorena Drago
Interviewed by Hope Warshaw

Summary: Beyond Rice and Beans: Caribbean Latino Guide to Eating Healthy with Diabetes. Written in Spanish and English, the book features new food pyramids and menu plans specifically designed for the Latin American palate from all over the Caribbean. It is a great resource for dietitians and people who want to manage their diabetes but don't want to sacrifice cultural identity. The book shows Latin Americans with diabetes how they can easily design meals that fit into a healthy lifestyle without giving up taste or familiar staples. Included are a Latin American food dictionary, advice on handling holiday meals and how to decipher Spanish food labels.

To learn more about Lorena Drago and the Hispanic Foodways visit the following links:
Websites. Hispanic Foodways; Lorena Drago
Facebook. Hispanic Foodways
LinkedIn. Lorena Drago
Twitter. @lorenadrago

Thank you for joining me. Dietitians and Dietetic Associations Worldwide have provided me an opportunity to explore numerous specialties, cultural diversities, advances in research, legislative news, current events, ADA campaigns and creative new recipes.

Until next time, have a healthy journey.