December 20, International Human Solidarity Day

International Human Solidarity Day is:

• a day to celebrate our unity in diversity;
• a day to remind governments to respect their commitments to international agreements;
• a day to raise public awareness of the importance of solidarity;
• a day to encourage debate on the ways to promote solidarity for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals including poverty eradication;
• a day of action to encourage new initiatives for poverty eradication.

The UN General Assembly convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed 20 of December as International Human Solidarity Day.

Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

The UN and the Concept of Solidarity
The concept of solidarity has defined the work of the United Nations since the birth of the Organization. The creation of the United Nations drew the peoples and nations of the world together to promote peace, human rights, and social and economic development. The organization was founded on a basic premise of unity and harmony among its members expressed in the concept of collective security that relies on the solidarity of its members to unite “to maintain international peace and security”.

It is in the spirit of solidarity that the organization relies on “cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character” as well.

On International Human Solidarity Day, let us emphasize the role of human solidarity in building lives of dignity for all on a healthy planet. We must work together to achieve the SDGs and secure the future we want. 

Resource

United Nations, International Human Solidarity Day

Celebrating Thirty Years Providing Nutritional Analysis for the Media and Cookbook Publishers Why use a dietitian for nutritional analysis?

2019 marks 30 years working in the area of nutrition analysis for the media, cookbook publishers, recipe bloggers, and websites. It has been an exciting journey and an amazing learning experience. I have worked with creative and dynamic editors, chefs, and writers from such publications as Bon Appetit, Sun-Sentinel (Tribune), Atlanta Constitution, Detroit Freepress, and the Fort Worth Star

In 1986 while working on my doctorate degree, I had the opportunity to conduct an independent study on nutrient analysis software. Those were the days when the operating system was DOS and the monitor was black and green. The purpose was to evaluate the pros and cons of nutrient analysis software. I learned early on recipes are written based on foods as purchased (AP) and in order to obtain a more accurate analysis the foods needed to be converted to the form an individual will consume; this is known as the edible portion (EP). The most accurate nutritional analysis is done in a laboratory and can be costly.

As I explored the Internet, I found numerous recipes without nutrition information, but even worse there were many recipes with inaccurate data. (Here is an example of a recipe I found with wrong information.)

Nutrition information is part of our everyday life. There are millions of people who depend on nutrition information to meet their dietary needs. Some of the diets include low calorie, carbohydrate controlled, high protein, low protein, low fat, low cholesterol, low sodium, high fiber, gluten-free, lactose-free, and peanut allergies.

Why use a dietitian for nutritional analysis?

• Recipes are usually written based on what the consumer needs to purchase. The individual analyzing the recipe must evaluate the recipe based on the actual food ready-to-eat (unless the food is meant to be eaten whole.)
• A nutritional analysis program cannot cook or prepare meals. A person must have skills in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Cooking and Preparation Techniques, Purchasing Guides, Yield Factors, and Nutrient Analysis Software. Have you ever wondered how to analyze the following in a recipe? What foods would you choose from the database?

1. A marinade you discard
2. The salt when preparing pasta
3. A pinch or handful
4. 3 lb Chicken, directions: cook and remove skin and bone 
5. Breading
6. Apple, cored and peeled
7. Alcohol in a heated dish

• To own professional nutrition software with yearly maintenance fees can be expensive. In addition, there is the cost of an educated person to run the software. Updates are vital in our fast-paced food industry with changing government regulations.

Consider adding nutritional analysis to your online recipes. A great service for the Recipe Blogger, Media, Cookbook Publishers, Writers, Chefs, and Recipe Websites. Your readers will benefit from the Nutrition information and a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Take a short quiz to see if you have the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze a recipe? 

Looking for nutrition analysis for your recipes?  With over thirty years of industry experience, I offer my services below market value in order to meet income criteria for continued health benefits.  This allows me to work from home and care for my disabled son.

Contact Sandra Frank, EdD., RDN, LD, FAND at recipenews@gmail.com from Dietitians-Online.

From "As Purchased to "Edible Portion" How to Analyze a Recipe Using a Nutrient Database. Purchasing nutrient analysis software and learning how to use the program is only useful if you have the knowledge to convert “as purchased” ingredients to the “edible portion.” This book describes how to read a recipe and enter the correct ingredients and amounts, in order to provide an accurate nutrient analysis. The book is an essential tool for anyone working in nutrient analysis. Recipes are usually written based on what the consumer needs to purchase. The individual analyzing the recipe must evaluate the recipe based on the actual food-ready-to-eat (unless the food is meant to be eaten whole.) A nutritional analysis program cannot cook or prepare meals. A person must have skills in Food Science, Culinary Arts, Nutrition, Cooking and Preparation Techniques, Purchasing Guides, Yield Factors, and Nutrient Analysis Software.

Seven Foods and Five Drinks for a Very Merry Gluten-Free Holiday Guest Blogger: Michelle Stewart, RDN

7 Foods for a Very Merry Gluten-Free Holiday

1. Sugar cookies and Gingerbread men (made with GF flours: rice flour, potato starch, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum) 

• Gluten-Free Flour Blend: To make flour blend, combine 2 cups rice flour, 2/3 cup potato starch, 1/3 cup tapioca flour, and 1 teaspoon xanthan gum. Use the appropriate amount for the recipe; store remainder in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir before using. 

2. Glazed Ham (toss out the glaze and make your own gluten-free glaze)

3. Quinoa, mushroom, or wild rice stuffing instead of traditional turkey stuffing

4. Meringue Cookies

5. Gravies thickened with cornstarch instead of flour

6. Gumbo with gluten-free Roux (made with sorghum flour instead of all-purpose flour)

7. Corn Bread (avoid store-bought mixes, and make it gluten-free at home with gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free baking soda)

• To make flour blend: combine 2 cups rice flour, 2/3 cup potato starch, 1/3 cup tapioca flour, and 1 teaspoon xanthan gum. Use the appropriate amount for the recipe; store remainder in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir before using. 

5 Festive Gluten-Free Cocktails:
1. Homemade eggnog (warm or chilled)
2. Spiked Apple Cider
3. Rum Hot Toddy
4. Pomasa (Pomegranate juice and Champagne)
5. White Sangria

**Other alcohols that contain gluten:
Beer
Malted beverages

Guest Blogger: Michelle Stewart, MPH, RD, LD/N, CDE 

Michelle J. Stewart is a Registered and Licensed Dietitian and better known as The Nutrition Planner. Founder of Michelle Stewart Consulting & Associates who has been leading the way to a healthier you for more than 25 years. She is zealous when it comes to wellness from the inside out and empowering whomever she comes in contact with to take charge of their health and wellbeing. It is all about balance and moderation, her motto is “EAT LESS MOVE MORE”. Michelle is a Certified Diabetes Educator, and also holds certifications in Adult, Adolescent, and Childhood Obesity and is a Certified Wellness Coach. A Master’s In Public Health keeps her abreast of the latest health concerns and on the cutting edge of intervention. Focusing on aging and longevity with a holistic approach to living your best life is her pathway to inner peace and happiness.

An experienced and dynamic public speaker who specializes in the African American community, Ms. Stewart has participated in countless seminars and workshops all over the country. She was a panelist on health care topics at the African American Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. where former Vice President Dick Cheney was the keynote speaker and the Healthy Breakfast keynote speaker at the annual National Newspapers Publishers Association convention in Chicago.