Jul
18
2010
First Lady Michelle Obama has made it her mission to tackle the issues of childhood obesity. She developed the Let’s Move campaign with the focus to encourage kids all over the United States (and the world) to get active and eat healthy:
“Through the Let’s Move! campaign—a comprehensive, collaborative, and community-oriented initiative that addresses all of the various factors that lead to childhood obesity—we are engaging every sector of society that impacts the health of children to provide schools, families and communities the simple tools they need to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.”
As we all are aware, childhood (and adult) obesity is at epidemic proportions. According to the recent statistics, our nation is getting fatter and less fit. We are headed in the wrong direction. It is very difficult for individuals to lose the added weight once they have gained it. The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 (see Graehm Gray’s blog: DGA Parts One and Two in The Nerdel News) coming out soon will explain in detail the latest accumulated research based information on what we should be eating. However, a plan must be formed to try and prevent ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jul
14
2010
As you read in my article on The New Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Part 1, the new guidelines offer many differences and some similarities to the 2005 DGA. There are encouragements to eat more good mono and poly unsaturated fats (e.g. fish and plant varieties) over their bad cousins-the saturated fats (meats, poultry and dairy). There is more emphasis on eating whole grain products (e.g. brown rice, whole grain breads and pastas) over the refined and processed white starches. There is a new buzz word that has emerged from these guidelines-the SoFAS-solid fats (animal fats and hydrogenated vegetable oils) and added sugars (sugars and syrups and other caloric sweeteners added to foods during processing, preparation or consumed separately), which according to the statistics, have contributed to 35% of the total calorie (energy) intake of all Americans. These SoFAS are said to be responsible for the overconsumption of saturated fats, cholesterol, and added sugars and have taken the place of the important dietary fibers and nutrients (like vitamin D, calcium, potassium and unsaturated fatty acids like omega-3s) in the diet. There is a recognition that portion control in the home and at restaurants needs to be monitored and is responsible for the overconsumption of calories. In fact, restaurants and the food industry are being encouraged to offer lower calorie, foods with lower SoFAS, portion ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jul
06
2010
I can’t believe how quick five years has been. The last Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005 (DGA 2005) came out five years ago. And now here comes the 2010 report. Does everyone reading this article know what I am talking about? Okay-let’s review. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans is a joint project between the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to provide advice for people (two years and older), on how and what to eat, and how good nutrition and fitness (physical activity) can help promote good health and reduce the risk of major diseases. Information about choosing a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, achieving adequate exercise (part of the Physical Activity Guidelies for Americans), and food safety were all included in the 2005 report. The committee that makes these recommendations is composed of experts in the fields of nutrition, exercise, medicine and science. The committee takes into consideration many factors including the current status of chronic diseases in our society like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and bones loss. The current levels of physical activity, obesity, food insecurity and nutrient ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jul
04
2010
I have been reviewing the most recent report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)-F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2010. According to the report, the rates of obesity are on the rise in most states except Washington, D.C. (21.5% adult obesity and 20.1 % childhood obesity). In fact, in the most recent American Fitness Index, the District of Columbia was rated as the “fittest” city in the United States. In this new report, Mississippi with an adult obesity rate of 33.8% was ranked as the “most Obese State in the Nation,” while the State of Oregon had the lowest childhood obesity with a 9.6%.
Here are the highlights of the report:
More than two-thirds of states (38) have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent.
Adult obesity rates for Blacks and Latinos were higher than for Whites in at least 40 states and the District of Columbia.
10 out of the 11 states with the highest rates of obesity were in the South -- with Mississippi weighing in with highest rates for all adults (33.8 percent) for the sixth year in a row.
84 percent of parents believe their children are at ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
29
2010
I went away for a few days on business recently and scheduled my flights through the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Usually I eat before I get to the airport since the selections have been, shall I say, limited. However this time, I was pleasantly surprised. It’s always a panic for me. The moment when I arrive at the airport, getting my bags out of the cab or my friends car, checking in, finding out I owe money to get my bags checked, going through TSA, shoes and belt off, the whole nine yards, until I get passed the security en route to what I call, the relaxing phase of pre travel. That’s the time right before you board the plane, and after you have gone through security. Now, you look for your gate, scope out the various stores and eateries and look for a comfortable and fairly clean seat. Usually I go for the coffee and get some cashews and dried fruits for the plane. This time, I was a bit hungrier and to my surprise found a nice selection of salads and sandwiches with the Chef Allen’s 2 GO logo. I have been lucky to have eaten at Chef Allen’s Restaurant (chefallens.com) many times on my travels to South Florida and have come to know the Chef personally. Chef Allen is one of the famous celebrity chefs ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
27
2010
Here we go again, fresh off the SpaghettiOs recall, the Kellogg Company of Battle Creek- Michigan, (working with the FDA) voluntarily has recalled selected packages of several popular breakfast cereals due to “ an uncharacteristic off-flavor and smell coming from the liner of the package.” The products affected have the letters “KN” following the Better If Used Before Date.
Products in Canada are not affected and those products with the “KM” designation are not affected.
Here are the exact product numbers and specifications:
Kellogg's® Apple Jacks®
UPC 3800039136 1: 17 ounce package with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 10 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039132 3: 8.7 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between JUN 03 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Corn Pops®
UPC 3800039109 5: 12.5 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039111 8: 17.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN 22 2011
UPC 3800039116 3: 9.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between APR 05 2011 and JUN 22 2011
Kellogg's® Froot Loops®
UPC 3800039118 7: 12.2 ounce packages with Better if Used Before Dates between MAR 26 2011 and JUN ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
19
2010
“The neat new spaghetti you can eat with a spoon and the jingle Uh-Oh! SpaghettiOs.”
Well my friends, one of my favorite foods as a child was “SpaghettiOs.” I could sing the jingle all the time. Now sorry to say, “SpaghettiOs” made by the Campbell Soup Company, is being recalled-Uh-Oh!
According to the recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) news release:
Campbell Soup Supply Company, LLC, a Paris, Texas, establishment is recalling approximately 15,000,000 pounds of "SpaghettiOs with Meatballs" canned products due to possible under-processing, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The following products (click here to see labels of SpaghettiOs) are subject to recall:
14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" with Meatballs, bearing the identifying product code "U5" on the bottom of the can.
14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" A to Z with Meatballs, bearing the identifying product code "4N" on the bottom of the can.
14.75-ounce cans of "SpaghettiOs" Fun Shapes with Meatballs (Cars), bearing the identifying product code "KS" on the bottom of the can.
The products subject to recall bear the establishment number "EST 4K," as well as a "Use By" date between June 2010 and December 2011 ink-jetted on the bottom of each can. These products were manufactured between December 2008 and ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
16
2010
Yes, it’s that time of season again, my friends-summer is upon us and I know that you must be ready for my barbecue series! The weather is getting hotter and you know what that means-it’s time to clean the barbecue grill-make sure your gas, wood or charcoal supply is adequate and safely stored and there are several other safety tips that you should be aware of (courtesy of the FDA and the USDA):
Wash your hands.
It seems basic, but not everyone does it. Wash hands well and often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom and before cooking or eating. If you're in an outdoor setting with no bathroom, use a water jug, some soap, and paper towels. Consider carrying moist disposable towelettes for cleaning your hands.
Keep Everything Clean
Be sure there are plenty of clean utensils and platters. To prevent foodborne illness, don't use the same platter and utensils for raw and cooked meat and poultry. Harmful bacteria present in raw meat and poultry and their juices can contaminate safely cooked food.
If you're eating away from home, find out if there's a source of clean water. If not, bring water for preparation and cleaning. Or pack clean cloths, and wet towelettes for cleaning surfaces and hands.
Thaw Safely
Completely thaw meat and poultry ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
12
2010
Like many of you out there, I bought the Wii (Nintendo) video game for my daughter when it came out. The tennis was cool and the boxing was an interesting challenge. I liked having the ability of physical movement and the responses that were reflected in the game. My daughter liked building the avatars and playing the music and dance games. My initial opinion, prior to playing the game, was that I didn’t think that a video game could allow me to get enough exercise and be physical enough to equal a sport or going into the gym. After all, I was use to Pac-man and old fashion pinball where there was some excitement, a little gyrating but no real physicality. But after playing all the Wii games included in the base package including baseball and bowling, I was amazed at the work out that I was getting. So as usual, I decided to do a bit of research to see if there were any actual studies that confirmed my actual findings. Drs. Mellecker and McManus of the Institute of Human Performance-University of Hong Kong, performed research on activity and video gaming in kids and reported in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, that, “active gaming media results in meaningful increases in energy expenditure and ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
Jun
10
2010
Hello my friends, and welcome to the Summer of 2010. I usually write about nutrition and fitness, but this year I am going to stray a bit and write about a serious killer: lightning. According to the National Weather Service (noaa.gov), summer is the peak season for one of the nation's deadliest weather phenomena— lightning. Lightning Safety Awareness Week (citizencorps.gov), is held the last full week of June each year. Each year in the U.S., there are about 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes- each one of these a potential killer. During the last 30 years, lightning has killed an average of 73 people per year in the U.S. This is more than the 68 that are killed by tornadoes or the average of 16 killed by hurricanes. Because lightning only claims one or two victims at a time, and because it does not cause the mass destruction left in the wake of hurricanes or tornadoes, lightning generally receives much less attention than the more destructive storm-related killers. Lightning also injures 300 people a year; however, undocumented injuries caused by lightning are likely much higher. While many people think they are aware of the dangers of lightning, the vast majority are not. Lack of understanding with regard to the dangers of lightning continues to be a significant problem in the U.S. Many ...
Posted in: Editor's Page, Home
