Stressipes® Archive Latest Newsletter

Are You Smart About Food?

Posted on September 4, 2010 by admin

We all want to be smart–or at the very least, feel smart. And we also want to know how to make the most healthful, yet still enjoyable daily food and fitness choices to maximize our energy level and brain power. I recently spoke with the wonderfully brilliant and personable Samantha Heller, MS, RD, CDN, author of Get Smart: Samantha Heller’s Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power and Optimizing Total Body Health (The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2010) and host of “Samantha Heller’s Health & Nutrition Show” on NYU Langone Medical Center’s Sirius XM DOCTOR Radio. Here are some of the highlights of our very interesting and informative conversation:

What inspired you to write Get Smart?

Almost daily I hear people complain about being forgetful, unfocused, fatigued and mentally foggy.  Simultaneously we’re facing an epidemic of brain related dementias including Alzheimer’s disease.  I began to review the research on how lifestyle affects brain health and realized there were simple steps we can all take to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia, improve our memories, mental focus, and mood AND find our car keys!

As we get older, our memory starts to fade. This is especially true for those who feel sleep-deprived because of an extensive to-do list or having a new baby at home. Can you share a few of your tips for how busy, overworked, stressed-out people can preserve their brain power and memory?

Our brains are made up of 100 billion neurons. What we eat has a profound affect on how well our brains function and how well the neurons communicate. Take fat for example. Two-thirds of our brain is made up of fat. The fats we eat get incorporated into our brains. Unhealthy fats like saturated fats (from animals) and trans fats (found in processed and many fried foods) can impair the neuron’s ability to communicate and stay healthy. Eating foods with healthy fats like those from nuts, avocados, soy and olive & canola oil, helps keep our brains sharp and running smoothly. Research also suggests that a good supply of healthy fats helps improve mood and behavior in kids and adults. Mom’s take note: healthy food = happier, smarter kids.

How is your book different from the countless diet books out there (besides the fact that you’re not only a highly credentialed, super-smart health professional, but you are able to dumb-down the science to make healthy eating accessible, practical, and doable)?

Get Smart is the only medically peer reviewed health book on the market today. This means that all the tips, recommendations and information are solid, scientifically based, and accurate. My goal was to make Get Smart entertaining, easy to read, informative, motivating and practical for everyone.

What would you say to people who say it’s just too much work and too time consuming to eat healthfully? Any tips people can follow to ease into healthful eating painlessly?

They are right. We should just forget about healthy eating all together…. Ok, ok….seriously…..

You have to want to make healthy choices and be motivated to be successful with behavior change. With Get Smart I try to show why eating good food is important for brain health as well as weight loss and decreasing the risk of many chronic diseases. With some basic swaps you can make meals and snacks healthy, quick and fun. You can eat healthfully on the cheap too. Once you commit to feeling energetic, focused and happy, it becomes a whole lot easier to make healthier choices.

Want more from Samantha? Check out the delicious dip recipe from Get Smart below. If you make it, send me a photo and I’ll post it here!

Strawberry Tofu Fruit Dip

Ingredients

1 cup silken tofu

2 tablespoons maple syrup

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon 100% vanilla extract

1 cup + fresh or frozen strawberries (any berries will do)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy. Garnish with a sprig of mint. Serve chilled. Use as a dip or topping for fruit such as strawberries, pineapple and bananas.

About the Author: Samantha Heller is a registered dietitian, certified dietitian/nutritionist and exercise physiologist with a dual Master of Science degree in nutrition and applied physiology from Teachers’ College, Columbia University. Samantha was the senior clinical nutritionist at NYU Langone Medical Center for almost a decade. Samantha is a frequent fixture on national television. For more information about Samantha and Get Smart,  visit her Web site: http://www.hellerhealth.com/Samantha_Heller_Health,_Nutrition_%26_Wellness/Welcome.html.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author’s publisher.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
0 Comments| Category: Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,
This entry was posted in Nutrition, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Do You "Read It Before You Eat It?"

Posted on August 29, 2010 by admin

I recently spoke with my friend and colleague Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN, author of the new book Read It Before You Eat It (Plume) which just hit book store shelves. Here are some of the highlights from our conversation….

What inspired you to write a book about food labels?

Reading food labels is often confusing and sometimes downright misleading. So many of my patients say “I wish I could take you shopping with me,” so I decided this was the best way to accomplish this task! Not even one brand or manufacturer is mentioned within its over 250 pages, so my book allows consumers to be able to shop in any food store anywhere.

What’s the biggest misconception people have when it comes to reading food labels?

Although you shouldn’t feel like you need to be dietitian or mathematician to buy food, or feel as though a supermarket is more like a library, a big problem is that so many of us rush when we go food shopping. We don’t take the time to read labels and compare products. We spend more time buying shoes and clothes – items that go ON our bodies instead of IN our bodies. Consumers need to learn how to not be fooled by the flashy front of the package and instead, flip the box or bag over to check the facts…the Nutrition Facts Panel…to see what’s really in the food they spend their money on.

What about food labels is the most confusing to consumers?

I have a whole chapter dedicated to “Tricky Terms” in my book because consumers are often mislead by words like “organic,” “natural,” and “local,” as well as labels that boast “sugar-free” or  “fat-free.” These foods aren’t always quite what they seem!

Even the listing for “serving size” can be misleading. For example, a serving may appear as “1/2 muffin” or “1 cookie,” but to most of us, that portion is unrealistic and many people don’t realize that you have to multiply the numbers on the label by the amount of servings you actually eat.

Another confusing label term is the one listed as “zero grams of trans fat;” many of these foods are actually allowed to contain up to 0.5 grams of trans fat per serving. “Zero” should really mean zero. If consumers see hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated fats listed on the package’s ingredient list, that means the product actually contains some trans fats. I could go on and on about these claims…

What should people expect to get out of your book? How should they best use it?

My book breaks down the lingo to show consumers how to sidestep tricky marketing ploys and shop smart. It’s reader-friendly and gives an aisle-by-aisle guide to picking the best foods in each section of any grocery store. It makes great company at the supermarket; readers will find that food shopping will never be the same!

About the Author:

Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN is the owner of BTD Nutrition Consultants with offices in Long Island and in New York City. She was a national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association and is a regular guest on national television and radio programs and in the press. For more about Bonnie and her work, visit www.bonnietaubdix.com.

Would you like to WIN a copy of Read It Before You Eat It? You can enter for a chance to win by doing one or more of the following; ONE winner will be selected at random on September 7th, 2010.

1) Post a comment on this blog post (please provide your email address as well);

2) Follow me on twitter at @elisazied; if you’re already on twitter, send me a nutrition question you’d like answered in a future blog post or ZIED GUIDE newsletter. And/or you can RT any post that mentions this giveaway.

3) If you’re on Facebook, post a question or comment to me at http://bit.ly/3XQucL. And/or you can repost any of my posts on Facebook that mention this giveaway.

Thank you, and good luck!! :)

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author’s publisher. My book Nutrition At Your Fingertips is also mentioned as a reference, and I am thanked in the acknowledgements section of the book.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
6 Comments| Category: Blog, General Info, Nutrition | Tags: , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, General Info, Nutrition and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Your Question Answered: Toddler Nutrition

Posted on August 23, 2010 by admin

Question: My daughter is turning one and seems to eat A LOT! She’s very tall for her age and her weight is proportionate. But at  what age do I worry about portion control? I try to balance her meals with all the food groups…a typical meal would be chicken, sliced cucumbers, a piece of whole wheat toast, some cheese, and some fruit.  ~Julie Crispell, Montreal QC

Answer: I’m so glad you asked about portions. We Americans have lost sight of what an appropriate portion of just about anything looks like! It’s very important that we parents lay a healthful foundation for infants and children to help them meet their needs for growth and development while not promoting overeating that can contribute to overweight.

Though each child’s needs may differ, portions at age 1-2 are typically quite small. In all likelihood, your daughter’s increased appetite and consumption likely means she’s going through a growth spurt. You may find over the next year that her appetite will wax and wane and she’ll get more fussy and may eat less or refuse some foods she once loved. Because toddlers’ eating habits can be erratic–especially as they gain a sense of control over the world and want to exert their new found independence–our job as parents is to simply provide as many healthful foods as possible, and give small portions of different foods from the healthy food groups at each meal or snack. Breakfast may look like 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup strawberries, and 1 cup of whole milk; Lunch might be 1-1/2 ounces of grilled chicken, 1/4 cup mashed sweet potato, and 1/2 cup whole milk; dinner might be 1/2 cup macaroni, 1 slice of cheese, and 1/2 cup peas; and desserts/snacks may include 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce and 2 vanilla wafers.

It’s always a good idea to use small plates and bowls to serve food to your tots (and older kids alike), give less than you think they’ll eat,and let them to ask or signal you that they want more–and then you can give more. The best way to know your daughter is getting enough but not too much is to watch her growth and make sure she stays consistent on the growth charts at her annual check ups with her pediatrician. But keep doing what you’re doing–sounds like both of you are on the right track!

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
2 Comments| Category: Blog, General Info, Nutrition | Tags: , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, General Info, Nutrition and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Fueling Kids for Sports

Posted on August 9, 2010 by admin

When she works with professional athletes, registered dietitian Mitzi Dulan explains to them that their bodies are like well-tuned, high performance race cars that need proper maintenance to get the most out of their bodies when they’re out on the field or court. Dulan argues the same is true for kids involved in sports. “Not only does proper nutrition help kids perform well when they’re playing sports and being active, but it helps them grow optimally as well” says Dulan.

Here are three tips from Dulan’s The All-Pro Diet, co-authored with NFL Superstar, Tony Gonzalez, to help sporty kids keep their engines going and growing:

1. EAT REAL FOODS

If you want to perform your best, eat the best. For us, food is our fuel. But not just any fuel will do—real, natural foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources such as chicken and fish are packed with energy and important vitamins and minerals. Limiting foods made with additives, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners is also helpful since many of these highly processed may be loaded with calories and/or be nutrient-poor.

2. HYDRATE

To help all your body’s parts run smoothly, be sure to stay hydrated before, during, and after physical activity. For those who exercise vigorously for at least an hour, a sports drink can be a healthful option during and after physical activity. Research shows that kids drink more when the beverage tastes good, so this is especially important for kids who spend lots of time competing in tournaments or in games, or at practices (and when they’re sweating a lot). For those who spend less time in moderate to vigorous activity, water is a best bet; you can spike it with small amounts (2-4 ounces) of 100% fruit juice or give your kids seltzer or club soda if the taste of plain water doesn’t appeal to them.

3. RECOVER

When you cool your engines after practice or a game, it’s important to help your body recover and refuel so it’s ready to go again the next day. Proper recovery is also important to maximize the benefits of training. To do this, you’ll need to refuel and do it quickly! Within 30 minutes of physical activity, make sure to drink a source of both carbohydrates and protein to help your muscles grow and repair optimally. An example of a beverage that balances carbohydrates and protein to aid recovery is low-fat organic chocolate milk—just be sure to count those extra sugar calories (and perhaps have one less cookie or fewer bites of ice cream when it’s time for dessert later that day).

To learn more about Mitzi Dulan, RD, CSSD, Co-Author of The All-Pro Diet, with NFL Future Hall-of-Famer Tony Gonzalez, visit www.nutritionexpert.com.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
0 Comments| Category: Blog, Fitness, Nutrition | Tags: , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, Fitness, Nutrition and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Cherry Berry Pie Cups

Posted on July 28, 2010 by admin

Thought it was time to add delicious, easy to prep recipes to my blog, so here’s the first of many soon to come! Please let me know if you make and enjoy them, I’d love to hear from you!

This recipe, which makes a great single-serve dessert that’s satisfying, seasonal, and guilt-free (as all desserts should be!), is adapted from the delicious book, Eat What You Love by registered dietitian Marlene Koch, RD. She says, “nobody will believe you created these perfect cherry “pies” in under 30 minutes. Fresh raspberries compliment the cherry pie filling perfectly and add a fresh, homemade quality while refrigerated pie crust makes them as easy as, well, pie!”

So why not make these to cap off a meal at your next dinner party, or have as a between-meal treat (the kids can help you make them, too!). Or make them to impress the next time you visit friends and family this summer and beyond!

Makes 12 Servings

1 package refrigerated pie crust
1 20-ounce can no-sugar added cherry pie filling
4 tablespoons sugar
1 pint fresh raspberries
Light whipped topping, for garnish

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove one crust from pouch. Place on a cutting board or flat surface and roll out lightly to a 10-inch diameter. Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut out six rounds. Set scraps aside. Repeat with second crust.
2. Lightly press the pastry rounds into 12 muffin cups pressing into bottom and up sides to create pastry cups. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the cherry pie filling and the sugar. Gently fold in the raspberries. Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the filling into each crust-lined cup.
4. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges and sides of the cups are browned, and the filling is bubbly.
5. Let cool slightly and serve warm or cool. Garnish each pie cup with a dollop of light whipped topping.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

Calories: 150
Total Fat: 7 g
Sat Fat: 2.5 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Sodium: 150 mg
Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
Dietary Fiber: 1 g
Sugar: 16 g
Protein: 1 g

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book from the author’s publisher.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
6 Comments| Category: Blog, Nutrition | Tags:
This entry was posted in Blog, Nutrition. Bookmark the permalink.

Huge: A Weapon In Kids' Fight Against Fat?

Posted on July 27, 2010 by admin

Having attended two so-called “fat camps” as an overweight teen, and as a registered dietitian who has devoted her professional life to helping people—especially overweight children and their families—live more healthful lives, I eagerly anticipated the premiere of Huge on ABC Family TV. This original dramatic series chronicles the trials and tribulations of overweight teens at an overnight weight-loss camp. Would Huge accurately depict (but not exploit) the struggles of overweight teens? And would it motivate and guide them towards improving their food and fitness behaviors in a healthful way and feel better about themselves in the thin-obsessed world in which we live?

Who’s at Camp Victory?

Nikki Blonsky, the Golden Globe-nominated star of the acclaimed movie Hairspray, plays the part of Will. Feisty, quick-witted, and sarcastic. She doesn’t want to be at Camp Victory and doesn’t understand why her parents can’t accept that she’s happy with the way she looks (watching Will, you wonder if she truly does accept herself or if she’s in denial and just tells her parents that to get them off her back). In episode 1, Will is mortified at the thought of posing in front of her peers for the mandatory “BEFORE” bathing suit photo. Confronted by Dr. Rand, the camp director, Will says she lost her bathing suit, but then bites the bullet and proudly peels off her clothes, layer by layer, generating cheers and applause (not to mention a few disapproving stares) from campers and staff.

Amber, the blond bombshell played by Hayley Hasselhoff, soon becomes Will’s nemesis. Will (not to mention many of the other girls) are clearly jealous of the beautiful Amber (in episode one, some of the girls say she’s the thinnest one there and question why he’s even there). Dr. Rand is told by one of the girls that Will is selling smuggled food to some other campers. Dr. Rand once again confronts Will to warn her about the consequences for anyone caught selling food. Will thinks Amber told on her (when in fact it was her best friend Becca, who didn’t want the food around). To retaliate, Will shrinks Amber’s shorts in the laundry; when she wears the shorts, she’s embarrassed when they rip in public. When Amber’s best friend Caitlin is sent home after Amber tells Dr. Rand she was throwing up (after eating the contraband food Will sold her), Amber angrily asks Will “What did you think would happen?” Will then ran away, but was lured back to camp by Dr. Rand.

Camp Victory’s Message

Huge successfully highlights some of the feelings, attitudes, and experiences many overweight teens face. The characters are compelling, and the actors’ performances convincing. Instead of focusing too much on how overweight the kids are and how important it is for them to lose weight, Huge highlights the characters taking risks and moving outside their comfort zone to try new things, like playing basketball, learning to speak up, or pursuing relationships. I’m also delighted to find that the website for the show encourages viewers to ask diet, nutrition, and health questions that are answered by a panel of experts affiliated with America on the Move.

One missed opportunity was when Kaitlin was sent home for vomiting; discussing the causes and harms associated with that behavior, and explaining why she was sent home (to seek additional professional help) could have been helpful to viewers. Also, the hardcore, Jillian Michaels-type female trainer on the show seems to be there for entertainment purposes only (personally, I never came across anyone like that during my “fat camp” days).

According to Abby Ellin, author of Teenage Waistland (a book that chronicles her 6 years at “fat camp”) “overweight kids will likely appreciate seeing themselves reflected in these kids (who are not a size 2) on tv.” But because the kids on Huge are trying to lose weight, Ellin, the Editor-At-Large for Fitsmi.com (a Web site devoted to overweight teens and their moms), feels they’re not learning to accept themselves as they are; therefore, the message becomes you have to lose weight in order to accept yourself.

A Real Life Experience

Though I managed to lose and keep off some weight during my time at “fat camp,” it wasn’t until after I was on my own during college that I began to feel good about the skin I was in, practice healthy food and fitness habits, and lose and keep off more than 30 pounds. I look back upon the weeks I spent at “fat camp” not with remorse or regret, but with memories of feeling uninhibited and understood by others. I also know and have since shared with others that achieving my “dream weight” is not what has made me happy; what has is nourishing my body with healthful foods, engaging in enjoyable physical activity, and learning to love and accept my body, imperfect as it may be. To this day, that “BEFORE” picture taken at “fat camp” stays in my wallet.

Your thoughts….

Source: Originally posted on caloriecount.com, http://caloriecount.about.com/huge-weapon-kids-fight-against-fat-b441587.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
6 Comments| Category: Blog, General Info, Nutrition | Tags: , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, General Info, Nutrition and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

It's Like A Heat Wave! How to Beat The Heat

Posted on July 7, 2010 by admin

Baby, it’s hot outside! If the temperature is climbing in your neck of the woods, here are three simple things you can do that can not only help you keep your cool, but stay healthy in the process:

1) Drink up! Staying adequately hydrated is the best first defense against the ill effects of dehydration. Have a drink with each meal or snack, preferably something nutrient rich like skim or 1% milk or 100% fruit juice; water, seltzer, or club soda with a splash or two of 100% fruit juice are also healthful choices. One drink = 8 ounces, or one cup’s worth. All fluids (with the exception of alcoholic beverages OR too many caffeinated ones) will help  you stay hydrated, but the options mentioned will do so while providing nutrients, relatively few calories and no added sugar.

2) Load up on fresh fruits and veggies. Many fruits and veggies have a high water content to keep your body hydrated; aim for about 4.5 cups in total each day. Have about 1 cup with each meal/snack–if you eat five times a day, you’ll more than meet your daily fruit and veggie quota. Berries, melons, citrus fruits, leafy greens, peppers, onions and tomatoes are some examples that are relatively low in calories and high in nutrients, so throw them in (where appropriate) when you make smoothies, salads, cold soups, cold/warm pasta dishes, or of course you can add fresh fruit atop low-fat yogurt or cold whole grain cereal.

3) Monitor yourself. You’ll know you’re hydrated if your urine is pale in color. Sometimes if you take certain vitamin or mineral supplements or medications, you’re urine changes color. In that case, you’ll know you’re hydrated if you find yourself going to the bathroom at least ever 2 or 3 hours, and if your skin is moist, not dry or cracked.

For more info about staying hydrated and meeting your daily fluid needs, check out my YouTube videos. And please check out my RD pal Samantha Heller’s tips for avoiding heatstroke: http://bit.ly/cCSePP

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
0 Comments| Category: Blog, General Info, Nutrition | Tags: , , , , , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, General Info, Nutrition and tagged , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

3 Ways to Eat Smart This Weekend

Posted on July 2, 2010 by admin

Whether you’re headed out of town, going to or throwing a 4th of July barbecue, or just staying home, don’t let stress about what you’ll eat or how you’ll overcome temptations get the best of you. If you find weekends like this a challenge when it comes to food and fitness, here are three steps to help you keep your weight in check while soaking in some summer fun:

1) Stay ahead of the game. Anticipate and plan your schedule for meals, snacks, and activities. The more you know your schedule ahead of time, the more in charge you’ll feel about your food and fitness decisions. Make sure to eat every 3 to 4 hours.  If you’re traveling or on the go, pack up a few grab and go snacks for the weekend—for example, some fresh fruit and baggies filled with 1-2 tablespoons each of dried fruit, whole grain cereal or low fat granola, and nuts–walnuts, cashews, almonds, peanuts, or any combo. These snack pack in protein, fiber, and healthy fats and are easy to nosh on (they also make great alternatives to a candy bar or bag of chips you might otherwise grab when hunger strikes).

2) Follow the one-plate, one-drink rule. Whether you’re at a barbecue, restaurant, or home, try to limit yourself to one plate of food AND one calorie-containing drink (including wine, beer, or any other alcoholic beverage). Assess the food situation before you fill your plate or order your entree. Share appetizers and entrees, order two small appetizers for your meal, or stick to one entree. Eat only the amount of food that can fit on one dinner plate–that will often mean leaving food over! When you’re eating, remember that this is NOT your last meal, and if that when you really savor and taste each and every bite, you’ll get the most enjoyment at the beginning of the meal when you really focus on it. When you’re done eating, pop in a strong breath mint or have a full glass of water or seltzer with a splash of fruit juice or some fresh fruit slices to signal the end of the meal.

3) Minimize temptations. If you’re throwing your own holiday party or going to someone else’s home and want to buy or make some treats (like pie, cookies, or tarts), try to make or buy the kinds of items that you like the least (or that you know you won’t want to overeat). You could also bring some fresh in-season fruit (perhaps arranged in kebabs or simple slices) to have for dessert–a great way to add sweetness to meal and meet your daily quota for healthful fruit.

I hope your fourth of July is a blast and that you can really eat and enjoy while spending well-deserved down time with your friends and family. Let me know how you make out this weekend–and what helped you eat and enjoy stress-free!

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
4 Comments| Category: Blog, Nutrition, Uncategorized | Tags: , , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, Nutrition, Uncategorized and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

From Me To Oprah: Why Now Is Not The Time For Me To Have My OWN Show

Posted on June 22, 2010 by admin

Anyone who knows me knows that having my own tv show has been on my bucket list for years and years. Through all my work over the years, I have shared the ins and outs of what I know and continue to learn each and every day about healthful eating and about living life to the fullest. I have tried to express the fact that we all need to make the most of all the strengths, qualities, and even weaknesses God has given each and every one of us and to find a way to come to peace with it all and to find a way to balance everything on our plates to live more fulfilled lives.

Of course when I heard about your new OWN network, and the fact that you were looking for the next big tv star–you’re inviting submissions of 3 minute demo tapes of what we have to offer and why one of us should be the chosen one to have our own OWN show– I immediately started thinking of all the things I’d put on my tape. It would definitely include some jugglng and tap dancing- those are a given. I would spend about 30 seconds showing you why I’m perfectly suited to have my own show– after all, you have to BELIEVE in yourself (and in this case, believe you are worthy of having your own show)– why even waste time making a tape showing how wonderfully suited to TV you are if you don’t really believe you are ?!. The rest of the time–about 2-1/2 minutes–I’d spend showing you and viewers what’s in it for them..what they’d learn, how they’d feel empowered to make changes in their lives to be healthier, happier, more centered, yada yada yada. I even thought up my intro (you’ll either laugh or cringe at this next part–so proceed with caution)…..I’d sing to the music of the song Oklahoma (the Broadway musical)…..the first stanza would start like this:

“OOOOOOOOOOprah Winfrey, time has come for me to have my show…

With nutrition smarts, a big fat heart, I’ll help viewers feel they’re in the know…

When it comes to fooooooooooood……..I’ll show you how to choose and make it taste divine..

Work in heathy eats and favorite treats whether chocolate, butter, beer or wine!”

I even solicited my very talented mother, who is currently working on a Liberace musical for Broadway, to help me with the rest of the lyrics.

But then I read the fine print on your OWN web site–it went something like this: MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR 10 DAYS IN JULY….and MUST BE ABLE TO MOVE ANYWHERE FOR UP TO 6 WEEKS.

Oprah–I LOVE and REVERE you, and I REALLY want my OWN show; so many people who know me have encouraged me to go for it and submit the tape–having my own show is and has been my ultimate professional dream…but I simply can’t..not right now. I have two sons (almost 12, and 8). I take them to school and pick them up nearly every day. I know their friends, I know their teachers. I also work–I write articles, do TV spots, write books, do blogs, shoot videos, and have what I consider to be a REAL job (though my schedule is fortunately quite flexible). If I sat my family down and discussed this opportunity with them, they would tell me to go for it..that they’d support me. I know they would back me up 100% if I got the job. But sometimes dreams and reality collide. I cannot leave my family, even for such a relatively short amount of time. It’s just not something I’m willing to do. If it were for several days here and there, on some sort of fixed schedule, I’m sure I could work it out. Helen Gurley Brown once said “women can have it all but not at the same time.” How right she was. I was honored to meet this very gracious and smart woman last year at an intimate concert with Michael Feinstein and Cheyenne Jackson, and told her how glad I was she had said that and how right she is.

I know someday, when the time is right, I will have my own tv show so that I can enlighten, inspire, and educate others about how to live a more healthful, nutritious, active, and productive lifestyle. For now, I will continue to do the work I love, take any and all opportunities that I believe in and can work into my family life, and stay tuned to watch OWN and the person who ends up getting what possibly might have, could have, should have (at least in MY dreams) been my OWN show (perhaps it will be my esteemed colleague, registered dietitian Evelyn Tribole? You can see her terrific audition tape and vote for her at http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=4052&promo_id=1.

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
6 Comments| Category: Blog, General Info | Tags:
This entry was posted in Blog, General Info. Bookmark the permalink.

From Me To Oprah: Beyond The Biggest Loser..Thoughts About Long-Term Weight Management

Posted on May 17, 2010 by admin

For Shay Sorrells, May 10th, 2009 was the first day of the rest of her life; not only was it her 30th birthday, but it was the day this California-based social worker, wife, and stepmother to two boys moved into what would be her new home for the next nine weeks—the ranch that houses contestants of NBC’s hit show, The Biggest Loser. It also marked the day she became the heaviest contestant in Biggest Loser history, weighing in at 476 pounds on her 5’8” frame.

I had the honor of interviewing Shay about her dramatic transformation over the past year for msnbc.com’s Chew on This column (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37130960). She has lost a ton of weight, and seems to be well on her way to keeping her weight off (and her head I a good place) for years to come, and I certainly wish her and all other contestants the best. But if I’m being honest, I do have concerns about the show that I’d like to share.

As a registered dietitian and someone who lost weight and kept it off for decades (I realize losing 30 plus pounds pales in comparison to the exorbitant amount Shay has lost thus far, but still feel based on my anecdotal and professional expertise I can weigh in on this close to my heart topic), I have very mixed feelings about the methods used by The Biggest Loser to promote jaw-dropping weight losses (including several hours a day of extreme exercise—unrealistic and in my opinion, unhealthy amounts of weight loss). For me, weight loss happened over years—slowly, and gradually. It was about making small tweaks in my food and fitness behaviors over time. It was about getting in more daily movement..waking a few more blocks, or taking a new fitness class. It was about eating half a sandwich instead of a whole, or taking a few less bites at each meal. It was about focusing on the positive—and talking positively about myself and my body (out loud and in my mind) instead of focusing on all the things I didn’t like about myself. It was about incorporating more healthful foods—and though I resisted cutting out all unhealthy foods (I still love my chocolate!), I eventually decided to forego fried foods like fried calamari and French fries (my husband and I did this together—we decided we’re not getting any younger, and we did this as much to save our waistlines as our hearts). Anyone who has ever lost weight and kept it off surely went about it in different ways. But whether doing it for myself, or recommending weight-loss strategies to clients or consumers, my first focus is always on total health—and then on how all the healthful changes will impact body weight over the long haul. No point in making an effort to get to a better body weight if you’re not also doing things to improve your overall health, right?

Although so many Americans would benefit by losing weight—even a seemingly modest 5 to 10 percent (or 10 to 20 pounds for someone who is 200 pounds), Biggest Loser contestants are, for the most part, portrayed as people at the end of their weight rope—all of them seem to be in dire need of help to improve their food and fitness behaviors (not to mention emotional struggles that contributed to their body weight). But is it necessary for them to be yelled at, and pushed to extremes? Is tough love what they need to once and for all get fit and lose and keep off weight for life?

Having worked with the media for years, I understand that first and foremost, The Biggest Loser is about entertainment. The crying, yelling, screaming, and fighting has undoubtedly drawn in millions of viewers week after week over the last nine seasons. If you watch and enjoy the show, you know the stories of all the contestants are inspiring, heartbreaking, heart warming, and tragic all at once. You also know it’s not hard to get sucked in by the drama and to connect, in some way, with certain contestants and hope they win the prize at the season finale—even if that means losing substantial (and I believe unhealthy) amounts of weight week after week.

So whatever happened to the small, gradual change approach to weight loss? Isn’t that healthier? When did it become ok for someone to lose 20 or more pounds each week? Or workout 8 hours a day? As a registered dietitian, I’ve always promoted one to two pounds as a safe rate of weekly weight loss, though I concede someone who is morbidly obese can probably lose a few more pounds than that each week safely and sensibly. But I realize (and I’m sure most of you would agree) that watching people lose weight slowly and gradually over months or years won’t make for good television (much like The Moderation Diet won’t hit any bestseller book lists anytime soon).

My hope for all the contestants—including the extremely successful Shay Sorrells—is for them to bring home all the skills they’ve learned on the ranch and incorporate them into their every day life. Shay seems to be doing just that. I also hope they are able to stay motivated, and find a way to successfully deal with all the food and fitness challenges they will undoubtedly face on their journey towards life-long weight management. I also hope the former contestants (and viewers alike who need to lose weight) seek individualized support, when needed, from qualified heath professionals including registered dietitians, and trainers certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and to name a few. Getting personal and professional support, and taking one day at a time, will help anyone who wants to lose weight and keep it off for life a much better chance of doing just that.

Another important thing Shay mentioned to me was how valuable it has been for her to set goals for running, swimming, and biking. She believes that the more goals you set, the more likely you are to stay the course. I couldn’t agree more. What’s your personal goal for this week, or this month? Mine is to walk a lot and find exercises I can do to keep my biceps strong despite possibly having a torn hand muscle……(stay tuned!)…

Originally posted on RDs Weigh In Blog: http://bit.ly/berBRx

Print Friendly
Share on Twitter
 Click to Comment
17 Comments| Category: Blog, Nutrition | Tags: , , ,
This entry was posted in Blog, Nutrition and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.