Healthy Eating With Kids Using MyPlate!

Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be a part of Panera Bread’s Wellness Day for Fort Foote Elementary School! Fort Foote Elementary School’s mascot is the Bear and suitably, their motto is “Believing in Education and Reaching for Success” (BEARS)! The children that I met this morning were certainly excited to learn and were a fun, outgoing group to teach!

We brought MyPlate to life with an interactive game and an engaging lesson in nutrition. We used our imaginations and helped Andy the Astronaut fly back home to Planet Power, once his plate was balanced so he had enough energy for the trip home! I gave the children an association word for each food group on MyPlate: fruit/energy, vegetables/vitamins, protein/muscles, grains/brains and dairy/strong bones. The children interacted by making gestures (such as making their muscles flex or pretending to peel a banana) and screaming the words out – and seemed to be having a lot of fun! After 5 volunteers picked their favorite food from a specific food group, they handed the food to Andy and watched as his engine fueled up. Finally, it was time for blastoff, and the children helped Andy successfully land on Planet Power.

MyPlate is a great resource, and is more helpful than its predecessor, MyPyramid. The guidelines are clear and easy to understand and apply, such as making half your plate fruits and veggies. Also, the focus on balance and variety, which are key concepts in nutrition. The new guidelines, along with the clear visual, are also kid-friendly so it is easy for your children to understand the basic elements of proper nutrition. The MyPlate logo depicts an applicable visual for anybody to picture their plate and ideal servings of food groups. I think this is a great resource to use in order to plan or track meals – and the MyPlate website offers a ton of cool benefits for free! What are your favorite ways to make half of your plate fruits and veggies?

Mindless Eating: Are You Sabotaging Yourself?

One of my favorite presentations at Food for Your Whole Life Symposium was Dr. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating. A leader in the field of food psychology, he has unveiled a lot of the hidden influences on how much we eat, and how consumers make food choices. Did you know that we make at least 250 food choices every day?

Rather than being the next fad diet which promises you can lose weight effortlessly without thought, he uses years of food psychology research to re-engineer your food environment so that you will eat less without even knowing. While it is easy to blame fast food, big food, and the government for the rising rates of obesity in America, this food fight begins in our own homes.

Some tips for preventing Mindless Eating in YOUR life:

• We eat with our eyes not out stomachs- the first two things you put on your plate will take up over 60% of the space, so start with vegetables and whole grains first!
• The size of your dish also matters. Your eyes will be tricked into thinking a drink in a narrow, vertical glass, than the same amount in a wide tumbler, and you will be satisfied with less.  Serve your drinks in narrow flutes, and your meals on smaller plates!

• Change your food environment: Put healthy food front and center. Eat out of small bowls and narrow glasses. Only eat in the kitchen and living room, not in front of your computer, television or fridge.
• Remove  it from your line of sight: Instead of leaving dishes on the table, which encourages going for 2nds and 3rds without even realizing it, put the extra food on the kitchen counter. The food will still be there if you are hungry, but you won’t be tempted to mindlessly serve yourself more.
• Make 1 small change. Often this will create a ripple effect that leads to big differences. Create a check-list that you have to check off if you are completing this task each day.
• Be accountable! Finding a friend and stating your challenge, plans, and goals, makes you more likely to succeed.

I highly recommend you read his book “Mindless Eating” A fascinating read on the hidden forces that act on our food choices, and how easy it is to eat without thinking!

Have you read “Mindless Eating?” Have there been times when you have eaten mindlessly? Any tips or tricks for preventing this?

2010 Dietary Guidelines Summary Released!

It’s big news for nutrition. We may have new advice for eating healthy… and you can give your 2 cents, if you feel so inclined. Every five years the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated to reflect the latest knowledge in science and research. The Guidelines are used for government nutrition initiatives, programs and education, as well as by dietitians and health professionals to help educate people about eating healthier.

Dietary Guidelines (DG) Advisory Committee released their Executive summary on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010. The full report can be found here and is currently open for public comments. (that’s you, the public…let your voice be heard and comment on the Executive Summary).

The Committee has used a state-of-the-art, web-based electronic system and methodology, known as the Nutrition Evidence Library, to answer the majority of the scientific questions it posed, about specific nutrients and foods.

What’s New in 2010?

The 2010 Guidelines are different from previous reports in that this one addresses an American public of whom the majority are overweight or obese and yet under-nourished in several key nutrients. (It may sound strange, but it is possible to be overweight and under nourished at the same time.)

This DG also focuses more on children because primary prevention of obesity must begin in childhood. They say this is the single most powerful public health approach to combating and reversing America’s obesity epidemic over the long term.
To reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity in our country they recommend that we:

• Shift food intake patterns to a more plant-based diet that emphasizes vegetables, cooked dry beans and peas, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. In addition, increase the intake of seafood and fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products and consume only moderate amounts of lean meats, poultry, and eggs.
• Significantly reduce intake of foods containing added sugars and solid fats because these dietary components contribute excess calories and few, if any, nutrients. In addition, reduce sodium intake and intake of refined grains.Daily sodium intake be 1,500 mg, (down from 2,300mg in the 2005 recommendations).
• Eliminate Trans-fatty acids from the diet, and seeking to increase the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in diet.
• Increase physical activity: adults should get at least 2½ hours of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, such as brisk walking, or 1¼ hours of a vigorous-intensity activity, such as jogging or swimming laps, or a combination of the two types. Kids and teens should do an hour or more of moderate-intensity to vigorous physical activity each day.

While I strongly support these recommendations, there are several things that must be changed about our  Food environment so that eating healthy is easy, accessible and affordable. Hopefully our government will launch initiatives that seek to improve the following points:

• Improve nutrition literacy and cooking skills, including safe food handling skills, and empower and motivate the population, especially families with children, to prepare and consume healthy foods at home.
• Increase comprehensive health, nutrition, and physical education programs and curricula in US schools and preschools, including food preparation, food safety, cooking, and physical education classes and improved quality of recess.
• For all Americans, especially those with low income, create greater financial incentives to purchase, prepare, and consume vegetables and fruit, whole grains, seafood, fat-free and low-fat milk and milk products, lean meats, and other healthy foods.
• Improve the availability of affordable fresh produce through greater access to grocery stores, produce trucks, and farmers’ markets.
• Increase environmentally sustainable production of vegetables, fruits, and fiber-rich whole grains.
• Encourage restaurants and the food industry to offer health-promoting foods that are low in sodium; limited in added sugars, refined grains, and solid fats; and served in smaller portions.

With over two thirds of our population either overweight or obese, this has a huge impact on the healthcare system, and our entire nation. On average, Americans of all ages consume too few vegetables, fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk and milk products, and seafood and they eat too much added sugars, solid fats, refined grains, and sodium. Added Sugar and Fat contribute approximately 35 percent of calories to the American diet. (these are just empty calories) The current US Food environment is loaded with excess sodium, sugar, fat and refined grains, making it harder for the average consumer to eat healthy. We have to seek out healthy foods and do some detective work when eating out.

This summary is now open for public comments-so what do you have to say? Tell me here or submit your comment to the committee here! You can also read what others are saying here. Will changing the recommendations help make American healthier or do we first need to change the entire food environment?

Food for your Whole Life: Nutrition Today for a Healthy Tomorrow!

By: Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern

It’s no secret; nutrition can affect your health at every stage of life. California Walnuts held an amazing symposium and webinar, Food for your Whole Life, that brought experts like Dr. David Katz, from across the country to focus on each life stage. The panel of specialists included a representative from the USDA, who gave us a sneak peek at what is being worked on for the new food pyramid that is being released this fall. Look for a new view on the calories obtained from fat and carbohydrate sources as well as more information on trans fats. The children’s specialist talked about one of our favorite topics, school lunches. He described studies that he and his team members were working on to increase healthy choices in students. Small changes can make students lean towards healthier options just by, for example, asking students if they wanted a side salad before they were served the entrée in line. For young adults, the panel mentioned eating out instead of cooking at home as a big problem. Eating out is related to a decrease in vegetable consumption and an increase in sodium intake, setting you up for more problems in later adulthood. The older adults specialist discussed a media favorite, the anti aging powers of berries and other fruits. Be the audience, young or old, a common and favorite theme of mine I found was that of mindful eating. People make over 200 food choices a day, something hard to believe because we do it so mindlessly! By being aware of the choices we can make about what we eat and what we feed our kids each day, nutritious living will naturally become part of your whole life.

Want to watch some of the symposium? See it on demand here! http://www.thomsonwebcast.net/us/dispatching/C4STUDIOS20100607

USDA and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Want Healthier School Lunches

By: Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern

Even if you can’t remember the last time you ate in a school cafeteria or what you had, you’ve probably heard a heaping portion about what’s going on with the Child Nutrition Act.  USDA Under Secretary Concannon and Congresswoman Chellie Pingee met recently to discuss what needs to change.

The Child Nutrition Act is comprised of the national School Lunch, School Breakfast, and Summer Food Service Programs which works to provide around 32 million children with a meal each day. Schools enrolled in the programs must meet certain nutritional requirements, such as meeting 1/3 of the RDIs for certain nutrients while staying under less than 30% of calories from fat, for the meals served in order to be reimbursed by the state and federal governments. But when a french-fry is considered a vegetable, how much nutrition are our kids really getting? While it is of the utmost importance to give children calories whose families may not be able to afford other meals during the day, are we not setting them up for some major nutrition related health battles later in life? USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon says “The time is now to pass a bill that will strengthen our child nutrition programs, make them more accessible, and improve the quality of our school meals so that they meet the highest nutrition standards.”

The goal of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization bill will aim to fight hunger, but also obesity while improving the nutrition of children. And while many school systems agree that what they serve is nutritionally lacking, each school lunch line has to be run like a business. The school systems are self-supporting, and to make money, they are forced to serve things that will sell, and those ‘things’ like pizza with a roll and fries, are the problem. As much as the schools want to buy local produce or healthier whole grain options, money is an issue. First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Campaign will set its sights on improving the Child Nutrition Act to help change funding legislation. Within this coming year, the USDA and Congress will work to make this happen. The Food pyramid will be updated, and more grocery and healthy food retailers will be brought to underserved areas. In the passage of the reauthorization legislation, as well as the $1 billion annual increase that the Obama administration requested, this can be a reality.

Concannon outlined USDA’s priorities for the Child Nutrition Act which include:

Improve nutrition standards

Increase access to meal programs.

Increase education about healthy eating

Establish standards for competitive foods sold in schools.

Serve more healthy food.

Increase physical activity.

Train people who prepare school meals.

Provide schools with better equipment

Enhance food safety.

Strengthen the link between local farmers and school cafeterias.

Now we’re talking. Let’s Move! And make these changes  a reality in our schools!

Do the Dietary Guidelines for Americans Have a PR Problem?

I know I should be blogging about swine flu – isn’t everyone?

But instead… let’s talk about the USDA Dietary Guidelines… they will be revised for 2010 (mandated by law every 5 years). No, it is not nutrition experts trying to stay in business… it’s a government thang…

I was just reading a post by Janet Helm, a fellow RD at Nutrition Unplugged, and it inspired me to write a comment.

Basically, I think the guidelines have a PR problem and no matter what they say that is “different” or new, they won’t see real change, unless they think about how people will actually use the guidelines and integrate that into real life.

Here’s my comment:

My personal feeling is that many people are “desensitized” to the Dietary Guidelines. I think they have a major PR problem and no matter what the results are — they will get criticism. Low carb advocates will say they are making people fat. Activists will say that the food industry has USDA in thier pocket…

I 100% agree with what Drenowski is saying… advice where people choose foods because of their nutrition quality. He is right about the price misconception. I’m actually working on a research project with some dietetic interns on examples of healthy, affordable meals – the new “depression” diet I guess…

I do think there needs to be more coordination between the guidelines and a social marketing campaign — whether it is government or a private public partnership.

People need to “want” to do something different. In my experience, they either aren’t ready and they have blinders on… they don’t move or eat right. I have clients who get 1,000 steps a day – 10% of the recommended minimum! Or.. they are ready… they get the message… and they take it to overkill… no HFCS (its poison), gluten free (even if no allergies or intolerances)…. so it is to the point of overthinking good nutrition.

Education is key… put nutrition into schools. Fund school dietitians. Fund well visits with RDs and community education programs.

Integrate. Integrate. Integrate.

We can’t afford silos with the scarce dollars our government uses toward nutrition.

Check out the full post and tell me what you think about it…

Rebecca

Addressing Hunger and Obesity With “Change” Policy

If you have not read the Washington Post article on future Agriculture policy in the U.S. — you must drop what you are doing and read it now.

You may react the same way I did – it’s about time and “duh”. Bottom line message: there’s a promise of putting nutrition at the center of food assistance programs – and MAYBE even bringing back nutrition education into the schools.

Tom Vilsack, Obama’s selection for agriculture secretary said he would put “nutrition at the center of all food assistance programs,” a signal that he will get involved next year when Congress moves to reauthorize nutrition programs that support school breakfasts and lunches as well as summer food for children.

I’ve written on this blog before about the hunger/obesity paradox. FRAC has research on this issue too. Feeding low income people in the U.S. should be about nourishing them not just giving them calories. There are ways to nourish people healthfully and economically. Education is the key too “teach a man to fish”, right? With innovative programs like Operation Frontline out there helping to educate and nourish hungry Americans, we can empower people to improve their health. Government programs should strengthen and facilitate local and national humanitarian initiatives and hopefully that’s what USDA will do going forward.

What do you think?

Can We Get a Farm Bill Up In Here?

Geeze… can Congress get anything done these days? I remember reading a news article a few days ago saying that the 2008 Farm Bill would include funding for important nutrition programs and today I learn that Congress put forth a Bill the President will turn around and veto. I copied the full release below. Basically, the claim is that there are too many subsidies involved and more government control and “extraneous provisions” that have no business being in a Farm Bill. Gee, I hope it is not the Federal Nutrition Programs.  I just can’t believe that it takes a year and a half to produce a failing Farm Bill. We are in trouble people…

http://www.usda.gov/2008/05/0122.xml

Release No. 0122.08
Contact:
Office of Communication

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ED SCHAFER ON CONGRESS’ ANNOUNCEMENT OF A NEW FARM BILL

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2008- In January 2007, the President put forward a farm bill proposal that represents fiscal responsibility, would improve the safety-net for farmers and move current programs toward market oriented policies. Our proposals were warranted and timely considering that 2008 net farm income is forecast to be $92 billion – 51 percent above its 10 year average.

“Today, the United States House and Senate announced the completion of a farm bill that unfortunately fails to include much needed reform and increases spending by nearly $20 billion. At a time of record farm income, Congress decided to further increase farm subsidy rates, qualify more people for taxpayer support, and move programs toward more government control. We should not remove farm commodities from market forces and make them dependent upon government support programs.

In addition, Congress decided to include a new permanent disaster program. This program represents a return to outdated farm policy and questions the government’s investment in crop insurance which was designed to protect farmers against low commodity prices and crop failures. This action will discredit farm programs and jeopardize public support for future farm bills.

Americans appreciate our farmers and ranchers and understand the uncertainties and risks that farming presents. However, they do not understand why their taxes should be used to provide payments to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of $500,000 and higher, some of the wealthiest people in America.

We are also concerned about a lengthy list of extraneous provisions that are not related to farm programs and have no place in this legislation.

For a year and a half, the Administration has been consistently clear that Congress needs to move forward with a good farm bill that the President can sign. They have failed to do so. This legislation lacks meaningful farm program reform and expands the size and scope of government. I have visited face to face with our President and he was direct and plain. The President will veto this bill.”

#

USDA News
oc.news@usda.gov
202 720-4623

USDA RELEASES NEW MENU PLANNER TO HELP PUBLIC BUILD BETTER DIETS

Just in time for world RD day, which was Monday March 10th… (Happy RD to all RD’s out there), the USDA launched a new menu planning tool. This one is worth a look-see. Try it out and post comments on this thread.

NEWS RELEASE
John Webster  (703) 305-7600

USDA RELEASES NEW MENU PLANNER TO HELP PUBLIC BUILD BETTER DIETS

WASHINGTON, Mar. 11, 2008  –  Most people have little idea whether they’re eating a balanced diet or not.  The USDA wants to change that.  Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the release of the MyPyramid Menu Planner, a new state-of-the-art, on-line nutrition guidance tool to help individuals and homemakers plan healthier menus based on the recommendations of the MyPyramid food guidance system and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

According to Dr. Brian Wansink, Executive Director of the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP), the new MyPyramid Menu Planner is the latest in a series of on-line nutrition tools developed by CNPP.  The Planner is provided free of charge to the public and can help motivate consumers to make healthier food choices.  According to Wansink, “It has three benefits.  Based on the information you provide, it interactively shows whether your diet is balanced and allows you to track it.  It gives you an easy way to know whether you are losing or gaining weight based on what you plan to eat.  And it helps you plan upcoming meals.”

To use the Planner, go to http://www.MyPyramid.gov and click on the MyPyramid Menu Planner link.

The Menu Planner will be useful to not only those interested in healthful and nutritious diets, but also high school and middle school classes, and dietitians, health professionals, and nutrition educators for use in counseling and educational programming.

After a person enters his or her age, sex, height, weight and physical activity level, they can began entering food items and amounts they might consume each day.  The screen displays visual feedback as each item is added.  From this, various reports can be seen and printed which include a daily, weekly or family menu, a breakdown by food item, and goal setting worksheets.

Was Your Hamburger Wallowing In Feces?

You probably heard that the largest beef recall in U.S. history took place on Sunday – 143 pounds to be exact. The recall is happening because the meat has been deemed “unfit for human consumption”. Too bad most of the meat has already been consumed, according to the USDA Secretary in this story. That’s because the recall extends back two years. The primary customers of this beef are the Federal School Lunch Program and major fast food chains. The meat got the “unfit” rap for not getting proper health inspections post-mortem, which is a violation of the regulations.

Officials estimate that about 37 million pounds of the recalled beef went to school programs, but they believe most of the meat probably has already been eaten. There have been no reported illnesses linked to the beef at any of the schools.

“We don’t know how much product is out there right now. We don’t think there is a health hazard, but we do have to take this action,” said Dr. Dick Raymond, USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety.

Federal regulations call for keeping downed cattle out of the food supply because they may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease because they typically wallow in feces and their immune systems are often weak.

About 150 school districts around the nation have stopped using ground beef from Hallmark Meat Packing Co., which is associated with Westland.