AND tip of the day: Opa! Greek Yogurt!!

 

 

TIP OF THE DAY

October 8, 2012

Opa! Greek Yogurt

You've seen Greek yogurt all over the shelves of your grocery store and listed as an ingredient in recipes from dips and smoothies to marinades and even frosting. But what is Greek yogurt and how does it differ from the non-Greek variety?
Greek yogurt has most of the liquid whey removed through straining. Removing the whey creates a yogurt that is thicker, with more protein and less sugar. This thick consistency is one of the reasons it's a great substitute for sour cream and mayonnaise in recipes.
All yogurt, both Greek and plain varieties, can be a great part of a healthful diet, but always read labels to choose those that are nonfat or low-fat and lower in sugar.
For more information about yogurt in a healthful eating plan, consult a registered dietitian in your area and visit Eat Right Nutrition Tips section.



SOURCE: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Defining Processed Foods

        

According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 43% of consumers have a negative view of processed foods.  This coupled with all the negative media attention associated with the word, one would assume anything processed is automatically bad.  Ironically when looking for the definition of processed many people may be shocked to find out there are varying definitions for this word that can apply to a variety of foods.  Often times processing is necessary to preserve the freshness of the product or in the case of freezing, make the most of produce at its peak.  Here is a breakdown of the categories along with some surprising examples of processed foods as defined by the International Food and Information Council.

• Minimally Processed Foods 
• washed, packaged fruits and vegetables
• Foods Processed for Preservation 
• canned/frozen fruits and vegetables
• Mixtures of combined ingredients 
• cake mixes and salad dressings
• Ready-to-Eat Foods 
• breakfast cereals, lunch meats, carbonated beverages
• Convenience 
• frozen meals/pizza

Defining the word processed into these categories hopefully explains the varying degrees of processed but if your still confused on what you should watch out for remember this:
Eat foods with those good for you nutrients such as fiber, protein, and calcium and limit foods that are high in fat, sodium, and added sugars.  In the end this usually means your eating the minimally processed foods or foods processed for preservation. Remember processed doesn't necessarily equal bad!



Source: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,  February 2012

AND tip of the day: National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

 

 

 

TIP OF THE DAY

October 2, 2012

 

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United States, touching nearly 200,000 women annually. While the causes of breast cancer aren't fully understood, a healthful eating pattern and regular physical activity have been shown to help reduce the risk.
For example, early research suggests that women who carry excess body fat around the abdomen –sometimes referred to as an "apple shape" – may have a greater breast cancer risk. Other research has shown risks for women who gain excess weight after menopause and women who consume alcoholic beverages in excess.
Although there's no certain way to prevent breast cancer, you can reduce your risk by addressing these risk factors that are within your control.
For more information about lowering your risk of breast cancer, consult a registered dietitian in your area and visit Diet and Cancer Prevention.



SOURCE: Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition

AND tip of the day: Child Healthy Day

 

 

 

TIP OF THE DAY

October 1, 2012

 

Today is Child Health Day

Today is National Child Health Day, a day to remember that one of our greatest responsibilities is ensuring the health of our children. Remember on Child Health Day and every day, that you are a role model to help your children develop healthy eating habits for life.

• Shop Smart: To encourage a healthy lifestyle, get your children involved in selecting the foods that will appear on your breakfast, lunch and dinner tables.
• Cook Healthy: Involve children in age-appropriate tasks during the preparation of meals.
• Eat Right: Sit down together as a family to enjoy a good meal and the opportunity to share your day's experiences with one another.
• Get Active: Position physical activity as an important and fun time, rather than a chore. Find activities you enjoy and do them together. Remember, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend children engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, and adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.

For more information, consult a registered dietitian in your area and visit KidsEatRight.org.



SOURCE: Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics