Reduce Added Sugar

Currently, there are no federal guidelines regarding the amount of sugar you should consume.  However, the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that we consume less sugar overall as part of a healthy lifestyle- no more than 6 teaspoons (tsp.) or 100 calories a day of sugar for most women and no more than 9 teaspoons or 150 calories a day for most men.

Added sugar in foods such as desserts, candy, cookies, soda, and many cereals are providing empty calories.  Empty calories are calories that contain no nutritional value. Taking in these added/extra calories overtime can lead to unwanted weight gain and can also impact blood sugar levels for those diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Reducing your sugar intake may be easier than you think.  Here are some tips to get you started!

• Cut down on adding sugar (table sugar, syrup, honey) to foods (cereal, cookies, pancakes) and beverages like coffee or tea. Try decreasing the amount you typically add and cut it in half and then continue to decrease from there.  
• Instead of adding sugar to cereal or oatmeal, try fresh fruit (bananas, blueberries, raspberries or strawberries) or dried fruit (raisins, cranberries or apricots).
• Remove soda. Choose a seltzer that's naturally flavored or you can add a splash of 100% fruit juice (such as Pomegranate, orange, grape…) to flavor a plain seltzer or just choose plain water if you don’t like the bubbles. 
• Avoid fruit canned in syrup, especially heavy syrup. Choose fresh, frozen, dried or canned fruits that are in water or natural juice. 
• When baking your favorite cookies, brownies or cakes, decrease the amount of sugar called for in the recipe. You can cut it by ½ the amount or slightly less and you will likely not even notice. 

Note: You do not need to count the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and milk toward your daily intake of added sugar.

Bottom line is that it is important to be aware of your sugar intake and reduce it if you find that you are taking in more added sugar than the AHA recommends.  Use the tips mentioned above and work toward consuming less sugar overall.
Resources:

• Tips for Cutting Down on Sugar. Accessed January 24, 2018 http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Tips-for-Cutting-Down-on-Sugar_UCM_461811_Article.jsp#.WmkQbyMrJok

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New Food, New Me

Looking for a New Year’s resolution that can be good for you and fun? Challenge yourself to try new foods! Regardless of how old you are, it is possible to discover new foods or discover a new liking for a food you thought you didn’t enjoy.

Mix it up
Foods often take on very different flavors depending on how they were prepared. This is especially true for vegetables, which most of us should be resolving to eat more of. Raw spinach in a salad has a very different flavor than sautéed spinach. Texture can also change with preparation and can be a big factor in whether or not we like a food. Some people enjoy the crunch of a raw carrot, but do not enjoy the soft feel of a cooked carrot. Flavor combinations will also impact whether or not we like a given food. Give different herbs, spices and sauces a try on any food you are trying.

Try, try and try again
You have probably heard the idea of exposing children to food multiple times before deciding that they do or don’t like it. This same approach may work with adults as well. Don’t give up on a food the first time you try it. Simply becoming more familiar with a food may increase the chances that you will like it. It is also important to remember that factors beyond flavor can impact your reaction to a food. The setting, the way the food is presented and even who you are with when you try it could influence your preferences.

Make it social
Achieving a goal is often more fun and attainable if you do it with friends. Gather a group and start a tasting club. Challenge yourselves to try at least a certain number of new foods each month. Meet for lunch and share a new dish in addition to your regular meal. If it doesn’t become your new favorite, you haven’t wasted a full portion. Find something you like? Share your new discovery on social media with #NewFoodNewMe. Search the same hashtag to see what new foods other people are discovering.

January 2018

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Party like a Pro

With end of year holiday parties popping up all around you it may seem like sticking to your health goals will be impossible. We asked some of our Registered Dietitians (RDs) to share their tips for enjoying party season without sacrificing your well-being.

Before the Party
Set yourself up for success with good preparation. Don’t skip meals before the party. It might seem like a good idea to allow room for party food, but skipping meals could leave you hungry and more likely to overeat during the party. Bring something you will feel good about eating. Salads, veggie platters and other plant forward dishes are great options that fill you up without overdoing it.

During the Party
Focus on the fun. Engage in conversations and activities that keep you from mindlessly snacking. Step away from the table. After you have gotten your food, find a spot away from the buffet so that you aren’t tempted to eat things simply because they are in front of you. Watch the liquid calories. Try making every other drink a sparkling water to reduce sugary beverages and stay hydrated.

After the Party
Take a walk. Making time to exercise is well worth it. You can burn off some extra calories and help manage stress. Drop the guilt! Enjoying amazing food at a party should not mean feeling bad about your choices. If you overdid it, let it go and get back on track. Indulging at a party or two will likely have less impact on your health than worrying about it will. Your well-being is determined by what you do most of the time, not the occasional splurge.

Tips provided by Compass Group RDs:
Stephanie Bassett, Susan Cooper, Sarah Defreitas, Suzanne Landry, Lily Leung, Robyn Lorando, Tori Martinet, Sarah Nicklay, Andrea Ogden, Savina Sparker, Tracy Wilczek and Leigh-Anne Wooten.

December 2017

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Cut The Salt; Rethink Flavor Development From The Ground Up

with campus executive chef Tom Barton

As a chef, seasoning and flavoring of food is one of the most important things that we do.

What is the difference between seasoning and flavoring? 
Seasoning is enhancing the natural flavor of a particular product while flavoring is changing the natural flavor of that product.
For example: when roasting a chicken simply adding salt and pepper enhance the natural flavor of the chicken but if you were to enhance with a BBQ rub, that would change the natural flavor.

Knowing when and what to season and flavor foods with is a skill that I am constantly working on. Hopefully at this point everyone knows that excessive use of salt is a health issue that should be taken seriously. As someone who prepares food for others, we have an obligation to serve tasty food that is also good for you.

Here are a few ways to reduce the amount of your salt intake:

Read nutritional labels
You would be amazed at the amount of sodium in some of your favorite foods especially those that are pre-prepared. If you do buy pre-prepared foods compare a few different brands as they typically vary between brands

Prepare foods
Prepare foods yourself as much as possible that we you have direct control over seasoning and flavoring. Experiment with using fresh herbs to enhance flavors

Reconsider portion sizes of your food

Try making herb salt

1. Take 2-3 cups loosely packed herbs such as parsley, oregano, sage, thyme, cilantro, rosemary or basil and combine with ½ cup coarse salt such as kosher salt. 
2. Place in food processor and pulse until you have achieved a course grind being careful not to process into a paste. 
3. You can spread evenly onto a baking sheet and leave at room temperature for several days until the mixture becomes dry or alternatively you can place in a 200 degree oven and for approx  one hour or until dry. 
4. In either case place into an air tight container and can be stored for up to 6 months.

The most important thing is to experiment and see what tastes good and what flavor profiles you enjoy and have fun!

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Substantially Reduce Sugary Beverages, Innovate Replacements

Sugar-sweetened beverages contain lots of extra calories and almost no nutrients.  If you are consuming high-sugar drinks (i.e., soda or juice) regularly, over time it can lead to weight gain, which in turn will increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease as well as other medical issues. Therefore, it is important to limit your intake of beverages that contain lots of added sugar!

As of now, there are no federal guidelines regarding the amount of sugar you should consume.  However, the American Heart Association recommends that we consume less sugar- no more than 6 teaspoons (tsp.) or 100 calories a day of sugar for most women and no more than 9 teaspoons or 150 calories a day for most men.

Flavored coffee: Be aware that the calories from sugar or flavored syrups added to these beverages will add up quickly.

Flavored waters seem to be one of the latest trends. Always check the labels as these beverages often contain added sugars.

Alternatives:

• Add slices of fruit to your water- lemons, limes, oranges, cucumber, melons… or a combination of these or other fruits and veggies.
• Add chopped fruit into ice cube trays with a little water- freeze. Throw those into your water to add some flavor.

Green Tea is another great alternative.  It contains lots of antioxidants, which is great! Drink it hot or cold if you want to sweeten your green tea try adding a little honey!

Seltzer water is a great option choose ones that are naturally flavored or you can add a splash of 100% fruit juice (such as Pomegranate, orange, grape…) to flavor a plain seltzer or just choose plain water it you don’t like the bubbles!

Milk is a great nutrient dense option

• Low-fat milk (skim milk, 1% low-fat milk)
• Milk provides important nutrients: protein, calcium and vitamin D
• Choose a low-fat version to supply fewer calories and less fat
• Keep in mind that flavored milk will provide about 5-6 tsp. of added sugar (per 8 oz. serving)

Note: You do not need to count the naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and milk toward your daily intake of added sugar.

Thirsty? Try One of these 9 Refreshing Alternatives to soda.

Resources:

• Public Health Newsletter, Healthy Drinks https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-drinks Accessed November 3, 2017
• Water: How much should you drink every day?  http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/water/art-20044256 Accessed November 3, 2017
• Sugar 101: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyEating/Nutrition/Sugar-101_UCM_306024_Article.jsp#.WOY94CMrLUQ  Accessed November 2, 2017

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More than Just Sugar

Many people go to the doctor and hear that their “sugar is a little high” and wonder if that means diabetes. While many things can cause your blood sugar to be higher than it should, diabetes or being at risk for diabetes (sometimes called pre-diabetes) is a major reason. The good news is that for many people, diabetes* can be prevented by making a few healthy changes – the same changes that can also work to control diabetes if you already have it.

Eat Well
Eating well does not mean simply avoiding sugar. We need a healthy balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. Eating regular meals and snacks throughout the day, instead of skipping some meals and going overboard on others can also work wonders on balancing your blood sugar. Be cautious of foods labeled “sugar-free.” They may seem like a smart choice, but calories are important and many sugar-free options are not any lower in calories.

Move More
Getting 30 minutes of physical activity, at least five days per week, has been shown to help prevent or delay diabetes*. Those 30 minutes don’t have to be spent doing unpleasant activities to see the benefits. Pick something you like, do it at a moderate intensity and stick with it. If your schedule is tight, you can even break it into three 10 minute blocks throughout the day.

Slide the Scale
If you have some weight to lose, every move you make in the right direction decreases the chances you will get diabetes* or makes the diabetes you already have easier to control.

*Please note that while healthy changes can help to prevent the most common kind of diabetes (type 2), type 1 diabetes is not at this time considered preventable. Eating well and moving more are important for controlling all types of diabetes.

November is National Diabetes Month. To learn more about diabetes, visit the National Diabetes Education Program at http://ndep.nih.gov.

RESOURCES:

1. National Diabetes Education Program, a partnership of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public and private organizations. Accessed 9/6/17 at http://ndep.nih.gov.
2. 2015 Diabetes Types 1 and 2 Evidence-Based Nutrition Practice Guideline. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Library®. Available at https://www.andeal.org/.

Written by Jennifer M. Roberts, MS, RD.
November 2017

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Move Legumes to the Center of the Plate

Legumes are a group of vegetables that includes peas, lentils and beans (black-eyed peas, garbanzo beans, black beans, cannellini beans, and kidney), which are nutrient dense and provide a variety of health benefits.  They are low in calories, high in protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and provide beneficial vitamins and minerals including folate, iron, vitamin A, vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.

Research has indicated many health benefits associated with consuming legumes include- a reduced risk in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, and high blood pressure. Since legumes are high in complex carbohydrates, they have a low glycemic index making them a great choice for people with diabetes. Legumes are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which is great because that means consuming them aids in binding to cholesterol, regulating blood sugar, preventing constipation, and increasing satiety- helping with weight management.

It is important to remember if using canned beans to choose the low sodium options. Draining and rinsing is also recommended which removes about 40% of the sodium as well as reduces flatulence.

The USDA recommends 2.5 to 3.5 cups of legumes per week- most Americans do not meet these guidelines. Here are some ways to incorporate legumes into your meals and snacks to help provides some essential nutrients for a delicious and healthful meal.

• Add beans to stews, casseroles and homemade or prepared soups
• Use pureed beans as the base for dips 
• Use hummus as a spread on sandwiches instead of mayonnaise
• Add chickpeas/garbanzo, lentils or black beans to salads
• Add cooked beans to chili, meatballs or burgers
• Grab a handful of soy nuts for a snack

Note: Make sure to include more water and incorporate exercise into your day to help your gastrointestinal system handle the increase in dietary fiber from legumes.

References

1. Azadbakht L, Haghighatdoost F, Esmaillzadeh A. Legumes: A component of a healthy diet. J Res Med Sci. 2011; 16(2):121-122.
2. Tufts University Health and Nutrition Letter. Add These Lesser-Known Legumes to Your Healthy Pantry. 2015; 32(11):6(1) http://www.nutritionletter.tufts.edu/issues/10_13/current-articles/Add-These-Lesser-Known-Legumes-to-Your-Healthy-Pantry_1621-1.html  Accessed October 26, 2017
3. Mudryj AN, Yu N, Aukema HM. Nutritional and health benefits of pulses. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2014; 39:1197-1204. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2013-0557
4. Beans and other legumes: cooking tips. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/legumes/art-20044278?pg=1 Accessed October 26, 2017

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