November 7th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Sugary soft drinks are nutritionally bankrupt beverages that contribute to obesity, diabetes and rotting teeth. So, why is the American Academy of Family Physicians—a professional organization that boasts of representing more than 94,600 U.S. doctors—crawling into bed with Coca-Cola?
As reported Thursday by Associated Press Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner, the AAFP has signed a six-figure deal with Coke dealers to “fund educational materials about soft drinks.”
“We’ve made a conscious choice to diversify our revenue,” said AAFP President-Elect Lori Heim, MD, in a press statement.
As a result, some family doctors are canceling their memberships—the only sane bit of news in this story. One can only hope the rest of America’s family docs will protest the alliance and, if rebuffed, follow suit.
FYI: Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent thinks his carbonated cans of empty calories are fine and dandy, and he protested proposed “sin taxes” on soft drinks in an Oct. 7 Wall Street Journal op-ed piece. I can’t wait to see his “educational” materials.
Tags: Coca-Cola, Junk Food, obesity, soft drinks
Posted in Health | No Comments »
November 3rd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
If you’re trying to lose weight, you may be more successful if you partner with a family member or friend who has similar goals.
A study published in the Oct. 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine revealed that enrollment with a buddy in a comprehensive program enhanced weight loss among 344 African-American participants—but only if they attended sessions together.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine ran the 2-year study to help participants achieve and maintain a 5%–10% weight loss. The program involved self-monitoring of food intake, physical activity, pedometer use, group sessions with weight and activity checks, and community-based field workshops (cooking demonstrations, gym visits).
After 24 months, those who enrolled in the program with a friend or family member lost more weight than those who entered the program alone.
For Your Organic Bookshelf: You: On a Diet
Tags: Health, obesity, weight-loss
Posted in Health | 19 Comments »
November 2nd, 2009 - Laura Klein
 About a third of our nation’s adults are obese, which translates to escalated risks for cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, and type 2 diabetes.
Many of our nation’s neighborhoods simply don’t have access to supermarkets, let alone fresh organic fruits and veggies. Chips, soda and other packaged, chemical-filled, unhealthy ‘convenience foods’ are cheap and readily available at the corner store…a far cry from the nourishment our body naturally craves, and a key contributor to the obesity epidemic.
The term for geographic food inequity is ‘food desert,’ and it’s defined as a district with little or no access to foods needed to maintain a healthy diet…but often served by plenty of fast food restaurants. It was coined by Mari Gallagher, a researcher who has delved deep into the topic and found that food deserts exist in every type of community across the U.S — urban, rural and suburban.
I was moved by a profile on Chicago-based Graffiti and Grub and its founder, La Donna Redmond, on CNN last week. Her community garden and store focuses on supplying several low-income Chicago communities with sustainable, organic and locally-grown food. This quote says it all…
“You could find drugs in my community, you could find a gun in my community, but you couldn’t find a tomato.”
-LaDonna Redmond
One of the critical areas of good eating habits is education – ideally from an early age as so brilliantly executed in Alice Waters’ inspirational Edible Schoolyard project. In a similar vein, Graffiti and Grub is focused on ‘providing the hip hop generation with the tools needed for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.’
Kudos to those hard-working advocates committed to changing the food desert into an organic food oasis.
Are you familiar with ‘food deserts’? I’m curious to know whether there is awareness of this issue. Let me know!
Tags: diet & health, fast food, healthy eating, Junk Food, obesity, Organic Food
Posted in Green Living, Health, Organic, Organic Food, Organic Food Recipes | 1 Comment »
October 14th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Click here to read Part 1 of this article.
Veterinarian Susan Nelson is urging pet owners to read nutrition labels on pet-food packages.
As with the foods we eat, pet-food products often list the calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber per cup of food or per treat.
“In the past, we didn’t know how many calories were in various treats,” says Dr. Nelson, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Now, that’s becoming more available…because more pets are becoming obese and their owners are asking for that information.”
Logging foot intake is important if your pet is overweight.
“It’s probably not necessary if you have a pet that is of normal weight,” Dr. Nelson says. “If it starts to get pudgy, you need to take a look at how much exercise it is getting, how much food you are feeding it and how many treats you’re giving it.
“Generally, I tell people that unless your pet is overweight, go with the guidelines on the food bag,” she adds. “If the pet is a little overweight, you should feed it for its ideal weight and not for its current weight.”
To compare different brands’ nutritional info, look at their dry-matter content. Often, this is not listed on the bag, so you may have to research it online or call the company.
“What most bags list is the nutritional analysis that is formulated on an as-fed basis,” Dr. Nelson says. “To truly compare the nutrient content of foods, you have to look at the dry-matter basis, which takes out water content.”
Always base food choices on your pet’s life stage.
“If your pet is pregnant, a puppy or kitten, has special health conditions or is a senior, there are foods formulated that best meet the nutritional demands,” Dr. Nelson says.
If the pet is extremely overweight, it may need diet food, along with other recommendations. Diet pet foods are lower in calories, nutritionally complete and often contain extra fiber, which helps your pet feel full. Don’t feed your pet less of its regular food, as it may not meet nutrition requirements.
Some dog and cat breeds have the opposite problem: high metabolisms and difficulty in maintain a normal weight. Talk to your vet about pet food with a higher fat content and more calories per serving.
As for treats, make sure they account for no more than 10% of your pet’s calories, Dr. Nelson says.
Suggested Reading
- Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
- Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
- How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
- Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
- Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
- Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
- Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
- The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
- Go Fetch!
- Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”
Photo:
Tags: obesity, Organic Living, pets
Posted in Organic Living | 1 Comment »
October 13th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
As Americans struggle with obesity, so do our pets.
“Pets are overeating and underexercising, and they’re eating too many high-fat foods and treats,” says Susan Nelson, DVM, an assistant professor of clinical sciences at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
To determine whether your pet is too heavy or light, consider Dr. Nelson’s guidelines:
- You shouldn’t be able to see your pet’s ribs, but you should be able to feel them easily, with a thin layer of fat over them.
- When you look at your pet from the side, its tummy should tuck up at the flank area and not hang in a straight line.
- If you look at your dog from above, you should see an hourglass shape: broad at the shoulders, narrow at the waist and broader at the hips.
- If your dog starts to get heavy, cut back on calories and arrange more exercise time.
Work with your family to avoid sabotaging your pet’s diet with treats and table scraps. These hidden calories can be the main contributor to obesity, says Dr. Nelson, who specializes in preventive care, senior wellness and puppy/kitten wellness.
“Sometimes, you’ll try to put your pet on a diet, and then someone else living in the house will slip it treats,” she says. “You should talk with the whole family when putting your pet on a diet. Tell them the diet is necessary to keep the pet at a good weight, which in turn will make it healthier and can help it live a longer life.”
And if you have a small child who drops food (or deviously gets rid of broccoli via canine) at the dinner table, these calories will add up, too.
Tune in tomorrow for the conclusion of this article.
Suggested Reading
- Have Your Pets Gone Organic?
- Holistic Industry Going to the Dogs
- How to Switch Your Pet to Organic Food
- Keep Fido and Felix Fit and Trim
- Doggiecise Do’s and Don’ts
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 1)
- A Fitness Program for Pets (Part 2)
- Pet Bistro Offers Healthful, Organic, Human-Grade Cuisine
- Rachael Ray Introduces Natural Dog Food
- The Top 5 Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog
- Go Fetch!
- Holiday Tips from the “Dog Whisperer”
Photo:
Tags: obesity, Organic Living, pets
Posted in Organic Living | 1 Comment »
September 9th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
Between 2003 and 2006, almost 40% of Mexican-American adolescents (12 to 19) were overweight or likely to become so, according to researchers at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine.
They found that teens who reduced their daily sugar intake by 47 grams (equal to one can of soda), while increasing their daily fiber intake by 5 grams (equal to one-half cup of beans), lowered their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Emily Ventura, MPH, and her colleagues in the Department of Preventive Medicine published their results in the April edition of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.
Teens who decreased their sugar intake secreted 33% less insulin, while those who increased their fiber intake lost 10% of fat around vital organs. Insulin resistance and obesity are two major risk factors for diabetes.
“Our results suggest that intensive interventions may not be necessary to achieve modifications in sugar and fiber intake,” the authors write. “Accordingly, nutritional guidance given in the primary-care or community setting may be sufficient to promote the suggested dietary changes in some individuals. In addition, policies that promote reduced intake of added sugar and increased intake of fiber could be effective public-health strategies for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in this high-risk population.”
For Your Organic Bookshelf: “I’m, Like, So Fat!”: Helping Your Teen Make Healthy Choices About Eating and Exercise in a Weight-Obsessed World
Tags: diabetes, fiber, Health, obesity, Parenting, sugar, teens
Posted in Health, Parenting | 1 Comment »
August 24th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
As your child returns to school, you face the usual dilemma: Brown-bag it or rely on the cafeteria menu?
“Lunches served in school cafeterias are not always the best choice, and I recommend that sometimes lunches need to be packed,” says Mary Pat Alfaro, a registered dietitian at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
A homemade lunch puts you in control of what your child eats, as well as portion size, she notes.
Here are some of Alfaro’s tips for a healthy lunch:
- Use the Food Guide Pyramid for preschoolers and elementary-school children to plan lunches. Include at least two servings from the bread group and one serving from each of the other food groups for a balanced meal. Go easy on fats and sweets.
- Aim for variety to provide different nutrients and beat boredom. Try whole-grain bagels, English muffins, crackers, pita bread or tortillas paired with your child’s favorite spread or sandwich filling.
- Find healthy alternatives to snack chips: trail mix, flavored rice cakes, pita chips and baked tortilla chips.
- Pack fruit that’s easy to eat: grapes, strawberries, melon chunks, apple wedges, berries and orange sections. Include a dipping sauce made with yogurt or peanut butter.
- Make raw vegetables like baby carrots, celery and bell pepper strips more appealing. Pack them with a container of hummus, salsa or ranch dressing.
- Pay close attention to beverages. Remember that even 100% fruit juice is loaded with sugar. Opt for plain or sugar-free flavored water.
- Experiment with different sandwich fillings. Top peanut butter with fruits like raisins, apples, bananas or pineapple instead of jelly. Make a burrito with refried beans, salsa, grated cheese, and chopped lettuce and tomatoes.
Editor’s note: We encourage you to choose organic foods, whenever possible, to avoid exposure to pesticides, preservatives and other chemicals.
Suggested Reading
Tags: childhood obesity, children, Health, obesity, school
Posted in Health, Organic Food, Parenting | 2 Comments »
August 15th, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
OK, get your mind out of the gutter. Let’s get down to business.
Lest you believe I routinely champion the all-American hot dog, let me voice my support for one of the Cancer Project’s important causes: purging hot dogs from school lunch menus.
Adults can make their own dietary choices—the good and the bad, the ugly and the “wurst.” As I wrote Tuesday about the Denny’s excess-sodium lawsuit: “Eating a Denny’s Scramble is a personal decision. Eating a healthy organic diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is a more sensible one.”
Children, however, are captive audiences. I’ve long decried the insufferable advertising campaigns that fast-food chains have conducted to McBribe them. The Cancer Project also condemns such tactics, and I applaud their lobbying efforts to send school-supplied hot dogs straight to detention.
“As a physician in the Greater Philadelphia area, I have seen unhealthful foods increasingly contribute to Pennsylvania’s epidemic of obesity and other medical problems, especially in our young,” says family practitioner Ana M. Negrón, MD, a member of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). “Sadly, this problem is occurring nationwide. Hot dogs and other processed meats contain artery-clogging fat and cholesterol.”
PCRM petitioned the U.S. Department of Agriculture in October “to stop offering processed meats for purchase, subsidy and reimbursement under the federal school breakfast and lunch programs,” Dr. Negrón says. “The petition asks the USDA to encourage schools to include alternatives to processed meat products.”
Her solution?
“When parents, schools and doctors come together and demand more fresh fruits, carrots, broccoli and other vegetables; nutritious meatless options, such as rice and beans, oats and other whole grains; and model healthful nutrition, the children will learn to demand it for themselves,” she concludes. “In the meantime, it’s up to the adults to ensure that children are making healthier choices.”
For resources on changing your school district’s menu options, visit Chef Ann Cooper’s website. The “renegade lunch lady,” who sat on the National Organic Standards Board, has issued a National School Food Challenge.
Tags: cancer, Health, hot dogs, meat, obesity, school lunch
Posted in Health, Organic Food | No Comments »
June 23rd, 2009 - Barbara Feiner
In July 2006, I wrote a post called A Mountain of Meat and Cheese, which covered Burger King’s introduction of Double, Triple and Quad Stackers. That last sandwich consisted of four burgers, four pieces of cheese and eight pieces of bacon on a flaccid bun, weighing in at a hefty 1,000 calories, 68 g fat and 1,800 mg sodium.
The post garnered more controversy than I expected. Some readers thought I was a dietary stick-in-the-mud:
“Had a quad yesterday and a triple today,” noted Rick, apparently not referring to bypass surgery. “Outstanding, exactly what I like.”
“I don’t care,” wrote James. “It’s so good. Really good. I’ll eat a salad for dinner. Actually, I’ll just eat more of these.”
Alrighty then.
I’m not sure how James’s and Rick’s cholesterol levels are doing, but these readers are certainly entitled to shovel Death Wish Burgers into their mouths. (FYI, dudes: You’re reading an online magazine dedicated to organic living. How did you even find us?)
But besides voicing my horror at super-sizing an already super-sized menu, I had another point:
Of course, Burger King is enticing kids to order this “produce-free” behemoth through a series of TV ads featuring a crew of miniature construction workers that “diligently stacks meat, cheese, bacon and BK Stacker Sauce.”
If that’s not enough, “2.5″ collectible figurines of some of the most memorable characters from the BK Stackers television ads can be purchased online…Fans can purchase a set of three figurines, including Vin the Foreman, the Kid and the Cheese Welder.”
For parents who promote organic living and healthy eating, this is yet another example of how fast-food companies and advertising agencies pander to kids without any regard for their health. It’s irresponsible at a time when childhood obesity is epidemic.
Flash-forward 3 years and little has changed. McDonald’s, inventor of the Happy Meal/free toy marketing juggernaut, is currently promoting kids’ meals with plastic dinosaurs from the new Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs film.
“We’re committed to bringing the biggest and most exciting properties to life for our customers, and offering them the high-quality food they love,” says Mary Dillon, McDonald’s global chief marketing officer. “The McDonald’s Ice Age Happy Meal event will feature movie characters on a variety of Happy Meal food choices worldwide, such as Apple Dippers and low-fat white and chocolate milk jugs in the U.S., to reach kids in a fun and responsible way.”
And according to a McDonald’s press release, “Select restaurants in the U.K. will host family scavenger hunts, taking kids on an underground adventure to help the movie characters retrieve lost items, and will offer in-store giveaways such as character masks and balloons.”
I’m assuming a Quarter Pounder and fries will figure into the McFun.
Here’s the problem: Not every parent insists on Apple Dippers over French fries or low-fat milk over sugary sodas. That’s a parenting choice—and often a dismal one.
In the long run, continuing to use toys to promote Happy Meals amounts to McBribery, something Ronald McDonald shouldn’t be celebrating.
For further information, please check out these stories from our blog archives:
- McDonald’s…Busted!
- Fast-Food Frenzy
- Let the Holidays Jumpstart New Meal Traditions
- Young Children’s Taste Preferences May Be Influenced by Fast-Food Branding
- Companies Pledge to Change Food Ads Targeted to Children
- Food Advertising Ban: A Good Start
- Advocacy Group Says Nickelodeon Should Ditch Junk Food Ads
- You Can Lead a Horse to Water…
- California Becomes First State to Ban Trans Fats
Photo courtesy of McDonald’s
Tags: fast food, Health, mcdonald's, obesity, Parenting
Posted in Health, Parenting | 2 Comments »
June 17th, 2009 - Gerald "Gerry" Pugliese
 Humans evolved to walk, but nowadays people take their cars everywhere, even a quick trip to the store—usually to buy something they shouldn’t be eating, like pork rinds or potato chips.
Big problem! All this inactivity is making us unhealthy and raises our risk of heart disease and obesity.
Experts say people should take roughly 10,000 steps a day to maintain good health, but driving around all day cuts that number down to 1,000 steps.
The CDC recommends people get 75 minutes of intense exercise or 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, but our dependence on cars screws that up.
Spending an extra 30 minutes in the car can raise your risk of obesity by 3%.
Although, it’s hard to blame us, we need a car to navigate sprawling suburbs and so many of us work a frantic day and need a quick source of transportation. But you got to make time to exercise!
Here’s a tip. I always park at the back of the parking lot. So at least I get a small walk to and fro. I do it even in the rain, sleet or snow.
Via Reuters.
Tags: Health, obesity
Posted in Health | No Comments »
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