Tag Archives: ADA

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RD Urban Legends: The Craziest Stories Ever Told

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RD Urban LegendsAs dietitians, we all hear crazy stories from our patients about the things they’ve been told regarding their health. Sometimes the things they say are so disturbing, we bottle them up inside and try, with all our might, to pretend like we never heard them say it. But, others are funny enough that we have to share with everyone around us! We’ve been compiling some of the favorites that we’ve heard from other dietitians so that we can share them with you here on the blog. Have you heard any of these?

  • “Bananas are the worst food you can eat because they have an enzyme in them that makes you fat!”
  • “I heard it’s not healthy to shake salt on my food, so I spoon it on instead.”
  • “I thought it’s not good for you to have fruit after 2 pm?”
  • Patient in a wheelchair, with 2 below-knee amputations was sucking down packets of mayo in the hospital cafeteria, telling people freely “I have diabetes and can’t eat carbs”.
  • This is not from patient, but from a pharmacist (not a technician either) “About 6-8 years ago, when we all were learning about Lipitor interaction and cautioned to not consume grapefruits.”The pharmacist said to not have grapefruit, but you can have grapefruit juice because juice is not the same thing.”
  • “Well I’m probably not going to lose much weight now because it’s winter time.  Your metabolism slows down because your body has to preserve the fat because it’s cold.”
  • Anything that begins with the phrase “But I heard on Dr. Oz…..”
  • “Clear colored soda doesn’t have any calories”
  • I had an MD tell me (on TV!) that eating a potato will “make you fat”
  • .”Don’t combine fruit with proteins when eating.  When you do this the fruit stays in your stomach longer and rots. Always eat fruit by itself.”

And the #1 urban legend goes to this gem of wisdom…

  • I replace all sugar in my recipes with brown sugar instead”, with the person thinking this now made them a whole grain

Because we all know that if it’s brown, it’s a whole grain… right? Thank you to everyone who shared your best RD Urban Legends with us! We got a kick out of reading all of them! Do you have any stories to add to this list? If so, please share them in the comments below or email us at info@ncescatalog.com. We could all use a good laugh today!

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Let’s Get Cooking to #StopDiabetes for American Diabetes Month 2014

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Stop Diabetes American Diabetes Month NCES

Happy American Diabetes Month! Every November, we all join forces to raise awareness of diabetes. We’re excited to join the American Diabetes Association this year to further their vision of “a life free of diabetes and all its burdens”. By raising awareness and providing education, we can help to make this vision of the future happen today! We know that many of you, our customers, fans and blog readers are diabetes educators. Thank you for everything that you do, day in and day out, to prevent diabetes through preemptive education and help those living with diabetes through lifestyle education. This year’s American Diabetes Month theme is “America Gets Cooking to Stop Diabetes”. In the next few steps, we want to provide a few ways that we can all get cooking in a way that prevents diabetes and also helps those living with diabetes enjoy their meals without the ingredients that their bodies can’t process.

  1. Utilize cooking spray or small amounts of olive oil rather than butter when sautéing in a pan. Butter contains saturated fats, which raise blood cholesterol levels and is a risk factor for heart disease. A Tabletop Oil Mister allows you to create your own blend of oils, herbs and spices and use it sparingly across many types of foods.
  2. Steam your vegetables in water or broil them in the oven versus cooking them in butter or another source of fat. Many vegetables have a fantastic flavor that can be accentuated through the use of the right herbs and spices.
  3. Use fresh herbs or spices to add flavor to your foods rather than salt. Although salt packs a big punch, you’ll find that you won’t even want it after freshening up your favorite meals with some fresh herbs and the right spices. Fresh herbs always taste best, so a tool like the Herb Savor Pod help keep them that way. Plus, it’s just pretty cool looking! Herb Shears are also a great kitchen addition if you plan to cook with a lot of fresh herbs.
  4. Be sure to trim any visible fat off your meat before you cook. Many times, some fat will be left on the meat that you purchase at the grocery store in order to add some weight or leave ‘flavor’ on the meat. Be sure to inspect the meat and remove this excess fat. There are plenty of other ways to add flavor and don’t need this extra fat.
  5. If you have diabetes, it’s very important to measure your carbohydrate portions to make sure you’re staying within your daily allowance. There are many resource guides available to help measure your carbohydrate servings and exchanges. Our favorites are the Nutriportion Measuring Cups because carbohydrates in many common foods are listed around the sides of the measuring cups. No need to look anywhere else!
  6. Avoid high sugar and processed foods at all costs. When it comes to both preventing diabetes and managing it if you’ve been diagnosed, sugary and processed foods can be your worst enemy. Instead, opt for foods with natural sugars such as fresh or frozen fruits.

This November, we’ll be doing everything we can to fulfill the vision of the American Diabetes Association, a life free of diabetes and all its burdens. We hope you’ll join us as we blog, Facebook, Tweet and even create a video to help stop diabetes through prevention, education and useful diabetes tools. Are you involved in the fight against diabetes? Share how you’ll be celebrating American Diabetes Month with us. We’d love to see what you’re doing too!

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FNCE 2012: Are you Inspired?

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The AND Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) is kind of like Christmas in the nutrition and dietetics community.  Four jam-packed days of interesting education sessions, networking and foodie events, and the inevitable attempt to fit as many free samples from the Expo into our bags as possible.  But aside from the whirlwind of activity, what has and always will make FNCE the extraordinary experience that it is every year, is the energy, the people and the newfound sense of drive you feel every time you leave.
As part of the Executive Board of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs Dietetic Practice Group, our theme at the conference this year was “Declare Your Passion.”  I had the amazing opportunity to meet and network with registered dietitians who have found a way to take their passions and incorporate it into a career that is both emotionally and financially fulfilling– I’m pretty sure not many other professions can say that!  From supermarket dietitians, to authors, to social media gurus, to research experts (just to name a few!) there was never a shortage of colleagues to talk to and learn from.

FNCE is about celebrating collaboration, not competition.  This weekend I saw friends reconnecting, long-lasting business relationships being formed, and students interacting with their mentors.  We shared ideas, we asked questions, and we motivated one another.  The one buzz word that kept being tossed around to describe the 2012 FNCE experience was “inspired,” and I couldn’t agree more.
In essence, FNCE to me this year served as a reminder of how truly lucky we are to be in a profession where we can make whatever career we want.  There are no limits, there are no boundaries–we get to wake up looking forward to going to work every day!  I’ve already started outlining my 2013 “career to-do list” inspired by my interactions with fellow dietitians this weekend, and I can’t wait to experience it all over again next year in Texas!

Kristen Carlucci, RD
Nutrition Expert for Pitney Bowes

NEdpg Director-Elect of Member Services

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Don’t Let National Nutrition Month End

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It’s hard to believe, but March is coming to an end! Another National Nutrition Month is wrapping up. But, as usual, that doesn’t mean that all the lessons learned this month should be pushed aside and forgotten. This year, you learned how to “Get Your Plate in Shape”. Our plates are a big part of our daily lives. For most of us, we sit down to a plate of food an average of three times per day. For those with hectic schedules, it may be less. And, for those that focus on 5-6 well-balanced meals, it’s even more. So, it’s easy to see why learning to get our plates in shape is vital to our everyday success.

Here at NCES, we like to provide tools that make staying healthy easier for you. So, here are a few takeaway lessons to remember, even after National Nutrition Month comes to an end.

  1. 1.       Fill your plate with foods from all of the food groups.  For the average person, our bodies require foods from all of the food groups to remain healthy. The key is to remember moderation; picture the USDA MyPlate when filling your plate, doing your best to match the two.
  2. 2.       Always remember portion control. We all have our guilty pleasures when it comes to food. It’s important not to deny yourself those indulgences and enjoy them occasionally. However, remember not to go overboard and don’t indulge all the time.
  3. 3.       Don’t underestimate the power of vegetables. Vegetables contain a variety of nutrients that are great for our bodies. Not to mention, they are a great way to fill up our stomachs without packing in extra fat and calories. So, be sure to make fresh vegetables a big part of your everyday diet.

Getting your plate in shape will require some effort on your part. You’ll have to remember to make conscious decisions about the foods you are filling your plate with. However, it only takes 21 days to form a habit. So, if you set some goals and push yourself to achieve them for 21 days, in just three weeks, it will be a habit.

In need of a kickstart? NCES offers extremely useful Right-Sized Portion Plate for both Adults and Kids. Also, fresh off the press are our new MyPlacemats for Kids. They come in sets of 50. So, they are great for taking to restaurants, as well as the houses of family & friends so your kids can think healthy while they are enjoying their meals. Be sure to check these great tools out today!

What did you learn during National Nutrition Month 2012? Did you make any commitments to yourself? How did it go, were you able to keep your commitments? Leave your comments here on the blog, or visit our Facebook or Twitter pages.

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National Nutrition Month: Is it already over?

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Through the month of March, we have been celebrating National Nutrition Month with the American Dietetic Association. It’s been an exciting month and we have thoroughly enjoyed learning about new opportunities for keeping ourselves, and our families healthy. With this being the last week in March, National Nutrition Month is coming to a close. BUT, does it have to? All of us here at NCES think that we should continue celebrating all year.  But how? We’re here today to share the top 5 things we are going to do to continue our National Nutrition Month celebration! So, why don’t you join us!

  1. Get active as a family. With Spring upon us, the evenings provide a great opportunity to get outside. Studies show that people who burn calories directly after dinner are more likely to lose weight, and maintain a healthy weight. Get out and take a walk, go to the park, or play catch in the back yard.
  2. Remember the NNM theme: Eat Right with Color. When filling your plate, remember to keep it colorful. A more colorful plate will be more flavorful. And, if filled right, will be more nutritious.
  3. Set a new goal for eating fresh. Fresh fruits and veggies are becoming more abundant as the weather gets nicer. Here’s a goal for you; make sure that at least 1-2 of your 8-9 fruit/veggie servings each day are filled through fresh fruits and veggies.
  4. 4. Make healthy eating fun! If you keep your meal planning and preparation fun, it will be easier for you to stick with your new healthy habits. Also, remember to keep it simple. Eating right doesn’t have to be complex. The simpler your plan, the more likely you will be to accomplish your goals.
  5. 5. Start with breakfast. Studies show that people who start their day with a nutritious breakfast tend to eat healthier throughout the rest of the day. They also tend to maintain a healthier overall diet. Be sure to fill your breakfast plate with nutritious, filling foods. Some good examples are whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat proteins.

So, there you have it! Our top 5 tips for continuing your National Nutrition Month celebration! How do you plan to continue the celebration? We’d love to hear from you! And, last, be sure to check out www.ncescatalog.com for great products geared towards helping you reach your nutrition goals.

 

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How do you “Right-Size” Your Plate?

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We all know that proper portion sizes are important. The struggle is having the time to focus on each plate that we fill, making sure that it contains the perfect amount of food from each food group. That’s where we come in! We want to make sure that your plate is full of all the nutrients that you need, and is void of the empty calories that don’t provide your body with any nutritional value.

There are many resources available to us today to educate ourselves on proper nutrition and serving sizes. Right here at NCES, we recently launched our “Right-Sized Portion” line of products, including plates and tearpads. These products make it fun and easy to fill your plate with the right foods.

The American Dietetic Association also offers many great resources for helping us learn how to live healthier lives. A lot of these great resources are available year-round. Because March is National Nutrition MonthTM,  they have many extra resources available at no cost. We love their interactive nutrition games. Last week on Facebook, we mentioned the “Rate Your Plate” game. This game provides a fun, interactive way to understand more about how the choices you make when filling your plate affect your overall nutrition.  If you haven’t had a chance to play yet, be sure to go check out “Rate Your Plate”, as well as all the other great games, today!

Proper nutrition is very important, and should be an important part of your daily life. At NCES, we have an on-staff dietitian who is always here to answer your questions. So, whenever you have questions about living healthy, be sure to visit www.ncescatalog.com and “Chat with our Dietitian”, give us a call or email us at info@ncescatalog.com.

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Six Picks: The Top 6 Things You Need to Know About Diabetes

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1. Know the symptoms. Thirst, frequent urination, blurry vision, constant tiredness, unexplained
weight loss and irritability are possible indicators of the onset of diabetes. Make sure to pay
attention and talk to your doctor if any of these symptoms persist.
2. The sooner you detect it, the better. The longer your body is exposed to uncontrolled blood sugar
levels, the greater the health problems can become. If you’re over the age of 45, it’s recommended
to have a fasting blood glucose test every three years.
3. Proper diet can save lives. With diabetes, it’s supremely important to keep your blood glucose
levels the closest to normal as possible. Proper meals can help maintain these levels and keep the
body from going into shock.
4. Work things out. Proper exercise can go a long way towards the prevention of diabetes, as well as
help maintain proper blood sugar levels too. Keep active for at least 30 minutes a day to help the
body regulate its blood glucose.
5. Know your risk factor. Anyone can develop diabetes over the course of their life, but certain people
have a higher risk than others. Being over 45, overweight or obese, a diagnosis of
pre-diabetes, having low HDL readings, or people with a family history of diabetes are
more likely to develop diabetes.
6. Diabetes is often preventable. A good combination of steady diet and exercise goes a long way in the
prevention of diabetes. Lowering the amount of added sugars in your diet can also help keep this
epidemic from affecting your life.

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or think you may have it, contact your doctor immediately. Also, check out our large selection of diabetes education products here. http://www.ncescatalog.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=17&cat=Diabetes

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Six Picks: The Top 6 Things You Need to Know About Smart Carbs

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1. Know your simple carbs. Sucrose, fructose, and lactose are all simple carbohydrates, and are comprised mostly of simple sugars. It’s generally not essential to have a large amount of simple carbs in your diet.
2. Know your complex carbs. Made of starch and fibers, they’re often referred to as whole grains. They can be found in whole wheat flour, rolled oats, barley, rye, and brown rice among other foods. These can help reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers.
3. Smart Carbs are essential for exercise and function. The majority of energy you use on a daily basis comes from the carbohydrates you consume. Not just for running, biking and swimming, carbs also give your body the energy for essential functions like your heartbeat, breathing, and digestion.
4. Smart carbs provide a way for you to consume fewer calories. Put simply, most foods that have not been processed are going to
contain fewer calories. So, when looking at carbs, try to find the least processed sources. For example, eating cooked oatmeal rather than an oatmeal cookie is always a good idea.
5. Simple carbs mean more than simplicity. When fiber is removed from food, with fat and sugar being added, the calories skyrocket while nutrition values plummet. Plus, the low nutrient density means that you’ll be eating more, just to feel full.
6. Incorporate Smart Carbs into meals and snacks. Try adding complex carbs to your regular meals and snacks. Instead of chips, try whole grain crackers, or whole grain versions of breads and cereals. Carrot sticks and fruit also contain smart carbs, and provide a much better choice than other carb-filled foods.

For more tips on eating ‘Smart Carbs”, check out Item # 2939 (ADA Complete Guide to Carb Counting) in our catalog or online at www.ncescatalog.com.