Sweet Potato Quiz

Posted on November 5, 2014 by cheryle

They’re orange and you eat them with lots of marshmallows at Thanksgiving.

What else do you know about one of the worlds most nutritious vegetables? Take this sweet potato quiz to find out.

True or False?

A sweet potato can be eaten raw.
A sweet potato and a yam are the same thing.
Sweet potatoes should not be stored in the refrigerator.
Sweet potatoes are more nutritious than white potatoes.
Sweet potatoes have four times the recommended daily intake for beta-carotene.
Sweet potatoes have more vitamin C than an orange.
Sweet potatoes are high in calories.
Sweet potatoes are just a different kind of white potato.
Sweet potato flesh is always yellow or orange.
Sweet potatoes can only be eaten for dinner.

Answers and Fun Facts:

1. TRUE. While it is a non-traditional way to eat this vegetable, sweet potatoes can be eaten raw. Cut them into strips and eat them like carrot sticks or grate a sweet potato into slaws or salads. To avoid browning, rinse the cut sweet potatoes in cold water before serving.

2. FALSE. If you are being botanically correct, the sweet, moist, orange-colored vegetable that is often thought of as a yam is the United States is actually a sweet potato. A true yam is a starchy edible tuber that is imported from Africa and the Caribbean. It is completely different in taste and texture from a sweet potato. Did you know that the USDA requires that those orange-colored sweet potatoes (that most folks think are yams) be labeled sweet potatoes?

3. TRUE. Avoid storing sweet potatoes in the refrigerator. Cold temperatures will produce a hard center and a bitter unpleasant taste. The best storage for sweet potatoes is in a cool, dry, well-ventilated container. No, a plastic bag is not a good storage option. For long-term storage, keep sweet potatoes at 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit. If a sweet potato is kept at above 60 degrees, then it will begin to shrink and sprout. Once you’ve cut or cooked your sweet potatoes, then they should be refrigerated.

4. TRUE. While sweet potatoes and white potatoes are similar in terms of carbohydrates, sweet potatoes are higher in fiber and vitamin A than regular potatoes are. Sweet potatoes also beat the white potato in vitamin C and potassium levels. Overall sweet potatoes are the nutritional winner.

5. TRUE. Sweet potatoes are a great source of beta carotene, which is the precursor to vitamin A. Sweet potatoes have more beta-carotene than carrots! If you eat your sweet potato with just a little fat, like a bit of butter, then you will maximize your body’s absorption of this fat-soluble vitamin.

6. FALSE. While a medium sweet potato is a good source of vitamin C (with 30% of the recommended daily value), one orange doubles that with 80% of your daily value of vitamin C. If you want to go over the top with vitamin C, then whirl cooked mashed sweet potato, orange juice, vanilla yogurt, and a little vanilla extract in the blender for a sweet potato smoothie.

7. FALSE. A medium sweet potato (2 inches by 5 inches) contains only about 100 calories. It’s frequently the brown sugar and marshmallows added to sweet potatoes that bring that calorie count up. Looking for lower calorie flavors that go well with sweet potatoes? Try orange, pineapple, apple, cinnamon, and nutmeg. There are some great recipe ideas over in the Food and Health recipe archives.

8. FALSE. Sweet potatoes are edible roots and white potatoes are tubers. Sweet potatoes are a member of the morning glory family and their flowers look very similar. Sweet potatoes are native to the United States.

9. FALSE. Depending upon the variety, sweet potatoes can be orange, yellow, red, white, or even purple.

10. FALSE. Why get stuck in a sweet potato rut? Use cooked mashed sweet potatoes in pancakes or in place of mashed pumpkin in muffins, pies, or breads.

By Cheryle Jones Syracuse, MS, Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University

Here’s a PDF of the sweet potato quiz, with all that great information in one free handout! Get your copy today!

Looking for more ways to make nutrition education fun? Try these resources!

12 Lessons Wellness Weight Loss

Fruit and Vegetable Poster Set

MyPlate Bingo Game

Fruit and Vegetable Wellness Challenge Kit

Weight Control Marketing Terms that Raise Red Flags

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

“Fast, easy weight loss without exercise!”

“Lose weight while you sleep.”

“Enjoy your favorite foods and lose weight. Effortlessly.”

These claims have to be true because I : (a) read it in my local newspaper, (b) saw it online, (c) heard it on my favorite radio station.

Right?

Wrong!

We know better, but wouldn’t it be great if there really was a product that produced these types of results?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, published “Gut Check: A Reference Guide for Media on Spotting False Weight-Loss Claims” in January 2014. This guide lists seven weight loss claims that experts agree are false and misleading, and which should prompt a “gut check.”

What’s a gut check? It’s a second look to make sure that publishers are not running advertisements with claims that are known to be false.

The FTC uses these guidelines to enlist the help of media professionals, asking them to prevent false claims from ever appearing. Even though the truth in advertising laws prohibit false or misleading advertising claims, obviously these claims still exist. Under the law, advertisers have two choices: either the results in the ad must be typical of what other consumers can expect to achieve or the ad must clearly and conspicuously disclose the typical results.

The FTC created a teaser website http://www.wemarket4u.net/fatfoe/index.html that promotes FatFoe™, a revolutionary (and fake) product that produces amazing weight loss results. They built this website to demonstrate false advertising claims to consumers. Click on the ‘order now’ button and you are transferred to a site that explains how you’ve been duped and how to spot false weight loss claims.

So. How can you best put this information to use for your clients? Have them use the seven gut-check claims and examples of the fictitious yet all-too-believable FatFoe™ advertisements to avoid falling prey to wild and unrealistic claims. Here are a few examples — the more familiar your clients are with these compelling (yet false!) claims, the less likely they are to be duped by a sneaky product…

Claim #1: Causes weight loss of two pounds or more a week for a month or more without dieting or exercise.

Many consumers believe that rapid weight loss is the norm, and are unhappy with losing the 1-2 pounds per week that experts believe is both safe and sustainable.

“Finally there’s FatFoe™, an all-natural weight loss compound so powerful, so effective, so relentless in its awesome attack on bulging fatty deposits that it eliminates the need to diet.” (Note the consumer endorsement: “I lost 36 pounds in 5 short weeks”).

Remember, don’t be fooled.

Claim #2: Causes substantial weight loss no matter what or how much the consumer eats.

Changing food choices and eating habits, especially eating smaller portions, is one of the keys to lasting weight loss. Unfortunately, it’s also a behavior change that many people find extremely difficult.

Watch out for claims like, “This revolutionary product lets you enjoy all your favorites – hamburgers, fries, pasta, sausage, and even gooey desserts – and still lose weight. One FatFoe™ tablet before meals does the work for you and you’ll lose all the weight you want.”

Claim #3: Causes permanent weight loss even after the consumer stops using the product.

Maintaining weight loss requires continuing the same behavior changes in food choices and physical activity that produced the initial weight loss.

How does this false claim get used? “Thousands of people have used FatFoe™ and kept the weight off for good” is just one example.

Claim #4: Blocks the absorption of fat or calories to enable consumers to lose substantial weight.

Even legitimate medications that block fat absorption need to be used within an overall lower-calorie, healthful diet.

“The safe, all-natural active ingredient in FatFoe™, auberginium, binds with food to block the absorption of fat, carbs, AND calories. Lose up to 10 pounds per week – with no sweat, no starvation!”

Don’t fall for it!

Claim #5: Safely enables consumers to lose more than three pounds per week for more than four weeks.

Losing weight rapidly over a longer period of time can lead to gallstones and possibly other health complications. Weight loss should be closely managed by a physician.

So, when you see something like “Even if you have 40, 50, 60 or more pounds to lose, doctors recommend Fat Foe™ as the no-risk way to blast off the weight and inches in a few short months. Just in time for bikini season or that class reunion,” then you know to run for the hills.

Claim #6: Causes substantial weight loss for all users.

Individual rates of weight loss are all different, and there is no one established method that leads to weight loss for every person.

“FatFoe™ is guaranteed to work for you. Melt away the pounds regardless of your body type or size.”

Claim #7: Causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin.

There is no research that shows any product worn on the skin or applied externally leads to weight loss.

Throw that “Bonus offer! Order now and get a free 60-day trial of FatFoe™ UltraThin Gel. Target the stubborn fat on your hips and thighs with this proven flab fighter.” into the trash!

So. There you have it. The 7 gut-check claims and some examples of how sneakily they can be used. Help your clients steer clear of this nonsense by sharing this post or sending them a copy of this free weight control handout.

By Lynn Grieger RDN, CDE, CPT, CWC

References:

Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection. Gut Check: A Reference Guide for Media on Spotting False Weight-Loss Claims. http://www.business.ftc.gov/documents/0492-gut-check-reference-guide-media-spotting-false-weight-loss-claims#claims January 2014. Accessed 9-8-2014.
Federal Trade Commission. With FatFoe™ Eggplant Extract You Can Kiss Your Dieting Days Good-bye. http://www.wemarket4u.net/fatfoe/index.html Accessed 9-8-2014

You guessed it! There’s more in the store! Check out these healthful weight management resources…

Weight Control Poster Set

Weight Management Brochure Set

12 Lessons of Wellness and Weight Loss Program

Breakfast Puzzle

Posted on September 24, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

Celebrate breakfast with this fun, free puzzle. There’s even a handout that you can share as you see fit!

Across:

1. This low-calorie breakfast bread is a great option when you’re grabbing a meal on the go. Hint: Think muffins.
2. A ___ ____ food is a food that includes the entire grain kernel. It has more fiber and nutrients than a refined grain food.
3. This MyPlate food group includes oranges, grapefruits, bananas, and berries.
4. This is the title of your first meal of the day.
7. The name of this warm, heart-healthy, cooked grain cereal begins with the letter “o.”
8. Choose whole grain versions of this grain food for breakfast.

Down:

1. This is the fat-free part of the egg.
4. This thick-skinned, yellow fruit is great to eat on the go. It even comes with its own wrapper.
5. Fat-free milk is also known as ___ ____.
6. This dairy food is great for a quick breakfast on the go.

Stumped? The answers are at the bottom of this post!

Don’t miss these other great nutrition education materials!

Erasable Breakfast Menu Poster

Health Fair Wellness Kit

Salad Secrets Cookbook

Puzzle Answers:

Across:

1. EnglishMuffin
2. WholeGrain
3. Fruit
4. Breakfast
7. Oatmeal
8. Cereal

Down:

1. EggWhite
4. Banana
5. Yogurt
6. SkimMilk

To Thump or Not to Thump: A Watermelon Quiz

Posted on August 1, 2014 by cheryle

Try this fun quiz from Cheryle Jones Syracuse to celebrate watermelons while promoting good health…

I often wonder when I see people at the grocery store thumping on watermelons. Do they really know what they are listening for?

There’s an old saying about thumping a watermelon:

A good watermelon should sound hollow… like if you thumped your chest.
If it sounds like you’re hitting your head… it’s not ripe.
If it sounds like thumping on your stomach… it’s definitely too ripe.

Now I’ve given this saying some thought, and I’m not sure that I could judge any of those sounds. There has to be a better way to evaluate these fruits. I did some research, consulted with some colleagues, and have returned with a fun quiz that offers insight into how to select, store, and prepare watermelon. Of course, I’ve also included information about a watermelon’s nutrient content and health benefits. What better way to celebrate National Watermelon Day?

The quiz is available in the text of this blog, and an abridged version is also available as a downloadable handout! So check out the options below and, if you like what you see, get the handout for free!

See the yellow “belly” on that watermelon?

Watermelon Quiz:

How much do you know about watermelon? Take this quiz and find out!

True or False? Uncut whole watermelon should be refrigerated.
True or False? Since you’re not eating the rind, you don’t need to wash the outside of a watermelon before cutting into it.
True or False? The red pigment in watermelon is a good source of the phytochemical lycopene.
True or False? The “belly” of a ripe watermelon should be yellow.
True or False? Like the name implies, watermelon is made of mostly water.
True or False? Watermelon does not really have any nutritional value.
True or False? Watermelon is a good source of potassium and sodium.
True or False? The rind of a watermelon should not be eaten.
True or False? It’s okay to swallow watermelon seeds.
True or False? The “hollow” heart sometimes found inside a watermelon is caused by someone dropping the melon.
True or False? Watermelon is a cousin to cucumbers and squash.
True or False? A good way to tell if a watermelon is ripe is by giving it a good thump.

Answer Key:

FALSE: Uncut whole watermelon can be kept in a cool, dry place and does not need to be refrigerated. Stored this way, a watermelon will keep for 7-10 days at room temperature. Once cut, leftover watermelon should be covered and refrigerated. Be cautious of purchasing cut melons at farmer’s markets if they have not been kept cool after cutting. Use cut watermelon within 5 days.
FALSE: The outside rind of the watermelon should be washed before you cut into it. Bacteria found on the outside may easily be transferred to the interior during cutting. Before slicing up your watermelon, be sure to wash your hands and wash the melon under cold running water. You may need to use a clean brush to help scrub off excess dirt.
TRUE: There may be up to 20 mg of lycopene in a two-cup serving of watermelon. Studies have shown that people with diets high in lycopene have a reduced risk of prostate, breast, and oral cancer. The redder the melon is, the more lycopene it contains.
TRUE: A yellowish spot on the underside or “belly” of a watermelon indicates that it is ripe. This spot should not be white or green — if it is, then it means that the watermelon is underripe.
TRUE: A watermelon is 92% water, which makes it light in calories and a good tool for proper hydration. A two-cup serving of watermelon contains only 80 calories and counts for two servings of fruit.
FALSE: Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamins A and C. A 2-cup serving provides 25% of your needed daily Vitamin C and 30% of the needed Vitamin A. It’s also a good source of vitamin B6 and contains 1 gram of fiber and 20 grams of natural sugar.
FALSE: Although watermelon is a good source of potassium, it is low in sodium, with zero fat and zero cholesterol.
FALSE: Watermelon rind is edible and can even be delicious. There are a variety of recipes available for items made with watermelon rind. Try using it in everything from slaw to chutney to pickles.
TRUE: Despite what you may have heard when you were growing up, watermelon seeds will not grow in your stomach. It will not harm you to swallow watermelon seeds. Some people even save them, dry them, and eat them as a snack. The small white seed coats that are often found in “seedless” watermelons are seeds that have not matured. These “seeds” are sterile and, if planted, will not produce a watermelon.
FALSE: The “broken heart,” “hollow heart,” or cracked center that is sometimes found inside a watermelon is caused by weather conditions during the growing season. This flesh is still good and safe to eat. Some folks say watermelon with a these internal cracks are sweeter due to concentration of the sugars.
TRUE: Watermelon are a vine crop and must have honeybees pollinate the blossoms. Watermelon is in the same botanical family as cucumber, pumpkins, and squash. Seedless watermelons are created by crossing different kinds of melons and are not genetically modified. There are many varieties of watermelons available and options include: seeded, seedless, mini, yellow, and orange.
FALSE: Unless you are a very experienced watermelon picker, it is difficult to tell if a watermelon is ripe solely by evaluating the sound you make when thumping on it. A good watermelon should be symmetrical, heavy for its size, and firm. It should have no cuts, dents, or bruises. Also, look for a pale or buttery yellow “belly” and a dry stem end near the base of the fruit.

By Cheryle Jones Syracuse, MS, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University

Want to send this quiz to your clients? You can download it here!

Check out other nutrition education resources too!

Fruit Bulletin Board Kit

I Heart Fruit and Veggies Poster

Watermelon “Cake” Recipe Card

The Mediterranean Diet: 7 Things I Learned

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

Have you tried Mediterranean food?

I have always loved meals from the Mediterranean region. One of my favorite restaurants in Miami served the most exquisite baba ganoush, hummus, falafel, and fattoush dishes that I have ever eaten. Once I tried them, I couldn’t get enough.

Because I loved Mediterranean food so much, I sought out ways to learn more about it. I made major strides in my study of and recipe development for the Mediterranean area in 2005. That was after I took a class at the Culinary Institute of America as part of my continuing education and ProChef II exam preparation.

The class was a 5-day intensive course on Mediterranean cuisine with Certified Master Chef Ken Arnone, CMC. Chef Arnone has spent a great deal of time in the Mediterranean and is one of the most passionate and detail-oriented chefs I have ever known. The 5-day course covered key foods from Provence, Sicily, Morocco, Tunisia, Spain, Greece, and Turkey. In that class, I worked with a group of chefs from all over the country. We spent hours learning about the history, ingredients, and cuisine of a particular Mediterranean region every day. After that, we would cook the food as a class and end the day with a huge feast.

That may sound like a walk in the park, but the course was intense. Every day, we worked in teams to prepare a staggering number of dishes. Each one required extraordinary levels of mis en place. It was certainly a restaurant-style experience that involved sharing stoves, grills, and prep table space while working on a tight timeline. You see, Chef Arnone wanted all the food served at 6 pm sharp.

Now, once all the work was done, it was tons of fun to sit down and eat everything family-style in a large group. I remembered grabbing small portions of everything and making copious notes about what I liked in each dish.

If anything, that class increased my fascination with cooking foods from the Mediterranean region. When I got home, I bought tons of Mediterranean cookbooks. Then I read, studied, experimented, and read some more, cooking an endless parade of new dishes in my kitchen. After all, my ProChef II exam was just around the corner, and since the test was going to be a mystery basket with a 3-hour time limit and a specific serving time that needed to be hit precisely, I wanted to have as much practice as I could get.

For the exam, I would draw a card out of a stack. That card would contain the name of a country, a type of protein, and a cooking method. I then would have to prepare a dish that matched the criteria on the card, which meant that I really had to study all of the countries and their cuisine, being able to make a dish from scratch in the time allotted — all with a master chef and other judges observing my process and technique.

The exam day arrived, and so did the moment of truth. I drew a card. Greece, lamb, and grilling.

What a wonderful Mediterranean surprise! I won’t keep you in suspense — the final dish was a smashing success. My score was one of the highest in the class and my examining chef told me that my dish made him think that he was in a café in Greece!

Okay, that’s enough about my time with the ProChef II exam (though if you’d like to read more, it’s all in the post, CIA ProChef 2 Story).

Let’s get back to the Mediterranean.

In 2014, I was approached by a book publisher who wanted me to write a Mediterranean cookbook. Unfortunately, the deadline was tight and the budget was scarce, so I had to turn it down. After that conversation, I started thinking about how I would outline my own book and what I would want to teach in order to help people learn about this wonderful region and its ingredients. I knew that I didn’t want to make just another cooking tour or gourmet encyclopedia. People are busy, so I wanted to make sure that I told them about the health benefits, ingredients, and popular dishes — all the keys, none of the wasted time.

Around this time, I started teaching an advanced pastry course at Johnson and Wales University. During that course, I learned that photos of beautiful dishes motivate students to create their own masterpieces. I knew that I would want to carry that information into my Mediterranean project too.

From there, I started planning a multimedia class for the clients of Food and Health Communications, Inc. and the Nutrition Education Store. My plan was set into motion when our client, Michelle Ernanga, MS, RD, sent in a request for a Mediterranean Diet PowerPoint. I decided that this PowerPoint was a great place to start my larger project, because it is a lot more visual and interactive than a book. The infographics, research summaries, photos, and video make it very easy to learn all anyone would need to know about the health benefits, key ingredients, featured countries, and easy recipes of the Mediterranean.

The point of the new Mediterranean Diet Class PowerPoint and Handout Set was to present the research, show the ingredients, and provide a look at a few popular dishes, along with exploring everyday substitutions that people could make in order to shift to a healthful plant-based diet.

Thus the Mediterranean PowerPoint was born.

I would like to thank Lynn Greiger, RD, LD, for her tireless research on the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, and Victoria Shanta Retelny, RD, for her contributions about the flavors and health benefits of this diet as well. I would also like to thank my editor, Stephanie Ronco, who was flexible, organized, and very detail-oriented. And of course I would like to give a shout-out to my son, Nicholas, who was very good at tasting and critiquing the finished dishes. Mostly, he clamored for more!

Creating this nutrition PowerPoint was an intense and wonderful experience, and I certainly learned a lot. Here’s my list of the 7 most important lessons that I took away from this project.

1. The ingredients overlap. The ingredient lists for many dishes from a variety of Mediterranean regions actually overlap! Yes, the dishes are different, but many of the base ingredients are the same. The whole point to cooking in a Mediterranean style is to use all of the delicious, highly-flavored and beautifully-colored fruits, vegetables, nuts, and beans that are so prevalent in all cuisines in the Mediterranean region.

2. Mediterranean dishes are based on vegetables. Vegetables are the key, which makes this is a whole new world of cooking. I hadn’t realized how much I had painted myself into a corner by relying solely on old favorites until I started creating hundreds of delicious vegetable dishes and salads based on Mediterranean ingredients.

3. Sardines are delicious. No, really! I had read about them before, but I never really ate them until I created the Sicilian fennel, olive, and sardine salad. Sardines aren’t that high in sodium, they’re inexpensive, and they keep for a long time (in their cans). Plus, sardines are not on the big list of fish that can contain a lot of mercury, and yet they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Of course, they also add a lot of flavor. You don’t need that many sardines in order to add rich flavor to many dishes. I had never added them to a salad or veggie dish before, but now I really like using them.

4. Grilling is prevalent but easy. You can create a whole dinner on a grill. Grilling is popular in the Mediterranean, and it has been popular for a long time. This has a lot to do with the history of the area, where fresh water is often sparse. Many dishes are made over a small wood fire, and many of the protein and vegetable components are grilled.

5. Tagines are awesome. A tagine is a Moroccan stew pot with a funny lid that’s conically-shaped. I originally bought one for learning about Moroccan stews. The thing I love the most about a tagine is that you can cook with a tiny amount of water and the meat and vegetables will cook very well. The stew can also cook on very low heat without burning.

6. Olive oils come in many flavors. I have since started shopping in olive oil boutiques and I am amazed at the variety of flavors. Some are bitter, some are smooth, some are grassy, some are acidic. And there are a million variations on a ton of flavor combinations. It’s always fun to come home with a new olive oil!

7. There are so many new grains to try. Where to start? Bulgur and couscous cook so quickly. And I love working with Valencia rice for paella. Risotto is also very delicious. Farro is a new-to-me grain with a crunchy, nutty flavor and texture. And pasta is always fun — I love to buy new shapes. The best part is that cooking grains Mediterranean-style is fast and easy. People will gather around the stove to watch you make paella and they will remember it for a long time.

Of course, the show is full of great lessons in health, easy cooking, and nutrition. You can get a sneak preview today — all 100+ slides are featured in the flash version, so take a look and let me know what you think!

I’ve also added tons of new recipes to the Mediterranean recipe database, which is totally free and always available.

Mediterranean cuisine is constantly growing and changing. The region is home to the Modernist Cuisine movement, which was started by Barcelonan Chef Ferran Adria, who founded elBulli in the 1980s. Although he closed the restaurant in 2011, Chef Adria is starting a foundation to record, preserve, and create new cooking methods and presentations.

How will you try Mediterranean meals?

By Chef Doherty, PC II

Get the Mediterranean PowerPoint and Handout Set today! And there are lots of other nutrition education resources in the Nutrition Education Store!

Mediterranean Diet Class with PowerPoint, Handouts, and Leader Guide

Kids Activity with MyPlate Bookmark

Freedom from Chronic Disease Poster

Checking Out Chia

Posted on June 23, 2014 by cheryle

Are you staying on top of the latest developments in food and nutrition? I try to keep up with everything, but it can be hard. After all, the field is constantly evolving. Nevertheless, I do my best to keep an eye on scientific studies while keeping abreast of fads and trends.

So what has caught my eye lately?

Chia seeds.

Chia seeds appear to be the food of the year. Health food websites feature them, news outlets profile them, and even TV personalities are actively pushing them.

I have to confess, the first thing I thought was, are these the same seeds from chia pets? Remember the chia pet that was sold as a gift for “the person who has everything?”

Yes, the chia seed we’re hearing about nutritionally is the same seed that they use to grow green fur on pottery animals. This crop of “hair” is what happens when the chia seed sprouts.

I contacted the folks at a chia pet company, and they were quick to tell me not to eat the seeds or sprouts that come with chia pets. It seems that the food product seeds are grown and tested differently than those that are developed for the chia “pottery that grows” market.

So, what are chia seeds?

Chia seeds are exactly that — seeds. They look a lot like sesame or flax seeds and they come from the plant Salvia Hispanica, which is in the watercress family. Chia seeds have a long history and were eaten by the Aztecs and Mayans. Now the seeds are grown all around the world and are key crops in Mexico, South America, and Australia.

Personally, I don’t think that the seeds taste like much. Some people think they have a nutty flavor. Chia seeds can be used whole or ground, and the sprouts are edible too. Many people sprinkle chia seeds onto yogurt, ice cream, baked goods, cereal, and fruit. They are also popular in smoothies. Since they like to soak up water, chia seeds tend to swell when added to liquids. You can use this to your advantage by adding them to soups or smoothies as a thickening agent. I’m seeing more and more chia seeds sold in bulk or baked into “healthful” crackers and snacks.

Now let’s take a look at why people would eat chia seeds.

Chia seeds contain quite a lot of nutrients. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, one ounce (about 2 tablespoons) provides 10 grams of dietary fiber, 5 grams of protein, and 9 grams of fat. That same ounce has 179 milligrams of calcium and 138 total calories. Chia seeds are also said to be full of omega-3 fatty acids, with high levels of antioxidants, and plenty of vitamins and minerals.

So here’s where we switch from facts to hype.

Some people are claiming that chia seeds can help with weight loss.

It seems that people are always looking for that “magic bullet” — or in this case, “magic seed” — that will help them lose weight easily. The people who claim that chia seeds are all you need for easy weight loss explain that since these seeds hold water and expand to about 10 times their original size, they will help you feel full. If you’re full, perhaps you’ll eat less. That means losing weight.

Yes, there have been some small studies on this subject. But the verdict is still out until more information becomes available. There’s just not enough evidence to support these weight-loss claims yet.

Learning about new foods and trying new things is always fun. However, it’s important to dig a little deeper before jumping on a new nutrition bandwagon. Chia seeds do have some potential for providing some good nutrition, in moderation. However, they’re not the “magic seeds” that some people make them out to be… except maybe if you’re trying to grow hair on your chia pet.

By Cheryle Jones Syracuse, MS, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University

Looking for tried-and-true weight management and nutrition tools? Check out these popular educational materials…

Weight Management Brochure: Portion Control

Online Wellness Program

Healthful Food Poster Set

Making MyPlate a Reality

Posted on May 21, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

Freebie Alert: This post contains a free MyPlate handout!

Does your plate look like MyPlate?

The new USDA food icon for healthful eating is much simpler to implement and understand than the older version, MyPyramid. Rather than trying to visualize the foods in a pyramid of varying composition, people simply look at their plates during meals and ask themselves whether their plates are balanced like MyPlate. With healthful portions and proportions of fruit, vegetables, protein, grains, and dairy, MyPlate offers a great way to approach eating right.

Now eyeballing those same portions and proportions just got easier.

With the new Nutrition Education Store MyPlate plastic plates, you can eat meals off of an actual MyPlate. Each plate comes printed with MyPlate, so that eating healthfully is just a matter of filling each section with foods that are good for you and that fit the MyPlate categories. And each plate is 9.5 inches, just like most real plates!

Think of the possibilities!

All the guesswork of healthful eating could be eliminated, replaced by an easy and consistent model. You could have a MyPlate party, incorporate these plates into your next cooking demonstration, offer them as a giveaway at your next health fair or event, use them in one-on-one consultations, and much more!

They are available as singles, 10 packs, and 50-pack super savers.

Your clients’ lives just got a whole lot easier.

Pick up your own MyPlates today!

Looking for more MyPlate? Check out all the options in the Nutrition Education Store! We’ve picked out some of the most popular to feature below…

MyPlate Poster

MyPlate for Kids Handout Tearpad

MyPlate Plastic Window Clings

And now, because we love you, here is a free MyPlate handout. Simply download it and use it as you will! It’s perfect for emails, bulletin boards, handouts, and more!

Best Nutrition Education PowerPoints

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

Putting together a presentation is hard work, isn’t it?

You have to research your topic, organize the ideas, communicate your points in a clear and compelling way, and even set up graphics, pictures, charts, and/or tables. Not to mention creating any coordinating activities or brainstorming questions for a follow-up discussion. There’s a lot to do!

Does making a presentation have to be so hard?

No.

Let us do the work for you! The Food and Health Communications team is full of experts in research, art, writing, and communication. Each contributor is a wizard at outlining the latest nutrition and health data to make engaging and informative presentations. We work together to save you time, building presentations that will be sure to reach your audience and communicate the messages that you value most.

The PowerPoints in the Nutrition Education Store are some of our best-selling nutrition education materials. And there’s no question as to why — the presentations are exactly what our subscribers need.

Take this rave review from Shirley M. Winslett, RD, LD, at Owatonna Hospital as an example. “The presentation went great. I can’t tell you how much time this power point saved me. Thank you again for having a wonderful power point. Have a wonderful day!”

Right now, 5 great PowerPoints are outselling all the rest. If you’re looking for a great nutrition or wellness presentation, one of these might be a perfect place to start!

Top Nutrition PowerPoint #5 Gluten-Free Guide to Celiac Disease and Gluten Sensitivity

In this new Gluten-Free PowerPoint presentation and handout set, patients who have gluten sensitivities — including wheat allergies, celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity — will learn the ins and outs of living with their disease.

A diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can be overwhelming, and though there are more gluten-free products on the market these days, navigating the grocery store and making healthful choices can still be difficult.

This presentation is organized into the following sections…

What is Gluten Sensitivity?
Types of Gluten Sensitivities
Gluten and Health Statistics
Symptoms and Diagnosis
What Foods Contain Gluten?
Gluten-Free Cooking and Dining Tips
Gluten-Free Meal Ideas
Resources for More Information
Quiz

What are you waiting for? Check out the Gluten-Free PowerPoint today!

Top Nutrition PowerPoint #4: MyPlate

This presentation is actually 3 shows in one!

The package features 3 PowerPoint presentations that can be used either individually or in conjunction with one another. Plus, the presentation set comes with handouts that you can copy and distribute too.

The 1st PowerPoint in the bundle is the Comprehensive MyPlate show. With over 70 slides (illustrated and with speaker’s notes), this presentation looks at the history of USDA food graphics, the basics of MyPlate, and how to cook and eat according to MyPlate’s advice. This show takes an in-depth look at each of the 5 MyPlate food groups and offers a wide variety of approaches to filling any plate healthfully.

The 2nd PowerPoint in the bundle is the Express MyPlate show, which is a shortened version of the comprehensive edition. This presentation weighs in at 30 slides and features the absolute key points of MyPlate and health.

The 3rd PowerPoint in the bundle has only 15 slides. This Kindergarten Plate presentation is a short but fun PowerPoint show for kids. It’s designed with kids in mind, featuring strategies that will help keep them engaged.

Are you ready to rock MyPlate? Then download your copy now!

Top Nutrition PowerPoint #3: Sports Nutrition Basics

Use the shows and handouts in this presentation package to educate coaches, parents, and/or kids about how to eat and drink smart for maximum athletic performance.

The program is divided into 3 parts: 2 presentations and 1 15-page handout set.

Coaches Show: This advanced show was designed for coaches and college/adult athletes. It features over 40 PowerPoint slides and 20 color overheads.
Kid Show: This is a simple, fun show for kids. It has 30+ PowerPoint slides and 20 color overheads.
Handouts: These handouts will help athletes remember the important messages, like what to eat for solid training, what to do before an event, and the importance of a high-quality diet.

So, are you or your clients looking for ways to improve athletic performance? Then this is the show for you!

Buy the Sports Nutrition PowerPoint program today!

Top Nutrition PowerPoint #2: Heart-Healthy Cooking

We’re especially proud of this one. With gorgeous photos, simple recipes, and clever strategies, this show offers a wide variety of ways to cook and eat healthfully. Yes, this program is chock-full of great advice, from ways to make small substitutions and use smart preparation methods to a guide to exactly which foods promote heart health.

One of the most popular aspects of this show are the meal makeovers. For a makeover, we apply the key lessons from the show to typical foods that people cook or order. The results are engaging, creative, and surprising. These makeovers feature before and after photos, along with an outline of the nutrition outcomes of these strategies. Participants can find ways to save 25-50% on calories, fat, and sodium when they employ these strategies.

The heart-healthy cooking presentation also features a sample menu and shopping list.

All this is above and beyond the key cooking facts and strategies featured in this show. The Heart-Healthy Cooking PowerPoint focuses on three different ways to reduce the “bad” fats that can do so much damage to your heart and arteries. It also explains how to reduce sugar and sodium in ways that don’t compromise the flavor or texture of a dish. These modifications are so easy and tasty that no one will ever know that a modified recipe is actually healthful!

Pick up your copy of the Heart-Healthy Cooking PowerPoint presentation today!

Top Nutrition PowerPoint #1: Nutrition Bootcamp

So which PowerPoint is the fairest of them all?

The Nutrition Bootcamp! The most popular presentation in the store, the Nutrition Bootcamp PowerPoint takes a comprehensive look at the nuts and bolts of nutrition.

This bootcamp has it all, with 125 slides that are chock-full of the latest scientific information and research. There are detailed speaker’s notes and additional handouts that accompany the presentation, which makes the whole thing much less daunting.

This presentation has 11 sections, including…

Nutrition Introduction: What Nourishes You?
Carbohydrates: Which Are Healthful?
Fats: When and Why?
Protein: Variety is the Spice of Life
Vitamins and Minerals: The Basics
Converting Food to Energy: How Does It Work?
Assessing the State of America’s Plate
MyPlate and the USDA Dietary Guidelines
Food Labels and Health Claims
Beverages: Which Aren’t Healthful?
Newtrients and Trends

These sections are full of great photos, illustrations, charts, graphs, and infographics. There are fun quizzes and interesting facts. Plus, the show features plenty of great tips and tricks for a healthful lifestyle. What more could any nutrition educator want?

Get the Nutrition Bootcamp PowerPoint today!

Bootcamps and PowerPoints: Health Education for Women

Posted on May 12, 2014 by Stephanie Ronco

I love helping health educators work.

Last week, Michelle Ernaga, MPH, RD, ordered 3 PowerPoint presentations for her students.

She bought…

Women’s Health Bootcamp
Diet and Heart Disease
Make the DASH

Why these three?

Well, Michelle teaches health classes for women at local churches and in school health programs. Each of these PowerPoints speaks to key women’s health issues, and since each presentation comes with free additional health education materials, Michelle could save time by simply downloading what she needed without having to deal with researching the latest science, formatting the slides, creating graphics, or any other headaches. All the work was already done for her, thanks to our team of experts.

But why put together health classes especially for women? Well, according to
Summary Health Statistics for U.S. Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012, 13.7% of adult women in the United States are only in fair or even poor health. Moreover, 32.8% of American women have hypertension, 35.9% are obese, and 17.3% smoke cigarettes (source). Millions of women in American are underserved when it comes to health, and many more don’t have access to the information that could help them improve their health. Michelle is doing her best to change that, setting up classes that cover key topics in women’s health: breast cancer, osteoporosis, and heart health.

According to the National Library of Medicine, “Breast cancer affects one in eight women during their lives.” In fact, not counting certain skin cancers and lung cancers, it is the most common cancer in women, no matter what their race or ethnicity. In 2009 — the most recent year that comprehensive data was available at the time of this show’s publication – 211,731 American women were diagnosed with breast cancer and 40,676 women in the United States died from it (source).

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. In fact, the CDC asserts that 1 in 4 American women will die of heart disease.

Last but not least, let’s turn to osteoporosis. The National Library of Medicine maintains, “Anyone can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women. As many as half of all women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis.” Furthermore, according to the National Institutes of Health, “In the United States, more than 40 million people either already have osteoporosis or are at high risk due to low bone mass, placing them at risk for more serious bone loss and fractures. Although osteoporosis can strike at any age, it is most common among older people, especially older women.”

I was impressed by Michelle’s goals and her commitment to teaching these key health lessons… so I threw in two more health presentations for free.

I added…

I chose those two in order to round out the presentations that Michelle had already planned. The Diet and Breast Cancer PowerPoint presentation was a great resource for adding more information to the Women’s Health Bootcamp. With it, Michelle could lead her participants into a more detailed discussion about the link between what they eat and their risk of breast cancer.

The Women and Heart Disease PowerPoint presentation adds another level to the Diet and Heart Disease PowerPoint presentation that Michelle had already purchased. By using this show too, Michelle can address the specific heart health issues that are most important to women.

Michelle was thrilled with the additions, and wowed by the shows she’d purchased. She wrote to me to say that there is no other company like Food and Health Communications. She ended her email with “I am most appreciative of your generosity and your professionalism.”

What praise!

It is such a treat to put together the best nutrition and health education resources in the business, and I love the opportunities that I get to really help the people who are making such a difference in so many lives.

To continue the tradition, I’ve uploaded a free handout to this very post. Get your copy of the free Women’s Heart Health handout today!

I’m proud of the many and varied nutrition education materials in the Nutrition Education Store. Some of the most popular resources include…

MyPlate for Kids Poster

Case of 12 Home Run Cooking Books

Nutrition Tree Poster

By Judy Doherty, PC II and Founder of Food and Health Communications, Inc

PS Michelle is going to work on men’s health next and will be ordering the Men’s Health Bootcamp in the fall. What are you preparing for?

Food Police

Posted on April 29, 2014 by cheryle

I imagine that everyone who teaches people about healthful eating has at least one problem in common.

Their families.

My husband had a heart attack last September. He had that heart attack after we were already eating a reasonably healthful diet. (We mostly eat according to the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension diet). We were watching the levels of saturated fats, calories, sodium, and fiber in all the foods we were eating. We were both losing weight, and his last blood tests were significantly better.

The week after his heart attack, I started teaching a (previously-scheduled) weight loss and healthful eating class. Now our sessions are almost over. As the class began to draw to a close, one of the ladies said to me “I wish I could take you home so you could guide and coach me.”

My husband has me at home. What does he call me?

I’ll give you a hint. It’s not “coach.”

He calls me “The Food Police.”

I went with him to his cardiac rehab class when they talked about diet. The instructor did a great job. He said things that I know I have also told my classes… almost exactly word for word. But, it’s easier to hear this information from someone else, not your wife.

Eating, be it healthful or not so healthful, is such a personal thing. As we all know, it’s hard to change an eating habit, even when you’re super motivated. I can’t make my husband change his habits.

It’s hard not to be the food police. I have a sign in my office that quotes, “A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety.” I’m trying to remember that and not police my husband’s meals at home. He says it’s hard to enjoy a meal with someone watching so closely.

But what can I do?

I’m trying to be a good role model. I’m trying to have good food in the refrigerator. I’m trying to modify recipes to make them even more healthful. I’m trying to take healthful foods when we go to parties or events. I’m trying not to suggest restaurants that would require us to make difficult decisions. I’m trying not to eat things in front of him that would be tempting.

Most of all… I’m trying to keep my mouth shut when I see him eat something that I don’t think he should eat.

It’s not fun being the “food police”

By Cheryle Jones Syracuse, MS
Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University

Looking for ways to help your clients improve their eating and protect their hearts? Try these top-selling nutrition education materials…

Surprise! Here’s a free handout that you can use to help people evaluate whether their diets are good for their hearts. Get your copy of Eat Right for Your Heart today!

Check out these new materials for a healthy diet that are so fun you won’t be seen as the Food Police:

Nutrition Education Store exclusive plastic MyPlate Plate (NEW!):

Heart Brochure set, heart posters, heart-healthy cooking instruction and more:

Tag Archives: nutrition

Sweet Potato Quiz

Weight Control Marketing Terms that Raise Red Flags

Breakfast Puzzle

To Thump or Not to Thump: A Watermelon Quiz

The Mediterranean Diet: 7 Things I Learned

Checking Out Chia

Making MyPlate a Reality

Best Nutrition Education PowerPoints

Bootcamps and PowerPoints: Health Education for Women

Food Police

Cart

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Related Posts

Cart