What do you think?

       With the most recent debates regarding taxes on sweetened beverages and junk foods, I can't help but wonder what every New Yorker is thinking. Although researchers have found a close correlation between the increase in price of particular foods and the decrease in it's consumption many people are arguing why try to force us to eat better? This health initiative resembles the methods taken to reduce cigarette smoking. Taxing these things are supposed to reduce the likelihood of people buying them and in turn improve the health of the nation. But as seen with cigarette smoking there will always be someone buying them. 

        With obesity crawling its way to the top of nation concerns, a tax on these things might not be so bad. The department of health has been campaigning against sweetened beverages for years now with their slogan"pouring on the pounds" along side an image of a soda bottle pouring fat into a glass. 

Junk food does contribute to ones diet, especially when there is no physical activity to counteract their effects and it would benefit this nation to reduce these things and consume a more nutritious diet. 

What do you think about taxes on sweetened beverages and junk food in New York City? 

Email all opinions to --> dietitianambitionja@gmail.com

Keep emails under 2 paragraphs long 

If you do not want your name attached to it write "anonymous" next to your name

All posts will be posted until Monday June 25 at 11:59pm

What you have to say: 

"I think that one of the greatest aspects of living in this country is the freedom of choice we are supposed to have. Although I am opposed to the availability and consequential health problems junk food can lead to, it seems to me it would be a more effective alternative to make healthier food more affordable rather than raising taxes on "bad" food. Then the choice would be easier." - Jamie Caroccio

"I do believe in taxing sweetened beverages and junk food.  I don't think that taxing these items will stop people from buying them but maybe it will make them stop and think a little before they actually do. We need to start making better choices for ourselves and if this tax can help some of us do that then I'm all for it." - Nancy Alvarez 




"Im not sure if taxing them all if the right thing to do. However, i do think that over a specific amount of sugar or other ingredients that are detrimental to our heath that could effect obesity should make them elegible for taxation. This country is built on freedom, and taxing every single item categorized as junk food is starting to limit that to an extent. And lets face it, its not like the companies that make these "junkfood" items wouldnt find a way around this tax law by making some new chemical that stands as a substitute for the ingredients that would make these taxable." - Frankie Alvarez 




"I think taxing junk food and sweetened drinks is unfair. People should have the right to purchase certain foods or drinks without being taxed extra because of the ingredients in these items. Although taxing these things may lead to less purchases it will not stop people from buying them completely. Just like cigarettes, which are extremely expensive due to tax people still buy them and will continue to do so no matter how expensive they get. I believe the same will happen if junk food and sweetened drinks are taxed." - Danny Emigholz 

Visit the department of health's website for more information on their "pouring on the pound" campaign at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/public/dohmhnews8-06.pdf

You are what you drink!

We have all heard the saying you are what you eat, but what about what we drink? Most people don’t realize that many of the beverages we consume provide substantial amounts of empty calories and not enough nutrients. Recently a new initiative has been proposed putting a tax on sweetened beverages, but why? What do these drinks do that has been causing such a commotion among the public health community and why is it of the utmost importance to change?

Popular beverages

Soda



1) Calories
Soda adds empty calories to your diet. This means that soda will not provide any essential nutrients, just sugar.  
EX:  1 can of 120-calorie soda everyday for a year could equal 15 lbs.!


2) Bone health
Dark sodas contain phosphoric acids which is known to interfere with the absorption of vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential part of bone health because it is required for calcium to be absorbed. Therefore, if Vitamin D cannot be utilized calcium will be lost and bone health will suffer the consequences.

Alcohol 

-       Provides 7 calories/ 1g of alcohol

Recommended intake

Men: 2 drinks/day

Women: 1 drink/day

Serving sizes of alcohol are:

12 oz. of beer

5 oz. of wine

1) Increases urine output

Because alcohol is considered a toxin to our bodies it becomes of utmost importance to remove. Therefore, your liver will work at converting the alcohol to something that can be passed out through the urine and your body will continue to do this until it is all removed.

2) Causes dehydration

Because our urine output increases this will excrete many important electrolytes. This imbalance will force the body to become dehydrated. Dehydrations side effects are much similar to a hangover in that you experience fatigue, nausea, headaches, weakness, etc. That’s why the morning after drinking you are very thirsty because your body is trying desperately to obtain that fluid balance again.

3) Converts alcohol to fat

Once metabolized alcohol will:
a) Be converted to fat and stored
b) Stop all other energy burning systems in the body making it nearly impossible to burn the fat that you just consumed. 

*Remember your body has become so concerned with removing these toxins that everything else is secondary. The toll that alcohol can take on the body specifically the liver, hydration status and body fat is quite a powerful one, especially when consumed in excess. Naturally like most things if consumed in moderation alcohol can have potential benefits as well, such as the resveratrol in red wine and the effect it can have on appetite.

High Fructose Corn Syrup in Juices  

-       A diet high in sugar will interrupt energy burning systems in the body by overloading it. Once broken down to its simplest form sugar has one of two fates either energy use if necessary or stored for later if deemed not. Between the energy expenditure deficit and the overload of sugar fat will continue to be stored. Therefore, it is not these drinks that contribute to the obesity epidemic but the overconsumption of them as well as the physical inactivity to burn it.

Moral of the story:
Choose water more often than not. Be an educated consumer and choose your beverages wisely. There is no need to eliminate them but know why they are bad and how they can influence your health. Remember anything you consume whether a solid or liquid contributes calories to your diet, choose those calories wisely! 

Guest Blogger Jillian McKee on: How Proper Diet Can Improve Cancer Recovery

Jillian McKee is a complementary medicine advocate. Since 2009 she has been working with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. She spends much of her time continuing her efforts engaging in outreach programs and continuing to spread the word about alternative medicine and its role on cancer treatment. 

How Proper Diet Can Improve Cancer Recovery

A positive diagnosis for cancer can be an emotionally challenging time for a loved one and their family. While all cancer patients should receive treatment under a certified healthcare provider, a number of steps, such as a nutritious diet, can reduce the risk and progress of some cancers.
It's important to understand how a cancerous growth can propagate inside the human body. Every day thousands of cells in a normal human body become cancerous. Under normal conditions the body is able to eliminate these dangerous cells.
Human cells replicate via a process called mitosis. During mitosis, a cell splits in half and each is an exact copy of its partner. Many things can introduce potential genetic errors when DNA is being copied. Factors such as poor diet, genetics and environmental toxins can increase the risk of transcription errors.
Although a cell with errors will usually die, some are still able to replicate, such as cancerous cells. Cancer has a variety of causes such as one’s environment. For example, mesothelioma is caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers prominent in many work places.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment for cancer, but can cause a variety of negative side effects. Many patients undergoing chemotherapy experience apathy, weight loss, systemic pain, appetite loss, and depression. While many of these side effects cannot be avoided, a proper diet can make a significant impact during one’s recovery phase.
It's important to eat plenty of fresh fruit, lean meat and vegetables. In many cases, chemotherapy reduces functions of the immune system. By eating a diet rich in nutrients and vitamins, it's possible to avoid contracting a secondary sickness.
Many people undergoing cancer treatment can lose up to 40 percent of their body weight. A healthy diet can help one gain weight back during cancer recovery. A great way to do this is by the consumption of healthy fats and high calorie foods. This can include lean meats, dishes with olive oil, and foods containing fish oil. Fish oil has been shown to reduce systemic pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mood.
Cancer can be a challenging time for many people. By following a proper diet, it's possible to boost one's recovery.

To read more of Jillian's article and continued research on diet and cancer treatment visit: 

http://www.mesothelioma.com/blog/authors/jillian/

Raquel's Story

With obesity being one of the most prevalent issues in America, we can’t help but wonder how we got here. Is it the convenience of fast foods? The time to find for exercise, that most of us don’t have? Or the expenses of making healthier food choices? No one knows. Genetics, lifestyle, environment have all been attributed to this epidemic and with all of the new health initiatives why aren’t we seeing a difference?

Raquel Clarke did something that we don’t hear enough about. Instead of going on a fad diet or eliminating carbohydrates, she modified dietary choices and introduced a workout regimen and has since lost 65 lbs.

How did Raquel find the courage, determination and time to completely change her lifestyle around?

It was in January 2012 that Raquel realized a drastic lifestyle change was necessary for her health.

“One day I was heading to work and a very elderly woman, in her late 80's, stopped me with tears in her eyes. She told me I have a pretty face, but that I was too obese! She went on to tell me that her granddaughter died right before she turned 21 because she was almost 300lbs and did not pay attention to the warning signs of her body. Sound familiar? Yeah, imagine how I felt. That woman was sent to me. Her words changed my life. I worked out that night and started my journey.”

These changes weren’t easy Raquel had to fail a few times before she could master the transition. “It took me over 2 years of crying, quitting and trying again to get it right” said the young woman. At first her goals were impractical, she aspired to lose extreme amounts of weight in very short periods of time. After realizing that these goals might be unrealistic she re-evaluated, did some research and started small. She began with a goal of 5 lbs. and every time she reached that goal set it at another 5. That’s when Raquel started seeing results.

Raquel incorporated an intense workout regimen with a healthier diet. Weight gain is defined as caloric intake exceeding that of calories expended through physical activity. When you find a balance between the two is when you will see weight loss or maintenance, depending on your goal.

Her fitness routine consists of 4-6 days a week with “Spin, Zumba, Pilates, Weight Training and Personal Training sessions”. This was very different for someone who once led a strictly sedentary lifestyle. Increasing physical activity is associated with increasing insulin uptake into cells, weight loss, stronger bones, healthier heart and many other benefits.

Her diet consisted of portion control “If it will spill out of the palm of my hand, which is about a cup, then it's too much” said Raquel.  She also increased vegetable intake, drinks more water, eliminated fried foods, fatty meals and soda and admits to occasionally rewarding herself with sweets. Depriving ourselves of our favorite foods will not work, it is moderation that is key when it comes to healthy living. By making these particular changes Raquel began feeling and looking better continuing to fuel her motivation.

Although Raquel has experienced a lot of success already she also endured obstacles that could have hindered her progress. The most difficult one was the lack of support from some of the closest people to her; family and friends.

“I just learned to not care or rely on others. All I ever really need is myself and it took some time to master that. I am in a different state of mind and what other people think or say doesn't phase me anymore. I lost over 60lbs., how many people can say that? I've done some amazing things on my own, I can't let other people deter my success.”

To find success in weight loss and weight maintenance the key is to be mentally prepared to make certain changes. Many diseases are lifestyle related such as lung cancer and smoking, obesity and diet, type 2 diabetes and diet. By making lifestyle changes we can decrease the risk of comorbidities, but it is making these changes and making them permanent that can be the most difficult. Raquel continues to stay motivated because of the results that she sees in her appearance and overall well being. The most rewarding part for her is her newfound love for fitness and how she can be an inspiration for others.

“Through this journey, I have learned that I am a pretty damn strong person. I learned that I have a great deal of self-control, will power and determination. I also learned to accept myself and that no matter how much I try to cover up, people will still see a big girl and that’s OK. I am still learning to take successes and failures in stride and not dwell in the moment!!”

Where is she now?

Raquel is pursing her dream of becoming a dance instructor. She is continuously inspired and motivated by one of her Zumba instructors who has become her “mentor”. Recently Raquel was also given the opportunity to be featured in her new fitness video Zumba Sentao, zumba with a chair.  While continuing to incorporate fitness into her every day life Raquel still works towards better eating as well. Although it is hard work the results are worth the effort, a healthier life.

Looking back, Raquel offers herself some advice preparing for her journey. 

“Old Raquel, prepared to be mocked, misunderstood, hated, laughed at and looked down upon. Small minds cannot comprehend the greatness that you have planned for your future. Take your time, learn, and disregard the negativity.”

Raquel’s story is nothing less than an inspiration. Through her hard work, dedication and determination she has achieved so much. Without the clutch of a fad diet or restricting food groups Raquel proves that a healthier lifestyle can be obtained by moderation and self-control. Today she is working on becoming a dance instructor to continue incorporating fitness into everyday life.

From Raquel:

To the person starting their journey, I leave them with a quote from Earl Nightingale.

“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; We might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.”

To follow Raquel and her future success checkout her blog documenting her journey to a healthier life:

http://sizequelsz.tumblr.com/

Check it out!

I added a new box to the page that has some other great websites I think you should try!!!


< -- Check out the slim kicker app for smart phones and the wake surgical links to the left of this post! Enjoy!

Fuel Up Play 60 NFL Draft Event

   Today I was able to participate in yet another venue in which I got to work with the National Dairy Council and Play 60. Play 60 is a program that aims at introducing at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day into children's routines through professional football players.

   The event took place down town and within 2 days had about 600 students from NY and NJ. I volunteered with the National Dairy Council where we set up a calcium station for the kids to see how important the mineral is. We handed out polly-o string cheeses and of course some free goodies such as: wrist bands, head bands, etc.

  All of the things that goes into making this event happen is ridiculous. You have breakfast, lunches, under armor, other sponsors and volunteer coaches that lead the exercises aside from the players. The main players were the top NFL 2012 draft picks such as: Andrew Luck, Justin Blackmon, Stephon Gilmore, Michael Floyd, etc. It also had some current players such as Osi Umenyiora from the NY Giants and plenty more.

   The event is truly an inspirational one in how it uses the role models to teach the kids the importance of physical activity and overall health. I had a blast and hope to one day have the opportunity to do it again! Check out the pictures below!

Special thanks to the National Dairy Council for the amazing event they put together, Play 60 and to all of the people involved in the organization working towards a healthier future for children!

SCAN's annual symposium in Baltimore 2012

   This past weekend I had the amazing opportunity of attending SCAN's annual symposium in Baltimore, Maryland. For starters I want to say that although I am a Pittsburgh fan, Baltimore was a great city.

My responsibilities entailed being in charge of the silent auction. One of the many amazing opportunities that SCAN offers at it's venue was the funds from the silent auction going towards the graduate research program. I though this was a great way to motivate people to bid on popular books, diets and such from renowned sports dietitians from all over.

On top of all this I got the chance to network with some of the most inspirational people. My favorite part of the weekend was hearing Leslie Bonci speak about recovery foods and preventing inflammation and anti-inflammatory foods. Leslie is such an inspiration juggling all of the teams that she does. She was charismatic, intelligent and super outgoing. When I approached her after her lecture and introduced myself she had remembered me and doing the interview for my blog. I was in awe.

Overall the weekend was a success I got the chance to meet some of the most wonderful people that have further inspired me. I hope to one day be where they are.