A Dietitian's View

January 26, 2012

The America's Test Kitchen Healthy Family Cookbook

By the editors at America's Test Kitchen, America's Test Kitchen, 2010. Hardcover. $35; 520 pages

This comprehensive collection of 800+ family and global favorites helps put healthy eating in an everyday context, from meat loaf to Indian curry with chicken. Whole grains and vegetables abound, dishes use leaner cuts of meat, and portion sizes are sensible.

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January 23, 2012

Quinoa Salad

1/2 cup quinoa
1 cup water
1 bunch flat leaf parsley, washed and chopped
4 Persian cucumbers, seeded and diced
2 medium tomatoes, diced
1 ripe, but slightly firm avocado, diced
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

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January 19, 2012

What's the Difference? Doctor and Dietitian Titles

Finding the right medical expert can be one of the most frustrating aspects of health care. Osteopathic physicians are medical doctors (M.D.s), for example, but not all M.D.s are osteopathic physicians. Meanwhile, all dietitians are nutritionists, but not all nutritionists are dietitians. Huh?

To help break this down, here's an overview of the distinctions between four commonly used -- and misunderstood -- health care titles.

Osteopathic physician versus medical doctor

The problem: You've got a sore throat and are considering seeing a primary care doctor who has a "D.O." after her name. Is this a legitimate credential?

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January 16, 2012

Enchilada Casserole

Make a hearty, healthy Mexican casserole the whole family will enjoy. Substitute ground turkey and chicken broth instead of beef, if desired.

YIELD: Serves 4 (serving size: 1 wedge)

1 pound ground sirloin
1 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup fat-free, lower-sodium beef broth
1 tablespoon 40%-less-sodium taco seasoning mix (such as Old El Paso)
1 (8-ounce) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
4 (8-inch) whole-wheat flour tortillas
1/3 cup (1 1/2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers

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January 12, 2012

Resolutions for the New Year

If you plan to make New Year's resolutions, you're not alone. According to The Barna Group survey, over 90 million Americans will kick off 2011 with a New Year's resolution. So what's the key to keeping a resolution? Just follow a few simple steps. Make goals simple, specific and within reach. Small changes that can reasonably be made throughout the year are the easiest to keep. According to the Marist poll, of the Americans making New Year's Resolutions, over 50% plan some type of healthy lifestyle change.16% intend to "lose weight" and 8% to "exercise more," so diet plays a key role in reaching these goals. To get off to a healthy start for 2012, consider these easy, nutritious New Year's Resolutions:

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January 9, 2012

Go Ahead: Go Nuts!

Nuts are high in calories and fat, but they offer some significant health benefits.

Walnuts
185 calories per ounce (14 nut halves)
Lowers breast cancer risk in animal studies.

Sunflower seeds
165 calories per ounce (about 1/4 cup)
Lowers LDL cholesterol

Almonds
169 calories per ounce (22 nuts)
Reduces insulin resistance and LDL cholesterol

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January 5, 2012

Broccoli Rabe Saute

2 bunches broccoli rabe
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
2 Tbsp pine nuts, toasted

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January 4, 2012

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

The American Dietetic Association, the world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, has officially changed its name to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The change took effect January 1. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has been in existence since 1917 as the American Dietetic Association, after working to feed the troops healthfully during World War I.

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January 2, 2012

Consumer Reports Survey on Diets

When we diet, most of us eat more fruits and vegetables, many choose an established weight loss program, and one in four of us gets some help from a smartphone app.

Those are some of the results from a recent ConsumerReports.org survey of 3,201 subscribers who shared their experiences about becoming more healthy. With a few days left until you begin your new year's resolutions to lose weight, get in shape and feel good in 2012, perhaps some of these enlightening tidbits will help steer you in the right direction.

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December 29, 2011

Staying Fit Through the Holidays

With all those parties, tempting foods and travel, it can be a challenge to stick with your fitness program during the holidays. But doing so can give you extra energy and help you get a good start on a healthful new year.

Here's some advice:

When packing for a trip, include an elastic resistance band so you can do strength-training exercises when you're not at the gym. You might also consider buying a new fitness DVD for your trip so that you can have fun trying something new.

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