Glycemic Index (GI) measures how much a fifty gram portion of carbohydrate raises a person’s blood sugar level compared to a control. In 1981 it was originally developed as a tool to help Diabetics help manage blood sugar control.   Now more people are familiar with the GI as it is cited in popular ‘fad’ diets such as the South Beach Diet.   The GI ranges from 0-100.   An index less than 55 symbolizes a low GI food, 56-69 is a moderate GI food and any food that has a GI score greater than 70 is considered a high GI food.   The lower the GI the better as it is suggested that the rate of absorption and digestion is slower, therefore allowing an individual to feel fuller longer.   Higher GI foods tend to rapidly release into the bloodstream and are broken down quickly, leaving one feeling hungry shortly after consumption. It is thought that low GI foods can control appetite and weight and also be useful for Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes.   Research i...

A big conversation piece is the concern for what is in our food.   Recently a topic of conversation was specifically about milk.   Surely, those of you with kids have also heard grumblings about the bovine growth hormone added to milk. Is this safe?   Is it responsible for early induced periods and maturing in females? What about weight?   Research on the questions above turned out to be not so impressive but some of my research provided information worth sharing. The bovine growth hormone is a genetically engineered form of a natural hormone in cows and when injected is thought to increase milk production up to 15%.   This hormone, or bGH, was approved by the FDA in 1993 and in use throughout the US by 1994.   From the start, the Consumer’s Union warned against hazards of bGH.   It is banned in Canada and Europe as well as boycotted by 95% of the US dairy farmers. Also of note, bGH went to market without pre market safety tests. Cows inje...

I’ve heard it all.    I have to have McDonalds, Bojangles Bo-Berry Biscuits, Dairy Queen, Haagan Daaz, or a milkshake.   These are just a few things clients, friends and families need while pregnant and reward themselves with for creating a life in the womb.  Sounds really good doesn’t it and what the heck you need the extra calories because you are creating a life for Pete’s sake! What if I told you that your body only requires 300 additional calories a day when pregnant? That’s right, only 300 calories a day.   Are you shocked? Focuses on food choices should be on folate which helps prevent neural tube defects and abnormalities with the brain and spinal cord.   Your body also needs calcium to provide strong bones and teeth for your child.   If you aren’t eating enough calcium for yourself, it will be stripped from your bones to provide for your child.   Iron is very important as well and basically you need adequate iron to make your ch...

I was reading the ‘cliff notes’ of a study by Susan Terwilliger, clinical associate professor at Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton University just the other day.   The study reviewed 3 rd and 4 th graders in four different schools and came to the conclusion that 70% of children drank two to five sweetened drinks a day, 85% watched two to five hours of TV a day, and 42% ate two or more fast food meals a day.   The observation from Terwilliger is that the results of this study prove to be consequences of decisions made and her thought is that parents and schools are to blame.   My experience with school lunch programs dates back to the 1990’s where I consulted and analyzed the nutrient contents of school breakfasts and lunches for a particular state.   The schools in the entire state failed miserably. Fat percentages were above 40% of the total meal, the choices were processed and refined with little nutritional value, and often there were little choices ...

How am I going to add one more thing to my plate?   I really don’t have time to stop what I’m doing and write down everything I’m eating and drinking.  I get it.   You’re busy, you’re frustrated. All you want to do is lose weight, but you just can’t add one more task to your plate.   Let me stop you right here.   Have you bought any weight loss books?   How about cookbooks, how many of these have you purchased?   Have you joined a gym in the past or currently?   Have you started yoga or zumba?   Did you recently buy weights, an ab roller, or thigh master?   What is all this costing you, has it worked, and if it did work did you sustain the weight loss?   My guess is for most that even if it worked you weren’t able to sustain the weight loss leading to more frustration and less money in your savings. This is why the food diary is a great tool for you.   It’s evident you want to make a change.   You’ve made it a priori...

I started hearing grumbles about this back in 2009 as part of the health reform bill and was elated to see this bill was passed into law March 23, 2010.   We are now seeing more information published on this law and it looks like the National Calorie Labeling Law will affect restaurants that have twenty or more locations nationwide.   The restaurants will require calories to be listed on menus and menu boards as well as a statement including recommended daily intake.   This law takes into effect the second half of 2012; however some states such as New York City , California , and Philadelphia are already abiding to the national law second to state laws previously passed.    Research estimates one third of American’s eat away from home, and that children specifically eat twice the amount of calories in a restaurant verse their home.   Will calories on menus influence your decision on what you order for yourself or your children? The NPD marketing g...