Sodium Shakedown: The Next Major Nutrition Public Health Push

hi all, I'm back from maternity leave now and planning to blog more frequently. So let's get this started! SODIUM SHAKEDOWN It seems that the next major nutrition-focused public health push is going to be dietary sodium intake reduction. Major food manufacturers and even restaurants are beginning to reformulate foods and recipes in order to bring down those sodium milligrams. That's a good thing. Generally, Americans eat FAR more milligrams of sodium than recommended. The CDC reports that 10 foods are responsible for nearly half of the sodium that Americans consume. These foods are: Breads and rolls, Luncheon meats such as deli ham and turkey, Pizza, Poultry, Soups, Cheeseburgers and other sandwiches, Cheese, Pasta dishes, Meat dishes, Snack foods including chips, pretzels, and popcorn. For more on this topic, check out WebMD's summary article at: http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20120207/bread-and-other-common-foods-top-list-sodium-culprits I always like to focus on what you SHOULD be eating instead of what you shouldn't be eating. So, with that focus in mind, make sure to choose plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and un-processed foods. How can you do that? Eat at home more frequently, make more "from scratch," read labels for sodium to help you make choices at the grocery store. Why should you care about your sodium intake? It's primarly about your ticker and your noggin, people. Too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure and too much blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke. Be well. Skip the drive-through and spend that extra time to make a meal tonight.

15th Annual Black History Month Luncheon

The 15th Annual Black History Month Luncheon is being held tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb 8th, 2012, at Plaza Cafe on Revelle College. The featured lunch is served from 11am-2pm and the special Program is from 12pm-1:30pm. UC San Diego students, staff, faculty and the public are invited to enjoy a taste of African-American culture through home-cooked soul food, inspiring entertainment, and so much more! Mistress of Ceremonies: Dr. Renee Barnett Terry Featured Performers: Gary Bias - Grammy Award-Winning Saxophonist with Earth, Wind & Fire Matt Falker - Jazz Pianist & Vocalist Higher Authority - Female Gospel Group Tam Tam Mandingue USA - African Drum& Dance Troupe SD School of Creative & Performing Arts - Dance Theotis Duncan - Singing The Black National Anthem Visit http://hdh.ucsd.edu/bhm/ for more information or contact Davell Jackson-Brown at dajacksonbrown@ucsd.edu or 858-534-0236.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Thank you for your patience with less-frequent posts during the past 3 months while I've been on maternity leave. Starting in February, you will be seeing more regular blog posts from the Real Deal. If you have nutrition questions or suggestions for topics that you'd like to see covered in upcoming blog posts, please email me at rmcdivitt@ucsd.edu . I'm looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and re-joining the healthy-eating community at UC San Diego! Becky

All-Vegan Roots Restaurant NOW Open!

Have you heard the buzz about Roots restaurant on Muir College? It's an entirely vegan restaurant located below Pines in Stewart Commons. Roots is now open and ready to serve you some awesome vegan fare. You're not vegan? Not vegetarian? Who cares! The food at Roots is delicious and can be enjoyed by omnivores as well. Come by Mon-Thu 11a-8p or Fri from 11a-4p. http://hds.ucsd.edu/DiningHours/#roots

Favorite Health Blogs of 2011

Happy 2012! Before setting my sights to the new year, I'd like to take a quick look back at my favorite blogs of 2011. The blogosphere is a crowded place and it is necessary to exercise caution when taking advice from health-related blogs. Here are some blogs that rose above the rest in my opinion (and in no particular order): 1. Mayo Clinic's "Nutrition-wise Blog" I mean, the Mayo Clinic rocks. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/MY00431/TAB=expertblog 2. Nutrition Blog Network This blog intends to help consumers mine through the vast numbers of nutrition blogs out there by picking out some of the most interesting posts - it's maintained by registered dietitians. 3. Fit to Eat This blog is by Christine Rosenbloom, a professor emerita of nutrition at Georgia State. She didn't post as frequently as I'd like in the latter part of 2012 but everything she posts is of high quality. Here's hoping she posts more in 2012! 4. Stuft Mama Family Fitness Blog Disclaimer: I am friends with this blogger, Kristin Stehly, who is the owner of Stuft Fitness and an all-around amazing athlete. She has run marathons while pushing her twins in a double stroller, people! Her blog has great info about her own food favorites, workout tips and heart-warming personal experience anecdotes. http://stuftmama.com/ Happy New Year, everyone! Here is to a fantastic 2012 full of food, family, friends, fitness and fun.

Healthy Holiday Tips

The holidays have come on quickly, haven't they!? I feel that it was just Halloween and now here we are a few days before Christmas.

The holidays are joyful, stressful and almost certainly filled with challenges to your healthy lifestyle. There are extra sweets and fun holiday foods around and there seems to be much less time for exercise. When you combine extra calories consumed, fewer calories burned and the short December days, it can lead to weight changes and more stress.

So, how do you stay healthy during the holidays?

Try some of these tips:
1. Eat at regular intervals - meaning, do not skip a meal because you are going to a party later in the day and want to eat a bunch of goodies there. Eat normally prior to going to the party so that you're not ravenous by the time you get to sample your favorite treats - this will help prevent over-indulging.
2. If time is an issue, exercise in shorter bouts. Sometimes we get hung up on not having enough time to get in our "full workout," but it's better to squeeze in a 20-minute jog than to skip it entirely.
3. Watch the booze - alcohol not only has plenty of calories, it can also increase our appetite and lowers our resolve to eat healthfully. And, of course, never drink and drive. Be safe.
4. Remember your year-round strategies for healthy eating:
eat lots of fruits and veggies, stay hydrated, eat slowly and so on

Check out this article on 10 Strategies to Prevent the Holiday Bulge: http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/10_Strategies_to_Prevent_the_Holiday_Bulge.htm

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, all the best to you and yours!

The Importance of Being Well Fed

Dining Services locations will be open at 7am from Dec 5-9th for Early Bird breakfast hours. You should eat prior to taking your early morning finals -

If you're not convinced, check out this article:

Does Eating Breakfast Affect the Performance of College Students on Biology Exams? Gregory W. Phillips at Blinn College

http://amcbt.indstate.edu/volume_30/v30-4p15-19.pdf

Ok, I know, it's finals week and the last thing you want to do is read an article that won't be on your test! So here is the gist: in this study, the college students who ate breakfast had a higher pass rate than those who did not eat breakfast.

Booyah.

EAT BREAKFAST!

Good luck on your finals!