Food Trends for 2010

December 1, 2009 at 1:58 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , , ,

Just like fashion, food also has an “in” and an “out” list every year, obviously driven by consumers. Looking back at 2009, there was a lot of focus on recession-friendly foods – both comfortable and affordable, such as peanut butter and breakfast-for-dinner. There was a continued interest in super foods like acai, pomegranate, and mangosteen. Also, it would have been difficult to get through this year without noticing the surge in the locavore trend and increased consciousness around food sustainability. The film Food, Inc., the ever-increasing popularity of the farmer’s market, as well as local food justice movements, are showing us that locavore is more of a mind shift than a food trend.

So what can we expect for 2010? Mintel, a consumer, media, and market research firm, predicts that the Indian spice cardamom will be springing up in lots of unexpected places such as chocolate, for example. The seeds can be ground into a powder or the pods can be used whole. Cardamom is often used to flavor Chai tea. Other flavors to expect more of include hibiscus, rose water, and cilantro. A newish superfruit growing in popularity is cupuacu, a relative of cocoa and native to Brazil. Epicurious is expecting a revival of the potluck, which is a great way to entertain on a budget. Phil Lempert of FoodWeek Online predicts a “less is more” approach to food. A push for simple and natural ingredients has driven products such as Haagen-Dazs Five, which contains just five ingredients.

People across the country (& the world) are becoming increasingly interested in the origin of their food, how it’s made, and how to be healthier. Eating on a budget is a reality and so is trying new and exciting foods and restaurants. So, next time you are at the market, pick up some whole cardamom pods and spice up your new year.

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Drink Starbucks to Support the Global Fund to Fight Aids in Africa

November 30, 2009 at 7:38 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ,

To make a difference on World AIDS Day, Tuesday, December 1, 2009, Starbucks will donate 5 cents to The Global Fund for every beverage sold. The Global Fund is an international financing institution that supports large-scale prevention, treatment, and care programs against AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Stop by Starbucks tomorrow to pick up a warm beverage and support this important cause.

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Breast Cancer Prevention: What to Eat?

November 17, 2009 at 5:30 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Today the United States Preventive Services Task Force, an influential group that provides insight to physicians, policy makers, and insurance companies, relased new guidelines recommending that women should start regular breast cancer screening at 50, not 40. The guidelines also state that women 50 to 74 should have mammograms every 2 years, not each year. However, the guidelines do not apply to women with risk factors for breast cancer. The new guideline recommendations, which were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, are likely to cause a stir and a controversy over breast cancer screening because they reverse current longstanding and more aggressive guidelines.

It appears that new studies show that early and aggressive breast cancer screening is not efficient. So what is? Nutrition plays an important role in preventing breast cancer. Diet, alcohol consumption, and body weight are all associated with breast cancer risk. Limiting alcohol intake and maintaining a healthy weight help reduce your risk.

Studies have shown that women who go from eating a traditional Chinese diet to a typical Western diet increase their risk for breast cancer by 60 percent. Studies suggest that foods to avoid to prevent breast cancer include excess processed meats, sweets, and refined carbohydrates. The Mediterranean diet, high in fish, healthy oils, and vegetables; and low in meat and processed foods, is considered protective against both heart disease and cancer. Additional foods that are protective against breast cancer include:

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale

Green Tea, which contains a lot of antioxidants called polyphenols

Apples and apple cider, which contain a flavonoid called quercetin

Pomegranates, a “superfruit” rich in polyphenols

Complements of oregonlive.com

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Solution for Dry Skin

November 9, 2009 at 11:19 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Dropping temperatures and winter weather bring common complaints about dry and itchy skin. Though lotions and potions may be helpful to keep the dryness at bay, healthy skin often starts from the inside out. Omega-3 fats are important for the production of healthy skin cells and hair and nail growth. Other skin-related condition that show some improvement with omega-3 fats include eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

Studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids from foods may be better absorbed than when taken in the form of a supplement. Foods that are significant sources of omega-3 fats include: flaxseed, salmon, walnuts, mustard seeds, oregano, broccoli, cabbage, and halibut. Experts from the National Institutes of Health recommend that 2% of calories consumed daily should come from omega-3 fatty acids. For the average adult this is about 4 grams of omega-3s, easily obtained from 2 tbsp of flaxseeds plus 4 ounces of salmon.

Photo Courtesy of Sunset.com

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The Super Green List: Sustainable and Healthy Seafood According to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

October 21, 2009 at 6:09 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has released a Super Green List. Seafood on the this list meet the following three criteria: 1) low levels of contaminants, 2) the daily minimum of omega-3 fatty acids (at least 250 mg per day), 3) classified as a Seafood Watch “Best Choice”. Common seafood contaminants include metals, industrial chemicals, and pesticides. The Monterey Bay Aquarium with collaborated efforts from the Harvard School of Public Health and the Environmental Defense Fund identified the following list of seafood to be good for human health while not harming our oceans:

The Best of the Best- The Green List (October 2009)

Albacore Tuna (USA or British Columbia)

Mussels (farmed)

Oysters (farmed)

Pacific Sardines (wild caught)

Pink Shrimp (wild caught, from Oregon)

Rainbow Trout (farmed)

Spot Prawns (wild caught, British Columbia)

Other Healthy “Best Choices”

Arctic Char (farmed)

Bay Scallops (farmed)

Crayfish (farmed, USA)

Dungeness Crab (wild caught, California, Oregon, Washington)

Longfin Squid (wild caught, USA Atlantic)

Pacific Cod (long-line caught, Alaska)

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9 Money Saving Grocery Shopping Tips

October 19, 2009 at 12:19 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged ,

When both time and money are tight it can be challenging to eat well. Getting organized with a good shopping list is the first step to sticking to your healthy eating goals. Here are some tips to creating the perfect grocery shopping list:

1. Visualize your walking path in the market and arrange your list by store department.

2. Keep a running list on the fridge so when you notice you are out of something, you can add it to the list right away.

3. Before heading to the store check online for any sales or coupons.

4. Plan meals for the week ahead of time so you don’t have to make multiple trips to the store.

5. Involve the entire household. A useful strategy for picky eaters is to engage them in food item selection and meal planning.

6. Include items in your list that will help you plan additional meals with leftovers. For example, add slices of leftover steak to an arugula and tomato salad with herb vinaigrette.

7. Try to shop when you are not hungry and have a few extra minutes. Having an empty stomach and a rushed mentality with likely lead to unhealthy food choices and impulse buys.

8. Be flexible. If the store is out of an item you planned for or a comparible item is on sale, last minute changes to the shopping list can help save money and frustration.

9. Try something new. Sometimes a splurge on a new or unusual item is a great way to broaden your food preferences.

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What is “the fat gap”?

October 14, 2009 at 9:07 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

The newly coined term ” the fat gap” refers to the skewed perception of what constitutes a healthy weight. Rising obesity rates across the globe are blurring the social perception of body image and weight. When your family is overweight and your friends are overweight, all of a sudden it becomes “normal” to be overweight. At least that’s what research studies are telling us. When those around us are above their ideal weight and overeating, awareness of what is healthy declines and those who are overweight or even obese become less astute to their own physical condition.

For example, consider the fashion industry. A size 12 dress from the 1950s is approximately equal to today’s size 8 in department stores, according to Renee Strauss of Renee Strauss For the Bride, a bridal boutique in Beverly Hills, CA. Although some veins of the fashion industry, such as bridal and formal wear, adhere to pre- WWII size charts, mainstream clothing retailers are increasing clothing sizes (without changing the size number) to keep up with the expanding public waistline.

With growing clothing sizes as well as portion sizes, the gap has swelled between what is perceived as a normal or healthy weight and what actually is ideal for wellness and longevity. Interventions like the LEAN ACT, which would require chain restaurants and other food service establishments to post calorie content of each menu item directly on the menu, may help to restore awareness. Ask a registered dietitian or your physician what is your ideal body weight range.

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Are You Pouring On the Pounds?

October 13, 2009 at 4:28 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

The Health Department in New York City is taking a bold approach to combat obesity and teach New Yorkers about the health impact of sweetened beverages. It’s true, sweetened drinks add hundreds of empty calories to your diet without making you fill satisfied. The campaign’s multilingual health bulletin will run through November 2009.

The bulletin features an image of a bottle of soda pouring into a glass and as the liquid reaches the glass it turns into blobs of very unattractive fat. This picture next to the words “Are You Pouring On the Pounds?” is a much needed reminder of the added sugar and unnecessary calories provided by sweetened beverages. Reducing the intake of extra calories from sweetened tea and coffee, soda, sports drinks, and fruit drinks is an important step in weight control and tackling the obesity epidemic in both adults and children.

Here is a chart illustrating the portion size, calories, and teaspoons of sugar in common beverages:

Thanks for reading!

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Watch Me on KTLA News Discussing the Health Concerns of a Controversial Energy Drink

October 2, 2009 at 10:16 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

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Autumn Pantry Makeover

September 30, 2009 at 10:05 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

It is easy to procrastinate when it comes to implementing health-related goals. Instead of facing change head on many people put it aside, at least until December 31st when commitments to new year’s resolutions are created. But why wait until 2010 to eat well when now is a better time than ever?

Summer is gone and Autumn is coming into full swing. As you read this you may think of the shorter days and evening sunlight waning. Record high temperatures are being replaced by cooler evenings and even chillier mornings. In Los Angeles the season change is subtle, but we even notice it here. With changing seasons comes the need to rethink food and eating habits. Local seasonal produce has shifted from stone fruit, melon, and farmer’s market fresh corn to heirloom apples, winter squash, and pomegranates. So what can be done to make healthy eating choices now?

Here are 5 tips to makeover your pantry and get a jump start on a better diet:

1. Throw out old bottles of store bought salad dressing. Opt to create your own homemade dressing with a good oil, vinegar, lemon juice, a dash of salt and pepper, and maybe some Dijon mustard or minced garlic for a kick. Use a ratio of two parts oil to one part vinegar/lemon juice and customize as you like.

2. Toss out old herbs and spices that have been sitting around for over a year, especially if they have an old musty smell. Try using fresh spices like cardamom, ground cumin, fennel seed, fresh ginger, and dried chilies.

3. When unable to find certain fresh veggies, choose frozen instead of canned. Because frozen vegetables enter this state close to their peak of freshness they actually retain more nutritional quality than canned varieties. They can be thrown into a stir-fry, added to a rice dish, or pureed with some lemon and seasoning for a nice spread or dip.

4. Choose genuine and whole grains like barley, quinoa (so yummy!), bulgur (so fast!), rolled oats, and short grain brown rice. Forget the lifeless boil-in-a-bag types.

5. Stock up on nutrient dense and tasty items like walnuts, olives, dried mushrooms, sweet potatoes, dried beans, whole wheat pasta, and tahini.

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