Psychic Nutritionist

Psychic Nutritionist phone readings now available

Did you know that people will seek out a psychic, before a nutritionist, and a nutritionist before a dietitian? I recently noticed a trend in seeking out a “psychic nutritionist” and at $2.00 per minute or more, I’m considering changing my title to “ask the psychic nutritionist”

Ellen Burstyn credits a psychic nutritionist with playing a star role in helping her to find herself.

And here is a worthwhile quote:
Maria Esposito, a psychic nutritionist from El Monte and a regular on the #33 bus to downtown L.A. - "You have to be a mind reader to ride the bus in LA. It's the only way to figure out what time your bus is coming or where it's going. Communicating with the dead is easier than digging up a bus schedule in this town."

Superman III had a "psychic nutritionist," Lorelei Ambrosia

And I quote: The key for me was seeing a psychic nutritionist in Los Angeles named Eileen Poole. In my opinion she is the finest psychic nutritionist on the planet. All of her work is done through channeling and not by book knowledge. Following Eileen’s recommendations, using a pendulum to test all of my food, and using a purple Positive Energy Plate to energize my food all have had a highly energizing effect on my body.

Thoughts? Comments?

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by Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE
Visit www.TheMenuCoachChronicles.com or www.IowaAvenue.com for more content like this.
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Rethinking a Day in the Life of an Orlando Dietitian

Last week I spent several days visiting a patient at her home in Orlando near the intersection of Hiawassee and Silver Star, which is located in crime hills, I mean Pine Hills. After I realized I may not be safe, I had my husband drive me to the next visit. The apartment complex was riddled with bullet holes and my husband heard a gun go off.

If you haven’t kept up with the Orlando news lately, crime is out of control. Just read these 2 excerpts from the Orlando Sentinel:

Orlando Crime: "I don't know what happened. There's something in the water. People are killing each other right and left," said Capt. Mike Miller, who until his retirement Nov. 6 was major-case commander at the Orange Sheriff's Office.

At the Medical Examiner's Office, the Orange homicide caseload jumped more than 75 percent, from 89 in 2005 to 156 in 2006, according to a recent report.

At a traditional family gathering, I listened while my brother-in-law, a dispatcher for the Orange County Police, repeatedly advised me not to continue seeing patients at their homes. And if that wasn’t enough to convince me to rethink my home health career, there’s this:

http://www.orlandofloridasucks.com/Orlando_crime.htm

All this brings me to my New Year’s Resolution for 2008:

Take my career as a dietitian to the World Wide Web.

Currently, you will find me at these sites:

The Menu Coach Chronicles http://menucoach.blogspot.com/

Ask the Dietitian at 200 Iowa Avenue A Weight Management Community http://www.iowaavenue.com/profile/askthedietitian

Diana Young, RD, LD/N, CDE http://www.themenucoach.com/

Weight1Minute http://www.weight1minute.com/

Come join me on my new adventure for 2008.

As I always say:

Sometimes you just have to take a leap and grow your wings on the way down.

One Minute "Eat Right" Podcast

Each weekday you can listen to an “Eating Right” podcast provided by Connie Diekman, Registered Dietitian and President of the American Dietetic Association. She presents her one minute tip on living and eating healthy at WBBM Newsradio 780am, Chicago’s #1 source for local news, traffic and weather.

Thanks Connie!

Weight 1 Minute

Weight 1 Minute, I have exciting news. I am now the resident Dietitian at Iowa Avenue - A Weight Management Community. I feel right at home. Come join us. Here is a link straight to my page. Let’s share recipes, our successes, our challenges, and anything else we want to talk about. What are you weighting for?

Diabetes, Diet and the Dietitian

Finding a registered dietitian who is also a certified diabetes educator can make all the difference in your day.

For many people living with diabetes, the hardest part is eating. What used to be something you rarely thought about –– and enjoyed with abandon –– turns into a sometimes laborious job of planning, timing, counting, and resisting. Finding a good dietitian who is trained in all aspects of diabetes can make life much easier and may even be the ticket to managing your disease in the best way possible.

The ABCs of R.D.’s and C.D.E.’s

Here’s something you might not know: Anyone can call himself or herself a nutritionist. There is no legal definition and no centralized registration agency. So if you are considering seeing someone who has hung a shingle with this moniker, check their background and training. On the other hand, a registered dietitian (R.D.) has met academic and professional experience requirements established by a commission of the American Dietetic Association. These requirements include a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with specific course work, as well as an accredited, supervised practice program, similar to a clinical internship. Then, R.D.’s must pass a national examination and meet continuing education requirements to maintain their status. C.D.E. stands for certified diabetes educator. Certification is voluntary, but it is available only to health care professionals with dedicated knowledge and experience educating people with diabetes. Along with other rigorous eligibility requirements, before being certified the educator must have completed at least 1,000 hours of what the certification board calls “diabetes self-management training.”

A New Ally

Your doctor’s office or hospital likely stocks pamphlets and fact sheets on eating and meal planning with diabetes, and you may go home with a folder full. But, as we all know, reading material is no substitute for a knowledgeable, supportive person who can work with you and your individual needs.

“You’re not going to get just a print-out from a dietitian,” says Janis Roszler, R.D., C.D.E., and an advisor to dLife. “An R.D. really knows how to translate your dietary needs into actual practice. For instance, a doctor may say your blood pressure is high and ask you to watch your sodium, but the doctor is not going to tell you how to do that. The dietitian will say, ‘OK, let’s sit down together and go over how you normally eat, and let’s find things that are high sodium that we can substitute.’ ” Dietitians are trained to look at your habits, preferences, and lifestyle and come up with customized and realistic ways for you to change your diet. “They don’t start with a sheet and say, ‘How will you fit in?’” says Roszler. “They start with you and say, ‘How can we move you to the next step?’”

And when that dietitian is also a certified diabetes educator, he or she will have an in-depth knowledge of all areas of diabetes and will be able to advise you on when to take your insulin, when and how to test, and what to watch for as you change your diet or introduce new foods.

Making an Appointment

The easiest way to find an R.D./C.D.E. is through your doctor or hospital, but if you can’t find one in your immediate area, you may want to make a special trip. You can use the dLife Diabetes Locator to find diabetes specialists by location.

Before your appointment, spend some time thinking about your diet. What are your favorite foods –– those which you’d prefer not to live without? What is a typical breakfast for you? Lunch? Dinner? What snacks do you usually eat and when? Be honest and realistic. If you’re a take-out aficionado, a diagnosis of diabetes is not likely to turn you into someone who loves to cook. Your dietitian will want to know how you really live, and will help you strategize so that eating can still be one of life’s great pleasures.

Stolen from DLife's Janis Roszler, RD, CDE

Fat Actress and the 6 Degrees of Separation

If you read the latest tabloid trash, you will find many examples of celebs who have regained their lost weight.


As a Dietitian, it is painful to watch someones weight creeping up on them. They should have consulted a Dietitian, an expert in the prevention of relapse.


Have you heard about the six degrees of separation?

Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that, if a person is one "step" away from each person he or she knows and two "steps" away from each person who is known by one of the people he or she knows, then everyone is no more than six "steps" away from each person on Earth.

Therefore, I am urging everyone that reads this post to tell everyone they know to seek the advice of a Dietitian before, during, and after their attempt at losing weight. If the 6 degrees is true, celebrities will hear about hiring a Dietitian and just maybe we can help them avoid the very public embarrassment of weight gain.

You can contact me at:
menucoach@aim.com

Oprah, Where's the Love?

I've been wondering why Oprah does not have a real dietitian as one of her "friends". Sorry Bob. But I would really like to know the answer to this. I emailed Oprah. I am waiting for a reply.

Kirstie has Jenny Craig. So does Valerie. Rachel has Slimfast. Fergie has Weight Watchers. Nicole had gastric surgery. Courtney had surgery or not. Anna had Trimspa or was it Slimfast? Who knows; who cares. Well, everybody apparently. Janet had gourmet diet foods delivered to her door and a personal trainer.

Again, where's the love? Has anyone heard of a Registered Dietitian?

Dietitian must be a dirty word. Comments appreciated.

January 17, 2008 Update: Looks like I have to eat my words. Yum, they're delicious!

Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer, and Zonya Foco, Dietitian are on a 17-city tour stopping in grocery stores.

Will the Real Nutrition Expert Please Stand Up?

There are many so-called nutrition advisors out there, sometimes it's hard to tell just who is a qualified expert.
From the hottest trendy restaurants to school cafeterias, from corporations to day-care centers, the secret is out. The registered dietitian is recognized as the most valuable source of good nutrition.
Registered dietitians provide reliable, up-to-date food and nutrition information. RDs know the science of nutrition and have the education to back it up.
Many times you will find writers, salesman, and just about anybody calling themselves nutritionists. In reality, they may only be self-proclaimed experts.
When you need trusted, accurate, timely and practical nutrition advice, seek the advice of a registered dietitian, the nutrition expert.

A registered dietitian (RD) is a food and nutrition expert who has met academic and professional requirements including:
Bachelor's degree with course work approved by ADA's Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education. Coursework typically includes food and nutrition sciences, food service systems management, business, economics, computer science, sociology, biochemistry, physiology, microbiology and chemistry.
Complete an accredited, supervised, experiential practice program at a health-care facility, community agency or food service corporation.
Pass a national examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.
Complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.
Some RDs hold additional certifications in specialized areas of practice, such as pediatric or renal nutrition and diabetes education. About half of all registered dietitians work in clinical settings, private practice or health-care facilities. Many work in community and public health settings, academia and research, business, journalism, sports nutrition, and wellness programs.

50 Ways To Leave Your Blubber

The problem is all inside your head
She said to me
The answer is easy if you
Take it logically
I’d like to help you in your struggle
To be free
There must be fifty ways
To leave your blubber


She said it grieves me so
to see you in such pain
I wish there was something I could do
to make you smile again
I said I appreciate that
and would you please explain
about the fifty ways


Well . . . .


1. Definitely, have a plan: 30 day menu challenge

2. Use skim milk and skim milk products instead of 2% or whole milk

3. Bake, broil or grill instead of frying

4. Skip dessert

5. 30 minutes aerobic exercise daily

6. Dance to your favorite music

7. Focus on non-starchy vegetables

8. Include about 25 - 30 grams of fiber a day

9. Drink 8 cups of water a day

10. Decrease alcohol intake to 1-2 servings per day

11. Use fresh fruit instead of canned fruit

12. Skip the bacon, sausage and pancakes at breakfast

13. Eat raw vegetables instead of cooked

14. Skip the salad dressing, use vinegar or lemon juice instead

15. When dining out, share your meal with a friend

16. Order lite beer instead of regular

17. Use smaller plates and bowls

18. Eat slowly, it takes 30 minutes to register that you are full

19. Put your fork down between each bite

20. Skip the caffeine, studies show caffeine increases appetite

21. Skip high sodium foods, which can cause water weight gain

22. Drink diet soda instead of reg. soda, better yet, drink flavored water

23. Get advice from a dietitian http://www.themenucoach.com/

24. Keep a food journal and have it analyzed

25. Avoid convenience foods, eat like your ancestors

26. Eat only when you are hungry

27. Snack on raw vegetables instead of anything else

28. Increase your motivation to lose weight (I'll be posting more on this)

29. If you go out to eat, have a plan

30. Befriend a Dietitian menucoach@aim.com

31. Hire a personal trainer

32. Walk or cycle instead of riding

33. Join a weight management group

34. Park far away and walk to your destination

35. Exercise while watching TV

36. Opt for veggies on your pizza instead of pepperoni and sausage

37. Decrease you cheese intake which is mostly fat and sodium

38. List your motivators, why you want to lose weight, read them daily

39. Walk after each meal

40. Have a plan when attending parties and events

41. Cut your portion sizes in half

42. Tell a friend that will keep you in line

43. Ignore emotional triggers, like boredom, frustration, anger, etc.

44. Cut the mayo and tartar sauce

45. Skip the "I'll start tomorrow" line and start now

46. Make 1 healthy lifestyle change and stick to it for 30 days.

47. Push yourself away from the table

48. If you must eat cake, scrape off the icing.

49. Read my blog and ask me questions

50. Just do it now

TheMenuCoach

Food Journaling 101

If you have never kept a food journal, I encourage you to do so. It can be quite an eye opening experience. The first time I kept a food journal was when I was a teenager. I was shocked at how many calories I actually consumed and was able to keep my slim physique of 110 pounds. Today I am not so lucky. I have to constantly remind myself that what passes the lips sticks to the hips, or stomach in my case. Back then analyzing a food journal was tedious. You had to look up each food item in a book, record your results and add them up. Trust me, it's a very long process. Today Dietitian's are fortunate to have software to analyze a food journal. But you can do it yourself.
First, lets talk about the food journal. One FAQ is: How long do I have to keep a food journal? Food Journals are usually kept for 3 days or longer. But studies have shown that a one day food journal can help you make positive changes in your diet. :) There are only 2 things you need to record in your food journal - every food and beverage item that you put in your mouth and the amount of each item (cups, tsp/tbsp, ounces). That's it. You can also record time, place, who you dined with, activity and mood. But, lets just keep it simple for now.
Now that you have completed your 1 day food journal, you will need it analyzed. A dietitian can do this for you or you can use free software on the net. It's easy. These are the ones I use and recommend and are user friendly: http://nat.crgq.com/mainnat.html or http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/menuplanner/menu.cgi
But if analyzing your food is beyond what you want to do, you can always hire a Dietitian to do it for you.
Happy Food Journaling,
TheMenuCoach

The President's Health and Fitness Initiative

I believe the President says it best, in regards to nutrition:

The President's Recommendations for Improving Nutrition
Eat a Nutritious Diet

Background:
Eating right is vital to promoting health and reducing the risk for death or disability due to chronic diseases such as heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, stroke, and osteoporosis. In fact, it has been estimated that dietary changes could reduce cancer deaths in the United States by as much as 35 percent.
Nevertheless, a large gap remains between recommended dietary patterns and what Americans actually eat. Very few Americans meet the majority of recommendations of the Food Guide Pyramid or the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Only 3 percent of all individuals meet four of the five recommendations for the intake of grains, fruits, vegetables, milk products, and meat and bean food groups. Only one-fourth of U.S. adults eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Unfortunately, poor eating habits are usually established during childhood. And more than 60 percent of young people eat too much fat, and less than 20 percent eat the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.
The Food Guide Pyramid is an outline of what to eat each day, and it calls for a variety of food and nutrients. Fruits and vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals, fiber, and other substances that are associated with good health. Low fat diets rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of heart disease and some types of cancer. Milk products provide protein, vitamins and minerals and are the best source of calcium. However, fats, oils, and sweets provide calories and little else, and should be used sparingly. Drinking enough water is also essential to keeping hydrated, converting food into energy, carrying nutrients through the body, and removing waste.

The President’s Challenge:
Americans can dramatically improve their overall health by making modest improvements to their diets. All Americans can benefit from reducing their fat intake and by working more fruits and vegetables into their daily meals. Every little bit of effort counts:

Eat at least five fruits and vegetables every day. A large number of research studies have shown that higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are related to decreased risk for cardiovascular disease as well as a lower incidence of certain cancers, including lung cancer, cancers of the mouth and pharynx, squamous esophageal cancer, laryngeal cancer, and some colon cancers.

Follow the Food Guide Pyramid and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans in your food choices. Use fruits, vegetables, and grains as the foundation of your meals, and limit your intake of fat and sugar. Foods in one group cannot replace another, nor is one group more important than another. Research studies examining American diets have documented that people who choose foods from all of the Food Guide Pyramid are not only improving their nutrition, but are better able to maintain a healthy weight.

If you are a parent, set good habits for your family by choosing and preparing food in a sensible way. When you shop for groceries, read labels and make wise choices for your family. Prepare foods using as little salt, oil, cholesterol, and fat as possible. Reducing blood cholesterol levels by dietary means has been shown to be effective in decreasing the risk for coronary heart disease. In addition, one study found that reducing saturated fat intake produced a trend towards a decrease in both coronary mortality (21 percent) and total mortality (6 percent).

Eat sensible and moderate portions. You can keep your weight in a healthy range by not overeating and balancing what you eat with the energy you expend. Compare the recommended serving size and portions of the food you prepare with what you actually eat. Be sure to eat appropriate servings to ensure proper vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and proteins are included in your diet.

Promoting Improved Nutrition:

Administration Actions

Enhancing the National 5 A Day for Better Health Program--The Administration is strengthening this program by launching a more coordinated effort between the USDA, CDC, and the National Cancer Institute. The expertise of the science and medical communities will lend valuable support for improving overall nutrition and increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables in the United States to five-to-nine servings every day. The program seeks to inform Americans that eating fruits and vegetables can improve their health and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, the two leading causes of death in the United States.

Promotion of Nutrition Curriculum and Education--The Department of Education (ED), USDA, and HHS are collaborating on a new MOU concerning the promotion of nutritional excellence in school. Just as USDA and HHS assist in the operation of the school lunch programs, these Departments will also provide guidance on good nutrition that can be incorporated into daily classes and lessons on health. Based on a successful program in elementary schools, this joint effort will be expanded to higher grades. The information will help students identify how a healthy meal is planned by using the school lunch as an example and will highlight examples of healthy lunches brought from home.

Eat Smart-Play Hard Campaign--This national nutrition education and promotion campaign is designed by the USDA to convey science-based, behavior-focused, and motivational messages about healthy eating and physical activity to pre-school and school-aged children. The campaign focuses on four basic themes: the importance of breakfast, healthy snacks, physical activity, and balancing what you eat with what you do. The campaign’s primary communication vehicle is Power Pantherä , a spokes-character who conveys nutrition and physical activity messages in a fun and non-threatening way as a peer. Future projects in this campaign include Spanish language materials, an interactive web site with an expanded children’s page, public service announcements, and a multi-year development and promotion plan.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/fitness/chapt4.html