"Fuel your body...Delight your senses"
Stephanie Brina-Herres, MS, RD, CDN
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Jul
10
2012
Tomatoes qualify as a very popular non-starchy “vegetable” (even if they are botanically a “fruit” per se) based on per capita consumption in the USA, second only to potatoes.
Year 2005 data from USDA noted tomato consumption from various sources, including primarily canned & frozen, as well as some fresh, to be close to 100# of farm weight/per person/per year.
The next closest non-starchy vegetable category item, carrots, was noted to have consumption levels at just above 10# of farm weight/per person/per yr.
(Different Tomatoes 2 graphic courtesy of salsachica at rgbstock.com)
What contributes to the wild popularity of tomato products?
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Jul
3
2012
We’ve discussed the importance of eating food choices from the “rainbow of color” options out there, but some readers wrote in asking for even more specifics than we have previously listed in various blog posts.
Although within the US we have moved from using a model of a food guide pyramid to using a model of a plate to encourage healthful choices in dining, there are still some useful pyramid options out there.
(Fresh Produce on Display in Taormina, Sicily, Italy, graphic courtesy of Betty H)
The “Mediterranean Diet” (general Mediterranean style dietary intake as part of a total lifestyle) visualized as a food guide pyramid is one example; and an anti-inflammatory pyramid popularized by Dr. Andrew Weil is another example.
For infotainment purposes only, we’ll share some anti-inflammatory food item options in the following listing, which is by no means all-inclusive, but should give you the gist of the breadth and depth of wonderful food source options that have been reported to have some anti-inflammatory properties. A dietetic colleague, John S. Pasztor, MPH, RD, CDE, over at the The Regional Diabetes and Endocrine Center, Cape Fear Valley Health System, gladly shares another version of a list from 2009 with his patients and with members of a dietetic practice group one of us belongs to.
We have used for inspiration bits and pieces of various skeleton listings out there and then come up with our own fleshed out infotainment version, subject to change/further updating, which follows. Research is ongoing and some items will show up on one list, but not another, in various reviews of research, so realize the list* is always subject to modification/updating as newer research results are reported and older results further clarified.
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Jun
26
2012
It’s summertime around the USA.
That means a plethora of fresh herbs, vegetables and also some fresh fruits for consumers to enjoy can be found in various Farmer Markets, State & local Fairs, road side stands, community & backyard & sideyard vegetable gardens, grocery stores, convenience stores including bodegas, as well as push carts, food trucks, etc.
In certain instances even area food banks and food pantries are lucky enough to receive some of nature’s abundance to be shared with others.
How can you find out what produce options will be available in your locale during any given month?
(Image source: University of MN Extension Farm to School Toolkit, Vermont Guide to Using Local Food, pg 85 of 116)
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May
3
2012
Fame.
It influences people, whether members of the public are willing to admit that or not. Fame allows others to get their message out and have the opportunity for it to possibly be heard.
RDs have been trying to convince people for decades that taking “small steps” when it comes to eating real food and changing food buying, storage, preparation and eating patterns do matter–that they can really make a HUGE collective difference in people’s lives when all those small steps are added together. Yet many people have simply either ignored/tuned out the RDs in far too many instances, or have not felt strongly enough influenced to give the approach a solid effort and learn how success breeds success.
(Spices photo courtesy of Assiewin via rgbstock.com and a reminder that appropriately using vibrantly colored and flavored herbs & spices can often contribute in 10 minutes or less to the flavor of so many food items when cooking real food).
Well, now some “celebrity chefs” are using their FAME to say some of the same things RDs have said for decades, and who knows, maybe now some more members of the public will listen?!
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May
1
2012
Warmer weather usually means more rain storms and thus the potential for more rainbows as well.
Virtually all of us should be aiming to consume a “Rainbow of Color” from nature’s color wheel when it comes to fruits & veggies.
There are many health benefits associated with the colors of the rainbow nature so graciously provides, and particularly for those discussing prostate cancer prevention, incidence & progression, treatment, and survivorship as noted in the 4 part series we started late last month and will be continuing with this month.
Beyond their beneficial vitamin content, consider the rich antioxidant & anti-inflammatory content of some deeply colored fruits & vegetables.
How familiar are you with nature’s rainbow of fruits & veggies when it comes to matters of prostate cancer and actually overall health for anyone?
(Photo of basket of organic vegetables courtesy of Dahlia via rgbstock.com).
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Apr
10
2012
Ah, spring time is in the air in some parts of the country.
Spring time makes us think of existing or upcoming Farmers Markets and their wonderful, fresh, local bounty that is available to any & all consumers willing to make the extra effort to shop there.
(Photo of flowering peach tree courtesy of Berenika at rgbstock.com)
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) though its Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) has a website for its USDA AMS Farmers Market awareness program. USDA would like to make it easier for those living in the USA to shop in Farmers Markets.
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