I was reading an interesting article recently, written by practicing physician Dr. Adams in Baltimore, that discussed many of the main themes of the public health crisis and the role that food marketing and lobbying plays in our national health crisis.  Nothing I haven't heard, read, or discussed before, but I enjoyed this particular article because he was genuinely pissed off.  

And I really don't blame him.  As health care professionals why aren't more of us this upset over the suppressive role that big food plays in government policy and agricultural subsidies, or the convenient role that fast food companies play in sponsoring health oranizations.  To steal a word from him, this "diabesity" crisis only continues to grow, which in turn burdens our health care system and government further.

RD Critique

He is critical of dietitians in this article for touting portion control as a critical means to weight control.  I can respect his frustrations with this but have to say, that is a very broad stroke analysis of what a Registered Dietitian does.  

Media outlets have RDs on television/radio/print media to help get across a wide array of nutrition messages (a common one being portion control - because it works), so yes often times it all seems simpler than it should be.  Where the rubber hits the road is when an RD can develop an ongoing therapeutic relationship with a client/patient and be part of the support system that helps them develop healthy eating patterns.

Nobody develops obesity overnight, so that is where continuity of care and insurance reimbursement are important.  The role of the RD is that of health expert that can help explain physiological concepts and answeres questions on food and digestion, physical activity, exercise, and chronic disease management.  As a dietitian I also see it as my role to be the obejctive eye for the client and help them see their own patterns of food intake.  

So Dr. Adams, fight alongside me to stop the subsidies of big agriculture, and improve CMS and private insurance reimbursement for RD services.

It's that time of the year (at least up here in the tri-state area) where spring is palpable, new years resolutions are long forgotten, and the warmer weather is motivating people to get outside and get in shape for the impending summer.  Maximizing fruits and vegetables is important for that slim-down because they are volume-filling, provide a variety of fantastic nutrients, and help to maintain hydration.  Combine that with lean sources of protein and it will help the energy from that meal last even longer.

With What Foods?Personal photo from a summer night last year. It was one of those obscenely hot days where one could only imagine eating something hydrating for dinner. And it was delicious. [@whitneyba Instagram]

Try to pack some of these foods into your diet over the coming months to feel good all spring and summer long!

Watermelon, Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Cucumber - these fruits/veggies have a very high water content (all are above 90%) and also provide nutrients like vitamin C and potassium

   *Tip: Use cucumber slices to replace crackers while snacking with low fat cheese

Summer Squash, Zuccini, Peppers, Onions - practically a variety pack of nutrients, slice up these veggies and throw them on the grill with your spices of choice for a low-calorie base to almost any meal

Oranges, Grapefruit, Citrus - no more juice! fresh cut citrus can be ever-so refreshing, so load up on nutrients while enjoying these straight from the fruit bowl or cut up and leave in refrigerated water overnight for a healthy flavor-infused alternative to water

Frozen Berries and Grapes - a great snack when you're craving something sweet, these frozen fruits are filled with anitoxidants to fight off those free radicals

Greek Yogurt - with a high protein content and low fat content, greek yogurt is creamy and delicious while maintaining that envious nutrition facts profile (yes it's what we RDs check out - every time)

Grilled Chicken - it never hurts to cook up a little extra chicken to have slices to pair with almost anything for a great snack or to complete a meal (spritzed with balsamic and thrown on a lettuce salad, mixed in with quinoa and diced veggies, with some light ranch and cucmbers as a snack, oh the list goes on...)

Now go enjoy these foods and share any creative tips for incorporating healthy into the everyday!

I think that the first line of defense when it comes to eating fruits and vegetables is... you guessed it, actually eating them.  About 12% of American adults are eating the recommended 2 cups of fruits daily and 18% of American adults are eating the recommended 3 cups of vegetables daily (based on NHANES data).  It looks like we have a little bit of work to do.

Now that said, there is a growing market for organic, pesiticide-free, preservative-free, locally-grown, and/or grown with sustainable agriculture practices.  We eat for a lot of different reasons and one of them is certainly ingredient quality.  The Environmental Working Group reveals that we can reduce pesticide intake by approximately 80% by eliminating the twelve fruits/vegetables with the highest rate of pesticides.  

This is especially important for parents to employ with their growing children as the intake of chemicals is higher per kilogram for children.  That difference in concentration in the body can have an impact on health.

Take Home Messages

• If you can afford it, and if it matters to you, try to select organic alternatives for the 'Dirty Dozen'.  
• Don't waste your food dollars on buying organic for the 'Clean Fifteen'.  
• Always wash your fresh produce.
• Label-reading Tip: PLU codes found on the produce reveal growing practice
  • 4-digit code = conventionally grown
  • 5-digit code starting with 8 = Genetically Modified Organism
  • 5-digit code starting with 9 = Organic

The Dirty Dozen

• celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, sweet bell peppers, spinach, kale and collard greens, cherries, potatoes, grapes, lettuce

 The Clean Fifteen

• onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapples, mango, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi fruit, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes, sweet onion