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Timi Gustafson RD
The Healthy Diner -
How to Eat Right
And Still Have Fun
HC, 336 pp. $29.95
Now at amazon.com
Fighting Childhood Obesity in a Complex Environment
With one in three children in the United States struggling with weight problems, the fight against childhood obesity is becoming ever more desperate. Some of the new health care provisions that are going into effect this year include insurance coverage for screening, counseling and other preventive care measures for obese children.
Kids’ Eating Habits Are Influenced by Many Factors
While the need for more programs for preventing and treating childhood obesity is obvious, experts say that creating them poses considerable challenges. “Few proven models exist for helping children and adolescents to achieve and maintain a healthier weight, and researchers do not even fully understand the factors that contributed to the rapid rise in childhood obesity in recent years,” writes Reed Abelson in an article for the New York Times, titled “Learning to be Lean” (1/17/2012).
Insurance companies are developing new policies to determine treatment coverage of childhood obesity. One insurer, Wellpoint, is working with pediatricians by offering training in obesity treatment and connecting them with dietitians. And Weight Watchers has announced an upcoming program specifically designed to meet the needs of overweight children and teenagers. Read more »
At a Newspaper Near You…
A weekly column by Timi Gustafson R.D. on issues of health, nutrition and lifestyle is now available at The Boston Globe/Boston.com – Go to Articles »
Paula Deen – Part of the Obesity Problem?
Unless you have spent the last week stuck in the snow somewhere remote or vacationing on a deserted island, you must have heard the news: Paula Deen, the celebrity chef and self-proclaimed “queen of Southern cuisine,” has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Ms. Deen, who is widely known for her unapologetic preferences for heavy cooking styles, says she knew of her medical condition for about three years but decided to keep it private. Critics have been quick to question her motives, suspecting she didn’t come forward out of fear of losing her lucrative show on the Food Network, which has millions of followers. Read more »
Unrealistic Expectations Can Sabotage Weight Loss Goals
Resolution season is in full swing or perhaps already winding down. If you have given up by now on this year’s weight loss efforts and old habits start creeping back in – you’re not alone. About 90 percent of all the promises we make to ourselves are quickly forgotten, according to Tom Connellan, author of the “1 Percent Solution – How to Make Your Next 30 Days the Best Ever.”
“Some people’s New Year’s resolutions are so broad that they’re often unattainable,” says Leslie Fink, a Registered Dietitian and contributing writer for Weight Watchers. “When expectations are set too high, it doesn’t take much to throw a person off.” Instead of aiming for a perfect score, she advises, people should be content with 80 percent of their initial objectives. That by itself would qualify as a great success. Read more »
One Out of Five Americans Found to Be Mentally Ill
Nearly 50 million Americans suffered from one or another form of mental illness in 2010, according to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA), a federal government agency founded in 1992 to survey and reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities throughout the country.
The survey found that young adults and especially young women were susceptible to mental illness to a degree that it substantially interfered with their lives. SAMHSA defines mental illness as “diagnosable mental, behavioral or emotional disorders.” Read more »
Recovering from Hard Exercise – How to Refuel
What’s best to eat for recovery after a hard workout? That’s what marathoners, body builders, and fitness exercisers alike repeatedly ask. They read ads for commercial recovery foods that demand a 3 to 1 ratio of carbs to protein, tout the benefits of a proprietary formula, or emphasize immediate consumption the minute you stop exercising. While these ads offer an element of truth, consumers beware: Engineered recovery foods are not more effective than standard foods. The purpose of this article is to educate you, a hungry athlete, about how to choose an optimal recovery diet.
Too many athletes are obsessed with rapidly refueling the minute they stop exercising. They are afraid they will miss the one-hour “window of opportunity” when glycogen replacement is fastest. They fail to understand refueling still occurs for several hours, just at a slowing rate. Read more »
Everything You Need to Know About Nutrition, Health and Fitness…
The most recent scientific studies, breakthrough research results, new laws and policies – the list of health news never ends. In all the confusion, it can be hard to separate facts from fiction. SEE ALL POSTS »
No Matter How Often You Tried Or Failed…
You may say: “I have been here before.” Programs like these don’t work for me. Well, you are invited to give it another try, because this one may just be right for you. SEE ALL POSTS »
The New Series About Healthy Eating as a Lifestyle
Consistently maintaining healthy eating habits is not nearly as difficult as it sounds. Yes, there are temptations everywhere that can make you fall off the proverbial wagon. When you eat out or travel, it can be especially hard to stick to your ideal diet. As a dietitian and health counselor who also travels extensively, I had to develop my own strategies to always eat healthy and stay fit and do as I preach to others. I don’t deny the difficulties, but it gets easier over time, especially when you have a plan. Read more »
