A Clean Come Back...

Hi All! As many of you know I took a major hiatus from the blog shortly after school started as my schedule was  a bit out of control. Apparently signing up for three internships was not the best idea. The good news is that my schedule is much more manageable this term and I have cut down to two internships leaving me a few free minutes in the day.


I can't tell you how wonderful it was to hear from so many of you - letting me know how much you missed the posts and encouraging me to get back in to it! Well, all of the encouragement worked and I am going to do my best to at least post a few articles / recipes every week. I have tried a ton of new, wonderful clean recipes (including a batch of chickpea brownies tonight), attended amazing talks here at Yale on nutrition & food policy, and have a lot of fascinating articles to share. The other exciting news is that I landed an amazing internship in DC working on food policy at a think tank and look forward to passing on all my experiences with you!

To kick off my come back, I have a provocative article by Robert Lustig (who believes sugar is toxic and should be taxed), as well as a new "better for you" brownie recipe. While it still has a good amount of sugar and there is chocolate, adding chickpeas to replace flour adds protein and it tastes amazing!

Thanks again for everyone's support!
Lauren

Robert Lustig - Regulate Sugar, It's Toxic!
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505269_162-57370220/regulate-tax-sugar-like-alcohol-tobacco/

And if you are really feeling ambitious watch his highly viewed youtube video (+80 min) on the topic - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

Chickpea Brownie Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips (Sunspire organic chips highly recommended)

1 15 oz. canned organic Garbanzo beans (drained and rinsed) or 1 ½ cups cooked Garbanzo beans

4 eggs

¾ cups Sucanat or Turbinado sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon sea salt

½ cup walnuts (optional)

Zest of one orange (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9-inch baking pan with baking spray. Place chocolate chips on a double boiler and melt the chocolate until smooth.

Combine beans and eggs in the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth, add sucanat, baking powder and melted chocolate; blend until thoroughly combined. Fold in the walnuts and orange zest, if using. Transfer the batter to the prepared baking pan.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the brownies comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack before inverting onto a serving plate. Enjoy!

Compliments of www.sheckys.com/2011/02/14/chickpea-brownies/

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Posted in: Health Science / News

Weekly Clean Up! ~ October 10th 2011

Here is this week's WEEKLY CLEAN UP. Life has been very busy lately, but I've been learning SO much related to the blog and hoping to find more time in the future to share it all! In the meantime, here are a few great articles... and make sure you try the recipe of the week!

Global Survey Finds People Who Are Informed And Proactive About Their Health Tend To Distance Themselves From Those With Unhealthy Habits
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/235646.php

Children's Food Choices Seem To Be Affected By Direct Advertising And Parental Influence
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/235596.php

Improved Presentation Of Fruit In Schools Doubles Uptake
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/235303.php

Vegetable Gardens Are Booming in a Fallow Economy
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/us/09gardening.html?ref=nutrition

Are Barefoot shoes really better?
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/30/are-barefoot-shoes-really-better/

Recipe of the Week: Pine Nut Meatballs with Assorted Veges and Spinach
The new recipe we tested this past week was amazing! And, a great way to add in a lot of tasty vegetables with little prep day off.
http://paleopot.com/2011/05/paleopot-pine-nut-meatballs-with-assorted-veggies-and-spinach-crock-pot-slow-cooker-recipe/

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U.S. Obesity Trends... Alarmed Yet?

A striking graphic representation of the growing epidemic of obesity in the U.S.  Colorado was the only state left with obesity rates < 20% up until this year and unfortunatly they've now joined the ranks. Also take note of the "red" states centralized in the South, more then 30% of residents have a BMI over 30 and are classified as obese (these graphics do not include those overweight, BMI > 25).

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html

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Attacking the Obesity Epidemic...

Check out this interesting article in the NY times by Jane Brody, "Attacking the Obesity Epidemic by First Figuring  Out it's Cause." A new term I learned this week, "obesogenic environment" certainly applies here as she briefly reviews the changes in American's daily lives over the past few decades.

"Many environmental forces, from economic interests of the food and beverage industries to the way our cities and towns are built, have conspired to subvert the body’s natural ability to match calories in with calories out.  And the solution to the nation’s most pressing health problem — the ever-rising epidemic of overweight and obesity at all ages — lies in the answer to this question: Why did this happen in the first place? 

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/13/health/13brody.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

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The Weekly "Clean" Up

The Weekly “Clean” Up
Week of September 05, 2011

Hello September, end of summer, and the start of school.  I know I haven’t been posting too much the last week or so as I’ve been getting settled in to my new schedule, but now that I am actually taking courses on topics relevant to the blog, I can promise that it will only get better for here on!

To kick off this new chapter and the start of a new (academic) year, I’d like to introduce a new type of post for the Clean Health Project - a weekly “clean”-up! Each week I come across a ton of articles with relevant news, recent studies and seasonal recipes and now plan to share my favorites with all of you. So, scroll through, see what peaks your interest and click to learn more!

As always, I appreciate anything you spot as well – so keep the articles and suggestions coming!

“Expanding Waistlines May Boost U.S. Health Cost $66 Billion a Year by 2030” – Recent figures have suggested that obesity will double by 2030. Bloomberg applies a financial lens by translating the increase to health care costs. Close to my heart is a comment by Boyd Swinburn, “we are in an obesity and chronic disease crisis although it doesn’t feel like it” (too most). http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-25/expanding-waistlines-may-boost-u-s-health-cost-66-billion-a-year-by-2030.html

“Preaching a Healthy Diet in the Deep-Fried Delta” – Unfortunately the South has some of the highest obesity rates and a food culture that does not lend itself to slim waist lines.  A priest in Mississippi has taken a local, innovative approach by preaching and incorporating health and nutrition into the church’s practices, which is now spreading into the 7 million member Baptist community. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/22/us/22delta.html?ref=nutrition

“Schools Restore Fresh Cooking to the Cafeteria” – Breaking from the low cost, poor nutrition cycle offered by school food suppliers, Colorado is changing course and making school food from scratch! While there are roadblocks and cost implications, it’s a great model for teaching kids early the importance of knowing what you are eating and where you food comes from. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/17/education/17lunch.html

“Tending to a community garden may foster higher fruit and vegetable consumption” – If you are not quite ready or don’t have the space for your own garden, look for a local one in your community, pitch in and you may just up your weekly vegetable intake! http://www.latimes.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-community-gardens-health-20110805,0,1293514.story

“Make Vegetables the Meal” – Have you ever tried stuffed peppers? There are a ton of different varieties and you won’t even notice that your meal is missing meat. I’m making the stuffed yellow pepper recipe listed  tonight!  http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/02/making-vegetables-the-meal/

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Posted in: Health Science / News

Is a picture (of food) worth more than a thousand words?

A friend asked me this week, "how am I supposed to keep track of everything? There is so much health and nutrition information out there, claims seems to change weekly and its a lot to absorb."

I totally agree. Unfortunately hundreds off one-off studies will get released, only a few will get picked up by the media and before you know it - everything you thought you knew about the many positive effects of horseradish are totally debunked! (that was a joke, in case you didn't get it :). Not to mention how confusing or unclear it can be as to what, if anything, you should do with the information.

Enter: Infographics. Infographics are a great visual way to show and share information, data and knowledge in a less confusing and compelling way. In the past, I shared a great infographic comparing government food subsidies to the government's recommendation of our daily nutrition intake. In my opinion that visual was much more impactful than an article could have been.

While there are a ton of cool infographics out there on a wide range of topics, I thought I'd share three interesting ones related to food and nutrition with all of you!

Increase in Childhood Obesity:  An interesting view that reveals the changes in our lifestyles and eating habits that have contributed to the obesity epidemic. In one generation...soda consumption doubles in girls and triples in boys, the number of TVs in homes quadruples, the number of food service establishments doubles, the number of calories children consume outside of the home nearly doubles...

http://visual.ly/childhood-obesity-triples-one-generation

The Complete Guide to Workout Nutrition: This one is just a bit too big to post here but definitly check out the link below. This is a very comprehensive but clear way for individuals to understand the important effects of nutrition on workout performance. Did you know that the average workout does not demand the extra calories and added sugar in sports drinks?

http://static.greatist.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/The-Complete-Guide-to-Workout-Nutrition.png

Local, Fresh Food Shopping: This helpful infographic designed by Good, a multiple media platform in collaboration with Whole Foods, helps readers to understand when and what local produce they can buy in their area based on the season. Eating local not only tastes better because its likely FRESHER but has local economic benefits as well. This also doubles as a guide for growing your own produce!

http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/0912/a-plan-for-all-seasons/flat.html

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Eating Out: Does Calorie Labeling Work?

Check out this recent article in Fast Company about the behavioral impact on consumers when calories counts are present. 

http://www.fastcompany.com/1770066/when-it-comes-to-fast-food-labeling-can-lower-calorie-counts?partner=gnews

According to results published in the British Medical Journal, calorie counts do reduce consumption. However, strong advertising ploys may reduce or negate the impact. For example, average calorie counts per meal dropped by 5% at McDonald's, 6 percent at KFC and Au Bon Pain saw a 14% percent drop in calories per purchase following the 2008 NY implementation of labeling requirements.  Unfortunately these positive results are countered by the fact that large advertising campaigns may also impact behavior. The study correlates Subway’s “Five Dollar Sub” campaign with a nearly 18% increase in calorie consumption.

While government pressure on food corporations is ultimately driving many of the industry changes, behavioral study results (as found in the BMJ study) are incredibly encouraging - KNOWLEDGE can lead to behavior change among the average consumer.

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A Potato Chip a Day... Adds 17 lbs?

How do you define “eating in moderation?” Is it having only a small bag of chips with lunch or maybe cutting back to two diet sodas a day? And, if you only eat these “bad” foods in moderation you will be able to maintain your weight, right? Not exactly.  

A new Harvard study published in the New England Journal of Medicine proves that eating certain foods even in moderation can lead to long term weight gain.

The study was conducted over 20 years and among more than 100,000 men and women whose weight was evaluated at four-year periods. The average weight gain over each period was 3.35 pounds which corresponded to an average weight gain of 17 pounds over 20 years.

The researchers also tracked how specific foods led people to gain weight over time. In first place came potato chips with a weight gain of 1.69 pounds, followed by potatoes in general at 1.28 pounds. Next, sugary beverages accounted for a one pound weight gain, alcohol an average gain of 0.41 pounds, unprocessed meats accounted for 0.95 pounds and processed meats closely behind with a 0.93 pound gain.

The authors say their study points to a different kind of dietary advice for avoiding extra pounds associated with aging. "This suggests that the path to eating fewer calories is not simply to count calories, but to focus on consuming a more healthy diet in general," the study's lead author, Dariush Mozaffarian, associate professor in the department of epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said in an email.

I couldn’t agree more. We’ve had the whole calories in vs. calories out and “everything in moderation” mentality pounded into our heads. However, different foods affect our bodies in different ways. Your body will not metabolize an apple the same way it does a brownie bite, even though they may be the same amount calories.  I’m not suggesting you don't indulge in your favorite foods now and again (I ate a cookie today ;), but it’s important for the public to know that all calories are NOT created equal and that food choices, however small, have an impact over time.

Check out the article in WSJ: 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304791204576401951936407230.html#printMode

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Posted in: Health Science / News

Food Prices & Your Weight

It couldn't have been more fitting that I came across this article in Fast Company today, "How Food Prices Affect Your Weight," after recently posting commentary on how the government contradicts its "My Plate" recommendation with the current allocation of subsidies through the Farm Bill.

http://www.fastcompany.com/1766299/how-food-prices-effect-your-weight

The article shares a few key figures that in effect claim that "increasing the prices of bad foods makes kids skinnier," suggesting that "a more effective solution might be finding ways to decrease the price of foods that are good for you."  Thank you Fast Company (and author Morgan Clandaniel) for sharing that “perhaps dark, leafy greens could use some subsidies too!”

Check out the astronomical difference between price increases in fruits / vegetables compared to carbonated beverages!

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USDA Announces "My Plate," But Does It Help If The Farm Bill Isn’t Next?

Under much awaited hype (OK, maybe only among nutritionists and industry types) the USDA announced their new version of the nearly 20 year old food pyramid in early June. And the BIG news is… it’s no longer a pyramid! “My Plate,” a simple, intuitive image, has now replaced the stacked pyramid and is split into several easy to grasp sections. The four sections include fruits, vegetables, grains, and protein, with dairy accounted for on the side.

So is this better than the food pyramid? I’d personally say yes. There is still a lot of basic information missing and I’d like to debate the section sizes, but for one, they’ve at least gone a long way by removing “sweets” and have made it a lot easier for kids to understand the basics of healthy eating.  While an updated image is certainly not going to improve the obesity epidemic our nation is currently facing, it’s at least a step in the right direction to simpify nutrition communication to the public.

While the USDA and Michelle Obama's continued obesity efforts through the “Let’s Move Campaign” should be applauded, one cannot help but notice the contradiction between what the government is recommending we eat (i.e., “My Plate") and what the government is doing to actually make that feasible. I came across a post by Roger Dorien of “Kitchen Gardeners,” who I believe has captured this issue incredibly well via two comparative images (see below).

Roger shares the following on his site (http://kitchengardeners.org/):
“I was really inspired by the diversity and nutritiousness of the crops planted in the White House kitchen garden this spring and thought it would be eye-opening - not to mention jaw-dropping - to see what the White House garden would look like if it were planted to reflect the relative importance of the crops that our taxdollars are actually supporting.”

Thus enters the debate over the Farm Bill (I won’t bore you with the details just yet) and a clear contradiction – while the government might recommend approximately 50% of our diet come from fruits and vegetables, if we look at what crops the government supports via subsidies our “Plates” in actuality are a combination of soybeans, corn, wheat and rice.  It’s no surprise then that the supermarket shelves lowest cost products are those that are full of these ingredients.  So who can really blame a poverty level family if they choose to fill their cart with processed foods (e.g., sugary cereals, chips, cookies and soda, etc.) so they have enough to eat all week, rather than choose the much pricier fruits and vegetables? It’s also not a secret that a diet high in these types of processed foods is much more likely to lead to weight gain compared to consumption of fresh produce.  

That’s the Clean Health Project’s opinion, and we encourage you to be your own judge.

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