by kelsey | May 3, 2012 | Food, Holidays, Weight Management
Are you going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Mexican feast this weekend? When we think of Mexican cuisine, we often think of chips and salsa, largely stuffed burritos, and Mexican rice and beans. In addition to the tasty foods, Cinco de Mayo is often celebrated with alcoholic beverages as well. The calories in these foods and drinks can add up quickly if you are not mindful and careful! If you are able to help plan part of the menu, try incorporating produce into your menu, such as fresh fruits and vegetables such as a crisp salad, mangos, tomatoes, and peppers. In addition, you’ll want to be careful of the added fats that come in the fried tortilla chips, sour cream, and cheese. Try using more seasonings versus the extra cheese and sour cream to add flavor. You can also choose low fat options to lighten the calories. In addition, baking, broiling, and grilling will reduce the fat in your dishes as well. Lastly, the calories in your alcoholic beverages add up quickly, especially in mixed drink choices such as margaritas and daqueries. Choosing a ‘on the rocks’ drink versus the slushy drinks and skip the sugar and salt on the rim of the glass to lessen calories. If you prefer beer, a light beer will greatly reduce calories compared to the regular. And most of all have fun! We often put so much focus on the food, we forget about the real meaning of celebrations…family, friends, and fellowship! Enjoy visiting and socializing and practice moderation with the food!
For more tips and recipes visit: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442469607
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
-Kelsey
by kelsey | May 2, 2012 | Diet, Food
Is flavored milk a healthy option for your child?
Flavored milk provides an excellent source of 3 nutrients of concern identified by the 2010 Dietary Guidelines—calcium, potassium and vitamin D. An 8oz serving of low-fat flavored milk provides at least 10% of the daily value of vitamin A and potassium and most flavored milk also provides at least 20% of the daily value of vitamin D and calcium. Flavored milk is also a good source for protein, vitamin B12, niacin, riboflavin and phosphorus. Much of the debate over flavored milk has been the sugar content. When comparing the sugar content between regular soda, orange fruit drink, 100% apple juice and low-fat chocolate milk, the added sugars in flavored milk are much less than regular pop and juices and half of the sugar content is natural sugars coming from the lactose. The total sugar content is comparable, but the juices and soda do not provide the vitamins and minerals that low-fat flavored milk provides, thus when comparing to other beverages such as these, the flavored milk does have favorable qualities.
Submitted by USD Dietetic Intern Ashley Moen
-Kelsey
by kelsey | May 1, 2012 | Etc., Family, Food
Happy May Day! Today has always been a fun day because it marks the first day of May and all the joy that brings, but it’s also my husband, Adam’s birthday! We had a little birthday party this last weekend to celebrate. As you can see in the picture we are both SDSU Jack’s fan and yes, he does have a rich and delicious turtle pie cake that his mother made him! Days like this are worth celebrating…and of course, food is always involved! So you may wonder, what does a dietitian serve for parties like this. Well we had our fare share of sweets with this tasty cake and icecream that surely testing our portion control, but we also opted for a lean meal of burgers on the grill, veggies, and fruit salad. Celebrations are a part of life and it’s ok to take a time out from your diet to enjoy, just remember to get back on the wagon the next day and be sure to get your exercise in! Also, if you are in control of planning the menu opt for lean meat choices, be sure to have a fruit and veggie selection, and choose a healthy cooking method such as grilling, baking or broiling versus frying.
-Kelsey
by Dan | Apr 29, 2012 | Exercise, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Sunday morning was a good day for a bunch of us to get out for a run. Most of us today are either getting ready for a half marathon, or a marathon. We will keep spreading the word about the running club, as the biggest thing involved with it is just to get people out with a group to go for a run. People worry that they are “not good enough”, or “I won’t be able to keep up”. It has nothing to do with this. It is just to get people to get out and have a social event, and exercise at the same time. People can run anywhere from a couple of miles, to as long as they want to go. It is not a contest, or a race. As we get further into May, I will start talking about how we will have different meeting times, and even considering other days of the week, and whoever can come, join. Here we are starting out the morning here today.
We have Holly, Jill, Steve, Jackie, me, Steve, Sarah, and Tom. Hope everybody had a good weekend. Enjoy. Keep moving!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day # 1676
by Dan | Apr 26, 2012 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Last weekend was Prom for the first time for my twin daughters. Here they are with their dates. Hard to imagine they are growing up this fast. Being able to see my kids as they grow up is what life is all about. I know of many people that don’t have the advantage of this, or for grandparents, to see their grandchildren grow up. Remember these reasons when you wonder why you should be working on things with your health, like trying to watch things in your diet, and making time to exercise. I stated several times before how I never had the opportunity to see either one of my grandfathers, and have always felt cheated by this. Use this as motivation to get going on taking care of yourself.
This is why I do all of my exercising. I plan on being around to see my kids with their activities, and one day, to see their kids doing the same thing. Is there really anything else more important in life? My twin daughters are growing up fast, and it has had its challenges, just like anything, but I would not trade any of. I am proud of my kids, and hopefully they are of me. Take care of yourself, and keep moving!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 1673
