childhood beverages

Study finds that girls consuming two or more 8-ounce servings of sweetened beverages a day at the age of five were “more likely to be overweight than were girls classified with lower intake over the study period.” Those drinking more than two servings of sweetened beverages at age five had a 53.9% chance of being overweight by the age of 11 [1].

The authors did not, however, find a link between milk or fruit juice consumption and weight status over this ten year data collection period [1].

Possibly of most importance was the finding of increased sweetened beverage intake over time. Those girls at the highest intake of sweetened beverages at the age of five had significantly higher intakes from age 7 to 15 compared to those drinking one serving of sweetened beverages a day or less. Consumption remained the same for those girls consuming one to two servings a day of sweetened beverages [1].

What to take away from this study is most certainly pushing water and low-calorie beverages with children. Habits and food preferences are instilled at a young age – don’t set your children up for a lifetime of weight struggles. Consider also the caffeine and sugar content of beverages as well, and how those contents can affect sleep, dental hygiene, attention span, and learning opportunities.

Did you drink soda as a kid? Juice? KoolAid? Whole milk after the age of 2? 

I think my mom did well with this, actually. We rarely drank soda, as it was not kept in the house. Dinner was typically milk (2% and later to skim), water, or Crystal Light. Possibly some juice, but it wasn't a staple from my recollection. 

Even programs such as WIC no longer support juice consumption for children and opt to provide access to the whole fruit, providing both the nutrients AND volume, thus increasing the satiety of the calories consumed.

Dinner tonight: 1/2 acorn squash with 1 1/2 Tbsp melted Smart Balance Light, 2 tsp Splenda Brown Sugar, 1/2 tsp turbinado, and 1/2 ounce pecans....mmmm!! Talk about fall comfort food! Mama N used to make these babies sans the healthy butter and reduced-calorie 
sugars...and way more pecans! She was trouble, that mama of mine!!!

P.S. It tastes WAY better than it looks!

P.P.S. My diet yesterday looked a lot like the day before so I am sparing myself and you from writing and reading it!

[1]. Thomas, Caroline. Kids’ Soft Drink Habits Predict Teenage Weight: Study. Vol. 90, No. 4, 935-942. October 12, 2009.

Day 2 and more

I dropped Lily off at "Camp Bow Wow" this morning for her "interview" (we're boarding her during our Thanksgiving trip to Chicago). Needless to say, she's having a blast right now at camp. How do I know this? I'm WATCHING her online! Yep, that's right! Camp Bow Wow has cameras installed in the facility so you can watch your dog play indoors, outdoors, sleep, eat, and more! Since she's going to be one POOPED little puppy tonight, I've asked my husband to take me out on a date tonight! So, here's my day so far...

Breakfast:

1 cappuccino with sugar-free International Delight (0 carbs)

1 slice wheat toast (1 carb)

1/2 Tbsp Smart Balance Light (0 carbs)

1 egg, large (0 carbs)

1 Fiber One bar (2 carbs)

     Total: 3 carbs

Lunch:

1/4th Spinach Calzone from last night (3 1/2 carbs)

1/2 c. roasted vegetables: potatoes, carrots, and squash (1/2 carbs)

     Total: 4 carbs

Snack:

1 large chocolate chip cookie (2 carbs)

Dinner and PM snack: TBD

While that afternoon cookie isn't the best choice, my co-worker always stops for cookies from an Amish Bakery before our RD meetings each month. So, I know cookies will be there (and she always gets chocolate chip), I will want one, and I need to limit myself to ONE to not go over my carbs.

Anyways, Chicago finds out today whether or not the 2016 Olympics will be held there! I'm really hoping they are, but that's easy to say as I don't live there anymore and will have my parent's home to crash at during the events if we decide to attend. Oh, and the taxes...I won't be paying Illinois taxes :) Either way, an exciting time for Chicago and the Olympics in Chicago supporters (there's a lot against it, and their reasoning is justified). We shall see!

The Chicago Tribune put out an article yesterday stating that life expectancy is still rising in "rich" countries and that many babies born after 2000 may live to be 100 years old. Even more shocking is that this upward trend in life expectancy is not showing a plateau in sight [1]. How old was Moses when he died? 120? Kidding, kidding.

The article states, "While illnesses affecting the elderly like heart disease, cancer and diabetes are rising, advances in medical treatment are also making it possible for them to remain active for longer. The obesity epidemic, however, may complicate matters. Extra weight makes people more susceptible to diseases and may increase their risk of dying. In the U.S., data from 1982 to 2000 showed a major drop in illness and disability among the elderly, though that has now begun to reverse, probably linked to the rise in obesity [1]."

Moving on....ginger. Ginger is by far a favorite ingredient of mine. While nothing tops garlic in my heart, ginger MAY take the silver. For hundreds of years, ginger has been used to ease nausea. A number of studies have been assessed to find that ginger does cure nausea caused from sea-sickness, morning-sickness, and chemotherapy. While the mechanism of action is yet to be determined, the proposed active ingredient in ginger is 6-gingerol, which helps relax intestinal muscles. How much ginger to ease nausea? Studies suggest 0.5 grams to be effective and it's available as powder in capsule form, as well as it's natural root state. Simply shave off several slices of ginger to chew and swallow, or enjoy it blended in water or a smoothie [2]. 

And did anyone else hear that Coke is putting calories on all their products? Read more here. I have to say, however, it would be MOST useful to do one of two things with say, 20 ounce bottles of soda - 1) list the TOTAL calories and carbohydrates in the whole bottle (people won't look at servings per container!) or 2) do away with anything other than 1-serving containers for individual sale (which won't happen). Unfortunately, even consumers who are trying to follow labels and make better decisions are unclear on how to read nutrition labels. So many of my patients fail to realize that while there are 26 grams of carbohydrate in an 8-ounce serving of soda....there are 65 grams of carbohydrate in the 20-ounce bottles they drink!!! Without knowing how to read the labels, however, most go on thinking they're consuming 26 grams, or "2 carbs". As soon as I point out the math (i.e. "You're drinking more carbohydrates than you're supposed to eat in a MEAL"), that soda loses a lot of appeal. So, I do wish labeling were a bit more straight forward for consumers to utilize appropriately. Off soap box.

In reading a fellow RD's blog this week, I found this YouTube view -- a snipet from The View on an episode hosting Paula Dean and her new cook book for children and specifically, children's lunches. Listen for Barbara Walters calling out Paula, it's great!

I hope it's as beautiful where ever you are as it is here today! TGIF and have a WONDERFUL weekend!

[1]. Cheng, Maria. Happy 100th Birthday! Most babies born since 2000 will hit 100, life expectancy still rising. Chicago Tribune. October 1, 2009.

[2]. O'Connor, Anahad. The Alternative Medicine Cabinet: Ginger. The New York Times. October 1, 2009.

100+: the fastest growing age segment!

That's right! The US and Japan lead the world in populations of centenarians as a population growing 20x the rate of the total population by 2050. In 1950, there were only a few thousand over the age of 100 while today there are an estimated 340,000 worldwide [1].

Why is this?

Demographers declare medical advancements and improved diets are to thank. How'bout it, nutrition!? Genetics, lifestyle factors, and doctors willing to treat chronic diseases aggressively are also key contributors to the climb in age [1]. There's so such thing as "too late" in today's medical field to reverse the progression of disease. Nope, nope, nope!

While Japan leads the projected number of centenarians at 627,000 by the year 2050, the US is not far behind. We come in second with an estimated 600,000 come 2050, which is up from the current 75,000 in the 100+ age segment [1].

What does this mean for Medicare and Social Security? Well, it means something better if we each do our part in preserving our health. The cost of chronic disease management is perverse...obscene, even. The reality is, the younger generations may be SOL when it comes to government assistance come post-retirement age. 401k anyone?

Though the average American lives to be 78, most Americans would like to live to 89. Twenty percent of Americans would like to live to 90 with 8% wishing to live to see 100 [1]. With those goals and aspirations, we'd better aim to better our health or else it could certainly feel like a really long life.

Well, I'll have you know, I take my health very seriously and I intend to preserve it to the best of my abilities. It's a personal aspiration of mine to live to be 100+. When I was growing up, every Sunday at church there was the cutest little old lady who used to handout candy to kids as they exited the sanctuary. Every week she was there. While I appreciated the candy, I had come to appreciate her over the years. It wasn't until after her passing that I learned she was nearly 103 years of age. She was mentally sharp as a tack, and physically well enough to never require mobile assistance. She even posed in a Harley Davidson photo shoot on her 100th birthday I later found out. Seriously though, what a woman!

I see much of the same in my own 86-year-old Grannie. I'm sure you recall my boasting of her dance moves at my recent wedding reception...but here's a new story for you. On my way home from work last Friday I gave her a ring. I figured she would be heading downstairs to have dinner shortly (she lives in an independent living facility), but I tried her anyways. Turns out, she invited her "friend" Bill over (I use the term "friend" loosely. Grannie likes gentlemen, and has forever required several leading "friends" in her life. Bill just happens to be geographically desirable, however). They ordered in a pizza and were listening to music together. Maybe she was planning on showing off her dance moves, I'm just not quite sure. She did mention he was handsome. But, my point is...besides some short-term memory loss, the use of a walker (by choice), and some controlled hypertension, the woman is kickin' strong. You go, Grannie!

Aging can be a beautiful process, and I look forward to it...because I plan to do what it takes to do so gracefully. Kudos to those over 100 or well on your way...you're my inspiration!

[1]. Yen, Hope. Starting to Get Crowded in 10o-Year-Olds' Club. The Washington Post. July 20, 2009.