The health and nutrition news updates were far more optimistic than any of the financial news for 2009. Studies keep showing that lower body weight, more fruits and vegetables, less salt, less sugar, less fat and getting enough Vitamin D from the sun are important. Here is an overview of what we learned from this year:

A Healthy Lifestyle Slows Aging?
If you follow a healthy diet and lifestyle you can add years to your life. Of course the flip side to this is that being overweight and smoking can both reduce lifespan.
You Better Pay Attention to Sodium?
Other studies found you can also increase your longevity by lowering the amount of salt you eat in your diet, mostly from processed foods and restaurant foods. The Center for Disease Control came out with a new recommendation that 69% of Americans need to cut their sodium to 1,500 mg per day. That represents a 50% reduction or more for most people.
High-Fat Diets Are Harmful
High fat diets promote heart disease. Evidence continues to mount that even healthy fats increase inflammation. People who followed a high-fat, low-carb diet for a long time suffered depression and anger.
Diet Trumps Exercise for Weight Control?
If you want to lose weight, exercise is good. But it is not enough. What people eat is the most important factor for weight loss and weight control over the long term. The best choice? A diet that is high in fiber, low in fat and low in refined carbohydrates. Fruits, vegetables, cooked whole grains and legumes are the base along with some fat-free dairy and lean protein items.
Vitamin D Is Important
Getting enough Vitamin D is vital for better health and reduction of many diseases, and a little time in the sun several days a week can help you get enough.
Diet and Lifestyle are Important for Breast Cancer Reduction
Most people were shocked when scientists changed the mammogram recommendations this year. A look into why they made their new rules shows that most people have false expectations for mammograms and cancer screening. The good news is that research shows that there are many things you can do to lower your risk for cancer and they are far more effective. By maintaining a healthy body weight and eating a diet low in animal foods and refined carbohydrates and rich in fruits and vegetables you can lower your risk. You should avoid alcohol or drink in moderation. And getting enough Vitamin D and exercise helps. Having children sooner and breastfeeding longer are very beneficial.
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Judy Doherty, MPS, PCII

Judy’s passion for cooking began with helping her grandmother make raisin oatmeal for breakfast. From there, she earned her first food service job at 15, was accepted to the world-famous Culinary Institute of America at 18 (where she graduated second in her class), and went on to the Fachschule Richemont in Switzerland, where she focused on pastry arts and baking. After a decade in food service for Hyatt Hotels, Judy launched Food and Health Communications to focus on flavor and health. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude distinction from Johnson and Wales University with a BS in Culinary Arts, holds a master’s degree in Food Business from the Culinary Institute of America, two art certificates from UC Berkeley Extension, and runs a food photography & motion studio where her love is creating fun recipes and content.

Judy received The Culinary Institute of America’s Pro Chef II certification, the American Culinary Federation Bronze Medal, Gold Medal, and ACF Chef of the Year. Her enthusiasm for eating nutritiously and deliciously leads her to constantly innovate and use the latest nutritional science and Dietary Guidelines to guide her creativity, from putting new twists on fajitas to adapting Italian brownies to include ingredients like toasted nuts and cooked honey. Judy’s publishing company, Food and Health Communications, is dedicated to her vision that everyone can make food that tastes as good as it is for you.

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