Vegetable Dip or Hummus – You decide!

Sometimes I happen upon products in the grocery store by what seems like divine chance. Today was one of those times! After I tossed a bag of salad into my cart I spied a container that looked like one of my favorite foods – Hummus. But, alas, this was not the hummus section. And, this familiar looking plastic container was not called hummus, instead it was labeled Roasted Garlic Vegetable Dip by Mythos Farms.

Upon further investigation it appeared to indeed be hummus-like with soybeans and tahini as the main ingredients with very little else aside from garlic, olive and sunflower oils, spices and a small amount of preservative. The nutritional stats were in some ways even more impressive than hummus – just 1.5 grams of fat (0 grams of saturated or trans fats). And a nice little dose of fiber, 1 g per 2 Tbsp. And, when you consider some of the most popular hummus brands actually contain corn syrup and partially-hydrogenated oils, this new vegetable dip is a healthier alternative. And, it was nearly half the price of hummus. Only $2.99 for 16 ounces.

The best part is that this veggie dip is very good – nice and thick and able to handle anything that I would normally dip in hummus with ease.

December 8, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: Gluten Free, Natural Health  2 Comments

Dr. David Katz – Connecticut’s Health Expert

Last month I praised Dr. Oz and his excellent new TV show for providing helpful, practical health advice. I’d be remiss if I didn’t follow up that praise with some accolades for a local Connecticut health expert – Dr. David Katz.

I was lucky enough to meet Dr. Katz years ago (2003?) when I interviewed for a part time position analyzing nutrition data for studies he was conducting at the Yale Griffin Prevention Research Center. In meeting him, one of the things that really struck me was how incredibly down-to-earth he was. As a renowned researcher and educator at one of the nation’s most prestigious schools (Yale University) I never expected he would give me the time of day. Since I possess an RD but not a Master’s degree I worried that I didn’t stand a chance of working with the PRC, but Dr. Katz allayed my fears by saying “we have more than enough titles around here.”

Since then, I have seen Dr. Katz over and over – just not in person. Instead I have followed his sage nutrition and health advice on TV (VH1′s Celebrity Fit Club), in magazines, and on blogs. I feel especially lucky to have access to his weekly column via The New Haven Register. His articles are always a pleasure to read because they take the latest health issues and provide the most no-nonsense approach to their application.

Dr. Katz has also been lending his expertise to a new food rating system that will help take the guess work out of choosing healthy foods. This system, NuVal, is based on a sophisticated algorithm that analyzes a foods health benefits and negatives to provide an overall score. It has the power to make grocery shopping a breeze. Since it takes me over an hour to complete a shopping trip with all my label reading I hope to see it in grocery stores soon!

October 29, 2009  Tags: , , , , , ,   Posted in: General Health  No Comments

Praise for the Dr. Oz Show

Dr. Oz

Dr. Oz

I must admit I watch a LOT of mindless TV. But, finally I can turn on the tube every day and actually learn something thanks to theВ  Dr Oz Show. The show covers so much of what Americans needs to hear – the practical side of day-to-day living.

Did you know there is a correct way to sleep? Well, there is. And, apparently tips as simple as sleeping on your side and avoiding fluffy pillows can actually help maintain the natural shape of your spine leading to a healthier alignment. SO SIMPLE – yet no one ever talks about that! Forget about health care reform, it is that kind of basic education that could help us save money.

Dr. Oz’s in-depth explanations of body functions are sometimes gross, but always memorable and easy-to-understand.В  There is a popular children’s book called “Everybody Poops” – well Dr. Oz takes that to a whole new level by describing what healthy poop should look like in full detail (it should actually have a bit of a curve – who knew?).В  As a dietitian, I am pretty well-versed on what should and shouldn’t come out of the large intestines, but I never witnessed an explanation quite like the one displayed on the show. It has actually made me a bit more conscious about increasing my fiber intake so I can achieve the curve too!

And, one more reason for me to love Dr. Oz – he actually had a dietitian on the show yesterday. Oprah is notorious for having uneducated “experts” giving advice on nutrition. Remember Dr. Phil touting himself as a weight loss expert? And, Bob Greene? He’s a fitness expert for sure, but he doesn’t have any credentials as aВ  nutrition expert. Not that everyone needs to have a college degree to offer good, sound advice, but if you are teaching millions the right way to eat, why not consult the true experts Registered Dietitians?

In the past I have even wondered how Dr. Oz could be an expert on nutrition given his background as a surgeon. But, after hearing him on Oprah and now seeing him on his own show, I am convinced that he is the real deal. He has clearly gone beyond the typical 1 or 2 courses in nutrition offered in medical school and educated himself on the healthiest methods for eating, exercising, and quite simply, living.

I truly hope people will watch the show (5:00 EST on Fox) because it just might change the way the nation thinks about health.

September 29, 2009  Tags: , , ,   Posted in: General Health, Nutrition  2 Comments