2. Objectives
Are foods labeled "organic" more nutritious? Which
sweeteners are best? Should gluten be avoided? Can
coconut oil promote weight loss? When it comes to
nutrition, labels and marketing often lead to confusion
rather than clarity. Focus up by joining Cristin Stokes,
RD, Nutrition Specialist with the MUS Wellness
Program, in examining the validity of popular
nutrition claims and current trends. Cooking demo
with taste samples included!
5. Gluten
Gluten = a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley that is
responsible for the elastic nature of dough
Celiac disease : autoimmune disease that causes damage to
the lining of the small intestine when gluten is consumed
Gluten intolerance: sensitivity to gluten, typically
presenting with GI symptoms
6. Gluten
Research
Gluten/whey protein/placebo study
Theories
Attention to diet
Lower carbs/less junk
Bottom line: No need to avoid gluten unless you have
CD or are gluten intolerant
9. Carbohydrates
Recommended % of diet
If tracking: 45-65%
Higher-end if training or exercising more
Visually: MyPlate (1/4 of your plate)
Pick one carbohydrate per meal
Whole grain (brown rice, quinoa, etc) OR potatoes OR dessert
Limit sweets
10. Sweeteners
Granulated sugars
Refined white
Brown
Turbinado – “raw”
Evaporated cane juice
Liquid
Honey
Maple Syrup
HFCS
Agave
Molasses
Brown rice syrup
11. Sweeteners
Artificial sugars
Aspartame
Stevia
Ace-K
Splenda
Saccharine
Sugar alcohols
-itol
Focus up:
Minor differences exist in type
of sugar (i.e. fructose,
glucose) and effect on blood
sugar
Sugar has little to no
nutritional value beyond
calories
Minimize all kinds
Artificial sugars may be
helpful for diabetics; research
regarding weight loss mixed
12. Organics
Organic foods
Grown/produced without pesticides, herbicides,
fertilizers, hormones, or antibiotics
100% organic
Only organic ingredients (excluding water & salt)
Organic
95-99% organic ingredients
Foods made with organic ingredients
70-94% organic ingredients
13. Organics
“All-natural” foods
Minimally processed with no artificial ingredients or
added colors
No standard definition
Are organic foods healthier?
Healthier for the environment
Micronutrients
Fresh > organic
An organic cookie is still a cookie!
15. Coconut Oil
Purported benefits
Appetite control
Improved digestion
Increased immune
function
Reduced cholesterol
Lowered weight &
abdominal fat
Improved thyroid function
Skin & hair treatment
Medicinal uses
Very small, short term
research studies
High in saturated fat
Lauric acid (medium
chain triglyceride)
High in calories
Good for high heat
cooking, flavor
16. Supplements
Billion dollar industry ($32 billion in 2013)
Multivitamins = most commonly used supplement in the
developed world
No heart-health benefits or reduced risk of cancer (2014)
Research trials largely disappointing
Fish oil
SELECT trial
Beta-carotene, vitamin E
Avoid mega or super doses
Fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E, K
Folic acid
Recommendation: vitamin D, multivitamin?
17. Intermittent Fasting
5:2
5 “feed” days followed by 2 fasting days (400-600
calories)
Evidence limited primarily to animal studies
Cognitive benefits, maintenance of muscle mass
Adherence?
Mood/energy?
Exercise
Long-term harm/benefits?
18. Cristin’s 6 Nutrition Tenets
1. 80/20 rule of moderation
2. Eat more plants
3. Choose whole foods over processed
4. There’s no hidden secret to weight loss
5. Take advantage of MT grown foods
6. Enjoy your food!