• Affirmation

Ok I will admit it, I have felt like the oddball at so many social functions in my adult life.  Not because of my clothing or hair or body art. I could not relate to every function I attended or participated in planning revolving around food!

I would look around and count how many of us are overweight or obese. I know I am not the only one that does this.  Yet we still have developed this belief that every event or sport requires a "snack."  Was it always like this?  When did we feel that we could not function or survive without a snack on the hour or a calorie loaded beverage in our hand?  

We are 'snacking' ourselves into a crisis!

Now a report by the Institute of Medicine at http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2012/Accelerating-Progress-in-Obesity-Prevention.aspx affirms that I am not alone in my concern.  

The report states that two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are overweight or obese.  Obesity affects the our risk for disease, our health care, and employment.

Obesity related diseases and disability costs annually 190.2 billion dollars!  

I would encourage you to review this report and incorporate recommended changes in your life:

• Physical activity every day.
• Focus on what matters for a healthy life.
• Make healthy foods and beverages available everywhere.
• Strengthen schools as the heart of health.
• Activate employers and health care professionals.

I as a health care provider and individual this affirms my notion that we do not need to eat or drink during every waking hour.  Put this to action by offering healthy snacks the next time you are requested to bring a snack.  I was recently asked to bring cupcakes to an event.  I will be bringing fresh fruit instead. Yes sometimes eating healthier is a bit more costly, but a little more money up front will same money down the road.

 We all need to get proactive and take preventative steps to prevent gaining weight for ourselves and our children.

The next time you are involved in planning a function try not to have food present at all.  We all know that going an hour without a cookie or donut will not cause us to perish, just the opposite, it may add a few years to your life!

I encourage you to watch the series "The Weight of the Nation" on HBO for an insight and practical information regarding the obesity epidemic in our country.

Eat well, it matters!

Kyle

Thick or Fat

My peers and friends will tell you I have always used the works fit, thick or fat when describing a body type.  They have always laughed at me, but perhaps I am more right on then using the BMI chart alone.  Did you know that the BMI chart has been around for 200 years?  Surprised me too.  Clients ask me if I believe in it as an assessment tool and I have always said yes.  Is it the only tool I use, no!   In the hospital setting it is evident that when a person has a BMI over 40 that the prognosis is worse especially if they are critically ill.  In my business setting I utilize the BMI, as well weight status compared to ideal body weight and visual assessment.  The rule of thin, thick or fat.

Now research from California is stating that especially for women the BMI is not identifying obesity,  The thought that if your BMI is below 30 is debunked.  It always puzzled me that women and men were on the same chart.  This did not make sense to me due to the fact that men have a heavier bone mass.  So where is the weight difference coming from?  Muscle or fat.  A study published Monday in the journal PloS One found that using BMI as an indicator of obesity actually misclassifies 39 percent of Americans as “overweight” rather than “obese.” And because BMI doesn’t distinguish between fat and muscle, some people with normal BMIs may have dangerously high amounts of fat in their bodies.

Years ago at a talk regarding measuring body fat I learned then that being thin was not always a sign of fitness. Besides being larger then my thin counterpart I was informed that I was probably leaner  or had less fat mass due to the fact that I trained and she did not.  Fitness is not only measured by the scale

So what do I take away from  this new information?  The saying that muscle weighs more than fat sticks, you can weigh more and be fit is possible.  No one can tell me my husband the "Wall" is not fit though he may weigh more than a BMI chart indicates he should, have you seen my husband?  

So besides just walking or running get out your weights, do a push up or hit the heavy bag and build your muscle, don't count on a chart alone!

Bodyspecs.net

Thick or Fat

Nu Year Ann Arbor!!

OK how many of those resolutions have you broken already?  I mentioned in my last blog that I do not believe in resolutions, but I do believe in change!  Small changes add up in life style habits that last.  You would not want to run a marathon if you have never run before, but you may take a walk around a few blocks.  You probably would not eat a strict vegetarian diet if you currently eat only meat and starches.   You need to find changes that make you actually feel good or happy!

My philosophy is "Food is Meant to be Eaten and Enjoyed"  My clients will tell you that yes you can have most items you like to eat or drink, but just be smarter about how you do it.  It has amazed me since I have been a Registered Dietitian in the hospital setting and now in private practice; as to how much the public does not know about good nutrition.   Many seek out information from the media or friends and go down a path that does not last, or costs a lot of $$$.

 Good health and nutrition take education, practice and a plan.

I encourage you all to establish 3 attainable goals per week and document your progress, for example:


Walk 3 times this week for 30 minutes.
Eat 3 pieces of fresh fruit per day.
Say something positive to yourself daily.


As you achieve these goals make the next weeks a bit more challenging! 


Please visit my website Nutritious Dish with Kyle RD for recipes and services to help you reach your nutrition and health goals this year!  You may also call 734-341-0188 to discuss which service is right for you! Annarbornutrition.com


Nutritious Dish with Kyle RD   Body Specs.net

Another Year, Another Resolution

Hello Ann Arbor, it's that time of year again when many folks make resolutions to make a dramatic change in how they eat, exercise, and how to treat mankind.You need to reach out to Bodyspecs.com for  the exercise , and to treat your fellow man better, dig deep.  To make nutrition changes that last, I can help with that!


Do I believe in resolutions? No!  Do I believe change is possible, absolutely!  My clients are proof of that.

  Change takes commitment and goals.  Small attainable goals are my secret,not flipping your life upside down! 

Resolutions are usually very dramatic and unattainable.  You can stick with it for a for a while but then you fall down that slippery slope and feel like a failure.


Learning to make attainable changes in how you eat and think of food with a Nutrition Coach like myself can make you believe and stick with healthy changes, now and down the road.  


Many of my clients will not eat a new food or venture off the beaten path due to a perceived thought that they will not like something.  This is rooted in our childhood experiences.   I tell my clients that because you did not like a food at age 6 does not mean you would not like it as an adult.


Let's take oatmeal for example.  I recently had the pleasure of visiting my mother over the winter break.  She likes to have her oatmeal for breakfast, "props" to mom.  Yet listening to her slurp it, it is a wonder I ever grew up even trying it!  Oatmeal is a great food especially on a cold morning or a day you need energy to get you through a work-out or long morning.  It is high in soluble fiber to stick with you, and to help lower your cholesterol .  At our home oatmeal is a staple and we love to try new combinations.  I usually will take my left over oatmeal to work as a snack in-between meals.  My most recent combination is listed below, but don't be afraid, it is not your mother's oatmeal!


Oatmeal Treat


1 Cup cooked Steel Cut Oats, make it on the dry side, nut runny.
1 teaspoon dark Chocolate/Nut Spread
3 Walnuts ,crushed
4 dried apricots sliced.
Shake of cinnamon


This is delicious, rich in fiber and anti-oxidants. This is a good size portion.  Take the leftovers to be warmed in the afternoon as a snack rather than heading to the vending machine.


I believe food is the answer to good nutrition, not grabbing a over-hyped can or bottle of something.  So when trying to improve your health/nutrition look around the kitchen.  Many of the old standbys standby us well! 


Are you ready to make changes that last?  Call me at 734-341-0188 to schedule an appointment, or visit my website, Nutritious Dish with Kyle RD


Kyle 


Bodyspecs.net, Annarbornutrition.com, Nutritious Dish with Kyle RD

Welcome to Dishing Nutrition with Kyle RD

Kyle Bunton is a Registered Dietitian (RD) with over 2 decades of experience in nutrition care.  Kyle brings a strong understanding of therapeutic nutrition into a clear focus when determining your personal nutrition goals. Nutrition  information is evolving daily.  Her knowledge and expertise will help guide you towards a clear and focused path towards your goals.   Kyle’s clinical nutrition background, as well as her extensive culinary skills will assist you in learning and enjoying healthy nutrition habits that will last a life time    Kyle’s knowledge of therapeutic and sports nutrition will take out the guess work and confusion about how to eat and meet your nutrition and fitness goals.

Please visit my website at www.annarbornutrition.com for more information!