Be resolute...

Well here we are, January is right around the corner. You know what that means. Yep, time to make your resolutions. Don't want to be left out of the talk on Jan 1st..you KNOW everyone will be talking about their resolutions, so you'd better decide now what yours will be. I am sincerely hoping you read that with the amount of sarcasm I was typing it with...

I know it has been an entire year (well almost) and many of you may have forgotten MY New Year's Resolution so I thought I would re-post it for you.  Happy reading..and happy New Year!

SATURDAY, JANUARY 1, 2011

New Year's Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone!!! My hope is that it will be your happiest and healthiest one yet!

One key to making this happen...NO MORE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!!!!!! Yes, you read that right.  Stop making them!!! I made one years ago and have stuck with it ever since....my resolution was to never make one again.  "But Michelle", you are thinking "how else will I reach my goals?"
Well, I didn't say that you couldn't or shouldn't make changes and aim for your goals, but it is absurd to think that just because it it January 1 (or a Monday or any other arbitrary day) you will somehow magically stick with those changes.  Why do you think that only 10% of the people that make resolutions actually stick to them?? Because they were the only ones READY to make the changes!!!! The fact is, you will stick to them when you are READY.  So if you feel you are ready to do it today, well then do it. If you felt you were motivated and ready on December 27th, then you should have started it then...and not waited until today...you may have lost that spark of motivation and deep desire to attain your goal.  If you are ready 2 months from now well do it then.  My point? Making resolutions when you are not ready to embrace them is a sure fire recipe for disaster and just plain stupid.  Not only will you fail to stick with the plan, you will be much less likely to attempt that (or any other) change in the future.

Yes you CAN!

Cashier: "I wish I could eat this healthy."
Me: "You can."
Cashier: "I know."
Me: "Well..."
Cashier: "I usually just eat things I can grab fast."
Me (with a puzzled look as she is scanning my raw vegetables): "You can grab these fast."
Cashier: "My 2 month old makes it hard for me."
Me: nothing..just a smile

Well, what was I supposed to say? She had all of her excuses lined up already.  Raw veggies, doesn't get much quicker than that. Blaming someone else for your eating habits gives away your power of choice.  You are at their mercy, you eat what they tell you to eat, or what they allow you to eat.  No wonder she can't eat the way she wants.
Any time you say that someone else 'makes' you do something, or any time you name someone else as a 'reason' why you are doing something or why you cannot do something, you are giving away YOUR power.  In your head you are just trying to escape the blame (really the responsibility) for the situation in which you find yourself.   Whether you realize it or not, you do not believe you have the power to make the choice. Subsequently, you never WILL make that choice.  It is time to realize this and take full responsibility for where you are as well as for where you are going.  YOU are the only one that puts food into your mouth. YOU are responsible for your choices and actions, and therefore the results of your actions as well.

 More than once I have heard people discussing this diet or that diet and commenting that "anyone can do it". Citing that it isn't restrictive and you can eat anything you want.  Hmmmm...yes anyone CAN do that.  In fact, most people are doing that NOW. That would be why the majority of the US population is either over weight or obese.  More than 66% of our population falls into this category. Here's a hint: if the majority of people are following a certain 'diet', it isn't working.  It is making them fat, so step away and do it quickly.  The other part of the 'diet anyone can do' mind set that frustrates me is this--why would someone feel that eating healthy is hard, or something that not everyone can do?? That mindset is exactly what is keeping people from eating healthy.  Apparently choosing healthy foods is something reserved for only a select few.

Here are two rules for being healthy. Learn them and live them.
1. YOU are responsible for what goes into your mouth, no one else.
2. No, you CANNOT eat whatever you want (no matter what that infomercial tells you).

Pretty simple, right? The sooner you own the fact that YOU are the one that got you where you are now, that YOU are the one that keeps you from getting where you want to go, the sooner YOU can get yourself where you want to be.  You are your worst enemy or your best asset, the choice is yours.  Damn, there is that word again 'choice'.  Own the choice, own the result.

No, you cannot eat whatever you want.  Well, ok technically you can, but that will not help you reach your goals.  Well, unless your goals are to fall somewhere in between so-so healthy and completely unhealthy.  If you are looking for optimal health then it is time that you just face the facts.  Eating whatever you want is not the way to go. Look at it like this: everything you ingest becomes a part of you. A part of each and every cell in your body. If your goal is optimal health choose optimal foods.  Ahhh, that sneaky word again. Everything comes back to choice.  Choice and responsibility.  Own them.  You CAN eat healthy, you can BE healthy, you CAN reach your goals.

"Can the Bulldog Be Saved?" the cover of the November 27, 2011 The New York Times Magazine questions.  As a lover of Bullys as well as the mother of one, my interest was piqued.  Well, that and the fact that the picture of the sweet baby on the cover looked just like my Bartholomew. I peeled the pages open to find the article and devoured it.

The gist is this..bulldogs have changed over the years. Writer Benoit Denizet-Lewis interviewed some who cite breeding practices to be at fault for the move from taller, leaner more athletic bodied dogs to shorter, heavier less agile ones. In an attempt to create a certain aesthetic, health may have been compromised. The article cites this as the reason for many problems afflicting the breed- heart disease, respiratory issues, birthing/reproductive difficulties, abnormal tooth placement, thyroid issues, skin allergies, digestive disorders, cherry eye, dry eye, hip, elbow and knee issues as well as altered gait.  Some see these health issues as a threat to the longevity of the breed. Can we 'save' the Bulldog from this? Sources cited in the article do believe that the Bulldog can be saved but only if new standards are set and criterion put in place to select for taller, leaner, healthier dogs.

 As I am reading this I actually started to laugh, yes laugh. I couldn't help but to see the parallel between the bulldog and the human.  Both were leaner and healthier not all that long ago.  Both continue to pass on traits that could compromise the health and well being of the entire line.  I'm laughing because for SOME REASON this is something we should be soooo worried about for the bulldog, but NOT the human??? WHAT??!!!! PETA and veterinarians alike are pushing for the American Kennel Club and Bulldog Club of America to change judging standards to favor the physique of a healthier, more resilient dog. They see this as a better representation of the breed, the ideal, if you will.

I am all for making anything healthier, that is for sure but why not start with ourselves? Why must we be so concerned about dogs and have so little reverence for humans? When a dog's health and longevity is compromised we do something about it, yet when our own health and longevity is compromised we just change the standards so we don't look so bad.  WHAT?!

Instead of looking deeper in to this situation we have chosen to modify our definition of what is normal or healthy for humans..but not for dogs? Why does this make sense? Oh yeah, that's right- IT DOESN'T!!!!! Clothing companies have modified the definition of their sizes.  I KNOW I am not smaller than I was in high school, but for some reason I wear sizes that are much smaller than I did back then.  All of this in an effort to keep people from feeling bad about themselves.  Changing the size of airplane, movie theater and car seats as well? Yep, wouldn't want anyone to have to squeeze in too much.  If we were bulldogs PETA would argue that we are endangering our line and that we should do something to stop moving further in the direction of total demise. Denizet-Lewis says:

"Jemima Harrison, the director of "Pedigree Dogs Exposed," told me it is possible to produce a healthier phenotype in most breeds pretty quickly (in three to four generations). ..."If breeders were willing to breed dogs with fewer exaggerated characteristics and judges in the show ring began rewarding those dogs, change could happen."

So, might it also be possible to change the direction of the human population? I certainly think so, but it will NOT happen on accident.  Continuing in the manner in which we have will find us in the same place as the bulldog. Just as the ideal bulldog may be redefined, we too must redefine the ideal human.  When I say 'ideal', NO I am not talking the Hitler-esque 'ideal'.  I am talking about a healthy individual.  Healthy physically and mentally.  We are responsible for the continuation of a healthy human population.  Today is the first step..commit to making a change for the better.  Lead by example for your family and friends.  Be the shining light of truth regarding nutrition and exercise. If we commit to starting NOW we can begin to undo our own demise.  If not, well...I don't want to go there.

Someone once told me that when you point your finger at something, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you. Let's stop pointing our finger at everything else and talking about what is wrong with IT, let's look at the 3 fingers pointing back at us and let's start with what is wrong with US!

Why is the truth so hard to find?

I often sit and wonder if I am the only one so fired up about lies in the food industry and the world of nutrition.  Maybe I am the only one that notices.  Surely I must be, otherwise the lies and misinformation would not be there.  There is NO WAY our leaders or government would allow this to happen, right? Companies that lie or misrepresent their products go to jail, are fined, or at least made to openly apologize, right? Cough, cough, cough.  Sorry I almost choked on my Cheerios.

Social media is a great way to keep up with things these days.  Something happens and "blammo" it is out there for everyone to see.  It hadn't even been 2 minutes and everyone in the country-better yet, around the world- was aware that Kim Kardashian was getting divorced.  Or how about when Seal Team Six went in after Saddam? What about learning that General Mills does not need to tell you that the fiber in Fiber One bars is not the same as fiber you would get from 'real food'?  It was on Facebook. You didn't hear about that? What? Really?? Nope, they do not have to tell you that.  So says a judge that heard the class action lawsuit. Yet this 'fake fiber' does not have the health benefits of real fiber, may cause stomach issues, or may even harm women. Specifically women who are pregnant or breast feeding.
http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1446-general-mills-a-kellogg-fiber-bar-class-action-lawsuit-tossed

An Illinois federal judge disagreed, however, writing that current legislation does not require companies to disclose that processed fiber offers fewer health benefits than natural fiber. And while states may ask for certain exceptions under the federal law, Illinois never obtained one to impose stricter standards.
"It's easy to see why Congress would not want to allow states to impose disclosure requirements of their own on packaged food products, most of which are sold nationwide," Judge Posner wrote. "Manufacturers might have to print 50 different labels, driving consumers who buy food products in more than one state crazy."

Haaa. Ok wait just a minute.  Did you say it is easy to see why Congress would not want to impose disclosure???? You're telling me it would drive people crazy because you would have to make 50 different labels for the product? I must be missing something here.  How about you just make ONE and you have it represent the product accurately.  Meaning you tell the truth.  Why is that so hard to figure out? Don't worry, there will still be plenty of people buying your 'fake fiber' product.  Just look at the number of people still buying McDonald's...and they list the actual fake ingredients of their products..for everyone to see.

Judge Posner said the labeling of Fiber Plus bars, Fiber One bars and other nutritional bar products challenged in the class action lawsuit is compliant with current federal regulations relating to health claims for dietary fibers. 

Oh I see..the problem is that the federal guidelines do not require them to tell the truth...THAT is where social media can work for us to effect change.  Why do I feel that I am the only one making any noise about this?  YOU can do something about this! Use your Facebook, Twitter, website, blog, or email and let your friends, followers, fans, and readers know what is going on.  Certainly if more people knew what was going on more people would demand change. People would demand the truth.  We are killing ourselves with this fake food and the lies that cover it up.

Another fun tidbit found on Facebook (incase you missed it on the news). Pizza is a vegetable.  Yes, you read that right.  Congress has decided that pizza is a vegetable. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/45306416/ns/today-today_health/t/pizza-vegetable-congress-says-yes/#.TsQ9WmBEDEU

Well, it is especially a vegetable when served in schools for lunch.  Seems that some folks got their undies tied in bunches when they were confronted with removing pizza and french fries from school lunches.  The article goes on to say that "...some conservatives in Congress say the federal government shouldn't be telling children what to eat." Cough, cough, cough..darn those Cheerios, almost choked again.

Ok, let me see if I'm getting this straight.  Conservatives think that if they remove pizza and french fries from school lunches then they are telling kids what to eat..meaning they are telling them to eat what is served (the replacement for the pizza and fries)..and Congress does not think that the federal government has the right to do that. Hmmm..ok, so doesn't that then mean that the federal government is telling children to eat whatever they are serving now (pizza and french fries)?? I'm confused.  So if they change what is served then the government is telling kids what to eat, but if they leave it the way it is then they aren't?

Riiiiiiight. I think there is a class that I have missed somewhere along the way called "How to Rationalize Things: The Political Version".  I'm guessing that the book for that class is really small and reads like this: 'Whatever works for me at the time is the truth and what I say goes, period.'

Yes, a tomato is a vegetable.  When it is convenient.  Otherwise it is a fruit. And pizza crust is whole grain.

C'mon people, these are the children that will run the country when you and I are old.  Shouldn't we try to keep them healthy and teach them to tell the truth?  Not just lie because it works at the moment, and oh- by- the- way- we can save lots of money if we pretend french fries and pizza are good for you.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee said the changes would "prevent overly burdensome and costly regulations and to provide greater flexibility for local school districts to improve the nutritional quality of meals."
School districts had said some of the USDA requirements went too far and cost too much when budgets are extremely tight. 

What cost is too high to ensure the health of our children, our country, our future?
This bill will be voted on this week by YOUR congressmen.  Please read the article and let them know what you think..before it is too late!.

Peanut Butter is NOT protein...you're welcome

Geez, if I hear it one more time, I think I may explode. Why, why, why do people continue to promote and encourage these lies? I just don't get it.  In a country where people are already so confused about nutrition, why do some find it necessary to propagate such misinformation???? Stupidity is pretty much the only thing I can think of..well except for the obvious..out-right deception.

This blog has been churning in my head for a while, but walking in to work this morning and having one of my co-workers read a list of "Top 10 Lean Proteins"as written by a REGISTERED DIETICIAN and posted on foxnews.com (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/04/26/10-lean-proteins/) really pushed me over the edge. (Thanks Matt!) Her list is as follows: quinoa, skyr (Icelandic style yogurt), egg whites, nut butters, oatmeal, soy, black beans, white meat chicken, daily catch (fish), sunflower seeds. WHAAAAAAATTTTTTT?????????? C'mon, you're kidding, right? I wish it was a joke, but it wasn't. Right there on the Fox News website for all to read..so it MUST be true...sigh, here we go again.

What is protein, why do we need it? Protein comes from the greek word proteios meaning: of the first or prime importance. Protein is basically a chain of amino acids.  Different proteins are made up of different amino acids in different combinations. There are 20 different amino acids, 9 of which are considered essential (must be obtained through the diet) with another 6 considered conditionally essential (must be obtained through diet during stressful conditions- such as exercise).  The remaining amino acids are considered non essential as the body can produce them from other compounds.  Proteins are needed to produce anitbodies for the immune system, enzymes for different reactions, are components of structural tissues (muscle tissue, collagen, elastin), transport molecules (hemoglobin) and some hormones (insulin, thyroid hormone and growth hormone). Protein can also be oxidized (broken down) for use as fuel.
Our bodies have zero storage capacity for protein, therefore our requirements must be met each and every day. Protein requirements for individuals has been a highly controversial topic for as long as I can remember (and probably was long before I was born as well).  Some RDs (as well as some doctors) will claim .4 grams of protein per kilogram of bodyweight (g/kg) is sufficient, while other RDs and sports nutritionists (myself included) stand by 1 gram of protein per pound of bodyweight (g/lb).  Either way you go, you MUST consume your protein every day.  If protein requirements are not met each day, muscle tissue will be metabolized to fulfill amino acid requirements.  This slows tissue repair, decreases strength (and muscle size), and impairs performance. All around a bad situation.

Ok so what's the big deal where it comes from? Well, as I said earlier proteins are made up of chains of amino acids in different combinations.  Proteins that contain all 9 essential amino acids are considered complete proteins as they provide tissues with the aminos necessary for growth. Examples are: milk, eggs, meat, fish, poultry- animal sources. Proteins that are lacking even ONE of the essential amino acids are considered incomplete and are not capable of causing growth.  In fact, a diet comprised of incomplete proteins can lead to protein malnutrition.  No, I am NOT making this up. Incomplete proteins include plant sources such as corn, lentils, beans, and nuts.
Did you hear me? Yes, I just said plant sources...and yes 2 of the things I specifically listed were on Tanya Zuckerbrot's list of "Top 10 Lean Proteins".
That's right folks, not all protein is created equal.  Just like clothes, cars, electronics and just about anything else you can think of.  Some are just plain better than others.  That is how the world works people, accept it and move on.

So why do some people say that nuts or nut butters (or whatever) is a 'source of protein'?  Well, my guess is that because it actually contains some amino acids so when you look at the nutrition facts (the numbers on the back of the package) there is a number next to protein.  It does not say zero, therefore it is a source of protein.  That is a great plan *cough, cough*.  That is like a builder telling you that your new house will be constructed out of particle board. I know, you are probably laughing thinking 'what the heck?'.  Really though, if we are playing by the same rules as this 'source of protein' game particle board is a source of wood.  It has wood in it, right? So what's the big deal? The big deal is: A) what is the quality of the wood? And B) what percent of the particle board is comprised of wood?
Your answer- A) haaa, chips and dust and shavings B) hmmm.
Let's do the same thing for nuts..specifically peanut butter.  Ok, we already know it is an incomplete protein so quality is not great at all.  Now for the amount of that protein in peanut butter.  To figure this out, let's look at the nutrition info for peanut butter. You can look at any kind you'd like they are all going to be about the same.  Looking at Smucker's Natural Chunky Peanut Butter you see that one serving (2TBSP) is 200 calories, 16 grams fat, 6 grams carbohydrate, 7 grams protein. Let's do the math here - 16grams of fat x 9 calories/gram of fat gives us 144 calories from fat. Six grams of carbohydrate x 4 calories/gram gives us 24 calories from carbohydrate.  Seven grams of protein x 4 calories/gram gives us 28 calories from protein. What percent of the total calories is that? Hmmmm 72% for fat, 12% for carbohydrate, 14% for protein.   Now, I am definitely NOT a math major nor am I a statistician, but I would have to say that peanut butter is a great source of....wait for it...FAT, not protein.  Well, unless you think that particle board is a good source of wood. (If it IS a source of protein, then one would have to say that it is also a source of carbohydrate as the numbers are almost the same for the two)

 What about beans?  I love beans. Especially black beans.  Ms. Zuckerbrot states: "Black beans have 8.5 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber per half cup. Enough said."  Well, yes they actually do. They also have 21 grams of carbohydrates --which, if we did the math- would qualify them as majority carbohydrate source...NOT protein. Oh wait, beans are also an INCOMPLETE source of protein.  ENOUGH SAID.

What about combining incomplete protein sources to 'make' a complete protein? Sure, go ahead..if you would like to increase you caloric consumption as well...let's try it. We'll go with the ever popular beans and rice.  We'll use black beans and brown rice. One cup of brown rice has 5 grams of protein and we know that a half cup of black beans has 8.5 grams. Together that makes 13.5 grams of protein. Hmmm, but also gives us 67 grams of carbohydrates and totals about 340 calories. Hmmmmm.  Just for kicks and giggles let's look at chicken. First of all we know it is an animal source so it is by default a complete protein. Two ounces of cooked chicken breast has MORE protein than the rice and beans mixture (2oz chicken has 18 grams), and has 99 calories!!!!!!  Ninety-nine calories, 2 grams of fat, zero grams of carbohydrate and 18 grams of protein. Hmm, what does THAT work out to as far as percent composition? Seventy two calories from protein and 18 from fat..soooo about 73% protein, 0% carbohydrate and 18% fat.  PROTEIN SOURCE!!!! In general, I am not going to consider something a source of ________ (insert whatever you'd like) unless it has over 70% of that thing in it.  I am NOT going to consider something that has a trace amount of something a SOURCE of that something and certainly not a GOOD source of it. Most especially when there are sooooo many sources that are much much better.

Wait, it gets better. According to a study done by Young and Pellett (Am J Clin Nutr 1994;59)

 "Contrary to popular belief, there is no known maximum amount of protein that can be absorbed in one meal.  However, in general it is known that humans typically absorb approximately 95% of ingested animal proteins and approximately 85% of ingested plant proteins."

Did you hear that? So of the 13.5 grams of protein from your beans and rice you probably only absorbed  11.4 grams. The 18 grams of protein from the chicken left you with 17.1 grams.  So you would need to consume EVEN MORE of your beans and rice. Whew, I'm full just thinking about it.

Let's recap this. You need protein every day.  You need complete proteins.  Complete proteins are animal sources. Plants are NOT animals. Plants are NOT complete proteins. Beans are NOT protein. Peanut butter is NOT protein.  You're welcome.

40 miles of thoughts...

Since I made it official here, I guess I need to recap it here too.  I completed the Triple Lakes 40 mile trail race on October 15. SUCCESS!!!!

My only goal was to finish the race- in an upright position- and on my own 2 feet. I am very happy to report that I did just that. Well, not JUST that, but I did that.  I feel like I did so much more..
In that 40 miles, I had many conversations with myself, thanked my guardian angles for keeping me from face planting SEVERAL times, wrote a new blog, pondered the meaning of life, unsuccessfully attempted mathematical equations, encountered scary sounding beasts (which ended up being cows), evaded some 'close talkers', avoided an emotional breakdown near mile 30-something and had an emotional break down at mile 40. It was a busy day.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day. Everything just came together in the most harmonious way..the weather, the trail, the event itself... just perfect.
I couldn't help but find the parallels between a trail race and life.  The trail was very technical with a great percentage of it covered in leaves.  Constant attention was required to avoid slipping or tripping on rocks or sticks.  Every so often the trail would come to a 'flat' stretch and I found my self looking up from the ground just long enough to take in my surroundings. When I tried to look back down at the trail, it was gone. Vanished.  I felt as if I were standing in the middle of the forrest alone. After a few seconds of concentration I could start to see where the trail was.  I kept my eyes peeled and continued moving forward.  'Wow,' I thought 'life is a lot like this trail race.  You have to stay focused on the path you are following.  If you look away or become distracted, you may lose your way.'
Focus grasshopper, focus.
Another similarity...sometimes you may be caught with snot on your face, you have to wipe it off and just keep going.  Really, things don't always go the way we envisioned them every time. You may end up with egg (or snot) on your face, but you have to get back up, wipe it off and keep going.

All the happy thoughts in the world and I still almost had an emotional breakdown at mile 30-something.  If you are a runner, you definitely understand that at some point in any race you may become over whelmed with emotion..the longer the race the greater the likelihood.  If you aren't a runner, you'll just have to trust me on this.  All I could think about was finishing and when I did I knew I would see my friends.  They would be there smiling and excited to see me.  I started to cry.  And let me tell you it is NOT easy to run and cry..you can't breathe! I could see Katie and Danielle and Jenny and their smiling faces in my mind.  I knew they would be there and I was so happy to have such amazing friends to share this moment with.  Friends who loved me and supported me. I had to put that thought on hold in order to get my breathing back to normal.  'Later, ' I told myself 'you can go back to that thought later.  For now just keep running.'

Just keep running is what I did for a few more miles.  I had no idea how much further it was.  I could hear people cheering off in the distance but couldn't tell how close I was, nor did I know if they were people from the race or some other event going on in the area.  I tried not to get too excited, but after spending so many hours alone in the woods, the sound of other's voices was pretty exciting. A few miles later I came around a curve and down a hill and ran past some people. I thought I heard them telling me which direction to run, but I didn't completely understand. 'Turn right, cross the street' and something about cones.  When I crossed the street I could see some orange cones ahead and figured that was what they were talking about. 'Head to the cones' I told myself.
As I am heading toward the cones I hear "That's Michelle!"  I knew that familiar voice, I knew it was an exclamation for me.. 'through the cones I kept telling myself', but I could feel my thoughts drifting to seeing Katie, Danielle and Jenny and I started to get a huge lump in my throat. 'Oh no', I thought ' don't cry now, they will think you are having a heart attack!' I could feel myself having trouble breathing and kept trying to push back the tears. 'Finish the race and then cry' is what I kept telling myself...and I did.
I crossed the finish line with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face.  Danielle and Jenny were cheering and clapping and there was Katie, arms raised in victory. I went right to her, gave her a big hug and burst into tears.  I couldn't help it, I was so happy that I had accomplished my goal, but even happier to have amazing friends to share it with. A round of hugs with everyone and Danielle was right there with my recovery shake.  I think I still had tears in my eyes. I couldn't help it. I was thinking 'this must be what Heaven is like. Greeted by people you love with open arms and snacks.'
 Yep, life IS like a trail race

What is the meaning of 'healthy'?

Uncanny timing for this post.  On the heels of a class action suit filed against General Mills and its Fruit Roll-Ups for misleading consumers that its products are healthy, when in fact they are not.  http://www.topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/1419-general-mills-fruit-snack-class-action-lawsuit
General Mills is not the only company guilty of doing this. Marketing departments everywhere are trying harder and harder to appeal to health conscious consumers as well as those just trying to make small improvements in their dietary habits.  What is even more unfortunate is that some professionals (dietitians) that Americans look to for guidance are just as misleading.

Merriam -Webster defines healthy as: conducive to health. Citing such synonyms as  able-bodied, bouncing, fit, hale, hearty,robust, sound, well, well-conditioned, whole, wholesome.  Not a bad place to start.  They go on to define heart healthy as conducive to a healthy heart and circulatory system.  Ok, I'll buy that.  But what about everyone else? What is their definition of healthy?  This is something that confuses most Americans each and every day. If eggs, oatmeal, almonds, berries, chicken and  salmon are all deemed healthy--even heart healthy then eating them would be a good thing, right? Uhhh, no.  Not always.
What?? You heard me..NO! You can't just take something that is healthy and do whatever you want to it and say it is STILL healthy.  Some of you are probably laughing right now thinking, well duuuhhh, of course. But then WHY, WHY, WHY do people do it every day and no one says anything? Each and every day you are presented with things that appear to be healthy and simply ARE NOT.  Oatmeal from Mc Donald's (or even Starbucks), yogurt with 'real fruit', trail mix or an Egg Mc Muffin.  Yes, I did say Egg McMuffin. That's right.  Apparently some dietitians actually consider it a healthy option. Wholly cow, what was the definition of healthy again????  Looking at an online 'resource' healthydinigfinder.com  http://www.healthydiningfinder.com/ you will actually learn that healthy has a meaning completely different than the Merriam-webster version.  Here is what they say: "The dietitian-approved Healthy Dining choices emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats and meet calorie, fat and saturated fat criteria. A new Sodium Savvy platform helps consumers find restaurant meals with less than 750 mg. of sodium." They emphasize those things, but don't necessarily have them...ohhh and golly gee- less than 750mg of sodium...half of my sodium intake in just one meal..THANKS!  
So yes, you DO need to pay attention to what you are eating not just what some pretty, colorful package says or some commercial with an unbelievably catchy song, or even a fun website that says it is dietician approved.  You need to know what it started out as and what happened to it along the way; what was added and what was taken away.  Then, regardless of the marketing associated with the item you will KNOW if it is healthy or not. Simple enough?


Let's look back on some of the choices purported as 'healthy options' according to www.healthydiningfinder.com. First up, McDonald's Egg McMuffin.  (Thankfully McDonald's lists the nutritional information as well as ingredients for their items online- which is more than I can say for WeightWatchers http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/getnutrition/ingredientslist.pdf) Ingredients are listed as: english muffin, egg, pasteurized process American cheese, Canadian style bacon, liquid margarine.  Ok, never mind the fact that I would dump the english muffin, this choice may not seem too bad to some folks.  I mean after all, it DOES list egg, right? Well, let's look a bit closer.  Scrolling down the page, after all the listings of its breakfast items 'eggs' are listed.  Hmmm, wonder what's in there..eggs, I hope.  Let's see....USDA Grade A eggs, soy lecithin (release agent). Prepared with liquid margarine: liquid soybean oil and hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, water, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), artificial flavors, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, bets carotene (color).  While we're at it, why don't we look at the english muffin too. Those ingredients are listed as: enriched flour (bleached wheat flour, malted barley flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamin mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid), water, yeast, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, wheat gluten, soybean oil and/or canola oil, contains 2% or less of the following: salt, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, citric acid, calcium citrate, yellow corn flour, corn meal, rice flour, barley flour, rice malt, artificial flavors, natural flavors (botanical source), dough conditioners (ascorbic acid, azodicarbonamide, datem, tricalcium phosphate, monocalcium phosphate, enzymes, calcium peroxide), calcium propionate and potassium sorbate (preservatives) soy lecithin. Prepared with liquid margarine: liquid soybean oil and hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oils, water, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soy lecithin, mono- and diglycerides, sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate (preservatives), artificial flavors, citric acid, vitamin A palmitate, bets carotene (color).  


Oh heck, while we're at it we'll finish it off with the Canadian Style Bacon and Pasturized process American cheese..guess we don't really need to look at the liquid margarine since THAT is already incorporated into every other item in the sandwich! Canadian Style bacon: pork, water, sugar, salt, sodium lactate, sodium phosphate, natural flavor (vegetable), sodium diacetate and sodium nitrite (preservatives). Pasteurized process American cheese: milk, water, milk fat, cheese culture, sodium citrate, salt, citric acid, scorbic acid (preservative), sodium phosphate, artificial color, lactic acid, acetic acid, enzymes, soy lecithin (added for slice separation). 
Ok, so I have a question to the dietician that 'approved' this as a healthy option--what on EARTH is your definition of healthy???? I mean, really...hydrogenated cottonseed and soybean oil, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, bleached flour, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, salt, soy, soy, soy, PRESERVATIVES?? Yeah, that is right in line with the standards they mentioned: emphasize lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unsaturated fats and meet calorie, fat and saturated fat criteria.Wow, that is all I can say...wow.


I do find it interesting that Mc Donald's uses different eggs for different items.  For instance the biscuit items are listed as having a 'folded egg'.  This 'folded egg' has ingredients listed as: pasteurized whole egg (DOES NOT LIST GRADE OF EGG), food starch-modified, soybean oil, natural flavors (botanical), sodium acid pyrophosphate, carrageenan, flavor enhancer [salt, maltodextrin, natural flavor(plant source), spices, herb, turmeric (color)], monosodium phosphate, citric acid, soy lecithin (release agent), prepared with liquid margarine. All eggs are NOT created equal.  Not too sure about you, but if i cooked an egg at home, I'm pretty sure the ingredients would be: egg.  That's it, just egg. 


I know, you're thinking "well, duuh, i didn't REALLY think that was a healthy option anyway." Just for you we'll look at something that most people WOULD assume would be a healthy option.  Grilled chicken.  McDonald's has done its part to stay afloat in this increasingly health conscious market so you have many choices with your grilled chicken there.  You can go with a salad, or sandwich or wrap.  Let's not split hairs with what you get with your grilled chicken, let's just look at the chicken for now. It is actually called New Grilled Chicken Fillet and is made of: chicken breast fillet with rib meat, water, seasoning (rice starch, salt, sugar, yeast extract, canola oil, onion powder, maltodextrin, chicken skin, paprika, flavor, sunflower oil, chicken, garlic powder, chicken fat, spices) sodium phosphates.
WOW! Why is there rice starch, sugar, yeast, oil, maltodextrin, CHICKEN SKIN, oil, chicken and chicken fat used to prepare the chicken???? Shouldn't chicken taste like chicken without ADDING chicken, chicken skin and chicken fat to it???? Or maybe it didn't taste like chicken after adding the sugar, salt, oil and maltodextrin so they had to add chicken back IN to the chicken.  Who knows.  All I know is that THAT is NOT chicken.  Not anymore.  


I can imagine this whole thing may be very confusing for some.  I mean after all there are isles upon isles of things in grocery stores jumping out promising to be healthy.  Made with "whole grains" or "real fruit" they say.  People buy into it forgetting the fact that the products don't even LOOK LIKE what they are supposedly made from. So when you DO have a product that looks like what it is made from (grilled chicken) it can be even harder for people to discern its health value. Read the ingredients people.  Not the pretty colored box front.  The actual ingredients.  They are usually small black letters..on the BACK of the package.  You may even need your glasses to read them. Put your glasses on, read the ingredients and keep the TRUE definition of healthy in mind. 


Stick with me, we'll get through this.