FOR RELEASE: March 9, 2004
CONTACT: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
405/271-5601

Keep Diets Smart and Stay Healthy
March is National Nutrition Month®

Eat Smart, Stay Healthy, for a Lifetime is the theme for National Nutrition Month®, March 2004. The American Dietetic Association and the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) say eating smart to stay healthy means being smart about the foods you eat. The increasing problem of obesity has sparked a high level of interest in people struggling to reach and/or maintain a healthy weight. It has also sparked a flood of dietary messages for every type of miracle diet imaginable, making it increasingly hard to know what to eat and how to make wise food choices, according to health officials.

In all the confusion, many people turn to popular (fad) diets for help. Popular diets can take many forms promising quick weight loss while eating all you want of certain foods. These diets often involve omission of certain foods and sometimes even omit entire food groups. Some require the purchase of books and even special products “required for the diet to work.” While some diets do produce a downward turn in the scales, the loss is usually short term. When the diet is discontinued, the weight quickly returns.

Currently, the most popular diet trend is “low carb” that restricts carbohydrates and advocates consumption of high protein, high fat foods. Carbohydrates are found mostly in plant foods, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Another food group that contains carbohydrates is dairy (calcium) although a few ounces of cheese are often allowed per day. One variation of the high protein diet is less rigid with carbohydrate restriction and allows whole grains, most fruits, and low fat dairy foods. Heart healthy fats and oils are advocated with appropriate serving sizes. This approach is better, but the long-term affects of high protein diets or whether weight loss can be maintained is unclear.

Another popular weight loss promotion is the use of starch-blocker pills along with dietaryrecommendations. Starch blocker pills are made from white kidney bean extract and theoretically prevent the absorption of starch calories in the small intestine. However, there is no published research to support this claim. Users of these products have complained to the Food and Drug Administration of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The pills are considered especially hazardous to diabetics, who may rely on them to calculate their diets.

These dietary strategies do have some things in common. All of them include purchase of a book to find the real secrets of being successful. Of note is that buried within the pages of the books are almost always recommendations to eat sensibly and exercise. And, of course, with the starch blocker diet, you must purchase special supplements. In the long run, only your wallet may end up slimmer.

“The bottom line is, calories count. Popular diets may allow for short-term weight loss but in the long run, only your pocketbook is apt to stay slimmer. Money spent on weight loss books and supplements might be better spent elsewhere. Instead of looking for 'miracle' weight loss solutions, take a sensible approach of eating a healthy diet, lowering calories and increasing your exercise,” said Sandy Richardson, OSDH director of Community Health Nutrition Services. Some suggestions for smart and healthy eating include:

• Whatever the food, eat a sensible serving size. Know the appropriate serving sizes for you.
• Add color to your plate by eating more fruits and vegetables. Think red, green and orange - fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals that may help prevent some cancers and lowers blood pressure. Try adding fresh fruit to pancakes or yogurt.
• Expand your tastes and choices of foods to get the nutrients your body needs.
• Try a new food or recipe at least once a month or new ethnic cuisine at a local restaurant.

For more information on diet and weight loss, contact a registered dietitian at your local county health department.

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