Superfood or Super Hype Dr. Barbara Ann Hughes PhD, MPH, RDN, FADA, FAND Objectives 1.) Fad Diets vs. Balanced Diets 2.) New Food Trends 3.) How to discern which nutritional information is true 4.) How can an RDN help? 5.) Other (poverty, new food label, etc.) Fad Diets: 1
Balanced Diet Fruits Vegetables Grains Protein Dairy What is a fad diet? A fad diet is a diet that promises quick weight loss through what is usually an unhealthy and unbalanced diet. Fad diets are targeted at people who want to lose weight quickly without exercise (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). Gluten Free A growing trend 2012 - $4.2 billion in retail sales for gluten free products in the US (Latner et al. 2013) The CDC shows that only 6% of the population actually needs this diet (Latner et al. 2013) What is gluten? Who needs a gluten free diet? How can it be harmful? 2
Paleo Diet What is the Paleo diet? Protein protein protein No carbohydrates Cutting out food groups? What happens when you stop following this diet? Minimum amount of carbohydrates your body needs before starvation mode? Ketosis from Low Carb Diets Soy Free Diet One of the eight main allergens How much soy is too much soy? Implications for the vegan or vegetarian population Soy in nutritional supplements 3
Super Foods and New Food Trends: What is a super food? Food with amazing health benefits Marketing campaign by manufacturers Coconut Oil Medium Chain Fatty Acids Price Potential usage in gallbladder removal patients 4
Juicing Lots of sugar No fiber Waste What are the benefits Vitamins Nutrients Smoothies or juicing? Flavor Health benefits Raw Any benefit to not cooking food? Price $ Plant based protein Tempeh Edamame Tofu Detoxification 5
Low Content Nutrient Claims Cross sectional study - 2008-2012 Purchases with any low-content claim had lower mean energy, total sugar, total fat, and sodium densities compared to purchases with no claim (Taille et al 2017). Can foods cure disease? Diabetes Malnutrition Is there a cure all diet? Only one way to lose weight Heart healthy Habits (DASH diet) Stop smoking Get active BMI Eat healthy Blood Pressure 6
Quick Tips: If a diet cuts out a food group, then it isn t healthy Sugar isn t a food group Have questions? What resources to look for Not every MD is perfect, not every RDN is How Can an RDN Help? The most educated option Provide education for your patients (saves you time!) In a hospital setting RDNs can legally prescribe diets in the hospital setting (2015 policy) In a private practice setting Creates a more well-rounded practice Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 Follow a healthy eating pattern across their lifespan Focus on variety, nutrient density, and amount Limit calories from added sugars and saturated fats, and reduce sodium intake Shift to healthier food and beverage choices Support healthy eating patterns for all 7
Questions? New Food Label Larger calorie size Larger serving size Added sugars included Serving sizes reflect actual amounts eaten Carbonated beverages from 8-12 ounces Added dietary fiber Potassium and Vitamin D are mandatory Vitamin A and C removed New Nutrition Label Continued Compliance Dates: 2 years for all manufacturers to apply Not including businesses with <$10 million in profit 3 years to comply 8
What s Going On with Your Patients? Poverty and Malnutrition Food insecurity in North Carolina and US Food Deserts How does this affect children? Malnutrition lower cognition and socioeconomic skills Why Does this Matter? Partners across multiple sectors must work together to educate policymakers to ensure greater awareness of the importance of investing in prevention and public health (Hoppert et al 2017). 9
Resources Fan, S. (n.d.). The fat-fueled brain: unnatural or advantageous? Retrieved March 26, 2017, from https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/mind-guest-blog/the-fat-fueled-brain-unnatural-or-advantageous/ Kent, P. S. (2013). Is Going Gluten Free the Next Fad Diet? Journal of Renal Nutrition, 23(2), e47 e50. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jrn.2012.12.005 Latner, J. D., & Wilson, G. T. (2007). Self-help Approaches for Obesity and Eating Disorders: Research and Practice. Guilford Press. 10