Act of Nutrition with Denise Russo, MS RD

The MIND-diet (meant to delay or prevent Alzheimer's and dementia) is inconsistent with the Keto diet and the Paleo diet. Are your nutrition goals about fast weight loss (that statistically you won't keep off as you yo-yo diet) or is it about your LONG TERM HEALTH? (Information from the media outlets reporting on the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference....research review pending release.) There is more research to be done on this, surprise (not) Mediterranean Die...t type meal plan. And, I'd love to see the vegan equivalent of this magnitude of study. The MIND diet emphasizes 15 dietary components, including 10 foods to eat daily green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, nuts, berries, beans, whole grains, fish, poultry, olive oil and wine and five foods to avoid: red meats, butter and stick margarine, cheese, pastries and sweets, and fried or fast food. Saturated fat (back to your meats, coconut oil, butter, etc) have also been linked as a contributing factor. And, one of my favorite comments in one of the abstracts I read this morning is that it is the synergistic effect of foods vs just taking a supplement of one nutrient to fix a problem. It's like I tell my students...it's not knowing what to do to improve our nutrient intake that is difficult, it is finding the way to do it.

All levels of water polo are up.

For my friends with PCOS, I am reviewing the most recent guidelines and, in general, this is what they say: 1. No general, specific dietary intervention is supe...rior, but limiting calories in order to maintain a healthy body weight is beneficial. That said, if you find something works best for you individually, that is a personal best option. It may or may not work for another. 2. They gave a definition between physical activity (walking, cleaning house, gardening, etc) and "structured exercise" (which I call "play" in my classes). You need both, and play needs to include moderate or high intensity. In other words, you need to breathe hard (unless a physician says that you shouldn't) for 250 min/week (150 if vigorous) AND you need to include resistance training. This doesn't need to be done at a gym. Beyond the PCOS recommendations, as my directorship at SSC comes to an end (2 weeks from today), I am considering options for Act of Nutrition. One is to do nothing, and enjoy not having 5 jobs....funny that this idea triggers my age-old anxiety. My counselor cocked her heat at me once when I told her I was concerned about "being lazy." She queried, "didn't you say that you worked out at the gym today and went swimming and rode your bike the 5 miles to come to this appointment." What is the exercise equivalent word for dysmorphia, haha. Another is to get some sort of group going.....including a couple of workouts/week plus some weekly nutrition intervention. Of course, my professional time isn't cheap (as a trainer and more so as a dietitian), and so I just can't seem to find the right pricing for "you get what you pay for." Probably, for now, I will just keep doing research for my students and friends, and let AON take some time off...

You know how us annoying dietitian types, trained in "traditional medicine," suggest that you get your nutrients from real food vs relying on supplements or mea...l replacement shakes, and also that you get enough sleep vs using energy boosters to get through your day. (I know, we are so "establishment," not to be trusted.) This study shows a correlation (more research needed but something to keep in mind) between even supplemental B vitamins (you know, the ones that just make expensive urine) and possibly cancer. Wouldn't it be a wonderful world if high quality food was available to everyone, affordable, and if we could stop trying to find short-cuts to our health, but rather take care of ourselves with said food, and play, and sleep and stress reduction? #everyonewantsashortcut #makegoodchoices

On the fence about signing up? Concerned about the financial investment into the first day of the rest of your life? Wondering what they program will give you? Post your questions here and let us answer. Or, read some of the testimonials on the webpage. Research shows that it is nutrition more than exercise that affects weight loss. But, movement is still a worthwhile component and one of the factors that we discuss as a part of a wellness program meant to help you live a longer, healthful life. www.actofnutrition.org Sign up by 2/1 and get half off in our 2-for-1 deal this month!

Act of Nutrition is currently on hiatus while I completed my doctoral studies. That said, I am considering a private group to help us with our wellness choices during Shelter in Place. We can food journal, fitness journal, stress reduction journal and/or respond to one another to provide support and accountability with daily check ins. Any interest? I don't want to charge people, but I do think limiting the group to no more than 16 (or is that too big)? Just an idea I am floating...I am an idea girl.