Eating Disorder Pro

The New School Lunch

Dr. J Renae Norton — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:10:24 +0000

This week, the USDA announced the new requirements for school breakfasts and lunches. This marks the first major overhaul to the requirements in over 15 years! Although the changes aren’t as significant as the Obama administration would have liked, the new requirements are definitely a step in the right direction in the right direction. The changes are definitely worthy of praise.

By implementing these new requirements, it is hoped that there will be a noticeable decrease in the number of obese children. In the past 30 years, our nation has experienced a threefold increase in childhood obesity rates. The result? One in three children in our country are now overweight. It is becoming increasingly more common for our children to leave their pediatricians office with a diagnosis of Type II Diabetes, high blood pressure, heart conditions and joint deterioration; diseases which have historically been unheard of in youth populations. Recent studies predict that the epidemic of childhood obesity will result in a 2-5 year decrease in life expectancy. This will be the first generation since the Great Depression that our children are projected to have a shorter lifespan than their parents.

So what changes will we see in the foods that our country’s children are being served at schools? Here’s the breakdown…..

I really love how they are requiring a wide variety of vegetables on a weekly basis. Kids will get a wide variety of nutrients by eating all the ‘colors of the rainbow’, it will also give kids the opportunity to discover new fruits and vegetables.

There has been much controversy over schools being permitted to classify ‘pizza’ as a ‘vegetable’ because it contains 3 tablespoons of tomato paste. The new requirements do allow ‘pizza’ to be classified as a ‘vegetable’, but children will be required to have an additional serving of vegetables on their tray alongside the pizza.

I don’t necessarily agree with this change. Previously, I have discussed the disadvantages of low-fat milk. When I choose milk for both myself and my grandsons, I stick to these guidelines . When it comes to low-fat milk, some of the most respected health gurus in our country say:

“Low fat milk causes weight gain. This is how farmers fatten pigs. If they give them whole milk, the pigs stay lean.

Low fat milk is missing all the vitamins that you get in the fat. The industry has figured out that they make a lot more money on butter and butterfat if they put it in ice cream. So they take the cream out of the milk, put it into ice cream. They would much rather you spend the money on ice cream, than on butter or buttercream; they make a lot more money.”
-Sally Fallon, Weston A. Price Foundation

“A note on the production of skim milk powder: liquid milk is forced through a tiny hole at high pressure, and then blown out into the air. This causes a lot of nitrates to form and the cholesterol in the milk is oxidized. Those of you who are familiar with my work know that cholesterol is your best friend; you don’t have to worry about natural cholesterol in your food; however, you do not want to eat oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol contributes to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, to atherosclerosis. So when you drink reduced-fat milk thinking that it will help you avoid heart disease, you are actually consuming oxidized cholesterol, which initiates the process of heart disease.”
-Weston A. Price Foundation, Dirty Secrets of the Food Processing Industry

“Let us get rid of one fallacy which is that skim milk is actually milk that has had the cream skimmed off the top. That actually sounds logical but it is not how is done, at least not in this modern world. That process would not remove all the cream so what is done in modern processing is the milk is spun around with centrifuges, eventually completely separating the cream (fat) and milk. It is first clarified, then separated, then pasteurized (or ultra-pasteurized), and then finally homogenized. This over-processing has now removed every healthy vitamin, living enzyme, and natural mineral. Welcome to your now-dead beverage……Skim milk will not support life. So by removing the cream you have essentially turned the milk into something completely useless, especially the pasteurized variety as you have not only removed the healthy fat but you have also as stated removed the living nutrients.”
-Raw Milk Truth

“Researchers from Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute conducted a study that monitored the dietary habits of more than 20,000 Swedish women for a decade. It turned out that women who consumed full fat milk or cheese had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) than the rest of the group. The results were convincing enough for the researchers to recommend that a glass of full fat milk every day will cut weight gain by 15%, and a portion of full fat cheese each day will cut weight gain by 30%. Alicja Wolk, professor at the Karolinska Institute stated, ‘The surprising conclusion was that increased consumption of (full fat) cheese meant that overweight women lost weight.’

Yet skim and 1% milk is pervasive in school lunch programs, and throughout the American diet. If you summarize the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food pyramid you see an emphasis on grains plus skim milk, the very combination that fattens hogs so efficiently! In fact, the USDA recommends we start the low-fat habit early: children as young as pre-school are recommended to consume non-fat or low fat milk, yogurt and cheese. With a food pyramid like this it’s little wonder we face an obesity epidemic from childhood onward.”
-Ann M Childers, MD. Life Balance Northwest

“Guess what they feed a pig if they want to make it as fat as possible as fast as possible?

Low-fat milk, because if they give the pig milk with fat in it, the pig gets satiated. It’s satisfied and won’t eat any more. But if they give it low-fat milk, it will eat the grain they feed it forever because it’ll have a deficiency of fat.

Now think of what we’re eating for breakfast in this country…

If you don’t want to get fat you’re told to drink low-fat milk, and corn or wheat or oat-based cereal.

It’s the prescription to make you as fat as possible as quickly as you can get there. You’ll never stop wanting to eat because you’re never getting any food that causes satiation.

Americans are told to eat a diet that is scientifically designed to make you as fat as possible as fast as possible.”
-Dr. Al Sears, MD. Power for Healthy Living

Again, I’m not completely on board with this change. There are some saturated fats that would benefit our children, such as coconut fat.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison, showing the foods that meet the current requirements versus the foods that will be served under the new requirements (from the USDA Food and Nutrition Services)

So, how quickly can we expect to see these changes implemented? About 1000 schools in the US are already feeding their kids according to these new guidelines. Many other schools have already started making changes by offering some more healthier choices, such as salad bars. The current plan, however, is to phase all of the new requirements into the schools over the next five years.

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Medical Advice Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult his or her healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation or if they have any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment plan. Reading the information on this website does not create a physician-patient relationship.

Health Benefits of Chick Peas + A Recipe for Mediterranean “Rice” Salad

Dr. J Renae Norton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:39:36 +0000

This dish is great served hot, but also makes a fabulous cold salad. Garlic, zucchini, red onion, chick peas, goat cheese and oregano make a really satisfying dish.

Chickpeas are a great source of protein. They also contain folic acid, iron, copper, zinc and magnesium.

I used cauliflower rice, instead of white rice to cut back on the carbohydrates. This recipe can be made with quinoa, rice or orzo, if you prefer. I grated a medium head of cauliflower in my food processor with the grater attachment. This can also be done with a regular grater. Microwave it in a covered dish for six minutes, no need to add any water.

Based on a recipe by Rachael Ray, this is a quick + easy weeknight dinner. I served this with shrimp cocktail. My favorite shrimp and cocktail sauce are both Trader Joe’s brand. Absolutely delicious!

Mediterranean “Rice” Salad

4 cups cauliflower rice

1 medium zucchini, diced

salt + pepper

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

3 cloves thinly sliced garlic

1 can of organic chickpeas (15 oz)

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh oregano

3 oz goat cheese cheese, crumbled

In a medium skillet, saute zucchini, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in coconut oil. Cook til tender (about 6 minutes).

Add chickpeas, cook til warm.

Next, add cauliflower rice, parsley, oregano and crumbled goat cheese. Gently stir to combine.

Prior to serving, top with additional goat cheese, if desired.

Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!

Nutritional Breakdown (per serving)

146 calories

5 g of fat

8 g protein

17 g carbs

7 g fiber

News You Can Use – Jan 22 – 29 2012

Dr. J Renae Norton — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:28:16 +0000

There is so much information in the news about our health these days, that it can become quite overwhelming. In hopes of relieving some of the stress this can inflict on both my patients and my readers, I’ve highlighted some of the weekly health news that was of particular interest to me. Here is your news update for the week of Jan 15-22 2012!

Deception Diet: How Optical Illusions Can Trick Your Appetite
Why McDonald’s In France Doesn’t Feel Like Fast Food
USDA Sets Guideline for Healthier School Meals
Think Positive (Seriously, it could lead to healthier behavior!)
One More Reason Not to Eat Microwave Popcorn: Vaccine Effectiveness
Prisoners Lawsuit Against Soy Products Given Green Light by Judge
Raw Milk Vending Machines Growing in Popularity Across Europe
Obesity Tops List of “Winnable” Health Battles

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

News You Can Use – January 15 – 22

Dr. J Renae Norton — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:22:35 +0000

Obama says NO to WhiteHouse.gov petition to legalize raw milk at federal level
Popular orange juices flavored with secret “flavor packs” not listed on the label
New scientific study links bee deaths to pesticides
Kids may have higher obesity risk if dad is overweight, study says
Consumers’ thirst for organic milk exceeds supply
Effort gets underway to require GMO food labeling
The Truth About Natural Foods
3 Surprising Reasons to Give Up Soda
Watching ‘The Biggest Loser’ may increase anti-fat attitudes
A randomized controlled trial of adjunctive family therapy and treatment as usual following inpatient treatment for anorexia nervosa adolescents
Children Diet To Keep Off Pounds And Ward Off Bullying, Survey Says
Good Intentions Ease Pain, Add to Pleasure
Mindful Eating Restaurant Study

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

iTherapy – Integrating the iPhone into Therapy

Dr. J Renae Norton — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:37:04 +0000

I recently read an article by Dr. Weissman of the Chicago Institute of Psychoanalysis that introduced the concept of using an iPhone in the treatment of anorexia and body dysmorphic disorder.

Times are changing faster than ever. Technological advances, such as the introduction of the iPhone, have drastically changed the way we communicate and perform everyday activities. We can easily observe our everyday lives via the video and photo component of the iPhone. Weissman believes that this component of iPhone technology could be an effective tool in the treatment of the body dysmorphia that often accompanies anorexia.

Many of my patients that are in treatment for anorexia also experience some level of body dysmorphia; they see an obese person looking back at them in the mirror even though they are drastically underweight. Today, body dysmorphia is typically treated through psychotherapy, nutritional support and medication. For some patients, these approaches have limited success rates.

When a patient talks to me about the “obese person” that they see in the mirror, I often introduce a body image exercise involving “photo-therapy”. I ask the patient to take a photograph of themselves and bring it to their next treatment session. Oftentimes, when the patient returns and we talk about the photograph, the same body that was once described as being “fat” and “obese” is now described as being “underweight” and “malnourished”.

Weissman explains that when an anorexic patient looks in the mirror, their self perception is instantly fused with a distorted body image. The brain is so overwhelmed by this distortion, that it cannot process the image of the “real” body. The brain becomes trapped in this optical illusion, this distorted view. In contrast, when an anorexic patient sees his or her self in a photograph, the brain first acknowledges that there is a person in the photograph, it then focuses on the physicality of the photographed person. The brain then sends the message to the patient that they are the person in the photograph.

Integrating iPhone Therapy into the treatment of anorexia could definitely be a powerful tool in overcoming the body dysmorphia associated with anorexia. Based upon psychotherapy techniques developed by Frieda Fromm-Reichmann in Principles of Intensive Psychotherapy I, the steps below are Weissman’s suggested approach to integrating the iPhone into treatment:

Patient and therapist look at patient in the mirror. Patient describes what they see.
Therapist takes a photograph of the patient with iPhone. Patient describes what s/he sees.
Therapist and patient discuss the differences between the description of the patient in the mirror and the patient in the photograph.
A photograph of the patient standing beside the therapist is taken. Patient describes the image of the therapist. If the patient see distortion in the therapists image, the therapist and patient develop a jointly shared description of the therapist.
Patient describes image of self. If patient sees distortion, the therapist and patient develop a jointly shared description of the patient.

Weissman points out the importance of the therapist not correcting the distorted view of the patient. If the patient does experience distortion in the photograph, the therapist should remind the patient that they both agreed on the description of the image of the therapist in the same photograph. It is necessary that the therapist and patient try to come to an agreement on the description of the patient.

Weissman predicts that utilizing this iPhone exercise will lead to an eventual reduction in the amount of distortion that the patient experiences when looking in the mirror. A combination of iPhone Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and nutritional counseling may lead to the patient gaining the important ability to maintain a healthy weight with little outside assistance. If the therapist successfully teaches the patient to be able to independently perform this exercise on a regular basis, there could be a drastic drop in relapse rates.

Sources: “Photo-Therapy: A Promising Intervention in Anorexia Nervosa?” http://www.psychiatrictimes.com/eating-disorders/content/article/10168/2016956

News You Can Use – Jan 9 – 16 2012

Dr. J Renae Norton — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 02:31:17 +0000

Does Internet Addiction Disorder change teens’ brains?

Are ’50s moms to blame for today’s obesity rates?

Aspirin guidelines need overhaul, researchers say

Receptor for Tasting Fat Identified in Humans

Magnesium-rich diet tied to lower stroke risk

Exercise Hormone May Fight Obesity and Diabetes

Trans-Fats STILL Lurking In Grocery Store Foods

Will Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread, and Twinkies disappear? Hostess Brands to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy, again

New Approach To Diagnosing Anorexia Nervosa By Stages Of Severity

High-Fructose Corn Syrup is Harmful, New Research Concludes

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

The Morning Rush + A Make-Ahead Breakfast Recipe

Dr. J Renae Norton — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:37:27 +0000

Many of my patients experience a lot of stress first thing in the morning. Getting ready for work or school, making breakfast, getting kids ready to go to daycare, facing rush hour traffic can all inflict stress on even the most healthy individual. In order to ease the stress of my patients, I have discovered a breakfast recipe for Overnight Oats that is nutritious, delicious and convenient.

Overnight Oats provide a delicious blast of protein in the morning. You can make a few days worth in advance, put them in individual serving size containers, and grab it as you head out the door in the morning. I have created a few variations on this recipe that you can rotate between, just to switch things up a bit. This is definitely not your granny’s hot bowl of oatmeal! No cooking involved on this one, it’s eaten chilled.

This recipe contains two types of protein; casein (from the cottage cheese) and whey (from greek yogurt). Whey protein is a naturally complete protein; it contains all essential amino acids. It is easy to digest, our bodies absorb it quickly. Our bodies absorb casein protein more slowly, so the amino acids in the protein are released into the bloodstream at a more steady pace.

Photo courtesy of lwphotographics.com

Overnight Oats

1 cup organic old-fashioned oats (not instant oats, minute oats, or flavored oatmeal)

2 cups cottage cheese (my favorite is Kalona Supernatural)

12 oz plain greek yogurt

2 tbsp Coconut Crystals (more if you like it sweeter)

cinnamon (to taste, I like lots)

Combine everything in a medium sized bowl and mix away! Store in the fridge overnight, and you will wake up to a delish breakfast.

Makes 4 servings

Approximately (depending on which brands of ingredients used) – 235 cal, 6 g fat, 24 g protein, 20 g carbs

Variations:
-add 4 tablespoons of peanut flour and organic dark chocolate chips or organic raisins for Overnight Oats that taste like cookie dough
-top with nut butter, maple syrup or coconut nectar
-put a layer of frozen fruit in the bottom of each portion, or a layer of nuts on top

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News You Can Use – Jan 1 – Jan 8, 2012

Dr. J Renae Norton — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 02:01:09 +0000

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Depression

Georgia Draws Fire for Grim Childhood Obesity PSAs

Chemical in Fast Food Wrappers Show Up In Human Blood

Standardize Measurement of Child Eating Disorders

Deep Brain Stimulation Appears Effective for Depression, Bipolar Disorder

The Biggest Food System Threat of 2012

Why We’re Fat: Outside Forces Affect What We Eat + How Much Exercise We Get

MSG, Transfats, High Fructose Corn Syrup Boost Liver Disease Risk

Binge Eating Disorder May Be Added to DSM-5

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!

Appetite Hormones 101: Peptide YY

Dr. J Renae Norton — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:45:11 +0000

In this third and final installment of the series, “Appetite Hormones 101”, we will discuss Peptide YY (PYY). The purpose of this series is to explain the role of hormones on both appetite and body weight goals, as it relates to both weight loss and weight restoration. If you’re a new reader, be sure to check out “Appetite Hormones 101: Leptin” and “Appetite Hormones 101: Ghrelin“.

Peptide YY (PYY)

PYY is a hormone that suppresses appetite. It was discovered to play a role in digestion in 1985. PYY regulates food intake, and is believed to improve leptin sensitivity. The amount of PYY released by our bodies is influenced by the number of calories we ingest; the more calories we ingest, the more PYY is released. The diagram below shows how our PYY levels, ghrelin and leptin levels typically fluctuate before and after meals:

PYY levels are highest in individuals battling anorexia, followed by those individuals that are lean,which explains why both groups have less hunger and also may have more difficulty eating. PYY levels are lowest among obese and morbidly obese individuals. Individuals with bulimia also experience low levels of PYY, which helps to explain why all three groups feel more hunger. Research shows that the obese individual can decrease their PYY levels by 30% by reducing their body weight by 5.4%. PYY levels are not believed to be effected by weight restoration during recovery from anorexia. It is also important to note that high levels of PYY in anorexic individuals is associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD).

Our mood also effects our PYY levels. Recent studies show that PYY levels are higher in those suffering from major depression. This explains why many people with major depression have a decreased appetite and experience weight loss.

PYY levels can be regulated through both diet and exercise. Diets high in quality protein tend to raise PYY levels highest, followed by diets high in healthy fats. High carbohydrate diets tend to raise PYY levels the least. Aerobic exercise has also been proven to raise PYY levels, whereas strength-training has no effect on PYY levels (although strength-training does lower ghrelin levels).

In conclusion, PYY regulates our appetite. The higher our PYY levels are, the more satiated we will feel. You can ensure your PYY levels are highest by eating a high protein diet and including aerobic exercise in our workout routine.

© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. This information is intellectual property of Dr J Renae Norton. Reproduction and distribution for educational purposes is permissible.
Please credit ‘© 2012, Dr J Renae Norton. http://www.eatingdisorderpro.com)’.

Sources
J Clin Endocrinal Metab. 2009 Nov; 94(11): 4463-71 Epub 2009 Oct 9

http://news.sciencemag.org/sciencenow/2006/09/06-02.html

http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/91/3/1027

http://www2.massgeneral.org/harriscenter/about_bn.asp

http://www.eatingdisordersreview.com/nl/nl_edr_18_1_5.html

http://www.thebonejournal.com/article/S8756-3282(08)00162-2/abstract

http://ajpregu.physiology.org/content/296/1/R29.full

J Endocrinal Invest. 2011 Dec 15 [Epub ahead of print]

News You Can Use – Dec 26 – Jan 1

Dr. J Renae Norton — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:34:24 +0000

Your weekly health news update!

Coconut Oil Protects Our Brain from the Effects of MSG

Five new government restrictions on food, medicine, and health freedom that are set to take effect on January 1, 2012

Global food giants are moving away from BPA in packaging

Add some vitality to your hot chocolate this winter

Trap of addiction invisible to users

Protecting babies from neurotoxins

Gluten-free diet linked to increased depression and eating disorders

Diet ‘can stop brain shrinking’

Obesity Linked to Changes In The Brain

The Most Delicious Appetite Suppressant on Earth

How Much of Your Food Labeled as Organic Is Actually Organic?
Fighting Anorexia – Eating IS medicine

Self-imposed standards are central to perfectionism in eating disorders
10 Things You Shouldn’t Say To An Eating Disorder Sufferer

Were there any news articles that you saw this week that really grabbed your attention? Leave a comment with a link. If the article helped you, it will likely help some of my other readers!