Family Nutrition Center

New Year, New Name, Same Game.

2012-01-15T15:13:00.004-05:00

As of January 1st, 2012, the "American Dietetic Association" has officially changed their name to "The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics." However, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetic's commitment towards the public's nutritional health has not changed at all. In fact, this change of name was heavily due to promoting their scientific guidelines and background in their name. They Academy designed their name to fit every aspect of their beliefs, simply yet boldly stated:

Academy - Being a society organized by advanced science.

Nutrition - Translating Nutritional health into healthier lifestyles.

Dietetics remained in their title, as it promotes their beliefs with food as science.

I am proud to be a member of the Academy and a member on the board

-Director at large.

Read the full article here: http://www.eatright.org/Media/content.aspx?id=6442467398

Soft Drinks

2011-10-13T16:55:00.003-04:00

Soft drinks contain a great deal of sugar calories with minimal nutrients. The carbonation fills kids up so they can't eat or drink what they need. The phosphorus in soda pop robs bones of calcium. Limit the intake of caffeinated drinks as they affect attention span, sleep, and make children hyperactive.

Limit for Soft Drinks
Once a week, perhaps on the weekend.
Americans drink an average of 54 gallons of soda pop per person per year.

Flavored carbonated, milk-based drinks, although wholesome, are filling and not a true exchange for milk or water.
1/5 of all toddlers drink almost a cup of soda a day.

Limit for Juices
Ages 0-1 4oz.
Ages 1-4 4oz.
Ages 4-12 4oz.

It’s that time of year again...Back to school!

2011-08-29T14:44:00.007-04:00

Many parents and kids would like to bring children to school. So here are our favorite lunch ideas. Please remember that cold foods must stay cold with ice packs to ensure food safety and reduce the risk of bacterial contamination. Hot foods must be in an insulated thermos or container to prevent bacteria growth. It is important to follow food safety and food handling guideline to keep our families safe.

Lunch Menus developed by Lucille Beseler, MS,RD,LD,CDE Family Nutrition Center of South Florida
954-972-2123

Turkey bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich on wheat bread
Pretzels --Fruit

Egg Salad Sandwich on wheat pita with low fat mayo
Tomato
Fruit –
Baked potato chips

Tunafish with lowfat mayo on a
Mini wheat pita -
Cucumber slices
Fruit --
Baked potato chips

Chicken Breast on wheat bread
Fruit --
Celery sticks
Rice cakes

Roast beef on
Wheat roll
Grape tomatoes
Popcorn
Fruit
Low fat Peanut butter & apple butter on wheat tortilla
Teddy grahams
Veggie roll up
Fruit --
Baked potato chips

Veggie Burger on wheat sandwich thins
Garnish of avocado
Fruit --Pretzels
Fruit 1 cup mixed
Yogurt Salad
Teddy Grahams
Carrots Low fat cheese sticks
8 wheat crackers
Fruit --Cucumbers

Ham Sandwich on
Wheat roll
Carrots
Fruit --Gogurt

Pizza Pita with 2 tablespoon tomato -Sauce and grated
Low fat mozzarella Cheese
Pretzels
Fruit
Low fat cream cheese and all fruit spread on wheat bread
Cheese sticks
Teddy grahams--Fruit Veggie Roll up
With shredded turkey
Popcorn --Fruit

Smoked Turkey & Cheese Pita --Chopped tomato
Fruit --Rice Cakes
Ham and Cheese Roll-up
1 teaspoon low fat cream cheese spread on a wheat tortilla add two slices ham
add baby spinach leaves
baked chips
fruit

Turkey with cranberry sauce
In a pita
½ wheat pita with 2 slices turkey + 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce
Carrots
100 calorie pack
Avocado and chicken roll up:
Wheat tortilla add 2 ounces of chicken strips + ¼ cup cut up avocado, tomato, and cucumber with 1 teaspoon low fat salad dressing

Lettuce wraps:
Spread 2 large romaine or boston lettuce leaves with ¼ cup chopped chicken salad made with low fat French dressing and celery
Popcorn

Shrimp salad on a wheat roll – spinach garnish
Tomato
Pretzels
Fruit

Spinach and lettuce/tomato salad with low fat mozzarella cheese Italian dressing
Wheat crackers- 100 calorie

Lucille’s Sushi roll up**
Fruit
Baked chips

Turkey pastrami sandwich on wheat roll
Fruit
popcorn Sliced steak salad***
Fruit
Wheat crackers Peanut Butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread
1 cup yogurt
Protein ideas
(Protein portions should be 2 ounces):
Turkey slices
Chicken slices
Ham Slices
Roast Beef
Turkey bologna
Chicken strips (grilled not fried)
Boiled egg
Boiled shrimp
Tuna fish
Shredded low fat cheese
All natural peanut butter (no trans fats)
Veggie burger

Garnish:
Tomato
Spinach instead of lettuce
Cucumbers
Shredded carrots
Avocado
Chopped apples
Chopped celery

Complex Carbohydrates:
Wheat bread (more than 3 grams fiber – must be whole wheat)
Wheat tortilla
Wheat rolls
½ wheat pita
Wheat crackers
Snacks portion should total 100 calories

Condiments:
Mustard
Low fat salad dressing
All types of vinegar
Lemon
Catsup
Low fat mayonnaise
Beverages:
WATER! WATER! WATER! Or Unflavored Milk

Recipe for Veggie Roll-ups:
Tortilla
Chopped veggie salad: lettuce, greens, tomato, shredded carrots, cucumbers, sprouts, or prepared carrot salad
Add shredded cheese or meat Optional
1 tablespoon fat free salad dressing
Place veggie salad in center of tortilla wrap sprinkle with shredded meat or cheese .Tuck ends and roll up.
**Lucille’s Sushi Roll-up:
Wheat or veggie tortilla spread with 1 teaspoon low fat cream cheese
Place match stick carrots and celery in the same direction in the center of the tortilla
Take 2 ounces of imitation crab shredded and add onto of carrots and celery
Add 1/8 cup avocado in the center
Roll up tight and slice into pinwheels. Use a toothpick to secure if necessary –but warn your child to remove before eating
***Sliced Steak Salad
Great for leftover steak or even meatloaf
Slice steak into strips (must be lean meat) 4-6 thin strips or 1 thin slice of meat loaf
Place over 1 cup salad with assorted vegetables including carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce
Ideas for chicken salad, egg salad, shrimp* or tuna salad
A portion size should be ¼ cup. To chopped chicken, tuna or egg you may use a small amount (1 teaspoon) of low fat mayonnaise or plain yogurt.
Also try to add mustard or tangy salad dressing such as low fat French dressing
Add chopped celery, apples, and or onions for crunch
* use boiled shrimp from supermarket approximately 4-5 chopped

Why should babies be weaned off bottle at 12 months and not later?

2011-06-22T14:31:00.005-04:00

It has come to my attention that many infants and toddlers are left on the bottle till early childhood.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends this for the following reasons.

1.Dependency: When kids are allowed to keep their bottles past their first birthdays, they quickly develop a strong dependency on them and it becomes harder and harder to wean them off.

2.Dental Health: Tooth decay occurs when continuous flow of formula pools and bathes the teeth. Ensure your baby's dental health-wean at age one.

3.Better solid food intake: Weaning reduces Baby's dependence on the bottle, and ensures better nutrition for age with food variety.

4.Developmental skill: Weaning advances Baby to the next developmental step in feeding and teaches new muscle movements.

5.Anemia: A child who drinks more than 24 ounces of milk each day may be too full to eat important iron-rich foods.

6.Weight problems: Too many bottles may mean either too many total calories or not enough calories or not enough calories from food.

Lucille Beseler elected to ADA Board of Directors 2011-2012

2011-06-18T18:45:00.002-04:00

I am so happy to share this news!
Press Release:

AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION NAMES 2011-12 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHICAGO – Seventeen national leaders in nutrition, medicine, industry and public health will serve as the 2011-12 Board of Directors of the American Dietetic Association, the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Board is responsible for strategic planning, policy development and fiscal management for the Association.
Members of ADA’s 2011-12 Board of Directors will serve from June 1 to May 31, 2012.

Editors: Please note local interest.

Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LDN, CDE, Margate, Fla. Director-at-Large
Beseler is the president and owner of Family Nutrition Center, Family Nutrition Communications and the nonprofit Family Nutrition Center Foundation all located in South Florida. She serves as a nutrition consultant to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and was recently the recipient of the Florida International University Paths of Excellence Award for her work with Childhood Obesity. Her past appointments include the Fl. Board of Medicine Dietetic/Nutrition Practice Council and President of the Florida Dietetic Association. Ms. Beseler is a member of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s health care reform work group.

The American Dietetic Association is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy. Visit the American Dietetic Association at www.eatright.org.

Week of the Young Child

2011-04-14T12:17:00.005-04:00

This week has been designated the Week of the Young Child. It was designed to bring attention to the health of young children. I believe that good health in children starts with proper nutrition. Recently I was interviewing a 6 year old child (with his parent) that already was 25 lbs. overweight. It struck me that he never eats a home cooked meal. All his meals were taken out of a box and heated in a stryoform plate in the microwave. I love to eat and can not think of anything more unappetizing. Remembering back to my own childhood I enjoyed the smells of my working Mother's kitchen. She always made time to cook something for us. Nowadays, we have so much to do that it seems 20 minutes is too long a period of time to dedicate to making a meal, but it's not really! We have become a nation addicted to box food that heats in 10-30 seconds. These boxed foods are not supplying our children with the nourishment they need. Plus, the melted styrofoam is adding chemicals that we do not want. So during this week of the Young Child, can we make a young child a home cooked meal using the basics: 1. A lean protein:meat, fish, poultry, or beans 2. a vegetable: make it taste good 3. a high fiber carbohydrate: brown rice, wheat pasta, wheat bread, or sweet potato. Milk or a high calcium beverage would round out the meal. Let's make the effort! Our children are worth it!

Fuel Up to Play 60

2011-02-19T09:52:00.002-05:00

The fight to address the problem of Childhood Obesity has lost a battle in South Florida. Two major insurance companies that care for children have decided to no longer cover nutrition counseling for obesity and obesity related disease for children. This is of significant concern for me as I am well aware that families may not seek help if they are required to pay for services out of pocket. It seems that we are all talking about Childhood Obesity and how to treat and reverse this problem but I do not see funding for it. Our practice has achieved good outcomes for the families referred to us. Check out the February edition of Boca Magazine http://www.bocamag.com/ page 132-139, The Weight of a Generation by Emily Moorhouse. Emily highlighted two families that have been counseled in our office. Bobby is a great success story. His insurance company did pay for his visits. The reward was that he was able to get off expensive high blood pressure medication. Bobby’s insurance company is one of the ones that will no longer pay for him to receive further nutritional counseling, which I may add, is pretty cheap compared to high blood pressure medication. The improvement in Bobby’s mental and physical health is immeasurable. If only we can convince insurance companies to pay for this life saving service we can help more children and families.
The Family Nutrition Center has found another way to reach children. I am very excited to announce that our Foundation has been awarded three grants from the Fuel Up to Play 60 Program. This is a wonderful program developed by the NFL and the National Dairy Council to help combat childhood obesity through an education program centered on physical and nutrition education. The best part of this program is that it is directed by the children/teens from the selected schools. I am so proud that we have been selected to work with three schools in Broward County: Monarch High School, Coconut Creek High School, and Margate Elementary School. The Florida Dairy Council hosted a meeting of all the selected schools and the Education and Health professionals that will be working with this program. After meeting my teams, I can see they are as committed as I to working to combat child obesity. I would like to thank the Dairy Council for their support. I will keep you posted on the work that we are doing. Until then let’s be good role models for children by eating healthy and engaging in regular exercise.

Regards, Lucille

Resolution for Weight Loss? We have the Solution!

2010-12-28T10:58:00.004-05:00

The Family Nutrition Center has a program for EVERYONE.

1. Quick Weight Loss Program: In-person nutrition counseling for men and women 16 ages and up using GlycoLean Body System!

2. Online Women's Weight Loss Program: In the privacy of your own home listen to SIX live nutrition lectures with other women and get your burning weight loss questions answered.

ONLINE GROUP STARTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12TH.

CALL NOW TO REGISTER!! 954-972-2123

3. Diabetes Education: We have Certified Diabetes Educators on Staff. Come in for a one-on-one counseling session or a for a group class.

4. Youth Weight Loss: One-on-one or group classes. Lucille Beseler is "The Kid's Nutritionist"!!

Be Merry and Bright

2010-12-21T14:08:00.002-05:00

The Family Nutrition Center of South Florida wishes Health, Happiness, and Will Power to our readers, followers, and families & individuals who we serve. Here are some tips for the Holiday Season:

1. Don't forget to keep portions sizes under control, especially if you have a lot of dishes to sample.

2. Keep the Balance - Fill up on fresh fruits and veggies leading up to a holiday party because you'll most likely be consuming the other food groups (Grains, Meat, Dairy) at the party.

3. Don't waste calories on non-seasonal cookies and treats such as chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin. Eat the cookies that won't be around in January like gingerbread men and sugar cookies shaped like houses made with mom's homemade icing.
4. Stay Hydrated - If you want to indulge in a festive cocktail or two, enjoy 8 ounces of water before each alcoholic drink.
5. Find 20 minutes to take a relaxing walk around the block to enjoy the lights and fresh air (and get out of the house) - you can choose to invite friends/family or go alone.

Happy Holiday!

LaBamba II Fundraiser a Success!! Teen's Weigh Out a Success!!

2010-12-10T08:37:00.003-05:00

Last night, the Family Nutrition Center (FNC) Foundation had it's 3rd fundraiser. Our gracious host LaBamba II in Margate, FL, specifically restaurant manager Manual, donated free appetizers and slashed drink prices in half for all attendees. All in attendance donated at least $10 to the cause and enjoyed a fun night filled with great food and delightful company.

ALL money raised went to support the FNC Foundation 501c3 non-profit organization and the "Weigh Out" Programs including "Kid's Weigh Out" and "Teen's Weigh Out".

This coming Tuesday, Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD will hold a Teen's Weigh Out graduation class for the nine families she has been working with since November. These nine families were initially chosen to participate in Teen's Weigh Out - a FREE program -because (1) at least one member of the household is obese, (2) their insurance will not cover nutrition counseling / medical nutrition therapy, and (3) the parents' can not afford to pay for a nutrition visit privately.

Elizabeth and I are very proud of the strides that these families are making and we are so grateful to have dedicated friends and colleagues who support our programs. Thank YOU!

Perfect for Cold Weather Oatmeal

2010-12-07T12:31:00.003-05:00

I hope everyone is enjoying the weather change as much as I am. There is nothing better than waking up to December's cool brisk air and then sitting down to the breakfast table with a hot bowl of oatmeal and a hot cup of tea or coffee.

No matter how you slice it, oats are delicious and nutritious!
1 cup of the oatmeal recipe below provides roughly 4.8g of fiber - you've heard of fiber, right?

1.Fiber is Found in whole grains (such as oats), fruits, vegetables, and legumes/beans
2. Fiber containing foods are Frequently Fat Free
3. Fiber makes you Feel Full, and
4. Fiber help Fight certain cancers and diseases by removing toxins, hormones, and cholesterol from your body.

One of my staff RD's favorite oatmeal recipes comes from the book Breaking the Food Seduction by Neal Barnard, MD; recipe by Jo Stepaniak. The recipe can also be found at www.nutritionMD.org/recipes

I like it because of the many variations that are possible; that is, you can substitute raisins for apricots or apples and you'll have a totally different dish. The traditional recipe "Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal" calls for 4 cups water, 2 cups old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, and fortified vanilla soy/rice milk (optional). The recipe makes 4-6 servings.

Directions: Combine all ingredients, except milk, in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower heat, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes, or until cooked to your liking. Serve plain or with vanilla soy/rice milk, if desired. 1 cup = 210 Calories, 2.6g Fat, 7g Protein, and 42g Carbohydrates.

Mark Your Calendars for a FUN night at LaBamba II

2010-12-03T16:25:00.002-05:00

Looking for a FUN night out during the week? Join the Family Nutrition Center (FNC) staff for a FUNdraiser Thursday, December 9th from 6:30-8:30pm at LaBamba II in Margate. Donate $10 and receive HALF OFF drinks and FREE sensational appetizers!! All money raised will go directly to the Family Nutrition Center Foundation's Wellness and Weight Loss Programs provided to low-income families with obese youth who lack insurance or whose insurance will not cover nutrition counseling.

Sound like something you want to support? Come out Thursday night to learn more about the 501(c)3 non-profit - our mission, goals, past efforts, future plans!!

LaBamba II is located in the Peppertree Plaza - 5452 West Sample Road Margate, FL 33073 - SE corner of Sample Rd and 441.

FNC staff will be there at 6:30pm. Join us any time between 6:30 and 8:30pm. Donate, drink, eat, & be merry. :) See you Thursday!!

Family Dinners Are Important

2010-11-23T14:48:00.003-05:00

Excerpts taken from "Nurturing with Nutrition" written by Melanie Bazarte, ED.D. and Lucille Beseler, M.S., R.D., L.D.

The power of sharing food and social time does not stop with infancy. If food represents love and comfort to an infant, then eating together as a family continues that feeling of affection and safety as the family grows.

To those reading who do not have infants or young children, I say, the power of sharing food does not have to only apply to holidays.

Family dinners provide lifelong social benefits, not the least of which is table manners. There is a definite order to the bonding that occurs when parents make an effort to have meals together it's saying, "This family is so important that it's worth making time for." Family meals belong to the whole family.

The Family Nutrition Center hopes that you have made plans to be with family and friends this Thanksgiving. Keep it safe, and keep it healthy. Be thankful for your family dinner, and we hope that you have many more!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Your Weigh Out

2010-10-26T10:42:00.003-04:00

Are you female?
Are you looking for a way to lose weight?
Are you strapped for time?
Do you dread driving to appointments?
And, do you feel like you are the only one trying to lose weight?

The Family Nutrition Center has "Your Weigh Out"

Join our weekly ONLINE meeting (6-weeks in length) Tuesdays starting November 10th
Time: 7:30-8:15 PM

This online weight reduction group is anonymous and for women only. Facilitators include Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LD, CDE, President and owner of Family Nutrition Center, and Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD

Are you wondering how it works?

Option 1: No registration fee. Purchase of OsoLean and GlycoSlim Meal Replacement formula required. Complimentary individualized meal plan and review of intake records on a weekly basis by a Registered Dietitian, and weekly webinar.

Option 2: $25 registration fee [for 6-week program.] Complimentary generalized meal plan, and weekly webinar.

Call 954-972-2123 today to discuss which option is right for you!!

13 Tips for Better Eaters

2010-10-19T14:45:00.002-04:00

1. Feed regularly: 3 meals, 2 snacks, fluids to avoid low blood sugar, severe hunger.
2. Plan menus a few days at a time.
3. Cook one meal for the whole family and eat it together.
4. Stay neutral about food and eating.
5. Introduce new foods slowly and positively.
6. Use dips, dressings, and condiments.
7. Eat protein for breakfast.
8. Get kids to help in food preparation and cooking.
9. Wean off unhealthy foods.
10. Allow, but limit, treats. Forbidden fruit is always the juiciest.
11. Be creative and fun with food.
12. Model good eating and food habits yourself.
13. Remember, balance is the key to good food habits.

Excerpt from Nurturing with Nutrition.

Thank You Darlene Moppert for Putting Vegan Lunches in Broward's Schools

2010-10-15T08:21:00.005-04:00

The Family Nutrition Center would like to dedicate this Friday's blog to a special, local Dietitian colleague and friend Darlene Moppert, MS, RD, LD/N. Darlene wears many hats and does a lot for our community. Darlene has held the position of program manager of nutrition education and training for Broward County Public Schools since 1994. In that role, she helped craft the district's wellness policy.

Recently, Darlene has collaborated with Dr. Neal Barnard - founder of the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Together, Darlene and Dr. Barnard have brought vegan and vegetarian options into Broward's schools and they were a success!! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for supplying our youth with healthy lunches!

Click here to view the article.

The Family Nutrition Center is also open to plant-based eating. Our newest staff Dietitian, Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD has created "Vegan for a Day" - FNC's newest wellness and weight loss initiative promoting plant-based eating. Call our office today and schedule an appointment with Ms. Seeley if you want to start losing inches and feeling great - 954-972-2123

Coping with a Picky Eater

2010-10-12T15:17:00.002-04:00

Toddlers...and kids commonly go on "food jags". That is, they want to eat the same food day after day. Go with it! It will run it's course, and it won't be terrible if your toddler is deficient in a few food groups for a couple of weeks. After a few weeks, vary the favorite food or menu slightly.
Avoid feeding too often. Spacing meals and snacks at specific intervals is important so he/she will feel hungry. Then again, some kids may fill up at one meal and cruise until empty
Serve simpler foods to keep flavors fresh and true!
It's okay if your child leaves food on the plate.
Never force, pressure, or bribe your child to clean his plate. Toddlers have small tummies and short attention spans. When your child is hungry he/she will eat and should NEVER be expected to eat to please you.
Expect toddlers to object, reject, or complain about new or all food on the his/her plate. Keep serving the new food periodically so you do not contribute to his pickiness.
Toddlers may consistently refuse certain types of foods. Respect his/her preferences if they are strong and few -- You don't like everything either.
Introduce a sample size of a new food when your child is hungry; and only introduce one new food at a time.
Offer a variety of easy to manage foods, but never bribe and do not create a power struggle if your child refuses to eat.
Relax. Pushing your child to eat gives him negative attention and increases pickiness; and worrying only makes things worse.

Preventing a Picky Toddler

2010-10-08T09:39:00.004-04:00

Excerpt from Nurturing with Nutrition...

Growth slows down after the first birthday, so toddlers require less calories per pound of body weight, and therefore less food. The growth rate is only one-tenth of what it was when they were babies.

Recognize that your child does NOT have the same eating pattern. He/she may only have a few bites at breakfast yet devour 3 servings at dinner. Follow his/her lead and respect your toddler's hunger cues.
Picky eaters want to graze all over the place. Make sure your toddler always eats at the table.
Eliminate as many distractions as possible at meal times.
Keep it Simple. Avoid giving your toddler too many choices. Keep the look of the plate simple.
If giving choices, limit it to two. Toddlers reject foods so they can be in control over decision-making.
Avoid overwhelming your toddler with too much food. Keep portion sizes small. Use the 1 Tablespoon rule: serve one Tbsp of each food for each year of your toddler's age.
Allow enough time for peaceful eating, but not enough time for dawdling. Let your child set the pace. Note: 20 min is enough time for a hungry child to eat a meal.
Realize that sometimes it's just more fun to play with food than to eat it. Let your child feed him or herself and you decide the rules of how and how long.
Limit snacking and liquids between meals. Too much MILK and JUICE is a MAJOR cause of poor eating. Limit juice to 4-8 oz A DAY and milk to 16 oz [for 12-24 month olds] and no more than 24 oz [for 2-5 years olds] A DAY. The rest of liquids may be water.
Finally, be a good Role Model for what and how you want your children to eat.

Stay Tuned for "Coping with a Picky Toddler"

Nutrition During Breast Cancer Treatment

2010-10-03T12:22:00.003-04:00

As I am sure you know, October is National Breast Cancer Month! Remember: Making Strides 5K Walk is THIS Saturday, 9th at Las Olas. Click here for more details.

Nutrition during breast cancer treatment is far different from nutrition advice that you may be used to hearing. A Registered and Licensed Dietitian, like those at the Family Nutrition Center, can help you or a loved one create a specialized meal plan that takes into account the different medications and treatments you may be using.

As always, a diet including a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes is essential for good health. Fiber (found in the above foods) is especially important to ensure proper elimination if you are on bed rest.

On behalf of the Dietitians and Staff at the Family Nutrition Center - we hope to see you at Huizenga Park on Saturday. We'll be there Making Strides!

Introducing Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD

2010-10-01T09:30:00.004-04:00

Good morning all,
It has been over a week since my last post. My apologies. We have been very busy at the Family Nutrition Center - which is wonderful! Too, my colleague, Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD and I have been busy organizing programs and planning events for the Family Nutrition Center Foundation.

I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce you to Elizabeth Seeley - Ms. Seeley joined the Center and Foundation just this May; Elizabeth wears multiple hats during her time with us. On behalf of the Family Nutrition Center, Elizabeth is involved with (1) the Craniofacial Clinic at Joe Dimaggo hospital on Tuesday mornings, and (2) she conducts a weekly Webinar on Wednesday nights [with me] for women who want to reach a healthy weight but don't have time to come to our office during normal operating hours. (3) Elizabeth has also been a contributer to the blog; plus (4) she is counseling clients at our office. Ms. Seeley's specialty and passion is vegan and vegetarian nutrition.

On behalf of the Family Nutrition Center Foundation, Elizabeth (5) conducts a weekly wellness and weight loss program for youth every Tuesday night at Northwest Medical Center - located right next to our office building. (6) She also organizes fund raising events to help keep our non-profit organization flourishing.

For details on any of the above programs/events, please do not hesitate to contact Elizabeth at our office. Elizabeth and I wish for you all to have a safe and active weekend!

Breast Cancer Walk Announcement

2010-09-21T10:51:00.002-04:00

I am a huge supporter of professional associations. Involvement in your own profession is key to making a difference and seeing your vision come to fruition. With that said, I am a member (and past President) of the Broward County Dietetic Association (BCDA). I wanted to share with my readers and followers that the BCDA has created a team for the upcoming Breast Cancer walk in Fort Lauderdale. Simply click HERE and enter "Broward County Dietetic Association" under "Team Name" to join, donate, walk, have fun, and contribute a great cause.

American Cancer Society "Making Strides Walk" Details -
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Where: Huizenga Park (Bubier Park) 32 East Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale 33301
Registration opens at 7:30 AM Walk begins at 9 AM

Contribution in any shape or form is much appreciated! Thank you.

Japango FUNdraiser a Success!! Kids Weigh Out a Success!!

2010-09-17T08:40:00.006-04:00

Just one short week ago, the Family Nutrition Center Foundation had it's 2nd fundraiser. To refresh your memory, I have started a 501(c)3 non-profit to help low-income families. Moreover, these deserving families have youth who are overweight and obese with co-morbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol and have been denied nutrition coverage by their insurance, including Medicaid.

Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD is the non-profit's fund seeker and group program educator; together we may provide FREE programs on a weekly basis [pending funding.] Our current weekly program is entitled "Kids Weigh Out" And, thanks to (1) Whole Foods Market Coral Springs for giving us some seed money, (2) Japango Restaurant and Lounge for hosting our latest social, and (3) to the generous folks who showed up last Friday to make donations, eat, drink, and socialize at Japango, "Kids Weigh Out" is flourishing.

Lesson 1 of 6 went off with out a hitch this week! Of course we must also thank Northwest Medical Center who is giving us an extremely fair deal to use their conference rooms for our classes. THANK YOU! The room was packed Tuesday night with families who were eager and ready to learn about healthy eating. Elizabeth and I are very excited for Lesson 2. We'll keep you posted on our progress...

National Cholesterol Education Month

2010-09-10T08:19:00.002-04:00

Did you know that in addition to older adults, children and young adults can have high cholesterol? In fact, more than 102 million American adults (20 years and older) have total cholesterol levels at or above 200mg/dL -- this is ABOVE healthy levels -- AND more than 35 million of these people have levels of 240 mg/dL OR HIGHER which puts them at risk for heart disease.

September is National Cholesterol Education Month - Now is as good a time as any to get your blood cholesterol checked AND learn what your cholesterol levels mean!!

The Licensed and Registered Dietitians at the Family Nutrition Center can help. We can teach you how to prevent high cholesterol or lower your cholesterol if it is high. HOW? We will go over your lipid profiles and your food and lifestyle choices and make recommendations to help you meet your personal cholesterol goals. We're hear to help; give us a call. 954-972-2123

National Potato Month

2010-09-03T12:44:00.002-04:00

Happy Friday! Did you know that...among other things...September is National Potato Month?

This weekend as you gear up to BBQ and make homemade potato salad :) consider making it with vegetables like celery, red bell peppers, corn, and red onions (which are really purple in color) - Eat the Rainbow! Also, use low fat mayonnaise. If you want to be really adventurous, you can make your own dressing with olive or canola oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and your favorite Mrs. Dash.

Note: If your Labor Day meal includes pasta salad, the Family Nutrition Center recommends low fat dressing and veggies here too. Examples: steamed then chilled broccoli and/or asparagus; raw grated carrots; defrosted/fresh/canned, rinsed peas.

Have a Safe and Nutritious THREE DAY WEEKEND!!

Do You Know Your Youth's Percentile?

2010-08-30T08:09:00.006-04:00

The prevalence of American children who are overweight and obese has never been higher! Results from the 2007-2008 National Health Examination Survey (NHANES), using measures of heights and weights, indicate that an estimated 17% of youth ages 2-19 years of age are obese - no just overweight, but OBESE!

Obese youth are at risk for health problems DURING their youth and as adults. Too, obese children and adolescents are more likely to become obese adults. One study found that approx. 80% of children who were overweight at ages 10-15 were obese adults at 25 years of age.

My conclusion from the above statistics: Don't wait until it's too late. Seek help now!

For youth aged 2-19 years...

-Overweight is defined as having a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile.

-Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th percentile for youth of the same age and gender.

To calculate your child's BMI click HERE.

Note: BMI for age must be plotted on a growth chart to determine the percentile. Has your child been plotted on a growth chart recently? Do you know your child's percentile?

Call the Family Nutrition Center at 954-972-2123 to schedule an appointment for your child, family, husband, wife and we can make sure you are on the right track.

*Statistics obtained from www.cdc.gov

A Note About Human Chrionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) Hormone

2010-08-27T09:02:00.008-04:00

This hormone came to my attention by way of a mother who came to my office with her teen who was about 10-15 pounds overweight. The mother wanted to pursue the use of the HCG hormone which I believe is quite radical.

Please read below. I have pasted a few excerpts from the article HCG Worthless as Weight-Loss Aid By Stephen Barrett, M.D.

Human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) is a hormone found in the urine of pregnant women. More than 50 years ago, Dr. Albert T. Simeons, a British-born physician, contended that HCG injections would enable dieters to subsist comfortably on a 500 Calorie a day diet. He claimed that HCG would mobilize stored fat; suppress appetite; and redistribute fat from the waist, hips, and thighs. There is NO scientific evidence to support these claims. Moreover, a 500 Calorie (semi-starvation) diet is likely to result in loss of protein from vital organs, and HCG can cause other adverse effects.

Since 1975, the FDA has required labeling and advertising of HCG to state: "HCG has not been demonstrated to be effective adjunctive therapy in the treatment of obesity. There is no substantial evidence that it increases weight loss beyond that resulting from caloric restriction, that it causes a more attractive or 'normal' distribution of fat, or that it decreases the hunger and discomfort associated with calorie-restricted diets."

The Family Nutrition Center does NOT endorse this unsafe hormone or the suggested unsafe starvation diet of Dr. Simeons. We believe in food as medicine; that is, we can help reduce your weight and stabilize your blood sugars by giving you the knowledge and tools for portion control and carbohydrate counting. To learn more and to make an appointment to see one of our experienced Registered Dietitians, please call our office in Margate at 954-972-2123. Don't live in South Florida? We have group online weight loss programs that you can call and listen to from the comfort of your home!

Have a Safe and Healthy Weekend!!

Calorie Booster Recipe

2010-08-23T22:45:00.002-04:00

True. There are too many people - adults and youth alike who are overweight and obese. There are also families with youth who are struggling to gain or maintain their weight for proper growth. For these kids (even the picky ones) I have a recipe that is sure to win over their taste buds!

"Yogurt Smoothies for Kids" from my book Nurturing with Nutrition

There is no need to add protein powder; Carnation provides good vitamins and minerals.

1 cup fruit
1 cup yogurt
1/4 package vanilla Carnation instant breakfast

Blend in a blender or food processor. Serves 2.

*Fun Tip for Picky Eaters: Serve in a fun cup with a colorful swirly straw.

What the ADA has to say about Meal Replacements

2010-08-16T18:50:00.002-04:00

The American Dietetic Association (ADA) has an Evidenced Based Library in which multiple research studies are reviewed. The results from all of the studies (on a similar subject) are gathered and a conclusion statement is formulated. For the query...
"In healthy adults, how effective (in terms of client adherence and weight loss and maintenance) are meal replacements (liquid meals, meal bars, frozen prepackaged meals)?"
The conclusion from ADA is as follows: "Several studies comparing isocaloric diets have shown an equivalent or greater weight loss efficacy with structured meal replacement plans, compared to reduced calorie diet treatments. One or two daily vitamin- and mineral-fortified meal replacements, supplemented with self-selected meals and snacks, may be a successful weight loss and weight maintenance strategy for overweight and obese adults who have difficulty with self-selection of food and portion control."
The Family Nutrition Center is proud to endorse GlycoSlim and OsoLean. If you are interested in signing up for our FREE*, online weight loss program - call the office 954-972-2123 to sign up. *Purchase of 6-week supply of GlycoSlim and OsoLean required in order to receive PRICELESS online counseling from our qualified and experienced Registered Dietitians :) Program starts next Wednesday!!!

Keeping it Light - Apple Salad

2010-08-13T15:26:00.003-04:00

Monday was a HEATED blog, so I'll keep it light and fresh today...literally :) Here is a delicious snack from my book Nurturing with Nutrition.

Apple Salad
1/4 cup low-fat vanilla yogurt
1 large apple, cut in small pieces
3 Tbsp raisins
2 Tbsp celery, finely chopped
1/4 tsp cinnamon
4 lettuce leaves (optional)

Mix first five ingredients and chill for 30 minutes. Serve inside lettuce leaves, if desired. Enjoy!

Excuses and Exploitation

2010-08-09T08:49:00.004-04:00

Warning: I'm on my soap box this morning...

Don't let those parents of the overweight and obese children fool you. You know the ones...did you catch the TODAY SHOW this morning? The one MOM’S excuse was that her child became overweight because of all of the surgeries she had due to Blount's Disease. Who is she fooling? Blount's disease is CAUSED by obesity! The parents also mentioned MONEY as an excuse. I would like to go into their kitchen and see if I find Kool-Aid, Capri Sun, or Hi-C and cookies & chips instead of food....all products that are full of processed sugar and NOT necessary for these kids.

To EVERY parent: Stop buying the sugary drinks, processed cookies, and fatty chips and then you can afford to purchase fruits and vegetables...fresh, frozen, canned. Shoot for 5 A Day...at least!! Too, if you find a Farmer's Market near you, you can buy even more produce for your $$.

I truly am VERY passionate about TREATMENT, but I just wish that these kids had help before they got to being 20, 40, 70 pounds overweight. That way, we wouldn't have these TV shows exploiting these children and families.

Final Thought: I truly care for these children and it hurts me to see them with a myriad of health problems [formally thought to only affect adults] like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7, 2010

2010-08-06T09:11:00.002-04:00

As World Breastfeeding Week 2010 comes to a close, let us not forget how important breastfeeding is for mother and baby. Let us affirm ALL moms for breastfeeding. Here are some ideas to say to breastfeeding moms...

"You must be a great mom. Look at how he/she is looking at you"
"You are such a great mom to provide you baby with the best nutrition!"

And, to all moms who are breastfeeding - Don't forget to affirm yourselves! Here are some things you can tell yourself.

"I can do this"
"My body makes the perfect nourishment for my baby"
"My breasts are the perfect size for my baby's needs"

Have a Happy and Nutritious Weekend from the Family Nutrition Center!

FREE Online Women's Weight Loss Program Announcement

2010-08-02T12:09:00.004-04:00

Your Weigh Out is a unique Online program that is FREE to participants who have purchased GlycoSlim Meal Replacement products and OsoLean Whey Protein Supplements.

What makes our program different? All education is provided by Registered Dietitians that have counseled thousands of people, just like you, with a very high success rate. This 6-week program will offer online education and support with a Registered Dietitian.

There is no fee for the program, so there will be no “make-up” classes, but you will get email tips, recipes and reminders for staying on track. It’s like having your own personal dietitian at your fingertips!

-Register by calling the office at 954-972-2123

-Office staff will initiate your online order of Meal Replacement and fat burning protein powder (minimum order is a 6-week supply = $279 + tax/shipping&handling)

-First Online Meeting will be August 25, 2010; Site announced to participants only. Call today to reserve you spot for this unique opportunity!

Lecture Announcement

2010-07-26T08:16:00.002-04:00

Do you need help planning your lunch? Your kid's lunch? Your spouse's lunch?

Elizabeth Seeley, RD, LD will be presenting at Whole Foods Market (WFM) Coral Springs THIS Thursday, July 29th with a new lecture...

"Brown Bagging It: How to Pack a Healthy and Delicious Lunch." Sign up at the front desk of WFM in advance to reserve your seat. Seating is limited.

Quote of the Week

2010-07-23T08:49:00.003-04:00

Whatever we think about expands...Every negative thought is a drain of energy. Every POSITIVE thought is a FOUNDATION of ENERGY.

Bazarte, Meanie EDD and Beseler, Lucille MS, RD, LD, CDE. Nurturing with Nutrition. Gulfstream, FL: DMI, 2003. p. 1-2. Print.

Fun Fact - Calorie Needs for Infants

2010-07-19T11:21:00.003-04:00

Infants require TWICE as many calories per pound of body weight than teenagers or adults!

For example: Breastmilk has 20 Calories per ounce, just like formula. Therefore, a 7-pound newborn requires approximately 350 Calories a day - 18 ounces of Breastmilk.

Bazarte, Meanie EDD and Beseler, Lucille MS, RD, LD, CDE. Nurturing with Nutrition. Gulfstream, FL: DMI, 2003. p. 1-1. Print.

Greetings!

2010-07-19T11:08:00.002-04:00

Hello and Greetings Fellow Bloggers and Readers!

After a long hiatus from blogging, the Family Nutrition Center is ready to have one more go of it -
Starting today, Monday, July 19, 2010, look forward to a Q/A post, helpful hint, or fun fact twice a week from the Family Nutrition Center of South Florida.

To submit a nutrition question for our blog, please email ElizabethSeeley.RD@gmail.com
Write "Nutrition Blog Query" in the subject line; and, write your nutrition question and name in the body of the email. Look out for your answer [from a Family Nutrition Center Registered Dietitian] in an upcoming post.

Happy Blogging -

2006-02-14T21:35:00.000-05:00

Ms. Beseler of www.nutritionandfamily.com featured in ProHealth Magazine.
By Lucille Beseler, MS, RD, LD/N.January/February 2006 ProHealth Magazine Publication
http://www.prohealthresources.com/health_articles/nutrition-childhood-obesity.php
The end of the summer has turned into a busy time for us. The children in our community went back to school earlier than ever. The hurricane season has proved to be menacing, requiring families to spend a considerable amount of time preparing homes are to ensure family safety from the storms. The holiday season will soon be upon us. With all these activities no wonder we have little time to dedicate to ensuring our families are eating healthy. Unfortunately, to ignore the nutritional health of our families is as dangerous as not preparing properly for a hurricane. The National Institute of Health recently stated that if the obesity epedemic is not stopped our children will have a lower life expectancy than their parents. This is tragic. Thirty percent of children have been identified as overweight, obese, or at risk for overweight. As a community can we ignore these sobering warnings? To do so would have far reaching consequences and be disastrous to the future of our society. Do not be fooled in thinking that a five year old child who is only five pounds overweight will grow out of it. Today's children are not growing out of it. Although five pounds doesn't sound too severe it can make a difference between a child being classified as overweight or obese.
Here are the statistics:
Weight Trends in America have increased significantly from 1960-1994 and is now viewed as a Major Public Heath Challenge. 97 million Americans' which is 55% of population are overweight and obese. Of this percentage, 6 million children are overweight enough to endanger their health, and 5 million children are on the threshold.
Obesity and overweight is affecting all races, ethnicities and genders.
Obesity and overweight causes many physical problems and leads to the development of chronic diseases such as:
Hypertension
Lipid Disorders
Type 2 Diabetes
Coronary Heart Disease
Stroke
Gallbladder Disease
Osteoarthritis
Sleep Apnea
Respiratory problems
Certain Cancers
The estimated cost to our society to treat obesity related disorders is $100 Billion.
Childhood obesity and overweight is a complex issue with many causative factors including: genetics, diet, physical inactivity, and socioeconomic factors. Addressing the health problems associated with childhood obesity is similar to adults.
Type 2 Diabetes
Fatty Liver precursor to Cirrhosis
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Increased Blood Pressure
Increased Cholesterol Levels
Early Puberty
Let's not forget the emotional aspect of being obese or overweight. Obese kids suffer physically and emotionally throughout childhood.
When evaluating diet and eating trends it is evident that children's diets have undergone changes from the 1960's. Some families perceive that they have little time for preparing meals although the average family spends 22-24 hours per week watching TV. Children are eating less home cooked meals which are being replaced by excessive intake of fast foods or restaurant meals, which provide excessive portions or the typical unhealthy kid's meal of fried foods. This trend has produced a generation that consumes small amounts of fruit, vegetable, and whole grains and has little concept of appropriate food portions. Small children are eating "man sized portions". . The challenge to deliver healthy meals is compounded by soda, snack machines and fast food chains on site at schools and aggressive advertising by food companies, and fast food restaurants targeted at children.
What can families do to prevent weight problems in their children? Parents must be good role models. Provide healthy foods to children and involve the family in physical activity.
Prevention, Intervention & Parenting:
Praise good behavior
Encourage daily exercise
Establish healthy eating patterns
Distinguish between hunger vs. appetite
Teach children to eat when hungry only
De-emphasize "Fun Foods" or Food as a reward for good behavior
Easy Tips on What to Do:
Parents need help in their endeavor. This is a societal problem. Let us involve extended family members as well as the community. There needs to be a community based effort since the societal impact of obesity will be great! Schools have begun to participate in promoting healthy lifestyles and environment but more needs to be done. School coaches can assist by scheduling games earlier and encourage vendors at events to sell healthy foods. Teachers can encourage healthy snacks in the classroom and reward children with non-food items. School Principles need to think carefully before allowing vending machine companies and fast food companies into their school. Lastly we must all limit children's screen time from Playstation, computer or T.V. and replace it with physical activity.
Tips for growing a healthy eater:
1. Identify problems early- Ask your Pediatrician if you suspect a problem. Your pediatrician can tell you if your child is at risk for overweight, is overweight or obese and what type of intervention should be considered.
2. Re-modeling your kitchen cabinets from the inside:
Make room for foods and snacks lower in sugar by reading labels and choosing lower sugar foods. Cereal, snacks, and juices provide the most sugar in our children's diet. Keep snacks less than 100 calories approximately 15 grams of carbohydrate and 3 grams fat. Attempt to limit to one snack per day.
Stock up on water instead of juice or soda
Choose high fiber cereals with more than 3 grams fiber and no more than 6 grams sugar. Choose whole grains such as wheat bread, brown rice, and wheat pasta.
Clean out the fridge and make a shelf for fresh fruit and vegetables. Make the EAT 5 servings per day your families slogan
Trim the fat use lower fat condiments, skim milk dairy products, lean meat, fish, and poultry.
3. Make healthy family meals at home a priority. No time to cook? Consider batch cooking meals on the weekend or use already healthy convenience foods to create an almost home cooked meal. Chicken strips with a vegetable salad and a wheat roll make a fast healthy meal. Cooking methods should include grilling, broiling and not frying. Cut down on fast food 1x/week. Practice portion control by measuring. 4. Encourage breakfast 5. Review lunch menu with your child 6. Convey positive messages regarding food and health by being a good role model 7. Encourage good eating habits: Eat only in designated areas such as kitchen or dining room. 8. Discourage poor eating habits such as eating while watching TV or eating in the car.
9. Start moving; make family exercise and activity a priority. A family walking program can make a positive difference.
10. Changing your families eating patterns may be difficult and will take some time. Start slow and keep building, adding new healthy eating techniques each week. Family involvement can make it fun and more effective. Remember what you do is much more important than what you say.
Preventing and treating childhood obesity is as important an issue as encouraging Adults to quit smoking. We can not pretend that children will grow out of weight problems. We all must do our part to ensure that they lead healthy and long lives free from obesity related disease.
Reference:
http://www.CDC.org
Ogden, et al. Prevalence and Trends in Overweight Among US children and Adolescents, 1999-2000 JAMA.,2002; 288 (14) 1728-1732.
* Dietz, WH. Health Consequences of obesity in youth:childhood predictors of adult disease. Pediatrics.1998;101(3suppl):518-525.
Swallen KC, Reither E, et al. Overweight, obesity, and health related quality of life among adolescents: The national longitudinal study of adolescent health.Pediatrics. 2005;115(2)340-347.
Barlow SE, Dietz WH. Obesity evaluation and treatment: Expert Committee Recommendations.Pediatrics.1998;102:1-11.
Source: Linda J. Gillis, MSc, RD, Oded Bar-Or, MD; Journal of the American College of Nutrition, December 2003
Barlow SE, Dietz WH. Obesity evaluation and treatment: Expert Committee Recommendations.Pediatrics.1998;102:1-11
Bazarte M, Beseler, L. Nurturing with Nutrition.DMI Publications 2001. www.nutritionandfamily.com

Highly Recognized Registered Dietitian In South Florida

2005-10-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

Lucille Beseler,MS,RD,LD/N, is the President and Founder of the Family Nutrition Center of South Florida with offices in Margate, Hollywood and West Palm Beach ,Florida.
She is a Registered Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist with a Master of Science degree from New York University.
Since 1994 She has served on the Florida State Dietetics Nutrition Practice Council which is the state licensing board for nutritionists, dietitians, and nutrition counselors.
In addition to Her private practice, She serve as a nutrition advisor to other health professionals, local hospitals and Major Corporations.
She has published numerous articles related to nutrition and wellness in medical journals, magazines, newspapers. She also has appeared on radio talk shows and TV helping people get educated on Nutrition Problems with solutions.
As a professional speaker, She lectures on many topics relating to nutrition including her speciality Childhood Obesity.
She is a co author of the most in depth and simple to understand book "Nurturing with Nutrition"
To Book a private appointment with Lucille Beseler contact her office at (954) 972-2123.

Family Nutrition Center of South Florida
5901 Colonial Drive suite 108
Margate, Fla 33063
www.nutritionandfamily.com