Cheers to a New Year and a New You!

New Year's Eve brings about reflection, resolutions, and goals. How was your 2009? Did you accomplish everything you wanted to? What are your plans for 2010? The wonderful thing about life is that it keeps presenting us with one opportunity after another to do better. Every day is a new day; every year is a new year. Wipe your health report card clear, and start fresh!

What is your take on life? Attitude is everything. Stay positive and focused on creating a healthier lifestyle. This year create realistic goals for yourself. By making your resolutions broad, you won't let yourself down if you fail to meet them. Think in terms of what you need to include in your diet or exercise routine instead of what you need to avoid.

If you think it, ink it! Try writing down your resolutions this year. If possible try keeping them on sticky notes; post them around the house to remind you of your goals often...on the refrigerator, on your bathroom mirror, in your car, or on your nightstand.

Remember, making a lifestyle change is hard, but the more a healthy lifestyle is practiced, the more normal it will begin to feel. Begin to visualize your new healthy eating and exercise lifestyle. See yourself as a person who prefers to eat healthy and loves to exercise. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything!

Here are some resolutions for a healthy New Year in 2010:
-Resolve to get more exercise
-Resolve to manage your stress
-Resolve to make healthier choices when eating out
-Resolve to keep healthy foods in your kitchen and pantry
-Resolve to control your portions
-Resolve to have healthy expectations for yourself

Have a Healthy Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year, especially having so many holiday traditions to keep up with. Plus, we all get to enjoy a white Christmas! Take advantage of this winter holiday by trying some winter sports...sleigh riding, ice skating, snow tubing, skiing, or snowboarding. Remember though, play it safe on the ice or snow!

Speaking of holiday traditions...most traditions involve special foods. These foods tend to be high in calories, saturated fat, and sugar. Challenge yourself this Christmas to make healthier meal choices and make time for exercise. Go for a winter wonderland walk after dinner or try exercising to your favorite holiday music. Don't forget about fruits and vegetables this Christmas. Add some berries to your favorite salad or dessert. Toss some spinach, broccoli, or green beans into your favorite side dish. By setting one simple, realistic goal each week, you can reach your long-term nutrition and exercise goals for the year!

If you are motivated to start new eating habits during Christmas, try keeping food records. By writing down what you are eating, how much you are eating, when you are eating, and where you are eating, you will become more nutritionally conscious. You may also want to consider weighing yourself once a week (make sure you are consistent with the same scale, day, and time each week). Lastly, try to avoid putting comfortable clothes on during this time of year...the elastic waistband is allowing you to gain weight!

Aside from the holiday food traditions this time of year, remember the true reason behind the season: "I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~Charles Dickens

Wishing you a happy, healthy Merry Christmas!

With Love, Faith, Hope, Peace, and Joy,
Shore Dietitian

Quote of the Week:

Registered Dietitian or Nutritionist?

What is the difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist? Most people do not know the difference. Well, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist. But, not everyone can call themselves a registered dietitian.

A registered dietitian is the nutrition expert in the field of food and nutrition. Registered dietitians provides nutrition education or counseling based on evidence-based information. They have successfully earned a minimum of a bachelor's degree with course work approved by the American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education, completed an accredited, supervised dietetic internship, and passed the national dietetic registration examination administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Registered dietitians must also complete continuing professional educational requirements to maintain registration.

If registered dietitians are the nutrition experts, what exactly is a nutritionist? Unfortunately, in the state of New Jersey, there is no legal definition for the term nutritionist, so anyone can call themselves by that title regardless of their education and training. Nutritionists may have varying levels of education.

Registered dietitians may refer to themselves as “nutritionists”, but nutritionists may not call themselves dietitians. Remember, nutrition is a science, not an opinion or point of view. A registered dietitian is the most credible source of nutrition information. If you seek nutrition advice, knowledge, and counseling, the credential to look for is the RD.

References:
http://www.eatright.org

Water: Essential For Your Body In All Seasons

For me, it is easier to remember to drink more water in the summer. But, what about in the winter? Past studies have shown that colder weather increases the risk of dehydration. When you don't feel thirsty, you don't drink enough water. We lose a great deal of water from our bodies in the winter due to respiratory fluid loss through breathing. Our bodies also are working harder under the weight of extra clothing, and sweat evaporates quickly in cold, dry air.

Water is an essential component for all processes the body completes each day. The body needs water to function. Dehydration can cause physical symptoms such as tiredness, lethargy, aches and pains, and an inability to function properly. It is important to balance the amount of water going in to the body with the amount of water being lost by the body. How much water should you drink? Aim to drink half of your body weight in ounces each day as part of a healthy diet.

Just as you would service your car and get it ready to face winter driving conditions, so too should you take care of your body during winter. Overall, it boils down to this...drink plenty of water daily (in every season), especially when exercising or working outdoors.