In the spirit of the current political debate, I thought I would create my own pledge to help you Cut, Cap and Balance your nutrition. Despite the plethora of nutrition information available today, there are still many ordinary citizens of the U.S. who want to lose weight and get healthy, without making any permanent reforms in their health and nutrition policies.
I believe that this is a nutritionally irresponsible position that would place Americans on the Road to Chronic Disease and Unwanted Weight Gain. At the same time, I believe that the current debate over which diet is best (low carbs vs. low fat vs. low calorie) provides an historic opportunity to focus public attention and personal policy on the correct path to a balanced way of eating and a healthier lifestyle.
I believe that the “Cut, Cap, Balance” plan for substantial calorie cuts in FY 2012, a statutory cap on added sugars, and a passage of a balanced plan for eating is the minimum necessary precondition to creating a healthier society and lowering the rate of obesity. The ultimate goal is to get us back to a point where dieting is no longer necessary.
If you agree, take my Cut, Cap, Balance Pledge!
THE PLEDGE
I pledge myself, and urge my friends and family, to oppose any eating practices, including but not limited to, detoxes, fad diets, celebrity weight loss tricks, advice of friends and/or neighbors, books written by unqualified individuals (i.e., celebrities), and supplements found on infomercials, and instead, to adopt a healthy eating lifestyle that encompasses all three of the following conditions:
Cut – Create substantial cuts in calories consumed eating away from home. According to recent research, about 30% of our total calories are eaten outside our home. Even more disturbing, for each weekly meal eaten outside the home, you gain 2 pounds of body weight each year. I think it’s safe to say America, making significant cuts in eating out will reduce our weight gain this year, next year, and thereafter.
Cap – Create measurable caps (less than 6 teaspoons per day) in your added sugar intake that will put unwanted weight gain and the risk of diabetes and other chronic diseases on a path to overall reduction. It has been well documented that our nation’s addiction to sugar has caused an increase in unhealthy fats in our blood (think high triglycerides) as well as increased our risk for developing diabetes. Take responsibility for your sugar intake and put a cap on irresponsible and unnecessary consumption.
Balance – By far the foundation of any healthy relationship with food, we all must consider the principles of balance in our daily food choices. Incorporating high fiber carbohydrates, healthy fats, and lean protein into each of our meals and snacks will help underscore the understanding that all nutrients are necessary for feeling satisfied and satiated during and in between meals. If America would choose meals and snacks that include all three nutrients, there would be measurable reductions in food cravings and overeating and a substantial increase in appetite control, hunger awareness, and of course, food confidence.
{you don't have to click it, there is no pledge}
Here's to a healthier America!
Danielle Omar, MS, RD
www. foodconfidence.com
