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Upcoming Events |
January Tastings
You're invited to a complimentary January Tasting! Come sample some delicious recipes that you'll want to add to your personal collection, and learn how a registered dietitian at Personal Nutrition, Inc. can help you start the New Year right!
When:
Wednesday, January 7, 2009: 6:30pm-8:30pm
Saturday, January 24, 2009: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where:
Personal Nutrition, Inc.
11673 Jollyville Rd, Suite 202
Austin, TX 78759
Contact us to schedule your next event!
And be sure to
check our calendar for details and other upcoming workshops and events! |
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Confessions of a Dietitian |
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My father is what some might call a 'creature of habit.' He has very ingrained routines for even the most basic daily activities. While home from college one summer, I decided to clean out and rearrange my father's medicine cabinet. Though it was organized and sparkly clean when I finished, I had no idea how such a small task could be seen as such a big change.
The most significant change was that I had moved my father's shaving cream to a different shelf and moved it from the far right to the far left. You would have thought by his reaction that I had picked up the house and moved it to another street.
It's funny how uncomfortable it makes us when things don't stay the same. We are all creatures of habit to some extent, and starting any new routine is difficult. Habits are formed over years, doing things the same way over and over again. Most people are willing to try new things to improve their personal health, and these little 'experiments' we put ourselves through helps us learn what we like and don't like. We learn what works and what doesn't work for us.
Use these lessons wisely in future experiments, and make a personal commitment to learn more about yourself. Greater benefits can be achieved when you set long term goals and have realistic expectations of yourself. Challenge yourself to leave your comfort zone and explore life's wonderful possibilities. You might find that you like your shaving cream better somewhere else.
Warm Blessings,
Stacy
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What's New? |
Beginning in January, Personal Nutrition will be hosting
Tastings that will allow you to learn more about how a registered dietitian can help you improve your personal health - as well as add great new recipes to your personal collection. We are committed to helping you find solutions that work for you. Feel free to bring a friend!
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Don't forget to include fresh, healthy foods along with your traditional holiday fixin's. You'll have a more balanced meal and feel better too!
- Fresh veggie tray appetizer (such as carrots, celery, broccoli, cauliflower, radishes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, sweet peppers)
- Mixed salad greens
- Coleslaw (using light salad dressing)
- Fresh fruit bowl
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Do you have a question about nutrition that you'd like to have answered by a Registered Dietitian? Submit your questions by
emailing us and one or more questions will be featured in the following month's Personal Nutrition INK.
Q: I take daily calcium and weekly Actonel®. Someone told me that I should not take the calcium at a meal when I'm eating food that contains calcium, because it would not be absorbed. She said I need to take it sometime during the day when I'm not already eating calcium. Is that true?
A: Nutrient absorption is a complex process, and absorption of this mineral is affected by many factors including age, vitamin D status, medication interactions, alcohol use, level of acidity, phosphorus consumption and pregnancy.
For example, calcium absorption increases during childhood and pregnancy due to increased demand. Likewise, absorption is increased when a vitamin-C rich food is consumed with a calcium source because of the high acidity level. When calcium is obtained from food sources in a meal, some studies have actually shown increased absorption rates.
There are some food components, however, that may interfere with calcium absorption. Phytates, (present in legumes, nuts and grains) can bind calcium and decrease absorption. Likewise, oxalates (found in spinach, chocolate and greens) also bind calcium and interfere with absorption. Studies have also shown decreased absorption rates with high doses of calcium. For that reason, if you are taking supplemental calcium, it is sensible to space your dosages throughout the day and take no more than 500mg of elemental calcium at a time.
It is simply incorrect that calcium "would not be absorbed" at all when consumed with a meal. In fact, some forms of calcium are better absorbed with a meal. That said, it is important to consider the other factors mentioned above in determining optimal calcium absorption.
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