Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Soda Tax.

Firstly, a huge thanks to those following my blog -- I appreciate it! I get extremely giddy over new followers, so thank you! And keep the comments coming, I love the questions and commentary. :)

And on to soda tax. VERY interesting idea. I think I may like it.

Kelly Brownell, professor of psychology and director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University, argues that in order to produce a real change, there needs to be a shift in the economic balance between healthful and unhealthful foods and to curtail the all-pervasive marketing of junk food. This would include a tax on soda, he states. Brownell is a go-to guy on topics surrounding the obesity debate and the media [1].

Brownell is also co-author of the book entitled, "Food Fight: The Inside Story of the Food Industry, America's Obesity Crisis, and What We Can Do About It" (Note to self: order this on
amazon.com ASAP!). His suggestion of taxing sugar and high-fructose corn syrup beverages surfaced in April when it was published in the New England Journal of Medicine. While this idea isn't a new one to Brownell, he claims it's now feasible due to the economic recession in America [1].

The details? Brownell proposes an 18% tax on soda. He states that with such a tax, fewer Americans will consume soda, and weight loss nationwide can be expected. Starting at the state-level, Brownell forecasts involvement on a federal level, much the same way as tobacco taxes [1].

The tax money can then be used to fund obesity-prevention programs and subsidize the farming of healthful fruits and vegetables, just as the government currently subsidizes corn that's processed into high-fructose corn syrup [1].
Does anyone care about the obesity epidemic enough to DO anything about it? Appears so. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) held a three-day "Weight of the Nation" conference in DC last month. The conference brought together academics, scientists, physicians, and public health officials from all over the world to discuss the current obesity epidemic in America. Specifically, research presented at the conference estimated the 2008 cost of treating obesity-related ailments in the US at $147 billion [1].

Brownell is quoted in saying [1]:
"Until healthful foods routinely cost less than unhealthful ones, getting people -- especially low-income people -- to eat them will remain a challenge." -- I agree.

"...Unless limits are placed on the marketing of unhealthful foods, the whole anti-obesity effort hardly stand a chance." -- Probably so.


"The public-health approach to fighting obesity must shift from treatment of those who are already fat to preventing others -- especially kids -- from getting that way." -- Interesting. Worth a shot, anyways.


The columnist, LaRue Huget, counters with the argument that diet and weight should be a matter of personal responsibility, not government concern [1]. While I wish I could agree, I don't. Just because something ought to be, certainly doesn't mean it's a reality. And certainly this is true for leading a healthful lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight. If obesity weren't an epidemic, I could possibly wish on a lucky star that Medicare would be in existence in 45 years' time. Ha!
Brownell goes on to say, "When people move to the U.S., they gain weight. Have they become less responsible? We have more obesity this year than last. Are we all less responsible? [1]." Hmm. Wise man, that Brownell, don't ya think?

Regina Benjamin, a highly accomplished and well-regarded physician (who happens to be overweight) has been nominated for surgeon general. What does this message send? Brownell explains that Benjamin is an "excellent role model because she does struggle with her weight. Her nomination underscores that there are better ways to judge a person than by how much she weighs." Great. But, how much is too much? At what point does a weight "struggle" turn into a weight "problem"??


[1]. LaRue Huget, Jennifer. Can We Fight Obesity by Slapping a Heavy Tax on Soda? The Washington Post. August 11, 2009.

MorouWatch

August 11

Last time we heard from my friend Morou Ouattara, he was working on opening an Italian restaurant in Crystal City, Va., in July. Well, that didn’t quite happen, but a restaurant not opening on time is hardly a shock.
But today he tweets: we have all our required licenses. we will do a very slow opening tomorrow night."

Chicago, say hello to Aaron Deal

August 11



I think you’ll like Aaron. He's a nice guy who has established a good name for himself as executive chef of Tristan, in Charleston, S.C., where he has worked for the past four years.
But he's leaving that job at the end of the month and, after a stage at Gramercy Tavern (New Yorkers, I hope to have the details about that shortly), he’ll be moving to Chicago to work on the relaunching of Custom House.
This is great news for everyone except Charlestonians, and they’re tough (the Lee brothers and Stephen Colbert are Charlestonians, after all). I’m sure they’ll manage.

Poll says: Mexican and Italian

My blog followers voted on their favorite ethnic food. With a whopping 12 votes (sigh!), 1/3 of the voters chose Mexican and 1/3 chose Italian. While Mexican takes the place of #1 in my heart, GOOD Italian is a close 2nd. I figured with all this talk it may be helpful to go over some menu strategy when consuming Mexican and Italian food. So here we go!

Mexican
- Chips and salsa. While delicious, you're adding a lot of added calories to your meal. Consume in moderation.
- Margs. STEER CLEAR. These babies should be a TREAT! A 16 ounce frozen margarita will run you 300 calories. Ouch! A great alternative: Corona Light. Yum! And a savings of 200 calories.
- Queso and white sauces. Green or red sauces are preferred for a lower-calories/lower-fat option.
- Chicken v. beef. While I'm not a beef basher, I am a basher of low-quality beef. Ground beef served in a restaurant is not going to be lean, so going with a chicken or fish entree will shave off some calories and fat.
- Go corn. Flour tortillas aren't the best choice and there's WAY more calories than you care to know packed into those babies. Corn tortillas are a healthier, and more flavorful option (in my opinion).
- Easy on the sour cream and guacamole. Great additions, lots of calories. Moderation.
- PORTIONS! Of all ethnic restaurants, portion sizes at Mexican restaurants are astronomical. I recommend ordering your meal al a carte (i.e. 2 chicken facos and a side of rice) if over-eating is an issue for you.

Italian

- Sauces. Butter, alfredo, and cream sauces should be replaced with marinaras and olive-oil based sauces.
- Choose a protein. Ordering a large pasta dish will not only leave you carb-crazed, but will also require more volume to leave you satisfied. Adding a protein (i.e. chicken or seafood) can help balance your meal and provide more satiety.
- Easy on the bread...and oil. While olive oil is rich in healthy MUFA's and PUFA's, a teaspoon or two is adequate intake. Dipping away will only lead to an excess of calories and fat.
- Caesar on the side. Caesar salad, while delicious, is high in fat. Order your dressing on the side and ration it sparingly yourself across your salad.
- Choose red wine. If you consume alcohol while dining, choose red wines rich in antioxidants. We've gone over this before...red wine = good. One glass for ladies, two for the gents.

This post made me hungry! Can't go wrong with Mexican or Italian!

Ouvrir son coeur à nouveau


Things happen for a reason. I wasn't able to embrace that thought before, but I know the future will prove it's true. Now I believe on things I never thought I'd have again. Now I see the sun shining. I realized that I can smile, laugh, dance, drink, walk in the rain, talk forever, ride motorbikes, climb a hill, wear some heels, run with my bare foot and run with my new running shorts without that heavy baggage anymore. And now I am keeping a very open mind and heart on what life brings when the future comes. It just excites me to finally accept the fact that there are millions of instant things that can happen in my life. Life is too short to complicate. If it's yours, it's going to be yours. You just have to claim it. In the end you can be victorious without having victims.

"ANCORA IMPARO" means I am still learning.
- Michael Angelo

hugs,
joanie xxx