| | |
 |
|
| 06-09-2004 | Previous edition: 06-07-2004 |
        
     |
Printer-friendly version Local nutrition experts denounce popular dietsBy Katie LietzSummer Reporter Stop ordering sandwiches without bread. Nutrition experts at Purdue say that the low-carbohydrate craze, and, in fact, every fad diet, doesn’t work. "The problem with most diets is that they’re not set up to help people change as to make someone money," said Bill Evers, professor of foods and nutrition. Evers also works as an extension educator and through the years has come across the same questions about numerous "revolutionary" diet programs. He said the current trends are no different than their predecessors. "There is not really a single diet program that can claim much success with large numbers of people over a long period of time," he said. Carbohydrates have gotten a bad name because, like all foods, there are bad and good varieties. Plans such as Atkins instruct dieters to cut carbs and load up on other foods, which can be worse. And with all of the negative light on dairy products and fruits as well, Evers said, "you’ve just wiped out the whole bottom of the food guide pyramid. What worries me is that people are substituting equal portions of higher-fat foods." The Food and Drug Administration as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture have strict guidelines for how and when terms such as "low-fat" or "reduced fat" can be used, but as of yet, there are no definitions for "low-carb," "net carb" and other catchy advertising words. Good health now, Evers said, is usually a result of learning good eating habits as children. But for many it’s too late and change seems impossible. "It’s the mantra that is terribly boring," said Evers, who exercises by walking up parking garages on his breaks. "The only way it’s going to work is to start small." Sue Abney, nutrition education coordinator for the Student Wellness Office, agrees that bad eating is hard to change. "A lot of people do lose weight (on diets) but if they don’t make any permanent changes, eventually they’ll go back to their old way of eating," she said. Her suggestion: lots of color. "Diets don’t work; they set you up to fail," she said. "We need to be filling up our plates with vegetables and fresh fruits." That is an unwelcome thought for some, but Abney says healthy foods can be added to anyone’s daily routine. "Just start with one (vegetable a day) if you’re not used to having any," she said. She suggests preparing healthy snacks ahead of time and placing them on the top shelf of the fridge. Whole grain products are OK too, she said, as they contain fiber, which is much better than refined carbohydrates found in white bread, rice and pasta. This summer the department of foods and nutrition is conducting research on calcium and its effects on weight moderation. Abney said that low-fat and non-fat dairy products help in weight loss and regulation. Both Evers and Abney agree that the food guide pyramid is the best example of healthy eating, but Evers says that diet and exercise should be a part of life, not an all-consuming effort. "If you’re healthy, you shouldn’t worry about it," he said. "We obsess." Printer-friendly version |
|
Front Page | Campus | City | Features | Opinions | Sports | Classifieds Advertising | Archive | Links | About us | Letter Submission Form To report any errors with or to give ideas on how we can improve the online edition of The Exponent contact Online Production |
