By Haley Adel, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor

Unfortunately, there is no one miracle food that creates a healthy diet. There is technically not even one “correct” healthy diet. A diet is simply the composition of foods consumed in a regular pattern. Each person has a style of eating that is appropriate for them. What is good for one person may not be as satisfying or effective for another. Therefore, typical word associations with diet including restriction should be placed aside. Instead the word diet should be associated with simply a pattern of eating. Even though people may have different diets, there are types of foods to include to create a healthy pattern of eating. So, there is no single secret!  Rather, there many options to optimize diet.

Growing up, many kids lament over the consumption of fruits and vegetables, but if your parents “encouraged” you to eat them, they were helping you in ways you may not know. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are published every 5 years to provide “recommendations about the components of a healthy and nutritionally adequate diet based upon scientific evidence.” And the guidelines stress what we were told as children: eat more fruits and veggies! A variety of both is preferred. From red to orange to dark green, beans and peas, and other vegetables; the rainbow is the goal. Eat fruits, especially in whole fruit form, of a variety of colors. Whether fresh, dried, or canned, fruits and veggies as a backbone to the diet will provide great health benefits.

Carbohydrate plays a significant role in the healthy eating pattern and tastes pretty too! A nutritious diet contains grains, which are composed primarily of carbohydrate. About half of the grains consumed should be whole grains. From whole wheat bread to brown rice, the vitamin and fiber benefits help to boost nutrient content.

And, of course, no meal is complete without protein. Again, think variety. Alternate lean means, beans, dairy products, nuts, seeds, seafood and soy, to mention a few. Even if you prefer one type of protein, try to mix it up occasionally to diversify nutrients.  Protein requirements for a healthy individual are around 0.8g protein/kg body weight.

As important as it is to get in the fruits and grains and all the rest, portion sizes are significant as well. A balanced plate demonstrates the proportion of carbs, protein, fruits/veggies, and fats that is most ideal for a healthy person. Look at the graphic. What grade does your plate get?  Do you come close to the balance recommended?

Finally, it’s important to remember that a diet is a food pattern. It is fine to have a slice of pizza or a cupcake for dessert. It is overall intake that is important in the long run. Be sure to include vegetables with meals when possible, and aim for whole grain options when available. Enjoying the process and what you are eating is important.  Do what you can to balance it out and remember there is no miracle answer.

By Marisa Morales, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor

Studying nutrition, I get asked a load of nutrition questions. Most questions are based on what people read or see online. In this blog I’ll help clear up some of the most common myths!

Myth #1: Some types of sugars are worse for you than others

Fact: Sugars such as honey, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), table sugar, and agave have a similar chemical structure allowing them to be metabolized in similar ways. That being said, there is no significant evidence any one is better than the others. We do know, though, that there is a positive relationship between consumption of added sugars and risk for chronic disease. It is more important to limit consumption of added sugars to <10% of your daily calories, than worry about type of sugar.  Remember an added sugar is not naturally found in the food. For example, HFCS in fruit juice is not naturally occurring, it was added to the drink during processing. But fruit and 100% natural fruit juices contain no added sugar.  The current recommendation is less than 25 gm added sugar per day for women and 37 gm for men.

Myth #2: Coffee is bad for you

Fact: In research conducted thus far, it seems as though coffee is more likely to be beneficial than harmful. Coffee is a great source of phytochemicals, non-nutritive compounds known for their disease preventive properties. More specifically, the phytochemicals found in coffee have antioxidant properties. If you are looking to follow a healthy eating pattern, the 2015-2020 USDA Dietary Guidelines suggest that moderate black coffee consumption is about 4 – 5 cups per day. Of course, what you add to it may change the nutritional content significantly!

Myth #3: All fats are bad and should not be eaten

Fact: False, false, FALSE! Dietary fat is essential for membrane structure, synthesizing vitamins, and providing energy. Now, there are different categories of fat, some of which are healthier than others. Healthy fats are found in fish, nuts, avocados, and liquid vegetable oils as unsaturated fats. Less healthy saturated fats are found in red meat, butter, and high-fat dairy.  Trans fats, extra harmful, are largely being eliminated as we change food processing methods.  Partially hydrogenated oils are a source of trans fat in processed foods. The 2015-2020 USDA Dietary Guidelines recommends limiting saturated fat to less than 10% of your daily calories, which is about 15 gms/day for women and 25 gms/day for men.  Limit/avoid trans fats as much as possible.

Myth #4: Diabetes is caused by excess sugar intake

Fact: There are two types of diabetes; Type 1 and Type 2, and neither are caused by eating too much sugar. Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that is the result of one’s pancreas failing to produce sufficient concentrations of insulin or none at all. The underlying cause of T1D is still being researched, but it is known that genes play a role. Like Type 1, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a chronic disease, but unlike T1D it is the result of insulin resistance; the body’s cells do not use insulin as efficiently as they should. Research shows that overweight and inactive individuals have a higher risk of T2D than those of a healthy weight. Being overweight is the result of multiple factors, not just  consumption of sugar. It should be noted that T2D can be due to genetics, which is why we sometimes see lean individuals with diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Myth #5: Egg whites are healthier than egg yolks

Fact: Eggs whites are not necessarily healthier than egg yolks. Egg whites do have a lower calorie count and contain no fat as compared with the yolk. However, the yolk contains nutrients that are not found in egg whites; vitamin D and choline. Vitamin D functions in bone health and immune system. Choline is a vitamin-like nutrient that aids in liver function. On a similar note, there is no longer a recommendation for limiting intake of cholesterol. This is because research has shown blood cholesterol levels to be minimally influenced by dietary cholesterol.

If you have a nutrition question, ask us in the comments!

By Ruth Vodonos, Healthy Aggies Intern

Thanksgiving is a holiday built around coming together to overeat. For most, their plate this holiday will be overfilled with turkey, stuffing, gravy, potatoes, corn, dinner rolls – all finished off with a slice of pumpkin pie topped with whipped cream. There is no need to avoid any of the food you love and have been looking forward to, but for a nutritious and still equally filling dinner consider sneaking some more vegetables onto your plate!

For a snack/appetizer – offer a veggie platter! Include all your favorite vegetables, like slices of bell peppers and celery sticks, all around a dip such as hummus.

For a side dish – green beans are the obvious choice, but consider adding some other greens such as mustard greens, peas, Brussels sprouts, kale, spinach, broccoli or asparagus to your dinner as well. Sheet pan cooking is an easy way to prepare vegetables and save more time in your day for cooking the main entrees. Mixing up a salad, even from a purchased pre-made mix, is another time saving idea!

For an entree – Sneak some vegetables into the usual entrees you serve, add kale to the stuffing, mushrooms to the gravy, etc. Think about serving even one vegetable-centric entree, not only will this contribute to the overall vegetable content on your plate, but anyone at your table who may be abstaining from eating meat will appreciate this too! Consider making stuffed squashes, there’s an endless list of things you can stuff them with – tailor them to your own crowd! There’s also plenty of vegetable casserole recipes, find one you can pre-make and just pop in the oven the day of!

 For a dessert – Even include some vegetables in your dessert by serving carrot cake or zucchini brownies!

You may not be the one cooking Thanksgiving dinner and thus not in control of what will be served, but a host will usually be alright with you bringing a dish or two – especially something small and simple like a vegetable platter for an appetizer or a vegetable side dish!  What will you bring?

By Anna Bui, UC Davis Healthy Aggies Intern

Boba. Pearl milk tea. Bubble tea. Whatever you call this sweet, delectable, Taiwan based drink it has sure grown in popularity. The supposed origin of bubble tea was in Taiwan during the 1980’s. Since then boba shops are popping up everywhere. In our own little cowtown many UC Davis students are familiar with these shops: ManDro Teahouse, OnTap, T4, TeaBo Cafe, Lazi Cow, Gong Cha, The Old Teahouse, ShareTea, Honey D Cafe, i-Tea, and the newest addition, Akira Coffee & Tea. There certainly are plenty to choose from!

The rise in popularity of milk tea is projected to continue in the United States. According to a report by Allied Market Research, the global milk tea market was valued at $1.9 billion in 2016. By 2023 it is projected to reach $3.2 billion. Definitely beloved, but is milk tea good for us?

Healthy Misconception?

There are many benefits to the consumption of green/ black tea. To name a few, green tea is known to have antioxidants, which lower risk of cardiovascular disease, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure. Although milk tea contains green tea, it doesn’t ‘un-do’ the excessive amounts of added sugar. Just because milk tea has “tea”, is it healthier than other sugary drinks (eg soda)? Not hardly. Compare a 16 fl oz Coca Cola , 190 kcals and 52g of added sugar, to Kung Fu Tea, 16 fl oz Milk Tea, 180kcals and 25g of sugar.  Plus if you add the very popular Boba topping (272 kcal and 67.5 g carbohydrate (USDA)) you’ve just outdone Coca Cola.

Healthier Alternatives

If you are craving milk tea, you have some options!

1. Adjust the sugar level – many milk tea shops allow you the option to adjust a drink’s sugar level. This can range from 100% to 0% sweetness. It may be difficult to completely transition to 0% if you typically drink milk tea at 100% sweetness. Start out with a small reduction first, like opting for 80% sugar; gradually decrease.
2. Opt for a small size serving – enjoy just enough to satisfy your craving.
3. Limit toppings – just opting out of boba is helpful; or ask for a half serving.
4. Opt for regular tea! – using a simple tea bag can not only cut down calories and added sugar, but also is cheaper!

Boba milk tea is delicious. Limiting the amount of “boba trips” per week, reducing the amount of toppings, and adjusting the sugar level will help cut down excessive sugar intake over the long term.

Are you a boba fan?  Will you try something new?

Coca, http://www.coca-colaproductfacts.com/en/products/coca-cola/original/16-oz/.

Bubble Tea Market Expected to Reach $3,214 Million, Globally by 2023, http://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/bubble-tea-market.html.

Kung Fu Tea | Fresh – Innovative – Fearless Leading Tea Brand, http://www.kungfutea.com/nutrition.

Nutritionix, http://www.nutritionix.com/i/usda/tapioca-pearl-dry-1-cup/513fceb775b8dbbc21002ddc.

By:  Esther Garcia, UC Davis Healthy Aggies Intern            

As winter approaches, students are seen sneezing and coughing in class. There is no evidence on why students are more prone to get sick in the winter, compared to other seasons. We all tend to be inside more, where everyone comes in contact with the same things.  It may be simply because viruses peak in the wintertime. However you get it, we all know there are many struggles that come an illness of any kind: skipped classes, missed (or late) assignments, and even missed exams. To help avoid an illness and the consequent academic nightmare, there are five tips below to minimize your risk of getting sick.

Wash Your Hands! – Everything is full of germs. The pencil that you shared, the notebook your friend let you borrow to study, and your desk – all have various good and bad germs.  It is important to wash your hands each time you come in contact with an object. Make sure to wash your hands for at least 30 seconds:

• Before eating
• Before rubbing your eyes or nose
• After using the restroom
• After sneezing and coughing
• After shaking hands

Rest – Sleep is the last thing on a student’s mind, however; “all-nighters” are not be effective for infection control! The body needs rest to regenerate and fight any viruses it came in contact with. Students who get an adequate amount of sleep tend to have a better immune system than those who don’t. So, having a consistent sleeping schedule not only gets the body ready for your school day, but also for a healthy day!.

Eat a Balanced Diet – Having plenty of fruits and vegetables strengthens our immune system. The vitamins and minerals we get from fruit and vegetables provides ammunition to fight illness. Many of us tend not to eat many fruits and veggies during the winter; however, having at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits can help our immune system utilize vitamins and minerals like Vit C and potassium work together to get the body stronger. Proteins like lean meats, legumes, and  dairy is also important because the amino acids help the body create strong components  of the immune system.

Physical Activity  Staying active during the winter is difficult because most students want to remain in doors where it is cozy and warm; nonetheless, evidence has demonstrated that people who exercise year round tend to get less sick. Similar to eating a balanced diet, exercise helps the body get stronger for any viruses. If it’s too cold to go for a run try:

• Going to a gym
• Finding an exercise video
• Going for a walk around the library
• Taking an indoor exercise class

Stay Hydrated – During the winter, most of us opt out from consuming water and prefer to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. As much as we enjoy the warm cup of liquids, theses type of beverages tend to dehydrate us. Water is important for staying hydrated and transporting all of the vitamins to the site of absorption.

Considering these tips will not only help you get through a healthy school year, it will help many others too! Always remember, clean hands and a healthy balanced lifestyle will help keep you free of infection by viruses and bacterial.

Sources:

http://www.hhs.gov/blog/2014/12/29/why-sleep-important.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/does-cold-weather-make-you-sick#culprits

https://ozzz.org/how-college-students-can-avoid-getting-sick/

https://www.ketteringhealth.org/communityoutreach/pdf/wn/December2017.pdf

By:  Cecilia Chen, UC Davis Nutrition Peer Counselor

“I will eat a lot of fruit and vegetables…”

“I will exercise more…”

“I will never skip breakfast again…”

“I will go to bed before 12 am…”

“… but I never did.”

Do any of the above statements sound familiar to you? College life can be stressful when you need to balance your social life, academics, and health. Often times, students will compromise health because they do not have enough time for things like meal prep, working out and sleep. When a new quarter starts, do you find yourself vowing to eat healthy or exercise more. Maybe you have tried going to the gym for a week when the quarter first starts, but midterms come up, and you never go back. Then, you feel bad about yourself and not achieving your health goal. How could you set up lifestyle change goals differently?

Instead of setting long-term goals, break down the goal into little steps that are more manageable and trackable. We call this SMART goal setting. Building SMART goals about your health consists of five components: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely.

• Specific: Being specific about your goals means you need to consider who, what, where, why and how.
  • Who will make this change?
  • What do you want to change, and what is your plan?
  • Where will your plan be carried out?
  • Why do you want to make the change?
  • How often will you make the change?
• Measurable: Your goals need to be measurable because it is easier to track how you are doing when it can be measured with a specific number. For example, your goal can be to cook dinner two times per week or meet with the nutrition peer counselors once a week.
• Attainable: Attainable means realistic. Is your goal something within your capability and not out of your reach? Setting your goal to eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables every day is unrealistic if you barely eat any now!
• Relevant: Is your goal related to what you value in life? Will achieving this goal make a meaningful change?
• Timely: Set a specific timeline for your goals can be helpful. For example, if going to the gym for the next month seems a bit challenging, you can set your goal to go to the gym two times during the next week. See how it works; adjust as necessary. Again, be specific in how you’ll carry out the change.

Instead of saying, “I want to be healthy,” say, “I will eat an apple for breakfast this Friday,” or “I will go to the gym at least two times this week.” Setting up your SMART goals can not only help you actually achieve your goal but also improve your sense of confidence.

Now it is your turn. Work on a SMART goal today and let us know how it goes!

References:

“10 ‘SMART’ Healthy Eating Goals.” 10 “SMART” Healthy Eating Goals – Unloc Food,www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/Weight-Loss/10-SMART%E2%80%9D-Healthy-Eating-Goals.aspx

IU, Positive Outcomes for Women. “How to Make SMART Nutrition and Physical Activity          Goals for Your New Year’s Resolution.” POW IU, 2 Jan. 2018, pursuinghealthi   ness.wordpress.com/2018/01/01/how-to-make-smart-nutrition-and-physical-activity-goals-for-your-new-years-resolution/.