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March 26, 2008
Shirley Says
As National Nutrition Month comes to a close, I couldn't waste this opportunity to hear from our nutrition expert, Shirley Fan. Here is a Q &A about what she's thinking, reading and struggling with (since nobody's perfect) when it comes to nutrition:
Q. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT'S AMERICA'S BIGGEST NUTRITION MYTH?
a. Without a doubt, the most popular question I get is if carbs are bad. Carbohydrates are not inherently bad. They are our primary energy source and are necessary for a myriad of functions such as brain function and metabolism. Unfortunately, as a residual effect from the Atkin's craze, people still think eating carbohydrates will lead to weight gain. Of course, one can lose weight by cutting out carbohydrates or anything else in their diet, but it’s not sustainable in the long-run. Like I say for everything else, moderation is key.
Q. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE WOULD DO FOR THEMSELVES (NUTRITIONALLY SPEAKING) EVERY DAY?
a. I have a couple things in mind, but most importantly, I wish that people could sit down and really enjoy and savor the food in front of them. We live in a really hectic world where things move at a frenetic pace and eating sometimes becomes an after-thought. I spent three weeks in Italy one summer and discovered how differently the Italians valued and viewed their meals. I noticed that some people allocated time in their day to sit down, without the distractions of a computer and tv, and have a meal. This enabled them to really look at their food and taste. By tasting their food, they were more satiated with what they had and did not have cravings for a snack an hour later. I know we're all juggling a thousand different things at a time, but we should try to slow down and devote at least one meal a day with friends and family and away from our desks.
Q. WHAT HEALTHY FOOD CAN'T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
a. It's hard to single one out, but I really love sweet potatoes.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR PERSONAL NUTRITION OBSTACLE?
a. I think there’s a saying that you either eat to live or live to eat and I’m definitely in the latter category. I absolutely love food and am always looking forward to my next meal. The biggest obstacle with that is being aware of portion sizes and knowing when to stop. It’s especially hard at work because there’s always good (and sometimes not so healthy) food around and sampling can cumulatively become a meal. I always have to remind myself that the next bite won't be as delicious as the first.
Q. WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT FUNCTIONAL FOODS?
a. Functional foods are a really hot nutrition trend right now. There is no legal definition of them, but generally speaking, they are foods that have a potential health benefit beyond basic nutrition. Some biologically active components of functional foods may enhance health or protect one from diseases. Examples are antioxidants in fruits and vegetables, fiber in whole grains, omega-3 fatty acids in fish, and live cultures in yogurt. Because interest in health has increased, food companies are pushing to market their foods as functional foods or producing foods with beneficial components more than ever. I find the influx of functional foods on the market to be an interesting phenomenon. Though I appreciate the emphasis on healthy foods, I would still caution people to be wise about their food choices. Some functional foods are essentially junk food injected with vitamins and some are unmodified whole foods like blueberries or nuts. For optimal health, it's best to stick with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and lean protein.
Q. WHAT IS YOUR DAY TO DAY LIFE LIKE AT THE FOOD NETWORK?
a. It really depends on what projects are going on, but generally I analyze recipes for nutritional content for shows and special projects. I also write scripts and talking points for shows, and report on stories for an in-house newsletter about health and nutrition.
-SC
Posted by Food Network at March 26, 2008 5:20 PM