What is the deal with these NuVal scores?

Depending on where you live and what grocery store chain you use you may have become familiar with or will soon become familiar with the NuVal scoring system for food.
I have been reviewing the NuVal website as well as piecing through articles related to the subject and have found some interesting as well as entertaining information.
First off, NuVal is a Nurtitional Scoring System based on a proprietary algorithm developed by an independent panel of nutrition and medical experts. The idea is based on this formula which takes into account more than 30 "generally favorable nutrients" and "generally unfavorable nutrients" dividing them out to an answer that equals "good nutrition".
It also measures the quality and density of each nutrient which can factor into the food's score. The foods are scored by brand which allows you to compare say 1 oat cereal to another oat cereal. Foods receive a score of 1-100 with 1 being the worst nutrition while 100 is the highest nutrition.

As mentioned above this was developed by an 'independent' panel of scientists ranging from ivy league medical school professors/doctors, to top rated nutritionists, as well as former presidents of the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society. Additionally, as I understand it there was also some governmental oversight, which always makes me slightly suspicious of the data and intent. As with some numerical food programs in the past this is not sponsored or linked to any food manufacturing brand and has been funded by the Griffin Hospital.

So, is this the new, next best thing in a country obsessed with food? My short answer is maybe, sort of? What I like is that for the on the go parent who has little time to put thought into grocery shopping it is a quick and easy way to compare brands without reading labels and weeding through the general muck of information out there as well as misleading food packaging. It appears to be a nice jumping off point, particularly for those who know little to nothing about nutrition. It is better than nothing.

That being said, it is also confusing and limited in it's ability to really give good information for parents feeding their children. For example, if you stick to all foods that are 80-100 you will ultimately be cutting out major food groups that are needed for a well rounded diet like whole grains. This is particularly problematic for individuals with health conditions that require a specific diet. For example, if you are on a low salt diet this will not help you at all. This scoring system also doesn't speak on portions. Therefore, the regular, uneducated consumer will think for a snack I will have the all natural Garden of Good Eatin Tortilla ships with a score of 40. Let's face it when we have chips, we aren't eating the recommended portion size unless we count it out, put it in the bowl, and put the bag back in the pantry. On the flipside, the all natural dark chocolate is given a score of 10 and a diet soda is a 15. It seems slightly misleading and arbitrary when it all shakes into place. Similarly, and I just had to mention, the iceburg lettuce and the spinach are given the same score. Phew, that is a mind blower to me.

Additionally, and probably my biggest criticism, is this system gives higher scores in some instances to processed food over natural food items like eggs, cheese, and meat. I know many people are committed to a vegan diet. However, ultimately, I believe unless your system doesn't do well with animal products as I understand many don't, or it's a socially driven decision, they are still a healthy and important staple of a natural diet in moderation. I could also go on to the conflicting studies of choloesterol in food may or really may not being related to your blood cholesterol, but that is for another time.

All in all, my thoughts are this. It is worth noting these scores, and it may even help you in certain situations. However, this is yet again another band aid and gimmick that ultimately doesn't paint a whole picture to your nutrition. My advice has been the same for years and I don't see it changing. Eat a well balanced diet consisting of a good base of fruits and vegetables with moderate amounts of protein and grains, and good fat, exercise daily, and keep moving. The answer is so easy, but we try to reinvent the wheel. So, what do you think? You can read their arguement and decide for yourself at NuVal.

What do you really know about prostate cancer?

Everyday it seems there is new information and sometimes conflicting information about cancer. There are headlines daily about breast cancer which affects so many women of all ages, but what do we really know about prostate cancer. What I know is that you never seem to hear about prostate cancer. While it affects mostly older men, we cannot forget screening of younger men as well. Prostate cancer is on the rise for men between 30-45 years old and is the 3rd most common death from cancer in men. We also are learning that yes it does run in families, but it is also largely common among men who eat large amounts of red and animal meats as well as processed and fried foods. Perhaps the reason we don't hear much about this type of cancer is men don't tend to be as vocal as women when championing causes. Or, maybe it goes back to the modesty notion that kept breast cancer patients suffering in silence for so many years. The syptoms of prostate cancer can be blood in the urine or semen, difficulty urinating, or weak or interrupted flow of urine. Like most cancers screening and early detection is the key to staying healthy. Additionally, there are so many options for treatment you absolutely have to be your own advocate and go with the treatment that feels right for you. September is prostate awareness month and I urge you to get your screening done! Ladies you might have to bug your guy to set up that appointment, but it's worth it. This is just another disease that can be prevented and caught early with simple lifestyle and behavioral changes. Get checked out today and pass it on to your friends, brothers, fathers, grandfathers, and uncles. If you are interested in more information about how you can help the fight against prostate cancer and get more information go to The Blue Cure Foundation, set up by a young man diagnosed with prostate cancer who is determined to get the word out.

Is Your Perception Reality?

It's definitely been proven your mood and ultimately your outlook can and does impact what you encounter on a daily basis. If you expect things to go well they most likely will. It's interesting to me how 2 people can perceive the same situation differently. This really started to make me think a few years ago when I really discovered my husband's propensity to always see the bright side of things. He tells me he's optimistic and I am negative. I have always thought, "no, I am just realistic". What I am learning now is maybe if you aren't positive you are negative. Is there really such a thing as realistic? What is realistic? Isn't it subjective?

I think now, it really is how you view things that determines what the outcome will be. I think it's difficult for us to always assume the best, because we naturally want to prepare ourselves for the worst. The last few years have thrown me a lot of changes, stressors, and unexpected curve balls. So, I think I have a tendency to wait for the other shoe to fall so to speak.
Each day I am learning that I can change the outlook of my life with my attitude. It is a tough thing to re-wire your brain. But then again, what is our other option?
I believe that unwelcome things are going to happen to all of us at some point. But what's the harm in believing the best is always going to happen?
I empower you to try it for just one day. No matter what life hands you, no matter what happens, who gets you annoyed, keep a postitive perspective. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Make the best day of your life be today. Why not?

It's the Bad Days that are the Good Days

Normally, I choose to look at something going on in current health pop culture, whether it be a new finding, or a study to comment or think on. Today, I'm going on a totally different track.
All of us have "bad" days, and that can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. I think we can all agree that a bad day can definitely be relative. I am blessed and there is something within each day that I can be grateful for, no matter what. I know a lot of you going through chronic diseases may struggle with finding that thing today. If you search for it, I promise, it's there. Today, something really got me thinking.
I woke up with a headache, knowing it was a running day, and overall felt foggy, and groggy. I set it up without even realizing it. I unconsciously decided that it was going to be a "bad" day. I just didn't feel uppity, like I really should have.

I took an ibuprofen, and set out for my run, practically forcing myself. As I started to get moving I realized my IPod was acting up. "Great", I said, just another road block, another frustration. After the first few minutes of my run it was clear to me it wasn't going to be a easy, fun, or fast run. I was going to struggle today.

It really got me thinking. Mostly, I tried to remind myself this really isn't a bad day, but God is throwing me some minor road blocks. I am running, and using my legs and my lungs, that in itself is a gift and not to be taken for granted. Also, I thought about all the people I know and people I don't know going through a much more difficult day than me.
It also occurred to me the road blocks are there for a reason. The "bad" days are there for a reason. The bad days not only allow us to enjoy the good days, but they also test us.
Now, the next time not every little thing is going absolutely perfectly I will know mentally how to handle it. I will be less likely to immediately write the day or the morning off. This is what the bad days teach us.

Ironically, as soon as I realized this things started looking clearer. My run was still horrendous, but I realized I hit the wrong switch on the IPod and got the right playlist going, and the headache was gone. Now I know, my mood is a decision, I can navigate the road blocks, and I am better for learning how.
I suppose I should have learned this by watching my Mom struggle with cancer with a smile on her face. But sometimes, you just have to wait for that moment to pop in your consciousness.
I think a lesson can be learned here. The bad days are the ones that make us stronger, wiser, and more grateful. In short, it's the bad days that are the good days.

A Look At Skin Cancer

Summer is here again and as a lover of warm weather and sunny days I get so anxious to be out in the power of the sun's energy. Also, if you know me, I am fair skinned, an esthetician, and the daughter of a Dad who had skin cancer. Yes, both of my parents had cancer, a topic for another time......
First we heard, lather on the 50 SPF sunscreen, every 2 hours, on a cloudy day, when you're indoors. Overkill? Perhaps.
Now, we are hearing about all the great cancer fighting agents of Vitamin D, which comes from the sun. I have heard dermatologists say, it's ok to go out for 15-20 minutes on a sunny day, without sunscreen as long as the unprotected areas are your arms and legs. I have also heard contradicting evidence that you really should just get Vitamin D from your food, and supplements. On top of all that a new study recently came out about the most common place for melanoma. Guess where it is? On your legs. Not to mention the highest rates of melanoma are in Colorado, where I live. So many people enjoying over 300 days of sunshine at a high altitude. Are we all just spinning in contradicting information? How do we know what is best for us?

In a new study by the researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine indicates that taking Vitamin D could actually help prevent melanoma. Although there is a long way to go to prove this information, it is a little ironic. "The Institute of Medicine recommends that most adults get 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium per day and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D. It sets a recommended upper limit at 2,000 mg of calcium and 4,000 IU of vitamin D"

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/06/28/can-vitamin-d-lower-your-risk-melanoma/#ixzz1Rw9tQ2Um

I always try to give you the information and let you decide between you and your doctor what is the right course of action for you.
Today, from all the research I have heard I think it's still vital to wear sunscreen, eat the right foods, and just do the best you can. Let's face it, we have all been outside and didn't re-apply the sunscreen after being in the water, or waited longer than the 2 hours so we're likely getting the Vitamin D. Especially if you are lucky enough to have as much sunshine as me in Denver.

You Have Control Over Your Health

It used to be the mainstream opinion that genetics determines your health, and if you were born into bad genes you just have to deal with it. So, for all of you out there still using that excuse it's time to put that to bed. We have known for sometime now that we can actually change the course of our health dramatically by just a few lifestyle changes. Now, more research has come up to give this more life. As I said in my last post a lot of us really overestimate the costs of changes and underestimate the benefits.
"According to the Centers for Disease Control, preventable, lifestyle-related chronic diseases drive 75 percent of health care spending. Ninety-five percent of these costs are spent on treatment, with only five percent used for prevention. According to Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin HealthMiles, “Seventy percent of Americans are inactive.”

Companies are now embracing this concept and making great changes by hiring health and wellness coaches, bringing in healtier food to the cafeterias, sponsoring gym memberships, some even encouraging having meetings outside, or just simply walking.

June is National Health and Wellness month and as a health and wellness coach this is an exciting leap in the right direction. Let's not wait for the health insurance companies to catch up with us. What can you do to your daily routine to move more and change your outcome?



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/06/17/june-is-national-employee-wellness-month/#ixzz1Q8wZtQZQ

America's Eating Habits Getting Worse?

Haven't we been focusing on America's problem with nutrition for years now? We know we have an uphill battle with the war on obesity, and malnutrition. The rising costs of health care are also a reflection on the obesity problem, and it's starting younger and younger. It seems intuitive that knowledge is power, but not in this case.
A recent gallop poll showed the number of Americans getting the recommended number of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables at least 4 times a week has actually dropped in recent months. It has gone from 57.8% in May of 2010 to 55.9% in May of 2011. So clearly the messages are not being received.
I think we can find a number of reasons for the drop including higher costs of food in general, lower costs of fast food (think dollar menu), and a simply busier day. Many times eating right takes more time and money than the alternative.

But, what if people just don't see the value in it? What if there is no belief that if I incorporate these changes into my diet it will change anything. The common misconception with behavioral change is the overestimation of the costs and underestimation of the value. How do we get Americans to understand small changes like getting your recommended 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables can actually change the course of many diseases like diabetes, cancer, and many others? The ironic thing is, you don't even have to cut out the foods you like, just add a salad, or a cup of fruit. Watch out though, you might just find when you add the good stuff, your not as needy for the junk.
Just try it for 4 days, see what you think, you might be giving yourself added years. Think of the family moments you'll be included in, weddings, graduations, births, and first steps. Is it worth it to you?

Is it a good idea to know everything about cancer?

As a daughter of a cancer patient I know how important it is to be the advocate in the lives of our loved ones. As a wellness coach, I know it's imperative. So, this begs the question..... If you were permitted to see your whole medical file during a period of your cancer treatment, would you want to? The arguement is that it causes more anxiety to the patient. The theory here is if you really knew everything and had the chance to understand your mortality would it create a life of depression, uneasiness, and ultimately zap the important positive outlook that keeps so many cancer patients going.
As a loved one of someone who struggled with cancer each day for years I say, let me hide my head in the sand and keep fighting regardless of what's in my chart.
On the other hand, as a wellness coach, with so many players involved in the treatment of cancer and other chronic illnesses, isn't it just smart to always have the answers each time you see a new doctor, nurse, or therapist?
After weighing the pros and cons and seeing it from both sides of the coin I decided, it's best to know your information. With all the team members which commonly includes an oncologist, an internist, a surgeon, a mental health professional, a physical therapist, and even possibly a health coach it's just smart to have your files with you at all times. You are a team, this is your life team. Would you send your quarterback out on the field on a play action play without your offensive tackle knowing the play call?
If you have cancer you at one time or another are going to be depressed, anxious, and scared. But, if you know you are doing everything you can to get the best care, doesn't it give you some sense of relief?

Ultimately, I believe the fighters are going to fight, and the quitters are going to quit. So, what was the outcome of the study? Turns out the group who received their medical records and kept them for the duration of the treatment had similar outcomes, reported a similiar quality of life, and same level of anxiety as the control group.
So, you decide, what's right for you and your family. Then, make sure you demand this from your team. It's your right and it's your life.