November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

Do you know someone with Diabetes? Do you have Diabetes? Does someone in your family have Diabetes?

Did you know Diabetes affects over 25 million people in the U.S. alone?!

Let me introduce what Diabetes is:

Diabetes is a disease that involves your insulin and your glucose. There are two main types of Diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2.

Type 1 is when your cells in your pancreas start to die, and your body does not produce enough insulin for proper function.

Type 2 is when your cells do not recognize the insulin, and your blood sugar starts to build up in the blood stream.

Now that I have told you a little about the disease, let me inform you what to look for:

Signs & Symptoms:

• Fatigue
• Excessive Thirst
• Excessive Urination
• Excessive Hunger
• Stress

Have more questions? Interested in controlling your diabetes? Needs tips to meal plan in the dining hall? Know a friend that needs more information about their diabetes?

Call/Email me for an appointment!! I’m here to help YOU!

Phone: 936-468-1022 Email: drake-sarah@aramark.com

References:
Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Diabetes Fact Sheet. Retrieved From: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/pdf/ndfs_2011.pdf
Sign and Symptom Picture. (2013). Retrieved From: http://wikieducator.org/K.I.S.S.ing_Diabetes
Stop Diabetes Picture. (2013). Retrieved From: http://stopdiabetes.diabetes.org/site/PageServer?pagename=SD_alert_main

October 24th is NATIONAL FOOD DAY!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness

October is finally here! Fall is in the air, Halloween is around the corner, but more importantly it is Breast Cancer Awareness month! 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society estimates about 2,240 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men in 2013. This means prevention is essential for everyone. Some of the best ways to reduce your risk of cancer include; maintaining a healthy weight, eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, limiting alcohol consumption and reducing sodium intake.

Easy to follow steps to reduce your risk of cancer through your lifestyle:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
o Including daily exercise
o Choosing low-fat food options
• Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains
o Making half your plate fruits and vegetables which are known sources of cancer-fighting antioxidants
o Add a variety of color in your diet
o Make half your grains whole
• Limiting alcohol consumption
o No more than one drink daily for women and two for men
• Reducing sodium intake
o Choose low sodium labels
o Season foods with herbs and spices instead
o Avoid processed foods



Resources:
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=9904
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancerinmen/detailedguide/breast-cancer-in-men-key-statistics
http://nutritionfacts.org/2011/09/26/breast-cancer-and-diet/preventing-breast-cancer/

Today is World Vegetarian Day!!!!

Today is World Vegetarian Day! Check out our table in the Spirit Lounge (Baker Patillo Student Center) for information, samples, and a chance to win a prize.

We hear a lot of people talking about Vegetarianism, but what does that mean? There are actually several different categories that fall into this title.

Vegan- excludes all animal products such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and other dairy products
Lacto-Ovo -excludes meat, poultry and fish but includes eggs and dairy products.
Lacto excludes meat, poultry, fish and eggs but includes dairy products

Vegetarian diets can be a very healthy diet, but with any diet that has restrictions, making sure you get enough of the right nutrients is important. Some nutrients to be sure to get plenty of include:

• Protein (beans, whole grains, soy products, nuts and nut butters, dairy products, Eggs)
• Calcium (milk, yogurt and cheese, Fortified soymilk or rice milk, fortified cereals, calcium-fortified juice, calcium-set tofu, leafy green vegetables, broccoli, beans, almonds and almond butter)
• Iron (fortified breakfast cereals, soybean nuts, dark green, leafy greens, beans, enriched breads, rice and pasta, eggs, peanut butter)
• B-12 (B12-fortified foods including nutritional yeast, soymilk, meat analogs and ready-to-eat cereals, dairy products, eggs)
• Vitamin D (eggs, vitamin D-fortified soymilk, cow's milk, orange juice, and ready-to-eat cereals)

Resources:
http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6372
http://veggie.buntch.net/westernnostri/




***This post is brought to you by our guest bloggers and SFASU Dietetic Interns, Samantha and Elizabeth!

Breakfast Month

Did you know September is National Breakfast Month?

A few of the beneifts of eating breakfast include:

• Energy – Eating breakfast is an opportunity to jump start your day with energy boosting carbohydrates, filling proteins, and heart healthy fats.

• Improve Concentration – studies show that eating a healthy breakfast can improve brain function and increase focus. Concentration is vital when preparing for that big exam!

• Healthy Weight – Some think that skipping breakfast is a good way to save on calories and lose weight, but this is not true! Actually, people who skip breakfast tend to weigh more than those who eat breakfast regularly. Also, those who eat breakfast tend to demonstrate more self-control in food choices and in turn consume fewer calories than those who skip breakfast.


Breakfast doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some quick and healthy ideas to get you going!

• Whole fruit like bananas, apples and oranges.
• Oatmeal topped with nuts, dried fruit, honey and cinnamon.
• Whole wheat bagels, toast, waffles, and English muffins. Top any of these with some peanut butter, low-fat cream cheese or sugar-free jelly.
• Hard boiled eggs.
• Whole grain cereal with 1% fat or fat- free milk.
• Fruit smoothie made with low-fat yogurt or 100% juice.

Find what works for you and make breakfast a priority in your morning!

Resources:
http://www.eatright.org/kids/article.aspx?id=6442477998


This post is brought to you by our guest bloggers and SFASU Dietetic Interns, Samantha and Elizabeth.

September is Fruits and Veggies - More Matters Month

Are you getting enough fruits and vegetables in your diet? Here are 10 reasons to inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables!


10. Color & Texture. Fruits and veggies add color, texture … and appeal … to your plate.

9. Convenience. Fruits and veggies are nutritious in any form – fresh, frozen, canned, dried and 100% juice, so they’re ready when you are!

8. Fiber. Fruits and veggies provide fiber that helps fill you up and keeps your digestive 
system happy.

7. Low in Calories. Fruits and veggies are naturally low in calories.

6. May Reduce Disease Risk. Eating plenty of fruits and veggies may help reduce the risk of many diseases, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and some cancers.

5. Vitamins & Minerals. Fruits and veggies are rich in vitamins and minerals that help you feel healthy and energized.

4. Variety. Fruits and veggies are available in an almost infinite variety…there’s always 
something new to try!

3. Quick, Natural Snack. Fruits and veggies are nature’s treat and easy to grab for a snack.

2. Fun to Eat! Some crunch, some squirt, some you peel … some you don’t, and some grow right in your own backyard!

1. Fruits & Veggies are Nutritious AND Delicious!

Resources:
http://www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/


This post is brought to you by our guest bloggers and SFASU Dietetic Interns, Elizabeth and Samantha!

Welcome Back Lumberjacks!

Hello Lumberjacks! It is the SFA Dining RD, Sarah. Thank you for visiting my blog. This blog will feature helpful nutrition tips and tricks, things going on around campus, and frequent guest bloggers who will share their expertise and insight into the world of all things health and wellness. Be sure to stop by frequently so you don't miss out on any of the awesome information. Please comment if you would like me to cover a specific topic in any of the blog posts. In the mean time, check out www.sfadining.com for dining locations, hours of operation, menus, and lots of useful sustainability and nutrition information, like "SFA Dining" on Facebook and follow @SFADining on Twitter to find out more about what we are doing around campus and featuring in our dining halls!

Axe 'Em Jacks,

Sarah