Check our Facebook page every weekday for our RD of the Day, as we put a much-deserved spotlight on a dietitian who's either making headlines or writing them and delivering their expertise through the media. Here are this week's featured RDs.
| Pat Baird, RDN |
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Spring is finally here, and Monday’s RD of the Day has helpful tips to help you look and feel better this season. “Wintertime weight gain is common while a lack of certain foods and nutrients contributes to depression. Some easy dietary changes can help drop those extra pounds, rebuild the immune system and help people to look and feel better,” says Pat in an interview with Good Morning Connecticut. She shares simple spring health essentials including sleep, nutrition, vitamin D, and physical activity with recommendations such as: “Activity is synonymous with health. It doesn’t mean running 5 miles a day. Do some gardening, walk and dance to get started.” For her simple changes that will help viewers (and RD’s clients) put a plan into action for a healthier start to spring, Pat was chosen as Monday’s RD of the Day. Pat is the president of the Connecticut Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Read the article: Spring health essentials
| Pam Bede, MS, RD, CSSD, LD |
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Are you running in the Boston Marathon, your local 5k, something in between? Tuesday’s RD of the Day breaks down your questions about carbo-loading in her interview with BostInno. “Carb loading is key for race preparation. There was a time when the experts recommended eating more protein and fat before a race or severely cutting carbs in the days before a race and then adding them back in right before go time. This is old thinking,” says Pam. She recommends that “in the days before a big race, you should reduce your training load and increase carb intake. This practice helps you load your glycogen stores – the body’s fuel tank – so that when the starting gun goes off, your muscles are fully stocked with energy and your stomach doesn’t need to be stuffed.” For her advice on how to fuel prior to a race plus how to replenish your body post-run, Pam earned Tuesday’s honors as RD of the Day. Pam is a Dayton, OH sports dietitian and Manager of Professional Partnerships and Education at Abbott Nutrition EAS and Zone Perfect brands. Learn more about Pam at www.swimbikeruneat.com.
Read the article: Is Carbo-Loading a Terrible Idea? A Sports Dietitian Answers Your Questions
| Katie Morford, MS, RD |
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Whether you’re having trouble getting the kids to eat enough veggies or you want to increase your own intake, you can benefit from Katie’s suggestions in her The Huffington Post article on how to boost veggies at breakfast. You can sneak a few servings of vegetables into eggs, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal, smoothies and even pancakes. “Pull out vegetables leftover from dinner or grab a generous handful of dark leafies to toss into your scramble. Add fresh herbs or grated cheese. Delicious and Done” or if you’re in the mood for something a little sweeter, try what Katie calls carrot cake oatmeal. “It's nothing more than finely grated carrot over warm oatmeal, finished with raisins, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of maple syrup.” For making it easier to increase vegetable intake starting at the beginning of the day, Katie earned Wednesday’s honors. Katie is the author of the Best Lunch Box Ever and blogs at www.momskitchenhandbook.com.
Read the article: 5 Ways to Boost Veggies at Breakfast
| Stephanie Homon, MS, RD, LD, CNSC |
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In her Q&A with Maine Women, Stephanie discusses her work, what it takes to succeed and what she enjoys most about her profession. “In my opinion, to be a successful dietitian, one has to enjoy science, math and the arts. I love all three, so this career was a perfect fit for me. The profession takes creative skills, the ability to multi-task and compassion for others. Oftentimes, dietitians need to have a lot of “tricks up their sleeves” to either help a patient find foods they can eat when they are feeling ill, or to help them to find foods that they enjoy that fit into a specific diet to prevent advancing disease. It really is all about helping people enjoy what they are eating, and customizing their diets for the best quality of life,” she says. For explaining the versatility of the dietetics career and sharing her career experience in the profession (as well as her recipe for Vegan Scones), Stephanie was Thursday’s RD of the Day. Stephanie is the clinical nutrition and wellness manager at Mercy Hospital in Portland.
Read the article: Interview with Stephanie Homon
| Kara Lydon, RD, LDN, RYT |
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Sick of spring cleaning? You don’t have to eliminate foods to clean up your diet. Today’s RD of the Day focuses on what seasonal produce you should eat more of to feel healthier this spring. In her article for TODAY Food, Kara shares what fruits and veggies you should be adding to your grocery list. “The onion's sweeter, milder cousin, leeks are an excellent source of vitamins A and K and a good source of vitamin C and folate. Leeks also contain the anti-inflammatory antioxidant quercetin, which is important for heart health. Saute or braise leeks to add flavor to main dishes or puree into soup,” she says. For putting the focus on what to eat instead of what to avoid and for providing tasty, nutritious recipes from fellow dietitian food bloggers, Kara earned Friday’s title as RD of the Day. Learn more about Kara and read her blog at karalydon.com.
Read the article: 9 Spring Vegetables You Should Get On Your Plate |
