RD Q&A vol. 25

Lizzie: I’ve got a question and I think you’re the perfect person to answer it! I alternate between purchasing Barilla PLUS pasta products and Dreamfields pasta products. Barilla PLUS is typically cheaper, and I like it slightly better. Based on the marketing, I am lead to believe Dreamfields is better for me. But, not being an expert, I really don’t know. There are slight differences in the nutrition facts, and I can’t sort it out. Dreamfields claims to be the “healthiest” option with 5 grams of digestible carbs. Or feel free to suggest another alternative. I think I seem to remember you saying you like Barilla PLUS on your blog, but I could be confusing you with somebody else!

Prevention RD: You did read that I buy the Barilla Plus — I love it!! I think it’s the best-tasting whole wheat pasta out there. I am, however, VERY confused by the “digestible” carbohydrate that Dreamfields boasts about…never in my life have I heard of “protected carbohydrates”. I think they’re marketing to the low-carb followers out there. But in reality, the same portion of Barilla Plus is actually lower in carbohydrate (by 3 grams) and higher in protein. I have a hunch that the “digestible” carbohydrate is referring to the high fiber content and thus the glycemic index, but I don’t see any mention of that (plus, this has been proven to be way over-rated and isn’t used any longer). I vote Barilla PLUS. I hope that helps! 🙂

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Anele of Success Along the Weigh: I have upped my water intake this week (about 100 oz day) and I’m SO bloated! My sodium is in check (I watch it like a hawk) and the only other thing I can think of is I’ve been doing some pretty hard workouts this week. My muscles are sore every day this week. Is the bloating likely due to the muscles retaining water? Am I getting too much water and the 70ish ounces I was getting before is adequate?

Prevention RD: I just want to say, you’re not alone! I’ll admit, I’m terrible about drinking enough water…mostly because it’s never convenient to break away from my work every 30 minutes to pee! But, drinking more water should get easier with time, plus it sounds like you need it! I use the equation of 1/2 ounce per pound of body weight as a ballpark range for fluid needs (150 lbs –> 75 ounces). With your workout regimen, it’s important to rehydrate in addition to your fluid needs for the day. I’m going to guess 100 ounces is probably closer to your needs…maybe more. Hope that helps!

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Katrina: Thanks so much for your informative Q&A on the RD career track. I am currently launching myself into this as a career change, and am trying to draw up a list of schools I will apply to (I already have a BA and a graduate degree so I will be going back for a combined MS/RD degree). I hope you do not mind my asking you this question – I can’t seem to figure this out! I see that you have linked the CADE web sites that list the accredited schools. This list is what is confusing me. There seem to be other schools that claim they offer an MS in Nutrition combined with an RD certification, but that are not listed as accredited by CADE. For example, I have an acquaintance who received an RD certification and MS in nutrition from New York University, but that school is not listed as accredited. Also, Florida International University says on their web site that they offer the MS along with the RD, but they’re not listed as accredited in the graduate school category. Do you have any idea what is going on here?

Prevention RD: Hey Katrina! I looked into those 2 schools specifically. I don’t see anything on New York University’s website about a nutrition program of any sorts, but Florida International clearly states that they are CADE accredited. While it takes time, I would narrow your search based on location and look for colleges and universities within x number of miles from where you want to be. From there, I would visit each of their sites and/or call their program director and ask specifically. It amazes me the number of people who are lead to believe that attending programs that are NOT accredited can eventually lead to the RD track when that is very false. I think the issue is probably that the ADA (I mean, the AND — Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) doesn’t update their site on a regular-enough basis to reflect changes in programming and accreditation. That’s probably not the answer you’re looking for, but I not-s0-fondly remember putting all of the information I was most interested in (length, cost, location, emphasis, etc.) onto a spreadsheet and going from there. I hope that helps a bit, but I can tell you…it’ll be worth it. Also, I’d be happy to look into some of these programs with you — just let me know and get in touch! Best of luck!!

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Kristi: So, I’m up at about 4:50am each morning. But because of that early hour rise time I really cannot eat 35-40 minutes before a training run or power yoga or bodypump class. A 4:10am rise time is just not going to happen! Yet I suspect since I try to eat dinner before 6pm or 7pm at the latest (I try to get to bed by 9:30 if at all possible given the early rise time) I should not be hitting the pavement on a completely empty stomach. What do you recommend for refueling ~10 minutes before exercise? Or given that there is so little time ahead of the workout should I just skip doing more than drinking some water on my way out the door?

Prevention RD: As for the early mornings, I would try to get down a piece of toast or a handful of granola on your ride over to the gym. Having NOTHING to go on isn’t ideal, and yet, you don’t have time for too much substantial. I would split the difference and do something light and mostly carbohydrate. I hope that helps some. The important part is that you’re doing it at all, much less at that time of day. Makes me sleepy just reading your regimen — kudos to you!

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Biz of My Bizzy Kitchen: My coworker had lap band surgery.  She’s lost 60 pounds, however, she’s not changed a single thing about her diet – not kidding, last week she had jalapeno bacon wrapped poppers, all beef hot dogs and leftover Chinese food – all for breakfast.  She eats the same, obviously in smaller amounts. Anywho, last week I made peanut butter ice cream sandwiches for my work lunch – I bought no sugar added vanilla bean ice cream, and I was tasting it to see if it tasted “diety”  (not a word, but I am sticking with it).  She said “oh this isn’t bad because it only has 6 grams of sugar.”  I told her that it didn’t matter how many grams of sugar it had, because the number she should be looking at is the total carbs, as 100% of carbs  turns into sugar.  She is borderline diabetic.  She kept arguing with me that its the grams of sugar that matter, not the carbs.  So who is right?

Prevention RD: Of course you’re right, Biz! As someone with type 1 diabetes that has PERFECT HbA1c’s, you know your stuff! One of the #1 myths I bust when educating on diabetes is the fact that we need to be looking at the total grams of carbohydrate to reveal the true effect on blood sugar — not sugar. Sugar grams are accounted for in the total carbohydrate when looking at a food label. Rather than focusing on the grams of sugar, I like to emphasize fiber content. Not that Americans don’t eat too much sugar, but we eat too much of everything and I think that’s the real problem. It’s not rocket science to know that the “nutrition” (or carbohydrate grams) in a Snickers is much different than the carbohydrate in a banana, even though they may have similar carbohydrate counts. I often find myself walking away from situations like that with your coworker — it gets me too fired up and people have very strong (and wrong!) opinions on nutrition. P.S. Having worked in bariatrics and specifically with the Lap Band procedure, I can tell you with 100% confidence that if she doesn’t change her lifestyle she will 1) be able to eat the same volumes as before her band placement and 2) she will regain the weight. The Lap Band is a tool, not a cure all. Wishing her the best and keep at’em, Biz. Educating people, one person at a time…! 🙂

Have a question YOU would love answered? Send it along to me at preventionrd at gmail dot com! I’ve been trying to get up one of these posts a week and so long as you send questions, I’ll post answers! 🙂

Have a great day!

Be well,