8/13/24: Is CEREAL to blame for obesity?; Meet a dietitian in NEPAL; The difference between MISINFORMATION & DISINFORMATION...and MORE
"Nutrition News You Can Use"
💡Spotlight: Shiwani Singh - Dietitian in NEPAL
Question #1: Why did you want to become a dietitian in Nepal and what is your job title or position?
“… I recognized the growing need for nutritional guidance and support in our healthcare system…Currently, I am practicing as a Clinical Dietitian at HAMS hospital, where I work directly with patients in both ICU and in the outpatient department to develop personalized nutrition plans, manage dietary treatments for various medical conditions, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to ensure holistic patient care…”
Question #2: What is a typical day like for you as a dietitian in Nepal?
“…My working hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM, and given that HAMS Hospital is a 100-bedded facility with only two dietitians, we are responsible for looking after the entire hospital. This can make the workload challenging and sometimes stressful, but I find it incredibly rewarding and a great learning experience.”
Question #3: What is your favorite Nepalese dish?
“My favorite Nepalese dish is dal bhat with a variety of tarkari and a side of yogurt. It includes lentil soup (dal), steamed rice (bhat), and a variety of vegetable curries (tarkari)…”
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🤔Claim: Is 🥣CEREAL to Blame for Making People(Kids) Obese?
Re: A hyperbolic post on LinkedIn: “Athletes (and other celebrities or public figures) should stop sponsoring foods that destroy kids’ metabolic health.”
(This was about the Kelce brothers and their collaboration with General Mills to introduce a cereal based on their childhood favorites.)
The writer continued, “…In the face of this chronic disease epidemic (referring to obesity) literally destroying the health of our people, especially our kids, I believe that you have a choice to take money from companies selling sugary cereals for breakfast or to set a good example for our kids….”
There are certainly cereals that are higher in sugar…but not all are. Is it even fair to claim that cereals are “destroying the health of our people”?
Reality Check: Sales of cereal have been down “A recent survey by CivicScience says only 12% of American households eat cereal daily. And while cereal saw a slight uptick during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, cereal sales have dropped 9% in 2021, and continue to go down…”
Actual Data on Cereals and Health: “…Almost three-fourths (71%) of American adults consumed RTE cereal at least once in the two-week collection period. Frequent cereal eaters (≥ 7 servings), both male and female, had lower mean BMI measures overall than infrequent or non-cereal eaters (P < 0.0001). Additionally, the proportion of adults classified as overweight or obese (BMI > 25) was significantly lower in the frequent cereal consumption group. Frequent cereal eaters also had macronutrient intake profiles that more closely approximated national recommendations and were more likely to meet micronutrient intake recommendations. Conclusion: RTE cereal consumption is related to lower BMI and improved nutrient intakes in American adults.”
Bottom Line: Claiming one group of foods (or one type of beverage) is solely responsible for obesity is often just a distraction. This type of positioning ignores the many factors that can lead to obesity.
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