In The News, More Updates on Cranberries and Health, and Added Sugar Info

Hope you are all having a wonderful holiday season!! Just wanted pass along some great updates on current issues and conversations impacting cranberries and health sent to me by the Cranberry Institute, enjoy! 

The Complexities of Added Sugar

As you know, beginning on July 26, 2018, the Nutrition Facts Panel will require a specific call out for "added sugars." With the announcement of the new label, experts encourage consumers to consider all of the information on a food label when making diet choices. In addition, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that nutrient dense foods that have added sugar to make them more palatable, such as cranberries, fit in a healthy diet. 

To better understand added sugars, the  Cranberry Institute is excited to share new resources for health experts and consumers.

·         How to Talk to Consumers About Added Sugars

The result of an expert dietetic panel hosted by Today's Dietitianand the Cranberry Institute, the "How to Talk to Consumers About Added Sugars" statement was developed by dietitians, for dietitians, offering guidance for RDs counseling and speaking to media about added sugar.

·         Added Sugars...with Added Benefits Handout

Help consumers understand the importance of looking at the complete nutritional value of a product by demonstrating that many foods with added sugars also offer important added benefits. 

·         The Added Sugars Fact Sheet

The International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation's new fact sheet, "Making Sense of Sugars; The Role of Sugars and Added Sugars in Food," sheds light on the limitations of focusing on "added sugar" and provides recommendations on choosing the right foods based on the new Nutrition Facts Panel.

Cranberries and UTIs

In addition, as you may have seen, the Journal of the American Medical Association recently published a study and editorial piece regarding the efficacy of cranberry products in urinary tract health. Despite the methodological limitations, the study and editorial received widespread national media coverage discounting decades of peer-reviewed, promising cranberry research.

·         The Cranberry Institute’s Response to JAMA Cranberry and UTI Research

The Cranberry Institute maintains its confidence in the decades of scientific studies from independent research demonstrating that regular consumption of cranberry products helps promote a healthy urinary tract; especially in individuals suffering from recurrent UTIs.
The investigation, "Effect of Cranberry Capsules on Bacteriuria Plus Pyuria Among Older Women in Nursing Homes," cannot make a conclusion about the efficacy of cranberries in the prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) as they treated individuals that did NOT suffer from UTIs (only five of 185 participants had a history of UTIs). In addition, as an endpoint measure, asymptomatic bacteriuria and pyuria is unfortunately common in this population and treatment is not recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.  The study was also confounded because uncontaminated, reliable urine samples in this population is a globally recognized challenge especially given that 78% of the subjects had dementia, 68% had urinary incontinence and 44% had bowel incontinence.
Identifying alternative remedies to help control worldwide antibiotic resistance from overuse remains a shared goal of the medical community, and the Cranberry Institute strongly supports staying the course. 
To read our full statement addressing this research, please clickhere.

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Recipe ReDux Post # 53 Cheerio Treats

The December Recipe ReDux challenge centers around bidding a fond farewell to 2016.  We were encouraged to pick a page in a cookbook that was any combo of the digits 2016 and put our own healthy spin on it. I grabbed a gluten-free cookbook I was recently given titled “Artisanal Gluten-Free Cooking” by Kelly Bronski and Peter Bronski and flipped to page 216, which had a recipe for rice cereal treats. It seemed lie a perfect recipe for this time of year, when treats and desserts are high in demand.  The recipe was a pretty classic combo of rice cereal, marshmallows and butter.  I happened to have a box of Cheerios in my pantry so I decided to use those in place of the rice cereal, and try a combo of peanut butter and honey for the base instead of marshmallows. They were so delicious and had a great texture. Substituting PB for marshmallows creates a surprisingly tasty treat and makes them all natural with less sugar and a bit more protein too! Plus they are SUPER easy to make which is a big plus during this busy holiday season.  I hope you will give them a try and check out all the other awesome recipes from the amazing Recipe ReDux group!! Click HERE to check out the recipes from the group.

Ingredients:

1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter (or any other nut butter)

1/2 cup honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2.5 cups cheerios

pinch of salt (optional)

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the peanut butter, honey and vanilla extract and mix well.  Stir in the cheerios and continue to mix until well incorporated. . Press mixture into an 8 by 8 inch pan. (Lining the pan with a large rectangular piece of parchment paper, placing the mixture on one side and then folding the paper over to press down works nicely since the dough is so sticky.)   Refrigerate for at least one hour until very firm and then cut into 16 squares.   Store in the fridge in an airtight container

Makes 16 squares, 16 servings

Serving size: 1 square Calories 140 Protein 4 g Carb 16 g Fiber 1 g Sugars 10 g Fat 7 g Saturated fat 1.5 g Sodium  88 mg

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Favorite Holiday Treats From 2016

Wow, it's been almost a month since my last post- the holidays are in full swing and things have been SO busy!  I promise there will be lots of fun (and yummy) things to come in the New Year...but for now, here are a few of my favorite holiday friendly recipes from 2016.....

Sweet  Treats:

Date Cream Cheese Walnut Bites

Double Chocolate Macaroons

Autumn Harvest Popcorn Bars

Apple Pie Parfaits

Savory Bites:

Chili Lime Shrimp

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

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In The News: Upcoming Presentation on Healthy Holiday Eating!

Now that the holidays are in full swing, I thought I'd mention to all my followers in Los Angeles that I will be doing a presentation this Saturday about healthy holiday eating! Check out the details below:

"Unstuffed- How to Eat Healthy During the Holidays" presented by Marie Feldman RD CDE CHC

This 1 hour discussion with a registered dietitian/certified diabetes educator will include tips on how to eat healthy during but also enjoy the holidays.  Come learn some great strategies to create a sensible holiday eating plan, survive parties and other gatherings with ease, get helpful cooking tips and recipe modifications for holiday favorites and even take home ideas for delicious and festive recipes!

Saturday December 3rd 10-11 am at Elements Pharmacy

12602 Ventura Blvd. Studio City, CA 91604

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Recipe ReDux Post # 52 Double Chocolate Macaroons

November's Recipe ReDux is "Trimming the Table" and the challenge was to create a healthy dessert that we would be sharing with family and friends this season.  I happened to have family visiting this weekend and A LOT of shredded coconut in my cupboard so that combo led to the development of this delicious macaroni recipe for everyone to enjoy.  I "doubled" the chocolate factor by adding cocoa powder AND mini chocolate chips to give them a nice chocolatey kick.  These macaroons are gluten free, dairy free and nut free, so they are a great dessert for people with allergies. They are also reasonably low in sugar, carbs and calories so you you can keep the holiday eating guilt factor on low.  I hope you will give them a try and trim your table with some of these other yummy recipes from the awesome Recipe ReDux crew.

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
2 tablespoons white whole wheat flour (or oat flour if you are on a gluten free diet)
1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder 
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup liquid egg whites 
 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips ( I used Enjoy Life, which are soy and dairy free)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine the flour, coconut and cocoa powder in a small bowl. In a larger bowl, beat together the honey and egg whites   Slowly add the flour/coconut/cocoa mixture to the larger bowl with the egg whites and honey until thoroughly mixed. Fold in the chocolate chips. Drop in small spoonfuls (using a scooper is helpful) onto greased cookie sheets and bake 15-17 minutes, until tops are firm and they are very lightly browned.

Makes about 15-16 cookies

Serving size: 1 cookie Calories 80 Protein 1 g Carb 8 g Fiber 1 g Sugars 6 g Fat 5 g Saturated fat 4.5 g Sodium 10 mg 

An InLinkz Link-up

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In The News: Magazine and Cookbook Appearances!

It's been an exciting November so far.  Gabby and I appeared in our local magazine to showcase some holiday recipes  AND  a terrific cookbook from a fellow nutrition colleague just came out and it features a few of my recipes as well!  Click HERE to check out the magazine and HERE to preview the cookbook!

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In The News: More Interesting Info From The Cranberry Institute and Great Holiday Tips!

Check out this awesome info just sent to me from the Cranberry Institute, including some exciting research and delicious holiday recipes!

The Latest in Cranberries and Health

New Research Demonstrates Cranberries’ Antimicrobial Properties, Assisting in Global Fight Against Antibiotic Resistance

From a public health standpoint, it is of the utmost importance to continue to expand strategies for combating pathogen resistance. It appears that cranberries hold promise in this effort. For centuries, cranberries have been reported as a remedy for urinary tract infections. Yet, while individuals praised the fruit for its natural cure, science did not fully understand the mechanics of the process. In recent years, scholarship confirmed their anti-microbial properties, demonstrating that a specific type of cranberry phytochemicals known as proanthocyanidins (cPACs) hinder bacterial activity by preventing their adhesion and motility. Now, in a new study published in Scientific Reports, researchers show that cPACs also abolish the production of virulence factors, or the molecules that create disease. The study reports that cPACs inhibit the bacteria’s ability to communicate with one another, and therefore prevent them from causing infection. This research has significant implications, since understanding the multimodal effects of cranberries is extremely useful in combating bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Inhibiting bacterial communication is a promising strategy to combat infections that antibiotics cannot cure. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the bacteria did not develop resistance to the cPACs, as it might with antibiotics. As antibiotic resistance remains a global health concern, the potential of cranberries continues to encourage researchers. 

• Cranberry-derived proanthocyanidins impair virulence and inhibit quorum sensing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Vimal B. Maisuria, Yossef Lopez-de Los Santos, Nathalie Tufenkji, Eric Déziel – Scientific Reports

RESOURCE REMINDER! 

Cranberry Health Research Library 

Browse the selections by year to find the most recent publications: http://cranberryinstitute.org/doclib/doclib_search.cgi

USDA-Reviewed Cranberry Health Research Review 

If you haven’t seen it yet, check out the USDA-reviewed cranberry nutrition and health review published in the Cranberry Health Research Library on CranberryInstitute.org.  

Have a Fresh Cranberry Friendsgiving!

It’s that time of year again, when the trendiest fall holiday is kicking off and cranberry-filled celebrations are full swing – Friendsgiving 2016 is here! As you may remember from last year, Friendsgiving is the new holiday trend all about celebrating and giving thanks with your closest friends, either on Thanksgiving, or during the weeks before or after. And this year, the Cranberry Friendsgiving Photo Contest has returned as well, with even more categories and prizes!

This is your opportunity to show off your cranberry creativity – remember to post your party photos featuring your unique cranberry dishes or décor (yes, you heard us, cranberry décor!) on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or Twitter with #FriendsgivingCranberryContest and submit them at CranberryFriendsgiving.com. Please visit the contest website CranberryFriendsgiving.com and enter your own cranberry dish by December 19 for a chance to win!

• Last year, a few you inspired us with a few of your own unique Friendsgiving recipes perfect for impressing friends – check out some of the most creative recipes from Friendsgiving 2015 below. We are excited to see what you come up with this year! 
  • Sweet and Savory Alternative to Stuffing by Diane Boyd of Cape Fear Nutrition
  • Oat Cranberry Pilaf with Pistachios by Sharon Palmer, The Plant-Based Dietitian
  • Brown Rice with Cranberry Ginger Sauce by Tawnie Kroll of Kroll’s Korner
  • Mini Turkey Meatballs with Curried Cranberry Sauce by Anne Danahy of Craving Something Healthy

Fresh Cranberries Take Center Stage this Holiday Season

Don’t often cook with fresh cranberries? What exactly is cranberry décor? Have no fear – the all new Guide to Entertaining with Fresh Cranberriesis here to help! Check out this guide for awesome seasonal recipes using fresh cranberries and some fun ways to make cranberries a part of your tablescape and holiday décor this year. Take a sneak peek at one of our crowd-pleasing favorites below:

Cranberry Cilantro Salsa

With These Tips, You’ll Never Have Leftover Cranberries Again!

·         Most fresh cranberry recipes work just as well with frozen cranberries! Fresh cranberry season is almost over, so head to your local market to buy a few bags for now – and few for the freezer! 

·         Cranberry ice cubes make functional décor! Place 1-2 cranberries into each ice cube mold space on an ice cube tray, fill with water and freeze until solid. The berry-filled ice cubes make for visually-stunning drinks.

·         Get saucy! Fresh cranberries can be made into jam or sauce – then refrigerated or frozen so you’ll always have a quick cranberry spread on hand.

#LoveCranberries Every Day

As a dietitian, you know there are so many reasons to love cranberries. This harvest season, we encourage you to share your love of cranberries on your favorite social channels with our latest infographic – A Daily Reason to Love Cranberries!

We challenge you to share a cranberry a day this fall. Check out the full infographic, and share a post for each day of the week – which you can find here: Daily Reasons to #LoveCranberries. 

Cranberry Institute
P.O. Box 497
Carver, MA 02330

www.cranberryinstitute.org

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