All Articles, Featured, Health & Wellness

Your Healthy Pledge at Taste Helps Diabetes Cause

Print This Post

May 28, 2010
	Guest Contributor

Start off your summer with a few ‘small changes,’ suggests a local registered dietician. As part of the ‘Small Changes, Lifelong Results’ campaign, Rebecca Scritchfield, RD and healthy weight management expert, is talking about the importance of small healthy changes and how they can reduce your risk of serious health risks like obesity or diabetes.

Rebecca will be at the Taste of Cincinnati this Saturday, along with former Biggest Loser contestant, Mozziz “Coach Mo” DeWalt, encouraging ‘Tasters’ to make a pledge for a small healthy change in their life.

For every pledge posted on the 8-foot tall pledge wall, Fruit2O water will donate $1 to the Cincinnati American Diabetes Association, up to $5,000. By the end of the ‘Small Changes’ campaign, the market with the most pledges (both at local events or online at www.facebook.com/fruit20 ) will receive an additional $15,000 donation!

Cincinnati, what do you pledge to do better for yourself?

Here are a few of Rebecca’s “small changes” she recommends to help reach your health goals:

    * Don’t drink your calories – A lot of people reach for sodas and other sweetened beverages because they like the flavor. The sugar in just one 20-ounce bottle of these drinks has more than a day’s sugar allowance, which can lead to weight gain. Fruit2o Essentials is a great swap out because they are fruit flavored waters with no sugar or calories. Save your sugar budget for flavoring healthy foods, like a fresh fruit smoothie.

    * Take your time when eating – We’re always in a rush these days and we barely take time to pause to eat our meals. When people eat in a hurry, they tend to enjoy the food less and eat more because they aren’t taking the time to let their body say “stop, I’m satisfied.” If you can make most of your meals last 30 minutes and pause for that comfortable full feeling, you’ll be more likely to eat the amount of food your body needs and you’ll lose weight.

    * Put color on your plate – If you’re one of the 70 percent of Americans not meeting fruit and vegetable recommendations, a small change is to make sure there is color on every plate. Berries go great with breakfast cereal, oatmeal, and yogurt. Chopped veggies like cucumber, red pepper and carrots make a crunchy afternoon snack. It’s quick and easy to steam or broil most veggies as a side dish for dinner – even faster than take out!

    * Find a workout buddy – The main reason people don’t stick to an exercise routine is because they aren’t having fun. With a workout buddy you have someone else to answer to if you feel like skipping. The average American only gets 17 minutes of exercise a day. That’s not enough to manage a healthy weight. Even simple walking after lunch or dinner will get you going on the right track.

 Meet Rebecca Scritchfield and Coach Mo this Saturday, from 1-3 p.m. at the Taste of Cincinnati. The two will be at the Fruit2O booth, on 5th street in front of the US Post Office, between Walnut St. and Main St.