11/19/24: Reviving the Build UP Dietitians FOOD group; Spotlight: Dietitian & Author Andrea Mathis; Food Rating Apps: Good or Bad?; 4 Things You May Have Missed
Because EVERYBODY eats.
Hello all and thanks for stopping by “The Grocery Cart” newsletter. Right now this is a FREE newsletter BUT if you’d like to pledge to support this publication that would be wonderful. At some point the opportunity to pay to subscribe will be turned on.
The content of this newsletter will be more food-centric than the Friday Build Up Dietitians newsletter so if you are looking for more news about nutrition and nutrition research you may also enjoy the Build Up Dietitians newsletter that comes out on FRIDAYS.
🍝🍒It’s Back: Build Up Dietitians FOOD group
We had archived the Build Up Dietitians Food, Food Marketing & Culinary group for inactivity, but have revived it because we were asked. This is a private/closed group within our Facebook page for dietitians, nutrition students, RD2B (dietetic interns) and non-RD nutrition professionals and will focus on food products, culinary and food innovation and food marketing & labeling.
Just a reminder, we have 17 other closed/private groups where members can interact, share resources and ask questions: Build Up Dietitians | Facebook
💡Spotlight: Andrea Mathis, MA, RDN, LD
Dietitian, Author & Business Owner
Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn HERE and on Instagram HERE
Andrea Mathis is the Author of The Complete Book of Smoothies
Q#1. What's the most challenging part for you about being a dietitian?
Answer: “…constantly navigating the world of diet culture and misinformation that continues to circulate, especially on social media. As a body-positive and inclusive advocate, I’ve made it my mission to help others break free from restrictive diets and understand that all bodies deserve nourishment and respect…”
Q#2. You're very active on social media. Do you have a favorite platform and why?
Answer: “Instagram is my favorite platform because I’m able to connect with so many people and I’m able to have (for the most part lol) meaningful interactions that spark new ideas. With Instagram, I can share my recipes, lifestyle content, merch from my online store, and even body-positive messages in a way that’s engaging and accessible. I also receive such positive feedback from my Instagram audience…”
Q#3: What's your favorite meal to make for friends or family?
Answer: “…My kids LOVE pizza! I enjoy making it with my boys, because it’s a fun way to spend some quality time together. Everyone can add their own favorite toppings, which is always fun because we usually end up with some pretty wacky pizza flavors! And of course, it’s also a great way to add in some veggies and create something delicious and nourishing that everyone enjoys together.”
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Are you a culinary RD? Do you work in food service? Work with food brands? Have you developed a food product? Write and let us know and we may spotlight you in the newsletter: builduprdns@gmail.com
📱Yuka app
We wrote about the food and cosmetic rating app known as Yuka in March (here) and April (here), although at the time it seemed like few US RDs were familiar with it. Apparently, things have changed as there seems to be a bit more awareness of this particular food rating app.
Here’s a post from dietitian Kendel C. in our Build Up Dietitians CLINICAL group:
“This app is the devil, just had a cardiac rehab patient come in so worked up that all his food in his pantry and was so scared to eat.”
Here’s a first-hand account from someone who describes using Yuka as an “addiction”
“Getting a good score on your stuff, though, is quite the status symbol. It's no surprise that more affordable products tend to score lower, packed with poorer-quality ingredients that lose you valuable points.”
There definitely may be value in apps that help people discover if products contain gluten or what restaurants offer gluten free (e.g. Find Me Gluten Free or Gluten Dude’s app) or apps for individuals with allergens (4 Best Food Allergy Apps ) or trying to find specific products like the MONASH app for a Low FODMAP eating plan. However, apps like Yuka, Bobby Approved and Bitewell run differently in that they have a “proprietary” algorithm (or at least claim to have one) that grades or rates food items, supposedly based on certain ingredients/additives (or the number of them), calories, and even whether ingredients are organic or “non-gmo”.
Some of the concern around these apps is that many seem to value popular bias/food fads/trends or misinformation over actual nutrition research. For example, Bitewell, used by Kroger Supermarkets, rates negatively for the presence of “seed oils” claiming they cause inflammation. (See The FoodHealth Score | bitewell) and yet numerous well-respected sources deny that connection. (There's no reason to avoid seed oils and plenty of reasons to eat them | American Heart Association also see previous Build Up Dietitians newsletters 9/10/24 -Seed Oils & Sensationalism; Spotlight: Cheryl Harris; Build Up Meet UP tickets; 4 Things You Don't Want to Miss). Others seem to give higher rankings for organic or non-gmo labeled products when there’s no nutritional or ingredient difference between them and non-organic/conventional food items.
Beyond their accuracy, or lack of, another concern is that using apps like Yuka, could result in a higher level of preoccupation with food, possibly triggering or exacerbating disordered eating/eating disorders.
For our previous newsletters Yuka & Bobby Approved are discussed yes...see: https://buildupdietitians.substack.com/p/329-spotlight-stan-wilfong-food-rating?r=1gv6p7 and https://buildupdietitians.substack.com/p/4224-happy-anniversary-to-us-nnm?r=1gv6p7
What do you think? Do you recommend certain food apps? Food rating apps?
4️⃣Things You May Have Missed
1.How Well Does Nutrition Research Hold Up?
Do you say any of the following things?
-🍫Dark chocolate is good for you
-💊Vitamin D protects you from Covid19
-Fish oils/Omega 3 supplements have cardiovascular benefits
But where’s the actual research? Cardiologist Dr. Christopher Labos, who also holds a degree in epidemiology, challenges some of the frequent things we hear (and may say) about nutrition. An Epidemiologist’s Guide to Debunking Nutritional Research
2.Dietitian Cara Harbstreet on Pesticides and Produce
“Farmers Use Pesticides to Grow Food, But Really, It's OK”
“Remember, even though there may be multiple pesticides approved for use on crops, it doesn’t automatically mean they’re all being used or being used at the same time. It’s dependent on many factors including growing region, environmental conditions, growing practices, and more. Pesticides aren’t cheap. Farmers don’t make a lot of money. They aren’t “dousing” or “drenching” fields or orchards with mists of cloudy chemicals. That’s just not a thing, even though imagery splashed across the news might make you think otherwise. They are tightly regulated and farmers are trained to apply only what is needed, when it’s needed.”
3.Translated Healthy Eating Guides
Are you looking for healthy eating guides in different languages? This site from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health may be helpful
Healthy Eating Plate Translations – The Nutrition Source
4. New Tools from Diabetes Canada
