David Zinczenko is teaching us and recently appeared on the Oprah show along with Dr. Oz to discuss foods that we should be eating opposed to not eating and how it relates to childhood obesity. There was audience participation and votes were cast when prompted to determine whether ‘A’ or ‘B’ was healthier. Some of the items that were on the screen were obvious choices based on what has been drilled into our heads. The surprising thing that shocked everyone including me was what we thought we knew to be ‘healthy choices’ were in fact the ‘unhealthy' choices.
One of the things that shocked me the most was Turkey Bacon vs. regular Pork Bacon. Turkey is a leaner meat, it is a healthier choice than fattier meats and so, therefore, everyone, including me, chose the Turkey Bacon to be the best option. Wrong! Turkey Bacon is much higher in sodium content making that a poor choice especially for those who are on a low sodium diet. Another shocker was the choices between French Fries vs. Tater Tots. Which would you think to be the better choice? If you said, Tater Tots you are wrong!
So how are we supposed to know all these things and be able to choose foods that are better for us when presented to us? David Zinczenko has authored books called Eat This Not That!
and are designed to help families with children understand foods that are going to make them fat vs. foods that can help deliver to their bodies what they really need to stay healthy. Childhood obesity is at the forefront of the news and right up there with how poor our American diets really are. Sure restaurants are beginning to comply with Federal laws and revamping menus to display nutrition information, but it is the consumer who needs to become fluent with these facts in order to stay healthy.
In one of his books ‘Eat This Not That – The No-Diet Weightloss Solution’ he helps you discover and understand menu options at restaurants like McDonalds, Au Bon Pain, Cold Stone Creamery, Boston Market, Blimpie and many many more. Let’s take a look at a few from this book:
At Blimpie when placing your order you should be ordering a Grilled Chicken Sub and NOT the Chicken Caesar Wrap. The Grilled Chicken Sub has 450 calories, 10g fat, 2g saturated fat and 1,260 mg sodium. The Chicken Caesar Wrap has 937 calories, 51g fat, 14g saturated fat and 2,375 mg sodium! Here is another Applebee’s: Order up a Grilled Cajun Lime Tilapia and NOT Fiesta Lime Chicken. The Grilled Cajun Lime Tilapia has 310 calories, 6g fat, 0g saturated fat and 1,250 mg sodium. The Fiesta Lime Chicken has 1,285 calories, 47g fat, 14g saturated fat and 1,443mg sodium. Knowing this information and by better educating yourself of foods to order and not order can help you lose weight when you are eating out. His books are very colorful and I would call them ‘Coffee Table Books’. Leave one on your coffee table for visitors or friends and your family to pick up and browse through.
Are you in the position as an expert to know what is good and what isn’t good? Most people are not and that was very apparent with the Oprah audience participation including me here at home! I listened to the wonderful information that David was sharing and thought ‘more people need to know about this’. If you are interested you can visit Oprah.com for a review of the show and more information from Dr. Oz. For more information on David Zinczenko and learn more about him please visit the wikipedia for his bio.
David’s books are making an impact at my house and with my family. The pictures are big, induce hunger and yet the information of things we need to make better choices are clearly spelled out. You can help your family and help yourself to better understand what choices to make when you are in the grocery store or at a restaurant. There are no foggy areas to deal with because David Zinczenko is teaching us exactly how to do it right!
