Cleats & Eats: Snacks from the Sidelines

Regan Jones from the Professional Palate takes over Robinsbite today as Football Week begins....

When my friend and (much admired) colleague Robin invited me to be a guest blogger here on her blog, I jumped at the opportunity. I admire Robin’s style, spirit for all things food and overall approach to communicating nutrition news. We are cut from the same cloth when it comes to our approach to making nutrition a “taste-first” topic.  

The fact that she does not share my ardent devotion to college football is something that I have chosen not to hold against her. It is, however, the reason that I am thrilled to step in as her guest blogger today to give the RobinsBite audience the seasonal food nod toward one of this country’s favorite pastimes - football.

College, NFL, fantasy, you name it... when it comes to football, my household is probably paying attention to it. (Ironically, I met Robin while living in Texas- the only place on Earth where people actual tailgate for high school football. It’s insane the love of football those wonderful Texans share with folks like me, born and raised in the Deep South where football truly divides families and decides elections. And frankly, I love Texas all the more for it!! But back to the topic at hand....)

I have come to realize over the years, though, that the problem with a season full of tailgating (or better yet “tablegating” for the poor lot of us who have either been displaced from our alma mater in distance OR have a couple of future football fans toddling around the house keeping us home) is that often the nutrition numbers don’t really add up in your favor.

Don’t get me wrong... I’m a big believer in that classic dietitian mantra of “all foods can fit.” But the question is... if you fit in too many fun foods this season, will you really fit into your jeans come Super Bowl?

I get plenty of requests every year to “lighten” a traditional tailgate dish... and I’m happy to oblige. In fact, I’ve just launched a season long #footballfriday bloghop on my blog celebrating popular tailgating dishes from bloggers across the web. But if you really want to score big not only on taste, but nutrition as well, you can look to those naturally nutrient-rich choices that are already fan favorites:  

• In shell pistachios - In general, nuts are always a good choice because of their vitamin, mineral, protein and fiber content. Where people get into trouble is overdoing their portions (which can mean big calories!) The thing I love about in shell pistachios, though, is that the act of breaking open each pistachio is a natural way to slow down that “grazing” that can otherwise lead to excess calories.

• Black Bean and Corn Salsa - This is one of my all-time favorites. It’s based on a recipe I tested while working in the Test Kitchen for one of Southern Living’s cookbooks. It’s always a hit, even alongside some of it’s heavier, dip competitors. Fresh salsas, whether made from tomatoes, corn, beans, mangos, peaches... you name it... are an ideal way to sneak in something fresh, veggie &/or fruit filled without making people feel like you brought the “diet dip.”

• Fruit & Cheese tray - On this point, I differ with some cheeseheads in that I’m actually “pro” cubed cheese for this type of spread. I’ll confess that once you cube cheese, it does begin to lose its moisture faster, so beware of prepping too far in advance. Likewise, I recommend doing it yourself rather than buying pre-cubed cheese (I think the flavor and texture difference is totally worth the minimal extra effort.) Plus, by cubing yourself, you’re able to opt for reduced fat varieties, many of which now come in flavors and taste nothing like they did years ago (Yay! Score one for cheese lovers!) Because fruit is such a natural alongside cheese, here again you’ve offered your pals another nutrient-rich combo in the form of a fan favorite.

• Roasted Veggie and Olive Antipasto - While traditional antipasto platters contain cured meats, I prefer an all veggie approach. Olives are a classic fixture, as are artichoke hearts. I add to that various roasted veggies (either roasted at home in a 450 degree oven until caramelized or picked up from the local deli). Drizzle with a touch of balsamic vinegar for low fat, high flavor... and can you say antioxidant powerhouse?

• Grilled Chicken Skewers with Buffalo Sauce - As I said, I really hate to hit people over the head with the “this is lighter” notion. But nowhere is it more welcome in my books than ditching chicken wings (which frankly just don’t appeal to me as they’re mostly just poultry skin... *no thanks*), and instead opting for grilled chicken breast skewers and buffalo sauce. I mean really... what’s the appeal about wings anyway? It’s the heat in the sauce, right? This approach gives you that same appeal for far fewer calories.

I can’t really say whether the appeal of football season is the chance for my team to lace up their cleats and take a run at the championship, the opportunity to spend time with friends and family or simply a good excuse to break out the chip and dip bowl for some delicious eats... probably, it’s a combination of all of the above. I can say, however, that whatever the season holds on the field, lining up these choice clearly means winning “off” the field.       


Regan Jones, RD authors the blog The Professional Palate from her home in Georgia where she is actively grooming two young sons for a lifelong football devotion to her alma mater, Auburn University. (Just don’t tell her husband who is equally devoted to doing the same for their in-state rival.)

Jamie Oliver, Lisa Greene and Me. Food Revolution Time!

Tonight is the season finale of one of the most talked about TV shows in America. Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution ends tonight and I, for one, can't wait to see the finale. You know, you can love him, you can hate him, you can think he is doing this all for publicity, etc. But in the end, he is making a difference. How do I know that? Because YOU are watching. WE are watching. AMERICANS and their CHILDREN are watching. For some, it's the first stages of CHANGE. And isn't that what we need around here? You know the old saying..if the behavior doesn't change, the outcome doesn't change.

Join me and a group of changing Americans TONIGHT for the Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Finale Watch Party at Picasso's Pizza and Grill at 7215 Skillman Road (at Walnut Hill) in Dallas, TX 75231 We will start at 7:00pm.

Processed Kids author Lisa Greene will be there tonight as well.
Light appetizers will be served, drinks and dinner will be available for purchase.
Please RSVP. http://processedkids.com/ If you will notice, on the bottom left-hand corner, there is a RSVP click-through to join us!

I know that many of you are not in Dallas, so I'm curious to know what you are going to do to watch the finale this evening. How are you going to celebrate and start your own REVOLUTION? What kinds of food will you be putting out on your buffet table for friends and family from now on? Kinda makes you think-doesn't it. That's the point-exactly.

It's true that nutrition information is confusing and that feeding our kids and ourselves can be compromised without the knowledge, time or effort that it requires to do so. If you or your family would benefit from seeing a registered dietitian, please go to here and click on "Find a Professional". Enter in your zip code and you'll have a list of folks you can select from. Or, ask your MD for a referral. It will be the best time and money you spend all year. I promise.

Please comment on this post with your thoughts and views. I am so interested in what you have to say. For those of you in Dallas/Ft.Worth area, I hope to see you tonight!

Feeding the Appetites of the Culinary, Epicurious and Nutrition Worlds-One Bite at a Time

Feeding the appetites of the culinary, epicurious and nutrition worlds-one bite a time. This is my new tag line. What do you think?

It's what I'm all about as a person and as a dietitian. Many dietitians are not food people....I am not one of them. Believe me, there are many dietitians who are not clinically focused. I am one of those for certain! I leave the science of dietetics and therapy of nutrition up to my esteemed colleagues. There are so many all over the country that I admire. Soon, you'll get to see some of their work-stay tuned to this blog post! If you need to find one in your area, go to www.eatright.org and select "Find a Nutrition Professional".

Regardless if you consider seeing a registered dietitian about sorting out the latest in fad diets, learning about safe and effective weight loss, managing Celiac disease, dealing with your picky eaters, finding out the best fuel for the marathon you are going to run, maneuvering through the grocery aisles for food allergies, eating organically, preventing heart disease or getting your diabetes under control, know that all of these issues start with actual food.

My current mission is to teach people about food. Actual tastes, senses, flavors, ingredients, cooking, recipes, food memories and the like. When talking about nutrition, food is the basis-the essence-of it all. We can all relate to food in some fashion-positive or negative-its something we all have in common. Some people forget to eat during the day. Some people are so passionate about food that all they can think of is what to create for dinner that night--and happily do so-without dread. We all have a relationship with food. Let's start with that. How is your relationship with food today?

I'm taking part in the Women's Health Blogfest today. This is a national initiative that a couple of really savvy dietitians created earlier in 2009. Check back here soon for links to posts from other Women's Health bloggers.

BLOGFEST LINKS:
Angela White at Blisstree's Breastfeeding 1-2-3 - Helpful Skills of Breastfeeding Counselors http://www.blisstree.com/breastfeeding123/helpful-skills-of-breastfeeding-counselors/
Angie Tillman, RD, LDN, CDE - You Are Beautiful Today
http://angiesappetite.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/you-are-beautiful-today/
Anthony J. Sepe- Women's Health and Migraines
http://fromadietitiansperspective.blogspot.com/2009/07/blog-fest-womens-health-migraines.html
Ashley Colpaart Women's health through women
http://usfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/2009/07/womens-health-through-women.html
Charisse McElwaine - Spending too much time on the "throne?"
http://fashionablyhealthy.wordpress.com/2009/07/14/spending-too-much-time-on-the-%e2%80%9cthrone%e2%80%9d/
Danielle Omar - Yoga, Mindful Eating and Food Confidence
http://danielleomar.blogspot.com/2009/07/yoga-mindful-eating-and-food-confidence.html
Diane Preves M.S.,R.D - Balance for Health
http://newlifeforhealth.blogspot.com/2009/07/balance-for-health.html
Joan Sather - A Woman's Healthy Choices Affect More Than Herself
http://nutritionknowhow.org/wordpress/?p=1177
Laura Wittke - Fibro Study Recruits Participants
http://laurawittke.wordpress.com/2009/07/12/fibro-study-recruits-participants/
Liz Marr, MS, RD - Reflecting on Family Food Ways and Women's Work
http://www.lizonfood.com/2009/07/reflecting-on-family-food-ways-and-womens-work.html
Marjorie Geiser, MBA, RD, NSCA-CPT - Healthy Women, Healthy Business: How Your Health Impacts a Powerful Business http://meg-enterprises.com/blog/2009/07/healthy-women/
Marsha Hudnall - Breakfast Protein Helps Light Eaters Feel Full
http://www.fitwoman.com/blog/2009/07/breakfast-protein-helps-light-eaters-feel-full.html
Michelle Loy, MPH, MS, RD - A Nutritionista's Super Foods for Super Skin http://nutritionandwellnessbytes.blogspot.com/2009/07/nutritionistas-super-foods-for-super.html
Monika Woolsey, MS, RD - To effectively work with PCOS is to understand a woman's health issues throughout her life http://incyst.blogspot.com/2009/07/to-effectively-work-with-pcos-is-to.html
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog - How breastfeeding helps you, too
http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/2009/07/how-breastfeeding-supports-womens-physical-and-emotional-health.html
Rebecca Scritchfield, MA, RD, LD - Four Keys to Wellness, Just for Women http://rebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com/2009/07/15/four-keys-to-wellness-just-for-women/
Renata Mangrum, MPH, RD - The busy busy woman
http://nurturingnotes.blogspot.com/2009/07/busy-busy-woman.html
Sharon Solomon - Calories, longevity and do I care http://diaryofadietingdietitian.blogspot.com/2009/07/calories-longevity-and-do-i-care.html
Terri L Mozingo, RD, CDN & D. Milton Stokes, MPH, RD, CDN of One Source Nutrition, LLC - Crossing the Line: From Health to Hurt
http://miltonstokes.blogspot.com/2009/07/crossing-line-from-health-to-hurt.html
Wendy Jo Peterson, RD - Watch Your Garden Grow
http://ediblenutrition.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogfest.html