Good morning!
Unfortunately it’s not a good morning for me. I slept horribly!!! I think my room was too hot (70*) and I woke up multiple times absolutely soaked to the core in sweat!! And then my surgery foot tendon seemed to be twisted or something because I could not walk in the middle of the night. I tried to put weight on my foot and I think I would have ripped something apart if I’d stepped on it. No idea what the flare up was triggered by, but it was the worst it’s been in years. Perhaps a shoe change? I took some anti-inflammatories in the night and massaged it and it’s all better now (90% better) but it did not make for a restful night!
Breakfast today was a repeat of yesterday. Yesterday they had yogurt and berries, which I was hoping to have today, but it had been replaced with dessert breads and refined bagels. Also on today’s menu: Onion-Mayonnaise Egg Salad. Yikes!
So thank goodness for Amish Friendship Bread! [ <– Jessie just put up the recipe] Not exactly whole grains, but at least it’s made with real food. And tastes delicious.
I also had fruit – berries x2
Another SILK
And today coffee. I decided I needed a bit this morning.
Today’s presentation was good – stats were involved! It was about The Changing American Plate and how eating has changed from the 1970s to today based on the NHANES food consumption studies.
From 1977 to 1994 to 2007, here is what has changed:
- Protein intake is the same
- Fat intake has gone down
- Carbohydrate intake has gone way up
- People have gone from an average of 3.9 eating sessions per day to 5.6 eating sessions per day
- The difference in the above is an increase from 12% intake of snacks to 25% intake of snacks.
- 1977 – 40% of people said they did not snack
- 2008 – 4% of people said they did not snack
- = SNACKING HAS INCREASED! And likely, snacking on carbs has increased.
- Increases: pizza, soda, obesity, diabetes
- Deceases: veggie consumption (2.6 servings to 1.9 servings)
- Fruit intake stayed the same
Eat. More. Kale.
We also heard a report on the dietary guidelines. My opinion of these is something I’ve said for years: if you stop any person on the street and asked them what they should eat, most could tell you: lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, low sugar, exercise. No brainer.
The question is: HOW do we do this? That’s where people get confused. I think the guidelines should come with a handbook of tips and tricks. But one of the problems is the conflict of interest. The gov’t can’t tell people to look at ingredient lists and put the item back if they see XYZ ingredients because it would “hurt” so many corporate foods. It’s all very complicated there!
After our sessions we had an exhibit hall. Most of the exhibitors are related to clinical practice (Ensure, foodservice, etc)
But I had a nice conversation with Wegmans. Hopefully one will come to Cville!
Spot the chia seeds!? I miss them!
I had a sample of their nut mix for a snack.
Our lunch today is sponsored by the Virginia Beef Council (I know, be shocked, but someone has to sponsor conferences if they wouldn’t exist and maybe the lettuce council wasn’t free this week!)
So I went to the booth and asked about the beef in the lunch. Was it local, grass-fed Virginia beef or …the other kind? Sadly it is the other kind. The man was actually very nice when I inquired about corn finishing. The cattle are actually grass-fed from Virginia to start but then they are shipped to the corn fields out west to feed for the second half of their lives. Because to ship the corn to the cattle would be MORE expensive then shipping the cattle to the corn! When I asked him why not just let them just eat grass their whole lives, his answer> was two fold: #1 because the grass doesn’t grow year round in VA so they would be hungry part of the year (I wasn’t sure how to answer> that – is that true?) and #2 because grain finished “tastes better.” I told him I preferred the taste of grass-fed and he said I must be a good cook. I honestly do prefer grass-fed – it tastes more pure and less greasy.
Anyways, when I registered for the conference I requested vegetarian anyways, so that’s what I’ll be for lunch today.
Our lunch presentation is “The Top 10 Sports Nutrition Questions” – I’m excited about that. And then one on food + mood and social media. Seems to be more up my alley : )
Checking out of my hotel now so I’m not sure of internet access. I’m getting my Daily Garnish on tonight, so I’ll see you from there!
Jenny @ Fitness Health and Food says
Looks like it was more interesting info today. I can definitely attest to eating more through snacks, I am a bit of a grazer! I hate that argument about beef for so many reasons – particularly the harsh treatment that the grain fed cattle receive! 🙁
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
Ugh sorry you had such a restless night! That is the worst waking up with a night sweat!
I’m so surprised that the food options are so limited for you at an RD conference. You’d assume you’d have great food there like we did at the Healthy Living Summit, given the audience!!
B & B says
Yeah, most of these conferences go for convenience, cost-effectiveness and what they “think” is more appealing – i.e donuts, etc.
I have never had grass-fed beef. It’s not available where I am and I’m not sure I could afford it(!) – but, I don’t like the answer that the other kind “tastes better” (even though I’ve never tasted it 😉 ). I just mean in general, I don’t a corporation to tell me what “tastes better'”.
That’s the problem with America – people are so used to eating foods loaded with fat and sat, sugar, etc. that they don’t know what real food tastes like without it. And it may take time to get used to some things – but you don’t give up after only a couple of tries. I hate when people try whole-wheat bread ONCE and then say “ick, that’s awful”.
🙁
Sarah says
Wegmans is the best!!!!!
Cait's Plate says
Ugh sorry you didn’t sleep well – that’s the worst 🙁
I agree with you completely – it does seem like a very complicated task! Even in my every day conversations with people it seems they generally know WHAT the right thing to eat is, it’s just a matter of incorporating it into their day that they seem to have trouble with…
Have a great day – seems like today might be more interesting than yesterday so that’s good!! 🙂
Ashley says
When I was eating meat, I much preferred grass-finished as well! Definitely tasted better! Going to see Emily?? Have fun!
Kristi @ KristiAteIt says
I’m surprised by the food at the conference. At least it seems that you were somewhat expecting it! I’ve always wanted to go to a Wegmans. I don’t think there are any near me.
Danielle says
It is surprising to me that a Dietetics conference would not be whole grain-landia. Then I again, I have never seen a team of runners with Chia seeds as their sponsor or buckwheat sprawled across their chest the way I have seen Beef.
i agree that grass-fed taste much better. I think it smells more appetizing and looks more appetizing. I will say though, that the price tag does not appeal to my budget, so I don’t eat meat typically.
Your topics today sound really interesting. I would like to be a fly on the wall in those.
Ashley says
I agree with you on grass-fed and was recently perplexed to see “corn-fed beef” advertised on a restaurant menu (an expensive, fancy restaurant at that). I thought corn-fed had a negative connotation.
KathEats says
There is a booth at my FARMER”S MARKET that advertises “corn fed beef” I dont’ get it!
haya says
i’ve seen that tons too! dudes, it isn’t exactly soemthing to brag about, but maybe corn fed is better than some alternatives (such as other animal by-products)?
my boyfriend’s uncle raises beef on a small farm in eastern ontario. their cows are all grass fed, but i think they may have a month or two on corn at the end for flavour (not sure exactly). i get that grass doesn’t grow all year round, it doesn’t in canada either, but isn’t that what hay is for?
that is nuts that it’s cheaper to ship the cows out west than to bring the food to them! add that to the environmental cost of meat.
andy says
i think the poor corn stuffed cows are fattened up with the corn, gets the marbley fatness that too many people love to eat (makes me gag just thinking about it) our cows here are all grass fed. the scarier part about the corn fed animals are the newer studies about round up and its over use and effect on people. some non organic farmers are using modified seeds that are resistant to round up, then round up is applied more liberally to the corn and eventually consumed by the cattle, chickens etc. not sure how much testing is being done with the finished product but all the more reason to be as organic as possible. and because grass doesn’t grow year round, that is exactly what hay is for, the guy was misleading you, its all about dollars and cents as opposed to honesty 🙁
Ellie says
hay can cause a lot of bloating! This can cause the cow to die. Not to defend grass fed, but from a girl who grew up on a beef farm. When cows eat to much hay their digestive systems don’t break it down all the way and then they bloat with gas. We’ve walked many a cow in laps around our fields trying to get the gas out and shoved wine bottles of olive oil down them. Also not pretty.
See my comment below
VAPlantLady says
I live outside of Charlottesville and grew up on a cattle farm where the cattle are in fact raised on grass/hay and then each fall the steers are sold to feed lots out west.
In answer to your questions/concerns I am no expert but can offer the following insight.
1) the beef booth guy’s answer that VA doesn’t get grass year round must be some sort of standard ‘let’s fool the uneducated consumer’ answer. What does he think cattle in VA are fed in the winter? Uh, grass HAY and rotational grazing. a well grazed farm should be able to graze cattle well into the winter months and then feed hay. Farms like Davis Creek farm will do just that.
2) it is more expensive to raise grass fed beef b/c believe it or not, corn is cheaper than the land your need for this kind of grazing and hay production.
3) Cattle fed corn fatten up much faster than grass fed beef – think about it, you trap them in a feed lot where they get no exercise and stand around eating corn all day vs a roaming grazing grass fed steer. The grass fed beef is much leaner.
4) Because of the above fact, grass fed beef tastes ‘leaner’ – a taste that many consumers do not care for. That is why you will see some local vendors advertising corn fed beef. There is a market out there for locally raised, grass AND corn fed beef.
5) and finally, corn has a negative connotation for several reasons, the number one being a subject I am not familiar with but you Kath as a dietitian may be – something about the corn in our diets and how the animals we eat are fed corn and everything is corn based…and then there is how the corn is produced – chemicals and GMOs and then there is the fact that many animals that we feed grain to (corn, rye, soy, etc) are not able to properly digest it b/c it is an unnatural diet for them. Cattle are one of these animals.
Sorry to be so long winded, but maybe this shine some light on your beef questions. The Davis Creek Farm booth at the Farmers Market should be able to give you an even better understanding.
VAPlantLady says
I also read some of the following comments and have never heard of cattle bloating from a hay only diet. We only fed hay in the winter and never had a problem so I don’t know about.
also, I am interested in Faith’s research on the grass fed label. That confuses me. Hay is grass. And I know several grass fed beef producers that are certified and feed hay in the winter months. Would love to hear more about it.
KathEats says
I love Davis Creek farm 🙂 that’s where we get our beef
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
Grain-fed may taste better to him (and others)if that is all he has ever eaten!
You are so right — people know what to eat, but the actual doing is a whole other story!
Bronwyn Coyne says
Ooooh, all of that sounds so interesting. I can’t wait to go to dietetics conferences! I know what you mean about people KNOWING what they should eat, but having NO IDEA how to get there. It’s something that needs work, and it’s up to us to get in there and do it I guess.
megan @ blackberries for jam says
I hope you feel better! It’s disappointing that the food choices at a dietetics conference are so inconsistent with healthy eating. I used to HATE conferences for that very reason, but that was to be expected at legal conferences because most lawyers eat like crap to begin with!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
ah, too bad about the beef. gotta pay the bills sometimes…
Caitlyn (The Spoonful of Life) says
Those stat’s are interesting. It’s amazing how the human diet has adapted to our changing culture and lifestyle. I’d be interested in hearing what the what “The Top 10 Sports Nutrition Questions” are You must share!
Sorry about your foot. Hopefully it feels 100% better soon!
GL says
Kath,
I have a meat share up here in MA because it was the only way I could reconcile not being a vegetarian. I pretty much follow your guidelines of ordering meat very selectively, if at all, when out of my house (but I will eat what friends serve, though in small portions when I’m concerned about its source). The animals at our farm eat hay, which is more expensive, when there is no grass. We just received a long email from our farmer explaining this in the context of why our share price will go up in May. I’ll send it to you.
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
I love Wegman’s too! Hope we will get one closer one day, but in the meantime, I always try to hit up that one on 29 (Gainesville?) on the way back to C’ville!! I also had a yuck-o sleep so I feel ya…only mine was because of the scary thunderstorms!!!!
Ashley says
Wegman’s is awesome! I’m from Upstate New York. Wegman’s is the gold standard up there. They have great benefits for employees, buy local produce, good quality and prices. I have heard though they have some sort of agreement with Trader Joe’s, where they will not come into each others territory. That is why you never see them in the same cities. It is a shame. I love TJ’s too, but I’m in the the city now and miss Wegman’s.
Kimberly says
Ashley– I had not heard about that agreement with Trader Joes, no wonder there is not one close by! I guess I can start letting go of my hopes for getting one around here. If I had to choose though I would still choose Wegmans easily over TJs.
Laurie says
I am from Rochester…the home of Wegman’s. I don’t realize how great we have it until I go into supermarkets elsewhere. I would love a Trader Joe’s but I get my fix when we travel. Not sure of the agreement though because Wegman’s is in Northern Virginia and so is TJ’s. Somehow, I think Danny Wegman will keep TJ’s out of Rochester 🙁
Liv says
Not sure where you heard or read this, but I doubt it’s true as there is a Trader Joe’s about a 1/4 mile from the Wegman’s here in Princeton (NJ). There’s still hope for all of you wanting both stores in your town!
Ashley says
I read it in a newspaper article once. That is awesome that it is not entirely true, or maybe they’ve changed it. Thanks for the info. I’m jealous you have both!
Justeen @ Blissful Baking says
The Sports Nutrition presentation sounds interesting! I took a Sports Nutrtion course last semester and really enjoyed it. It combines two of my favorite things food + exercise! 🙂
Chris says
I have read that it is refined carbs, and not fat, that contributes to heart disease. Controversial topic, to say the least.
Krista (JoysofK) says
I LOVE Wegmans! They’re the best — hands-down my favorite place to grocery shop and grab food and a latte while I’m at it. I hope you get one in Cville, too! I prefer the taste of grass-fed/finished beef as well…I also prefer the flavor of wild game to corn-finished beef. yum 🙂
Mrs A says
my husband and i live in the shenandoah valley, and we buy a half a cow from a local farmer each fall. “our” cow is grass fed, and so i am also a little unclear why the beef man said that they can’t do all grass fed cows in VA- um, we have half a freezer full of one!!
Margherita says
My family also does a half-cow purchase. I am pretty sure it has to do with profit and the market:
-It is more profitable and cows gain weight faster on corn.
-People do prefer the taste of corn-fed vs. grass-fed. Grass-fed is not as tender, not as well marbled with fat.
-It is also more difficult to cook. You need to run through some trial and error, I have found, if you are not experienced in cooking grass-fed steak. Even “would-be” grass-fed purchasers may not easily convert because of their less than stellar first trial.
-Most people prefer fresh meat to frozen for taste and convenience
KathEats says
I know! I know they exist so that’s why I was confused!?
Stacey says
I love Wegman’s! There was always one near my family’s lake house growing up and they just built a new one about a year ago that is 20 min from me. I do a grocery trip there once a month usually. I am always jealous of people who have a whole foods near them but we now have one being built near-by and I am very excited!
Christine says
I LOL’d when you told that whole story about talking about the beef but then ended with “Anyways, I requested veg…..”
I am a big Wegmans fan. +++ they have bulk chia which even my big fancy pants wholefoods does not — so I can just buy a little at a time and it’s only $6/lb!
Amanda- The Nutritionist Reviews says
I slept bad last night because my room was too hot also. It sucks when that happens!
Katie says
I LOVE Wegmans! I live in NOVA (welcome for a few days! 🙂 and my husband and I actually considered how close we’d be to our local Wegmans when we bought our house. They has such a great selection of organic and natural foods and they often buy produce from local farmers. I remember back in the late summer/early fall they had TONS of signs telling you where the produce came from- much of it from Loudoun County (my county).
Hope your foot feels better soon! Safe travels!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
I am confused by the Virginia Beef representative’s answer that cattle can’t eat grass because it is not available year-round – isn’t that what hay is for? Good for you for asking him all these questions 🙂
Jess (Sweet Potato) says
Sigh. I hate that food corporations have such control over our food supply and what we as the public are told about the food that they produce. Another reason that education is so important!
Stacie @ Imperfectly Healthy says
Seeing what you learn at these conferences make me wish I’d decided to go back to school to become an RD – it’s so interesting!
Katie @ cooklaughmove says
I totally agree with you about people knowing what they should eat but not knowing how. I’m on the 5-2-1-0 committee at work and I put an email out about a heart healthy potluck and I got about 5 (out of 50 or so people) emails back asking what heart healthy foods are. I was shocked! I feel like we talk/hear a lot about what we should be doing, but I guess some people tune out or something!
Also at our meetings, people go ga-ga over “quick fixes” like forwarded emails warning that if you eat fruit on a full stomach (like for dessert) the enzymes do something and you’ll never lose weight. REALLY?? I don’t lose weight if I eat a piece of fruit instead of a bowl of ice cream just because I ate it last?
Katie @ Nourishing Flourishing says
I love that you engaged the topic of grass-fed. I also appreciate that you err on the side of caution and tend to go vegetarian when going to events where you can’t know the source of your meat.
Interesting stats about the dietary changes!
Kate (What Kate is Cooking) says
Sorry your foot hurts 🙁
One of the main reasons I’m a vegetarian is because of the environmental impacts of the meat industry, and feeding animals grains is a big contributer of that. I know there are grass fed options, but they’re so expensive! I find it easier to stay away completely. I think it’s cool that you talked to that guy and got the facts 🙂
KathEats says
Yes. The thought of shipping cows seems VERY inefficient!
Stephanie C says
This is so true ! I don’t eat meat regularly (We don’t buy it in our house, but eat it on special occasions), but you should try checking out Whole Foods – sometimes they have sales and in addition, as someone said earlier, you could look into buying part of a cow or pig that you know has had a happy life!
Stacey (The Home-Cooked Vegan) says
The topics are more interesting today, yay! Boo for veggie intake going down 🙁 Eat your veggies, people!
I have to admit, I was kind of taken aback by the Beef sponsor, but you are right! Someone has to sponsor these things! I’ve never had grass-fed beef, I hear the taste of it is a little different (more “gritty”?) It’s so great that you ask those questions! I would want to know where my food came from too 😉 Have fun with Daily Garnish 😀
You’ll have to tell us about the sports nutrition talk, that sounds interesting!
naturallycheryl says
The stats you gave are interesting. It’s funny that a common advice these days is to eat 6-8 “mini-meals” a day. If you try to eat this way, you end up eating too many snack foods. But years ago when people were slimmer/healthier, they ate meals and not so many snacks. There are a lot of confusing info out there these days.
I’m reading a book right now called “Full Moon Feast” by Jessica Prentice. It’s about food history and how people used to eat seasonally. It’s very interesting, you would like it!
KathEats says
I wouldn’t say the mini meals are the end-all-be-all recommendation. That does seem to be a trend though. I eat too much when I’m alway putting food in my mouth and am never satisfied!
Freya (Brit Chick Runs) says
Fat consumption has gone down? I thought that was THE problem in today’s diet – too much fat. That really surprises me!
I’m also soo surprised at the breakfast options at a nutritionist conference – you’d have thought they’d have a huge variety of healthy, whole stuff!
KathEats says
I think sugar is the biggest concern!
Lisa Fine [lisasfoods] says
Yeah, especially soda and other sugary drinks! Anybody else into having a soda type of tax? (Or a junk food tax?)
Estela @ Weekly Bite says
Sounds like you have some better presentations after lunch 🙂
Enjoy your afternoon!
Nicole says
Good for you for asking “tough” questions. I think it’s pathetic that a dietician convention doesn’t even provide quality food. What a disconnect!
Shannon says
Oh that “drink flavored milk” picture makes my blood boil. Anybody in their right mind knows that giving children that stuff is like a soda, and is NOT REAL FOOD. But nobody makes billions when people actually get their milk from a cow rather than a company.
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
THANK YOU! I was wondering about that, too.
Katie (Life... Discombobulated) says
YES!!!! Oh my goodness!!!! Kids drink more milk when it’s flavored because they’re conditioned from all the other crap they eat to think that (fake) sugar = good. Kids should be drinking REAL milk, sans added flavors and sugars.
End of rant – I know I’m preaching to the choir, but someone should go preach to whoever decided to put that sign up at a conference for dietitians.
kristen says
So strange. I LOVED drinking milk as a kiddo and still do. If kids don’t have such an ingrained need for sugar, then real, whole foods will taste delicious. The flavored milk thing was scary.
Stephanie C says
I was the opposite – I HATED milk as a child. I would only drink it if someone put it in the freezer for a bit and the milk crystalizes (my husband cringed when i told him this story). Now the only type of cows milk i’ll drink is raw milk. I am not sure if its completely safe for children, though?
Carrie @ Nutrition By Carrie says
“Grain finished ‘tastes better’ “? Oh, that makes me so mad! For the last five years, we’ve bought 1/4 of a 100% grass-fed steer from a small local family ranch. It is the best beef I have ever eaten, consistently. When we went to Buenos Aires a few years ago, we were stunned (and pleased) to discover that “our” beef was every bit as good as the famous Argentinian beef. I gnash my teeth whenever I see conventional grocery stores (aka Safeway) advertising that their beef is “corn fed,” like it’s a good thing.
I about choked when I saw your photo of the big “flavored milk” display. Scenes from Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution came flooding back…
I hope your foot gets better!
faith says
I have been doing some research into the grass-fed thing in terms of milk and here’s what I’ve learned; grass-fed means green grass pasture not hay. This is why many creameries don’t claim grass fed if it’s not true year round. Homestead Creamery in VA says that they pasture as much as possible but for a few months in the middle of the winter they have to supplement the cows diet with hay/grains. I would guess that this is similar with cattle beef.
KathEats says
Let’s discuss in person soon!
Michelle | GOLD-HEARTED GIRL says
Those two topics sound really interesting. Looking forward to your notes!
Sana says
I hate waking up in the middle of the night all sweaty, gahhh! I hope you feel better!
Erica says
Very informative post! Those facts are so interesting – especially thinking about how fat consumption has decreased yet obesity has increased. I also enjoy your commentary on grass-fed versus corn-fed and how beef is raised. My family has recently decided to only eat humanely raised meat products and I enjoy reading about your experiences in procuring these products and finding restaurants that use them.
Heather says
It’s because fat doesn’t make you fat. Carbs and the effect they have on the body’s insulin, does. And sugar.
Erica says
I know, and I wish more Americans were aware of this! And then there are all of the non-fat and low-fat versions of food available are touted as being light/healthy when they are supplemented with added sugar to be more palatable.
Ally (Girl V Food) says
I never order meat at a restaurant unless it is specified where it comes from. Fish is a little bit more relaxed of a rule for me, because usually it’s said whether or not the fish is from the wild or farmed. I tend to be pesca when out in public and vegan-ish at home, but when I do eat meat or poultry I try to be as organic and kind as possible.
Jack O'Brien says
Wegmans in the economy version of whole foods, with the exact same quality in my opinion. I am seriously upset that I might be living in an area that doesn’t have a Wegmans when I go to Medical school 🙁 It’s such a great store! They’re one of the only stores I know whose store brands DON’T put high fructose corn syrup in the majority of their products and have a very affordable set of Organic products. You’d LOVE their salad/sushi bar too!
Stacy R. says
I have had a few restless nights as well! Ugh, if I can only get a few good nights I would feel like a new person.
It’s really interesting that you showed the poster of flavored milk in schools. I’ve been working in California over the past 4 years in the public health field trying to make schools provide healthier options and we are trying SO HARD to get flavored milk OUT of schools. The sugar content in those things are outrageous and the youth don’t need it! There is a huge campaign and push right now to get sugar sweetened beverages out of school and milk is one of them. Over the years though, I’ve found CA to have more advanced policies around school meals etc. so it doesn’t surprise me. The national standards for what schools can provide are really sub par.
Sarah for Real says
What the cattle dude didn’t tell you is that grass fed beef takes an extra year to fatten up for slaughter which would certainly cut into his profit margins. Cooking Light magazine has a REALLY interesting, balanced article on Grass versus Grain fed cattle this month. You should definitely check it out (want me to email it to you?). They surmised that the taste wasn’t that different, but that in fact, grass fed beef is so much leaner the average person would eat something like 16,000 calories less per year if they switched.
Katie says
I read that article and thought it was an informative, balanced piece as well. 🙂
KathEats says
Oh cool – I’ll look for it
Amelia (Eating Made Easy) says
Its hard to believe that the beef industry really thinks grain-fed beef tastes better. Yes, Americans are more accustomed to it, but that doesn’t mean that’s the way it should be! Time for us to get used to the way things are supposed to taste…not only is that healthier and better for the planet, but they actually taste good!
Melissa says
What is up with the food choices there? So so strange . . . maybe the organizers need to listen to some of the “how-to” presentations?!
lauri (redheadrecipes.com) says
The SCDA was sponsored by Cornsugar.com this year (!!) I was pretty irrated by that! How are we suppose to show people HOW to eat when our organization is being sponsored by the foods we are trying to tell people NOT to eat?? But I gues you are right, these things need to get paid for somehow… (still frustrating though)
wonder what cows did BEFORE industrialization… They were able to survive without corn for a long time (And they can’t digest corn very well anyways?!?). I assumed they would eat hay during the winter months…
Hope your foot feels better!
KathEats says
Hahaha – good point!
Kerry says
We had a very interesting discussion in a dietetics class about ADA sponsorship. Companies like Coke, Pepsi, and Hershey are partners/sponsors of the ADA, and we talked about whether that sends a confusing message to the public considering some of the products they sell. Yet, as you point out, the conferences do need to be paid for by someone to happen. Many aspects of the issue to consider as I continue in the field.
Chelsea says
Great post – very interesting information.
Also, my eyes lit up when I saw the Wegmans products. I grew up with Wegman, but within the last two years moved to an area without any.
….I’m still going through withdrawals.
Kimberly says
I heart Wegmans so much. Anyone that lives near one is totally spoiled. I am also double spoiled because I live near what (I think) is the flagship Wegmans, a Wegmans owned-restaurant, and a Wegmans owned liquor store! I was a Whole Foods shopper when I lived on the west coast, but I still wanted a Wegmans. BTW if any one ever comes through Rochester, NY you will find out most of us are pretty fanatical about Weggies, not just me, I swear… 🙂
Eileen says
Nope, I’m also an upstate NY Wegmans obsessor. It’s great.
Melinda says
Agreed.
Marci says
Really interesting about shipping the cows. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Always great to learn more about the food/meat industry from the outside. The conference seems very old-fashioned in their food choices and lecture topics.
Heather @ Health, Happiness, and Hope says
Glad the presentations were more informative today, but so sorry about the bad night of rest. I wonder if the amount of walking lately has aggravated it? I had tendonitis from walking too much and overuse of the tendon this past fall/winter, so just a guess! Glad it’s feeling better though and hope it’s returns back to normal right away for you!
Hannah @ Healthy Life says
Interesting stats on the changes in diet- I bet the British ones would be similar. Sorry to hear about your bad nights sleep, hope you get more rest tonight!
Ellie says
Kath, I wanted to comment on your question about grass fed beef and it not being year round. I grew up on a beef farm (okay lie my parents have beef as a hobby). We live in central IL and having cows consume only grass is not possible in the winter when it snows. We try to raise our beef on mostly grass but a diet of only grass and hay (in the winter) can cause the cows to bloat (hay is horrible for bloating). While human bloating is uncomfortable for cows it can mean death. So in the winter my parents sub in some corn. It’s not the main part of their diet but it’s a part of their diet. In places like Hawaii or Texas, year round grass fed is an option.
If you want to learn more or even go for local over strictly grass fed, which is cheaper, try a butcher. A lot of my professors (I’m a dietetics student) buy part of a cow that has been raised locally. While it isn’t 100% grass fed it is not a feedlot cow. It’s kind of the idea that we can’t go 100% green but we can do our best.
Hope that helps. Big fan of your blog and look forward to being an RD with you some day
Krissy @ Shiawase Life says
Thanks for this comment! It really helped my understanding and I am sure others too! =)
Kimberly says
Yes, thanks from me, too, that is good info to know!
KathEats says
Very helpful Ellie!
Wendy says
My parents raise beef cattle. They are mostly grass-fed until maybe 30 days before they are slaughtered, when they put them on a “finish” diet – they are not transported anywhere. I’m not sure exactly what all it contains, but it’s not exclusively corn – it includes all the nutrients they need. Necessary nutrients for ruminants (cattle, sheep) includes sufficient “rhoughage” in the form of hay or other fiber. I have a master’s degree in livestock nutrition (dairy cattle), and I can tell you, there is LOTS of research and number-crunching that goes into the decisions that farmers make everyday!! Kath, I’m sure with your bakery experience thus far, you can relate!
Ellie has a great point – local, but not 100% grass-fed may be a more economical choice for those who prefer the taste of grain-fed (yes, there are plenty of us out there!) or can’t afford 100% grass fed.
Amanda says
I agree with this comment 100%. My family raises beef cattle too. We do this small scale and see our cows through from birth to slaughter. We let the cows out on pasture year round and they live off of grass in the summer, but in the winter we sub in some grain to their hay diet. We live in NY so there is NO grass from October-April. In the winter the cows devote their energy to staying warm and although they have the option to roam they choose to hang out in/near the barn most days. The extra calories from the grain helps keep them warm and keep their energy up. I agree that locally raised beef is better for everyone involved then grass fed beef shipped in from miles away…
Just as a side note, the cows LOVE grain. It may not be the best food source for them, but imagine living life NEVER being allowed to have dessert or treat. It may be good for you to live off of healthy foods all the time, but every once in a while a treat is nice, it just can’t be the main diet!
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day says
I’m sorry you had such a restless night.. Hotels can be so hard to sleep in sometimes.
Very odd that it costs more to ship the cows? I don’t get that at all.
Thanks for that link to Prevention RD!.. It was very helpful
Stephanie says
I completely agree about the dietary guidelines. It’s so sad that the place most look for advice can’t be more honest about what is and isn’t good for you. When reading the guidelines that came out this year (yes, the whole thing haha!), I noticed that it was always tip toeing. When it talked about how much better whole grains were, it then gave a chart of how much whole vs refined grains each person could “get away with”. Because that’s healthy.
Namaste Gurl says
Good job with staying with your beliefs, even though others don’t follow them! I’m still amazed at the food they have at a dietician conference for christ sake! Hehe. Have fun at Emily’s!
Sarena (The Non-Dairy Queen) says
Sorry about the foot. I have mesh attached to ligaments in my side and sometimes it randomly hurts. I have no idea why. It sucks for sure. Sounds like your learning a lot! Have fun with Emily tonight!
Kaitlin says
Echoing other commenters, it’s interesting that a dietetics conference is full of sugary and high fat beef! But I guess the sponsors bring in the money…
Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out says
Lots of good info. Ya know, I just started eating grass fed beef and I can’t tell a difference in taste. I’ll pay better attention next time.
And sorry about your foot. I hope it’s nothing serious.
Taylor @ Delish World says
I am eating kale as I type! Thanks for sharing the stats and what you have learned. Super interesting and kinda sad.
chloe@ 321delish says
I found it interesting that you thought that if you asked most people on the street what they should eat, they would say lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins, whole grains, low sugar, exercise. I work for a children’s hospital doing community based obesity prevention policy and we have found that lack in education really is a big issue. People really don’t know that it is that simple 🙁 and it isnt their fault! They have never been taught…and social media and “the norm” tells them that a mcdonalds fish sandwich is a very healthy choice.
education is the key in my opinion 🙂
Great info in this post though! have a great day!
KathEats says
I suppose there is a great degree of difference.
Stacy @ Every Little Thing says
This. My coworker was told he should stay away from red meat for a healthier diet, so he eats Kentucky Fried Chicken almost daily because “chicken is leaner than beef” …
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
Wow, I loved all the FACTS!! Sounds like a good presentation. I can’t believe how much snacking has gone up! While I am a tried and trued snacker, I make sure they are not too carby and have protein/fat!
Ashley (The Vegetable Life) says
I love STATS and FACTS! I cant believe how much more we snack on unnecessary carbs!!!
Mama Pea says
Really very interesting, Kath. It really baffles me about the marginal food choices at your conference. I guess we don’t always practice what we preach. I think you’ve handled it gracefully. I’d be pretty livid.
RhodeyGirl says
I would be too and agree that Kath has been a good sport about it.
Avani says
Glad to see Wegmans! I am a transplant to upstate NY and the best part is Wegmans. Their selection of organic and natural products is better than the health food store across the street from them, and cheaper prices on identical products. I just finished snacking on some of those Wegmans brand organic green lentils that I had sprouted!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
Yikes, sorry about the foot!!!
We have a Wegman’s about 35 minutes away, and I love it. It’s the one bright spot I have in terms of grocery stores around here, since we don’t have a Trader Joes or WF.
Christine says
Honestly, I’ve never rally thought about grain fed vs. grass fed beef (I eat red meat maybe twice a month), but now I’m really curious!
It’s sad when politics, the economy, and health are so tied together- we see that a lot with education and it can be incredibly frustrating.
Asya says
How is a snack defined? Has the definition of a snack changed since the 70’s? I heard somewhere that a snack is a meal that is less than 200 calories – there are a lot of carby/gross/high calorie “snacks” that are WAY over 200 calories.
KathEats says
I think the people defined them as “not meals”
Michelle @ Turning Over a New Leaf says
I’ve heard this thing about grass not growing year round, etc. and I wonder: whatever happened to hay? Isn’t that what it’s for–eating dried grass in the wintertime?
Alyssa says
I’m from Rochester,NY (Wegmans hometown) and truly miss Wegmans now that I live in Austin, TX. They offer great healthy meals, comparable prices, and their quality is outstanding. They really transformed the grocery store experience! Definitely miss their juice and tea bars, the salad and hot food bar, and especialllyyyy their exclusive vegetarian offerings! Yum yum yum! So glad you were able to chat with them.
JenATX says
i’m having kale in my lunch, so i shall gladly eat more kale!
Amy says
I am totally uneducated in the realm of grass fed/grain fed meat, but is it possible to have fresh grass fed meat from a climate that gets snow during the winter?
Amy says
Oh, I think I answered my own question… do they eat hay?
Sylvia @ The Running Advocate says
Yay for Emily time!
I agree with Mama Pea. I would have expected more from the food at an RD conference.
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Thanks for sharing these facts. I like learning more about what you’re learning.
I’m one of those statistics that eat 5.6 meals a day.
I’m really surprised by your breakfast offering at your conference. I think Foodbuzz event or Healthy Living summit had better options.
KathEats says
And BlogHer – which fed like 2,000 people!
Karen says
Nice job probing for the facts, Kath…great role modeling for us all right there!
So glad your foot scare resolved itself…you’ll sleep well tonight.
Emily@happyaspie says
I’m really surprised by the breakfast options at a conference for RDs! Would whole grain bread really be that much more difficult to supply/expensive than pastries? Somehow I doubt it…Brava for standing your ground with the beef man!
Lisa Fine [lisasfoods] says
Thanks for sharing all of those points – I find that kind of information fascinating, and I too wonder how people can make changes to their eating habits on their own. (Because certainly our government hasn’t helped with that yet!)
Have you heard of NuVal? I went to a presentation last fall with the doctor who started it, and it’s basicallly a system that calculates the nutrition of different foods, real and processed. Each food gets a score, from 1-100, and the scores (and info about NuVal) are placed within the price tag at the supermarket. It’s worth checking out – http://www.nuval.com/.
KathEats says
Yeah – Tina works for them!
Erin says
The grass thing: It’s highly unlikely (especially where you live – I have fam there – heyo!) that grass does grow year round in Virginia. I have horses (and live in MI) and you have to supplement them with hay through the late fall, winter & early spring. While they will continue to eat the dead grass, it does not contain the same nutrients when it’s cold out and the grass is no longer alive above ground. Just think of it this way, if you’re not cutting your grass it’s not really growing and alive so it doesn’t make good food. This is my understanding of herbivores eating habits 🙂 I could be wrong though so you can research further.
Corn is more calorie dense so they grow larger/faster which is a benefit to the beef industry two fold (more meat to sell, faster time to get it). I don’t know if you read the Pioneer Woman, but they supplement their cattle with hay (maybe straw – cows have more stomachs than horses and I believe they can eat/digest straw whereas horses cannot) through the winter.
Natalie @ Will Jog For Food says
Sorry you had a rough night! I get night sweats about once a week…I’ve heard different people tell me different things about what causes it, from low blood sugar (what I think it might be), to hormone fluctuations.
Love the facts about what people eat! That stuff is so interesting to me 🙂
Natalia - a side of simple says
They totally pulled one over on you with breakfast and the onions 🙁 Glad you had your “rescue” bread for some staying power!
Kristen says
Very interesting information you received this morning! I recently watched a documentary called “Fat Head”, which is the counter-argument to Super Size Me (one of my favorite movies). The most interesting information I took from the movie was that CARBS are responsible for the obesity epidemic we have in our country. Although I don’t necessarily believe all carbs are to blame since there are obviously healthy, real food carbs, your presentation showed that that might be true, given the trend. Something to think about for sure, but I can tell you that I will definitely not be giving up oatmeal anytime in the near future – or my Great Harvest Bread either!
dana says
I do my shopping at Wegmans. Love ’em! And, I have those very same chia seeds…mmm
Emily @ Savory and Savage says
I loved reading out the statistics about what people at in the ’70s and what people eat today.
Sorry to hear about your foot trouble – hopefully it will be as right as rain by the end of the day.
KJ says
If you are interested in the grain/corn vs. grass fed beef conversation I really really recommend reading the Omnivore’s Dilemma. I’m about half way through and it’s really making me re-evaluate where I get my food from- you won’t look at grocery shopping the same way after reading this book!!
RhodeyGirl says
I see no problem with a beef council sponsoring a lunch, but I find it really odd that they would not be there to promote grass-fed beef.
What we really need is for the government to stop being in bed with all these large corporations and such and to truly change the whole system around. There is no reason for us to have tomatoes available to us all year round or peppers from Mexico. We should have farms in every state that can provide for its own state with reasonable travel distances… and if that means no lettuce in February, well then we should learn to live within that season!
RhodeyGirl says
PS- I love Wegman’s. It is my favorite market.
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
I prefer grass-fed, too. It tastes way better and less fatty.
The way they do it should be the other way around; corn first, grass last!
Rofomom @REAL life in Rofo says
I REALLY enjoyed this post. So informative and interesting. . . Thanks!
Allison @ Happy Tales says
What fascinating stats… I am not surprised AT ALL by how much snacking has increased…
judi0044 says
Glad you get a chance to see Emily before they leave the area. Love Wegman’s too – and WF plus Trader Joe’s. Sadly we don’t have any of them in our area – Wegman’s is way out West from us. Heading way out West – West Coast – next week so will get a chance to hit up WF and TJ – yes!
Rachel says
From http://www.americangrassfed.org/about-us/faq/: “The American Grassfed Association defines grassfed products from ruminants, including cattle, bison, goats and sheep, as those food products from animals that have eaten nothing but their mother’s milk and fresh grass or grass-type hay from birth to harvest – all their lives.”
It’s interesting what people are saying about grass hay causing bloat–hadn’t heard that before! I spent one summer working on an organic produce farm that also raised grass-fed beef (in northern Ohio), and it never seemed to be a problem. Poor beef…no one likes to be bloated!
Simply Life says
interesting info about the beef!
Melissa says
Kath,
I’m curious what do the majority of RD’s do career wise? I know it varies, but do they own their own businesses, work in hospitals, teach, or is there more presence in the media world, ie blogs, nutrition articles, etc?
KathEats says
Anything and everything! A lot are in clinical and private practice, but seriously, so many industries
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I agree that we educators need to educate people properly on HOW to get those yummy foods and nutrients into our bodies (not just talk about it). And don’t even get me started on the conflict of interests or the politics in foods and food advertising….grrrrr 🙁
Emma (Namaste Everyday) says
I had a restless night, too! It was recently a new moon, maybe that has something to do with it?
KathEats says
It does seem that we bloggers all have sleepless nights around the same time!
Angel7 says
Snacking is probably partly the reason why we have somewhat of an obese society. People do not realize how detrimental it can be to their health when they snack on Doritos, Twinkies, and such.
I am not sure about the man’s first answer to your question about grass-fed beef. I will have to inquire about that.
http://faithfulsolutions.blogspot.com/
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Sorry about your restless night! Night sweats are the worst. Any idea what causes them? I’ve been getting them pretty consistently for the past 6 months!
And you make such a good point about people KNOWING they should eat more healthy, they just don’t! I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of time people have nowadays. There needs to be more focus on teaching people how to make fast, healthy meals. I’m going to sound like I’m 21 going on 80 here, but I honestly think that bringing back home ec into elementary/high schools could really work wonders to improve the health of our population.
Ally at AGIHK says
Hmm…not sure I agree with Virginia Beef Man. My husband’s family raises grass-fed Black Angus and they have not eaten a kernel of corn or any grain in their lives, even through Northern Illinois/Wisconsin tip winters. My father in law bales hay in bulk from adjacent fields on their property for winter feeding. The herd is actually quite low maintenance, they even have babies on their own out in the field (which they are doing now- so cute!)
Also, I disagree about the taste. Grass fed is WAY better! I really can’t eat corn fed anymore. Greasy! 🙁
Lacey says
The fact that shipping corn is more expensive has to do with the rising costs of corn & fuel. Feedlots can disperse the cost of feed at the feedlot. The man said corn fed taste better because in consumer reports the surveyed results showed that amongst Americans most preferred the taste of corn fed because beef flavor comes from fat…less fat=less flavor. Plus USDA beef ratings are made to encourage people to buy mid range marbling. Too little & too much marbling are ranked lower. In regards to bloat…it is usually caused by in corporating the diet change to quickly. Due to cattle’s sensitive digestive tracts diet changes need to be slowly incorporated.
Katie says
Thank you for asking the Beef man relevant and polite questions! I work for a “major corporation” (not food though) and it is really discouraging when people go out of their way to be rude to me just because of my employer. Plus, his info was super interesting!
Cindy says
hmm.
I wish I had read this sooner. As someone who was raised on a cattle farm but I don’t eat beef myself, I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding about corn fed beef. I cannot think of a single instance where a calf is fed corn for more than 4 months. Cattle (at least in my hometown, which raises more beef than any other place in the world) are finished on corn but spend the first 18 months of their lives on pasture.
Cattle are corn fed because it fattens them up prior to slaughter and makes them grow faster. Sustainability just isn’t possible without methods like these in place there just wouldn’t be enough food available for the public.
Abby says
How interesting. Love your conversation with the beef guy (yikes). Made me laugh.
Tara says
I’m sure someone’s already told you, but I think grass-fed cows are fed hay during the winter. At least, that’s what the farmers we buy our meat from feed. You know, as fellow RD, I have to say that as much as I appreciate the medical focus and all of the tough science courses we take (I crave solid, scientific lectures like you), I really wish we had a rotation in school or during the internship that focused on agriculture. How cool would it be to require all nutrition students to spend time volunteering at a local farm while learning about different agricultural methods for growing crops and raising livestock in our coursework?
KathEats says
Agreed!
Brittany says
I am in love with Wegmans! I work for them 🙂 They do so much to help employees and customers stay healthy.
Lea says
Regarding the Virginia Beef Industry Council representative’s comment about grass in Virginia: certain types of grass definitely grow all year…Polyface Farms grows cows in Virginia that are fed a year-round diet of grass, so somebody has definitely figured out how to do it. I understand the that representative had a job to do, representing his employer…but I HATE when organizations don’t educate the people speaking on their behalf well. Or maybe that’s what the Council told him…in which case, boo on them for thinking nobody cares enough to figure out their responses are incorrect. I’m sure the real issue is that it is difficult/impossible to pasture such a LARGE NUMBER of cattle in Virginia, which is a fine answer to give, and doesn’t hide issues that may be important to some consumers.
Andrea (Off Her Cork) says
Someone may have answered this already because I didn’t read all of the comments (you get a lot! 😉 ) but in some places cows can’t be grass finished due to weather conditions. This is a true statement. Here in Ohio we get a pretty harsh winter and cows have to move inside for most of the winter season so they technically aren’t grass finished. However they do get hay for the winter months. I’ve spoken with our butcher about it and also we have a local dairy that supplies us with milk (and soon yogurt!) and they have both told me the same thing. So it’s possible to not feed cows corn. The dairy even admits that the milk in the winter tastes different than milk in the spring and summer due to the hay. Not that it tastes bad but just different. 🙂 I guess it really just depends on location and how dedicated the farm is to raising happy healthy animals. Always good to ask though!
Amanda says
out of curiosity, any breakdown on those carbs? I.e., is it an increase in eating oats and whole wheat breads and quinoa as well as an increase in snickers? I’m only curious because I know I love eating oat bran for breakfast and quinoa for snacks/dinner, but I am very carb-conscious…
Célèste says
I’m pretty sure I heard on The Nutrition Diva’s podcast that even grass-fed cattle is fed dry grains like corn during the winter months. Technically they can call it grass-fed as long as the cows eat grass during the warm months.