Presented by

Dr. Ravinder Mamtani

Dr. Sohaila Cheema

Overview

Globally, there is an ongoing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs we commonly hear of include hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes to name a few. The good news is that a vast majority of these diseases can be prevented, treated and often times reversed with lifestyle measures such as healthy food, good nutrition practices, physical activity, stress management and smoking cessation. Our workshop will focus on the practical aspects related to nutrition and healthy diets such as - what are healthy foods, shopping for food, reading food labels and healthy cooking.

Studies have shown that individuals, in general, have limited knowledge of healthy foods and benefits associated with them. Their knowledge and skills on how to read food labels and healthy cooking practices are inadequate. Enabling individuals to read food labels has been seen to potentially enable healthy behaviors and shift their focus to healthier dietary choices (1, 2). Reading food labels can serve as an effective self-prevention tool to allow individuals to make safer and cognizant food choices to protect their health (3). Health claims made by the food industry for specific nutrients and their interpretation by the public present challenges (4). Empowering individuals to be able to read menus, watching out for the red flags (e.g. salt, fried foods, high fat content) and adopting health nutrition practices are steps in the right direction (5).

Our workshop will empower the participants to familiarize them with what “food” is and what is a healthy diet? It will inform them to make informed, healthy choices while shopping, cooking and eating out. Additionally, the workshop will enable participants to read food labels, appraise portion sizes, and debunk common nutrition myths.

Target Audience

Doctors, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, students, educators, counselors and administrators.

Objectives

1. Recognize what constitutes a healthy diet.
2. Outline practical tips on making healthy choices to optimize health. 
3. Discuss common nutrition myths.

Workshop Outline

References

1. Miller LM, Beckett LA, Bergman JJ, Wilson MD, Applegate EA, Gibson TN. Developing Nutrition Labels Reading Skills: A Web Based Practice Approach. J Med Internet Res. 2017 Jan 13;19(1):e16. doi: 10.2196/jmir.6583.

1. Bonanni AE, Bonaccio M, di Castelnuovo A, de Lucia F, Costanzo S, Persichillo M, Zito F, Donati MB, de Gaetano G, Iacoviello L. Food labels use is associated with higher adherence to Mediterranean diet: results from the Moli-sani study. Nutrients. 2013 Nov 4;5(11):4364-79. doi: 10.3390/nu5114364.

1. Viola GC, Bianchi F, Croce E, Ceretti E. Are Food Labels Effective as a Means of Health Prevention. J. Public Health Res. 2016 Dec 21;5(3):768. doi: 10.4081/jphr.2016.768. eCollection 2016 Dec 9.

1. Harris JL, Haraghey KS, Lodolce M, Semenza NL. Teaching children about good health? Halo effects in child-directed advertisements for unhealthy food. Pediatr Obes. 2017 Oct 27. doi: 10.1111/ijpo.12257. [Epub ahead of print]

1. Kasparian M, Mann G, Serrano EL, Farris AR. Parenting Practices Towards Food and Children’s Behavior: Eating Away from Home Versus at Home. Appetite. 2017 Jul 1;114:194-199. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.03.045. Epub 2017 Mar 30.