Consuming Thoughts by Fay Strickler Penn State Extension Home Economist for Berks Co. Eating Well To Stay Healthy The Role of Protein First popular in the 1960 s and 19705, high-protein, low-carbohy drate diets have experienced a re cent resurgence as a means of los ing weight quickly. While protein is an important player in weight control and a safe eating plan, healthful weight loss involves eat ing from all food groups. When you’re trying to change eating habits to maintain a healthy weight for the long-term, enjoying all foods is important. If you choose to follow the latest miracle diet that eliminates one or more food groups, you will never adopt habits for enjoying moderate amounts of all food. As with many fad diets, the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets cause weight loss because they are low in calories. Unfortu nately, these fad diets may have negative effects on your body. Whenever you diet, your body breaks down muscle for energy. The muscle that’s broken down releases water for excretion by your body, which is why the scale initially reflects weight loss. But the weight loss is mostly water. If you choose to remain on a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet, you may notice a diminished appetite. Your body will begin to produce substances called ke tones for energy, but ketones are not the body’s preferred fuel. Long-term productions of ke tones can cause nausea and dehy dration. Controlled weight loss (not more than one to two pounds per week), combined with a balanced diet and physical activity, mini mizes muscle loss. And since muscle uses many more calories than fat tissue, maintaining mus cle is important in long-term weight control. Ask your dietitian or doctor for help in developing a personal weight loss plan based on all food groups in the Food Guide Pyra mid. A copy of the Food Guide Pyramid is available from your local Extension Office. So how much protein is enough? Dietary guidelines sug gest the average adult consume about 15 percent of calories from protein. For an average, seden tary man, that translates to about 75 grams of protein per day. For an average, sedentary woman, it’s about 55 grams per day. Pork is an excellent source of lean protein and a healthful choice that pairs well with all your favorite flavors. Today’s lean pork has an average of 31 percent less fat, 17 percent fewer calories, and 10 percent less cho lesterol than 20 years ago. Here is a delicious quick and easy pork dinner that will fit into any weight loss program. Honey Mustard Tenderloin 1 whole pork tenderloin, about 1 pound 2 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 4 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mus tard Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Combine all ingredients except pork. Brush sauce onto pork; place pork in roasting pan. Roast for 20-25 minutes, until meat thermometer registers 155-160 degrees F. Slice thinly to serve. Serves 4. Prep time: 5 minutes. Cook time: 25 minutes. Nutrient informa- tion per serving; Calories 230; Pro- tein 24 g., Fat 4 g., Saturated fat 1.5 g., Sodium 150 mg., Cholesterol 75 mg., Carbohy- drate 25 g. Checkoff-Funded Beefmoblle To Reach Grassroots Producers And Consumers COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Beef producers across the country will soon receive first hand information about how their beef checkoff dollars are used. The delivery vehicle: a “Beefmobile,” a van emblazoned with beef art that will travel across the United States and visit livestock marketing facilities. Under funding approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee for fiscal 2004, which began Oct. 1, the Beefmobile will visit 100 livestock marketing fa cilities and make 100 consumer stops. The Operating Committee left the option open for state beef councils to add to the number of stops in their respective states by providing additional funding when the van is in their area. In addition to delivering in formation to beef producers, the Beefmobile will have a consumer component and whet consumer appetites for beef. As it travels along the nation’s highways, the Beefmobile will serve as a rolling billboard. It will also reach out to consumers at retail stores and food festivals and stop by schools to provide teachers with litera ture about beef. “Reaching out to grassroots producers who market through livestock marketing facilities is refreshing,” said Shawn Madden of Torrington Livestock Market, Torrington, Wyo. “These individ uals who have been contributing to the beef checkoff deserve at tention...” The proposal to fund a Beef mobile with checkoff dollars was brought before the Cattlemen’s Beef Board by National Live stock Producers Association (NLPA), a livestock marketing organization based in Colorado Springs, Colo. “The Beefmobile idea began as an outreach program to grass roots producers those who con tribute to the beef checkoff but are not fully informed about how their checkoff dollars are used,” said R. Scott Stuart, president and CEO of NLPA. The Beefmobile will make its debut in mid-January. Beef pro ducers will recognize this rolling billboard by its beef-oriented de sign and prominent beef checkoff logo. Coordination and promotion of the Beefmobile will be handled by NLPA and Charleston/Orwig of Hartland, Wis., NLPA’s mar keting communications agency of record. “Funding of the Beefmobile by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board sends a clear message to beef pro ducers,” Stuart summarizes. “Those overseeing the beef Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 27, 2003-B5 checkoff want all beef producers to know how their checkoff dol lars are being used for research and promotion. * “As a livestock marketing or ganization, NLPA wanted the ev eryday beef producer to have di rect access to the results of beef checkoff research and promo tional information. The Beefmo bile means producers will no longer have to attend a specific meeting to obtain information about their beef checkoff. They can simply stop by the van when one Don’t wait for ’O4 to make smart choices I always start the new year with a resolution to lose the weight I’ve gained during the holidays. Can you give me tips to prevent it from happening in the first place? Goodforyou forthinlangahead l There are lots of things you can do between now and Jan 1 to keep in shape These ale just a few ideas • Walk Giveyourselfsonieextra tune at the mall to walk a few laps before loading up with shoppuig bags And don’t waste tune search ing for a parking spot near the entrance take a spot m far end of the lot to allow yourself to get some extra steps in Walking briskly and often will bum extra calories you might consume over the holidays • Watch the snacks Soft hot pretzels 01 nachos and cheese dip might be tempting, but they can leally add extra calories to your diet For example, one large soft pretzel (about 5 ounces) has nearly 500 calories Carry an apple or banana to snack on instead • Eat breakfast Too often, people skip the early meal m an attempt to save calones for later in the day But studies show that people who eat breakfast tend to eat fewer calones have a leanei body mass, and have a bettei nutritional status than those who don t eat breakfast Stress is the Silent Killer in America! 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Fisher 434 B Newport Rd. • Ronks, PA 17572 they visit their local livestock marketing facility.” Stuart notes that the consumer component of the project the stops at supermarkets, food festi vals and schools along the way as added to the Beefmobile to lev erage checkoff dollars to the greatest extent possible. “When the Beefmobile is trav eling from one livestock market ing facility to the next, it just made sense to include stops at re tail stores, food festivals and schools,” Stuart said. • Make smart fast food i hon es Time slips awa\ when you re rushed and it might scorn to make sense to pull into the neaiest last food drive thin foi dmnei If you do, choose small sandwiches without cheese or small salads with fat-lree dressings Bewaie of sandwiches with lots ol meat cheese, mayonnaise and othei toppings they can have 1,000 calories and more than 60 grams ot fat Betteryet, pull that slow cookei out of the cupboard and plan ahead with healthful, satisfying meals • Make smart choices at holiday gatherings Eat a healthy snack consisting of piotem and complex carbohydrates before going to a holiday gathering where a buffet table will be tempting While at the buffet, pile up on the lean meats and fresh vegetables, and enjoy smaller-than-you’re-used-to portions ot higher-calone treats Really take time to savor those treats don't mmdlessiy gobble them up And watch the alcohol Not only does it add empty i alones, but it :an weaken your lesolve to limit yourself on othei high-calone foods Have fun but remembei that New \eai s Resolution is right around the comer Chou Lnu t s a senue ut Ohio Slat e L’nuttsUij Kjrtension and tin Ohi<‘ Ai/r i< nl/utal Risianh and Dcielopno n(( enta Si ndqut stums to thou line i u Mat (ha hdipn J(UI (offnj Road, (oluwbu s, Oil 4 10 1044 Q) fdipx frgosufdu