The acknowledgment and legislative commitment shown by California puts it in league with only two other states, Minnesota and Montana, as states that provide diabetes prevention programs as a Medicaid benefit. Daniel Zingale, senior vice president at the California Endowment, said, “What’s revolutionary about this change is that it finally starts to recognize that by investing modest amounts on the front end on prevention, we can save enormous amounts in the long term”. This change helps Skinny Gene to continue doing what we have been doing, and will allow roughly 25,000 prediabetics to receive DPP care every year through their insurance. The only requirements to benefit from this bill is to be overweight and have high blood sugar levels, so that the ones who receive care are those who need it most.

Designs By: Courteney Lisowski

     Before the DPP, Frieda had very little awareness of the nutrition and impact that it had on her body. She had no energy, didn’t exercise, had joint pains, had consistent mood swings, and “felt quite hopeless about losing weight”. Despite the rough position Frieda was in, she took it upon herself to sign up for one of our DPP classes and soon started seeing a difference. One of the key differences that Frieda saw with the DPP compared to other ways that she had tried to change her unhealthy lifestyle was the commitment. Her prevention experience was an entire year long, with meetings going from weekly to monthly as the program progressed. This reliable, safe place allowed Frieda to find her own success.

“Lifestyle changes just don’t happen overnight, weight doesn’t come off in a flash, and exercise habits take a long time to establish.  Being able to have a framework for a year meant the stage was set for me to succeed.”

     The DPP was also something that Frieda genuinely enjoyed, and that is due to the instructors and impressive group support provided. Frieda’s instructor would email her between classes and go over plans before trips out of town, which really gave her the support and extra push she needed to change her habits. The group in which Frieda worked with was incredibly diverse, with some fitness nuts, others who hated running, as well as people who were short, tall, fat, or skinny. This environment allowed the DPP meetings to become an enjoyable social gathering, creating a place where sticking to a meal or exercise regimen much easier with the support of colleagues going through the same thing right along with you. We are proud to congratulate Frieda on not only reaching the 5% goal, but reaching all the way to 10% below her initial starting weight! Her commitment took her to a much healthier place, and SGP could not be more proud. Just like Frieda felt in the beginning, you may feel discouraged and hopeless, but take her advice and give the DPP a shot, chances are you could change your life and meet some great people in the process.

Designs By: Courteney Lisowski

One of the most optimistic viewpoints on coconut oil comes from some recent studies that have concluded that saturated fat, the main health hazard in coconut oil, is mostly harmless. Several studies since 2015 have eliminated the connection between saturated fat and heart disease, although they are too preliminary for major organizations like the American Diabetes Association to pick up. On top of that, the saturated fat that is in coconut oil is a medium length triglyceride, meaning it is metabolized differently from more common, longer length fats. This different length is the cause of coconut oil’s therapeutic effects on several brain disorders. Its specific length allows coconut oil to have even more benefits, such as helping you burn more fat and calories, as well as curbing your appetite and even lowering blood cholesterol levels.

Coconut oil has a lot of potential, but the most important obstacle in its way is the lack of real research done about it. Without the time and numbers behind consumption of coconut oil, doctors recommend that you limit yourself to about a tablespoon a day before more studies are done to legitimize it as a true healthy food. While this oil may find its way into many households nowadays, stay informed, limit your consumption, and know the real risks and benefits here with us at Skinny Gene.

Designs by: Courteney Lisowski

If I was to eat a serving, and we all know that NO ONE eats just one serving, I would be more than halfway through my daily allotment. This indicates to me that this product is too high in added sugars, to be considered a healthy snack. Into the garbage pail it goes.

Is this wasteful? No, if it stays around I will be tempted to eat some, probably more than a handful even.  They have nothing of value to offer me except a blood sugar spike and a queasy stomach.

VS.

Here is a challenge for you: Practice at a sugar purge. Go in your cupboard and find a food with about the same amount of added sugar as my yogurt covered pretzels and toss it mercilessly.  Practice regularly until you feel you are ready to do a complete kitchen sugar purge. If you feel inspired to do the whole thing now, you have my blessing. Whatever you choose to do let me know about it. I want all the details. What food was it? How many grams of sugar? Was it a full purge or a trial run?

Photography by: Samantha Combs

As a self-proclaimed “date driven person”, Dr. Ivanic uses marketing analytics, statistics and experimental research to come to a general understanding of what influences an individual’s nutritional choices. In her line of research, Dr. Ivanic wants to understand “through a marketing lens, what can firms do in order to help people make better food choices”, while understanding the nuances of race and ethnicity and how they affect those choices.

Her work undermines misconceptions about marketing as simply a creative and ad driven field, stressing the importance of data and numbers for successful marketing projects.

At the very heart of Dr. Ivanic’s research is the concept of empowerment. She says that “when people feel empowered, they tend to make good decisions”. Her aim is to understand how marketers can empower people to make better nutritional choices by instilling affirmation and confidence. In her experimental research she asks subjects to reflect on their race and ethnicity in order to come to an understanding of whether or not they feel empowered with the necessary tools to make these decisions or not. She also gauges “nutritional literacy” in these groups in order to understand where there is a lack of knowledge and information about nutrition which could ultimately empower or disempower specific subgroups of individuals.

Dr. Ivanic chose to become a board member at the Skinny Gene Project because her professional and personal goal of empowerment aligns with the organization’s. Both the Skinny Gene Project’s work and Dr. Ivanic’s research take into consideration how race and ethnicity are two imperative factors for making sweeping changes in nutrition, health and diabetes.

Dr. Ivanic was recently tenured at USD, and hopes that this opportunity will give her time to work even harder on her research and projects. In the near future she hopes to focus her research on epilepsy and stigma, ultimately hoping to understand how social issues and disease are intertwined.

Photography by: Samantha Combs

According to a recent New York Times article, the American Academy of Pediatrics has “advised parents to avoid 100 percent fruit juice for babies younger than 6 months.” This may come as a shock to many, as the image of a baby drinking a bottle of apple juice is as fundamental as any.

This common misconception can have some real consequences, however, as outlined by Dr. Elsie M. Taveras, chief of the division of general pediatrics at MassGeneral Hospital for Children in Boston. One of the primary concerns in giving infants under one-year- old fruit juice of any kind, even 100 percent fruit juice, is that they can act as a type of “gateway drink”. There are studies indicating that infants who drink more juice in infancy are more prone to drink soda and sugary beverages later in life. This risk, along its classification by the American Academy of Pediatrics as a drink with “no nutritional benefits early in life”, makes grabbing for that carton of apple juice seem a lot more dangerous than it has seemed before. 

While facts may back up this scientific consensus, there may still be many who refuse to accept a practice that has been understood as cultural fact. I know when I asked my mom if I had been given fruit juice as an infant, there was not a second of hesitation before a calm “of course, why wouldn’t I?”. Even as I explained the statement procured by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there was still some hesitation in her eyes, and the rest of my family disregarded the information entirely.

Some practices are so ingrained into our daily lives that it seems absurd to change them even in the face of cold hard evidence, like the old practice of giving teething babies a few drops of whiskey to soothe their pain. These practices make their way into our daily habits, to the point where having juice with breakfast seems necessary. 

Despite experts like Dr. Man Wai Ng from the Boston Children’s hospital stating that “one hundred percent fruit juice should be offered only on special occasions, especially for kids who are at high-risk for tooth decay”, we still see portrayals of fruit juice as part of a healthy balanced breakfast over all genres of media. They make their way into our commercials and television shows, it is shown so often that any negative connotation that could potentially be aligned with it disappears. Despite the deep roots that juice drinking as young children has in our culture today, it’s spot is not an unchangeable one. 

In the face of this statement made by the American Academy of Pediatrics, there is a prime chance to change the cultural facts that have been written through the generations. Just as the image of the smoking father or mother has largely disappeared from our minds, perhaps the visual of babies drinking juice can as well.

Avoiding sugary drinks like fruit juice and opting for either whole fruit (when able) or sticking to formula/milk is a healthy change that needs to be implemented on a societal level. So remember next time to push apple juice to the back of the shelf, not into your pantry!

Designs By: Courteney Lisowski

Do you have a sweet tooth?  From time to time, I need my candy fix.  My weakness is taffy or anything chocolate.  Typically, I do not give into temptation; however, this is the time of orange and black, not to be mistaken with “Orange is the New Black,” but this is the season where there is no shortage of candy.  As orange and black themed packaging overloads the aisles of many stores, offices, and homes, there is temptation everywhere.  According to the National Retail Foundation, Americans purchase about 600 million pounds of candy each year for Halloween, which is equivalent to the weight of 6 Titanic ships.  The average of American households will spend $47 on Halloween candy.  So where does all that candy go?  Well, the average American will eat 3.4 pounds of candy over Halloween.  The consumption of this much candy is not good for your teeth or waistline, as most candies are high in added calories, sugar and fat.

Whether or not this is the one time out of the year you indulge in sweets as you pick your favorites from your child’s plastic pumpkin or from the desks of your co-workers, you do have options to make a healthier choice.  Here are a few popular Halloween candies that have been deemed a healthier or better option compared to their sweet counterparts.

Better Candy Choices

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups vs. Snickers
Better Choice: Snickers

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has more protein, but compared to two fun size pieces of Snickers, Snickers contain less total fat, saturated fat, and 10 less calories.

Peanut M&M’s vs. Skittles
Better Choice: Peanut M&M’s

A snack size bag of Skittles contains 61 calories.  Though the same size bag of Peanut M&M’s contains more calories, 91 calories, it is lower on the glycemic index, and will release sugars slower into the bloodstream; whereas Skittles will spike your blood sugars at an increased rate.

Twix vs. Kit Kat
Better Choice: Kit Kat

A Kit Kat has 20 less calories, and less saturated fat and sodium.

Candy Corn vs. Tootsie Roll
Better Choice: It’s a tie.

Candy corn one of the most popular candy choices during Halloween, there is even a day designated to it; October 30th is National Candy Corn Day.  However, Tootsie Rolls and candy corn have the same nutritional value if you were to consume 26 pieces of candy corn or 6 pieces of the bite sized Tootsie Rolls.

Butterfinger or York Peppermint Pattie
Better Choice: York Peppermint Pattie

For three fun size York Peppermint Patties, it contains 150 calories, 3 grams of fat and 15 miligrams of sodium.  Two fun size Butterfinger bars contains 200 calories, 8 grams of fat, and 100 milligrams of sodium.

Starburst or Jolly Rancher
Better Choice: Jolly Rancher

Consuming three pieces of Starburst candies has fewer calories compared to a Jolly Rancher.  However, since Jolly Ranchers are hard candies it takes longer to finish, and you will be less likely to eat more. 

Sweet Tarts or Smarties
Better Choice: Smarties

Do you sometimes think who eats Smarties?  I know I do, and now you know why.  For an individual roll of Smarties it contains 25 calories, and 5 grams of sugar.  As for Sweet Tarts, it contains 50 calories and 13 grams of sugar for 8 pieces.

Pay Day vs. Milky Way
Better Choice: Milky Way

In two fun-size pieces of Milky Way, it contains 50% less fat and sodium.

Almond Joy vs. Mounds
Better Choice: Another tie.

It’s a tie between the two.  For each fund size Mounds and Almond Joy, they both contain about 80 calories, have equal amounts of fat, 4.5 grams, saturated fat, 3 grams, and carbohydrates, 10 grams.

While the average amount of candy consumed is more than three pounds during Halloween, just remember moderation is important.  You can curb your sweet tooth with juicy fruit, low-fat yogurt with honey, or dark chocolate if you need a chocolate kick.

We all go through it — the sudden urge to taste something sweet. Perhaps it is a craving for a delectable dessert after dinner, or even as simple as adding sweet sugar to our morning cup of Joe. The energy and joy we feel as the sugar settles in can become an addictive feeling that we crave time and time again. Unfortunately with sugar “highs” come the sugar “lows” when we feel tired and the urge for something sweet starts all over again. It’s time to uncover the truth about sugar cravings and how we can finally tame our sweet tooth and break our sugar addiction.

Sugar Addictions

How it works – Sugar fuels every cell in the brain so the brain perceives sugar as a reward, which causes our sugar cravings to want more. Simple sugars found in syrup, soda, candy, and table sugar quickly gets absorbed into the bloodstream, causing our blood sugar levels to spike (known as the “sugar high”). Once the blood sugar is moved out of the bloodstream and into our cells for energy, (with the help of the hormone insulin), it causes a drop in blood sugar levels. These rapid changes in blood sugar levels leads to the crash, or sugar “low”, leaving us to feel tired and wiped out and in search for more sugar to regain the “high”. This sets us up for bad eating habits that are hard to break.

The Good News! – Sugar is not needed as much as we think. We can retrain our taste buds to enjoy things that are not as sweet or find ways to curb our sugar cravings. The best way to do this is to gradually cut down foods or drinks with added sugar. This change is more doable for long term so that we are not likely to fall back into bad habits. Try one less sweet food or drink from your diet each week. For example, pass dessert after dinner or use less sugar in your coffee or cereal. Over time, you will lose the need for the sweet, sugary taste!

Most Americans consume about 19 teaspoons or more of added sugar a day, which equates to up to 285 calories. You should be aiming for no more than 6 teaspoons daily for women and 9 teaspoons for men, cutting it down to 100 calories and 150 calories, respectively. Try some of these tips to cut down on added sugar consumption:

No need to completely give up on sweet treats. Simply replace table sugar or sweet processed foods with the “good-for-you” sweets such as fresh berries or fruit in oatmeal instead of sugar. Try dried, frozen, or canned fruit without added sugar. Also, a low-sugar yogurt can help provide you with natural sugars to satisfy your cravings.

• Protein helps! High protein foods digest more slowly, keeping you feeling full for a longer period of time and curbing the sugar cravings. Lean proteins such as lean meats, low-fat yogurt, eggs, nuts, or beans are good choices and also do not make your blood sugar spike up and down the way refined carbs and sugars do.

• Fill up on fiber. Like protein, fiber helps in keeping you full and giving you more energy. Fiber does not raise your blood sugar, preventing any crashes or sugar “lows”. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are some good examples to aim for. Smear some peanut butter on an apple for a protein/fiber combo!

• Watch out for hidden sugars. Get in the habit of reading food labels and filter out high sugar foods before they hit your shopping cart. If sugar is listed in the first few ingredients, the product is likely to have more than 4 total grams of sugar, or 1 teaspoon. Sugar can also be labeled differently with names like: agave nectar, brown rice syrup, high fructose corn syrup, evaporated cane juice, malt syrup, molasses and words ending in –ose (glucose, lactose, sucrose, etc.) Foods that are not commonly seen as sweet may contain high amounts of sugar such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, pasta sauce, and reduced-fat salad dressings, which is why it is important to read food labels to help control added sugar intake.

Looking for some fun Halloween treats and cocktails for your next holiday bash? Halloween usually aims to satisfy your sweet tooth, but before you go to the store and splurge on all the candy and chocolates, try some of these delectable, lighter party treats and cocktails that won’t leave your party guests looking and feeling like little jack-o-lanterns later.

Halloween Treats

Candy Corn Quesadillas

A simple, flavorful, and fun Halloween treat perfect for party guests! First, preheat oven to350 degrees. Cut 12 corn or whole wheat tortillas in a triangle, leaving the bottom uncut and round (to resemble the shape of a candy corn). In a small bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of salsa and 3 tablespoons of (low-fat) sour cream together. In a medium mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of diced roasted chicken, 1½ tablespoons of chopped green chilies, and the salsa/sour cream mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spoon 1/3 cup of chicken mixture onto tortilla and place corresponding tortilla on top. Place sliced cheeses on top to resemble candy corn pathttern with a white cheese at the tip (Monterey Jack or White Cheddar), dark orange cheese in e middle (mild or sharp Cheddar), and light orange cheese at the bottom rounded edge (Tillamook). Place the 6 quesadillas in the oven and bake until cheese is melted (about 5 minutes). Remove from oven, trim any extra cheese if desired, and serve.

Mummy Dogs

Try these mummified hot dogs that are sure to please and easy to make. All you need is 1 can of refrigerated crescent  dinner rolls for every 8 large hot dogs (try soy dogs or a low-fat, low-sodium chicken sausage for a healthier choice).  Cut each triangle in narrow strips of dough (strips should be a quarter of an inch in width) and wrap strips around the hot dog, starting at the base. When you reach the top of the hot dog, leave a separation for the mummy’s face. Place on ungreased cookie sheet or pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until dough is light golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes and use a toothpick dipped in mustard (or another favorite condiment) to form two eyes. Dig in and enjoy!

(Party tip: try cutting dogs in half or use cocktail sausages for a mini-mummy party treat!)

Snack-O-Lantern Fruit Cups 

Slice off the top of a navel orange and hollow out the interior by scooping out the orange segments. Carve a pumpkin face on one side of the orange and repeat for other oranges. Dice up your favorite fruit (including the orange segments) and fill each cup. Set the lid back on top and serve.

Frozen Boo-Nana Pops

Although this is made with white chocolate (only half an ounce each pop), it’s much healthier than candy, andcertainly a frozen Halloween snack for all to enjoy! For an even healthier version, you can substitute white chocolate for yogurt. All you need is 1 medium banana, 1 cup white chocolate (or yogurt), 8 mini chocolate chips (for the eyes), and 4 popsicle sticks. Cut eat each banana in half lengthwise, then in half to make 4 quarters to yield 4 boo-nana pops. Insert popsicle sticks into bananas and freeze on a wax paper lined cookie sheet prior to dipping in melted chocolate (easy way is to microwave chocolate in coffee mug for 30 seconds at a time, stirring until chocolate is soft and melted). Add chocolate chips for the eyes before chocolate hardens.

Witch’s Broom

For this fun easy snack, you will need 12 slices of your favorite cheese, 12 pretzel sticks and 12 fresh chives. Fold eachcheese slice and cut the fringes of the broom using a pair of scissors. Roll the slice of cheese around the pretzel stick so that the fringes are hanging down like a broom. To keep the cheese in place, wrap the chive around the stick and tie it. Simple as that, enjoy!

Halloween Cocktails

Who says Halloween is just for the kids? Try these fun Halloween Cocktails for your next costume party!

La Llorona (The Weeping Woman) Martini:

One of these intoxicating drinks contains 3 ounces of Pisco Brandy, 1 ounce fresh lime juice, 1 ounce fresh lemon juice, 1½ tablespoons granulated sugar, crushed ice, dash of Angostoria bitters, and dry ice for the spooky effect of wispy smoke that emulates the long, flowing gown worn by La Llorona. In a cocktail shaker filled with crushed ice, combine brandy, juices and sugar. Cover and shake vigorously for 15 seconds and strain into a cocktail glass. Top with a few drops of bitters and add dry ice.

(Note: Dry ice is safe to use in drinks, but be sure to wait for the ice to melt before actually drinking it as it can burn your skin).

Caramel Apple Punch:

All you need for this drink version of a tasty treat include the following – 1 quart of chilled apple cider, 1¼ cup spiced rum, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, and 1 red apple, thinly sliced. I a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine the cider, rum, and lemon juice and chill for up to 12 hours. Serve over ice and garnish with the apple slices.

Pumpkin Martini:

Try this delectable drink for your next party mixer. Combine 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice on a small plate. Dip the rim of a chilled martini glass in water, then in the sugar mix to coat. In a martini shaker filled with ice, combine 3 tablespoons of vodka, 2 tablespoons of half and half, 1 tablespoon of canned pure pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, and 1/8 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice. Shake vigorously and then strain into prepared martini glass.

Vampire Punch: 

This sweet-tart drink will be sure to pack a punch at your next Halloween bash. Combine ¼ cup sugar and ¼ cup water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until sugar is completely dissolved, usually in 1-2 minutes. Let it cool. In a large pitcher or punch bowl, combine ½ cup Campari, ½ cup of gin, ½ cup of fresh-squeezed orange juice, and the sugar-water mix. Chill for up to 12 hours. Just before serving, add 3 cups of chilled club soda, ½ cup of pomegranate seeds and 1 thinly sliced orange. Serve over ice.

Dark and Spooky:

Fill a glass with ice and pour ½ cup of ginger beer and 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice. Float 3 tablespoons of dark rum onto the ginger beer by slowly pouring the rum over a metal spoon turned upside down. Garnish with a lime wedge and enjoy the deep, intense flavors of this dark and spooky cocktail.

*Please drink responsibly.

We’ve all been duped before. The claims on a package of “natural”, “low fat”, “high in vitamins” – all screaming “pick me! I’m healthy!” As scary as it sounds, some labels can be misleading. The frightening truth is that unless you do a little detective work reading the nutrition facts and ingredient list, there is no other way of knowing just how healthy a product is. Let me help you cross off a few of these terrifying foods from your healthy list.

5 Scary Foods You Thought Were Healthy

1. Granola Bars

Whether it’s in the form of a bar or as cereal, granola can be packed with tons of sugar and calories. Sure it starts out as healthy oats but the chilling fact is that most granola products add honey, dried fruits, chocolate, peanut butter chips, and even yogurt powder. These are all dense forms of calories and sugar you weren’t looking for. Not to forget that portions are often so small you’re hungry again in no time.

Less frightening option: Choose granola bars that are lower in sugar and do not list a form of a sugar as its 1st ingredient. Also try varieties that are made with whole grains (also on the ingredient list) that way you can add a little added fiber to your day.

2. Veggie Chips

Unfortunately a chip is a chip no matter if it’s blue corn, whole wheat, sweet potato or any other substitute for tortilla they have used. If it comes in package you can almost guarantee that the vegetable or whole grain is way down the ingredient list and are sometimes only vegetable colored. They usually contain the same amount of fat and sodium as regular potato chips no matter how you slice them.

Less frightening option: Look for chips with the vegetable listed as the very first ingredient. That way you know you are getting an actual vegetable. Even better bake your own using kale, beets, or any other vegetable you like. Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle some salt and bake your way to a yummy chip alternative.

3. Reduced Fat and Fat Free Treats

You’ve seen it before – reduced fat crackers and even fat free cookies. Is that even possible? It is once these treats have been highly processed. These deceiving little goodies make you think they are healthy options and so you are likely to eat three times as many as you wanted to. When you remove the fat from a product you also need to add something to make it taste better than cardboard. That something is usually sugar and salt making them just as caloric and as scary as the regular version.

Less frightening option: If you’re going to indulge in a treat, go for the real thing. As long as you are mindful in portioning out a serving nothing will beat the taste of what you were really craving.

4. Fruit Yogurt

Fruit-on-the-bottom yogurt is probably one of the creepiest hidden forms of sugar you will find. Some varieties have as much fat as a bag of potato chips! Once the mask has been removed you will find the “fruit” is actually just concentrated or soaked with high fructose corn syrup and other sugars.

Less frightening option: Find choices that don’t have any added ingredients or are made with sugar substitutes. Always opt for a lower fat version. Or stick to a simple low-fat plain or greek yogurt and add your own toppings for a delicious treat.

5. Pre-Made Smoothies

Those little blends may be the greatest con artist of all. A 16oz bottle can almost have as many calories as a burger and more grams of sugar than a bottle of soda! Same goes for ones you find at fast food restaurants. Most pre-made smoothies don’t use the whole fruit –only juice- so you are missing out on all the fiber and nutrients fruit has to offer. While some of the sugars in pre-made smoothies may actually be natural fruit sugars often they add sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup making it a horrifying calorie bomb.

Less frightening option: Make your own smoothie by using whole fruits, yes with the skin, to get all of the fiber, vitamins, antioxidants, and enzymes. Add some low fat yogurt and you have a great treat for you and any of your little monsters.