- Email: [email protected]
Booklet
EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS This newsletter will be a welcome resource for the many preschool program directors who do not have the services of a nutritionist or dietitian but want to educate parents about nutrition. The author is a registered dietitian employed by Yellowstone County Head Start, so the information is current and accurate. Although the newsletter is aimed at Head Start families and the topics are appropriate for this audience, much of the information is also suitable for other audiences, including WIC participants. Each issue covers a separate topic-the two samples I reviewed were on snacking and healthy Christmas goodies. The suggestions for making cinnamon and cheese toast with Christmas cookie cutters is a novel and appealing idea. Food-related activities are geared to older preschoolers, and focus on involving both parents and children. Format and layout of the newsletter are fairly typical for preschool materials, with liberal use of graphics and handwritten sections (recipes. notes, headlines). There is space above the heading to type in the program name and date. Purchasers are encouraged to duplicate the newsletter for distribution to staff and parents. However. as the newsletter is printed on both sides, there is a lot of bleed-through from the back pages, and reproduction may be a little messy.
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Groups. Common food-related ailments, drugs, and environmental hazards are covered. but serious complications of pregnancy, such as diabetes, are not. The discussion of weight gain is thorough, although maternal storage for breastfeeding is not mentioned-a missed opportunity to introduce this subject. The list of PCB-contaminated fish indigenous to Wisconsin may be confusing to a wider audience; a more generalized warning would be appropriate. And advising clients to "check with a pharmacist or nutritionist" about extra doses of vitamin and mineral supplements is risky; such questions should be referred to a physician. Most notable is a frank treatment of the issues of eating behavior and junk foods. The authors rightly assert that many women come to pregnancy having forgotten how to eat a healthy diet. Years of deprivation/binge behavior result in a need to relearn healthy eating habits during pregnancy. A discussion of the junk food dilemma concludes that it is o.K. to sample junk to avoid becoming obsessed with it. Educated pregnant women will find this booklet helpful, as will primary-care providers offering basic nutrition counseling. The humane voice of this publication gives pregnant women permission to be flexible within guidelines. and thus makes good nutrition compatible with the enjoyment of eating. Kathleen Lyons. M.S., R.D .. Perinatal Dietitian, St. Margaret's Hospital for Women, 90 Cushing A ve .• Boston, MA 02125.
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BOOKLET
Nutrition for Pregnancy, Karls, L., E. Salter. and D. Roussos. 1983. From The Nutrition Center, Jackson Clinic. CH. 345 W. Washington Ave .. Madison, WI 53703, 28 pp .. $1.50. What busy expectant mothers want: reliable facts on nutrition for pregnancy in a tone that does not patronize. This well-produced booklet sets simple ground rules for weight gain and daily requirements based on the Four Food VOLUME
17
NUMBER
3
1985
PAMPHLET
Passport to Nutrition: A nutrition guide for frequent travelers, Hopper. S.. and P. Roginski. 1984. From The Greater Cincinnati Nutrition Council. 2400 Reading Rd.. Rm. 201B, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Attn: Sharon Orbaker. 19 pp., $1 plus 50t postage· In recent years there have been a number of studies on the effects of air travel on health and nutrition. Flying itself imposes stresses on the body. and these stresses are compounded by the effects of "jet lag" that people experience when traveling through one or more time zones. Recent research into biorhythms and diurnal patterns has been applied to the development of the "jet lag diet," which is presented in some detail in this pamphlet. Although the mechanisms are not clearly understood, there is some
evidence that the diet can prevent or eliminate many of the symptoms of jet lag. The jet lag diet begins from two to four days before departure and includes the following: alternating high-calorie (20002500) and low·calorie (900 or less) days; eliminating all caffeine except once a day between 3 P,M. and 5 P,M,; eating highprotein breakfasts and lunches, and high-carbohydrate dinners; avoiding alcohol on the flight; and eating according to local time on arrival. The pamphlet also covers minor differences in tITe diet depending on the direction of travel, and offers sample menus for the high- and low-calorie days. While this plan may be appealing to business travelers who feel that jet lag interferes with their productivity, the high-calorie diet is also high in fat. cholesterol, and saturated fat; and the low-calorie diet is completely inadequate for most men and women. Although occasional use of the diet probably will not harm healthy adults. it cannot be recommended for routine use. The authors do warn that the diet is not nutritionally balanced, and they caution individuals who have medical conditions or who are on special diets to check with their physicians before using the diet. However. because many consumers will not realize the shortcomings of the diet and may be encouraged to incorporate it into their regular travel schedule. the pamphlet should include a stronger warning about the potential problem areas. The rest of the pamphlet presents tips for eating in restaurants, controlling calories at the cocktail hour, making wise fast-food choices, and selecting healthy snacks. The major emphasis is on weight corurol. and several calorie lists are included for quick reference. Readers are encouraged to opt for the lower calorie choices (fish, poultry, salads, fruit) and to trade off extra calories from fats and desserts for an occasional steak or cocktail. This pamphlet contains a lot of useful information. and because of its handy size (3 112" x 8 3/4"-no. 10 envelope size). it can be carried in a purse or briefcase. Since most consumers will need some background nutrition information to use this pamphlet discriminatingly. nutritionists or dietitians in worksite programs may want to distribute the pamphlet after employees have been exposed to the Dietary Guidelines and have a basic understanding of the principles of a balanced diet.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION
117
-
.......:
Groups. Common food-related ailments, drugs, and environmental hazards are covered. but serious complications of pregnancy, such as diabetes, are not. The discussion of weight gain is thorough, although maternal storage for breastfeeding is not mentioned-a missed opportunity to introduce this subject. The list of PCB-contaminated fish indigenous to Wisconsin may be confusing to a wider audience; a more generalized warning would be appropriate. And advising clients to "check with a pharmacist or nutritionist" about extra doses of vitamin and mineral supplements is risky; such questions should be referred to a physician. Most notable is a frank treatment of the issues of eating behavior and junk foods. The authors rightly assert that many women come to pregnancy having forgotten how to eat a healthy diet. Years of deprivation/binge behavior result in a need to relearn healthy eating habits during pregnancy. A discussion of the junk food dilemma concludes that it is o.K. to sample junk to avoid becoming obsessed with it. Educated pregnant women will find this booklet helpful, as will primary-care providers offering basic nutrition counseling. The humane voice of this publication gives pregnant women permission to be flexible within guidelines. and thus makes good nutrition compatible with the enjoyment of eating. Kathleen Lyons. M.S., R.D .. Perinatal Dietitian, St. Margaret's Hospital for Women, 90 Cushing A ve .• Boston, MA 02125.
'. ~ ... ........ . . . .
,, '"'
.
BOOKLET
Nutrition for Pregnancy, Karls, L., E. Salter. and D. Roussos. 1983. From The Nutrition Center, Jackson Clinic. CH. 345 W. Washington Ave .. Madison, WI 53703, 28 pp .. $1.50. What busy expectant mothers want: reliable facts on nutrition for pregnancy in a tone that does not patronize. This well-produced booklet sets simple ground rules for weight gain and daily requirements based on the Four Food VOLUME
17
NUMBER
3
1985
PAMPHLET
Passport to Nutrition: A nutrition guide for frequent travelers, Hopper. S.. and P. Roginski. 1984. From The Greater Cincinnati Nutrition Council. 2400 Reading Rd.. Rm. 201B, Cincinnati, OH 45202, Attn: Sharon Orbaker. 19 pp., $1 plus 50t postage· In recent years there have been a number of studies on the effects of air travel on health and nutrition. Flying itself imposes stresses on the body. and these stresses are compounded by the effects of "jet lag" that people experience when traveling through one or more time zones. Recent research into biorhythms and diurnal patterns has been applied to the development of the "jet lag diet," which is presented in some detail in this pamphlet. Although the mechanisms are not clearly understood, there is some
evidence that the diet can prevent or eliminate many of the symptoms of jet lag. The jet lag diet begins from two to four days before departure and includes the following: alternating high-calorie (20002500) and low·calorie (900 or less) days; eliminating all caffeine except once a day between 3 P,M. and 5 P,M,; eating highprotein breakfasts and lunches, and high-carbohydrate dinners; avoiding alcohol on the flight; and eating according to local time on arrival. The pamphlet also covers minor differences in tITe diet depending on the direction of travel, and offers sample menus for the high- and low-calorie days. While this plan may be appealing to business travelers who feel that jet lag interferes with their productivity, the high-calorie diet is also high in fat. cholesterol, and saturated fat; and the low-calorie diet is completely inadequate for most men and women. Although occasional use of the diet probably will not harm healthy adults. it cannot be recommended for routine use. The authors do warn that the diet is not nutritionally balanced, and they caution individuals who have medical conditions or who are on special diets to check with their physicians before using the diet. However. because many consumers will not realize the shortcomings of the diet and may be encouraged to incorporate it into their regular travel schedule. the pamphlet should include a stronger warning about the potential problem areas. The rest of the pamphlet presents tips for eating in restaurants, controlling calories at the cocktail hour, making wise fast-food choices, and selecting healthy snacks. The major emphasis is on weight corurol. and several calorie lists are included for quick reference. Readers are encouraged to opt for the lower calorie choices (fish, poultry, salads, fruit) and to trade off extra calories from fats and desserts for an occasional steak or cocktail. This pamphlet contains a lot of useful information. and because of its handy size (3 112" x 8 3/4"-no. 10 envelope size). it can be carried in a purse or briefcase. Since most consumers will need some background nutrition information to use this pamphlet discriminatingly. nutritionists or dietitians in worksite programs may want to distribute the pamphlet after employees have been exposed to the Dietary Guidelines and have a basic understanding of the principles of a balanced diet.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION
117