“Linda, I have started making snack packs on Monday for the entire week.  They are filled with cut up veggies and fruits and the kids grab one of each for their lunch.

Also, Hannah (high school Junior)  has been taking chicken salad to school for lunch.  She keeps her dressing in a little container and then just puts it on and shakes it up. She is really enjoying that.  I cook about 5 chicken breast on Monday and we eat on them all week for salads, etc.”

A big thank you to all the Certified L.E.A.N. Coaches for the work that they are doing to help parents everywhere find simple solutions to a healthier lifestyle.

In recent years Vitamin Water has become a very popular “healthy” choice as a result of the strong marketing push including several celebrity endorsements. Does it really stand up to its health claims though?

A non-profit public interest group certainly doesn’t think so and is suing the Coca-Cola (the company that owns Vitamin Water) for allegedly making unwarranted health claims about Vitamin Water. Surprisingly, the lawsuit is being defended by Coca-Cola lawyers with the argument that “no consumer could be reasonably misled into thinking Vitamin Water was a healthy beverage.”

Left with that argument, consumers can only conclude that even the creators of the beverage acknowledge it is an unhealthy choice even though it is fortified with synthetic vitamins and minerals. With the amount of sugar in each bottle (33g), the drink is bears more resemblance to a soft-drink than a health beverage.

The outcome of the false advertising lawsuit has yet to be determined, however, it is clear that Vitamin Water is clearly not a healthy beverage choice.  As an alternative, Dr. Sears encourages creating your own version of vitamin water by adding various fruits and vegetables to flavor your water. Citrus fruit, berries, apples, pears and even cucumbers make delicious additions to a glass of water. Try freezing the fruit before you add it to your drink to create your own ice cubes! Your new drink is certain to be a healthy new addition to your daily routine.

Renowned Pediatrician Teams with Stroller-Fitness Program to Fight Obesity Epidemic

SARASOTA, FL – July 27, 2010 – Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Programs announced today an exclusive partnership with Baby Boot Camp, America’s premier stroller-fitness program for moms. Under the new partnership, Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Programs and Baby Boot Camp will mutually promote each other’s products and services to ensure healthy pregnancies and continue their work to fight the obesity epidemic. Under the new partnership, Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Programs, developed by America’s most renowned and respected pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, will work with Baby Boot Camp to design and promote The L.E.A.N. Programs parent education programs to support Baby Boot Camp’s fitness initiatives. Additional joint marketing efforts will include initiatives that reach out to expecting and new moms to help increase activity, healthy eating and prevention of childhood obesity. We are extremely excited to partner with one of the nation’s top pediatricians to deliver a safe and effective nutrition and wellness program to new mothers across the country,” said Kristen Horler, founder and CEO of Baby Boot Camp. “This partnership further strengthens Baby Boot Camp’s goal to improve the overall health of mothers and babies this country.”

About Baby Boot Camp®
Available across the United States, Baby Boot Camp offers cardiovascular and strength training programs designed specifically to help moms get back into shape after having a baby. Parents bring their stroller-aged children as an integral part of the workout, which is often followed by social events held throughout the area. Baby Boot Camp was created in San Francisco in 2001 by Kristen Horler to balance the fitness needs of new moms with their desire to spend time with their babies. All Baby Boot Camp classes follow the guidelines set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Council on Exercise. For more information or to find the nearest location, visit www.babybootcamp.com.

Baby Boot Camp Contact:
Corporate Communications
pr@babybootcamp.com
888.990.BABY

About Dr. Sears’ L.E.A.N. Programs®
Dr. Sears’ L.E.A.N. Programs are a series of workshops designed to equip parents and expecting moms with the tools and information needed to raise healthy families. L.E.A.N. represents the four pillars of health; Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude & Nutrition. William Sears, MD is the author of over 40 books on childcare, birth and parenting, and an Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. A pediatrician for over 35 years, he currently lives and practices pediatrics along with his three sons Dr. Bob and Dr. Jim and Dr. Pete in San Clemente, California. Dr. Sears received his pediatric training at the Harvard Medical School Children’s Hospital in Boston and The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. In addition to writing many books and scientific articles, Dr. Sears is a medical and parenting consultant to Baby Talk and Parenting  Magazines. For more information or to find a coach near you, visit www.drsearslean.com.

Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Programs Contact:
Melody Malenovsky
melody@drsearslean.com
303.242.8411

“I’m not sure I would have sought out a baby massage DVD if it hadn’t been for having a premature baby and reading all of the accompanying literature singing the healthful, healing benefits of infant massage. I’m not exactly the incense-burning, new age music type of gal, although I do love me a good massage. But I found myself sitting at home in the dead of a snow-engulfed winter, staring at a four-pound baby wondering what in the world I was going to do for the next couple of months until…” Read More

The problem with over consumption of sugar however, results from the extensive amounts of refined sugar that has been added to the foods consumed on a daily basis. Almost every product, from spaghetti sauce to bread has enormous amounts of sugar added. You may be surprised to find out how much sugar is added to “healthy” cereals, yogurt and even many baby foods. With the prevalence of sugar-sweetened beverages such as soda pop, ice tea, sports/energy drinks, certain fruit juices, and yes, even our favorite latte from Starbucks, the average American has consumed well above the recommended 8% of caloric intake from sugar.

Click here to see a visual representation of how much sugar is contained in many of the foods consumed on a daily basis.

Scientific evidence is rapidly accumulating regarding the apparent relationship between over-consumption of added/refined sugars, low intakes of dietary fiber and current disease epidemics of the mouth (e.g., tooth decay and early gum disease) and body (e.g., obesity, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, etc.).

So, what’s to be done about it? How can we reduce our sugar intake? Here are some practical ways of reducing your sugar intake.

1. If you crave sugar it’s almost always a sign that you’re not getting enough protein.  Eat lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and combined veggie proteins and your sugar cravings are likely to diminish.
2. Curb your sugar tooth with fiber-rich fruits and vegetables that do not have added refined sugar. You will stay full longer, plus they have numerous other nutrients our bodies need to help fight off disease.
3. Chew on a cinnamon stick.
4. Don’t eat sugar on an empty stomach – it will cause you to crave sugar throughout the day.
5. Cut down on your salt intake:  salty foods cause a contraction or tightening of the body’s fluids and tissues, while sweet foods do the exact opposite:  They cause the body to expand or relax.  If you overinduldge in salty foods, your body usually craves sweet foods as a way to maintain balance.

For more information on how sugar affects the body, check out these excellent resources:

• The Truth About Sugar. Video presentation by Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology
• Get The Sugar Out - by Ann Louise Gittleman, (2008)
• The Sugar Fix: The high-fructose fallout that is making you fat and sick – by Richard Johnson and Timothy Gower, (2009)
• The NDD Book – by Dr. William Sears, (2009)

During this busy summer season full of family activities and vacations, we undoubtedly find ourselves hearing our children say that they are “starving” when we are away from home and it is mealtime; or we are just too tired to cook after a day full of events.  For the more health conscious of us, it seems like a “no-brainer” that there should be health minded fast food outlets.

The “McHealthy” article is about two former McDonald’s executives and their efforts to build a new healthful, fast-casual dining concept set to launch next year, code named “Stephanie’s.” Although they have lofty ambitions, they also are moving slowly since history has not been kind to the idea of healthy fast-food.  At the end of the day, most people may say they want healthier fast-food, but that is not what they necessarily buy.

Do you know of any successful healthy fast-food restaurants in your area that go beyond just a few healthy alternatives on the menu?  If so, we’d like to hear from you!  For those who submit, we’ll put you into a drawing for a Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Start Kit, to include a parent’s guide, DVD, activity book and Dr. Sears’ NDD Book.  Some caution, you might be thinking like we did that there is healthy fast-food out there, i.e. Chipotle.  However, while we applaud Chipotle for its fresh ingredients, you might be surprised to see how it compares to a Big Mac!

Admittedly, as someone who spends his days focused on helping others avoid the pitfalls of poor nutrition, until reading this article and thinking about what I would consider healthy fast food, I was duped by the food marketing machine.  Sad, given I am a former and repentant food marketer myself.

So, even though I avoid fast-food with the exception of finding a healthy alternative on the menu in a pinch, I actually thought of Chipotle as a healthier alternative.  While I generally would skip the chips and split the burrito, I’d still be right there with a Big Mac in terms of calories and fat.  And, for those occasions where hunger and taste get the best of me (they are good) and eat the whole burrito, it is a whopping 1,100 calories and 51 grams of fat.  Ouch!  I’m hoping Dr. Bill somehow skips this particular post.

So, if an average person goes into a Chipotle and orders a burrito, chips and a soda, they likely will intake 2,000 calories, which is the average RDA for an individual.  Perhaps, we really do need “McHealthy” offerings more than we think.  But, buyer beware, read the fine print.

I would love to propose another way to celebrate each year of precious life. Let me explain by describing what we did during my daughter Ashton’s 3 year old birthday party. The guests and their parents got to snack on fresh veggies and guacamole and hummus dip along with a big bowl of red grapes and some trail mix. They sipped water and %100 juice boxes. For lunch we did a fun activity making “Pretty Pizzas.” Everyone got their own whole wheat English muffin or whole wheat pita. They got to spread their own sauce and sprinkle their own cheese. Then they got to be creative decorating their pizza with a variety of veggies. They used shredded carrots at hair, kidney beans as eyes, olives as noses, and red bell pepper stripes for the lips. Some people made landscapes or race cars. Then we baked the pizzas at 400 for about 10 minutes. The kids and parents had a blast eating their own creations while getting a wonderful amount of nutrients. For the cake Ashton and I made a simple yellow cake.  We topped it with beautiful strawberries and homemade whipped cream. Instead of mounds of frosting I stuck in fun candles and a plastic Happy Birthday sign.

It was a hit.  People left feeling treated but with out the sugar crash that most parent dread. Hey moms, let’s band together and try to create parties that will build our kiddos up.

A lack of good nutrition has been shown to have a dramatic affecting on children’s ability to concentrate, their fine motor skills, as well as their overall attitude, behavior and performance. Many children, even those who do not look overweight, can be suffering from Nutrition Deficit Disorder (NDD), which contributes to ADHD, developmental delays, depression, learning disabilities, OCD, allergic diseases, cardiovascular disease, GERD, infectious diseases and inflammatory diseases (dermatitis, colitis, bronchitis, etc.).

Daily headlines remind us of America’s childhood obesity crisis.  Children today are expected to have shorter life spans than their parents.  Even children who do not look overweight can be suffering from Nutrition Deficit Disorder (NDD).  NDD has a tremendous affect on children’s minds and bodies which contributes to ADHD, developmental delays, depression, learning disabilities, OCD, allergic diseases, cardiovascular disease, GERD, infectious diseases (weak immune system) and inflammatory diseases (“-itis” illnesses: e.g., dermatitis, colitis, bronchitis, etc.).