Mentoring: A Running Start 2008

Welcome mentor teams!

Program Description

Mentoring: A Running Start provides an opportunity for youth to train for a 5K race to learn lessons in teamwork, goal setting and accomplishment. Participants in the running program will train for the noncompetitive 5K that is a part of the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon festivities in October.

The program aims to instill a life-long love for running and physical fitness in Michigan youth and adults. Knowledge and motivation are provided to reach the goal of running a 5K. After completion of the program, participants are encouraged to continue running and setting new physical activity goals.

Mentor Teams in Detroit October 18-19

Governor's Residence Day August 19

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Fresh Food Feature, never expires always inspires

Should fat be eliminated from a diet?
Do I need to eat meat every day?
Do low-carb diets work?
Our Nutrition Specialist Dr. Anne Murphy confronts common nutrition myths in the following piece about nutrition fallacies.

Nutrition Fallacies: Anne Murphy (PhD, RD)

It is difficult to get enough protein. (False)

Dairy, meat, dried beans are very high. Average American diet provides 2-3 x the need.

People need meat every day. (False)

Kids need protein (about 25 grams) which can come from dairy and other foods. Adults need about 50-60 grams.

Eating meat/protein builds muscle. (False)

Activity builds muscle. Protein is needed for all growth but extra amounts are stored as fat or converted to glucose and used for energy.

Low carbohydrate diets are a good way to lose fat (False)

The body needs a minimum amount of glucose (which can be supplied only by carbohydrates). If it is not supplied the body will convert protein (from foods or from muscles) to glucose to meet the brain’s need for energy. The ONLY way to lose fat is to consume fewer calories than you burn.

Fat is “bad” and should be eliminated from the diet. (False)

Fat is essential and important for development of brain tissue in infants

People need to take vitamins to be healthy. (False)

A multiple vitamin/mineral is a good idea. Areas of concern: iron (children over age 1) calcium after puberty especially if pop is consumed instead of milk.

Foods labeled “low or non fat” are nutritious. (False)

Look at calorie and sugar levels.

Chocolate milk is less nutritious than white milk. (False)

They have similar levels of calcium and protein, as do skim, 2%, whole; not high in iron

Salads are not fattening. (Might be false)

Dressings add lots of calories! So do cheese, hard-cooked eggs, etc.

Frozen fruits/vegetables are not as nutritious as fresh ones. (Nearly false)

They have about the same nutrient value as fresh ones.

Sugar makes kids hyperactive. High amounts of sugar consumed “alone” cause a quick rise and then drop in blood sugar. Starch is digested more slowly. The problem with sugary foods is displacement of nutritious ones and they tend to be low in iron

Recommendations: Snacks should include fruit, low or non-fat milk and dairy foods (yogurt, cheese). Limit sweets, processed foods, juice drinks and sweetened cereals. Increase fiber by consuming WHOLE grains, fruits (with peels), veggies and legumes.

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