Health benefits of chocolate

This past weekend, I was invited to be a special guest speaker at the Third Annual Los Angeles Chocolate Salon, where I lectured on why chocolate is good for you. No, you did not read this incorrectly, chocolate really does have many proven health benefits (fellow chocolate lovers rejoice!)! As chocolate is continues to be studied in clinical trials across the globe, there are more and more encouraging results about the benefits of eating it. On the Health.com
homepage today, ironically this same subject was illuminated via slideshow:

Below, please find just a few of the health benefits of chocolate and a few choco-myths debunked:
- The Aztecs and Mayans were the first to recognize the potency of chocolate – they’d celebrate the harvest of the cacao bean with festivals of wild orgies. Montezuma believed that drinking 50 cups of chocolate each day enabled him to better serve his harem of 600 women. For my NutriFit meal delivery service clients, I believe that it puts us in “the zone”. The zone of health, that is!

- Science gives us another reason to enjoy this heady delight. Dark chocolate contains naturally occurring plant compounds called Flavonoids. These natural powerhouses are part of the polyhenol group.

- Some of the key heart health benefits include:
-Decreases LDL oxidation (Low-density lipoproteins, which are the unhealthy kind).
-Reduces stickiness of platelets in the blood, which reduces risk of blood clots
-May lower blood pressure
-Increases blood flow in the arteries- (Increased blood flow can lead to brain health benefits, including boosting memory, attention span, reaction time and problem solving skills).

- Some psychological benefits of chocolate include improved mood and pleasure, by boosting serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain.

- Finally, flavonoids absorb UV light, and so have a beauty benefit of keeping women’s skin more moist, smoother and less scaly. After all, better blood flow in general also means increased blood flow to the skin!

- For all these reasons, and because I love chocolate, I’ve designed hundreds of delivered, healthy diets that include daily doses of the best quality, most delicious, guiltless decadent desserts.

Weighing in on Fast Food Eatery ban in South L.A.

A recent study quoted in the Los Angeles Times online edition (Oct.6) found that nearly 26% residents of South Los Angeles are considered obese, as compared to 18% of the residents of Los Angeles County who live in higher-income areas. There were many other interesting findings reported in the story – including a comparison of the overall fruit and vegetable consumption between residents of South Los Angeles and those in other areas (virtually the same) and the proportion of people who participate in 300 minutes of exercise or more per week (virtually the same). Finally, it’s worth noting that there presently is not a higher concentration of fast food restaurants in South Los Angeles than in other areas.

So, what is making residents of the South Los Angeles area more obese?

The conclusion of think tank Rand Corp. researchers appears to be consistent with other study results – South Los Angeles residents are consuming more snacks and sodas than people in other areas, and are more likely to watch more television. I’d have to agree with Marion Nestle, nutrition professor at New York University, who stated, “…People living in poor inner-city areas do not have easy access to healthful, affordable food, especially fresh food. Lack of food access is highly correlated with diet-related health conditions”. I am reminded of that oft-used saying, “Once again, education is the answer”.

Pictures of the Year International

The most amazing photographic stories I’ve ever seen are on display at The Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City, CA. Be prepared for an emotional, riveting experience unlike any other. These images, considered the best work of winning photojournalists worldwide are on display until November 1, 2009.

We’ve all seen photos that evoke feelings, but the POYi Exhibit does more than that – it propels you into the world in a way that changes how you view life. What was my biggest take-away? That feeding people well is my calling…my way of connecting to society in a positive way…my way of making a difference. Seeing all of those stories of hunger and want told in images made me ache to do more. It’s not all gut wrenching. Not all heart rending. But it IS all magnificent. Don’t miss it.

For information about Pictures of the Year International, please visit the POYi website.

Jackie blogs from Africa- Day 3

Day 3
We heard them long before we saw them. At about 1:30 am the low growling roar of the lions began. Sounded like it was right outside our window; and it probably was, too. There must have been a few, as it sounded like they were calling to each other- maybe announcing a kill? As the sound subsided, a disturbed sleep returned, but it was punctuated by other noises- and a sense of discomfort and unease.

After breakfast we set off with Robert, eager for a day of traveling the southeastern section of the Serengeti, known as the ‘cat’ area. It didn’t take long before we saw why the name is appropriate. We soon joined others in awe of a rare sight- a leopard, high in an acacia tree, sleeping peacefully draped over the branches. It is rare to see them, explained Robert- happy to have started off so well.

Leopards are the strongest of the big cats and have only one natural predator, the lion (or lioness, as it is the female who hunts for the male and cubs). Moments later, we see several species of antelope- Harbeast, Eland, Ridgeback. It is hard to tell some apart from the others we have seen (like the Thompson and Grant gazelle, and the Impala). They are all amazingly graceful, each in its own way, and so completely uninterested in us! I am surprised that all of the 4-wheel drive vehicles don’t bother them, but it is obvious from the way they race across the road one minute, and stand in the middle if the next- us humans are of no consequence in this park.

The most incredible, though, is the lion- and we see more and more of them. Some hunting- stalking prey or standing alert- as if they could spring at any moment. We pull up in front of resting lions and they don’t flinch! Now we come across a herd of buffalo. It is a breeding herd, Robert explains. They amble slowly through the long grass- ugly yet entrancing. Throughout our day, Robert patiently explains a bit about the animals’ behavior. He tells us about the giraffe, as we see them eating the tops of the acacias- and the flowers of the sausage trees. (I’m not sure they’re really called that, but there are these incredible, white foot long sausage shaped seed pods that hang from some trees). The baboons eat the ’sausage’. Then we see crocodiles, immersed in the small river that all the animals drink from. The lions wait in the grass for the zebra to drink- we (thankfully) will not see a kill. In the trees we see tawny eagle, ibis, vultures, stork, crested eagle and many more species- one more beautiful than the other. Almost every tree has a nest of some type.

Before this day ends we also see a cheetah and her cub; both lying in the grass with huge full bellies- a vulture nearby picks at what must be ‘leftovers’. And more herds of elephant with cubs. There is so much it’s hard to take it all in. At the end of the afternoon, Robert drops us off at the lodge and we say ‘assante sa’, which means ‘thank you very much’. He responds with ‘karibu’, which means ‘you’re welcome’. What a day!

Jackie blogs from Africa- Day 2

Day 2
We set if for the Ngorogoro Crater, fueled by what will become a simple breakfast tradition- locally made bread, egg whites (for me) with tomato and whatever fresh fruit is available. Usually, it’s seeded tomato with white pineapple- both look better than they taste, as does the coffee. But no matter- we are excited to get going. There are Maasai everywhere- herding cattle and goats, walking alongside the road or just sitting and watching cars drive by. Robert shows us the settlement of one of the richest Maasai men- he had so many wives and children that he built his own school for them.

The weather is clear until we reach the rim of the crater, but unfortunately it is totally fogged in and we have no views. It’s a wonder that Robert can navigate the road as there is no visibility either. But we turn off the road for Oldupai Gorge, site of Louis and Mary Leakey’s most famous archaeological finds. I vaguely remember some history of early men and the fabulous work the Leakey’s did for more than 50 years- but it is a fraction of what we read at the museum at the gorge. We also have a very short lecture about Oldupai, which is actually a mispronunciation of the Maasai word for the Oldupai plant, a versatile plant that has leaves that resemble a skinny Aloe Vera leaf (but longer).

Time to head to the Serengeti- and its wildlife viewing. But first a stop at the shifting sands, a curious phenomena indeed. This mound of very fine black volcanic sand is about 25 feet high and 100 feet across. As we approach it, we see markers in the road- each one with a date inscribed. The first one is 1969, then 1976, then 1980, ‘90, ‘95, 2000, and so on- each one a little closer to the other, and less time in between. We finally reach the sand and Robert tells us that it creeps ever so slowly, moved by the wind- always staying the same shape but slinking forward. Maasai women, feeling that they are unable to bear children (their only value) come to the shifting sand and throw sacrifices of jewelry into the mound. Of course the kids walk to the top of it! And we’re off to find the ‘Big Cats’, which are said to populate this southern part of the great, endless Serengeti plains.

Before we reach the lodge, we see hundreds of Thompsan gazelle, so graceful and delicate; zebra, topi, baboon, banded meerkat, hyena, jackals, tiny dikdik (the smallest of the antelope family) and then we come upon a herd of elephants. These big, fabulous mammals were chasing the road- males, females and the most incredible part, nursing baby elephants. We saw one mama elephant with a nursing baby on either side of her- half underneath her massive chest. All the while the elephants were throwing dust up with their trunks and making loud noises. We saw huge termite mounds (the baboons eat the termites) nearly 5 feet tall. Ostrich, vultures and big birds Robert tells us are called Caliberry Bastards. Oh, did I mention the hippos wallowing in the mud? And the magnificent giraffes? You feel like you’re in an endless animal park- but better because they’re all wild.

We finally reach the lodge- definitely ready for a shower and to be out of the car for a while. It’s a beautiful location, cut into the rock- and there are monkeys on the roof and hyraxes scampering over the rocks. After an amazing sunset and a nondescript dinner we’re off to bed.

Jackie blogs from Africa- Day 1

Our trip begins. People say “it’s the trip of a lifetime, a transformational journey”. We are all hoping that it will be; I have no set expectations. Only that it will be truly different from everything that I have ever done.

After 36 hours of traveling, we are met at the airport and taken to the Impala Hotel for some badly needed sleep. Robert and Abdullah tell us that they will see us in the morning. After a simple breakfast, the only notable feature of which was freshly made peanut butter, we begin.

Day 1: Lake Manyara
In our Land Rover, we leave Arusha, happy for the light, seasonal rain the previous night. The morning traffic in the city gives way to the poor outskirts. People walking by the road, sitting; selling food. Dirt houses, scores of men, women, and children in bright colors. Robert tells us about the Maasai; the natives who herd cattle and goats. They move from one area to another, living in a traditional style. Maasai men can take as many wives as they want and are able to buy. Wives are bought with cattle. The job of the women is to bear children. Wealth is measured by children and cattle. They struggle with the drought that has plagued this area for the past year. There are two rainy seasons; the long one from March to June, and the short one from November to January. This year, there was no long one. Everything is dry, a dusty red color, with scrawny, if any, vegetation. Until we reach Lake Manyara National Park, that is.

At the entrance to the park, Robert opens the roof so we can stand inside the Rover and look around from the top. It’s green, lush, and beautiful- and we don’t wait long for our first animal sighting! Baboons, everywhere. Swinging from trees, sitting on branches, the ground, the middle of the road. Then monkeys- black velvet monkeys with beautiful faces; and Blue Monkeys, too. Yes, they have blue fur! Soon after, we see hippos lazily eating in the shade, vegetation. It’s like Jurassic Park, according to Adam and Dennis. Alexandra is making good use of her telefoto lens- snapping pictures at every turn of the dusty road. The hours fly by and the vegetation changes to more sparsely green savannah. More baboons appear, frolicking, cleaning each other- the babies on backs or bellies of the mothers. Wart hogs, Hornbills, Ibis, Hawks, and Zebras appear so fast it’s hard to keep track of all the animals. We stop for lunch at an incredible overlook (Lake Manyara in the distance, along with pink flamingos)- it’s a box of fried chicken breast, oranges, and egg. Robert makes some African pressed coffee- and we’re off again. This time to giraffes and elephants, tiny Bik Biks, and elegant gazelles. Everywhere you look there is something to see. We leave the park and head to our lodge and a good hot shower. Dinner is a simple buffet- certainly nothing wonderful or special but I am happy with my tomatoes, cucumbers, and spicy cauliflowers with peas. A cup of tea is all I need to relax and go to sleep.

NutriFit’s on ITV’s two-part special ‘Worlds Best Diet’.

In the first of a two-part Tonight Special, presenter Jonathan Maitland challenges celebrities to lose weight and improve their health by adopting the diets of other cultures for six weeks. Former cricketer Darren Gough and one-time Bucks Fizz singer Cheryl Baker travel to Italy and India respectively, while Jonathan samples the post-war UK food that his parents would have eaten SUB

Part one airs today- Tuesday, June 23rd on ITV 1 from 8:00pm to 9:00pm BST (www.itv.com)

Jackie’s on The Doctors!

Please tune in tomorrow (Wednesday, May 20th) as I discuss delicious meal ideas that promise to keep families free from food-borne illnesses this summer on America’s top rated new talk show, The Doctors.

Check your local listings for air time and channel (airs locally in Los Angeles on KCAL 9 at 11am and in New York on WCBS 2 at 9am).

Thanks!

~ Jackie

Jackie Keller on Access Hollywood

Just finished filming a segment for Access Hollywood (airing tomorrow night, 4/24 at 7:30PM on NBC) about the importance of being a healthy weight – NOT OVERLY THIN! Ostensibly, the story was about an Australian, 19-year old beauty queen who has a BMI is just 14.6 (at 5’11” she weighs in 105 lbs.) and whether she’s unhealthily thin. By any standards, this girl is clearly emaciated, and does not look normal or healthy. Interestingly, I did some research and discovered that she is far below the 18.5 BMI baseline for malnourishment set by the World Health Organization, the average BMI of Miss America beauty contestants over the past several years (19.5) and the average BMI of the 2002 USA Women’s World Championship Basketball team (22.9).

Clearly the time has come for the beauty and fashion world to follow the lead set by Spain in 2006, and prohibit models, beauty contestants and the fashion world from walking the catwalk or competing if their BMI is less than 18. Although this might not solve the problem of an unnatural ideal set by beauty pageants, it would go a long way towards helping women understand that being unnaturally thin, and over-exercising or under-eating to get there, is not the way to success, but the way to an eating disorder and possibly even death. In fact, the death rate among young women with anorexia has been estimated to be 12 times that of young women who do not have the disorder. As a former anorexic, nutrition expert and a certified wellness coach, it’s time to stop spreading the myth that being thin is being beautiful. We must encourage people to learn to make food a friend and live with it, as we humans cannot live without it.

5 natural remedies for controlling blood sugar

While doing some recent research, I learned some fascinating basic information about 5 surprising natural remedies for controlling blood sugar that I want to share with you!

1. Cinnamon- just a teaspoon of this wonderful spice in your daily menus can increase your body’s natural production of insulin. Easy ways to incorporate cinnamon include adding it to your hot breakfast cereal, muffin or pancake batter, sprinkling it into your hot tea, dusting the top of your toast or waffles with it, or incorporating some into your yogurt or cottage cheese.

2. Buckwheat- Rutin and quercetin, two compounds (Flavonoids) that help thwart cancer and promote heart health are abundant in this powerful, wheat-free whole grain. But, one of its most valuable aspects is its inability to help control blood sugar levels in people with adult-onset diabetes. The carbohydrates (amylose and amylopectin) in buckwheat are digested more slowly than other types of carbohydrates, causing blood sugar levels to rise more evenly.

3. Bulgur- Bulgur, or cracked wheat, is loaded with fiber which helps to lower cholesterol, and reduces your risk of cancer and diabetes. Bulgur also has a low glycemic index value, which helps to leek blood sugar levels stable.

4. Garlic- By helping to lower cholesterol and thin the blood, garlic helps to prevent diabetes by aiding in heart health, one of the major factors that can contribute to the development of diabetes. Additionally, garlic and other allicin-family vegetables contain Flavonoids that increase the level of “free” insulin in the blood.

5. Sweet Potatoes- not only contain copious amounts of vitamin C, Sweet potatoes are a good source of fiber, which indirectly helps lower blood sugar levels by slowing the rate at which food is converted into glucose and absorbed into the bloodstream. Because sweet potatoes are high in complex carbohydrates, they can help people control their weight, which also helps keep diabetes under control.