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.

To Supplement or not to Supplement – That is the Question!

As I took my multivitamin pill this morning, I remembered that February is National Heart Month, and March is National Nutrition Month! You may have read about a recent study that showed that multivitamin use in older women did nothing to prevent common cancers, and that many popular supplements did not reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke. While for some that might be translated to, “ no need to take vitamins”, in my opinion it means, “vitamins can’t guarantee good health”. All the more reason to take care that your diet includes plenty of nutritionally dense foods.

But consider this argument for taking a daily multivitamin: even the most diligent and careful eater can find it a challenge to construct a perfect diet on a consistent basis. For that reason, a simple, inexpensive and well-rounded vitamin pill is an easy way to have peace of mind. The fact remains, though, that our body loves truly good-for-you food, and rewards us with robust health when we feed ourselves with care.

NutriFit in the News!

Interested in some of the tips Jackie gives readers in magazines? Check out the following already published pieces:

Cosmopolitan: February 2009 issue, page 196: Q & A: “I’m 30, and I seem to gain weight more easily than I did in my 20s. Why?” Blame your metabolism, which naturally slows a bit once you hit your 30s. Also, lifestyle changes that make you more sedentary as you age can lead to pound creepage, explains nutritionist Jackie Keller, founder of the meal delivery service NutriFit.”

CNN health.com (December 9, 2008) and Health magazine December 2008: Celebrity diet tricks that work (and two that you should avoid) by Hallie Levine Sklar:.”L.A. nutritionist Jackie Keller tells clients like Charlize Theron to pile their plates high with asparagus and green beans. “They’re high in filling fiber, but less likely to expand in your stomach”.

Harper’s Bazaar Best of What’s New (August 2008) Get a Better Body in 2 Weeks: “an intelligent approach to steamlining your diet is just as effective, says L.A. nutrition expert Jackie Keller…plus, if you’re eating real food, you can think, exercise and be around people while dieting.” “Never cut out carbohydrates completely, explains Keller. If you don’t have a sustained energy source, your body will burn muscle for energy”.

Jackie Weighs In…on sleep.

… Getting enough sleep! Jackie Keller, nutrition expert and certified & licensed wellness coach, responds to a study released last week in the Journal of the American Medical Association which reveals that adults who got just an hour more sleep daily than those sleeping an hour less were 33% less likely to be susceptible to ailments that can lead to heart disease. Now, Jackie reveals the best foods to help you sleep, the best nutrients to consume throughout the day to ensure quality shut-eye, as well as the homeopathic sleep aids that will send you straight off into dream land.

What to eat to help you sleep:

- Jackie says consume two servings of dairy-rich foods daily, like nonfat yogurt and milk, that contain tryptophan, an amino acid that has been shown to affect the part of the brain that governs sleep (Tryptophan is then converted into serotonin, which then is converted into melatonin – both of which make you feel relaxed and ready to sleep)
- According to Jackie, there are some minerals, like copper and iron, that can affect sleep if consumption is inadequate
- Eating shellfish (like 20 small steamed clams, as an example) works to fulfill one’s need for both copper and iron, as do lentils, nuts and whole grains.
- Magnesium is another mineral that’s essential for good sleep. Good sources of magnesium include dried beans, green leafy vegetables, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.
- B vitamins, says Jackie and also help regulate many amino acids and Vitamin B is also found in lean meat and canned tuna.

Best Idea for a Bedtime Snack:

Jackie’s top picks for bedtime snacks are whole grain graham crackers and a small glass of nonfat milk. According to Jackie, putting a small amount of food into your stomach, like this high in fiber snack at night, draws blood into the gastrointestinal tract and away from the brain. Drawing blood away from the brain makes you sleepy.

Sweet dreams and please let me know if you have any questions or would like to chat with Jackie for any upcoming stories.

Helpful Holiday Reminders

Finding the time to exercise can become an additional stress during the holiday season. Use every opportunity to incorporate exercise in your everyday tasks.

* Forget about trying to find a parking space close to the mall or shops. Park a distance from the entrance and walk. When you are overloaded with packages, walk back to your car and put them in the trunk; then go back for more shopping.

* Make it a habit to use the stairs instead of the escalators or elevator.

* Take a walk (bring the family along, too). Enjoy the holiday decorations and festivities during this time of the year.

Holiday Survival Guide – Top 10 Health Tips

You can enjoy this holiday season with these healthful tips, and continue winning at the weight loss game! Here are some helpful hints to guide you as you enter this challenging time of year.

1. Don’t skip meals – especially breakfast. Studies after study shows that those who eat a complete balanced meal in the morning eat fewer, and better quality calories throughout the day. Not only does it provide a psychological boost to anyone trying to lose weight, but also by starting the day off with the right foods, you’ll be less inclined to ruin your efforts later.

2. Never arrive hungry – tempting foods are a lot harder to resist when you’re hungry and your blood sugar is low. Eat something on the way to your event, be it string cheese or a dozen almonds and a piece of fruit, half of a peanut butter sandwich, or whole grain crackers and cottage cheese or yogurt. Your willpower will soar while your resolve to resist stays in place.

3. Portion control is paramount – eliminating certain foods entirely may be extremely difficult. If you can’t resist your favorite food, do the next best thing: eat a small portion and limit yourself to that. But, eat it AFTER you eat the food you .

4. Stay focused on fitness – finding the time to exercise can cause additional stress during the holiday season. Make it a habit to use the stairs, take walks during your lunch breaks, park far away from the mall entrance when shopping, and do stretches and simple calisthenics in your bedroom any time you have just a few minutes to add in something active. Twenty minutes of daily exercise is all you need to help keep your metabolism on track, 30 minutes is better, but anything you do is better than nothing.

5. If you must order a drink, make it red wine or a wine spritzer (wine with club soda). Always have a glass of water in the other hand, and while you’re at it – hold your alcoholic drink in your non-dominant hand and your water chaser in your dominant hand. You’ll drink more water, and eat less food (as both hands are occupied) Make a bargain with yourself to drink 2 waters for every alcoholic beverage. There’s only so much liquid you can hold!

6. If you receive holiday gifts of unhealthy food, donate them to a needy person or homeless shelter. Don’t keep them around the house.

7. Drink plenty of water – stay well hydrated. You will look and feel better. Drink before you eat, as the thirst mechanism isn’t very sensitive, and thirst can often be mistaken for hunger.

8. Almonds, peanuts, walnuts and pistachios are all rich in vitamins and antioxidants. They contain healthy fats that will satisfy you and improve your health. Have ½ ounce as an afternoon snack and it’ll help you manage your dinner appetite. Weigh out 5 portions and have them bagged up and ready to eat in your desk drawer, purse or briefcase.

9. Don’t isolate yourself – instead, eat your meals and go out for the social gatherings that make the season festive! If you feel awkward about attending without eating, order a small salad or fruit appetizer, or if at a buffet, eat raw vegetables or fruit.

10. Dark chocolate contains less sugar, and more healthful flavonoids, than other chocolates. If you can’t resist the box of chocolates, pick one plain dark square and enjoy!

Nutrition Expert Jackie Keller Reveals Healthy Halloween Choices for the Whole Family

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Nutrition Expert Jackie Keller Reveals Healthy Halloween Choices For the Whole Family

Say “boo” to too much sugar, fat, and calories! Nutrition expert Jackie Keller provides Halloween revelers with a nutritious option for the season: her Pumpkin Hummus loved by Katherine Heigl, Tia Carrere and Ginnifer Goodwin. Whether at home waiting for trick-or-treaters, sending the kids off to school with a festive snack, or attending a costume party this season, Jackie helps every ghost or ghoul make a smart snack decision.

“This Halloween, avoid the extra calories and fat found in traditional seasonal dishes, like pumpkin pie and cookies, and look to a more nutritious option that everyone can enjoy,” says Jackie, who has worked with numerous A-listers including Jessica Alba, Charlize Theron, and Reese Witherspoon. “My pumpkin hummus is a healthy, high protein recipe to serve at Halloween parties or take with you wherever the season takes you!”

Jackie’s Pumpkin Hummus Recipe
2 tbsp. sesame tahini
2 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. NutriFit Rockin’ Moroccan Salt Free Spice Blend
1 tbsp. vegetable broth
1 ea. garlic, minced and pressed
2 tbsp. Italian parsley, finely chopped
2 cups canned pumpkin puree
½ tsp. sea salt

1. Place tahini, lemon juice, spice blend, broth, garlic, pumpkin and salt in a food processor, and process until smooth.
2. Add parsley, pulse until blended. Taste for seasoning.
3. Garnish with pumpkin seed kernels, if desired.

For more information on Jackie Keller or NutriFit, please visit www.nutrifitonline.com.

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