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Eat MorE Carbs!NFS 447 Community Nutrition

Fall, 2017

Media Kit

By: Rael Brown

Healthy Carbohydrates are an Important Part

of a Balanced Diet

Table of ContentsPitch Letter…………………………………………………………2

Press Release….…………..……………………………………..3

Public Service Announcement…….………………………5

Fact Sheet………………………….……………………………….6

Consumer Information Flyer.….…………………………..7

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From: Rael Brown; brownr01@mail.buffalostate.eduTo: Scott Scanlon, News Refresh Editor for the Buffalo News; refresh@buffnews.comSubject: Eat More Carbs: Healthy Carbohydrates are an Important Part of Balanced Diet Date: November 21, 2017

Hello Mr. Scanlon,

Proper nutrition is a mystery to many Americans. That makes it easy for many to fall for fad diets with empty promises of weight loss and increased energy levels. The newest diet craze all over the media is to go “low-carb”. Carbohydrates are now being painted as the villain and the one to blame for those pesky pounds that won’t go away. Although many low-carb diets claim the opposite, there is very little research indicating that a diet rich in healthy carbohydrates would lead to weight gain or obesity. Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred energy source and fuel important body processes as well as our daily activities. Despite misinformation surrounding carbohydrates, evidence shows that eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help manage weight.

From December 4th to December 8th, as part of a nutrition initiative, “Eat More Carbs: Healthy Carbohydrates are an Important Part of a Balanced Diet,” Registered Dietitians (RD) will be available from 11-1 in the Campbell Student Union on Buffalo State’s campus. Buffalo State students and anyone interested from the public will be welcome. Their focus will be on encouraging the inclusion of healthy carbohydrates into one’s diet everyday using the USDA’s Choose My Plate as a guide.

As a senior in the dietetics program at Buffalo State and coordinator for this event, I have learned a lot about the importance of a balanced diet. It is important to bust nutrition myths that discourage the consumption of nutritious foods, such as healthy carbohydrates. The best way to combat diet fads is with credible information, and these RDs come with a wealth of knowledge to lift the veil off the mystery surrounding proper nutrition.

Your pieces often feature health and wellness events that I find to be a great way to encourage our community to get educated about their own health. I believe this event would be great to share with your readers. I can to meet with you to discuss the topic of including healthy carbohydrates as part of a balanced diet so you may include it in an upcoming blog to accompany the announcement of the event.

Thank you for your time and feel free to reach out to me with anything.

Best Regards,

Rael E. Brown

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PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Rael Brown

(585)590-6779

Brownr01@mail.buffalostate.edu

Eat More Carbs: Healthy Carbohydrates are an Important Part of a Balanced Diet

Buffalo, NY- November 21, 2017. Buffalo State Dietetics Student, Rael Brown, is excited to bring to Campbell Student Union a unique opportunity for students and any interested visitors from the public to ask a panel of Registered Dietitians their many nutrition questions during the week of December 4th to December 8th. Those interested are encouraged to visit the table from 11am to 1pm, free of charge, and ask the panel any questions they may have, no sign-up necessary.

This event is a part of a local nutrition initiative entitled “Eat More Carbs: Healthy Carbohydrates are an Important Part of a Balanced Diet” designed to combat the latest diet fads encouraging weight-loss-hopefuls to go “low-carb” or “no-carb”. The RDs will be focusing on educating visitors on nutritious sources of carbohydrates and their importance in a balanced diet. “It’s about time we tackle fad diets that promote unhealthy eating behavior. We will do that by educating the public with credible information from some friendly, local faces,” says Rael Brown.

Here are a few reasons Rael Brown discourages following a very low-carb or no-carb diet and some recommendations of healthy choices of carbohydrates:

Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy. Without this vital fuel source, you may find it difficult to perform your daily activities including exercise. If you tire quickly, it may actually be harder to perform the recommended amount of exercise in order to maintain a healthy weight (150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week).

Evidence shows that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help control weight. Carbohydrates help you to feel full due to their bulk and fiber content and prevents over-eating. Contrary to what many may have heard from low-carb enthusiasts, there is very little research indicating that regularly eating healthy carbohydrates leads to weight gain or obesity.

Healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals such as many B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, and others. By cutting out an entire food group, you may be at risk for nutrient deficiencies.

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Healthy carbohydrates help supply fiber to the diet. Fiber is important in maintaining gut and digestive health and aids in preventing constipation. Fiber has also been found to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk for type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease.

Choose fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, and legumes. Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables without any added sugar or salt are a great option. Select whole grains such as whole rolled-oats, brown rice, quinoa, or 100% whole wheat bread. Try adding in beans and other legumes such as chick peas to dishes, and enjoy low-fat dairy options like milk, cheese, and yogurt without added sugar. A good amount of carbohydrates to consume in a day is about half of your calories.

To learn more about the benefits of including healthy carbohydrates in a well-balanced diet, be sure to visit the Registered Dietitians at Buffalo State’s Campbell Student Union and visit www.choosemyplate.gov.

Contact Rael Brown at (585)590-6779 for more information.

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTHave you or someone close to you fallen victim to the low-carb craze? Have you been loading up on bacon at breakfast, hamburger no bun at lunch, and a lonely piece of chicken for dinner all in hopes that you’d lose those stubborn five pounds? My name is Rael Brown, dietetic student at Buffalo State College, and I’m here to tell you to put down that steak knife and pick up a banana. I promise you that carbohydrates are not the culprit in your weight-loss woes. In fact, there is very little research indicating that a diet rich in healthy carbohydrates would lead to weight gain or obesity. Healthy carbohydrates are an important part of a balanced diet.

Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy. Without this vital fuel source, you may find yourself tiring quickly, and it may be difficult to perform your daily activities or even exercise. Healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, have an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals such as many B vitamins, iron, zinc, and others. Healthy carbohydrates supply the body with fiber which is important for digestive health, maintaining cholesterol and blood sugar, and preventing cardiovascular disease. Be sure to select fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy, and legumes over less healthy choices of carbohydrates like potato chips, French fries, or white bread. For more information, visit www.choosemyplategov. Helping you bust nutrition myths to stay healthy and fit, I’m Rael Brown, dietetics student at Buffalo State.

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Eat More Carbs!Healthy Carbohydrates are

an Important Part of a Balanced Diet

Why are carbs so important? Carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of energy Carbohydrates are like gasoline in a car and fuel all of the body’s activities from

breathing to making your bed to going for a run Healthy carbohydrate choices supply the body with fiber which is important for

digestive health, lowering cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, and preventing cardiovascular disease

Healthy carbohydrates, such as whole grains, have an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals such as many B vitamins, iron, zinc, and others

Grains fortified with folic acid are important for women capable of becoming pregnant to reduce the risk of neural tube defects

Will eating carbs cause weight gain? Evidence has proven that eating plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains can

actually help you to control your weight There is very little research to show that a carbohydrate rich diet would lead to

any weight gain or obesity Fiber-rich carbohydrates help you to feel fuller longer and eat less calories Carbohydrates provide the necessary fuel for activities and without them you

may find yourself feeling tired quickly and unable to exercise

What are good sources of carbohydrates? Choose fiber-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy, and legumes Fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and vegetables without any added sugar or salt

are a great option Select whole grains over refined grains such as whole rolled-oats, brown rice,

quinoa, or 100% whole wheat bread Try adding in beans and other legumes such as chick peas to dishes, and enjoy

low-fat dairy options like milk, cheese, and yogurt without added sugar About half of your calories should be coming from carbohydrates everyday

For more information, please visit:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates

http://www.choosemyplate.gov

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licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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References:1.) Key Elements of Healthy Eating Patterns. United States Department of Agriculture. Accessed

November 15, 2017. https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-1/a-closer-look-inside-healthy-eating-patterns/#callout-wholegrains.

2.) Children Need Carbohydrates. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed November 15, 2017. http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/nutrition/dietary-guidelines-and-myplate/children-need-carbohydrates

3.) Nutrition and Healthy Eating. Mayo Clinic. Updated February 7, 2017. Accessed November 15, 2017. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/carbohydrates/art-20045705?pg=2

4.) Important Nutrients to Know: Protein, Carbohydrates, and Fat. National Institute of Health. Reviewed June 11, 2017. Accessed November 15, 2017. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/important-nutrients-know-proteins-carbohydrates-and-fats

5.) All About the Grains Group. United States Department of Agriculture. Updated November 3, 2017. Accessed November 15, 2017. https://www.choosemyplate.gov/grains

6.) The Nutrition Source: Carbohydrates. Harvard School of Public Health. Accessed November 15, 2017. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/

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