nutrition news from the experts

by Diane Lofshult

Food for Thought:

The annual American Dietetic Association’s Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo in Chicago attracted the cream of the crop within the industry. Here’s what some of them reported on during the 4-day conference in late October:

Conference presenters predicted that Baby Boomers will fall victim to a debilitating condition called sarcopenia, a progressive loss of muscle mass. To respond to this “silent epidemic,” fitness professionals should educate older adults about the benefits of exercise, especially resistance training.
Nurture your noggin was the call of some presenters who spoke about the vital role of nutrition in brain health. Presenters discussed the beneficial effects of different nutrients and food compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, and theanine, an amino acid found only in tea. The take-home message was that nutrition may improve memory and slow cognitive decline associated with aging.
A new term, ecogastronomy, refers to the trend among consumers to eat “green” and in a way that sustains both our planet and our bodies. Presenters underscored the need to educate people about how their food choices affect the environment; examples of negative influences included our reliance on disposable plastic bottles and throwaway utensils, Americans’ excessive beef consumption and the transport of goods over great distances.