Vermont Dietetic Association

Members in the News

December 4, 2009
Vermont’s heroine of health: Q&A with Rachel Johnson
By Sebastian Contratti, Free Press Staff Writer

In a city that was named the nation’s healthiest last year, Rachel Johnson is one of Burlington’s champions. In addition to being associate provost and professor of nutrition at the University of Vermont, Johnson is the senior nutrition adviser for Colchester’s EatingWell magazine. She holds doctorate and bachelor’s of science degrees from the Pennsylvania State University and a master’s of public health degree from the University of Hawaii.Johnson also has been a leading voice on the boards of several national health organizations, including the American Heart Association and the American Dietetic Association. She has published much of her written work, and has regular commentaries and Vermont Public Radio, as well.

We recently caught up with her in an e-mail interview, in which she shared her thoughts about Burlington’s reign as America’s healthiest city, the soft drink industry and tips to help one avoid that dreaded holiday weight gain.

Burlington Free Press: Last year, the CDC dubbed Burlington the “healthiest city in America.” In your estimation, how accurate is this assessment? What are some of the factors that may have influenced the CDC’s decision?
Rachel Johnson: Burlington is a great city. We have plenty of opportunities to eat well and get outside for physical activity — both key ingredients to good health. The CDC gave Burlington the title of healthiest city in America because of the large number of us who report exercising regularly and our comparatively low rates of obesity, diabetes and other measures of poor health. I love to travel but am always happy to come home to Burlington where it is the norm for people to live active, healthy lives.

BFP: How might Burlingtonites maintain that title in years to come? That is, what are some of the practices and habits to which our residents should adhere in order to stay “the healthiest”?
RJ: We can’t rest on our laurels. The reality is that more than half of us in the Burlington area are overweight or obese, a major risk factor for serious chronic diseases. To stay among the healthiest people in our nation, get outside and play. We have amazing opportunities to bike, hike, ski, skate and engage in one of my favorite activities — walking. Take advantage of our diverse agricultural products to add plenty of local fresh vegetables, fruits, low-fat dairy products and whole grains to your diet.

BFP: You’ve long been a scourge of the soft drink industry. So, what specifically about these ever-popular, carbonated cans of sugar water should one be aware of? Why is it so detrimental to one’s overall health?
RJ: Soft drinks are just liquid candy. They are the No. 1 source of added sugars in Americans’ diets. They add unnecessary calories to our diet, while at the same time displacing other nutrient-rich beverages like milk. Our high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with overweight and obesity. Research shows that the calories that come from liquids are not as satisfying as the calories we consume as solid food. With the massive portion sizes of many soft drinks, this can easily lead to over-consumption and weight gain. I advise people who want to reduce their calorie intake to pay a lot of attention to what they are drinking.

BFP: We’re now entering the holiday season — a time for friends, family, and sometimes, expanding waistlines. What is your best advice to someone who intends to satiate their seasonal appetites, but aims to do so in moderation?
RJ: First, be sure to maintain your exercise routine during the hectic holiday season. When you go to holiday get-togethers, look over all the food before you dig in. Research shows that lean people typically look over a buffet first and think through what they want to eat while overweight people begin by filling up their plate. By checking the food out first, you can choose the special delicacies and pass up the ordinary foods you can have any time. Use a smaller plate; it will trick you into thinking you’re getting more. Also, once you’ve filled your plate, try to remove yourself from the area where the food is served. The sight of food tends to make us want to eat more. At home, keep food stored in the refrigerator or the pantry, not out on the countertops.

BFP: On that note, what is your overall opinion of the way in which Americans celebrate the holidays? In terms of consumption, are we doing so in excess? Or, is it permissible since it is only an annual occurrence?
RJ: We all enjoy celebrating the holidays with special foods. But for some of us it has morphed into a year-round feast of indulgences rather than a once-a-year event. It’s easy to name a holiday associated with food for every month of the year. The “holidays” don’t end with New Year’s celebrations, but rather keep on going with Super Bowl Parties, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day... need I continue? One of my mantras is everything in moderation. Each of us has our own idea of what moderation is, but I think most of us know when we have overindulged.

BFP: What are your top five recommendations to one who has resolved to live healthier in 2010? How might that person achieve that goal?
RJ:
1. Move, move, move. Find a physical activity you enjoy and do it regularly.
2. Eat more meals together as a family. Family meals are associated with better diets and healthier weights. Studies also show that children who frequently eat family meals do better in school.
3. Get plenty of sleep. Research shows that sleep deprivation is associated with a two-fold increased risk of being obese for both children and adults.
4. Turn off the TV. You’ll have more time to enjoy a healthier life.
5. Make small changes. Cut your soda intake in half; add more servings of fruits or vegetables; aim for three servings a day of low-fat milk or dairy; use whole wheat bread instead of white; rather than drive in circles for the closest parking space, use the same amount of time and walk a little farther. The list could go on and on. The important thing is to pick a few changes you know you can make.
 

Friday April 24, 2009: Cathy McIsaac RD, HealthWatch segment of the WCAX-TV, Ch. 3

The HealthWatch segment of the WCAX-TV, Ch. 3 news program aired a series describing five healthy foods. Reporter Beth Parent and videographer Scott Waterman watched Kelly Allen, line chef for Fletcher Allen Health Care, prepare one of those foods -- almond encrusted tofu with spinach cooked in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes. Cathy McIsaac, R.D., manager, clinical nutrition, described the nutritional benefits of the recipe. 

Sunday April 5, 2009: Diane Imrie RD, Burlington Free Press- link

Hospital meals made to local order
By Sally Pollak, Free Press Staff Writer • April 5, 2009; Contact Sally Pollak at spollak@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com or 660-1859.

Wednesday April 1, 2009: Susan Willis RD and Deana Novembrino RD, Burlington Free Press- link

Hometown: Williston preschoolers learn about nutrition
By Lynn Monty; lynnmonty@bfp.burlingtonfreepress.com • Free Press Staff Writer • April 1, 2009

  In celebration of National Nutrition Month, classrooms at Kids and Fitness in Williston were transformed into “The Royal Food Group Families Pyramid Palace” on March 20.

Nutritionist Susan Willis of Williston coordinated the school’s second annual Nutrition Night in an effort to teach children about healthy food choices and preparation. Chef Deana Novembrino of Williston prepared vegetable quesadillas and set out ingredients for children to build their own strawberry-banana parfaits..... (click on link above for the rest of the article).

Friday, March 13 on "Across the Fence"

Tune in to WCAX Channel 3 at 12:10 pm
Friday, March 13
Topic: National Nutrition Month
Featuring VDA members: Alyssa Consigli, UVM Center for Health and Wellbeing, and Jill Goodroe, New England Dairy and Food Council

Contact us at: atfence@uvm.edu, phone: 656-5059, or toll-free: 1-888-283-3430 or visit us on line at: www.uvm.edu/~uvmext/atf/default.php

View our streaming video programs on line at: http://www.uvm.edu/~uvmext/atf/videos.php

Fall, 2008- The Elders Advocate, Champlain Valley Agency on Aging:  Here is the link to Kathy Backes' article on "How to Get More Bang for your Bite"  The article is on Page 4- Click here for link.

November 10, 2008  - Finding a cure for the working blues; By Dan McLean • Free Press Staff Writer
VDA members Jean Harvey-Berino and Susan Coburn were interviewed in this article in the Burlington Free Press on worksite wellness.  Click here for full article

Scanned copy of cover of the Burlington Free Press Business Monday edition (November 10, 2008) with Jean Harvey-Berino, professor and chairperson of the University of Vermont's nutrition and food sciences department, author of "The Eating Well Diet" and teacher of a class called "Obesity, Weight Control and Fitness".  She shared her tips on staying healthy in a stresssful economy.

July 16, 2008 - Sylvia Gaboriault quoted in The Burlington Free Press

Kombucha-July 16, 2008

May 29, 2008-Amy Gendron RD at the Relay for Life event

This is an article found in The Bridge (a weekly Montpelier paper) on May 29, 2008 that highlighted Amy Gendron RD promoting nutrition at the Relay for Life event.  This event was part of the theme from the American Cancer Society's "Fight Back" theme.
Bridge article FightAgainstCancer 29MAY08  PDF file

Governor Douglas Declares March 10th as Registered Dietitian's Day

     Press Release- March 3, 2008

Front row: Sue Rouse-LaGue, Amy Tuller, Molly Holland, Gov. Jim Douglas, Leslie Bilodeau, kneeling-Leslie Ouellette. 
Back row: Marcia Bristow, Alyssa Cook, Lara Borders, Erika Bouffard, Emily Nicolai, Catherine McIssac and Abby Wadsworth.
Missing from photo but present: Sylvia Gaboriault, Joanne Heidkamp, Amy Nickerson, Haley Dienst