Ask Anne & Lisa

The Ask Anne & Lisa column featuring District Dietitians Anne Gaffney, R.D. & Lisa
Vorce, R.D., appears in EGUSD school newsletters and is designed to help families build healthy lifestyles.  You can email questions to Anne & Lisa at Communication@egusd.net.

Did any of your New Year’s resolutions include trying to lose weight?   With all the focus on weight in our society, it isn’t surprising that millions of people fall prey to fad diets and bogus weight-loss products.  Conflicting claims, testimonials and hype by so-called “experts” can confuse even the most informed consumers.  The bottom line is simple: If a diet or product sounds too good to be true, it probably is. 

Students as young as fourth grade have reported putting themselves on a “diet” to lose weight.  Parents can help students avoid fad diets by being role models and not going on fad diets themselves and by encouraging healthy habits.  The best way to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight is by choosing healthy food and being physical activity.
If a child is overweight, it is recommended that the family make lifestyle changes that incorporate healthy eating habits and more physical activity.  The goal with kids is to stop the weight gain and have them grow into their weight.
Remember, there are no foods or pills that magically burn fat. No super foods will alter your genetic code. No products will miraculously melt fat while you watch TV or sleep. Some ingredients in supplements and herbal products can be dangerous and even deadly for some people.  Steer clear of any diet plans, pills and products that make the following claims:

Rapid Weight Loss - Slow, steady weight loss is more likely to last than dramatic weight changes. Healthy plans aim for a loss of no more than ½ pound to 1 pound per week. If you lose weight quickly, you’ll lose muscle, bone and water. You also will be more likely to regain the pounds quickly afterwards.

Quantities and Limitations - Ditch diets that allow unlimited quantities of any food, such as grapefruit and cabbage soup. It’s boring to eat the same thing over and over and hard to stick with monotonous plans. Avoid any diet that eliminates or severely restricts entire food groups, such as carbohydrates. Even if you take a multivitamin, you’ll still miss some critical nutrients.

Specific Food Combinations - There is no evidence that combining certain foods or eating foods at specific times of day will help with weight loss. Eating the “wrong” combinations of food doesn’t cause them to turn to fat immediately or to produce toxins in your intestines, as some plans claim.

Rigid Menus - Life is already complicated enough. Limiting food choices or following rigid meal plans can be an overwhelming, distasteful task. With any new diet, always ask yourself: “Can I eat this way for the rest of my life?” If the answer is no, the plan is not for you.

No Need to Exercise - Regular physical activity is essential for good health and healthy weight management. The key to success is to find physical activities that you enjoy and then to aim for 30 to 60 minutes of activity on most days of the week. If you want to maintain a healthy weight, build muscle and lose fat, the best path is a lifelong combination of eating smarter and moving more.

ABSENCES:
When your child is absent from school it is necessary to clear his/her absence.
Please call the school office the day of the absence with the student’s name, teacher and reason for the absence or email Mrs. Sparks at rsparks@egusd.net.  If you are unable to call you may send a note with your student to the office the day he/she returns to school.  The note needs to state the reason and date(s) of the absence and have the signature of the parent/guardian.  It is not the responsibility of the teacher to relay information to the school office regarding your child’s absence.

If your child is absent or tardy for school due to a Doctor or Dentist appointment, please remember to bring the Doctor/Dentist verification (note) to the office to excuse your child’s absence/tardy.

See student handbook for detailed attendance information and SARB notices.