Article in the San Francisco State University Newsletter, The Bite
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By: Hanna Rifkin
I like to keep things simple, and since we usually eat at least three times each day, many of us are interested in knowing how to keep what we eat simple, as well as healthy. As a dietetic major, if I were to give you only one piece of advice in regards to keeping healthy, it would be to “eat a rainbow”. That’s because, when it comes to healthy eating, each color of that rainbow of available produce offers a different health benefit. It’s all about chemical compounds called phytochemicals (okay, I know that word sounds complicated and may fall outside of the “keeping things simple” theory, but bear with me). These phytochemicals produce different colors, and our bodies are exquisitely designed to utilize these chemical compounds for varied health impact.
Phytochemicals can block or control enzymes that promote disease, remove harmful substances from cells, and support mechanisms to prevent certain cancers or even slow their growth. Yet, even though we know the specific capabilities of some of these compounds, there is a lot more research still to be done to discover the workings of other available phytochemicals (Of the roughly 4,000 in existence we only know the specifics of approximately 50). Phytochemicals are a hot topic in the field of nutrition.
We also know that phytochemicals produce distinguishing colors and aromas, they make fresh produce appealing to our senses and hopefully they inspire us to get the “good” food onto our plates. Now let’s get back to those colors we talked about. You may have heard that we should eat carrots to help our vision. That is true, and it is all thanks to the phytochemical called beta carotene which gives carrots their bright orange hue. Other celebrity phytochemicals you may have heard of include chlorophyll (green), lycopene (red), lutein (yellow) and anthocyanins (purple).
So, when it comes to consuming fruits and vegetables, let the colors be your guide. Just think of the rainbow when choosing what to eat, and know that the pot of gold at the end of your rainbow likely holds your greatest reward – your ongoing vitality and good health!
Reference: Josef, S., Personal Communication, SFSU, DFM 357, Experimental Foods. 10/10/12.
Newsletter - VA Medical Center Nutrition Department
Suggestion Letter to a Local Restaurant
Dear _________________,
I am a regular customer of your eatery and a Dietetics major at San Francisco State University. You might be interested in knowing that the food you serve at your Taqueria has been talked about in our class in a positive light, as you offer a variety of high-fiber, low-fat and delicious foods. You deserve credit for providing wonderful and affordable hot meals for busy students and faculty members during their very hectic days, and we appreciate it.
While at your restaurant one day, I noticed that you were offering customers a free soda if they spent $5.00 or more on their meal. You probably already know that there has been a lot of press lately which shines a light on the obesity epidemic in America, pointing out that regular consumption of sodas has a profound negative impact on people’s health. In fact, as a result of this information becoming public, Mayor Michael Bloomberg put a ban on the sale of sugary drinks over 16 ounces in an effort to help address the epidemic of obesity in New York City.
Many San Francisco citizens are also aware of the negative health impacts of soda consumption, whether they are low-calorie or regular sugary sodas. I would
like to suggest that by shifting your free offer to one that is more beneficial to your customers, you would be doing a service to the community. Also, if you believe that social responsibility plays an important role in maintaining customer loyalty, then by changing your free give-away to a better option, it will likely benefit your bottom line.
So, I ask you to consider this. If one of the reasons to offer free sodas is to drive more customers to your establishment, I have an idea that could increase your customer base even further. In keeping with your program of a ‘free drink for $5.00 spent on food’, I propose that instead of offering free sodas, you provide free ‘club soda’ or iced tea for those who spend $5.00 or more. This would create a "win-win" situation for you and for your customers. The advantage to you would be that you could advertise your proactive support of your customers’ good health. The advantage to your customers would be that they may become more aware of the importance of making healthy nutritional choices for themselves on a daily basis.
I believe that marketing materials are important, and I would like to offer you access to a slogan and logo that was developed for the campaign (at no cost to you for my time) to help you grow your business at the above-noted Taqueria. I also propose the creation of a simple yet powerful advertising campaign for your Taqueria which highlights your offer of a free "healthy" drink for purchases of $5.00 or more.
I thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter which I hope you will receive as a constructive suggestion from a community advocate and a happy customer of your eatery. Please contact me as soon as you can so that we can combine forces to help our community stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Hanna Rifkin
Phone: 415-299-1693
Email: [email protected]
Please note that all items were created by Hanna Rifkin, and if reproduction is desired, please cite the author. Hanna Rifkin 2012-2013
I am a regular customer of your eatery and a Dietetics major at San Francisco State University. You might be interested in knowing that the food you serve at your Taqueria has been talked about in our class in a positive light, as you offer a variety of high-fiber, low-fat and delicious foods. You deserve credit for providing wonderful and affordable hot meals for busy students and faculty members during their very hectic days, and we appreciate it.
While at your restaurant one day, I noticed that you were offering customers a free soda if they spent $5.00 or more on their meal. You probably already know that there has been a lot of press lately which shines a light on the obesity epidemic in America, pointing out that regular consumption of sodas has a profound negative impact on people’s health. In fact, as a result of this information becoming public, Mayor Michael Bloomberg put a ban on the sale of sugary drinks over 16 ounces in an effort to help address the epidemic of obesity in New York City.
Many San Francisco citizens are also aware of the negative health impacts of soda consumption, whether they are low-calorie or regular sugary sodas. I would
like to suggest that by shifting your free offer to one that is more beneficial to your customers, you would be doing a service to the community. Also, if you believe that social responsibility plays an important role in maintaining customer loyalty, then by changing your free give-away to a better option, it will likely benefit your bottom line.
So, I ask you to consider this. If one of the reasons to offer free sodas is to drive more customers to your establishment, I have an idea that could increase your customer base even further. In keeping with your program of a ‘free drink for $5.00 spent on food’, I propose that instead of offering free sodas, you provide free ‘club soda’ or iced tea for those who spend $5.00 or more. This would create a "win-win" situation for you and for your customers. The advantage to you would be that you could advertise your proactive support of your customers’ good health. The advantage to your customers would be that they may become more aware of the importance of making healthy nutritional choices for themselves on a daily basis.
I believe that marketing materials are important, and I would like to offer you access to a slogan and logo that was developed for the campaign (at no cost to you for my time) to help you grow your business at the above-noted Taqueria. I also propose the creation of a simple yet powerful advertising campaign for your Taqueria which highlights your offer of a free "healthy" drink for purchases of $5.00 or more.
I thank you very much for taking the time to read this letter which I hope you will receive as a constructive suggestion from a community advocate and a happy customer of your eatery. Please contact me as soon as you can so that we can combine forces to help our community stay healthy!
Sincerely,
Hanna Rifkin
Phone: 415-299-1693
Email: [email protected]
Please note that all items were created by Hanna Rifkin, and if reproduction is desired, please cite the author. Hanna Rifkin 2012-2013