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On Saturday, July 25th, Nutritionist Maria Dello was invited to CBS Channel 2 Studios to host a segment on health...

On March 24, 2011, the Manhasset High School Nutrition Club hosted a lecture by Medical Nutritionist Maria Dello, proprietor of Dellonutritionals Inc. in Manhasset, NY. The lecture took place at Manhasset High School and a successful turnout of students and parents attended this event.

More than 26 million Americans-one in nine adults-have kidney diseases. Millions more are at increased risk for getting it, and most don’t even know it. Chronic Kidney Disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy. Chronic Kidney Disease can lead to high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. Early detection and treatment can often keep Chronic Kidney Disease from getting worse. Below is some information to enhance the well being of your kidney function and some Superfoods to keep your kidneys running smoothly.

Junior League of Long Island Tackles Childhood Obesity With Kids in the Kitchen Long Island Students and Families Learn Healthy Lifestyle Habits at Westbury Event Roslyn, N.Y. – March 15, 2010, The Junior League of Long Island (www.jlli.org), a nonprofit organization of women volunteers, joined the battle to end childhood obesity on Long Island with Kids in the Kitchen, an educational and fitness-themed event, on Saturday, March 13, 2010. One hundred students at Powells Lane Elementary School in Westbury and their families were given tools and tips to learn how to live a healthy, affordable, active lifestyle. The Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen event addressed the urgent issues surrounding childhood obesity on Long Island through interactive, hands-on activities and demonstrations from local nutrition and fitness experts. Incorporating an Olympic theme with opening and closing ceremonies, the kindergarten through sixth grade students of Powells Lane Elementary School enjoyed entertaining instructional sessions by Lucie B’s Jump N’ Fun, Breakthroughs to Fitness, Lilchefs.com, Dr. Michelle from Kids Smiles Dentistry Group, Nutritionist Maria Dello, C.N., and Lizzy Rockwell, author of Good Enough to Eat.

Photo captions: Maria Dello, center, with SEPTA’s Helen Weitman (left) and Lori Mann (right) join together to promote optimal health. Manhasset Special Education PTA (SEPTA) and local nutritional expert Maria Dello announce a partnership to support optimal health for parents and children in the community with a regular column for the SEPTA website. The new column, Keeping Our Families Healthy, is the second phase of a community outreach to promote awareness and healthy lifestyles with helpful tips and nutritional facts. The first column, which will focus on parents, appears today on the Manhasset SEPTA website, www.ManhassetSEPTA.org. This article can be accessed for next three weeks. 

Growing up on Long Island in a big family, I used to enjoy home-cooked meals almost everyday. Dinner was a ritual, a sacred time dedicated to sharing your day with one another. Those one-pot dishes were simple and nourishing, drinking tap water did not seem like breaking one of the 10 commandments and homemade desserts were an occasional treat. “Simplicity” is the word that comes to mind when I look back at those good old days. In contrast, complexity and carbohydrates fuel our lives today. Our eating habits have changed over the years—and not just by switching from porridge to oatmeal. In 1970, the average American ate about 16.4 pounds of food per week (or 2.3 pounds daily); 30 years later, the average intake grew by almost two pounds. Vegetable consumption in the 1970s was up to 2.8 pounds weekly; contrast that with 0.4 pounds per week we eat nowadays. We also used to have eggs on the menu, now replaced with egg-white omelets, non-organic eggs or the ever-so-popular Egg Beaters. Whole milk, lately substituted with sodas and artificial juices, was a staple back then. Can you remember when milk delivery was a common occurrence? Not skim milk, not one percent milk, but real milk. Have our foods, in short, become a chemical experiment to feed the masses? Americans are now consuming 42 percent more grains coming from breads, pastas and cereals. But that’s not, by far, the most alarming statistic, which is: According to a study by the US Department of Agriculture, the average American consumes the equivalent of 160 pounds of sugar a year or 53 heaping teaspoons of sugar a day! To put the figures into perspective, that’s 30 percent more sugar intake than in 1983—not a sweet fact. This sharp increase explains in part the high number of overweight and obese children and adolescents in the past 20 years. Corn syrup sweetener ingestion is up 17 percent compared to 1975. Alternatively, the US artificial sweetener market reached $189 million in 2008. The level of minerals and nutrients has been steadily declining over decades as a result of modern food production. Spinach, for example, has 60 percent less iron than 50 years ago; vitamin C concentration in oranges has dropped as well. US-grown foods have unsafe levels of pesticide residues, and imported aliments from Mexico and South America are even more contaminated. Additionally, food given to livestock contains harmful hormones and antibiotics, which later create antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Giving hormones to cows is intended to increase their milk output by as much as 25 percent, but what’s the impact for humans? A direct parallel, in fact, can be identified between food and its chemical alteration and the increasing number of Americans who tip the scales, entering into higher health-risk categories. After shaking your head in disbelief at this sorry picture, let’s think alternatives. When wondering how we can transform our lives, start by changing the way we buy food. Be more selective when going to the supermarkets by keeping local farm stands as the source After shaking your head in disbelief at this sorry picture, let’s think alternatives. When wondering how we can transform our lives, start by changing the way we buy food. Be more selective when going to the supermarkets by keeping local farm stands as the source for fresh produce. Secondly, make time for family dinners and transform desserts from a routine to a special occasion. You don’t need to go  overboard with a French tart or Italian tiramisu, but a fruit salad would be nice for a change. Finally, look closer at your plate: Just how large is your portion size? Making small changes on a daily basis (read: getting back to the basics) keeps families healthy. How about ditching frozen foods and going back to the taste of fresh vegetables? How about shelving those toxic, calorie-high chips and opting for something more nourishing? Simple changes can and will transform your wellbeing. But there’s no way of seeing results unless you start somewhere. • WHEN ASKED TO “PASS THE SALT” JUST SAY NO. SODIUM LEVELS, ESPECIALLY FOR PROCESSED AND FROZEN FOODS, EXCEED THE UPPER TOLERABLE LIMIT FOR ADULTS, WHICH IS 2,300 MILLIGRAMS PER DAY. A HIGH-SODIUM DIET INCREASES THE RISK FOR HEART DISEASE, STROKE AND KIDNEY DISEASE.

THE MAGIC NUMBER 7.4 Statistics and wearisome figures cram into your daily news shows, but if you were to evaluate your overall health by using just one number, that number should be 7.4, the pH level maintained by our bodies to function harmoniously. A short walk on the scientific aisle will define the pH as the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. Aqueous solutions with a pH level less than seven are considered acidic, those over seven being basic or alkaline. Just as our body temperature is rigidly regulated, the blood must be kept in a very narrow pH range, mildly basic with values between 7.34-7.45. A healthy body will go to great lengths to preserve that balance, including robbing minerals from teeth and bones to buffer the blood chemistry, which, as you may guess, it’s not good at all. When you’re calculating the acidic foods’ impact on your wellbeing, remember that the higher the number, the more acid it contains. Meat, poultry, fish and eggs range between 18 and 34; milk and milk products have values in the 1-18 quota; corn oil, a 6.5 value, and white bread, ranking a 10 on the pH chart, are less harmful; wine is 16.4, while coffee leaps to 25.1; sweets and artificial sweeteners have a whopping pH of 17, respectively 26. These figures are hugely important as the pH level affects every cell in our body. Chronic over-acidity can lead to, among others, weight gain, fatigue and diabetes. Unfortunately, the average western diet, based on fried and processed foods, burgers, high levels of sugar and artificial sweeteners, consists of 70 percent acidic foods and only 30 percent alkaline. Not to mention how different drugs, tobacco, stress and even air pollution contribute to an unbalanced pH level. Just to offer a worrying scientific fact, imagine that it takes 33 glasses of water to alkalize one glass of soda. Since the entire metabolism depends on the alkaline environment, when our pH level rises, certain mechanisms race to the rescue by storing unwanted acid in the adipose tissues (fat stores), hence giving you those “love handles” around your waist. Yes, there is a silver lining over these gloomy circumstances. A powerful solution to the health-damaging dilemma begins by eliminating those eating habits that create such havoc in your body, and by adding more alkalizing foods, such as vegetables. And we’re not talking about “three quarters of a pound hamburger with French fries, lettuce and a pickle on the side, for decoration” kind of scenario. We’re talking about including in your daily eating routine items such as olive oil (with a pH of 1.0), asparagus (1.1), lettuce (2.2), zucchini (5.7), white beans (12), spinach (13.1), celery (13.3), uncooked tomatoes (13.6), endive (14), avocado (15.6) and your widely found cucumber (33). As opposed to the acidic foods’ case, the higher the pH indicator, the better. In a nutshell, (pun intended, nuts are perfect sources for vitamins and omega-3s) ordinary foods, greens to be specific, can be the life force of our longevity. A more alkalized body translates into a stronger immune system, increased energy and a youthful, glowing appearance. Will such a change in one’s diet require effort? Yes, a lot! Will it happen over night, in a dream-like experience, with no struggle whatsoever? Definitely, not! But it’s revolution that needs to happen. Alkalizing your plate with nutrient dense vegetables will also provide looked-for minerals and enzymes, and ensure a healthful diet. So, go green, both from an eco-friendly standpoint, and especially from an epicurean perspective.

In today’s busy world, heart disease is on the rise and more people than ever are diabetic. Childhood obesity is an epidemic and we are all on diets or on a myriad of medication. People are so “health conscious” yet our generation is overcome by these conditions.We Mix fad diets to shed those pounds, but are we forgetting the very pump that feeds our body? We can all say we have heart and soul but let’s not forget to supply our plates with the super foods, that I believe our hearts need to keep us from skipping a beat. Top ten super foods that will feed your heart. 1.BluberriesThe power of blue, a super anti-oxidant to knock out the free radical damage. 2.Walnuts and Almonds Almonds in particular are rich in phytochemicals; plant components that promote heart and vascular health. Just one handful (one and one-half ounce) of almonds is a leading source of vitamin E and magnesium it also contains: Protein Fiber, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus, Iron, 3.Extra virgin olive oil According to the report, adults who consumed 25 milliliters (mL) or nearly 2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil daily for one week showed less oxidation of LDL ("bad") cholesterol and higher levels of antioxidant compounds, particularly phenols, in the blood. 4.Wild Salmon and deep sea fishes According to the American Heart Association, adults, except pregnant women, should eat at least two servings of fish each week. For those at high risk of cardiovascular disease, supplementing fish in the diet with fish oil capsules may also be advisable. 5.Green Tea Already lauded as a powerful antioxidant, green tea extract may also help dieters shed fat. The extract may also be a safe improvement on traditional diet drugs because its benefits are not accompanied by an increase in heart rate. 6.Broccoli and greensresearchers found that the chemical, sulforaphane, switches on a set of antioxidant genes and enzymes in specific immune cells, which fight the damaging effects of free radicals. 7.AvocadoAvocados are rich in monounsaturated fat, which is easily burned for energy. An avocado has more than twice as much potassium as a banana. 8.PromegraniteIt helped reduce the fatty deposit buildup from the artery walls 9.Eggs Although They've always been a good source of protein and fat, and now eggs with higher levels of EPA and DHA are available. researchers from the Netherlands report of another nutrient-betaine, found mostly in eggs and liver also has this capability. are known to be able to reduce levels of homocysteine 10.Spices, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper.researchers have found that ginger extract can have dramatic effects of cardiovascular health, including preventing atherosclerosis, lowering cholesterol levels, and preventing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL).Cinnamon. Cinnamon may significantly help people with type 2 diabetes improve their ability to regulate their blood sugar. As a matter of fact, this study found that it increased glucose metabolism 20-foldCayenne pepper: A way to jump start your metabolism and a detoxifier. Q.I have been eating egg white for years,” they said” egg yolks are bad? A. I believe if you are eating something for a reason certainly understand why you are doing it, I understand people are watching there cholesterol, However, the yolk of the egg contains vitamin E and Lecithin the very component that lowers cholesterol, the majority of patients I see with elevated cholesterol rarely eat eggs They usually binge on sweets and other carbohydrates. Q.I need to lose 20 lbs, should I just go on a diet. Diets can be effective for a short term basis, ideally you need to relearn how to eat according to your needs, every one is different. For example we all have different exercise regimes, conditions and family histories. Seek help from a professional and let them design a plan for you, this takes the stress out of you figuring it out. Q. I have my husband drinking pomegranate juice, every chance I get I fill his glass up, he has a family history of heart disease and I want to make sure he is doing something preventative, can pomegranate juice really help his heart. A. There is research published demonstrating pomegranates beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system, however, solely drinking the juice isn’t the answer regarding your husband family’s history of heart disease, there are benefits of drinking this ancient fruit. Diet, regular exercise must be in his daily regimen along with getting regular check ups with his doctor. Another factor when choosing the right juice make sure to read the ingredient label, you could be choosing one with large amounts of sugar or high fructose corn syrup and that could be adding on the pounds.