Soda’s Not Irreplaceable – YOU Are!

Divabetic

I’ve become increasingly aware of  the chaos and confusion surrounding health and wellness messages.  Last year, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg took on the Beverage Industry of America with the NYC Super Sized Soda Ban and somehow his  argument about improving New Yorker’s overall health was lost as the Beverage Industry turned the ban into a fight for  ‘human rights.’

Now, Beyonce, who once partnered with First Lady Michelle Obama on Let’s Move, is promoting Pepsi products. And she’s using the Super Bowl to launch her campaign – one of the most watch TV shows of the year!

Not only do I present health and wellness programming to 6th grade girls at risk for diabetes at the Young Women’s Leadership Schools (TYWLS) in the Bronx but I also present diabetes education to their mothers and grandmother through my work with Divabetic. I can honestly say that Beyonce’s image on Pepsi cans makes these sugar sweetened beverages more appealing to kids of all ages!

It’s been reported that consumer demand for Disney-branded healthier food options (fresh vegetable and fruit) has resulted in more than 1.3 billion servings of Disney-branded fresh produce sold in the United States. If Mickey Mouse can successfully get kids to eat their brussel sprouts than Beyonce can certainly can convince them to drink sugar!

I fell like every time we move two steps forward (the Super Sized Soda Ban) to improve the health and wellness of Americans we take four steps back (Beyonce endorsing Pepsi) when a famous celebrity lends their name and image to an unhealthy product.

Well, I’m fighting back! I think that soda’s not ‘Irreplaceable’ – YOU are!

To the left, to the left

To the left, to the left

To the left, to the left

 

Everything’s bad for your health to the left

There’s 9 teaspoons of sugar in that stuff, yes

So if anyone bought it  – please don’t touch

 

And keep talking that mess, that’s fine

But could you walk and talk at the same time?

And it’s your face that is on that can

So ‘Let’s Move’ your bags let me call you a cab

 

Standing in the front yard telling me

How I’m such a fool, talking about

How I’ll never ever get a body like you

You got me twisted

 

You must not know ’bout me

You must not know ’bout me

I could have another water in a minute

Matter fact I’ll drink some more in minute, baby

 

You must not know ’bout me

You must not know ’bout me

I can have another water by tomorrow

So don’t you ever for a second get to thinking Pepsi’s irreplaceable

Watch News Yorkers try to identify the healthiest treat from three Serve, Taste or Trash! Food Game choices bought at a convenience store. You might be surprised by the results.

Diabetes & Exercise? What real women living with diabetes have to say about blood sugars, marathons and motivation with Mr. Divabetic

TUNE IN: Free to Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rihanna with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Elsie Spruill, poet Lorraine Brooks, hairstylist and makeup artist Charlene Wilson, Mama Rose Marie and Allison from Jersey City, NJ living with diabetes http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/01/08/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rihanna

 ’Movie Girl Workouts’ with Mr. Divabetic and fitness expert, Katherine Adamenko

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org

Yogurt Has As Much Sugar As 2 Doughnuts

Divabetic

Do you think yogurt is healthier than doughnuts?

A lot of people consider Yoplait yogurt  to be  a ‘healthy treat’ until they find out how much sugar it actually contains. A 6 oz container of Yoplait Key Lime yogurt contains 26 grams of sugar. And it’s hard to imagine what else could be in it after looking at the small size of the container.

Let’s face it, America runs on a lot more ‘sugar’, than Dunkin Donuts, thanks to many of  popular food products.

About 12 grams of the sugar in a 6-oz serving of yogurt is natural milk sugar, or lactose. But every 4 grams on top of that equals a teaspoon of added sugar, says registered dietitian Cassie Dimmick.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic puts foods, like Yoplait yogurt, claiming to be ‘healthy’ to the test in his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! at Full, Fit & Fabulous event in New York City.

Watch if New Yorkers can identify the healthiest treat from the three ‘Serve, Taste or Trash!’ Food Game choices of food products bought at a convenience store. You might be surprised by the results.

STAY HEALTHY: Check out the nutritional labels on flavored yogurts (Yoplait Light peach has just 14 grams); if your favorite brand of yogurt has 25 grams or more then it’s dessert.

Diabetes & Exercise? What real women living with diabetes have to say about blood sugars, marathons and motivation with Mr. Divabetic http://youtu.be/h9sZFtDYjVI

TUNE IN: Free to Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rihanna with guests: Neva White DNP, CRNP, CDE, Connie Frazier RD, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, author Elsie Spruill, poet Lorraine Brooks, hairstylist and makeup artist Charlene Wilson, Mama Rose Marie and Allison from Jersey City, NJ living with diabetes http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2013/01/08/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rihanna

 ’Movie Girl Workouts’ with Mr. Divabetic and fitness expert, Katherine Adamenko http://youtu.be/2gbu9nT5Ae8

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at http://www.divabetic.org

Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Boosts Spirits After Superstorm Sandy

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade organizers said they hoped the parade will lift the spirits of New Yorkers still recovering from the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and thousands of those affected were given front-row seats by Macy’s.

In a special tribute to those suffering from the effects of the hurricane and those helping the victims, the parade featured a float dedicated to first responders and each person marching in the lineup wore a Red Cross pin.

‘The parade has always been about family, coming together and about Thanksgiving when everyone comes together to celebrate,’ organizers said. ‘This year, we believe it will be even more important and we believe will represent as a beacon of hope for the entire  tri-state area.’

The popular helium balloons such as Buzz Lightyear, Sailor Mickey Mouse, Harold the Fireman and the Pillsbury Doughboy were joined 28 floats, 1,600 cheerleaders and dancers, 900 clowns, 11 marching bands and, of course, Santa Claus. There was also an appearance by Miss USA winner, Olivia Culpo, who grinned as she waved at the screaming spectators.

The nation’s biggest singing stars and celebrities also entertained the crowds, including Call Me Maybe songstress Carly Rae Jepsen, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, Flo Rida and Whoopi Goldberg, The Muppets and the U.S. Olympic gold medalists in gymnastics known as The Fab Five.

Macy’s also gave 5,000 tickets to families affected by the storm to lift their spirits and organized transportation to whisk them to the route.

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Chaka Khan celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month with guests: Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, Pam Butler MS, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, cookbook author Holly Clegg, Mama Rose Marie and Ginger Vieira, from Burlington, VT living with type 1 diabetes

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/11/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-chaka-kahn

Mr Divabetic shares a Behind-the-Scene look at presenting diabetes education with DAZZLE at the ADA Expo in Pittsburgh, PA for the past five years

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org 

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with Mr Divabetic

GLAM MORE FEAR LESS: The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic rolls out the red tomato carpet at the 68th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, NY attended by more than 3 million people and watched by 50 million on TV.

The parade features giant balloons such as Elf on a Shelf and Papa Smurf, a new version of Hello Kitty, Buzz Lightyear, Sailor Mickey Mouse and the Pillsbury Doughboy and real-life stars included singer Carly Rae Jepsen and Rachel Crow of “The X Factor.”

The young, and the young at heart, were delighted by the sight and sound of marching bands, performers and, of course, the giant balloons. The sunny weather quickly surpassed 50 degrees. Some parade-goers had camped out to get a good spot, staying snug in sleeping bags.

Mr. Divabetic plays his food game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with New Yorkers along the parade route to hilarious results. In the game, you’re given three choices of fruits and vegetables. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones. And the texture is crispy, rather than mushy. Let Mr. Divabetic inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables.

Original music by Douglas Clay: http://www.douglasclaymusic.com

Mr Divabetic shares a Behind-the-Scene look at presenting diabetes education with DAZZLE at the ADA Expo in Pittsburgh, PA for the past five years

TUNE IN: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Chaka Khan celebrating National Diabetes Awareness Month with guests: Constance Brown-Riggs MSEd, RD, CDE, Pam Butler MS, CDE, Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, cookbook author Holly Clegg, Mama Rose Marie and Ginger Vieira, from Burlington, VT living with type 1 diabetes

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/11/13/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-chaka-kahn
See Mr. Divabetic‘s nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash! You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones.

Experience Mr. Divabetic’s wellness with a wow programming in Tucson, AZ, Santa Clara, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Savannah, GA and Bethesda, MD in 2013. Get more details at www.divabetic.org 

Wednesday’s World Premiere Video: Columbus Day Parade NYC

Join the happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic at the 68th Annual Columbus Day Parade in New York, NY. More than 35,000 marchers took part in the parade, which featured the giant head of Christopher Columbus mounted on a float. Onlookers waved Italian flags while police officers wore Italian-American sashes over their uniforms and music blasted from bagpipers and marching bands.

“It’s one day of the year that we can be proud to be Italians,” one parade-goer said.

See Mr. Divabetic challenge New Yorkers with his nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash!  You might be surprised by the results. In the game, you’re given three choices of fruits and vegetables. You must decide which one you’d serve, which one you’d taste and which one you’d trash.

Before you decide to “trash” a veggie for good, why not try to eat it raw? Raw veggies can be more appetizing than their cooked counterparts to people who aren’t crazy about vegetables. The flavors of raw veggies can be milder than those of cooked ones. And the texture is crispy, rather than mushy. Let Mr. Divabetic inspire you to eat more fruits and vegetables.

TUNE IN: Diabetes Roundtable Goes PINK! Mr. Divabetic salutes Breast Cancer Survivors living with diabetes featuring the Charlie’s Angels of Outreach, Catherine Schuller, Connie Elder and Mama Rose Marie. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/10/09/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-nicki-minaj

REGISTER NOW:  Don’t miss our largest free diabetes outreach event of the year, Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes,  promoting a diva attitude for living well with diabetes. Our goal is to make every woman feel more beautiful inside and out through the help of a team of certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, and beauty and fashion experts.

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 11 AM – 4 PM

Jefferson Alumni Hall , First Floor Eakins Lounge 10th and Locust Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19107

FREE ADMISSION

Register: 1-800-JEFF-NOW

Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of  Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic plays his nutrition game, Serve, Taste or Trash! with the vendors and patrons at Central Farm Market in Bethesda, MD. You might be surprised by the results.http://youtu.be/OgeIVhmiEAo

For sponsorship opportunities and upcoming outreach event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s Facebook’s Group and Fan pages.

NYC Approves Super Size Soda Ban

New York City’s Board of Health voted  to approve the “soda ban” that limits the sale of large sugary drinks within the city, according to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Under the measure, people will not be able to buy sugar-sweetened drinks larger than 16 ounces at fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, movie theaters and food carts.

“[Six] months from today, our city will be an even healthier place,” Bloomberg tweeted.

However, experts say it remains to be seen whether the city will actually be healthier. Critics have pointed out that people could just buy two 16-ounce drinks rather than a 32-ounce drink.

One recent study attempting to look at what effect the law might have showed that the new measure could reduce New Yorker’s average calorie consumption, but only if at least 40 percent of people make changes in their drink consumption.

The researchers, who analyzed the receipts of about 1,600 fast-food restaurant customers in East Coast cities, found that if all consumers who had been buying larger sizes switched to a single 16-ounce drink (and none bought two 16-ounce beverages), the average calorie intake would drop by 63 calories per meal.

However, if only 30 percent of consumers switched, no decrease in the average calories consumed per meal would occur, the researchers said. The magic number needed to see any effect was 40 percent — if that percentage of consumers switched to a single 16-ounce beverage, then overall calorie consumption would decrease by close to 10 calories, according to the study, which was published in July in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Bloomberg also tweeted, “Portion size drives consumption.” Here, studies do support the mayor’s point.

For instance, Simone French, associate director of the University of Minnesota Obesity Prevention Center, told MyHealthNewsDaily in an interview in May that when people are presented with large portions, they tend not to consume “just enough” to meet their bodies’ needs, and instead eat the entire portion as a single serving. Since the Coca-Cola Co. began selling its products, the bottles that are often consumed as a single serving have grown from 6.5 ounces to 20 ounces, she said.

“We need to have a cultural shift back to more modest, reasonable, appropriate portion sizes if we want to help reduce the obesity epidemic,” French said.

Mr. Divabetic talks to New Yorkers about the Super Size Soda Ban in Central Park

Free Diabetes Podcast inspired by Taylor Swift http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/09/11/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-mystery-diva

 Look who’s on the red tomato carpet with Mr. Divabetic at Plus Night Out -NYC

Meet Mr. Divabetic on his quest to glamorize good health at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA  and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX.

For sponsorship opportunities and event details visit:  www.divabetic.org and Divabetic’s facebook pages.

Mr. Divabetic Appears at Feria de Salud in New York

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic will appear today at the American Diabetes Association’s  largest Latino event of the year – Feria de Salud, scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 27, 2011 at St. Mary’s Park (St. Ann’s Ave and East 149th St, Bronx, NY), 11 AM – 6 PM.  The event  includes musical performances and and cooking demonstration with Chef Rafael Palomino.

“I’ve always wanted to attend this worthwhile event and help inspire people affected by diabetes to stay happy and healthy,”  says Mr. Divabetic.

The annual Feria de Salud Festival will offer free health screenings and educate South Bronx residents this Saturday about diabetes, a disease that hits close to home for many residents in the borough.

Of the top 12 city neighbhorhoods with the highest diabetes rates, six of them are in the Bronx, according to the local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. In the Bronx, Mott Haven and Hunts Point have the highest diabetes rates.

Mr. Divabetic wants to help you overcome aversions to fruits and vegetables you think you don’t like, and even learn to love them with his new food game, Serve, Taste or Trash.  

Mr. Divabetic is the happy host of Diva TalkRadio, a free online and mobile podcast channel, where tens of thousands of fans, followers and listeners turn to laugh a little and learn a lot.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Katy Perry  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/07/10/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-katy-perry

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red tomato carpet at  Fashion’s Night Out in New York, NY, Central Farm Market in Washington, DC,  Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in  2012. Watch more of Mr Divabetic‘s  videos, enjoy over 75 free diabetes podcasts and get expert advice on diabetes and diabetes self-care at: www.divabetic.org

Wednesday’s World Premiere Video: Serve, Taste or Trash!

Chances are there are fruits and vegetables you love now that you hated as a kid. But how much fresh produce do you still avoid just because you think you don’t like them?

Most of us struggled with mustard greens, turnips and asparagus, and instead prefer less intense flavors. But as adults we still cling to our preferences without ever stopping to question the meaning of our dislikes.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic wants to help you overcome aversions to fruits and vegetables you think you don’t like, and even learn to love them with his new food game, Serve, Taste or Trash.  Here’s how you play: Mr. Divabetic lists 3 fruits and vegetables. Among the 3, you have to say which one you’d serve, which one you’d you taste and which one you’d trash. For this game the choices are: melon, red pepper and eggplant.

Mr. Divabetic is a 2011 WEGO Health Activist Award finalist and the happy healthcare host of Diva TalkRadio. Diva TalkRadio is Divabetic’s dynamic free online and mobile podcast channel where tens of thousands of fans, followers and listeners turn to laugh a little and learn a lot.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Podcast Inspired by Katy Perry  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/07/10/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-katy-perry

Meet Mr. Divabetic on the red tomato carpet at Divabetic – Makeover Your Diabetes outreach event in Philadelphia, PA, the American Diabetes Association’s Feria de Salud in New York, NY, Central Farm Market in Washington, DC, the American Diabetes Association’s Diabetes Expo in Pittsburgh, PA and the Taking Control Of Your Diabetes Conferences & Health Fairs in San Diego, CA and Austin, TX in  2012.

Get inspired to eat more fruits and vegetables. Watch more of Mr Divabetic’s videos, enjoy over 75 free diabetes podcasts and get expert advice on diabetes and diabetes self-care at: http://www.divabetic.org

Original music by Douglas Clay: http://www.douglasclaymusic.com

6,000 New Yorkers Oppose Super Size Soda Ban

New Yorkers have started to petition against Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed “soda ban,” which will create size restrictions on soft drinks, juice drinks, sports drinks, flavored water and teas sold at many retail outlets.

The ban would affect delis, restaurants, movie theaters, street cars, sports arenas, corner stores and bodegas, limiting customers to only purchasing 16 ounces of these beverages.

New Yorkers for Beverage Choices, a coalition of New York restaurants, movie theaters, businesses and citizens opposed to the proposed soda ban, announced the ban currently has 62,344 signatures. The coalition is encouraging all New Yorkers to make their voices heard by filing a comment with the Department of Health in advance of a July 24 public hearing on the proposal. Canvassers are out in all five boroughs, educating New York about the impact of the proposed ban.

“These numbers are a testament to the fact that New Yorkers feel this proposal is arbitrary, ineffective and overzealous,” said Eliot Hoff, spokesman for New Yorkers for Beverage Choices. “New Yorkers aren’t just going to accept government dictating what they are allowed to drink, and in what quantities. It’s not what New Yorkers want or need.”

A total of 675 businesses have joined the New Yorkers for Beverage Choices coalition so far.

Henry Calderon, president of East Harlem Chamber of Commerce, said the proposal could be a target against small businesses by enforcing more restrictions.

“Mom & Pop shops are struggling to survive,” he said. “We cannot force them to act as mother and father to their customers, policing what they eat and drink.”

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is on location in Central Park, New York City to find out people’s reactions to Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed Super Size Soda ban.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rev Run http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rev-run

Million Big Gulp March Takes To Streets Against NY Soda Ban

An organization has planned a rally to oppose New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed Super-Sized Soda Ban.

NYC Liberty HQ spokesman Zach Huff says the “Million Big Gulp March” will be held in City Hall Park at 4:30 p.m. today.

It will be attended by business owners, local politicians and others against the proposed ban.

Mayor Bloomberg wants to bar restaurants, movie theaters, sports arenas, food carts and delis from selling sodas and other sugary drinks in servings larger than 16 ounces. He says it’s a way to fight obesity in a city that spends billions of dollars a year on weight-related health problems.

Opponents say the city is overstepping its authority and infringing on personal freedom.

The happy healthcare host, Mr. Divabetic is on location in Central Park, New York City to find out people’s reactions to Mayor Bloomberg’s proposed Super Size Soda ban.

LISTEN NOW: Free Diabetes Roundtable podcast Inspired by Rev Run http://www.blogtalkradio.com/divatalkradio1/2012/06/12/diabetes-roundtable-inspired-by-rev-run