Latest news with #JuliaZumpano
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
RFK Jr. Says Seed Oils Are Poison. Here's What a Dietitian Says
Seed oils have come under fire, with Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., leading the charge, saying Americans are being "poisoned" by them While they can cause inflammation, Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Center for Human. Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic says the bigger problem is that they're used in ultra-processed food The issue is less about the seed oils themselves and more about the foods they're inSeed oils — a type of processed oil found in packaged food and used for deep-frying — have come under fire, with the secretary of health and human services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posting on X that Americans are being 'unknowingly poisoned." Wellness influencers have joined in, decrying them as the 'hateful eight": specifically, canola, corn, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed, and rice bran oils. The real story is a bit more complicated. 'They're not poison, but we're poisoning ourselves with everything else that's ultra-processed and processed that may be cooked in seed oils," Julia Zumpano, registered dietitian with the Center for Human Nutrition at the Cleveland Clinic, tells PEOPLE. 'The bigger picture is the fact that we're eating way too much of seed oils, which happen to be found in highly processed foods," she explains. "That's where I see the problem.' On their own, seed oils are high in Omega-6 fat, which Zumpano says is linked to increased inflammation. But, as she explains, 'instead of deep frying chicken in beef tallow versus the seed oil, let's just focus on the fact that fried chicken is not really that good for us.' Beef tallow, which Kennedy has touted as a healthier option, does have some benefits, Zumpano tells PEOPLE. 'There's nutrients in it, fat-soluble vitamins that are essential.' But when you're using it to cook highly processed foods, she explains, 'we're just flip-flopping between two issues that aren't necessarily better.' As she explains, 'We're heavily focused on the seed oils and not necessarily focused on the fact that the foods that they're in are so processed: sauces and dressings and baked goods and potato chips and candy bars and granola bars and protein bars. Even coffee creamers are loaded with seed oils,' she says. They're in highly processed food because they're more cost-effective to make, Zumpano explains: 'It's cheaper and quicker and easier to process it with chemicals and solvents.' But if you're cooking at home, she says, with 'cold pressed or hi-oleic sunflower seed oil, or a canola oil and you're drizzling it, pan-frying some fish with it, there are no health concerns like inflammation. Fast Food is a part of American culture. But that doesn't mean it has to be unhealthy, and that we can't make better choices. Did you know that McDonald's used to use beef tallow to make their fries from 1940 until phasing it out in favor of seed oils in 1990? This switch was… — Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) October 21, 2024 'We should just focus on really eliminating highly, ultra-processed and processed foods and going back to basics. Again, if you're gonna use the beef tallow at home to cook your eggs, fine — or the canola oil. "You're using it in moderation, a small amount, just to get the job done versus deep frying a doughnut or deep frying french fries or deep frying whatever breaded food or processed fried food you're consuming.' Ultimately, 'It's not the oil itself. It's the food that's found in the oil that is more of the problem.' If someone were to ban seed oils out of their diet, 'that's great, because they're probably cutting out a bunch of junk food," she says. "But I don't think anyone needs to be very fearful if their grandma made muffins with canola oil. They're gonna be okay if they eat that.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Read the original article on People
Washington Post
28-05-2025
- General
- Washington Post
8 of the healthiest protein bars, according to nutrition experts
Are protein bars actually healthy? They're marketed as nutritious snacks that can give you a boost of protein, vitamins and fiber when you're on the go. But there are many protein bars on the market, and they're not all the same. Some protein bars are made from whole-food ingredients such as nuts, fruits, oats and seeds. Others contain so much sugar, fat and artificial additives that they can seem like glorified candy bars, said Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic's Center for Human Nutrition.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Dry fasting for weight loss? US dietitian reveals what happens when you fast for 36 hours
Whether the aim is to achieve a healthier lifestyle and a leaner physique, or to conform to the conventional notions of standardized beauty – weight loss is very much an important goal of our lives. Now, there's not a single way to achieve the desired weight by shedding pounds. Some adhere to a strict workout routine, some sign up for warm lemon water in the morning and a clean diet afterwards, some even pick intermittent fasting to shed weight based on their lifestyle and body type. Apart from them, dry fasting has become yet another option for rapid weight loss. But, is it even healthy? A US-based dietitian recently revealed the dark side of this trend, which is growing popular. What is dry fasting? Dry fasting involves restricting both food and water intake for a period. Unlike intermittent fasting, which allows for water intake during the fasting window, dry fasting completely abstains from all liquids, including water. This practice has gained popularity for potential health benefits like weight loss, but it's also associated with risks, particularly dehydration. While intermittent fasting allows for calorie-free liquids like water, dry fasting prohibits all fluids, including water. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Although some proponents of dry fasting claim it can lead to weight loss, improved immunity, and other health benefits, it can lead to dehydration and potentially serious health complications. Experts' take: While some advocates claim benefits of dry fasting, such as reduced inflammation, improved skin health, and weight loss, research supporting these claims is limited. Now, an expert has raised concerns regarding dry fasting and advises caution with this practice. A registered dietitian, Julia Zumpano from the Cleveland Clinic, cautioned against dry fasting, particularly when done for extended periods. Zumpano highlighted the lack of substantial data on dry fasting, noting that existing studies mainly focus on individuals participating in Ramadan fasts, with little research available for the general population. She warned that dry fasting can lead to dehydration and kidney complications and presents other health risks that may outweigh any potential benefits. As per her, 'With other forms of fasting, you can experience fasting benefits without risking dehydration. ' The other risks associated with dry fasting include urinary and lung complications, nutritional deficiencies, and even the potential for eating disorders. Common symptoms that may arise include fatigue, irritability, headaches, decreased focus, reduced urination, and constipation. What happens to the body when one signs up for dry fasting? According to a video , by Wellness Wise, several significant changes happen in the body during a 36-hour dry fast. Read on to find out. At 4 hours: The body enters the catabolic phase, where it halts food digestion and begins breaking down larger energy molecules for cellular use. At 8 hours: Blood sugar levels begin to drop, prompting the body to utilize stored glycogen for energy instead of incoming food sources. At 12 hours: With glucose depleted, the liver starts converting fat into fatty acids known as ketones, a process referred to as metabolic switching, which is linked to weight loss. At 16 hours: Autophagy, a cellular repair and recycling process, begins, allowing cells to dismantle non-essential components to create new, functional cell parts. At 24 hours: Significant cellular repair occurs, with the body fully transitioning to fat-burning mode, which helps reduce inflammation and enhance insulin sensitivity. At 30 hours: Growth hormone levels surge, aiding in muscle preservation and facilitating fat loss. At 36 hours: The body reaches the peak of autophagy, promoting tissue regeneration and boosting metabolic activity. To put it simply, while various fasting methods might offer health benefits, dry fasting carries notable risks and consequences that individuals should consider carefully before undertaking such an approach. How and why to start intermittent fasting One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Fox News
22-05-2025
- Health
- Fox News
The optimal time to drink coffee isn't when you normally have it
Maybe coffee doesn't need to be the very first step in our morning routines. While it's often associated with wakefulness, experts claim there may be benefits to holding off on that cup of joe for a different time of day. Cortisol, a stress hormone, is highest in our body right as we wake up, according to Julia Zumpano, a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic Center for Human Nutrition. From there, she said, it begins to decline naturally throughout the day. Caffeine is a stimulant, so if it's consumed (by drinking coffee, for example) when cortisol is high, that can increase stress levels that were already high at the beginning of the day. "The [cortisol] decline is different for everyone but typically occurs one-and-a-half to two hours after you wake," Zumpano said. That's the best time to have coffee, Zumpano said. That way, "you can rely on your body's natural alert system - cortisol - and when it declines, then you use caffeine to provide the boost." "There is no specific time that's best to drink caffeine," the dietitian added. "[It's] based on when you wake and your natural rise and drop in cortisol." Yet adhering to the body's natural wake-up processes can help sustain energy levels by avoiding one big cortisol, caffeinated crash. Fox News Digital previously reported on smart ways to consume coffee, with an expert noting that coffee drinking should be tailored to each individual. "For some people, waking up and having a glass of water to rehydrate and then having coffee works well – but for others the morning ritual of having a cup of coffee first thing upon awakening is just too good to give up," said Wendy Troxel, a Utah-based sleep expert and senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. "So, I think it's mostly a matter of personal preference." The ideal window may begin two hours after waking up, but how long do we have until we need to cut the coffee again before going to sleep? For more Lifestyle articles, visit "I typically suggest six to eight hours before bed, but some people are slow metabolizers of caffeine," Zumpano said. So "it may take longer for their bodies to excrete caffeine." For those people, she suggests limiting consumption in the nine-to-12-hour window before bed. "Coffee is high in antioxidants and can aid in alertness and wakefulness, although one should not be dependent on caffeine for this effect," she said. "If you struggle with caffeine addiction, look at other lifestyle factors such as sleep duration and quality, nutrition, exercise, and timing and amount of caffeine consumption."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
FDA plans to remove petroleum-based food dyes; dietitian explains the impact
The Brief The new FDA led by RFK Jr., plans to remove petroleum-based synthetic food dyes as part of the "Make America Healthy Again" agenda. The additive is used mainly for coloring in highly processed foods like cookies, candy and cereal. A Cleveland Clinic nutritionist says expect no impact in flavors, adding the nutritional value should improve. FOX 2 - Now, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the federal government are taking even more action against artificial food dyes—specifically, petroleum-based synthetic dyes. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new measures this week that will "phase out" all of the categories of dye from the nation's food supply. Dig deeper The FDA recently announced plans to phase out all petroleum-based synthetic dyes from foods here in the United States due to health concerns which includes a rainbow of colors. How does this change your food? "It will not impact the nutritional value, and in turn it will, and should, enhance the nutritional value of the foods," said Julia Zumpano of the Cleveland Clinic. "It may change the way the foods appear slightly, but nutritionally, it will improve the food as long as what they're replacing the dyes with are a better alternative." Zumpano is a registered dietitian who says petroleum-based synthetic dyes are typically used to add color to highly processed foods like cookies, candy and cereal. Removing them shouldn't impact the flavor or texture. Zumpano says if you want to know whether food has those kinds of dyes in them, you'll have to look at the ingredient list. If there is, it will say FD and C" followed by the color. For example, "F-D and C Blue Number One." Zumpano notes if people stick with eating whole foods, then they won't need to worry about checking the ingredients. "Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, lean sources of protein, that's where we really, really want to focus on filling up your diet with foods that are natural one ingredient foods versus looking at processed foods and then really have to dig in deep into the ingredients. "Because again, if those foods have the dyes, they're probably going to have a lot of other synthetic and unnatural ingredients in addition to the dyes that are equally as unhealthy. So, choosing a whole food-based diet is just really a safe way to go." The plan involves multiple steps for healthier alternatives to replace the dyes, although other countries including the UK, have banned most of the dyes the FDA is targeting. The Source Information from the FDA and an interview with Cleveland Clinic Nutritionist Julia Zumpano was used in this report.
