PRUNES

Issue 1- July 2016 Through this newsletter we aim to keep you updated on new research relevant to dried fruit, in particular prunes (dried plums), plus nutrition news, recipes and anything else we as fellow dietitians and nutritionists find interesting, so want to share with you! Not another newsletter? Don’t worry- we’re keeping it to brief headlines only, so if you have any questions or would like more information, or copies of the references, just get in touch. Who are CPB? The California Prune Board, under the authority of the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture represents the entire 900 prune plums growers and 29 prune packers of California, which is the largest producer of prunes in the world and known to be the best quality due to the regions’ rigorous harvesting techniques and quality control assessments. The premium produce is supplied to 72 countries worldwide and the region contributes 43% of the world’s prune supplies and 99% of the United States’ prune supplies. Dried fruit & dental health- dilemma, controversy or compromise? Dried fruit such as prunes make excellent convenience fruit snacks- being portable and long life. BUT ask a dentist and advice can be confusing. As good as the new EATWELL Guide is, we have to ask why dried fruit is still limited to one portion of 5-a-day? Because it’s always been that way? On what scientific grounds? A between meal sweet addict might be more inclined to switch to snacking on prunes than fresh apples or pears, as a first step towards a healthier diet. Would this be a problem? What’s your view - we’d love to hear from you. The California Prune Board have taken this matter seriously and commissioned Dr Michele Sadler to review the research literature. Michele presented her preliminary findings at a HCP seminar in 2015 and her paper has now been published in International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition.¹ Oral health is a complex issue and this literature review shows a lack of consistent data such that more research is needed to ensure evidence-based practice. Prunes can provide some potential benefits including: Chewing to encourage salivary flow Anti-microbial properties due to polyphenol content Cleansing action from fibre Low fermentability as high in sorbitol and low in sucrose Beware free sugars added to dried fruits - here’s how they are classified²: Traditional/conventional: no added sugar, e.g. dates, figs, prunes, raisins, apricots, peaches, apples and pearsSweetened: infused with sugar solutions (such as sucrose syrup) or fruit juice concentrates prior to drying e.g. blueberries, cranberries, cherries, strawberries, and mangoes Candied fruits: sold as, but technically not dried fruits! e.g. papayas and pineapples Ground Control To Major Tim, Eat Some California Prunes! Prunes have been investigated for use in space due to their promising potential as an aid to preserving bone mass. Research on prunes and bone health is an exciting area of current interest and not just for us on Earth! See our press release for more details. http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ground-control-to-major-tim-eat-some-california-prunes-568487761.html Natural, nutritious and versatile A brilliantly easy fibre boost to any breakfast - adding 3.5g fibre per portion to our prune porridge recipe below. CALIFORNIA PRUNE PORRIDGEServes 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Ingredients200g (20 prunes) California prunes 180g porridge oats 600ml milk Mixture of toppings: Flax, pumpkin, sunflower seeds, nuts, chai seeds, fresh berries, goji berries, chopped fresh fruit in season MethodPlace the porridge and milk in a large saucepan and place over a low heat. Add the whole or chopped California prunes and cook for approximately 10 minutes, adding more milk if needed. Alternatively cook in the microwave. Once cooked, divide the porridge into bowls and top with toppings of choice. For more California prune recipes visit: www.californiaprunes.co.uk

Vitamin D

I wrote about this a while ago in my blog and having seen children with rickets plus adults with deficiencies it is such an easy supplement to take. Now this has really hit the headlines.

Now official advice from Public Health England on vitamin D has been changed to recommend autumn and winter supplementation for all, while at risk groups including the elderly, young children, pregnant and lactating women, individuals with darker skins, anyone who is not regularly exposed to summer sunshine or who habitually wears clothing that covers their skin whilst outdoors, should take vitamin D supplements all year round. The new radical advice will ensure that most Brits stand a chance of meeting their requirements for this important nutrient which may help to reduce negative health impacts throughout life including the osteoporosis time bomb.

  

It makes sense to improve the amount of vitamin D you take by taking 

•  multivitamins and fish oil supplements that include vitamin D which are easily found and not particularly expensive
• and foods that contain vitamin D like oily fish such as salmon, mackerel, pilchards, sardines and fresh tuna
•  eggs 
• red meat like beef lamb and pork as well as offal like liver
•  fortified foods like special yogurts and other foods

The sun is a source as we can make vitamin D by the action of sunlight on the skin --it has only just become hot and sunny for the last few days and today is cloudy. Also too much sun has its own problems of not justsun burn but  a risk of skin cancers.

 

eggs and nutrition

I have always been a fan of eggs as they are a useful source of protein.

They are also really convenient to keep in stock.  Although lots of people seemed to be wary of eggs because of worries about food poisoning plus also cholesterol -- I think that has been put to rest and eggs are firmly back on the menu.

One of my favourites is an omlette made with adding cooked onions plus parmesan cheese into the beaten eggy mixture.





There has been a lot of research about older people and the need for extra protein to prevent sarcopenia (muscle wastage) and there is some about the benefits of eggs in preventing this condition


http://www.lucidhost.co.uk/htmlemails/eggs_july2016/browser.html

Allergies and intolerances

Food allergies and intolerances are relatively common in the UK with one in 5 adults reporting an intolerance and two in 100 having an allergy.

Such allergies are more common in younger children who often have allergies to milk and eggs plus also nuts and peanuts as well as fish.

Help for such allergies can be provided by registered dietitians.

The Allergy and Free From show is at Olympia London 8-10th July and may be helpful to those wanting to find out more information plus obtain ideas on new products

http://www.allergyshow.co.uk/london/