AICR Urges Americans To Take A Hard Look At What's Inside Their Picnic Baskets

Main Category: Nutrition / Diet
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Obesity / Weight Loss / Fitness
Article Date: 19 Aug 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Experts at the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) are asking Americans to re-think their Labor Day feast. According to the cancer research organization, many Americans still cling to outdated ideas about "fattening up for winter," and view the Labor Day picnic as a license to indulge.

"We used to feast to prepare for famine, but nowadays Americans never stop feasting," said AICR Nutritionist Sarah Wally. "Compared to those who came before us, every day's a harvest festival. But this pattern of eating has long-term repercussions on obesity rates and on rates of chronic diseases like cancer."

It's a stubborn belief, and one that pre-dates Labor Day by centuries. Historically, the harvest festival was an end-of-summer tradition that celebrated the fruits of summer before the dearth of autumn and winter. But now that food is readily available year-round, the AICR experts say there's no longer a need to prepare for winter by "putting meat on our bones" as our ancestors did.

According to AICR, being overweight or obese increases risk for post-menopausal breast cancer and cancers of the colon, kidney and endometrium.

A Wealth of Fat and Calories

Once, harvest gatherings were also a means to assert one's status. The wealthy would pile tables high with a variety of foods in ostentatious displays of bounty and privilege.

But in today's climate of widespread obesity, AICR experts are asking Americans to consider the message they're really sending when they load up their Labor Day picnic tables with foods high in calories and fat.

This year, take a good look at the foods people bring to the Labor Day picnic, AICR's Wally says. "A typical plate loaded up with a cheeseburger, baked beans, macaroni salad and potato chips can easily contain 1,000 calories. Go back for seconds, and you start to see how easy it is to start 'fattening up for winter' without even realizing it."

Bad Influences Can Become Good Ones

According to AICR, Labor Day picnics are an excellent opportunity to try healthier variations on old favorites.

"Try bringing some portobello mushroom burgers, three bean salad with coriander-chili dressing or grilled fruit with strawberry dip," suggests Wally. The Recipe Corner of the AICR Web site features these and many other healthy dishes perfect for Labor Day picnics. Visit http://www.aicr.org to check them out.

By offering such healthy options to your friends and family this Labor Day, you'll show them that good nutrition and good flavors can go hand in hand. But a recent study suggests it may also help them make healthy long-term changes, too. The study in question was published in the July 26 issue of New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM); it showed that individuals whose friends are obese are as much as 3 times more likely to be obese themselves. But beneath the "Obesity is Contagious" headlines, there was some good news, according to AICR's Wally.

"The silver lining here is that we can be just as easily swayed toward healthy behaviors as unhealthy ones," she said. "Spending time with people who maintain an active lifestyle and eat healthy foods allows their behavior to rub off on you." In interviews, the lead author of the NEJM study cited unpublished results showing that if the obese friend of a study participant lost weight, that participant's own risk of obesity decreased by over 60 percent.

Celebrate Labor Day Sensibly

In preparation for your Labor Day activities, Wally advises sticking to your regular eating habits instead of skipping meals in anticipation of the picnic goodies. Denying yourself beforehand just makes it more likely that you'll overeat - and even try foods you don't enjoy - in the name of hunger.

Mental preparation is just as important. "Focus on the party instead of the party food. Go with the intention to move around and socialize, instead of spending the day sitting and eating," she said.

With a little planning, she said, it's possible to keep your Labor Day fun from turning to flab by Columbus Day. And you just might inspire others to do the same.

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) is the cancer charity that fosters research on diet and cancer and educates the public about the results. It has contributed more than $82 million for innovative research conducted at universities, hospitals and research centers across the country. AICR also provides a wide range of educational programs to help millions of Americans learn to make dietary changes for lower cancer risk. Its award-winning New American Plate program is presented in brochures, seminars and on its website, http://www.aicr.org. AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund International.

http://www.aicr.org.