Q&A with Diane Quagliani, R.D.
Q. Beverages such as lemonades and sodas don’t count towards hydration during the summer – myth or fact?
A.
- Myth. Beverages such as lemonades and sodas can contribute to overall water intake.
- According to the National Academy of Sciences, even beverages with caffeine can help contribute to your hydration needs.
- If you’re looking to reduce your calories, try light beverages such as light lemonade, no-calorie flavored water and diet soda. By cutting just 50 calories a day, five pounds could be lost over the course of the year.
Q. Is it safe to leave marinated meat out on the counter because the acid (e.g., lemon juice, vinegar or wine) in the marinade kills the germs – myth or fact?
A.
- Myth. You should always marinate meat in the refrigerator to prevent bacterial growth.
- Don’t reuse the marinade on foods once they’re cooked unless you boil it first.
- Be sure to wash your hands and all utensils that come in contact with the raw meat.
- Use a thermometer to ensure your meat is cooked properly.
Q. Diet sodas and “light products” cause weight gain – myth or fact?
A.
- Myth. This myth doesn’t make much sense at all. Something that does not have calories cannot contribute to weight gain.
- Cutting 150 calories a day from your diet by using light products such as diet soda, light yogurt, low-calorie sweeteners, etc., can help you lose up to 15 pounds over the course of a year.
- Don’t believe the misinformation on the Internet about low-calorie sweeteners such as aspartame. Numerous studies demonstrate the safety of aspartame and its safety is supported by major health groups such as the American Medical Association, American Dietetic Association and American Diabetes Association.
Q. Is it safe to eat foods with mayonnaise at summer picnics?
A.
- Mayonnaise is very safe and actually contains ingredients such as vinegar and lemon juice that can help slow, even stop, bacterial growth.
- More than 60 years of research have proven the safety of commercial mayonnaise, which is made with pasteurized eggs that are free of dangerous bacteria.
- Many of the foods typically used with mayonnaise, such as chicken, ham or potatoes, are much more susceptible to bacterial growth than the mayonnaise itself.
- Keep in mind that how you store the food at the picnic is important. Leaving foods out too long can lead to foodborne illness. You shouldn’t leave foods out for longer than 2 hours, and when it’s really hot – 90 degrees or more – don’t leave it out for more than one hour.
Q. After eating, we should wait an hour or more before going swimming – myth or fact?
A.
- Most of us swim for recreation, so you don’t need to wait hours before going swimming. Studies have not found an increased risk of drowning or other problems that were caused by eating a meal before swimming.
- This theory was based on the idea that after eating blood was directed to the digestive area and away from muscles – which might lead to leg or arm cramps while swimming. But we know now that this really isn’t a problem.
ABOUT DIANE QUAGLIANI, RD:
Registered dietitian Diane Quagliani’s nutrition articles have appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, Weight Watchers Magazine, Teen, the LA Times and the Chicago Tribune. Diane has also appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Phil Lembert’s Supermarket Guru and more. Diane is a former spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and reviewed the ADA’s position paper on Food and Nutrition Misinformation.
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Last Updated 7/2006
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