Coronado Eagle, Volume 2, Number 20, 1 April 1992 — Ask Emily [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Ask Emily

by Emily Smart MA, RD, AHCFA

Q: “What's your opinion on Yukon Gold Potatoes and how do you use them?" A: This “spuds for yew”! The Yukon Gold potato is an all purpose potato that can either be baked or boiled. It’s fat-free yet has a rich-golden inside and a “buttery-like” texture that makes it perfect for individuals trying to cut back on fat. I find that my family readily accepts the Yukon Gold potato with just yogurt and chives, and coarse black pepper, while the standard baking Russet tastes drier and calls for margarine as well. Since we’re talking about interesting new products at the grocery store, check out the Tomolives (they’re retailed with the olives and pickles). Tomolives are little green pickled tomatoes that look and taste like green olives. The great news is that Tomolives are fat free (unlike olives which are very high fat) and a lot cheaper too. I use Tomolives as a garnish for deli sandwiches and in place of olives on relish platters. Finally, there’s a new, lowfat Jumbo Frank from Healthy Choices that is only 60 calories per dog and 30 per cent fat calories. Typically, all hot dogs (beef, pork and turkey alike) are around 100140 calories each and 70-80 per cent fat calories. Note: if you watch you watch your sodium, remember that all hot dogs are high in sodium, so talk with your dietitian before you start “woofing” (smile) down the dogs. Q: “ Can / use as much Canola oil as I want?" A: No\ So many people have been misled by the Canola oil hype that I get asked this question a lot. Basically, the

Canola oil industry is enjoying a “free ride” on the public’s confused belief that everything unsaturated is healthy in any amount.

Sure, it’s true that Canola oil is highly unsaturated; and it’s also true that unsaturated fats are better for us than saturated fats (found in meats, cheeses.

eggs). But what you really need to know is that all fats yield 9 calories per gram of

mfat compared with only 4 calories per ■ gram from carbohydrates and proteins. I Consuming too much of any fat is the big I issue in American health today. Most Americans consume over 40 H per cent of their calories as fat. The I American Heart Association recomi mends a total fat consumption of less i than 30 per cent of your daily calories. If B you’re interested in knowing how much I fat’s in your diet, give me a call at I Coronado Hospital and we’ll arrange a I nutritional analysis. Send questions to “Ask Emily”, c/o I Food & Nutrition Services, Coronado E Hospital, 250 Prospect Place, Coronado, I CA 92118. Be sure to include your name I and mailing address so we can mail your prize if you’re a winner. Each month, those submitting questions will be eligible for a drawing to select two winners who will receive gift certificates to Cathie's Place Cafeteria (Coronado’s only cafeteria —located on the first floor of Coronado Hospital).