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    Blog Posts by Robyn Flipse

    • Aspartame: Weight Loss Friend or Foe?

      By Robyn Flipse | Healthy Living – Tue, Nov 13, 2012 10:57 AM EST

      In the wake of today's growing obesity epidemic, beverages made with low-and no-calorie sweeteners are a valuable tool. They help people to enjoy sweet tasting foods and beverages without too many calories and help manage weight. Since obesity is caused, in part, by excess calories, using these sweeteners just makes sense. Unfortunately, not everyone advocates for their use.

      Despite all evidence in favor of sugar substitutes, there have been repeated challenges regarding their safety, which leave many people wondering if they're a healthy option. Recent coverage of an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) study prematurely portrayed aspartame as harmful, and is a perfect example of media raising unnecessary alarm. As a registered dietitian and specialist in weight management, I'd like to lay these concerns to rest.

      First, the facts: Aspartame was approved for use as a table-top sweetener by the Food and Drug Administration more than three decades ago. It then

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    • Why Are Consumers Confused by Food, Nutrition & Diet Information?

      By Robyn Flipse | Healthy Living – Fri, Jan 13, 2012 2:39 PM EST

      In my 30 years of practice as a registered dietitian I have never been discouraged by the challenge of educating people on how to make healthier food choices. It has been a rewarding process for me, whether done individually, in a classroom or over the airwaves.

      The bigger challenge has been countering the effort by some health professionals and journalists to reduce important food and nutrition information to simple sound bites or catchy headlines. I have found that these proponents often infuse their messages with emotional language and unsupportable claims that leave consumers ill-equipped to make appropriate decisions in the rapidly expanding food and nutrition marketplace.

      I choose not to contribute to this debilitating process. Instead, I want to empower people to make sensible choices for themselves. To support that effort I have prepared a list of New Year's Resolutions for Better Food and Nutrition Communications in 2012. I hope others will join me and take the

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