Published: September 05, 2008 02:22 pm         

Healthy habits

Fitness expert discusses power of healthy choices

Zonya Foco joined Bob Greene this year on a 17-city national tour as a guest speaker for “Oprah and Bob’s Best Life Challenge.”

On Thursday, she brought her message to Logansport.

Foco, a best-selling author and television host, presented “The Power of One Good Habit” at McHale Performing Arts Center.

She also presented “The Top Four Nutrition Problems Facing Our Kids Today” Thursday afternoon at Logansport Memorial Hospital.

Her main message Thursday night was to encourage people to develop healthy habits for life.

Foco, a registered dietitian and certified health and fitness instructor from Ann Arbor, Mich., educated the mostly female audience on the benefits of choosing dark chocolate over milk chocolate, using oil rather than butter or margarine and choosing bread or dessert at dinner time.

Foco said she had issues with food starting in high school.

“I know what it’s like to not fit in any of my clothes, or to wear sweats all summer,” she said. “The number one thing you have to get rid of is the diet mentality.”

One summer in high school, the former cheerleader gained 20 pounds, and was determined to lose the weight quickly by yo-yo dieting. The effort didn’t work. By college, Foco knew what she wanted to do with her life: Educate others on nutrition.

She used visuals throughout her presentation, and at one point, she showed the audience a model of the digestive tract.

After reading the ingredients off a box of doughnuts, she showed the audience how many scoops of Crisco and sugar are in each doughnut.

Foco discussed choosing breakfast alternatives such as whole wheat bagels or fruit. By trading doughnuts for fruit, she said, a person can lose six pounds in a year.

She also warned about the dangers of consuming trans fats, as well as white pasta. Three and a half cups of white pasta is equivalent to seven slices of bread, she said.

She told audience members they could make a habit of eating more healthy alternatives, such as whole wheat pasta. Trading white pasta for whole grain pasta twice a week, she said, would allow a person to lose five pounds in a year.

And if audience members were reluctant to try something new, she told them to think again.

“Children and adults most generally accept a new food by the 11th try,” she said.

Foco said sweet cravings could be cured by eating more fruits. And an alternative to soft drinks is club soda mixed with juice.

She advised people to clean their vegetables right after grocery shopping, placing them on a veggie plate right away to be used for snacking.

All together, Foco offered tips she said could help a person to lose a total of 68 pounds in one year.

Angel Woolever, registered dietitian at Logansport Memorial Hospital, saw Foco a year into her dietitian studies.

“She is my inspiration,” Woolever said. “By just changing one habit, what a difference it can make.”

Kay White said she thought Foco brought a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge about nutrition. She said the presentation reinforced her desire to develop healthier habits.

Linda Reeser said she was going to go home and eat more fruits and vegetables.

“It was a good learning experience,” she said.

Melissa Soria may be reached at (574) 732-5143 or via e-mail at melissa.soria@pharostribune.com