• Poll: Many Americans self-monitor weight, exercise
  A Pew Internet Project survey found 60% of Americans keep track of their weight, diet or exercise regime by themselves. However, researchers found only a fifth of self-trackers utilize technology in monitoring their health, while half of them keep track in their heads. Only a third of self-trackers share the results with clinicians or family and friends, researchers added. MobiHealthNews.com (11/2)      

• Stools can be a gauge for digestive health, dietitian says
  The color and consistency of stools can show how well the gastrointestinal tract is functioning, an important discussion for dietitians to have with patients or clients, writes RD Jo Ann Hattner, co-author of "Gut Insight." "Use your best judgment in choosing between a lighthearted or more clinical approach," and gauge a patient's reactions to know when to add more digestive-health details, Hattner writes. Food & Nutrition Magazine (Winter 2012)      

• Implantable gastric stimulator keeps hunger at bay
  IntraPace has created Abiliti, a gastric-stimulator implant designed to help obese patients shed weight by reducing the feeling of hunger and encouraging long-term weight-loss habits. The device links with a Web-based portal, called My.Abiliti, where patients can evaluate their food-intake and activity levels and share that data to approved peers for social motivation. MedGadget.com (10/30)      

• Meat intake elevates breast cancer risk in whites but not blacks
  White women who consumed the most unprocessed red meat and poultry were more likely to develop breast cancer than were those who ate the least, according to a study. Researchers failed to find a link between meat consumption and breast cancer among black women. The study was to be presented at a meeting of the American Institute for Cancer Research. HealthDay News (11/2)      

• Intervention to trim children's screen time yields modest outcomes
  Techniques used in a program to cut down on screen time did not significantly change the number of hours spent by young children in front of a TV, computer or game console, according to a Canadian study in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers found no difference in BMI scores between the intervention group and the control group but did find a significant difference in the number of meals eaten in front of the TV. Reuters (11/5)      

• Group says diabetes patients need to be careful when exercising
  Patients with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes should take precautionary measures before exercising as it can result in dangerously low blood glucose levels, the American Council on Exercise warned. The group recommends patients consult a physician before starting a new routine, check blood glucose levels before and after exercising, and let fitness coaches know about their condition. HealthDay News (11/1)      

• Mountain Fitness class beats gym workouts, trainer says
  The Mountain Fitness class offered in New York City goes beyond hiking to use rocks, logs and sandbags as exercise equipment. Personal trainer and instructor David Tacheny says the class aims to improve "functional fitness" because gym workouts do not use all of the muscles involved in activities such as rock climbing. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (11/1)      

Top five news stories selected by SmartBrief for Nutritionists readers in the past week.

• Nutrition experts weigh in on 9 fad diets, foods (Real Simple)

• Dietitian's Fodmaps food plan becomes a global success (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• "Wheat Belly" diet takes wheat products off the menu (KMSP-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.))

• Nutrition experts say older adults may need more B-12 (Today's Dietitian)

• Dietitian gives tips for a healthier Halloween (Los Angeles Times)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

• San Francisco hospital opens teaching kitchen for patients
  Chef Traci Des Jardins of "Iron Chef America" fame helped unveil a demonstration kitchen in San Francisco General Hospital's Community Wellness Center last week with a cooking demonstration on how to make poached chicken breasts with brown rice. The center is working to improve health in communities with chronic lifestyle-related issues such as obesity and diabetes by teaching patients how to build better eating habits. San Francisco Chronicle (10/28)      

• Spaghetti squash with broccoli and edamame
  Have yourself a veggie feast with this dish, which features a sesame soy tahini sauce. Once Upon a Cutting Board      

People just go to Top Ramen and that kind of stuff because it's fast and it's easy and it's cheap. So we really have to change how we're educating them about food and get them more comfortable about the idea of cooking." --Chef Traci Des Jardins, as quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle

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