A Pastor’s Perspective

By Sharon Latour

This is not a dieter’s column. I am not an expert on dieting, though by virtue of being a female Baby Boomer, I very well should be. All Baby Boomer women know what I’m talking about. We were also the last generation who regularly sucked in our stomachs.

The good old days.

But I can’t help but comment on a recent out-of-town trip that had me in stitches. The Black Bear Diner (My dinner companion told me it’s a chain) had a big printout, like a cute, local newspaper, on the nutritional content of their menu. It’s like they WANT you to read it. The letter on the front indicates the owner’s nickname is “Sugar Bear.” So get ready.

The following sampling does not contain typos. If you’re holding a knife or fork, put them where you can’t react with them too close at hand.

And I’ll admit...some of these are the “higher carb and sugar” items...but isn’t that why we’d go to a diner? Maybe it’s just me. Ready?

Homemade Bear Claw: 2,430 calories, 990 sodium and 306 carbs.

Bread Pudding (my once-upon-a-time favorite): 1,340 calories, 820 sodium and 174 carbs.

Dressings: 4 oz. Bleu Cheese: 630 calories, same for Bacon Ranch and 530 for Thousand Island. (We like lots of dressing...)

Kid’s grilled cheese sandwich: 950 calories, 1,390 sodium and 87 carbs compared to kid’s pizza: 740 calories, 960 sodium and 90 carbs...interesting, huh? And I thought grilled cheese would be relatively benign.

Years ago, The Atkins’ Diet said we should have less that 10 carbs a day...and though that’s not the greatest advice anymore, my generation still winces at anything over 25 carbs per serving, don’t we? 306 carbs in a Bear Claw! I smell hibernation all over that one.

Interestingly, though, people are heading fast and furiously into Type II diabetes: the kind that is generally under our (diet) control. So that’ why I thought we might want to know about the numbers that come along with our entrée, like a mandatory side-order we didn’t want to see on the plate.

According to the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Service’s National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, Type II diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes in this country, costing the health care system $174 billion a year. And many cases are undiagnosed.

The 2007 national statistics place 25% of over-20-year-olds as pre-diabetic (indicated through glucose tolerance testing) and 35% of over-60-year-olds. That equates to about 57 million of us heading towards insulin dependence if we don’t change our diet, exercise and, perhaps, body weight situations.

I’d hoped we could chuckle a bit about the Black Bear Diner posting its crimes and misdemeanors for all to see...but I guess it’s only funny if this information is not utterly surprising, huh?

I had a good-enough time with a tuna salad (not on the printed menu) while my very slim friend had a tri-tip salad...and then went for the frozen yogurt at Baskin-Robbins across the street.

Don’t mistake me, I still love the idea of bear claws and bread pudding, but mom had a great slogan, “A minute on the lips, forever on the hips,” with unwelcome impacts on our insulin-controlling pancreas, as it turns out.

And of course there are carbohydrates that are better for you (whole grains, etc.) than others: all carbs are not created equal. Bodies need carbs to function. So do good homework and read labels.

Occasional holiday treats make sense, but any one thing that’s well over 2,000 calories and carrying 300-plus carbohydrates, that converts to sugar faster than you can say “Yogi Bear,” is a costly health choice.

The fall is leading to winter holidays and the season of fruit cobbler and other homemade comfort foods eaten mindlessly in front of the TV. Think ahead. As our local nutritionists forever preach, “There are many alternatives and healthy variations on favorite recipes.” Check it out and well enjoy the holidays.

Shalom!

Sharon is pastor of the Garberville Community Presbyterian Church. Worship is at 10:30 a.m. every Sunday during the school year. Children’s Sunday School is offered during the service. Comments or questions should be addressed to: Dr. Sharon Latour, c/o A Pastor’s Perspective P.O. Box 65, Garberville, CA 95542. (707) 923-3295.