Survey Reveals Doctors Want More Nutritional Training to Aid Patients

    FRESNO, Calif., Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent survey of family
 physicians conducted by the California Table Grape Commission shows that
 three out of four doctors believe the nutrition training they received in
 medical school was less than adequate.
     Nearly all the doctors (97 percent) in the survey of the American
 Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) membership felt it was at least
 somewhat if not mostly their responsibility to provide dietary and
 nutritional counseling to patients. Yet, only two out of ten doctors felt
 very informed counseling patients. The majority believed they were only
 somewhat informed.
     At a time when research shows diet can impact American health issues,
 96 percent of doctors surveyed indicated an interest in learning more about
 nutrition to advise their patients. Recognizing that doctors want to
 provide accurate counsel to their patients, Delia Hammock, MS, RD,
 Nutrition Director, Good Housekeeping Research Institute says, "With the
 increase of diseases such as diabetes and obesity, it's important for
 doctors to be confident in making dietary recommendations because something
 as simple as changing a snack pattern can make a big difference in overall
 health."
     The commission is at the AAFP national convention this week, providing
 physicians with nutrition information about healthy snacks such as fresh
 grapes from California. While grapes appear on the surface as just a sweet
 treat, they make a smart snack food choice, providing abundant
 phytonutrients including resveratrol, the same substance found in red wine
 that may protect the heart.
     "When substituting sweet, juicy fresh California grapes instead some
 salty or sugary snacks, you'll enjoy a sweet tooth fix while saving about
 200 calories. This means you can lose up to 10 pounds in six months just by
 taking this simple step," says Hammock. At just 90 calories per 3/4 cup
 serving, their moderate glycemic food index value makes grapes a part of
 most lifestyle diets.
     California produces 99 percent of the fresh grapes grown in the United
 States. The California Table Grape Commission was created by the California
 legislature in 1967 to increase demand for fresh California grapes through
 a variety of research, education and issue management programs.
     Snacking, recipe and decorating ideas as well as health information can
 be found at http://www.freshcaliforniagrapes.com .
      CONTACT:  Jim Howard
                Vice President
                559-447-8350
                jim@freshcaliforniagrapes.com
 
 

SOURCE  California Table Grape Commission