National Diet Month


December and all the celebrations that include the traditional holiday foods has come to an end. Welcome January—National Diet Month—which starts the long and painful withdrawal from feasting and forcing us to face the trauma of clothing that may no longer fit.

Yes, January is the time when most of us pull out the scales, take a deep breath, and buckle down to dieting in hopes of getting rid of weight gained over the holiday season.

January means the aisles that once held holiday candy and chocolates have now been stocked to the hilt with diet foods and diet aids. Why you ask? Because the start of a new year provides millions of Americans with the motivation for personal improvement resolutions that most often focus in losing weight.

Have your students investigate both sides of the surge in dieting and types of diets spawned by New Year resolutions.

SIRS Leading Issues provides the content and unique critical thinking process to help students answer this question: “Is a low-carbohydrate, high protein diet an effective way to lose weight?”

Lesson Plan: ProQuest Research Activity
Have your students investigate both sides of the surge in dieting and types of diets spawned by New Year resolutions. SIRS Leading Issues provides the content and unique critical thinking process to help students answer this question: “Is a low-carbohydrate, high protein diet an effective way to lose weight?”

Assign students to take either a Pro or Con position on the issue. Students should write a report of at least 150 words, or a presentation of at least seven slides, that uses the unique models integrated into SIR Issues Researcher (see details below).

Students should cite at least four resources that address the essential questions (you can add or substitute others) listed for the Pro or Con position that they are assigned.
Pathfinder to SIRS Leading Issues

  1. Click the More Issues link
  2. Click the Visual Browse tab (under the search box)
  3. Select the Drugs, Health, and Wellness
  4. Select Food and Nutrition
  5. Select Fad Diets

SIRS unique report/presentation models: You can help students develop additional 21st Century skills by providing them with additional strategies to differentiate the ways that they demonstrate what they have learned.

Within this assigned SIRS issue are the links to templates for a formal research paper, a mini-research paper, a slide presentation, and a mini-informal debate: under RESEARCH TOOLS  click My Anaysis icon and browse the choices in Additional Resources section.

New year, new you: Books to help stay motivated


Yes, I know… another New Year’s resolution post, but sometimes a book is a great way to make that resolution last (at least until March). Here are some great titles from our eMedia Catalog to motivate you in all aspects of your life:
Diet & Exercise:

Business & Career:



Self-Improvement:

And finally, if you are too hard on yourself, Humor:

What are your New Year’s resolutions? Are there any books that are helping you stay on track?

What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?


Whether it’s losing weight, quitting smoking, to reduce stress, or to improve finances, almost everyone makes a New Year’s resolution. Many think that this tradition is nonsense, but there is good news for non-believers, The University of Scranton (PA) reports that nearly 40% of those making resolutions will still be successful after six months.

Digital content is a great way to keep motivated with your resolutions, here are some great title ideas:

American Dietetic Association Complete Food and Nutrition Guide by Roberta Larson Duyff
Joy’s Life Diet by Joy Bauer
Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels
Money 911 by Jean Chatzky
The Secret Guide to Relaxing and Banishing Stress Forever by Maggie Lawrie

National Nutrition Month


March is National Nutrition month! According to the American Dietetic Association’s website: National Nutrition Month® is a nutrition education and information campaign created annually in March by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.

Celebrate this year’s theme of “Eat Right” by making new goals and finding out more information in our Diet and Nutrition Info Guide! You can find out information about the Databases we offer, links to National and Local Resources and books that will help you meet your goals.

It is never too late to start eating healthier and working out.  National Nutrition month is just the kind of reminder we all need to keep to our goals. Enjoy!