Jo-Anne M. Rizzotto, M.Ed, R.D., L.D.N., C.D.E.
Jo-Anne Rizzotto, MEd, RDN, LDN, CDCES, is Director of Educational Services at the Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA. She is a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator with over 25 years of clinical, research, management and industry experience and is a key member of the clinic leadership team. Jo-Anne is co-chair and an active member of the National Certification Board of Diabetes Educators Exam Board. Jo-Anne has a proven track record of managing many facets of quality assurance and improvement with documented outcomes including advancing the use of technologies in the clinic for the management of diabetes. Jo-Anne establishes, directs and manages all aspects of diabetes education programs including overall direction, content, design, delivery, budgeting and staff management. She ensures all programs and staff delivering education meet the highest quality standards and do so with the highest level of efficiency and effectiveness. Jo-Anne participates in and has been the co-principle investigator in numerous clinical research studies. Jo-Anne chairs and participates in a variety of high level selection committees, clinical guideline committees, publication review committees and academic promotion committees. She also chairs the quality committee with the General Counsel at the Joslin in addition to the Clinic policy and procedure committee.
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Q:
I love fried foods—fried chicken, french fries and such. Do I have to cut them out completely to protect myself from heart disease?
A:
Take heart—the old adage, "everything in moderation," still holds true. You can enjoy your favorite savory delights but be sure to take note of the kind of fat the food is prepared with.
French fries, fried chicken, donuts, cookies, chips and other snack foods usually contain partially hydrogenated oils, or trans fats, along with saturated fat. In fact, many fried or baked goods contain some trans fats. Trans fats tend to raise total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels, and lower HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, all of which contribute to an increased risk for heart disease. One way to ensure heart healthy eating is to eliminate trans fats as much as possible from your diet. Take advantage of food companies and restaurants that are beginning to tout their use of "trans-fat-free" products and cooking methods. Or look for the next best things to your favorite foods, such as baked French fries or breaded chicken. Note of caution: Trans-fat-free does not mean calorie free! Maintaining a healthy body weight, eating a diet high in fiber and low in trans and saturated fats, and getting regular physical activity is the best way to ensure heart health.
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