Ms. Denise Strathdee

Denise Strathdee, our Dietician will be facilitating the group, and the group will be a "working" group with small group participation, activities, etc.

By themselves, apples won't keep you physician-free, says Denise Strathdee, a registered and licensed dietitian at the Genesis Center for Bariatric Surgery in Davenport, Iowa.But as part of a balanced diet, she says, they do pack a healthy punch.

Here's the skinny on apple nutrition: Apples contain soluble fiber and a flavonoid called quercetin, "both of which are helpful with lowering cholesterol, regulating bowel function and cancer prevention," says Strathdee.They're also a good source of energy and a healthy food for weight management, she says, because the fiber helps a person feel full and stay full."And if you're eating an apple, you're not eating something else, like a candy bar."

The fresher the form of an apple, the healthier it is for you, says Strathdee, so a whole apple trumps sauce, and sauce trumps cider.And even though some are sweeter or more tart than others, the health benefits don't really vary between varieties, she says.

If you like to opt for fresh-and-healthy, Strathdee says her favorite is to simply slice and eat.Going for something a little more jazzy?She suggests adding fresh apples to a tossed salad with walnuts and vinaigrette dressing, or slicing them onto a sandwich."A peanut butter and apple sandwich is very tasty," she says.
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For the pie-lovers among us: hitting your sweet tooth with a little extra sugar doesn't completely negate an apple's nutritional value, says Strathdee."If you're eating a caramel apple, of course you'll be getting extra sugar and fat, and as an occasional treat, that's fine," she says.

Denise Strathdee
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Denise Strathdee
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Ms. Strathdee grew up in Chicago, IL, and received her undergraduate degree in Medical Dietetics from the University of Illinois Medical Center.She earned a master's degree in counseling from Western Illinois University.Denise has been at Genesis Medical Center since 1996 in the areas of behavioral health, outpatient medical nutrition therapy, and bariatric surgery.She lives in Moline with her husband Gene, and has two grown children.She is a member of the American Dietetic Association, the Mississippi Valley Dietetic Association and the National Board for Certified Counselors.

"Halloween is a great time of year to practice healthy habits," says Denise Strathdee, an outpatient dietitian at Genesis Medical Center.
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Strathdee also suggests that parents give their kids a time limit for how long candy can remain in the house before being thrown away.

"One rule of thumb about keeping holiday candy would be until the next holiday, such as Thanksgiving," says Strathdee.
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"Focus on the excitement of the day and make candy less of an issue," says Strathdee.