Top 5 Food Stories for Thursday June 30th, 2011

1) Does Candy Keep Kids From Getting Fat? (cbsnews.com)
Sound counterintuitive? Well, a 5 year study that involved 11,000 kids from the age of 2 to 18 found that children who eat sweets were 22-26% less likely to be overweight than those kids who didn't succumb to their sweet tooth. Interesting results but don't go feeding your kids M&Ms for dinner, the natural sweets in fruits are the way to go!

2) Radiation in Our Food (foxnews.com)
As the nuclear plants in Fukishima Daichi continue to emit radiation (hard to believe it's still happening, right?), trace amounts of radiation have been found in milk, fruits and vegetables in the United States. While many scientist and doctors disagree on what amount of radiation is safe to consume, many politicians are pushing towards making testing of food and water mandatory. It'll be interesting to see how the lasting effects of the earthquake in Japan will have on us and the food we eat.

Source: kaboodle.com

3) The 13 Healthiest Snack Foods (yahoo.com)
Have a hankering for an afternoon snack? Stay away from the donut box! Check out this list of the 13 healthiest snack foods, including kale chips, salmon jerky, pistachios and more - along with explanations why these snacks are considered the healthiest.

4) Top Benefits of Healthy Eating (eatinghealthyfoods.com)
We all know that we should eat health, but why? Eating healthy will not only help you live longer, but it'll give you more energy, help you look and feel better, give you more energy throughout the day and of course, prevent obesity. Eating a healthy diet will help you financially as well, keeping you out of the doctor's office and pharmacy. Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!

5) A Milk Primer (cookinglight.com)
Milk does a body good and tastes delicious (in my opinion) and this article contains everything you need to know about milk and then some. The information provided includes the contents of milk and how different milk products are made, such as whipping cream and half and half. Got milk?

Top 5 Food Stories for Wednesday June 29th, 2011

Source: foodpoisonjournal.com

1) U.S. Cooks Up Ad Blitz for Food Safety; Thermometer is Key (usatoday.com)
Due to the outbreak of E. Coli in Europe, the US has stared a food safety campaign just in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend. The upcoming ads, which will be seen through many media outlets, such as TV, internet and print, urges people to make sure their food is fully cooked before consuming through the use of a thermometer. Eat safe and be safe for the 4th of July weekend and be sure your burgers are 160 degrees before eating!

2) Low Income Families Often Miss Out on Proper Nutrition (msn.com)
In a recent study of low income households, 70% of the participants weren't sufficiently eating vital nutrients, such as Vitamin C, protein and calcium. The cause, according to this study, was that these families simply don't sit down and eat meals together, especially at breakfast; where most families get their nutrients from milk and fruits. The study will enable food counseling professionals to better serve their clients to eat healthy and nutritious meals. Eat breakfast!

Source: babyinthekitchen.com

3) How to Wash Fruits and Vegetables (womenshealth.com)
The simply solution would be to just put them under some running water for a couple seconds and then eat, which (believe it or not) cleans about 98% of the bacteria from the dirtiest part of the refrigerator - the vegetable bin. This article gives tips and advice on how to fully clean a variety of different fruits and veggies with edible skins, peels, bunches and leaves.

4) Regular Soda or Diet Soda: Which is Worse For Your Health (eatingwell.com)
Soda, in general, isn't really good for your health. It contains large amounts of sugar and/or sugar substitutes and phosphoric acid, which may weaken bones. But most people still drink soda occasionally and this article gives the pros and cons of regular and diet soda to help you become a more enlightened soda drinker. You'll be soda-lighted that you read this article!

5) Summer Fun Healthy Eating Tips (prevention.com)
Summer has arrived and who doesn't love a hot dog at the ballpark or some funnel cake at the amusement park? Check out this list of healthy eating tips for all occasions, including going to a movie and attending a cocktail party, to help keep you beach body ready all summer long.

FNU Bonus!

We love food this much!!!!! YAY!!!!

How about you?

Top 5 Food Stories for Tuesday June 28th, 2011

Source: gev.com

1) 5 Diet Rules It's OK to Break (yahoo.com)

We all hear a lot of "rules of thumb" when it comes to dieting, i.e. don't eat after 8pm, don't eat  too many carbs, and many other dos and don'ts (mostly don'ts). Check out this list of 5 diet rules it's OK to break to make you less worried about what you can and can't do when it comes to eating, and maybe it'll help you sleep a little better at night.

2) 10 Things You Can Do With Tomatoes (womenshealth.com)
Is it a fruit or a vegetable? Who cares. Summer is here and tomatoes are in season. Tomatoes are not only good for you, because they prevent certain illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, macular degeneration and cancer due to it's abundance of Lycopene, but it's delicious too. Check out this fun article about 10 things you can do with tomatoes including salsa, gazpacho and more!

3) Top 10 Terrible Side Dishes (menshealth.com)
Side dishes compliment most dishes and sure, they taste very good but are they sabotaging our diet by doubling the amount of calories we eat or are they just making our plates look pretty. Here is a list of the 10 worst side dishes from around the commercial food world that will make you think twice before you decide to order that side of Mac & Cheese the next time you're at the Cheesecake Factory.

Source: foodirl.com

4) A Soda Tax? How About a Potato Tax? (latimes.com)
There is a major tax on cigarettes because they are addictive and bad for our health. So why not tax other addictive substances that are poor for our health? That's what many health advocated and politicians would like to do nationwide as more and more studies find that sugary soft drinks and processed potatoes are the leading cause of the obesity crisis in our country. But is singling out one particular food a good idea? Some experts disagree, what do you think?

Source: fashionfist.com

5) TV, Internet Affects Kids' Weight and Sleep (webmd.com)
There is a perfect storm for childhood obesity in today's world, according to researcher Victor Strasburger, MD, which includes too much TV and video games, too many healthy food ads and not enough sleep and exercise. Ever see a healthy food ad on TV? Most of them are for fast food restaurants and sodas which makes impressionable children believe that is part of a normal diet and can lead to food cravings. This interesting and informative article, based on the research of the American Academy of Pediatrics covers how media can negatively influence the health of the nations children and provides tips for parents on how they can combat the effects of media on childhood obesity.

Top 5 Food Stories for Monday June 27th, 2011

1) Potato Chips Are Piling on the Pounds (ap.org)
"You can't eat just one." A new study finds that potato chips may be to blame for problems with weight control. Diet plays the biggest role in weight gain, and chips were the biggest factor in this 20 year study, which lead to a 1.69 pound a year increase of the participants - more than soda (1 lb a year), alcohol beverage a day (0.41 lb a year), watching an hour of TV a day (0.31 lb a year) and recently quitting smoking (5 lb increase).

2) Food Bank Shortages Lead to Innovation (npr.org)
As more and more people in the US are struggling to find food to eat, food banks are looking for ways to provide food for those people. One of those ways to locate food that would otherwise be thrown out. No, not dumpster diving. One of the ways is to use dented or crushed cans of food that were previously thrown out due to fears of spoilage or contamination. By putting a little bit of work into testing to see if the food is safe to eat, more food can be provided for those who are hungry.

3) 7 Myths of Dieting (healthline.com)
Everyone I talk to seems to be on some type of diet - Atkins diet, Caveman diet, Detox diet, Macrobiotic diet, etc. Check out this list of 7 diet myths that may be harmful to your health, including skipping meals to lose weight and magic diet pills.

4) Diabetes Epidemic Affecting 350 Million - and Western Food is to Blame (guardian.co.uk)
More than 350 million people are diagnosed with diabetes worldwide, and is a major contributor to mortality. Not surprisingly, the US has the highest glucose levels in the world and it's increasing faster than any other nation. So do yourself a favor and put down that Bic Mac and shake, it could save your life.

5) Recipes for Relief (yahoo.com)
Do you have dry lips with no chapstick handy? Rub on some olive oil! Olive oil resembles our own natural oils and can trap in moisture to prevent chap lips. Check out this article with other natural remedies to help you get through the summer with everything you need already in your kitchen.

Top 5 Food Stories - Weekend Edition

1) Better Nutrition in Prison Needed (huffingtonpost.com)
There are 2.3 million prisoners in America and the American Medical Association is working on providing more nutritious food to the people behind bars, mainly to prevent chronic disease. Additional policies were adopted to make it easier to access to prisoner medical records, ensuring better care to jail birds as well.

2) Herbs in the News (foxnews.com)
Herbs have long been praised for their medicinal properties and it seems that more and more people are turning to them for natural remedies, indicated by the $5.2 billion spent by Americans on herbal supplements. This article highlights many popular supplements, and their pain-relieving properties, including flax seed oil, wheat grass, aloe vera, soy, garlic and ginko among others.

3) The Truth About Calories (menshealth.com)
I don't track calories (and who in their right mind really has the time and energy to do so) but calorie information is all around us; at restaurants, at grocery stores and on pretty much everything we eat. However, calories are only a measure of the energy it takes to raise the temperature of a gram of water by 1 degrees Celsuis (scientists actually used to put food over a flame to measure the amount of calories in that food). There are many misconceptions when it comes to calories and this article tackles those myths pretty well.

4) Why a Vegetarian Diet is Good for Your Health and the Health of the Planet (eatingwell.com)
Some people become vegetarians for spiritual reasons while other switch to a non-meat diet for health reasons. A diet high in fruits and vegetables have been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and lower cholesterol levels. However, be sure to address the nutrients only found in animal products, such as Vitamin B12, Iron, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Zinc and Iodine. Nothing a multivitamin or supplement can't fix. Enjoy Meatless Mondays!

Source: simpsontrivia.com

5) The Rise of the Super Donut (yahoo.com)
The donut turned 164 years old on June 22nd and it's come along way since a Dutch sea captain places a piece of cake on the steering wheel of his ship to save it for later. Check out these creative donut creations in honor of the donut birthday, including everything from the NyQuil Donut to the Burger Donut. Bon Appetit!

Top 5 Food Stories for Friday June 24th, 2011

1) Food Pyramid for Toddlers? (washingtonpost.com)
Do you think all children will outgrow their baby fat? Think again. Children are like fish, they are insensitive to portion sizes and will tend to eat the amount of food that is in front of them. In an effort to start healthy eating habits at on early age, where 1 in 5 children (ages 2 to 5) are obese, the toddler food pyramid helps parents adequately address their child's nutrition needs and just how much they should eat. This will hopefully lead to healthier future generations.

2) Eat More Nuts and Fruit to "Help Weight Loss" (bbc.com)
According to a recent study, people who eat high-fiber foods, such as fruits, nuts and vegetables tend to lose weight and stay slim (no kidding!). High fiber foods help people feel full faster, longer and prevents overeating. So next time you're looking for a quick snack between lunch and dinner, grab an apple or have a handful of almonds ready for a lastingly slim waistline.

Source: goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

3) Nutrition That Targets Animal Health Would Boost Productivity and Sustainability (reuters.com)
"Healthier animals have higher welfare, need fewer antibiotics and perform better." That makes sense. Just like humans, animals who eat feed with higher nutrition content tend to be healthier overall. This means that less environment harming chemicals will be needed to prevent and cure diseases, leading to lower cost of maintenance. Plus, less inorganic chemicals will end up on our plates, at lower prices.

4) 12 Foods You Should Buy Organic (eatingwell.com)
Organic foods are grown without conventional pesticides or growth hormones, but they tend to be more expensive (unless you grow your own). So which organic foods make sense to purchase and which ones don't? Check out this list of the 12 foods you should buy organic to guide you through your next grocery shopping experience.

5) 4 Food Myths Debunked (health.com)
There is a lot of advice and suggestions out there when it comes to food and how we should eat. But what are we supposed to believe and what advice is total baloney? Check out these 4 food myths that will help lead you towards food enlightenment and turn you into a healthy and educated eater.

Top 5 Food Stories for Thursday June 23rd, 2011

1) Ghana, Brazil Leaders Share World Food Prize (voanews.com)
This year's World Food Prize was awarded to President John Agyekum Kufour of Ghana and President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil for their tireless efforts in reducing hunger and poverty in their countries over the past 10 years. Congrats guys and thanks for making the world a better place!

Source: wannaveg.com

2) Top 10 Dirtiest Foods You're Eating (menshealth.com)
The Center for Disease Control estimates that more than 200,000 Americans become sick from food poisoning everyday, and according to one microbiologist at NYU medical center, everyone in the US will contract some sort of food borne virus this year without us even realizing it. Check out this list of the 10 dirtiest foods (some you may not expect), and how to clean and decontaminate them, to ensure you're eating the purest meals possible.

3) Simple Ways to Cut 500 Calories (yahoo.com)
Summer has arrived and sure, we'd all like to trim off a few pounds before we dawn our swimsuits and hit the beach but that requires too much effort.....or does it? You can drop a pound a week if you cut 500 calories from your daily diet (3,500 calories = 1 lb) and here a few simple tips to cut 500 calories a day for each meal, along with tips to cut calories while dining out, at the office, watching TV and while working out. It's piece of cake!

4) 5 Local Products You May Be Overlooking (mnn.com)
Are you tired of visiting your local farmer's market only to find the same fruits and vegetables as last week? If you're looking for something new to try, here is a list of the 5 things you may be missing. What's your favorite local food or product?

Source: usda.gov

5) US Bank Helps Expand Nationwide Access to Nutritious Food (marketwatch.com)
The US Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC), a subsidiary of US Bank, recently announced that they will be allocating funds from the New Markets Tax Credit towards making healthy and affordable food available across the country (if you're a major tax nerd and are interested in learning more about it, you can find all the info you need here, courtesy of the IRS). Check out this interesting article about how the USBCDC will work to open sustainable fisheries in Alaska that will support more than 1,400 local fisherman, grocery stores in rural areas and to help create more jobs within rural communities.

Top 5 Food Stories for Wednesday June 22nd, 2011

1) Online Votes Lift Last-Ranked "Caveman Diet" (foodsafetynews.com)
Ever hear the saying "Eat Like a Caveman"? Well the Paleolithic Diet (aka the Caveman Diet) is gaining popularity as of late by focusing on eating only plants and animals just as the hunter and gathers did thousands of years ago, when cheeseburgers, candy and other junk foods were non-existent. So let's turn back the clock, when obesity and diabetes were a thing of the distant future.

2) Healthy Diet Tips - 6 Reasons You Should Drink Beer (accessrx.com)
Like we need a reason to drink beer? Check out this list reasons why we should drink beer including stroke prevention and lowering your blood pressure. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Cheers!

3) Olive Oil Protects Against Stroke (abcnews.com)
According to a recent study, including olive oil in your diet (either cooking with it or using it in dressings) may lower your risk of stroke by 41%! Used heavily as part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been associated with longer life spans, olive oil is low is saturated fat and high in monounsaturated fat, which lowers bad cholestoral (LDL) and raises good cholestral (HDL). Plus, as an added bonus, it helps bring out the flavor of foods that it's being cooked with. So make sure to replace butter with olive oil the next time you make scrambled eggs! Your body will thank you later.

Source: drinknectar.com

4) 4 Things to Avoid at Restaurants (nasdaq.com)
We all love going to restaurants both for the convenience of not having to cook and for the variety of delicious flavors and atmosphere. However, here is a list of 4 things you should avoid to maximize your dining experience without breaking the bank.

5) When Does Your Metabolism Really Change? (self.com)
Your metabolic rate is the number of calories you burn everyday while sitting still without exercising. Unfortunately, this rate decreases as we age. The good news is that there are steps we can take to fight against this slow down. Here are 5 ways to boost your metabolism as we age. Eat up and get moving!

Top 5 Food Stories for Tuesday June 21st, 2011

1) 23 Ways to Eat Better (womenshealthmag.com)
All of us would like to "eat better", but what does that really mean? Reiterating the the theme of yesterday, eat your colors! Variety is the key to a good diet and this list of 23 ways to eat better focuses on the tasty and healthy foods that we should be eating more of, categorized by the colors green, yellow, orange, red, blue and purple. What's your favorite food color?

2) Diet Tied to Lower Risk of Vision Loss in Old Age (reuters.com)
If you're worried about losing your eyesight as you get older, make sure to get enough of zinc (found in meat and legumes), omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish and walnuts), and other antioxidants. Getting sufficient amounts of those nutrients can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by more than 33%. Beta carotene, found in carrots, also promotes excellent eye health. It's no wonder Bugs Bunny was able to always see Elmer Fudd coming.

Source: worldculturepictorial.com

3) G-20 Set Sights on Food Markets (wsj.com)
By 2050, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization predicts the world will need to produce 70% more food to feed the population. Farm ministers from the Group of 20 nations with the largest economies are scheduled to meet on Wednesday and Thursday (6/22-6/23) to discuss reduction in trade barriers and farming techniques, among other things, in order to tackle the growing problem of food shortages and price volatility. It should be interesting to see what the future of food holds in store.

4) 10 Essential Food Must-Knows for the Wine Enthusiast (forbes.com)
For the quintessential foodies out there, check out this do-it-yourself list of must-knows for a wine enthusiast. The list covers a broad range of recommendations about everything from making your own jerky to vinegar to liqueur to help even the most seasoned foodie develop a well rounded repertoire. A votre sante!

5) China Draws More Scrutiny for Food Safety Lapses (npr.com)
15% of all food in the US is imported and the last update to food import laws was in 1930! A lot has changed since then and many food safety problems have become an everyday occurrence in China (exploding watermelons!). The US is working on laws to require importers to meet domestic food safety standards, but that's easier said than done. Only time will tell but in the meantime, eat locally! Be sure to visit your neighborhood farmers market for the freshest food available.

Top 5 Food Stories for Monday June 20th, 2011

1) 10 Diet and Exercise Myths That Pack on Pounds (shine.yahoo.com)
Do you ever think to yourself "I exercise everyday, so I can eat whatever I want"? Think again because you can easily out eat your workout. Check out this list of 10 diet and exercise myths to help you see better results and to reach your diet and exercise goals for good.

Source: The Telegraph, GETTY

2) Does Coffee Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk? (nursingtimes.net)
Do you ever feel guilty going for that second or third round of coffee? You may be doing yourself a favor. According to a recent 20 year study, men who drank six or more cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of developing prostate cancer by 60% (!) and reduced their overall risk of getting cancer by 20%. So feel free to make a pot for yourself and enjoy. Cheers, Salam Ati and Gan Bei!

3) "Superfoods" Everyone Needs (webmd.com)
Eat your colors! A superfood is a term used to describe foods with high nutrient contents that promotes major health benefits. Eating these types of foods can prevent many ailments without the use of drugs or side effects and will make you feel better as a result. Check out these superfoods (including why they are good for you) and try and incorporate them into your daily diet for a happier and healthier you!

4) 5 All-Star Health Supplements (prevention.com)
The US health supplement industry includes 5,000 companies and $6 billion a year in revenue. So are supplements a money making scheme or do they actually provide added health benefits? While most supplements are unnecessary, supplements such as fish oil and vitamin D are scientifically proven to improve our health. Since omega 3's and vitamin D aren't produced naturally in our bodies, we need to get them from outside sources such as food. Most people don't get their recommended 2 servings a week of fish (or if you just don't like fish), and since vitamin D from food and the sun are rarely sufficient enough, a supplement is the easiest and most efficient way to include these natural remedies in your diet.

5) Food Allergies More Common, More Severe Among Children (cnn.com)
While food is needed to fuel our bodies, some foods can be life threatening to people with food allergies. And allergies are the most severe among boys and children ages 2 and younger. So if you suspect that your child has a food allergy (hives or rashes after eating specific types of food), be sure to get them tested and read the labels on everything they eat. It may seem like a inconvenience, but it could save your child's life.