Eating For Health

How much ultra-processed foods are Americans eating?   A lot, according to a CDC study released this week.   This is concern not only for health reasons but also because Americans youth are consuming even more ultra-processed foods.   How much ultra-processed foods are Americans eating? Although young children aged 1-5 consume fewer calories from ultra-processed foods, those ages 6-11 and 12-18 consume well over 50% of their calories from ultra-processed foods as the chart indicates.   (See: Ultra-processed Foods, Chemicals, and Chronic Illness:   RFK Jr.’s MAHA Report About Children’s Health in America .)   But even older adults, those 60 and over consume over 50% of their calories from ultra-processed foods. 🧪 What Counts as Ultra-Processed Food? There is no one standard definition of ultra-processed foods, but most experts relay on the NOVA classification system .   Basically, ultra-processed foods are: ·      ...

For years Coca-Cola has used high fructose corn syrup to sweeten Coke.   Now, after 40 years, they have announced they are launching a new Coke sweetened with cane sugar .   Coca-Cola already sells a Coke sweetened with cane sugar in Mexico.   Is cane sugar better for you, or is it just clever branding?   In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between cane sugar and high fructose corn syrup and help you make informed choices.   🧃 Why Coca-Cola Is Adding Cane Sugar Consumer Demand for Simpler Ingredients:   Many consumers want more natural ingredients in foods and beverages.   They perceive cane sugar (sucrose) as being more natural or real than high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).   Cost:   Coke won’t be saving money as high fructose corn syrup is cheaper than cane sugar, partially because it is heavily subsidized by the U.S. government.   Publicity and Politics:   President Trump post...

So much confusion and misunderstanding about carbs.   This week my dentist said he had a patient trying to eat 3,000 calories of protein a day and skipping the carbs. My dentist told him his kidneys wouldn’t like all that protein.   I just heard a commentator on TV say they are eating a lot of protein and skipping the bread.   What is the truth about carbs ?   Do carbs really make you gain weight, make you fat?   Should you go on a low carb diet to lose weight?   In 2017 researchers reviewed 32 clinical trials of patients eating the same calories and protein but on high or low carb diets.   Those on a low carb diet lost the same amount of weight as those on a high carb diet.   Other researchers looked at weight loss differences in those on a high protein diet or a high-carbohydrate diet.   Surprise, surprise, there was no difference in pounds lost.   Marilyn Holmes, a registered dietitian at Vanderbilt University says, “Weight gain...