Eating For Health

A number of states across the country have decided to ban a number of popular snacks because of concerns over food or color additives.   However, other states are relying on the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to make these decisions.   Which states and which food additives? California has passed a law known as the “Skittles Ban”.   This law prohibits certain potentially carcinogenic food chemicals like brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, and red dye No. 3. This law won’t take effect until 2027.    Other states , including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri are considering similar bans on food additives.   New York is considering a similar ban to California and includes the same food additives but also adds titanium dioxide. What are the health concerns and health risks states are concerned about? Red Dye No. 3:   Consumer Reports has an article about Why Is Red Dye No. 3 Banned in Cosme...

Who doesn’t love snacking?   On a recent trip to Europe, one thing we missed were snacks.   Americans love to snack.   Snacking doesn’t have to be unhealthy and actually can add some good nutrition to your day.   One of my favorite snacks is a banana.   A natural food, unprocessed, no plastic packaging and rich in potassium and fiber.   But too many Americans are eating snacks that are ultra-processed.   What is ultra-processed ?   Ultra-processed foods are those shiny, packaged products that often have little resemblance to their natural origins.   They are typically loaded with additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients.    What are some examples of ultra-processed snacks to avoid? Mass-Manufactured Chips/Snacks:   Think Cheetos or other colorful, flavored, and heavily processed snack foods.   Sweet Buns and Cookies:     Those soft, sweet buns and sugary cookies you find at the store?   Yes...

Fast Food anyone?   Who doesn’t like an Egg McMuffin for breakfast or some grilled chicken at KFC?   Or, a good Subway sandwich and chips?   Can you enjoy Fast Food and still be healthy?   Registered Dietitian, Christy Brissette, has some easy rules to follow for Fast Food.   Her motto is the 80:20 rule.   At least 80% of the time, eat healthy.   Less than 20% of the time, “treat yourself” and enjoy some junk food.   Brissette wrote that a client asked her, “How often can I get away with eating junk food?”   She has given this advice to many of her clients and found that it worked well even with chronic dieters.   You have met these folks.   People who are always “on a diet” and then have one cookie or a Fast Food meal and they have “blown” their diet.   Learning to eat healthy and enjoying “treats” is a way to learn healthier eating habits and get off the on-again, off-again dieting spiral.   Brissette notes that onc...

There are so many articles on the internet about updating your kitchen to make it more modern and add more conveniences.   But how can you give your kitchen a makeover for healthier eating?   Since March is National Nutrition Month, the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has many articles on ways we can all eat healthier this month.   So what are the Academy’s recommendations for a kitchen makeover ? (Changes are adapted from the article.) Make a list when going grocery shopping       First – look at what you have on hand.   Then put on your list the fruits, vegetables and other healthy items you and your family need for the week. Change it Up – Forgo the white bread for some whole wheat bread.   Or buy some whole grain bagel thins such as Thomas’ 100% Whole Wheat Bagel Thins – great for packed lunches.   These bagel thins are 100% whole wheat, have no high fructose corn syrup and provide 5 grams of fiber.   Inst...