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...

We recently got back from a wonderful trip to Europe.   What food is enjoyed every day, many times a day in Europe?   Bread.   All kinds of bread from delicious croissants in France to many different kinds of breads in Germany and Netherlands.   One morning in France, we talked to a woman walking her dog and later saw her with a bag from a bakery and she held it up and said, “My breakfast”.   We found the bakery she had gone to and went in and the shelves were half empty.   Puzzled the store clerk said they had sold out all those baked goods that morning.   We bought a baked roll and the store clerk gave us a fresh croissant.   It was one of the best croissants I had ever eaten.   Why does the bread in Europe seem so good compared to the bread we eat in the USA?   One reason is that many of the preservatives used in breads made in the US are banned in Europe.   Europeans buy their bread fresh every day because their bread has no pre...

It is easy to shop at the grocery store and pick up some ready-made meals.   But how do you know if what you are buying is healthy or not so healthy?   What are you supposed to look for?   My daughter sent me an article, How to choose the best ready-made foods at the store, according to a dietitian from Ohio State University.   Other sites also provide some advice on what to watch for when choosing prepared meals.   It is easy to pick up a ready-made meal at the grocery store but you may also be picking up a meal loaded with salt, sugar, or fat.   What to look for when choosing a ready-made meal or sides. Calories – look at the calories per serving.   My husband bought some prepared cheesy broccoli recently.   We were surprised that the calories per serving were not that high.   Meals – if it is a complete meal, look for total calories of 350-500 calories.   Too low in calories, say less than 200 calories, and you will be hungr...