The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has designated 2013 as the International Year of Quinoa. Heralded for its unique nutritional properties and environmental adaptability, the UN is positioning this cereal-like grain as a key player in the global fight against hunger and food insecurity. With its tag line, “Quinoa, a … Read more
A recent report from the CDC analyzed the sources of foodborne illness in the US from 1998-2008. Cited as one of the most comprehensive analyses of attributing illness to food, the results of this report might surprise you – namely because of the role that fresh produce plays. The researcher found that … Read more
A fiber-rich diet can reduce your overall calorie intake, helping you maintain a healthy weight, which is very important in reducing the risk of cancer. And the best sources of fiber are still natural, unprocessed, plant-based foods. According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, fiber-rich plant-based foods can help reduce cancer … Read more
According to the market research firm NPD and their Snacking in America report, the top 3 snack foods in the US are: Fresh fruit Chocolate Potato chips That’s right people – fresh fruit beat out chocolate and potato chips as the most popular snack in America! More data from the report found … Read more
While high fiber pizza crusts are nothing new, Pastorelli Ultra Thin & Crispy 100% Whole Wheat Pizza Crusts certainly are. These delectable and, as the name says, “Ultra thin” crusts are a much-needed addition to the prepared pizza crust world! I picked up a packet of Pastorellis at World Market, and for … Read more
There’s no shortage of interest in dietary fiber. We know fiber is good for us, but we also know that most Americans are not getting enough fiber. While the Institute of Medicine Dietary Reference Intakes and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 recommend between 25-38 grams of fiber per day (for adult … Read more
If you have a gut – it is trendy to be referring to it not as a gut, but rather as a “Wheat Belly”. The Wheat Belly craze – based on the eponymous diet book – claims (erroneously) that wheat-containing and processed foods made with wheat act like opiate drugs, promoting addictive … Read more
An inquisitive reader wrote to ask about one of her favorite cereals, Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran: “I’m concerned about my fiber intake and I have been eating Kellogg’s Cracklin’ Oat Bran…is this a good source of fiber?” – Jamie from San Diego Great question Jamie! So, what about this Cracklin’ Oat Bran? … Read more
If you’re looking for a legume to enlighten your life – check out the Lupini Beans. Lupini beans – also called lupin – were prolific in the ancient Roman diets and in the countries of the Mediterranean region. Today, because of the labor intense process required to soak and detoxify the bitter … Read more
Despite its grainy past, folks are finally embracing fiber. This magical component of the diet has documented health benefits for the prevention and treatment of heart disease, diabetes, certain types of cancer, weight management, and others. The Institute of Medicine, in their report on pages 339-422, recommends that men age 50 or … Read more
Here are 12 fiber finds to check out: 1 – Pears – most fruits have 2-4 grams of fiber per serving, but a large pear clocks in at 7 grams. How to know when your pear is ready? “Check the neck” says USA Pears. 2 – Lentils – these powerful legumes are … Read more
Consumers are often surprised to learn that popcorn is a whole grain. That’s right, if you take away the liquid butter and seas of salt – popcorn is on its own, a wholesome, healthy snack. So then why put it in a chip? Well, the folks at Popcorners saw the potential to … Read more
Bill Joel sang about “Gettin’ put on the back in the discount rack…” like it was a bad thing. The grocery store discount rack is a virtual treasure trove of stuff most people would not otherwise buy, were it not for the enticingly marked down prices. Check out this find from my … Read more
The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics offers the following ideas to get you packing your plate with nutrient-dense, lower calorie fruit and vegetable options: Begin with Breakfast Wake up to fruit; make a habit of adding fruit to your morning oatmeal, ready-to-eat cereal, yogurt or toaster waffle Mix up a breakfast smoothie … Read more
While there certainly remains a number of convincing arguments for buying organic produce – you may be surprised to learn they don’t have to do with nutrition. A review article to be published in the forthcoming issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine found that organic fruits and vegetables do not contain … Read more
Nutrition screeners are a great way to obtain a quick snapshot of the adequacy of a particular person’s nutrient or dietary intake. They can be used in many settings: for weight loss, education, as part of a larger nutrition assessment, or just for fun to figure out how you stack up to … Read more