Forging Ahead on the Problem with Probiotics

Forging Ahead on the Problem with Probiotics

If you have a gut problem, then you’ve probably heard these 2 pieces of dietary advice: eat more fiber and try probiotics. But GI disorders are highly personalized and vary from person-to-person, so what works for one doesn’t always work for another. This is certainly the case with probiotics – where ingesting … Read more

Pelletized Fiber: Coming to Your Cereal Soon

Pelletized Fiber: Coming to Your Cereal Soon

General Mills announced recently that it has filed a patent on a technique to pelletize fiber and calcium for use in ready-to-eat (RTE) breakfast cereals. The process will use a gelatinized starch to coalesce calcium and fiber for the purpose of supplementing processed cereals. Mmmm… Is this a big deal? Well…General Mills … Read more

International Year of Quinoa

International Year of Quinoa

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

The Lovely – and Potentially Lethal – Lupini Bean

The Lovely – and Potentially Lethal – Lupini Bean

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

Fiber Tracking Made Fun

Fiber Tracking Made Fun

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

This is the Real Facon

This is the Real Facon

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

Finally: a Fiber Report Card

Finally: a Fiber Report Card

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

Thinking Outside the Bun

Thinking Outside the Bun

Time to lace up your jogging shoes for a run to the border. Taco Bell is getting set to launch its Doritos Locos Tacos on March 8. The taco features Doritos Nacho Cheese tortilla chips masquerading as a crunchy taco shell. Not exactly crazy, as the name implies – but just wild … Read more