Category Archives: Diet And Food

Switching en masse to a plant-based diet is essential to protect wildlife habitats and prevent the loss of numerous species currently facing extinction, according to a new report.

At the root of the problem is cheap food. While cut-priced comestibles may seem like a good thing, especially for low-income households, market pressure to continually reduce food production costs forces many farmers to adopt unsustainable, intensive methods that harm the land and overuse valuable resources like energy, land and water.

The study by researchers at UK think tank Chatham House, supported by the United Nations (UN) Environment Programme, notes that the race to lower prices increases food waste and degrades soils and ecosystems, making available land less productive.

As more forests and wild lands are cleared to grow crops and raise livestock, the feeding, breeding and living habitats of numerous species also disappear. Unless we change what we eat and how it is produced, the report says, the planets ability to support humans could come under threat.

Gut instinct

During the past half century, conversion of natural wild land for crop production or animal pasture has been the principle cause of habitat and biodiversity loss, the report, called Food System Impacts on Biodiversity Loss, says. Agriculture poses a threat to 24,000 of the 28,000 species documented as at risk of extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

But what happens next to the worlds endangered wildlife populations rests in human hands, and the rise in popularity of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products offers hope for the future.

Rearing crops in place of animals uses land and other scarce resources more efficiently, the report notes. While raising livestock adds to greenhouse gas emissions, switching to plant-based foods would free up grazing land that could be used for other purposes. A global switch to a predominantly plant-based diet would boost dietary health, help reduce food waste and eliminate the need to keep clearing new land for grazing. Switching the global populations diet to plant-based foods, for example, would free up 75% of the worlds cropland for other uses.

Alongside changing dietary behaviour, the report recommends protecting and setting aside more land for nature, avoiding converting it for agriculture. As well as preserving wildlife habitats from being destroyed, forests and wilded land serve as a natural carbon store absorbing pollution from the atmosphere, which helps counter the impact of the climate crisis.

Todays high-intensity chemical-reliant farming methods must be replaced by nature-friendly practices that support biodiversity and value sustainability over ever lower farm door prices.

Its important to note that the report is advocating a dramatic reduction in meat intake rather than replacing meat with plant-based foods. And, as the World Bank says, livestock farming supports the livelihoods and food security of almost 1.3 billion people. The Chatham House report says incentivising more diverse agriculture could lead to more resilient farmer livelihoods.

Two billion people in the world currently suffer from malnutrition and according to some estimates, we need 60% more food to feed the global population by 2050. Yet the agricultural sector is ill-equipped to meet this demand: 700 million of its workers currently live in poverty, and it is already responsible for 70% of the worlds water consumption and 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

New technologies could help our food systems become more sustainable and efficient, but unfortunately the agricultural sector has fallen behind other sectors in terms of technology adoption.

Launched in 2018, the Forums Innovation with a Purpose Platform is a large-scale partnership that facilitates the adoption of new technologies and other innovations to transform the way we produce, distribute and consume our food.

With research, increasing investments in new agriculture technologies and the integration of local and regional initiatives aimed at enhancing food security, the platform is working with over 50 partner institutions and 1,000 leaders around the world to leverage emerging technologies to make our food systems more sustainable, inclusive and efficient.

Learn more about Innovation with a Purpose's impact and contact us to see how you can get involved.

Planting the seeds of change

Despite the compelling arguments for moving to plant-heavy diets, persuading the global population to abandon its love of meat will be no easy task. Around 80 billion animals are killed for their meat each year, UN figures show.

Many farmers are increasingly adopting unsustainable practices to create cheaper meat.

Image: UN FAO/Our World in Data

In 2018, almost 70 billion chickens, 1.5 billion pigs and more than 300 million cattle were slaughtered to serve our love of meat.

In general, meat consumption increases as incomes rise so the richer the country, the more meat is consumed, according to figures from the UN and the World Bank.

But for some the role of meat is beginning to change as awareness grows of the health benefits of plant-based foods and the impact of business-as-usual farming on the environment.

Consumer demand for plant-based food is growing.

Image: The Good Food Institute

The US plant-based food market was worth more than $5 billion in 2019, up 11% on the previous year and 29% over two years. Sales of plant-based meat substitutes increased by 18% year-on-year.

Demand for plant-based foods could see annual growth of almost 12%, reaching a market value of more than $74 billion by 2027, according to a Meticulous Research forecast. While plant-based demand is increasing in most global markets, takeup in Asia-Pacific is expected to outstrip other regional markets.

Changing consumer aspirations and a growing appetite among investors to back plant-based ventures are among the drivers of global plant-based market growth, the research showed. How far, how fast and how much demand for plant-based foods increases in the coming years remains to be seen, but the future of myriad species depends on it happening quick enough.

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Report: We urgently need to move to plant-based diets - World Economic Forum

In many ways, diet soda is a healthier alternative to its sugar-filled counterpart. It's lower in added sugar and calories, both of which contribute to obesity and chronic health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. However, it's still not the perfect solution. In fact, you may be better off just choosing a low-sugar soda alternative over one that's completely sugar-free.

Here's why: one of the most popular diet sodas out there, Diet Coke, uses an alternative sweetener called aspartame. The artificial sweetener has been under fire since its debut in the 1980s for its potential cancer-causing effects. While the American Cancer Society states that research around those effects is inconclusive, there may be another reason to be skeptical of the alternative sugar. (Related: 15 Underrated Weight Loss Tips That Actually Work).

According to a 2008 study published inThe Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, people who drank aspartame-sweetened Diet Coke were more likely to experience moderate to severe fatty infiltration in their livers than those who drank non-diet sodas, including Sprite and Fanta. Why is this an issue? This infiltration can lead to a condition called, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) where fat builds up in the liver and causes cirrhosis, otherwise known as late-stage liver scarring.Cirrhosis can eventually lead to liver failure if not addressed early on.

There are other known health issues associated with the artificial sweetener typically found in diet soda. A 2017 Nutrition Reviews special article that reviewed nearly two decades worth of data on aspartame concluded that consuming aspartame in quantities even within recommended safe levels may "disrupt the oxidant/antioxidant balance, induce oxidative stress, and damage cell membrane integrity, potentially affecting a variety of cells and tissues and causing the deregulation of cellular function, ultimately leading to systemic inflammation."

Another reason not to reach for diet soda daily? One study suggests drinking just one of the artificially sweetened beverages daily was linked to an 8% higher risk of type 2 diabetes; however, the meta-analysis looked at observational studies, which can only show correlation, not causation. And another study indicated that consumption of artificially sweetened drinks was associated with a 21% percent higher risk of developing the condition in older women (again, the study showed a correlation, not causation).

At the end of the day, there is research that supports both sides of the argument on whether or diet soda is harmless or harmful for your body. Our advice? Cut down on your intake to play it safe. If you can't shake the craving, consider limiting yourself to three servings of diet soda a week and then try, eventually try to drop it down to just one serving a week.

For more, be sure to read29 Most Popular Diet SodasRanked!

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One Major Effect of Drinking Diet Soda Every Day, Says Science | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Cat owners who let their furry friends roam outside are familiar with the "gifts" they bring home. This behavior results in billions of birds and small mammals falling prey to a cat's claws, reports Jonathan Lambert for Science News. In an attempt to curb cats' impact on wildlife and investigate why felines still have the urge to hunt despite being well-fed, researchers at the University of Exeter in England designed an experiment to explore if a cats' extracurricular desire to hunt came from something lacking in their diet or from natural instincts, Science News reports.

When cats were fed a diet with a higher meat content or increased regular playtime, it reduced their hunting instincts and, in return, lowered the amount of wildlife casualties, reports Ed Cara for Gizmodo. The study was published this week in the journal Current Biology.

A total of 355 domestic cats from 219 homes known to bring back kill in England were recruited for the experiment. All cats were observed in their natural settings for seven weeks before any modifications to daily activity or their diet occurred, reports Gizmodo. These initial observations provided baseline data for how frequently each kitty brought home prey. Then, the researchers introduced one group of cats to a grain-free, high-meat diet. Meanwhile, another group got an extra five to ten minutes of play each day or a puzzle feeder enrichment toy meant to stimulate the feline's mind, Science News reports. The researchers also tested brightly-colored collars and bells to see if these devices deterred feline prey, reports Jack Guy for CNN.

Cats with the grain-free, protein-rich diet brought home 36 percent fewer dead animals than cats with unchanged diets, reports Layal Liverpool for the New Scientist.

"Some cat foods contain protein from plant sources such as soy, and it is possible that despite forming a 'complete diet,' these foods leave some cats deficient in one or more micronutrientsprompting them to hunt," says Martina Cecchetti, a graduate student at Exeter involved with the study in a press release.

Cats that received more playtime mirroring hunting behaviors brought back 25 percent fewer kills. This percentage reflects a drop in the number of mammals brought back, but not birds, Science News reports. On the other hand, the puzzle feeder caused the cats to bring home more prey, and researchers speculate it may have been out of frustration from their inexperience with the puzzle, Gizmodo reports. Cats with the bright collars brought home 42 percent fewer birds, but the same amount of small mammals, reports Science News. Meanwhile, bells did not reduce kills.

"We were surprised diet change has such a strong effect. Nutrition seems to have some bearing on a cat's tendency to kill things, and some cats that hunt may need something extra," says Robbie McDonald, an ecologist at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study, to Science News.

Most cat foods contain high-quality proteins. However, they're often plant-based and may send cats in search of micronutrients missing from their cat food, Gizmodo reports.

McDonald and his team plan to further look into how cat predation on wildlife can be reduced by either combining two or more methods they investigated in their study, or analyzing exactly what it is nutritionally that cats crave from their kills, Gizmodo reports . The researchers hope that their work inspires cat-owners to use these less controversial methods to protect wildlife from their felines.

"We hope that owners of cats who hunt consider trying these changes," McDonald tells Science News. "It's good for conservation and good for cats."

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To Protect Local Wildlife, Feed Your Cat Meatier Meals - Smithsonian

At 54 years old, Salma Hayeks skin is glowing, her locks are as shiny as ever, and she is still rocking a bikini like it's nobodys business. Recently, her Instagram account has been filled with a stream of images, showing off her gorgeous figure and makeup free face. (Shes also been in the news for describing how she started to sob while filming a sex scene for her hit film Desperado; although still friends with her director and co-star, she has since taken her body image into her own hands.) So, what are her fountain of youth secrets? Here is everything the actress does to look and feel great. Read on, and to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had Coronavirus.

Salma Hayek is such a fan of juice cleanses, she started her own company, Cooler Cleanse. "When I feel stressed, I turn to food for comfort," she explains on the juice cleanse delivery services website "After doing a juice cleanse, I'm motivated to eat healthier and not emotionally. Cleansing is like my meditation. It makes me stop, focus and think about what I'm putting into my body. I'm making a commitment to my health and hitting the reset button."

I dont like to diet and Im not good at it, she admits on her Cooler Cleanse website. In a previous interview with More, she revealed she has a love-love relationship with food. "Everybody has a weakness and mine is food," she said. "If you love food and you love red wine and they put you in France, youre in a good place and youre in a bad place at the same time."

Salma revealed to the New York Times that she follows one rule when it comes to dieting. The only thing I do is that I dont eat animals every day. I eat all kinds of meat, but I consume it sparsely, she explained. I would never eat two meats in a day. Sometimes I go several days without eating meat, but then Ill go back.

In addition to juicing, her meals are filled with fruits and veggies. One of her specialties? This unique "breakfast special"basically a chopped up salad of papaya, blueberries, mango, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, celery, red pepper, and cucumber, atop almond and coconut butter and yogurt. "It doesnt sound like it tastes great but its delicious, she exclaimed on Instagram.

Salma makes a lot of her own beauty treatments. In an interview with Buzzfeed, she revealed that she relied on a few key ingredients to keep her hair glassy, but theyre very stinky. Anything thats greasy is actually really good for your hair, she explained, recommending avocado, coconut oil and even egg yolks and even one popular condiment. Mayo is really good for your hair! claims Salma. Another go to? Apple cider vinegar is good for you in many ways, she said. One way she makes sure to infuse it into her diet is via her juices, which she recently demonstrated on Instagram.

Unlike other celebrities, Salma tries not to make exercise a chore. "Some people have the discipline to exercise in the morning, and I didn't develop that," she told People. Instead, she discovered a more creative way to engage her muscles. "I work with a woman in London who taught me how to hold my body in a way where the muscles are activated all day long. So even when you brush your teeth, you're working the muscles," she continued. "It's restorative yoga. She taught me how to tone [my muscles] without clenching them. You relax them and focus on the parts that need to be used, but never with tension. If you're aware of your body, you'd be surprised by the effect it can have."

When she does workout, she infuses it with fun. I hate working out, but I love dancing, she joked on Instagram, showing off her moves while walking on a treadmill. She also gets her steps in by walking her dog. "This is my version of exercise and these are my #dogs coaches These are my trainers!" she shared in one Instagram post.

RELATED: Simple Ways to Avoid a Heart Attack, According to Doctors

Hayek loves a good rub downbut not just on her body. "Massage oxygenates, activates the circulation, and keeps the muscles healthy and firm. I cannot tell you, even just for the lymphatic [system], what the massage does for the face," Hayek previously told Vogue. As for yourself: To get through this pandemic at your healthiest, don't miss these 35 Places You're Most Likely to Catch COVID.

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Salma Hayek's Secrets to Staying Healthy | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Katrina Kaif's fitness routine isn't for the faint of heartthe actor makes sure to sweat it out at the gym, while adding yoga, combat practice, dance and pilates into the mix too: Exercise for me is something that not only physically but mentally is also very, very important for me. It releases endorphins, it keeps you feeling upbeat, happy and energetic." But working out well is just half the battle. The actor knows that her diet is just as important. I don't follow a specific diet. Having grown up in London, my palate already prefers non-oily and non-spicy food. I try and eat healthy in general egg whites over whole eggs, and a lot of salads, fruits and vegetables, she shared back in 2015. But now, six years later, she has a more directed approach. We spoke to her nutritionist, Shweta Shah, founder of Eatfit247, about Kaif's current routine.

Katrina is very particular about her workout routine, just as she is her diet. She is almost a nutritionist in her own right. She knows her body well and she knows exactly what suits her and doesn't, says Shah. I was introduced to her by her trainer Yasmin Karachiwala and we instantly hit it off. Katrina follows her own diets, but I step in when we want some tweaks to be made, or she wants to achieve any specific health goals.

She eats two home-cooked meals a day, and doesn't like to snack, shares Shah. Even when she's shooting, and has a hectic schedule, she sticks to clean, organic eating that is dairy-free and gluten-free. Some examples of her favourite lunch or dinner meals include steamed fish, edamame and avocado salad, zucchini or quinoa pancakes, lentil stews, lettuce wraps and zoodles. Soups are another go-to, and Kaif likes a wide variety to prevent boredom, using vegetables like ashgourd, asparagus, pumpkins and chickpeas. And when she's craving something sweet? Homemade peanut balls are her must-haves.

Being an actor, her life does get a little more stressful when she's working, and this can affect her sleep, hair and skin. But she doesn't take over-the-counter pills to deal with it. She likes taking the natural route," Shah confirms. For example, when she's struggling with acidity, she drinks water steeped with black raisins and fennel. The former contains iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium. These are alkaline minerals on the pH scale and may help balance acidity levels in the stomach. The latter contains a compound called anethole, which works as a soothing agent for the stomach. If Kaif is ever bloated, she adds fennel and coriander seeds to her diet.

But what's the key to being healthy all year round? Consistency. She doesn't change things often, unless a role requires her to look a certain way, says Shah. She believes in clean eating rather than following any fad diets.

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10 beauty and wellness tricks you can learn from Katrina Kaif's Instagram

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From zoodles to lettuce wraps, this is what Katrina Kaif's ideal meals look like - VOGUE India

Aubrey Gordon describes herself as fat, specifically "very fat." She uses the word purposefully, as a descriptor, in the same way she has blondish-brown hair and is 37 years old.

For the past five years, she has been the anonymous writer behind "Your Fat Friend," the online essay series about the discrimination and hate fat people face. With the recent publication of her book, "What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat," Gordon started putting her name to her stories, both online and for her Self Magazine column.

The book, a series of essays, delves into the roots of fatphobia, the failure of the "war on obesity" and why it's not okay to tell fat people to love themselves. A former LGBTQ community organizer, Gordon, who identifies as queer, is now writing full time and co-hosting the podcast "Maintenance Phase," which debunks wellness and diet fads.

From her home in Portland, Ore., Gordon talked about what she hopes people will get from her book, and why she felt now was the right time to publish it.

Q: Why do you think people hate and I mean openly hate fat people, particularly fat women, so much?

A: It's a doozy of a question, right? There's misogyny wrapped up in it. There's ableism wrapped up in it. There are deep, deep, deep racist roots to all of this ... like even with BMI, that was based on the bodies of White Western European men and not people of color, so it does about a 50 percent job of predicting obesity in White people and then it goes down from there. We've been talking about a war on obesity for years, and that facilitates this kind of open season on fat people. Not only is it okay to have comments and opinions about fat people in some ways, it's sort of like you are being helpful to the greater public health.

Q: You share anecdotes about how people treated you horribly, from airplane behavior to strangers taking fruit out of your grocery cart, telling you it's "too much sugar." What surprised me is that when you tell your friends and family, they ask if maybe it didn't happen that way, or if you incited it.

A: They are not trying to be hurtful, not in a million years. But it can be jarring and painful to hear about someone you care about in that situation. One of the ways we push away that knowledge is with straight-up denial. Part of it is that this is a world they don't actually personally experience, and that can be alarming.

Q: It seems there has been some success with the body-positive movement, with Cosmopolitan magazine putting plus-size women, such as yoga teacher Jessamyn Stanley, on the cover, for example. But that got a lot of pushback, with some people saying that it was "promoting obesity."

A: It does feel like there's some willingness to move forward from some media outlets, influential ones in women's and health media in particular. But the biggest thing I see is that there's a willingness to engage in a conversation about how we see and treat fat people. It's not as deep as a conversation as I'd like, but it's a start.

Q: As a fat woman myself, one of the things that really struck me in your book was that programs to address obesity, like Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign, do not include people with obesity in the planning.

A: Right. Thin people are the masters of weight loss although they've never had to do it. There's a community organizer saying, "Nothing about us, without us." And yet there are all these people talking about us and making decisions about our bodies without talking to us.

Q: How does that show up for you?

A: It happens in our individual lives where strangers come up to you and are like "have you tried paleo?" without knowing us or anything about us. The other issue is on a policy or institutional level. (Some people are) constantly ringing the bell on how dangerous it is to be fat, but that's not making fat people thin. None of our practices 95-98 percent of diet attempts fail have been shown to be successful long term. So it just ramps up the stigma of fat people as failures. If only we would try at this thing, which has been shown not to work.

Q: What do you hope people take away from your book?

A: I hope that folks are willing to accept that their ideas about fatness and fat people have not been particularly charitable. And they also haven't been particularly grounded in data or research or information or the experiences of the fat people in their lives.

Maybe people are willing to think about how they think about and treat fat people. Even if it's something like I'm not going to ask the fat person I'm with at the restaurant if they really want to get those fries.

See more here:
The writer behind 'Your Fat Friend' has thoughts on diets, BMI and strangers' advice - theday.com

According to a 2020 Statista survey, 85% of the American population eats potato chips. Combine that with the fact that potato chips are the top-selling salty snack in the country, doing over $7 billion in sales in a year, to say that this fried food is popular would be an understatement.

They may be popular, but they're not good for you. In fact, potato chips are number one on the list of The 7 Foods Most Likely to Make You Gain Weight, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

With a significant majority of the country indulging in this salty, fatty, fried food on a regular basis, it's highly likely that a good portion of people may be eating too many chips. But how can you tell?

Liz Lehman, MD, a board-certified and licensed anesthesiologist and founder of Aluminate Life, tells us that "The number one sign you're eating too many chips is feeling puffy and swollenespecially your hands, feet, and lips. This is due to water retention from excess salt."

You may also feel puffy and bloated due to weight gain caused by eating too many high-calorie chips. "The size of chip bags is getting bigger and bigger. Manufacturers know it's hard to stop eating chips once you start. The more salty, high-fat chips you eat, the more you want," and the more weight you can put on, says Leann Poston, MD, MBA, MEd, a doctor with Invigor Medical.

More than 1 serving a day is too much, shares Dr. Lehman. One serving is 1 ounce or 18 chips.

But even eating one serving of potato chips a day is a lot. Alexis Parcells, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon and owner of Parcells Plastic Surgery says that you should really be limiting your potato chip consumption to no more than the palm of your hand.

"Most traditional potato chips are seasoned with a large amount of salt and oil. Like any junk food, they can be tolerated in small doses (to fill the palm of your hand). Larger doses are proven unhealthy and will quickly lead to weight gain," Dr. Parcells says.

Dr. Lehman tells us that most symptoms of excess potato chip consumption are primarily related to excess sodium intake. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 milligrams a day, but most Americans consume over 3,200 milligrams a day, Dr. Lehman says.

One serving of potato chips is one ounce, but oftentimes potato chips are packaged in single-serve, two-ounce bags. Because who can resist opening a bag of potato chips and not finishing it, that can lead to taking in as much as 660 milligrams of sodium if you polish off the whole bagthat's 29% of your daily recommended intake! Flavored bags, like BBQ, sour cream, or salt and vinegar, are some of the worst offenders. (See:The Unhealthiest Potato Chips on the Planet)

There's also a more subtle, nefarious reason why potato chips can make you feel bloated and swollen: inflammation.

"Potato chips are made with refined oils and processed carbohydrates, which are highly inflammatory. Refined oils are a class of omega-6 oils, which are inflammatory, especially when there is an imbalance of omega-3 anti-inflammatory fats. This leads to inflammation and pain throughout the body along with brain fog, fatigue, and weight gain," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD a registered dietitian with Balance One Supplements. (Related:14 Inflammatory Foods That Cause Weight Gain)

Most of the dangerous side effects of eating too many potato chips will be felt long-term, and it would be hard to pinpoint potato chips as being the sole culprit. However, if you know you're eating chips every day, it is more than likely that they're playing a role.

One of the worst side effects of eating too many potato chips is also incredibly difficult to spot: high blood pressure.

"Potato chips generally have between 120 and 180 milligrams of sodium per ounce. In the long term, this can cause high blood pressure. Unfortunately, most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms associated with it, and this can be dangerous as it may not be properly diagnosed and treated. If left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, and kidney disease," says Dr. Parcells.

Other long-term side effects of eating a lot of chips are weight gain, trouble sleeping, dry skin, kidney disease, headaches, and inflammation.

Potatoes are actually decently healthy. (Yes, even though they're "white" and have traditionally been associated with unhealthy carbs.) Most of the time, potatoes get a bad rap because we commonly consume them as deep-fried foods, such as with chips or french fries.

In reality, potatoes are an affordable carb and are a surprisingly good source of potassium (13% DV that's more than a banana!) and vitamin C (23% DV) when eaten with the skin.

Potatochips on the other hand, are a different story.

"Overall, potato chips aren't a health food. They're low in nutritional value, high in sodium (which can impact blood pressure), and often contain pro-inflammatory ingredientssuch highly processed vegetable oilswhich can lead to the development of health dysfunction and disease," says Sheri Vettel, RD, a registered dietitian at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

But you can't really blame potato chips on all of your health problems.

"Aside from extreme circumstances (such as a primarily potato chip-based diet!), it's hard to look at potato chip consumption in isolation without considering the overall quality of one's diet as a whole," says Vettel

"For instance, if someone truly enjoys potato chips and has a primarily whole foods diet full of quality nutrient-dense foods, then there is less of a negative health impact from occasionally eating potato chips. For those eating the Standard American Diet (or SAD diet), snacking on potato chips even occasionally is taking away from the chance to eat more nutrient-dense foods," Vettel adds.

To determine if you need to cut back on your potato chip consumption, Vettelencourages reflection and listening to your body. Think about healthier snack alternatives, reflect on how you feel physically and emotionally after eating potato chips, and think about whether you have any health conditions (such as high blood pressure) that may require you to reevaluate your potato chip consumption.

If you're eating too many potato chips, consider snacking on a substitute: "Alternatives to standard chips include baked vegetable chips, apple chips, and air-popped popcorn. These snacks tend to be lower in salt, calories, and fat than fried chips and also provide fiber," says Dr. Parcells.

You don't even need to have a 1:1 substitute for potato chips to improve your health status. Instead, you can simply focus on adding more healthy foods to your diet that will "crowd out" the potato chips:

"By adding healthier foods to your diet, you will gently crowd out the choices that aren't the best for you. This concept of crowding out can help you create a healthier relationship with food in general, but especially around foods that aren't so nutrient-dense," recommends Vettel, who notes that working with a Health Coach is a great way to get clear on how your food choices make you feel.

For more on these salty, fatty foods, don't miss Ugly Side Effects of Eating Potato Chips, According to Science.

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#1 Biggest Danger Sign You're Eating Too Many Potato Chips, Say Experts - Eat This, Not That

Opinion

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The FDA takes exposure to toxic elements in the food supply extremely seriously, especially when it comes to protecting the health and safety of the youngest and most vulnerable in the population. Toxic elements, such as arsenic and lead, are present in the environment and may enter the food supply through soil, water or air. Because these elements occur in the environment, currently they cannot be completely avoided in the fruits, vegetables, or grains that are the basis for baby foods, juices, and infant cereals made by companies or by consumers who make their own foods. They also cannot be completely avoided by using organic farming practices. Our goal is to reduce exposure to toxic elements in foods to the greatest extent feasible and to further advance progress in this area through more research and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders.

FDA regulations and monitoring help to ensure the safety of baby foods sold or manufactured in the United States.

While the report released on February4, 2021 by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy raises important questions on what more can be done to reduce toxic elements in baby foods, the FDA has been actively working on this issue using a risk-based approach to prioritize and target the agencys efforts. Consumers should know that FDA scientists routinely monitor levels of toxic elements in baby foods, along with other foods consumed in the countrys diet, through theTotal Diet Study. Further, the FDA also monitors baby food under the FDAs compliance program forToxic Elements in Food and Foodware, and Radionuclides in Foodand through targeted sampling assignments.

When toxic elements in food present a potential health concern, the FDA takes steps to reduce levels, such as using science to set action levels, making data public, and working with industry on identifying effective mitigation strategies.

For example, FDA sampling of infant rice cereal since 2011 has shown that manufacturers have made significant progress in reducing arsenic in infant rice cereal products through selective sourcing and testing of rice and rice-derived ingredients (e.g., rice flour). This progress has been advanced by the FDA through finalguidance to industryon action levels. Because of these efforts, infant rice cereal on the market now is safer than it was a decade ago and we expect that by using emerging science and good manufacturing practices companies will continue to reduce levels of arsenic in infant rice cereal.

Firms and individuals who manufacture or sell food have a legal responsibility under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to ensure the safety of their products. The FDA reviews information and takes action on a case-by-case basis. If the FDA finds that a product violates the law, the agency takes steps to stop the product from being imported, takes court action to stop its sale or recalls it if it is in the domestic market.

For example, onJanuary15, 2021the FDA ordered a U.S. company that had been put under court order for distributing adulterated food to stop distributing adulterated juice products containing potentially harmful levels of the toxic element inorganic arsenic and the mycotoxin patulin, until the company complies with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and other requirements in the court order. The FDA has also worked with several manufacturers whose products contained elevated levels of toxic elements, toremovethem from the market. In addition, between 2019-2020, approximately 65 import actions kept products with potentially elevated levels of toxic elements from entering the U.S.

The FDA currently has multiple ongoingImport Alertsfor toxic elements in food, including for arsenic in fruit juice, bottled water and dietary supplement products and for lead in candy, dried fruits, spices, dietary supplements, and other foods.

The FDA is continuing to work to ensure both domestic and imported foods meet the same standards for toxic elements.

For example, FDA scientists help ensure there are internationally-recognized standards to reduce the levels of toxic elements in foods by participating in Codex Alimentarius, an international food standard setting body of the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization. As part of FDAs work at Codex, our scientists have been instrumental in setting maximum levels and establishing codes of practices for toxic elements including lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Levels set by Codex, although not binding, can inform our regulatory decisions.

FDA provides consumers with actionable advice to limit exposure to toxic elements from food.

For example, consistent with the Congressional reports recommendations, the FDA has communicated advice about the importance of feeding infants a variety of grain-based infant cereals. Rice cereal fortified with iron is a good source of nutrients for infants, but it shouldnt be the only source and does not need to be the first one.

The FDA will continue working with our federal partners, industry and consumer and health advocates on our shared goal of reducing consumer exposure to toxic elements from food.

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)

Read more:
FDA responds to questions about report on lead, other toxins in baby food - Food Safety News

Flaxseeds s are a prized superfood, known for their extensive nutritive values and health benefits. The tiny, nutty and crunchy seeds have gained the status of a superfood lately, but they are actually one of the oldest crops, having been cultivated since the beginning of civilization. Also known as common flax or linseeds, these tiny seeds originated in the Middle East thousands of years ago. Long before flaxseeds were known for its amazing health benefits, it was used to create textiles. Now they have become a staple in the world of healthy eating due to their high omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content. Some people also refer to them as functional food, which means food that can boost health. Tiny brown seeds are known to improve digestion, reduce risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Nutritional contentFlaxseeds are inexpensive and high in calories as compared to other nuts but are also extremely nutritious. 100 grams of flaxseeds contains 534 calories that simply means a teaspoon of whole seeds has approximately 55 calories.Other nutrients 10 grams of whole flaxseeds contains:

Water: 7 per centProtein: 1.9 gramsCarbs: 3 gramsSugar: 0.2 gramsFiber: 2.8 gramsFat: 4.3 grams

Flaxseeds have high-quality amino acids almost comparable to soybeans. They contain all essential amino acids except lysine and so they are considered an incomplete source of protein. Tiny brown seeds are also high in omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6. Besides, it contains other important minerals and compounds like thiamine, copper, molybdenum, magnesium, phosphorus, ferulic acid, cyanogenic glycosides, phytosterols and lignans.

Weight lossNuts and seeds hold an important place in a weight loss diet plan and flaxseeds are one of them that can be included in the diet when the mission is to shed kilos. The tiny brown seeds are loaded with fiber called mucilage, which can suppress hunger, craving and prevent you from indulging in unhealthy munching. A review study even noted that flaxseeds can promote weight loss in overweight and obese people.

Lower blood cholesterol levelHaving these seeds can help to lower the level of LDL or bad cholesterol. A study suggests that consuming flaxseeds daily may help to lower the level of cholesterol by 6 per cent to 11 per cent. That's possible because of the presence of high fiber and lignan content. Both the substances bind with bile acids, amphipathic molecules synthesized from cholesterol in the liver and remove them from the body through the digestive tract. These tiny seeds can easily be paired with cholesterol-lowering medication.

Good for heart healthFlaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are beneficial for us in many ways, particularly in maintaining good heart health. These seeds contain a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which has shown to cut down the risk of heart diseases in several lab tests. The healthy fat basically reduces the inflammation in the arteries, which often leads to various heart issues like stroke, heart attacks and cardiac arrest.

Lower blood pressureConsuming flaxseeds is a natural way to reduce blood pressure. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2015, the blood pressure of participants who consumed flaxseeds daily for more than 12 weeks was reported to be under control. These seeds are also rich in potassium, a nutrient that can help to ease tension in blood vessel walls, which helps further lower blood pressure.

DiabetesAccording to some preliminary research daily intake of the lignans (a compound found in flaxseeds ) may improve blood sugar level. During the study, it was noticed that when people suffering from Type 2 diabetes were given 1020 grams of flaxseeds powder supplement per day for 12 months their fasting blood sugar dropped by 19.7 per cent.

CancerSome recent studies suggest that compounds present in flaxseeds may even protect against breast, prostate, and colon cancer. In a lab study, it was found that compounds present in it can inhibit the growth of tumours. As per a Canadian study carried out on 6,000 women, consuming flaxseeds can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by 18 per cent. Still a lot more research is needed in this area to come to any conclusion.

Reduce inflammationALA and lignans- the two main compounds found in flaxseeds may potentially reduce the inflammation that leads to certain illness like Parkinson's disease and asthma. These compounds block the release of pro-inflammatory agents that may contribute to inflammatory diseases. ALA has been found to decrease inflammatory reactions in humans and lignans was found to decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines in a lab test.

Hot flashesAccording to a 2007 study, the episodes of hot flashes in menopausal women were reduced to half when they consumed 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds twice a day. Even the intensity of hot flashes was dropped by 57 per cent. Opposing this finding, another study reported no significant reduction in hot flashes between postmenopausal women and breast cancer patients consuming ground flaxseeds.

See the rest here:
10 amazing health benefits of flaxseeds and how to consume them - Times of India

The holidays are far behind us and Valentines season is in full swing- chocolate everywhere! While I preach balance and moderation, sometimes its fun to recreate your favorite sweets with a healthy twist. These recipes stemmed from extreme boredom in quarantine and I am so excited to share my creations with you!

Check out these creative ways to satisfy your sweet tooth below.

Blueberry Muffin Greek Yogurt Cups

Ingredients

(makes 4 cups)

These cups mimic an ice cream bar. Theyre cold, creamy and super satisfying. And the best part is that there is no baking required!

First, divide the Overnight Oats bar into 4 & pack into a lined muffin tin. Drizzle a generous amount of almond butter over the crust & place in the fridge for 20 minutes to set. In a small bowl, mix about 1 cup of Greek Yogurt with 1/3 cup frozen blueberries until the mixture turns blue. Spoon the blueberry yogurt mixture on top of the set almond butter. Freeze overnight and enjoy

Chocolate Almond Protein Fudge Bites

Ingredients

(makes 10 bites)

If youre in a house with nosy siblings, friends or even parents, youll definitely want to hide these bad boys! These protein bites are a healthier version of chocolate truffles. Gooey, rich and covered in rainbow sprinkles, its safe to say that this recipe is a crowd pleaser!

First, combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Roll into balls with your hands and fill a smaller bowl with some cacao powder and another small bowl with rainbow sprinkles. Gently roll the balls in the cacao then the sprinkles. Place cacao dusted and sprinkle covered balls onto a parchment lined sheet or large plate. Set in the freezer for 30 minutes and enjoy!

Vanilla Matcha Cereal Bars

Ingredients

These cereal bars arent your grandmothers Rice Krispie treats. Yes, theyre gooey, crunchy and delicious, but they pack a punch of protein filled goodness! If you want to make a more nutritious cereal bar, I recommend choosing a cereal with more protein and less sugar as a base. The Kays Naturals cereal I chose has 12 grams of protein per cup and is made with stevia. This recipe is also no-bake, so thats also a plus!

First, line an 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper. Combine almond butter and honey in a medium sized pot and heat over medium-low for a few minutes. Remove mixture from heat and stir in dry Kays Naturals French Vanilla Protein cereal. Carefully pack cereal mixture into baking dish and drizzle with Matcha almond butter. Let this set in the freezer for 1 hour, then carefully cut into 9 squares. Enjoy!

Check out my page for more recipe inspiration and be sure to share your sweet eats with me @whatzoeeeats.

About Zoe Gregorace

Zoe Gregorace is currently studying Nutrition Policy at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and recently graduated from Tufts University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and was a proud member of the Tufts Swimming and Diving team (Go Jumbos!). During her 16 year career as a competitive swimmer, she developed a passion for sports nutrition. She enjoys writing on the topic of nutrition, health and wellness and posts her meal creations on her Instagram page@whatzoeeeats. As a former college swimmer, she strives to share recipes and nutrition tips to promote balanced eating and optimize sports performance.

Follow this link:
The Hungry Swimmer: Creative Ways To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth 3.0 - SwimSwam