Time for a Nutrition Facts label makeover? A team of aspiring journalists at the University of California, Berkeley, are working on redesigning the Nutrition Facts label that leaves so many grocery shoppers perplexed. The USDA isn't officially redesigning the label, but the plans will likely contribute to the ongoing FDA review. The panel of judges, including Michael Pollan, Michael Jacobson, Dr. Robert Lustig and others, chose a colorful box design showing relative proportion of ingredients. Would redesigning the Nutrition Facts Label help Americans make healthier choices? New York Times


If you hide it, they will eat it. A study out of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that hiding vegetables in kid-approved foods like zucchini bread and tomato sauce resulted in kids eating the same volume of food but with more nutrients and about 15-25% fewer calories. With childhood obesity rates on the rise, this might suggest some new cooking techniques for parents to help their kids eat healthier. Some, however, claim this is an unfair practice and that kids should choose what they want to eat. Science Daily

 

Would you like apple fries with that? Over 15,000 restaurants are participating in the launch of the Kids LiveWell program developed by the National Restaurant Association. Burger King, Au Bon Pain, Chili’s, Benny’s IHOP, and Outback Steakhouse are just a few of the national chains agreeing to offer and promote menu items that meet criteria based on the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines. Burger King will now automatically included a juice or milk and ask, “Would you like apple fries or French fries?” However, offering only one healthy option is required to qualify.  More…GOOD

Grassroots farm-to-school programs taking off! Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan says the farm-to-school programs that put locally grown vegetables, fruits and meats on cafeteria trays have exploded so rapidly that the USDA doesn’t have solid figures on how many schools are involved. While there were about 400 programs in 22 states in 2004, the National Farm to School Network estimates there are now over 2,500 in more than 10,000 schools around the country.  More…ABC News

Harvard study shuns eating everything in moderation. New data extending from the Harvard’s Nurses’ Health Study shows that while our exercise habits could use some improvement, our diets need the most attention. The foods contributing most to weight loss were vegetables while those associated with weight gain included  french fries, potato chips, sugar-sweetened drinks, red meats and others. One of the researchers, Dr. Mozaffarian says, “There are good foods and bad foods, and the advice should be to eat the good foods more and the bad foods less,” he said. “The notion that it’s O.K. to eat everything in moderation is just an excuse to eat whatever you want.” More...New York Times

The Scripps Research Institute finds stress hormone key to alcohol dependence.  Roberto notes that another intriguing aspect of the work is that it provides a possible physiological link between stress-related behaviors, emotional disorders (i.e. stress disorders, anxiety, depression), and the development of alcohol dependence. More lab rat detail...

We need to get our kids outside!  Although this seems like common sense, children have less media exposure and play outdoors have lower risks for obesity, heart disease, diabetes, joint problems, and even depression.  This is now being brought to the Surgeon General to be placed as a priority.  More…

Chamomile helps lessen symptoms of mild to moderate general anxiety disorder.  It was noted in the study that many suffering with GAD self-diagnos and self-medicate with alternative, over-the-counter remedies such as chamomile teas.  Read…

Food scientists are working on appetite suppressant “that gels into a solid structure in the stomach, thereby helping to curb appetite”.  They are consulting with psychologists to determine how long the suppressant should last by looking at consumer behavior pattern. Yikes!

Some common sense reminders about eating well are discussed by nutritionist and author Elizabeth Somer.  This is a good refresher on the brain-food relationship.  More…

Make sure magnesium is in your multivitamin.  Preliminary tests are showing that a new magnesium compound is boosting rat brains and maybe ours soon. More…

Even “cave-moms” told their kids to eat fish so their brains would grow.  The evolution of our brains may have also been dependent upon our consumption of seafood in addition to meat and learning to cook with fire.  Read…

Using “we” instead of “I” in talking about our relationships is associated with increased satisfaction in solving problems.  UC Berkley researchers noted these couples “behaved more positively toward one another and showed less physiological stress”.  Read…

But, spouses who provide “too much informational support -- usually in the form of unwanted advice-giving -- is the most detrimental” to marital relationships. It looks like more is less when it comes to this type of advice, but spouses do need consistent support in relationships and being open and honest by communicating what those levels are (on an individual basis) with your spouse is preferable.    More…

Having a mid-life crisis is not so prevalent anymore according to researchers.  Apparently life satisfaction is greater in the 40s and 50s compared with early phases of life when families, careers, and financial stability is less certain.  More…

Early psychological treatment/assistance may help patients, in the long-term, recover from the emotional trauma of significant injuries or experiences.  Psychological treatment typically occurs after the body has physically recovered but new research suggests that patients may benefit from much earlier intervention strategies.  More…