Americans consuming less sugar. New research from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) suggests that Americans are consuming less sugar – including white and brown sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, honey and molasses – than in the year 2000. The research shows Americans consume an average of 19 teaspoons per year, down from 25 teaspoons in 2000. Los Angeles Times

Kids need longer meal time to crunch on healthy foods. In France, kids get one to two hours to eat their lunch; kids in the U.S. get 25-30 minutes. Some say the limited lunch period isn’t enough time to eat a healthy meal and may be part of the reason why 25 million kids in the U.S. are overweight or obese. Studies show that eating too quickly may cause kids to consume more calories. Given that 30-50% of kids’ calories come from school meals, it may be worthwhile to give our kids more time to chew the apple instead of chugging the apple drink. USA Today 

Road trip for real food. Try as we might, not all of us have access to healthy, affordable food. Over the next decade it is estimated that 50% of children of color born will develop Type 2 diabetes as a result of poor diet. Twelve activists sponsored by Live Real kicked off their Food and Freedom Rides to spread the word about food injustice and develop solutions in urban and rural communities such as Birmingham, Alabama and Detroit, Michigan. The Daily GOOD

Here is a list of techniques that a business person can use to help manage daily stresses and anxieties: http://buff.ly/T1pg1W 

It's true.  If you are trying to get pregnant or get someone pregnant don't stress about it. http://www.empowher.com/sexual-well-being/content/stress-and-infertility-linked-or-not

Feeling down? Spirituality can boost your mood. http://news.yahoo.com/feeling-down-spirituality-boost-mood-172114212.html

Want Better Health? Your Eating Environment Matters

Here are some ideas on how we can help our communites change behaviors for a healthier lifestyle: http://buff.ly/T1hAga

Obese five-year-olds showing warning signs of stroke and heart disease: research

Studies more firmly tie sugary drinks to obesity 

Active video gaming is a start on adolescent obesity reduction (Video)

Can We Shrink Portions (And the Obesity Epidemic) With Psychology?

Study Says: Milk Doesn’t Do a Body Good

You probably grew up hearing the axiom "Milk - it does a body good" over and over again. Your mom likely made you drink milk in large quantities at the advice of your pediatrician to make sure you got enough calcium. Even movie stars, singers and athletes encourage you to drink more milk by wearing milk mustaches. And all of this was done in the name of promoting healthy and strong bones and teeth. However, I still love a cold glass of milk before I go to bed.  But, I get my milk delivered to my home in glass bottles from our local dairy market which is free of all the antibiotics.  Read more...

Meat Substitute Market Beefs Up

When Michael Weber gave up animal products in 2003, the packaged food industry didn't have much to sell him. That early vegan food was either really hippy-ish or really processed, Weber tells The Salt. "It wasn't that high quality." Nowadays, a stroll through a grocery store might just lead you to a freezer or cooler jammed with dozens of flavors of veggie burgers, meatless buffalo wings, dairy-free cheese and ice cream, and maple bacon tempeh. More...