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March 2007
Good Mood Foods?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There may be another reason to call fish “brain food.”
Turns out that having salmon for dinner isn’t just good for your heart, it may also improve your attitude! According to a University of Pittsburgh study omega-3 fatty acids, which are plentiful in fatty fish like salmon, seem to affect areas of the brain associated with emotion.
The team previously found that people with lower blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids were more apt to have a negative outlook and to be more impulsive, while those with higher levels typically were more agreeable and less likely to exhibit a sour mood. Seems it has something to do with the amount of gray matter in the brain which helps regulate our moods. The more omega-3 in the diet, the more gray matter. What do you think of the food-mood connection? And we’re not just talking chocolate!!
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Healthy Bacteria?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Numerous studies have suggested that yogurt and its so-called friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics, may actually enhance the immune system, have anticancer properties, help with allergies and yeast infections, lower cholesterol and even help you manage weight. Probiotics are simply live bacteria that we eat. The two microbes used in yogurt are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. But not all yogurts contain enough of these bacteria to make the “probiotic” cut. To make sure the yogurt you buy has these cultures look for the National Yogurt Association’s Live & Active Cultures seal on cartons. Are you in the yogurt culture?
Vitamins bad for health?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Results of recent research studies are putting a kink in the hypothesis that taking antioxidant vitamin supplements ( Betacarotene, Vitamins E, A and C) is a slam dunk to improve your health; in fact they show the opposite.
In a study published last month in The Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers in Europe analyzed data from 68 large trials in which more than 232,000 adults were given antioxidant supplements. The scientists concluded, subjects taking vitamins A and E and beta carotene saw a slightly increased risk of death compared with those who did not take supplements. (Vitamin C had no effect on mortality, the team found.) So are America’s most popular vitamins actually harmful? Not likely, other experts say. Although antioxidant supplements have not been the cure-alls scientists had hoped for, there may yet be a place for them. What everyone seems to agree upon is that the upside can be gained by eating foods naturally rich in hundreds of antioxidants such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. What’s your view on taking vitamin supplements???
Scared to eat your vegetables?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do you think the government should be doing more to make sure veggies are safe to eat?
Produce industry officials say that sales of lettuce and spinach are down 20 percent in the wake of several E. coli outbreaks last fall. According to a survey by the Food Policy Institute at Rutgers University, about 60 percent of those surveyed said they have not resumed eating spinach since September’s recall. With those fears ..it’s not easy being green! We’re supposed to be eating more servings of fruits and vegetables than advised ever before. Used to be Five-a-Day was the goal. Now the Produce for Better Health Foundation along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising we eat even more. So what’s a spinach salad lover to do? Help is on the way as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said its calling for a stricter system for monitoring fresh fruit and vegetable safety, but it’s voluntary NOT mandatory. What would like government food safety officials to require?
Got Gluten?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Seems to me that more people today are saying they want gluten-free foods because they have a gluten intolerance. Even major restaurant chains are offering gluten-free guidance on their menus. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. If you have a true gluten intolerance your body reacts in much the same way it would with a lactose (milk sugar) intolerance.
It would cause stomach cramping and digestive distress. Statistically, about 1 in 140 people have a true gluten intolerance. That’s alot of people but, why does gluten intolerance seem to be one of the buzz conditions of the day? And why are some folks self diagnosing and blaming gluten in their diet for causing everything from weight gain to irritability.
Got gluten problem?
Who wants calories on the menu?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
NYC ( the city that banned trans fats in restaurants) is buzzing with a controversial new rule that may take effect in July requiring restaurants to post nutrition information. Most of the eateries that would be involved are chain restaurants like Wendy’s or Quiznos.
Many already voluntarily share nutrition information on their websites and in brochures….so do you think “there oughta be a law” requiring they reveal calories, fats and other nutrition information?
And do you think THAT would help battle obesity in America?
Whole Wheat What?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Krispy Kreme is introducing a 100% whole wheat glazed doughnut. Oxymoron? or just moronic?
It’s billed as “an alternative for health-conscious consumuers” and clocks in at 180 calories per. The original glazed
donut has 200 calories, so not a big calorie saving with the whole wheat version. And no mention of the grams of
fiber that may be in each whole wheat donut in press materials or on the website yet.
So, what do you think of indulgent foods like doughnuts jumping on the healthy-for-you bandwagon?
Remember oat bran potato chips??
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