Jan
31
2012
What’s to love and loathe about chocolate milk?
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Two remarkably separate groups love and hate chocolate milk for drastically different reasons. Endurance athletes seek the protein that milk provides to help muscles recover after a long workout, but those looking to reform school lunches don’t approve of the added sugar. Continue reading.
Jan
31
2012
Chocolate milk delivers nutrition but stirs debate
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
While Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences Commissioner Adam Putnam persuaded the state board of education to continue serving flavored milk, his office has worked with dairy farmers to produce a healthier alternative. So far, 17 of Florida’s 62 counties serve chocolate milk with less sugar and fat. Continue reading.
Jan
31
2012
Milk consumption in schools dropped dramatically when flavored milk options not offered
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Research sponsored by the Milk Processor Education Program (responsible for the “got milk?” campaign) showed that overall milk consumption dropped 35 percent when the flavored options were removed. With students missing out on nutrients, the industry maintains that flavored milk is better than no milk at all. Continue reading.
Jan
31
2012
‘Soda in drag’? Schools may ban chocolate milk
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Nutritionists and parents are split when it comes to flavored milk in schools. Some argue the nutritional value of flavored low-fat or skim milk outweighs the harm of the added sugar, while others say flavored milk should be used as a reward and not part of an everyday routine. Continue reading.
Jan
24
2012
What the common grocery store product labels mean and when they matter
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Forget the nutrition information, nearly every food product boasts some kind of health quality: heart healthy, fat free, whole grain and more. This article describes what they usually mean, if the claims are regulated and — most importantly — if the descriptors are worth paying for. Continue reading.
Jan
24
2012
Front of package rating system government’s next tool in guiding consumers’ food choices
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
As the FDA continues to show interest in the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation to use a visual, checkmark system, it continues to raise questions. Forbes makes the case to utilize the current system, which provides consumers basic nutritional facts.
Click to read more. Continue reading.
Jan
24
2012
Nutrition labeling can guide consumers but a lack of motivation and attention stand in the way
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
With nutrition information appearing in a variety of locations and layouts in Europe, researchers sought to determine which system was most effective. They found that while consumers had a clear understanding of which products were healthier, they did not use the information when choosing which product they preferred. Continue reading.
Jan
17
2012
Food plate icon improvement of pyramid
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
A nutrition and public policy expert praises USDA’s MyPlate for its emphasis on healthy, natural diets in the expanded fruits, vegetables and grains quadrants. Combined with messages about enjoying what you eat and portion control, the expert says the USDA tool “works better than anything it has done before.”
Click to read more. Continue reading.
Jan
17
2012
MyPlate guidelines: Adherence is extremely low
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Recent analysis shows that the average American meets the MyPlate standards only seven days a year. They’re typically met, however, on days when people eat more than three meals, indicating the extra fruit, vegetable and dairy helpings come from snacks.
Click to read more. Continue reading.
Jan
17
2012
For a week I ate MyPlate and then I ate this
laurabernheim January 2012, Trends & Topics 0
Intrigued by the feasibility of MyPlate, a CNN writer strictly followed the diet standards and limited her food budget to the national average (Read her post that announces the experiment: Food Challenge: Is MyPlate possible and affordable?). Despite getting mired in the planning and calculations at first, she found that following MyPlate made her more aware of eating habits and curbed over-eating. Continue reading.