Tufts releases a suggested MyPlate alternative for seniors, catering to their nutrition and physical activity needs. Residents in senior living facilities want more individualized, less restrictive meal plans. 78% of US families say they purchase organic foods. Low-income people may be avoiding produce because they can’t afford organic and believe that eating pesticides is more harmful than avoiding produce. Eating junk food could decrease male fertility. Chicago public schools commit to antibiotic-free chicken.
Food plans for seniors – Tufts MyPlate, individualized meal plans
Tufts unveils new MyPlate for older adults Nov-4-11 Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter
After the federal government updated its food pyramid with the new MyPlate, Tufts nutrition experts have introduced a corresponding MyPlate for Older Adults [pdf]. The new guide, which replaces the Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults, calls attention to the unique nutritional and physical activity needs associated with advancing years.
Individualized meal plans for senior living facilities Nov-2011 Today’s Dietician
More than 38% of residents in senior living facilities had diabetes in 2008, and they want more individualized, less restrictive meal plans without strict glucose management to accommodate their special needs.
Organic food – demand, low-income fear
78% of US families say they purchase organic foods Nov-4-11 FoodBev.com
78% (more US families than ever before) say they’re choosing organic foods, according to a study published by the Organic Trade Association (OTA). Four in 10 families indicate that they’re buying more organic products than they were a year ago. Nearly half (48%) of parents surveyed revealed that their strongest motivator for buying organic is their belief that organic products ‘are healthier for me and my children’.
Pro-organic call may mean low-income people avoiding produce Nov-2011 Today’s Dietician
With the increasingly prevalent notion that organic fruits and vegetables are safer because pesticides can cause cancer, people with low incomes may avoid produce because they can’t afford organic.
Food restrictions and medical conditions – male fertility, IBS, autoimmune diseases
Eating junk food could decrease fertility Nov-2-11 Dr. Jonathan Wright’s Nutrition & Healing
Research found that men whose diets were heavy in junk food produced sperm that weren’t as likely to survive the trip to the egg as those produced by men who ate healthy diets. And this was regardless of whether the men were healthy and exercised. The men who ate the highest levels of trans fat had the worst quality sperm.
Very restricted diet may relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome Nov-3-11 WebMD
A very restricted diet may help relieve bloating, gas, abdominal pain, and other symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A low-FODMAP diet restricts certain natural sugars – fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
Diet to reduce symptoms of autoimmune diseases Nov-2011 Today’s Dietician
23 million people in the USA suffer from autoimmune diseases. Researchers are beginning to believe that autoimmunity may play a role in many chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease. A diet with increase vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants such as vitamin E and whole plant foods, and balanced gut microbiota, may be helpful.
Other – kosher fish, Fair Trade labeling, antibiotic-free chicken in schools
Fazoli’s adds lower-calorie entrees with options under 400 calories Oct-31-11 Resaurant News
Lower calorie menu items include pasta, pizza, and a sample platter
Mislabeled fish not a problem for kosher Oct-31-11 Kosher Today
Only fish with fins and scales is considered kosher. Several rabbis said that they generally required vendors to buy fish from sources with a kosher certification but if bought on the open market can only be used if the skin is still attached.
Fair Trade USA to review labeling policy Oct-31-11 Supermarket News
Fair Trade USA here is conducting a full review of its new labeling policy that would, in some cases, certify as fair trade products that have at least 25% fair trade ingredients, even if they also contain conventional components for which fair trade alternatives are commercially available.
McDonald’s commits to sustainable palm oil Oct-31-11 QSR
McDonald’s Corporation will source palm oil only from Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) member companies by the end of this year, and use only RSPO-certified palm oil in restaurants and pre-cooked chicken and potato products by 2015.
Chicago Public Schools commits to antibiotic-free chicken Nov-1-11 Food Management
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has begun serving local chicken raised without antibiotics to students in 473 schools. This development comes on the heels of a fresh chicken purchase direct from the USDA earlier this fall. The district’s new scratch-cooked chicken program includes about 1.2 million pounds from Amish farms that do not use antibiotics.
Gluten-free store in San Francisco Nov-3-11 Wall Street Journal
The 1,200-square-foot store opened in June in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. The store stocks an evolving list of more than 700 gluten-free items, including cupcakes, pastas and sauces.
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