What’s in the news about food choices
- FDA ruling will all but eliminate trans fats
- Saturated fat in butter and cheese may not be so bad for us, being rich in essential vitamins. Also, more helpful fatty acids are found in organic milk vs. conventional milk
- The CDC released voluntary guidelines for food allergies in schools, in order to improve food safety among the growing number of children suffering from food allergens
- The American College of Gastroenterology released updated clinical guidelines for treating GERD, no longer suggesting eliminating coffee, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomatoes unless the patient has specific triggers
- Hawaii counties banning GMO farming
Here are links and summaries for recent news and opinion about food choices.
Fats – milk fat, trans fats
Butter may not be so bad for us, expert says Oct-23-13 NY Daily News
A new report in the British Medical Journal suggests that butter and cheese may not be as bad for your heart as previously thought. Dairy foods high in saturated fat are also rich in essential vitamins.
F.D.A. ruling would all but eliminate trans fats Nov-7-13 New York Times
The Food and Drug Administration proposed measures that would all but eliminate artery-clogging, artificial trans fats from the food supply, the culmination of three decades of effort by public health advocates to get the government to take action against them. The agency has proposed that partially hydrogenated oils, the source of trans fats, no longer be “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS). That means companies would have to prove that such oils are safe to eat, a high hurdle given that scientific literature overwhelmingly shows the contrary.
More helpful fatty acids found in organic milk Dec-9-13 New York Times
Whole milk from organic dairies contains far more of some of the fatty acids that contribute to a healthy heart than conventional milk, scientists are reporting. The finding, published Monday in the journal PLOS One, is the most clear-cut instance of an organic food’s offering a nutritional advantage over its conventional counterpart. Studies looking at organic fruits and vegetables have been less conclusive.
Allergies – school guidelines, fish
CDC releases food allergy guidelines for schools Oct-30-13 Food Product Design
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released voluntary guidelines for food allergies in schools, in order to improve food safety among the growing number of children suffering from food allergens. Food allergies in individual children; emergencies; staff education; children and family members education; safe and healthy educational environment. The prevalence of food allergies increased in children under age 18 years from 3.4% in 1997 to 5.1% in 2011, according the CDC.
More specific testing may lessen severity of fish allergies Dec-13-13 Food Product Design
More specific testing to identify fish allergies in affected persons may identify allergens not common to all types of seafood, which could lessen the severity of fish allergies. “For some people who suffer from fish allergies there may be hope of finding a fish that they can tolerate.”
Diabetes – food acidity, Mediterranean diet
Dietary acid load may increase diabetes risk Nov-12-13 Food Navigator-USA
A high overall acidity of the diet, regardless of the individual foods making up that diet, may be linked to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to new research.
Mediterranean diet without breakfast may be best for diabetics Dec-2-13 Food Navigator
Diabetic consumers are better advised to eat a single large meal based on the Mediterranean diet, rather than several smaller meals per day, according to new research.
Other health conditions and food – GERD, migraines
New guidelines on treating GERD Nov-25-13 John Hopkins Health
Experts no longer advise GERD sufferers to make wide-ranging dietary changes, such as eliminating coffee, spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomatoes — although for some patients with specific reflux triggers, dietary changes may still be helpful.
Suffer from migraines? Ditch canned food Dec-6-13 Rodale
A new study suggests that a common food-packaging ingredient could be worsening women’s migraines. BPA is found in plastic containers and canned foods. Never microwave your food in plastic containers.
Other – produce, seaweed, GMO ban, and more
NPD finds fruits, vegetables growing in popularity in consumer diets Nov-13-13 PMA From Field to Fork
According to The NPD Group’s newest Eating Patterns in America Report, fruit has now surpassed milk, vegetables, and carbonated soft drinks over the last decade and now ranks number two on the list of top ten foods Americans eat.
25% of Brits eat less meat than last year Nov-4-13 Food Navigator
A quarter of British people say they eat less meat than a year ago and values surrounding meat-eating habits are changing too, according to a survey.
Glowing ice cream Nov-5-13 Food Navigator
Lick Me I’m Delicious has created a glow-in-the-dark ice cream made from jellyfish proteins, which costs £140 ($225) a scoop.
Seaweed becoming more popular Nov-18-13 Supermarket News
Seaweed, most often Asian-grown versions known as nori and kelp, is seeing new interest in a variety of forms including the familiar sheets, crumbles used as a snack, topping, spices, spreads or flavoring, and even tortilla-style chips.
Nut milk trend Nov-18-13 HuffPost Food
Nut milks are being used more in restaurants
Hawaii GMO ban Dec-5-13 HuffPost Food
Mayor Billy Kenoi of Honolulu signed Bill 113 into law on Thursday, prohibiting biotech companies from operating on the Big Island and banning farmers from growing any new genetically altered crops. The bill exempts the island’s GMO papaya industry.
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