Healthy School Lunches Are Under Attack

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The facts are out there, a significant proportion of children in the United States are battling obesity and a lot of it has to do with our school lunches. 27% of 17-24-year-olds in this country are unfit to join the military, and they are at significant risk of developing lifestyle diseases later in their lives. Parents demanded change in their children’s lunch menu and in 2010 the child nutrition bill was passed. Parents will not celebrate for long as there are proposals to reauthorize the program this year, which will see $ 11 billion to finance the school lunch nutrition program. Congress plans to reauthorize spending, but the programs that have been put in place earlier are at risk. Several players would like this to succeed, one party is the School Nutrition Association, a body that comprises of the school food directors and workers and receives most of their funding from the food industry.

Industry Players Disrupting the Nutrition Bill

Industry players like the potato lobby and frozen pizza makers have already lobbied against new proposals as the new bill’s requests would eat into their profits. Other suppliers are in this for the same reason; their profits have dropped due to children eating healthy. Many of the new proposals for the bill are attacking essential aspects to a healthy diet like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.  Another example of a sneaky plan is for “Smart Snack Program,” this program would include salty, high calories snacks to kids instead of more healthy alternatives. It’s imperative that we stand strong and keep working to build healthier school lunches for our children. 

There are a few people who believe that healthier meals have led to increased food waste. Healthy foods have never been a kid’s favorite. As kids, we always preferred sweet and salty food, which is why making a change to healthier food is hurting a lot of food manufacturers. The key to ensuring that food waste is minimized without having to give the children junk is creating healthy meals that are more appetizing. This idea has worked perfectly well in some schools, and it can work in others too.

Inspired by www.usatoday.com

NutriFusion® for School Lunches

Food manufacturers that provide processed foods to schools need to develop healthier and more appetizing products. That’s a tough combination to strike, but it is the key to sustainable competitive advantage in the school lunch market. Health and nutrition are driving forces in the food industry, and we have to find ways to better our food system for the generations to come. We recommend you take a look at our GrandFusion® products. They are unique blends of organic, non-GMO fruits and vegetables that deliver the 50% of the daily value of natural vitamins and minerals. Our mixes go through a patented, stabilization process so that the micronutrients and phytonutrients can withstand the heating and cooling of modern day processing. If you are interested in learning more about our products, please review the website or contact us below.

 

Sugary Drinks May Damage Heart Health

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The latest Harvard research review is confirming what everyone feared, there are negative effects associated with sweetened drinks on our heart health. It has been known that they have negative effects, but most of us did not associate them with heart conditions. The review by Vasanti Malik, a nutrition research scientist from Harvard, points out that taking one or two servings of sweetened drinks increases your risk of a heart attack. This is not the only effect, this sugar also puts the consumer at risk of a stroke and type 2-diabetes. According to the review, reducing the intake may not solve the problem but it is one step towards reducing the risk.

Heart Health And Sugar Don’t Mix

heart healthThe review puts a new focus on heart health risks; previously the main attention was on fat and cholesterol reduction. The impact of sugar was not very profound; with this report, people need to start paying serious attention to what beverages they consume on a daily basis. The understanding that sweetened drinks have similar effects as cholesterol and fats is an eye opener. Perhaps this will make people reduce their intake or get rid of sweetened drinks altogether. One of the most widely consumed sweetened drinks is soda; it is known to contain 35 grams of sugar, an equivalent of nine teaspoons.

Glucose and fructose are the culprits; they both cause heart diseases among other conditions. Glucose causes your level of insulin to rise, an effect that leads to the development of type 2-diabetes. Fructose apart from causing heart disease also triggers the liver to release bad cholesterol. When fructose is consumed in large quantities it can cause fatty liver disease and production of excess uric acid in the blood system, this is the main cause of heart disease, gout, and inflammatory arthritis. For those who may be worried about belly fat, consumption of fructose has been associated with its accumulation. Accumulation of belly fat is a directly associated with dysfunctional heart health.

Beverage Manufacturers Challenge The Claims

Malik’s review, as expected has been challenged by the beverage makers; they claim that the report unfairly targets their industry. They argue that the same zeal that the researchers condemn sweetened sugars should be applied to product sugars since the body process both of them in a similar way.

The researchers are sticking to their ground and they insist that the processed sugar is absorbed rapidly in the body increasing the chances of harming the body organs. The United States Department of Agriculture proposes that manufacturers will be required to identify the amount of sugar in the product in relation to that which occurs naturally. Consumers have been urged to avoid added sugars until such measures have been put in place.

Inspired by consumer.healthday.com

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90% of Millennials Have Suboptimal Vitamin E Intake

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A study from DSM Nutritional Products and Cornell University show that more than 90% of millennials or people that are in their twenties have inadequate levels of vitamin E. What does this mean?

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 2003 – 2006) also confirm that 87% of people that are 20 to 30 years of age and 68% of 31 to 50-year-old Americans are unable to maintain their ideal serum alpha- tocopherol concentrations which is defined as 30 micromoles per liter. Also, the study from the Public Library of Science (PLOS) ONE reported that 93% of 20 to 30-year-old Americans have very low levels of vitamin E along with 80% of people older than 30 years of age with minimal levels of the vitamin. In line with these studies are the benefits of serum alpha – tocopherol that helps in developing a healthy reproductive system, brain and liver functions.

Dr. McBurney Investigates Vitamin E Deficiency

vitamin e According to Michael McBurney, Ph.D. VP Science, Communications, and Advocacy, Nutrition Science & Advocacy at DSM Nutritional Products LLC, more data is needed in determining the overall status of vitamin E in Americans. The fact is that vitamin E follows vitamin D scientifically. Research has to be done about vitamin D deficiency since it affects bone health, immune system health, muscle function and so many more. McBurney also mentions that minuscule levels of vitamin E may affect the many biological functions. He also stated that vitamin E was discovered because of its impact on normal reproductive function. Some couples delay having children in life because of the difficulty to conceive or even managing pregnancy up to full term. He asked if subtropical vitamin E could be responsible for this condition and if measuring the status of vitamin E would help.

Researchers utilized data from NHANES 2003 to 2005 which is limited to alpha and gamma- tocopherol since vitamin E requirements are based on alpha- tocopherol. The data yielded results that said only 1% of the total population have very low vitamin E levels and that alpha-tocopherol are even lower in people who us non-dietary supplements. Individuals that may have participated in the study have on average a better status when it comes to nutrition, or vitamin E levels of Americans are now lower compared to when the studies were conduction. Therefore, one can anticipate that the recent data (2015) may even be lower than the lowest levels.

New studies are underway using the pharmacologic doses of vitamin E in respondents that are at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and changes in cognitive dysfunction as well as the development of fatty liver disease because of evidence that the vitamin is necessary for the maintenance of brain and liver function.

Inspired by Food Navigator

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Pregnant Women Not Eating Daily Value of Fruits and Veggies

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According to a report by American Baby called “What Pregnant Women Really Eat,” around 80 percent of pregnant women take chances in eating hazardous foods while more than 60 percent are not able to meet daily nutritional requirements for fruits and vegetables.

70 percent of respondents say that they ate healthier when they became pregnant while a large number are not following the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. There are a lot of reasons for these nutritional deficiencies. For one, women suffer from a variety of medical conditions during pregnancy leading to food aversions during this period.

Mindy Walker, Executive Editor of American Baby, said that factors such as time constraints, food aversions and convenience in shopping for healthy foods are top reasons why pregnant women are missing out on eating healthy. She also cited some good news, though.

Even with these changes in nutrition, around 90 percent of pregnant women say no to drinking alcohol, 80 percent begin their day by eating breakfast and about 85 percent follow caffeine restriction guidelines. All of these are vital in a healthy pregnancy.

 

Food Cravings in Pregnant Women

A high percentage of respondents revealed that they suffer from food cravings. More than 80 percent prefer to eat foods such as ice cream, chocolates, pretzels, cookies, chips and candy. Although these are very common, a lot of women also admit to eating foods that could place them at risk such as uncooked food, unpasteurized cheeses and premade deli salads. These foods could be dangerous since these may contain listeria that could lead to terrible complications during pregnancy.

The survey also reported that around 60 percent of the respondents are aware of weight gain during pregnancy and over a third said that they have suffered from obesity or being overweight. From the number of women that became obese during their pregnancies, they revealed that their physicians did not explain the possibilities of gestational diabetes, hypertension and caesarian delivery. Both the mother and her child are at risk for a lot of life-threatening medical conditions. We should devise a strategy to enhance the nutritional education of pregnant women.

NutriFusion® Can Boost Nutrition for Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is a long nine months for women, and it’s difficult to stick to a healthy diet. As mentioned in the study, many women face the urge of food cravings for processed snack foods like cookies, ice cream, chips, pretzels, and candy. We think it’s unreasonable to expect women to resist those urges all of the time. Our products can help processed food companies make “better for you” snacks with the vitamins and minerals from fruits and vegetables. We urge pregnant women and other consumers to push your favorite brands to switch to NutriFusion® and start boosting your nutrition today!

Beyond Meat CEO Says Plant-Based Protein is the Future

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Beyond Meat is a privately held company based El Segundo, California. Its CEO, Ethan Brown, believes plants are the future of protein. Beyond Meat is on the cutting edge of plant protein research and development. The company’s aim is to drive progress and innovation; it provides plant-based protein foods – without compromising the satisfaction, chew, or taste of meat. The company makes all its meat substitutes with pea or soy protein and without bioengineered ingredients, gluten, trans fats, dairy, or cholesterol. It’s all about creating a product that is completely indistinguishable from animal protein but with health benefits. They believe the future of protein is increasingly plant-based. Cattle farming is responsible for between 18 and 51 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and is also land and water–intensive. That’s why Beyond Meat is racing to diversify protein sources so as to be able to feed the world’s population for as long as possible.

Why Beyond Meat and Plant-Based Protein?

While talking to Food Business News, Brown said they’re not there yet, but every day they do get closer, and they do know that it’s scientifically possible. To support its growth, the company recently hired three food industry veterans: Jerry Joye, as the COO of Beyond Meat – he is the former COO of Fiji Water; Mark Mortimer, as the chief commercial officer of Beyond Meat – he is the former chief customer officer and president of Annie’s, Inc.; Mark Nelson, as the CFO of Beyond Meat – he was most recently the treasurer and CFO at Farmer Brothers Co.

A report by Markets and Markets, released in August 2015, lists Beyond Meat as one of the leading players in the global meat substitutes market, and projects that by 2020 that market will reach $5.17 billion, representing a CAGR of 6.4 percent from 2015. The company uses protein from plants to create products ranging from meatballs and burgers to chicken poppers. It has partnered with elite athletes to promote the benefits of plant-based protein. Specific partners include Tia Blanco, J.J. Redick, Maya Moore, David Wright, Eric Bledsoe, April Ross, and Maggie Vessey. The athlete partners come from the AVP, WNBA, MLB, NBA, and World Surf League.

At Beyond Meat, their plant-based meats let consumers continue to eat what they love, from vegetables to chili to Bolognese to burgers to hemp, without the downsides of animal protein. Beyond Meat’s, convenient and tasty products can be found at Safeway, Whole Foods, Target Publix, and in over 7,500 stores across the US and growing. Beyond Meat realized that many plant proteins contain components that promote overall bodily health and can help protect against chronic disease. Nuts, soy beans and legumes are three plant-based sources of protein that possess such beneficial properties.

Inspired by www.fooddive.com/news and www.foodbusinessnews.com

NutriFusion® Plant-Based Products

NutriFusion® was created on the development of unique, plant-based products. Our traditional GrandFusion® blends are focused on stabilizing the micronutrients and phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables. Our fruit and vegetable GrandFusion® blends can withstand all of the hurdles of modern day food processing. From there, we developed a plant-based protein product called GrandFusion® Complete, it is derived from Hemp. Hemp is considered by many to be the most complete protein in the world. It has a highly digestible balance of the 20 known amino acids. If you are interested in learning more about our products, check out our products page or contact Myra Mackey directly.

Doctor Opens “Farmacy” to use Food as Medicine

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We are beginning to reconnect with the knowledge of plant based, whole food as medicine was neglected with the onset of big pharma. Dr. Robert Weiss believes that a change is coming in the way we approach medicine and health. He states that plant-based whole foods are more powerful as disease-modifying tools than any drugs or surgeries. Weiss, a doctor of 25 years in Hudson County, has sold his practice in New York for quite a long time. He has been researching how food can be used as a medicine and has established the first farm-based medical practice in Long Valley, New Jersey. The 348-acre farm can be referred to as “farmacy,” since it is a place where the doctor explores and utilizes plant-based “food as medicine.”

Plant Based, Whole Food as Medicine

food as medicine broccoliResearch on plant-based medicine has taken a back seat, yet billions are being spent on the production of synthetic chemicals to treat the symptoms of diseases; this happens despite the fact that ancient history has already known the potential of plant-based medicine. A substantial amount of money can be saved by prioritizing a proper diet comprising of seeds, grains, beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. It’s interesting to note that a strict diet regimen can also be used to treat those already afflicted with ailments. This doesn’t mean that when one breaks an ankle, they can fix it by salve of mugwort on it. They will definitely need someone to fix it. The issue here is that a proper diet can be used to prevent and treat chronic diseases – the cancers, the cardiovascular diseases, the strokes, the heart attacks, etc. – the illnesses that are destroying people’s lives.

Fruits and Vegetables Combat Inflammation

apple treesDr. Weiss says that the nutrients in vegetables and fruits prevent inflammation, which is the cause of many chronic diseases, or so it is believed. A recent study from Dr. Mark Kindy at the Medical University of South Carolina showed that inflammation was reduced with a concentrated fruit and vegetable powder called GrandFusion®.  Weiss believes a plant-based diet can help us reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical drugs that are dangerous and are known to bring on a host of negative side-effects. He also strives to avoid, where possible, unnecessary surgeries that are painful and dangerous.

pineapples

 

 

The farmacy already has 90 families that volunteer time harvesting vegetables and picking weeds. The families pay a membership fee, and their goal is to get as many people as possible to be interested in their diet. The farmacy is then able to sustain itself and involve all the consumers in the food production. The doctor adds that there are studies that have shown working in the garden and making contact with soil bacteria can make one happier and smarter, by triggering the release of serotonin in the brains.

Article Inspired by www.cornucopia.org

 

Only 4% of Americans are Eating Enough Vegetables

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Americans are still not having enough vegetables despite the widely publicized benefits of eating them. According to a recent report released by the National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, only 4 percent of Americans meet their daily required consumption of veggies. The National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance’s 2015 Report Card has given the marketing of vegetables an F grade while the consumption of vegetables among kids has received a D grade. Meaning most Americans are no healthier than an average school kid.

vegetables

People who eat fruits and vegetables as part of their daily diet have a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. Health experts encourage people to make half their plate fruits and vegetables.  But even with the growing popularity of vegetable-inspired meals and veggie-forward restaurants, people still don’t consume enough vegetables at home. The Alliance’s 2015 Report Card says that the problem is moving from bad to worse. During the past five years, the average consumption of veggies declined by 6 percent.

Fruits and Vegetables are Important for Health

Veggies are a vital part of healthy eating and provide a source of many nutrients, including folate (folic acid), fiber, potassium, and vitamins A, E and C. Garlic, tomatoes, spinach, and broccoli are superfoods because they provide additional benefits. Potassium helps to maintain healthy blood pressure while fiber in vegetables contributes to lower risk of heart disease and reduces blood cholesterol levels. Folate (folic acid) on the other hand helps the body form healthy red blood cells.

kid's healthBut why are Americans not eating enough veggies? The Alliance’s report offers some reasons as to why. First, it says that dinner looks different these days with the growing popularity of one-dish meals and convenience items such as sandwiches and pizzas. These have pushed the vegetable side off the plate. Secondly, when it comes to preparing meals at home, parents are not as strict on making sure their kids have enough fruits and veggies. “Parents don’t want to make tailored meals for everyone at home and be line cooks” explains Elizabeth Pivonka, the CEO and president of the Produce for Better Health Foundation, and a registered dietitian. About 35 percent of parents view getting their kids to eat veggies as a battle, just behind getting them to stop bickering and to clean their room.

The National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance has developed a plan that will increase accessibility of vegetables in schools, communities, on menus and worksites. The organization will promote efforts that will give people the motivation and nutrition education to eat more veggies.

NutriFusion® Can Increase Daily Vegetable Consumption

We have consistently seen this problem in nutrition and healthy eating over the past 5 years. We developed our stabilized whole fruit and vegetable powders to help packaged food companies deliver better nutrition. Our formulas can give foods as much as 50% of the daily value of complex vitamins from vegetables. Our goal is to help children and adults eat healthier packaged foods made from natural ingredients like fruits and vegetables. If you are interested in learning more, please visit the consumer packaged food page.

Belly Fat is More Dangerous For Heart Than Obesity

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Do you consider yourself healthy? In the context of body fat most people will answer by their BMI, and if their BMI is normal, their response will be positive too. Recent research has proved that this is not the case. Even if you have a normal BMI, it doesn’t mean you are healthy and especially if you have fat residing in the middle of your body i.e. belly, it may prove more harmful than obesity.

In a 14-year long research study conducted by health scientists, it was found that men who have an average weight and BMI (body mass index) but carry fat around their bellies are twice as likely to die as compared to the obese men. The study proved that women are also affected by this harmful fat, but their numbers are slightly lower than men, i.e. women having belly fat are 32% more likely to die than their obese counterparts.

This is an alarming situation as normal BMI was considered as a standard measure for one’s health, but the recent research has proved otherwise. This leads us to the question, why is belly fat more dangerous than obesity?

Belly Fat, Not Obesity Is The Silent Killer

All fats do not behave alike. For instance, you need a layer of fat called subcutaneous fat to protect your vital organs from the external environment. The other bad kind of fat that we are talking about here is called visceral fat, and it encircles your organs. It does not just sit there; it secretes harmful toxins and chemicals that increase inflammation throughout your body. Due to its proximity to your heart, it severely affects your cardiovascular system.

Visceral fat secretes a chemical called Interleukin 6 which further increases the inflammation. Ultimately, the metabolism of your body is governed by excess body fats that affect adiponectin – a protein that regulates sugar levels and breaks down fatty acids. When the body doesn’t have enough of adiponectin, it tells the system to store more fat that leads to more and more accumulation of visceral fat and this vicious cycle continues. The body is overwhelmed with cholesterol that leads to building up of plaque in your arteries causing the arteries to clog. With the passage of time, the arteries narrow down further causing hindrance in blood transport, increasing blood pressure and ultimately leading to a fatal heart attack.

There is Hope…

Fortunately getting rid of visceral fat is very easy. The key is healthy diet complemented with exercise. A sound nutrition plan will help you to stop this toxic fat from increasing, and rigorous exercise will help you burn it. Having said that, this is the only option if you want to stay healthy because surgeries like liposuction are not an option for visceral fat. Health is a lifestyle change so get ready to set up a nutrition plan and workout. Your dedication will keep your belly trimmed and your heart happy.

Inspired by: USA Today