1 Make Sure You Eat Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and one that you should never consider skipping. A healthy breakfast is the meal that will kick-start your metabolism and get your body burning calories, skip it and all you are doing by skipping it is sabotaging your weight loss plans. You may think that it is a good idea to save on calories by not eating breakfast, but all you are doing is making it more likely that you will need to snack later on.

2 Beware of Hidden Sugar

Many breakfast cereals are not as healthy as they first appear and are in fact laden with sugar. Instead of achieving a weight loss, a breakfast full of sugar can lead to weight gain and energy spikes that can leave you feeling tired and lethargic by lunch time. Check the sugar content of your cereals carefully.

3 Go Steady with Fruit Juice

Although it is good for you, fruit juice is high in calories and can really hinder weight loss. The sugar in fruit juice can cause an energy spike, so keep to a small glass, just to get the benefit of the vitamins and drink water or green tea to hydrate you for the day. Drinking more water has the added benefit of helping you to feel fuller and avoid snacking and green tea has a whole host of super healthy benefits. One fabulous benefit of drinking green tea is that it can help you to lose weight. We highly recommend Tava Tea as the very best of green teas at it has an exclusive blend of three of the best green teas that you will find.

4 Start the Day Well

Breakfast is the meal that is going to set the tone for your day. Make it a super healthy breakfast and you’ll feel more motivated to continue eating healthily throughout the day. Avoid having fast food or fried breakfasts, but choose something with vitamins and protein that will give you energy for the day ahead.

5 Think Super-Foods

Super-foods are ingredients known to greatly decrease your risk of developing a range of diseases. Thankfully, many of these are perfect for breakfast. Here are a few suggestions which will get your day off to a healthy start, bananas, oats, green tea, yoghurt (fat-free), egg, berries, nuts and seeds. Even if you only have a small amount of these ingredients, it’s a good way to make sure you get something healthy into the start of every day.

If you struggle to have time to eat breakfast or you don’t normally feel hungry first thing, plan ahead. Make it easy by preparing your healthy breakfast the night before so it is ready for you, or pack it up to take out with you to eat later in the mornings to focus on other things, but you will still be psychologically prepared to eat. That way you’ll still have time in Make sure though that you eat a healthy breakfast within an hour of getting up. This get some fuel into you early on in the day and will give your metabolism the boost it needs.

If you feel you would like a healthy supplement to boost your breakfast take a look at our super antioxidants, Pure Acai Berry Max and Ultimate Maqui Berry and find out how to increase the value of your breakfast.

Make no mistake about it, probiotics for constipation in drinks and yogurts are for the most part totally ineffective. There is little to no evidence to back up these claims and in fact many companies are currently facing lawsuits for false advertizing as a result.

Probiotics for constipation are meant to help by adding beneficial bacteria like lactobacillus plantarum and bifidobacteria to your digestive tract or GI.

There is some evidence to show this may help a little but no one knows how much is the right amount and you usually end up with many different strains of bacteria, hoping one is effective!

Constipation itself is normally caused by a poor diet, with too much saturated fats and not enough fiber and also from outside factors like stress.

If you cut down on your fatty food and eat more vegetables and fruit, you may find you can cure your constipation yourself.

Try to avoid laxatives as they are full of chemicals and destroy the bacteria in your GI, making them worse in the long run and only perhaps a temporary relief.

If you want to permanently improve your digestive and overall health, then consuming more prebiotics not probiotics is the answer. While probiotics for constipation are largely ineffective, prebiotics are, and offer many other benefits. Foods like kiwifruit, Jerusalem artichokes, raw honey and raw garlic are the best.

Kiwifruit for example provides you with soluble fiber to improve your digestion, enzymes to break down your food more efficiently and phenolics to naturally grow more good bacteria while reducing the bad ones. These prebiotics are proven to work and provide many benefits including more regular and easier bowel movements, less gas and bloating, more energy, clearer skin and less toxic waste in your colon, as they have a cleansing effect.

You need to eat 2-3 fresh kiwis each day, including the skin as this is where most of the good stuff is. If this doesn’t appeal to you, look for a quality kiwi based supplement, and one which is extracted without using harmful chemicals or solvents. Then you will only have to take a single vegetarian kiwi capsule each day to help eliminate your constipation and provide a long term solution to keeping your digestive system in optimal health.

Many people have fought cancer valiantly and overcome the issue. The best example of such a person is Lance Armstrong who fought cancer and still is alive today winning several awards. Firstly in order to fight cancer one needs to be strong by heart and have the will to do so. Then with a proper medical treatment procedures and healthy lifestyle one can definitely overcome the problem. Firstly you need to figure out the difference between cancer fighting diet and cancer causing diet. When you figure out that you will be able to differentiate and lead a very healthy lifestyle with proper diet. One needs to control himself/herself from just eating the food he/she likes at all times. Some of the foods we eat are the cause primarily for the situation to get worsened. Remember we are what we eat and sometimes we eat what is bad for us. There are many articles online giving tips about the right kind of cancer diet for patients. Do your research and stick to a healthy routine and within time you will be cured.

Connecticut women who meet income guidelines and need help providing their children with nutrient-rich foods can turn to the Hospital of Saint Raphael and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Saint Raphael’s coordinates the New Haven WIC Program, which consists of four full-time WIC offices: at Saint Raphael’s, Yale-New Haven Hospital, the Hill Health Center and the Fair Haven Community Health Center. There are also satellite offices in Branford, Hamden, Milford and West Haven.

WIC serves infants, children up to 5 years of age, and pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women. Applicants are evaluated for both financial need and nutritional risk, classified as a medical or diet-based condition. Financial guidelines are based on the household’s gross income and family size: A family of four with a gross annual salary of $41,348 or less is financially eligible. Those participating in programs like SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Temporary Family Assistance or HUSKY A / Medicaid are automatically income-eligible.

The federally funded WIC program provides pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children with checks that can be used at authorized grocery stores. The program subsidizes nutrient-rich food like milk, cheese, eggs, fruit juice, dried beans and peas, peanut butter, cereals, fruits, vegetables, brown rice and whole grain bread products, as well as infant formula and jarred baby foods.

“The addition of fruits, vegetables and whole grains to the WIC package in recent years has further improved a program that is a proven success and has had a significant positive impact on mothers and children in the Greater New Haven area,” said Mary Chervenak, Director of the New Haven WIC Program. “In addition to providing healthy food, the WIC program employs nutritionists who help mothers learn about how vital a balanced diet is during pregnancy, breastfeeding and childhood.”

WIC serves all 169 communities in Connecticut. The New Haven WIC program is the largest in the state, and serves more than 10,000 clients in the Greater New Haven area. For more information, call 203-789-3563. Saint Raphael’s offers Saturday hours for the convenience of clients.

Heart Healthy Grilling with Plant-Based Proteins

From fine china at a five star restaurant to a paper plate at a backyard bar-b-que, selecting a variety of healthy foods for every meal is the foundation of a good diet. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently unveiled a new icon to help people plan healthier diets – MyPlate. The new icon focuses on filling half of your plate with fruits and vegetables and then filling the other half with healthy grains and lean proteins. The USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov site encourages consumers to select a variety of proteins including plant-based proteins such as soy.

“Soy is a healthy choice that more people are trying out – whether it’s for a ‘Meatless Monday’ tradition or as a part of a vegetarian diet,” said Simon Lusky, research chef at Solae, LLC. “It is a source of high-quality protein and is low in saturated fat. You can find products with soy protein in any grocery store – and the prices are comparable to meat products.”
A recent International Food Information Council survey on Functional Foods showed that 46 percent of consumers are concerned about cardiovascular disease – and that 65 percent of consumers are aware of soy’s heart health benefits. Soy protein has been clinically proven to lower cholesterol. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s authorized health claim for soy protein says: “25 grams of soy protein a day, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may reduce the risk of heart disease.” One soy burger can provide up to 10 grams of protein or more.

“Summertime is the season for grilling and cook-outs. It’s a great time to experiment with soy protein while still serving your family their favorite meals,” said Lusky. “Many soy protein products – such as Match® meats – cook in the same way as ground beef and turkey. Soy protein is extremely versatile so you’re able to take your family’s favorite burger recipe – and increase the heart health benefits of the meal with using soy – and it will still taste delicious.”

A variety of soy protein products for grilling are available in grocery stores. The food ingredients label will say “textured soy protein” or “isolated soy protein.”
“A number of products are available to choose from – whether you’re in the mood for a hot dog or a hamburger,” said Lusky. “Pre-made burgers are available for a fast healthy dinner, but you can also buy mixtures that mimic the texture and function of ground meats.”
Lusky says you can develop a burger that’s half ground meat and half soy protein if you want to reduce the saturated fat in your meal.

“It is important to follow the same food safety rules when you’re grilling with soy protein,” said Lusky. “You won’t have the pink color of the meat to use as a guide, so be sure to cook until the internal temperature of the burger is at 155 F.”

10 foods that may be healthier than you think

Avocado

So it may seem weird for a fruit to contain fat, but avocados are one of the few produce items that do. The heart-protecting monounsaturated-fat content is actually one of the things that make them so healthy.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thanks to the iron and protein from the beef, lycopene from the tomato sauce and energy-producing carbs from the pasta, this dish a healthy trifecta. If you stick to modest portions and lean beef, you can enjoy its benefits without overdoing it.

Bananas

Often bashed for their high sugar and carb content, bananas are a ridiculously healthy fruit that everyone can enjoy. A medium banana has roughly the same calories (100) as a medium apple.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter may indeed contain fat, but 30 percent of your daily calories should come from healthy fats, for which peanut butter is a great choice. The nutty spread is also a good way to get protein, fiber and vitamin E.

Coffee

Along with adding a little pep to your step, coffee is teeming with antioxidants. Research has linked drinking the brewed beverage to a decreased risk of type-2 diabetes and improved mental health as you age.

Burritos

Burritos can be a healthy choice: When filled with vegetables, rice, beans and small portions of meat, these Tex-Mex treats can cover all your nutrition bases in one tortilla.

Chicken Thighs

Dark-meat chicken has a bad rep for being fatty and artery-clogging, but it is actually the skin you should be avoiding. Dark meat, like avocados, is high in healthy monounsaturated fats.

Eggs

Eggs contain some cholesterol, but that doesn’t mean they’re a total no-no. According to the American Egg Board, healthy individuals can eat up to two eggs per day without significantly affecting blood-cholesterol levels.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a nutrition powerhouse! A medium potato has 165 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, 10 percent of your daily iron and 70 percent of your daily vitamin C needs.

Corn

Some folks frown on corn because it’s a starchy vegetable. Well, it is starchy — because it’s actually a grain! One cup of corn kernels has 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber (that’s more than 25 percent of the daily recommendation) and energy-producing B-vitamins.

Spinach

Spinach, or indeed, any green, leafy vegetable is good food for the brain as they’re packed with vitamins C and E, which studies have shown, help to improve cognitive abilities, so make sure you eat some greens daily.

They are also high in iron, which Americans tend to be deficient in and an iron deficiency is linked to other illnesses such as fatigue, restless leg syndrome, foggy thinking, difficulty concentrating, a short attention span and other brain related illnesses.

A recent study carried out on aging rats found that their memory problems and motor skill deficits were reversed after being fed a diet rich in spinach, strawberries and blueberries.

Berries

Adding vitamin-rich berries to your diet is a good idea if you want to improve your memory, according to several recent studies. Any kind of berries – blueberry, strawberry, cranberry, blackberry, etc – as these are all high in anti-oxidants and help decrease stress on cells (including brain cells), which is associated with cognitive ageing.

Carrots

It has been long since known that carrots are good for eyesight, but as it turns out, they’re also good for the brain too. According to a study published in 2010 in the Journal of Nutrition, they contain high levels of luteolin, which is thought to help reduce age-related memory loss and help with inflammation of the brain. High levels of luteolin are also found in peppers, celery and olive oil.

Fish

Although recent research into Alzheimer’s disease has shown that taking fish oil supplements may not help with the cognitive decline in sufferers, other studies show that eating fish high in Omega 3 fatty acids can help cognitive decline that comes with aging.

• A study carried out in 2005 and reported in the Journal Archives of Neurology, claims that people over the age of 65, who eat two or more servings of fish each week have 13% less chance of cognitive decline.
• A 2010 study in the same journal states that fish high in Vitamin B12 can also protect against Alzheimer’s.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is an anti-oxidant known to be very good for the brain. Lycopene is what gives tomatoes their red color and can also be found in watermelon and grapefruit. Apparently though, the tomatoes have to be cooked to enjoy the benefits of the lycopene, so eating tomato based sauces, such as spaghetti sauce and some salsa regularly is also good for brain power.

Walnuts

Walnuts contain very high amounts of anti-oxidant, which researchers say combats damage to brain cells. According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition in 2009, diets made up with as little as 2% nuts, reversed aging signs in the brains of rats. Studies have also apparently demonstrated improved memory, learning and motor skills in mice that were fed walnuts.

Tea and Coffee

Although we’re often warned about drinking too much tea and coffee due to our caffeine intake, studies have shown that drinking tea and coffee regularly may actually prevent Alzheimer’s from developing. Coffee has done well on slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s on mice or preventing it from developing altogether. In human trials, tea drinkers did better in memory tests than non tea drinkers.

Seasonings

There are three seasonings thought to be excellent for good brain health – garlic, sage and rosemary:

• Garlic is not only wonderful for cardiovascular health but is also an excellent anti-oxidant for the brain also. Don’t be tempted to take a shortcut though and buy the ready chopped or powdered garlic, as these have no nutritional value. Eat as much as you can and the fresher the better.
• A recent study also showed that people who regularly ate sage done much better on memory tests than those who didn’t. It is thought that it may increase levels of the chemical which transmits messages to the brain – the same chemical that is lacking in those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
• Like sage, rosemary is also thought to help with mental clarity, improve the memory and prevent mental fatigue. Studies have shown it to boost memory by up to 15%.

Organic Food is a very heavily regulated industry because governments all over the world want to protect consumers by ensuring that the added cost is well worth it. This is why strict tests must be passed by organic farms before they are awarded the organic seal. They must first prove that their farms are self sustainable even without intervention from industrial fertilizers and pesticides. This means that they should not disrupt the natural ecological cycle. The farm should also promote biodiversity which means that it should also host wild plants and animals.

Tips on the Transition to an Organic Food Diet

1. You should begin with an evaluation of your current inventory of foods. Dispose of everything that is already near its expiration. List down each fruit and vegetable you throw away so that you know what you need to buy the next time you go shopping. The transition does not necessarily need to be immediately thorough. You do not need to get rid of the conventional food that is left. You can still consume them first in case you are on a tight budget.
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2. Bring your list to the local farmer’s market or to the organic farm itself if you can. They go buy everything in the list but be sure that you will buy nothing buy Organic Food. Be prepared for higher costs because your new diet is more expensive than the previous one. You can lower the amount in the price tag buy buying in bulk. It may also be ideal that you start your transition during the peak season because farm produce cost less while in in-season.

3. Buying in an organic health-store if you happen to know one will present you with a wider variety of choices. This type of store does not sell conventional type of food. It specializes in the sale of certified organic produce. They also sell eco-friendly cleaners and paper bags that help preserve the environment.

4. Explain in detail the importance and advantages of an organic diet to all the members of your family. This will help get their support regarding the transition to the new and healthier diet. It is also a good idea to do some research about organic food recipes so that you can keep each meal surprising and enjoyable.

5. Do not give up. You may have a hard time at first because you do not know where to purchase non-conventional foods. Most farms specialize in only a select few products so you may not find everything you are looking for from only one supplier. You can also turn to the internet for help.

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The upshot of this treatment solutions are harmless and it demystifies the toxic effects in addition to detrimental matters in the body. In this treatment, the diet plan besides enhance the fluid and fibre portion in the body, but in addition escalates the ambush on the unnecessary particles, hence purifying the gastrointestinal tract. Reducing the corollary regarding ingestion of chemicals bad for the body may be the main concern of this dietary procedure.

This e-book significantly ornate these procedures and indications. It describes the essential distinguishable notion of detox and their property remedies. It points to the method of detox, products available home recipes and the prescription to stay in the pink. This book adheres to basics to keep aloof of the predicament of diseases and potential abnormalities. It in fact instills a feeling of vigor and stimuli, having a rejuvenated spirit. Featured having its unprecedented way of treat the terminal addiction of alcohol, obesity as well as other stress generating and potential coercion for the body. The set diet regime of the treatment escalates crucially.

Further additionally , it assists in balancing a constant and supple nascent to modernize internally and externally. The procedure covers the most ancient procedures to bring back ones capabilities to recoup from your habits and ailments in the form of alcohol, drugs, obesity etc . Non vegetarian food contain rich contents thus only vegetarian meals are recommended in the course of the treatment. This set of procedures helps one in order to avoid the frequent visit to hospitals. The theme of the book circulates across the motivation to keep a proper lifestyle. This is not a campaign to boost the selling of the product but instead a scope to recover what one deserves or has lost.

Let me show you why following a gluten free menu may actually save you some money over what you are eating now.

Many of the foods which contain gluten are packaged and processed. Because they are wheat or grain based they are the types of foods that are easily stored in bulk. This makes them abundant; however, does it make them the best choices for your health?

Back in 1999 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) estimated that a family of four can eat at home at cost of $95.00 to $185.00 per week. Over ten years later you can still do that. The obstacle that most people have is that there are now so many processed and pre-made food choices and our lives are hectic so it’s easiest reach for those more expensive type of meals that do a little planning and cooking on your own.

I would argue that by cooking a few more meals at home you can have better control over a gluten free menu and a full array of healthy choices. Making your own stir-fry rather than purchasing a ready-made frozen variety allows you to be in control of what goes into your food and what goes into your body. Have you ever really considered the amount of sodium that you are ingesting, cumulatively, over the course of a day?

And don’t let the idea of pre-planning or cooking homemade meals scare you off. It’s amazing how much food you can freeze or store with the help of a vacuum sealer. If you are making one pan of spinach lasagna, why not make two and freeze the second one for later. By removing much of the air during storage you can keep your gluten free menu choices fresh. They will be ready to grab and go, just like the stuff that’s in your grocery freezer aisle; however, you know what’s in your gluten free homemade meal and it’s better for your body.

Just consider this one easy example. If you love to have banana bread at breakfast since you no longer need cereal on your gluten free menu, then you can make several loaves at the same time and freeze what you are not eating immediately for future use. If you purchase over ripe bananas at the store they are usually less expensive and perfect for gluten free banana bread. Once they are baked and cooled, you can wrap them in wax paper and then seal in a storage bag or a vacuum sealer. Later, just pull a loaf from the freezer, defrost and enjoy.

There are also gluten free sources that will sell their selections for your gluten free menu in bulk, thus reducing the cost. Be sure to check out the sources for a great banana bread recipe and ideas on where to buy gluten free food.

Exactly what are bitter almonds? Many are thus used to while using sweet selection which they realize hardly any concerning the bitter kind. These almonds are usually slightly more compact and larger than their own brethren. True to their name, they have an inclination in order to taste somewhat bitter, which explains why they are only utilized in specialty tested recipes inside very small quantities.

With regards to health improvements, these types of almonds have got much the same properties because fairly sweet almonds. They include high levels of normal omega fatty acids, which are great for battling LDL cholesterol. Also, they are abundant with E vitamin, calcium, iron, protein, soluble fiber, and much more. However, due to their damaging qualities, they’re not only extremely hard to find, however, you are only able to consume all of them within extremely slight quantities.

These kinds of almonds will also be utilized in aromatherapy as well as therapeutic massage. However, given their particular harmful attributes, in most cases bitter almond perfumed soap, candle lights, and also natural oils are created by means of artificial signifies, thus enabling customers to enjoy the particular distinctive aroma of bitter almonds with no danger.

Almonds also have a good reputation for used inside alternative treatments. Certainly, the actual bitter selection has been used with regard to from anesthetics to remedies for hangovers, however because of their higher toxicity, powerful weight loss products typically will not use them. They may be effective within tiny dosages, but should you use a lot of, you can find your self experiencing cyanide accumulation.

This is why these particular almonds are usually restricted throughout the Us all. Nonetheless, if you want to savor many of the advantages in which bitter almonds supply, you have luck. Whether or not you have used them within cooking food, aromatherapy, or massage, you will get most of the same benefits from nice almonds as you perform through bitter almonds, all minus the risk. They’re also much far better to take in inside huge amounts. However, if you’d like the unique bitter taste, numerous quality recipes recommend using cherry sets or even mango kernels rather.

While some may look at the serious limitation regarding bitter almonds being a extreme drawback, in the end it really is simply not worth it of being poisoned. Because of so many substitutes currently available, nevertheless, you can find a variety of perfectly suitable methods to add a slightly bitter style in your food preparation or a new take note in your aromatherapy. Find out more today!

Nutrition and public policy expert Marion Nestle answers readers’ questions in this monthly column written exclusively for The Chronicle. E-mail your questions to food@sfchronicle.com, with “Marion Nestle” in the subject line.

Q: What do you think of the new Dietary Guidelines that were announced earlier this week? Is there anything very new or different? And how important are these guidelines, anyway?

A: I was stunned by the first piece of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans that I saw online (dietaryguidelines.gov): “Enjoy your food, but eat less.”

Incredible. The federal government finally recognizes that food is more than just a collection of nutrients? It finally has the nerve to say, “Eat less?”

But this statement and others directed to the public do not actually appear in the guidelines. That document repeats the same principles that have appeared in dietary guidelines for decades.

The 2010 guidelines just state them more clearly. (For the news story on the guidelines, go to sfg.ly/gdgsc0.)
Obesity prevention

Its 23 recommendations are aimed at obesity prevention. They focus on eating less and eating better. “Eat better” guidelines suggest eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat milk, soy products, seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, beans, peas, nuts and seeds – all are foods.

But the “eat less” advice is about nutrients: sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol and trans fats. The guidelines even coin a new term for the “eat less” nutrients of greatest concern: “solid fats and added sugars,” annoyingly abbreviated as SoFAS.

Here is one SoFAS guideline: “Limit consumption of … refined grain foods that contain solid fats, added sugars, and sodium.”

Nutrient-based guidelines require translation. You have to delve deeply into the 95-page document to find the food translations. Eat fewer solid fats? This means cakes, cookies, pizza, cheese, processed and fatty meats, and, alas, ice cream. Less sugar? The major sources are sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks and fruit drinks.

Why don’t the guidelines just say so? Politics, of course.
Official policy

Dietary guidelines are an official statement of federal nutrition policy. They influence everything the government says and does about food and nutrition. The guidelines determine the content of school meals, the aims of food assistance programs and the regulation of food labeling and advertising.

But their most powerful effect is on the food industry.

Why? Because advice to eat less is very bad for business.

Banal as their recommendations may appear, dietary guidelines are hugely controversial. That is why I was so surprised by “Enjoy your food, but eat less.”

Consider the history. In 1977, a Senate committee chaired by George McGovern issued dietary goals for the United States. One goal was to reduce saturated fat to help prevent heart disease. To do that, the committee advised “reduce consumption of meat.”

Those were fighting words. Outraged, the meat industry protested and got Congress to hold hearings. The result? McGovern’s committee reworded the advice to “choose meats, poultry and fish which will reduce saturated fat intake.”

This set a precedent. When the first dietary guidelines appeared in 1980, they used saturated fat as a euphemism for meat, and subsequent editions have continued to use nutrients as euphemisms for “eat less” foods.

Then came obesity. To prevent weight gain, people must eat less (sometimes much less), move more, or do both.

This puts federal agencies in a quandary. If they name specific foods in “eat less” categories, they risk industry wrath, and this is something no centrist-leaning government can afford.
Eat less, move more

So the new guidelines break no new ground, but how could they? The basic principles of diets that protect against chronic disease do not change. Stated as principles, the 2010 dietary guidelines look much the same as those produced in 1980 or by the McGovern committee.

In my book, “What to Eat,” I summarize those basic principles “eat less, move more, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and don’t eat too much junk food.” Michael Pollan manages this in even fewer words: “Eat food. Mostly plants. Not too much.”

Everything else in the guidelines tries to explain how to do this without infuriating food companies that might be affected by the advice. And the companies scrutinize every word.

The soy industry, for example, is ecstatic that the guidelines mention soy products and fortified soy beverages as substitutes for meat and as protein sources for vegetarians and vegans.

The meat industry is troubled by the suggestion to increase seafood, even though the guidelines suggest meal patterns that contain as much meat as always.

The salt recommendation – a teaspoon or less per day, and even less for people at risk for high blood pressure – is unchanged since 2005, but stated more explicitly. The salt industry reacted predictably: “Dietary guidelines on salt are drastic, simplistic and unrealistic.”

In a few months, a new food guide will replace the old pyramid. Thanks to a law Congress passed in 1990, dietary guidelines must be revisited every five years. Expect the drama over them to continue.

California Mom Sues Nutella, Alleging Hyped Nutrition Claims

A California mother is taking Nutella to court, alleging that the popular sandwich spread purports to be a nutritious treat, but actually is loaded with unhealthy sugar and saturated fat.

A copy of the suit by Athena Hohenberg, which was obtained by AFP on Thursday, said she was “shocked to learn that Nutella was in fact, not ‘healthy, nutritious’ food, but instead was the next best thing to a candy bar, and that Nutella contains dangerous level of saturated fat.”

Hohenberg is seeking refunds to be paid by parent company Ferrero to its legions of U.S. customers.

In its marketing, including in claims made on its website, Nutella touts its cocoa and hazelnut spread as ideal for busy moms trying to “nourish their children with whole grains” and says that “Nutella can form a part of a balanced meal.”

On its website, Nutella lists its ingredients as sugar, palm oil, hazelnuts, cocoa, skim milk, reduced minerals whey (milk), lecithin as emulsifier (soy), vanillin: an artificial flavor.

The suit, filed in federal court in San Diego, alleges that many consumers of the product would not have purchased it had they been aware that the health claims surrounding it were overblown.

“Nutella was worth less than what plaintiff and members of the class paid for them,” Hohenberg, the mother of a four-year-old child, said in her lawsuit, which she hopes to turn into a “class action.”

Under the terms of such a class action suit, she asks that any monetary judgment against the company be divided among “all persons who purchased on or after January 2000 one or more Nutella products in the United States for their own or household use.”

Hohenberg also wants the court to make Ferrero launch a new ad campaign, correcting the allegedly misleading claims.

Nutella was created in the 1940s by Pietro Ferrero, a pastry maker and founder of the Italian Ferrero company.

Its nutrition label shows that there are about 200 calories in each two tablespoon serving, about half of which come from fat.

The suit notes that consumption of saturated fat has been shown to cause heart disease, and that consumption of processed sugar has been shown to cause type-2 diabetes.

Elise Titan, a spokesperson for Ferrero USA, said the company stands by the wholesomeness of its product.

“What we can say right now is that we stand behind the quality of ingredients in Nutella hazelnut spread and advertising for our product,” she said.

“It’s really early in the case and we are really not in position to discuss the case any further,” she said.