Category: Features

Removing Trans Fats from Restaurant Menus Associated with Drop in Heart Attacks and Strokes

Does a public health measure such as restricting trans fats from restaurant menus really make a difference? A study published April 12th in JAMA Cardiology nods yes. Between 2007 and 2011, 11 New York State urban counties restricted the use of trans fats in public eateries including restaurants, bakeries, cafeterias, park concessions, and senior meal […] Continue reading

Meal Prep: A Helpful Healthy Eating Strategy

Amidst hectic weekday schedules, meal prep or meal planning is a great tool to help keep us on a healthy eating track. Although any type of meal prep requires planning, there is no one correct method, as it can differ based on food preferences, cooking ability, schedules, and personal goals. Learn what works best for […] Continue reading

19 Take-Home Messages for Health Professionals from Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives

Each February, over 400 doctors, registered dietitians, and other health professionals join food service directors and chefs for Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives—a conference that bridges nutrition science, health care, and the culinary arts. The annual conference (a collaboration between the Harvard Chan School’s Department of Nutrition and The Culinary Institute of America) was created to […] Continue reading

An industry-funded attempt to cast doubt on science-based sugar guidelines?

There’s no nutritional need or benefit that comes from consuming added sugar, yet our global supply of heavily processed foods is full of it—from breakfast cereals and salad dressings, to pasta sauces and soda. Sugary drinks are of particular concern, as they are a well-documented contributor to the obesity epidemic, and multiple studies link these beverages to increased […] Continue reading

Science of Flavor: Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous or Brassica vegetables, like broccoli, have long been promoted as a key part of a healthy diet—and rightfully so. The veggies in this family have been associated with reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, [1] and are being studied for their potential role in cancer prevention. [2] But beyond broccoli, at least 40 types of […] Continue reading

Spotlight on Soda

Taxes, warning labels, and industry influence: sugary drinks are a growing topic in policy discussions both nationally and internationally. Earlier this year, following evidence-based recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the 2015-2020 U.S. Dietary Guidelines—for the first time—included a limit on added sugars at less than 10 percent of total calories. For an average […] Continue reading

Activating a Move-Friendly World

Sometimes the most innovative ideas do not rely on the latest technology but perhaps something far more challenging: changing the norm. Imagine this scenario. You are attending a fascinating lecture, diligently taking notes, when abruptly the speaker pushes away the microphone and steps from the podium. She requests everyone to rise from their seats and […] Continue reading