Food Insight Blog

From L.A. to the Farm: An Amateur’s Experience With Agriculture

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Sarah Romotsky, RD Date: 2/3/2012

Growing up in Los Angeles, California, the closest I had ever been to a farm was buying produce at farmer’s markets. Sure, I was supporting local agriculture and seeing the faces of some farm workers, but I still had no real understanding of where the food I was buying came from and who was putting in the effort to produce food that was safe, affordable and of the best quality possible. After visiting a few different farms in Indiana recently, however, I’ve realized just how important and relevant the “story” is of how food gets from the farm to my fork.

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Focus on Food Safety this New Year!

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Christine Bruhn, PhD Date: 2/1/12

New Year’s Resolutions are often hard to keep. People can avoid the “sins” of the past for a short time, but long term adherence to the good life is tough. A commitment to act in accordance with safe food handling, however, doesn’t require any big sacrifices, and it can mean a better life for you and those you cook for.

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Next Steps in the Evolution of School Meals: Dedication, Innovation, and Collaboration

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Dayle Hayes, MS, RD Date: 1/30/12

As you have probably heard, USDA released the long-anticipated new Nutrition Standards for school breakfast and lunch last week. The new regulations align the meals served in school cafeterias more closely with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

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Weight Management ‘How To’ for 2012

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Sasha B. Bard, MSN (University of Maryland Dietetic Intern) Date: 1/25/2012

Now that a new year is upon us, many people are reestablishing and refining their diet in an effort to manage their weight. While popular diet books recommend eliminating certain nutrients, foods, or entire food groups, we want to offer up sensible advice to set you on the path toward better health this year and for the rest of your years. The International Food Information Council teamed up with author and registered dietitian David Grotto to produce a video on the essentials of weight management. These tips for weight control are simple and timeless and will surely give you a push in the right direction.

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Motivating Minds, Changing Behaviors

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Wendy Reinhardt Kapsak, MS, RD, Senior Director, Health and Wellness, IFIC Foundation

Despite multiple efforts to assist Americans in achieving a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular physical activity, only limited success in changing behavior has been attained.

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No Need for Concern: Orange juice IS safe!

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Anthony Flood Date: 1/18/2012

Yes. Orange juice continues to be a safe and nutritious beverage for you and your family. Recent reports about low levels of a fungicide (carbendazim) detected in orange juice received some attention and prompted questions about fruit juice safety. The bottom line is that orange juice is absolutely safe to drink.

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Enjoy Your Food, but Eat Less

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Meghan Ames, Dietetic Intern, Johns Hopkins University Date: 1/13/12

Appropriately-timed with New Year’s resolutions, the message, Enjoy your food, but eat less, is the focus of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010 communications campaign for early 2012. As a national strategic partner in USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion (CNPP) Nutrition Communicators Network, the International Food and Information Council (IFIC) Foundation supports this message and features it in our recently-published list of tips for trimming down.

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2012—A Year Where Food, Health, and Nutrition News Will Dominate?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Jania Matthews Date: 1/11/12

The first week of 2012 has already flown by and food, health, and nutrition issues have been nothing short of top-of-mind discussions in the mainstream media and on social media platforms.

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New Year's Resolutions--Let's Share!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Note: This blog is part of our new series called "From the Pantry" which will take a historical look at the food we eat and the culture around food.

By: Liz Williams, Southern Food and Beverage Museum Date: 1/9/12

It is the time of year for new beginnings. We seem to be prodded each year at this time to make resolutions for an improved life. There are lots of cultural underpinnings for this time of reflection on the past and a look to the future. And sharing our resolutions with each other is certainly one of the ways that we can make sure that we keep them.

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Low-Calorie Sweeteners: Separating Fact from Fiction

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 GMT

By: Sarah Romotsky, RD Date: 1/5/12

As a Registered Dietitian, I take my commitment to promoting public health very seriously just like my colleagues. I care about the safety of my food because just like you, I want to keep myself and my family protected from health risks. However, I also know as a food and nutrition expert that there is a lot of information out there that is incorrect and not based on scientific evidence. Because some of the claims about low-calorie sweeteners strike an emotional chord with us, it can be difficult to analyze the information objectively and discern fact from fiction.

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