MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'food industry'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:09:47 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4285362&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F12%2F23%2Fch-ch-ch-chia-packs-a-nutrient-punch%2F By Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern Do you remember chia pets (ch-ch-ch-chia!)? Where you added small seeds to terracotta forms that eventually produced a plant? The same chia seeds are now carried in stores like Whole Foods…to eat. Chia seeds have been grown in Mexico for thousands of years. They were even brought to the capital of the Aztec empire in several tons as a tribute to the gods. The seeds have impressive nutrition, containing lots of linolenic acid, dietary fiber, and protein. They are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants (specifically polyphenols)  which help to fight free radicals, or cell damagers, in the body. To add to the resume, chia contains ten times the omega-3 as salmon or other fatty fish (but no DHA for brain health which fish has) making it... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4285362 Thu, 23 Dec 2010 10:44:02 +0100 4285362 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082347&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F19%2Fare-you-rd-to-chat%2F By Carlene Helble The ultimate Twitter chat is ready to launch this November and it’s something you won’t want to miss! Registered Dietitian Janet Helm (@JanetHelm on Twitter) created #RDChat to help dietitians, students, and others interested in nutrition and health connect on fresh, hot button topics. #RDChat will occur as a moderated conversation on Twitter the first Wednesday of the month from 8-9 pm ET in an hour long session. Things like headlines from newspapers, as well as new studies, and controversial topics will be covered with the help of special guests. New to Twitter chats? Janet provided these step by step instructions to get you ready to go!: The chat happens live on Twitter and you can jump in at any time during the hour.  Simply log on to your Twitter ac... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082347 Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:13:57 +0100 4082347 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4027152&cid=t_112062_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fa8T7DzAyVVE%2F By Michael F. CannonThere are plenty of reasons why politicians and government bureaucrats have no business telling you what you should eat.  The Constitution grants the federal government no authority to do so, for one thing.  Even if it did, it is simply wrong to force people to pay taxes so that other people can hand down nutritional advice or — God forbid – mandates. A terrific article by Jane Black in The Washington Post illustrates why, furthermore, the government’s advice isn’t likely to be very good: [H]istorically, the government has shied away from offering controversial advice. And with food, everything is controversial: A boost for one type of food in the guidelines can be viewed as a threat by providers of competing products. The result, critics say... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4027152 Mon, 04 Oct 2010 11:03:19 +0100 4027152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4023151&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F10%2F01%2Ffruit-juice-health-or-hype%2F Every time we turn on the TV, listen to the radio, drive down the road, we are bombarded with advertising from food marketers proclaiming that their product is the secret to weight loss, longevity, and pleasure. With over 200 food choices to make every day it is difficult to sort through claims produced by food manufacturers to make the best choice for your health. Today we’ll tackle the issue of fruit juices: health or hype As part of its ongoing efforts to uncover over-hyped health claims in food advertising, the Federal Trade Commission has issued an administrative complaint charging the makers of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice with making false and unsubstantiated claims that their products will prevent or treat heart disease, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction. David Vl... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4023151 Fri, 01 Oct 2010 08:29:13 +0100 4023151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3994388&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F21%2Fwashington-post-deconstructs-problems-with-obesity-in-america%2F In today’s Washington Post – Health and Science section the topic of discussion is obesity in America. Our own Rebecca Scritchfield was called to contribute about various restaurant meals and how, as the journalist labeled it, “Chains offer doses of Gluttony.” The Health and Science section has a few articles discussing such topics as: Michelle Obama’s healthy food initiative, How to “lose the fat, but keep the flavor” – which oils or spices you can use to flavor your foods while also keeping your food low in fat, How insurance company’s are slow to cover treatment programs for weight loss, and which restaurants menu items are the most gluttonus. How restaurants are serving up portions that lack balance, exceed portion sizes, and ... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3994388 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 17:07:09 +0100 3994388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3929474&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F09%2F03%2Fis-kfcs-double-down-calorie-count-accurate%2F The newest culinary celebrity to hit the red carpet is a cute little sandwich called the Double Down, courtesy of KFC. A fast-food chicken lover’s dream and a health foodie’s nightmare, (DIR actually called it “frightening”), the Double Down is cheese, sauce, and baconbetween two pieces of chicken, either fried or grilled. The Original Recipe (read: fried) Double Down has 540 calories, 10 grams of saturated fat, 1,380 mg of sodium, and one gram of fiber. The grilled Double Down (for the health conscious, of course) is 460 calories, nine grams of saturated fat, 1,430 mg of sodium, and zero grams of fiber. Not sure what those numbers mean? Well…  its over a half day’s worth of salt in a palm-sized sandwich (if we can call it that, considering the lack of a bun). A blogger has ... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3929474 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:14:48 +0100 3929474 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3913293&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F29%2Fpepsis-new-designer-salt-healthy-or-health-hazard%2F You may have heard in the news recently that PepsiCo created a salt for its Lay’s potato chips (and other Frito products) that will reduce salt content. At first glance, it seems like a gimmick. You might even think they are trying to make people think that their snack products are healthier. But, there’s actually more to it than that. I talked with the Director of Public Relations and Marketing, Aurora Gonzalez, about the new salt and got some interesting health-related information. Frito-Lay cares about making a good product. They were the first company to remove trans fats in favor of sunflower oil. They are thinking about sodium in terms of “if there is something we can do, we should do it.” They know people are concerned about salt intake. They also know that people like seas... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3913293 Sun, 29 Aug 2010 06:35:39 +0100 3913293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3868934&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F16%2Fadd-avocados-to-your-balanced-diet%2F As a dietitian, people always want to know what they can do to eat well. Healthful eating is easy if you focus on choosing foods that have good nutrition for the calories. By filling your shopping cart with a variety of vegetables and fruits, you can be sure you are getting a good nutritional “bang for your buck.” I love avocados, with nearly 20 vitamins and minerals in a one-ounce (3 slice) serving, and I’m excited to be working with Avocados from Mexico. Watch this video to learn why avocados are tops on my “nutrition list” and get a few ideas for including avocados in easy-to-make meals and snacks. There are endless possibilities to include avocados in your eating plan. Avocados from Mexico are available year round too! (Source: Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritc... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3868934 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 06:21:52 +0100 3868934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858437&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F12%2Fgot-hormone-free-milk%2F By: Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern There is much more to milk than meets the eye. Not only are there hundreds of different dairies that are producing, but there are also categories like hormone free milk to consider while you’re making your grocery list. Around 2005, the price of milk spiked, something many of us tend to take in stride question free, but grumble about as we push our carts to the check out line. Between 2005-2006, states like California were eliminating the use of rBGH, a bovine growth hormone, in dairy cattle, making them hormone free, but also less productive (hence the price hike). The majority of milk produced within the United States are now hormone free. But what’s the big deal? Studies have indicated that rBGH may increase your risk of producing a cancer-... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858437 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 03:12:56 +0100 3858437 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833590&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F08%2Fwhole-foods-a-hyper-local-grocery-store%2F Short Pump Virginia was in the news this past week when Whole Foods Market announced they took over an acre in  for a community garden that will help supply its local store. This is the first on-site field-to-store garden in the country and was exiting news to proponents of the Local Food Movement. The garden has separate areas for composting, an orchard and space for individual gardens and for demonstration and educational programs. By producing food on site, it will be much more sustainable and energy effecient, since this food will have no “food miles”- a buzz word that indicates how far, and how much gas has to be burned for that food to reach your table from the field. The goal of the community garden plot is not only to have items for sale, but to create a space for edu... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833590 Sun, 08 Aug 2010 01:17:59 +0100 3833590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808860&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F08%2F02%2Fagave-nectar-no-healthier-than-othan-sweeteners%2F Have you turned your love of sugar in to a love of agave in an effort to be healthier? Maybe you should rethink much “love” you give it. If you are unfamiliar, agave nectar (ah gav ee) is a sweetener that ranges in color from light to dark, depending on the processing time and amount of minerals in the product. It is less thick than honey or maple syrup and has a sweeter taste. The agave sweetener comes from various species of the agave plant. After the juice has been extracted, it is heated to create simple sugars. The final product is some percentage of the sugars glucose and fructose. So far agave should remind you of typical sugar sweeteners – including high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). However, the reality is that in recent years agave has been given a “health halo.” Since a... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808860 Mon, 02 Aug 2010 04:06:57 +0100 3808860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3743740&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F10%2Fhealthy-menu-creation-an-interview-with-mollie%25c2%25a0katzen%2F Recently, I scored an interview with cookbook author, Mollie Katzen. She shared her thoughts on recipe trends and healthy eating. Find out what she thinks you should eat! 1.    What trends or patterns do you see towards healthier menu options or healthier recipes? M.K.: I am happy to see that main portions of meat or fish are becoming smaller, and vegetable dishes are taking up more space on the plate. Also, I’ve been seeing a very encouraging trend toward more than one vegetable dish on the same plate – with complementary colors and flavors.  Should menu options state that they’re healthy or smart choices? I don’t think so. I think this is a turn-off to customers, even those who intend to eat well.  There is still an association with “healthy” and u... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3743740 Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:15:20 +0100 3743740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3737317&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F08%2Fbalancing-health-with-culinary-arts-an-interview-with-chef-greg-higgins%2F All this week, I’m covering walnuts. From nutrition to culinary uses, I’m exploring what top fitness, nutrition, and culinary experts have to say about this “bumpy” nut. Up next is my interview with Chef Greg Higgins. If you’re into “green eating”, this is your guy. 1) As a restaurant chef, what is essential for creating healthier menu options?  Whether it is swapping out butter for a healthier oil, or lower fat dairy, etc., how do you keep high-taste in tact while still offering healthful options? G.H.: We use olive oil as our primary cooking & flavoring oil. That in conjunction with a steady supply of local, seasonal & sustainable fruits, vegetables and whole grains. 2) In regards to restaurant health, taking healthy foods into the ... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3737317 Thu, 08 Jul 2010 23:16:09 +0100 3737317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3730122&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F07%2Fan-honest-tea-review-organic-fair-trade-and-just-plain-good%2F By: Carlene Helble- Elite Nutrition Intern What better way to celebrate the end of National Iced Tea Month than with a glimpse into an awesome new tea product? Honest Tea Organic: half tea and half lemonade is the perfect refreshing drink with a conscience. At first I was a little concerned when I decided to try the product since many pre-bottled teas can be sickeningly sweet. Not so with Honest Tea half and half! It was not overly sweet and the lemonade complemented and enhanced the tea rather than covering it. Besides the taste, I loved that the company was environmentally aware as well as globally aware of how they could help people and the planet as a whole. The product is USDA certified organic AND fair trade! The bottle is made from #1 plastic which is the most recyclable of the pla... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3730122 Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:09:13 +0100 3730122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3723445&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F03%2Fbalancing-health-with-being-a-chef-an-interview-with-chef-charlie%25c2%25a0ayers%2F I scored an interview with Chef Charlie Ayers of Calafia. Find out what he thinks about cooking healthy and eating delicious food. 1. As a restaurant chef, what is essential for creating healthier menu options?  Whether it is swapping out butter for a healthier oil, or lower fat dairy, etc., how do you keep high-taste in tact while still offering healthful options? C.A: It is important to give your guests compelling flavor profiles, so that they are satisfied and not missing the added fats that are normally associated with restaurant foods.  We tend to use a lot of ingredients that are versatile and can be either applied to Latin American or Asian cuisines.   We make all of our own dressings, our ketchup is made in house with no high fructose corn syrup, and instead use an organic brow... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3723445 Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:03:40 +0100 3723445 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714468&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F07%2F01%2Fserving-sizes-packaged-food-nutrition-labels-may-get-a-makeover-per-the-fda%2F If you have ever read a nutrition facts label, you have probably seen the “serving size” listed right at the top. But do you know where that number comes from? (Hint, not an independent third party.) It’s actually the manufacturers themselves. Buy a big packaged muffin in the store and chances are the serving size is half a muffin. Check the cookies. The serving size is probably one or two. It’s not just junky foods either. I checked my package of alfalfa sprouts. One serving is supposedly 2/3 of the entire package. Now, I love my sprouts, but I’m lucky to get a small handful on a sandwich or salad. So why is this an issue? Well, if you haven’t heard there’s an obesity epidemic going on in the United States. We don’t get enough exercise. We don’t eat enough fruits and veg... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714468 Thu, 01 Jul 2010 06:06:47 +0100 3714468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3714469&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F30%2Fmindless-eating-are-you-sabotaging-yourself%2F One of my favorite presentations at Food for Your Whole Life Symposium was Dr. Brian Wansink, author of Mindless Eating. A leader in the field of food psychology, he has unveiled a lot of the hidden influences on how much we eat, and how consumers make food choices. Did you know that we make at least 250 food choices every day? Rather than being the next fad diet which promises you can lose weight effortlessly without thought, he uses years of food psychology research to re-engineer your food environment so that you will eat less without even knowing. While it is easy to blame fast food, big food, and the government for the rising rates of obesity in America, this food fight begins in our own homes. Some tips for preventing Mindless Eating in YOUR life: We eat with our eyes not out stom... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3714469 Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:32:07 +0100 3714469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3703116&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F28%2Fthinking-of-acai-for-weight-loss-think-again%2F So when acai was making the rounds as a super fruit, I needed to find out more. As it turns out, yep, it’s a berry! It is different from some of the other wonderful berries like raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries because it does not have natural sugars and it is higher in omega-9 fat (which unlike omega-3, it is not essential). As a result, pure acai berry (if you are in Brazil) or the pulp (if you’re at a store that sells it) tastes like dirt. In order to use it, you need to add sugar. So, sure, try the berry if you want, but mix it with other fruits that naturally contain sugar. If your acai is sweet, read the label… I bet there is added sugar. What I don’t like about acai is that because of its excessive, over-rated hype, marketers have tried to pull the w... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3703116 Mon, 28 Jun 2010 03:58:48 +0100 3703116 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3701822&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F26%2Ffood-label-glossary-decodes-package-marketing%2F If you’ve ever felt like understanding food labels would require foreign language certification, you’re not alone. Most people are confused about the meaning behind the words they see on packages. Believe it or not, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the food industry’s vocabulary. Unfortunately, marketers are in stiff competition to make their product stand out in your eyes. This food label glossary will help you translate the marketing fluff into meaningful information. You’ll see that just because something is labeled “free,” “reduced,” “low” or “light” that it doesn’t always mean a healthier food item. View Food Label Glossary Slideshow (Source: Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog) Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3701822 Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:42:26 +0100 3701822 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3683917&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F21%2F2010-dietary-guidelines-summary-released%2F It’s big news for nutrition. We may have new advice for eating healthy… and you can give your 2 cents, if you feel so inclined. Every five years the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated to reflect the latest knowledge in science and research. The Guidelines are used for government nutrition initiatives, programs and education, as well as by dietitians and health professionals to help educate people about eating healthier. Dietary Guidelines (DG) Advisory Committee released their Executive summary on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010. The full report can be found here and is currently open for public comments. (that’s you, the public…let your voice be heard and comment on the Executive Summary). The Committee has used a state-of-the-art, web-based electronic system an... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3683917 Mon, 21 Jun 2010 15:55:38 +0100 3683917 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3659180&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F14%2Fcancer-panel-sets-sights-on-food%2F Carlene Helble-Elite Nutrition Intern The President’s cancer panel for the first time in its history is releasing a report that advises Americans to be more vigorous with chemical regulation and supports the organic food movement. Since its establishment in 1971,this panel of experts has suggested that cancer risk be reduced through self-exams, screenings like mammograms, and doctor’s visits. A great source of information on cancer risk can be found on the American Cancer Society website. But the newly released report cites weak laws, enforcement, and the ‘presumption that chemicals are safe unless strong evidence emerges to the contrary’ as a reason to focus cancer prevention strategies on food. Such controversial chemicals include bisphenol-A or BPA, found in food and beverage co... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3659180 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:32:09 +0100 3659180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3625802&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F06%2F03%2Fmeatless-monday-catches-on-meat-industry-sizzles%2F Carlene Helble, Elite Nutrition Intern Guest Blog Post The Washington Post ran an interesting article by Jane Black recently on Meatless Monday and the trouble it’s stirring up for the meat industry. Chef Mario Batali, most often known for his orange Crocs, has recently unveiled himself as the latest supporter, a surprising move considering at least 3 of his 14 restaurants are named for meat. All of his restaurants will now offer two vegetarian entrees every Monday.  However, Batali is by no means on the forefronts of this movement. The Post article also cited that Baltimore City Public Schools launched Meatless Mondays for its 82,000 students in October of 2009 and 32 US hospitals have also signed on to the ‘Balanced Menu Challenge’ which aims to reduce meat purchases by 20 percent... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3625802 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:41:02 +0100 3625802 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3370710&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F03%2F15%2Fparents-teach-your-children-well-give-them-fruits-and-veggies-often%2F As a dietitian, food is my life. I spend much of my time helping people try new foods and improve their eating behaviors. (I love my job!) I especially enjoy working with parents. It’s a chance to show them how eating well with their kids can be fun and help build life long habits. If there is only one piece of advice I have for all parents, it’s easy: serve fruits and vegetables often. So much of our food preferences are formed right at home. Kids learn to enjoy the tastes and flavors of a variety of foods when parents put them on the plate. It might take time to find out what your kids like and certain fruits and vegetables may fall in and out of favor, but it is always important to try. Enjoy healthy meals and snacks with your kids and everyone wins! Avocados from Mexico i... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3370710 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 21:26:29 +0100 3370710 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3335468&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=38158&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.twitter.com%2Famacupuncturehttp%3A%2F%2Famericanacupuncture.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2Ffda-fights-food-industry-health.html As a medical physician for over 51 years, I strive to give you the best medical information on controversial medical subjects, and help your read betwwen the lines. You must come to your own conclusions. I have no ties to any organization, pharmaceutical, or lobby group. As an practicing medical acupuncturist since 1982, I find western medicine and medical acupuncture are very complimentary. This results in astounding healing in pain management, addictions to cigarettes and food, and a host of other maladies. Visit "drneedles is blogging" at the end of each blog for a complete alphabetical list of all my blogs Visit http://www.americanacupuncture.com/ for more detailed information on mind, body, and spirit healing. FDA  FIGHTS  FOOD  INDUSTRY  HEALTH  LABELINGThe F... Dr. Needles Medical Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3335468 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:43:00 +0100 3335468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3302270&cid=t_112062_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F02%2F24%2Fjournal-of-the-american-medical-association-2010-vol-303-no-8%2F This article discusses the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) initiative to review front-of-package labeling and has asked the Institute of Medicine to consider eventual recommendation of a single, standardized guidance system. Front-of-package labels may so thoroughly mislead the public that another option deserves consideration—eliminate all nutrition and health claims from the front of processed food packages while strengthening the Nutrition Facts Panel. An NHS Athens password is required to access this article online. Filed under: Current Awareness, E-Journals, Journals Tagged: food industry, Food Labelling, Nutrition, United States (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3302270 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:47:44 +0100 3302270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3126688&cid=t_112062_113_f&fid=38236&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.healthcareitnews.com%2Fblog%2Fextension-center-model-health-system-transformation A recent New Yorker article by Atul Gawande skillfully draws an analogy between today’s health care crisis and the food crisis our country faced a century ago. Whereas the heath care system currently consumes about 17% of the U.S. economy, Americans spent more than 40% of their income on food at the turn of the last century. (Source: Healthcare IT News Blog) Healthcare IT News Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3126688 Tue, 29 Dec 2009 16:20:32 +0100 3126688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2902970&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F17%2Ffood-insight-a-facelift-and-birth-announcement%2F From the title of this post, you would think this blog is about surgeries and new babies. But what I’m actually talking about is a great resource for health experts and people who are looking for science based information on those “foggy” food and nutrition topics. I’ve been helping International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation on social media and I’m writing this post to share some of what I’ve been up to. The “facelift” is a website redesign and the “birth” is a new social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and of course a “baby” blog! If you haven’t heard of IFIC, well consider yourself educated. IFIC Foundation is a Washington, D.C. based organization that communicates evidence based inf... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2902970 Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:20:39 +0100 2902970 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793150&cid=t_112062_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2FJIq6B9GXv5w%2F As I check Facebook before going to Program Planning for Health Behavior Change class, I can’t help but look at this pre-class behavior of mine in terms of some of the concepts I am learning in the classroom. We can keep in touch with all of our friends quickly and efficiently with the click of a button and thanks to the Internet, but on the whole we aren’t quite as compulsive about getting the recommended nutrition, exercise or health services upon which our livelihoods depend. Much blame has been put on individuals for not exercising, eating properly, or managing their chronic conditions, thus burdening the healthcare delivery system. Some ask, if we have tons of healthcare literature out there and people know what is the ‘right’ thing to do—eat 3-5 fruits and vegetables a day,... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793150 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:56:51 +0100 2793150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657941&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F30%2Fdebunking-the-new-smart-choices-packaged-food-label%2F Uniform Food Label I first wrote about the Smart Choices labeling program in November 2008, after it was rolled out at the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference. In a nutshell, it is the food industry’s stab at taking all the “front of package” labeling from individual companies (smart spot, sensible solutions, etc…) and giving it some uniformity. The new smart choices program has come under hefty criticism from Marion Nestle, who thinks it is more a marketing effort than a nutrition effort. I hear what she’s saying – do we really need a big effort to help people choose processed foods?  Shouldn’t nutrition experts tell people to limit packaged foods and eat more whole foods?  YOU BET! But, I’m more of a realist than a... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657941 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:50:12 +0100 2657941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2588472&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Fhealthy-eats-starbucks-new-salads-and-smoothies%2F Last week, I posted about the healthy foods makeover Starbucks gave itself called “real food, simply delicious” (all natural ingredients, whole foods, and as few ingredients as possible). Since then I had the chocolate banana Vivanno smoothie with the espresso shot as a quick lunch. It was delicious. At only 300 calories it wasn’t enough of a lunch for me, but it held me over during my meetings until I was able to get a “second lunch” which was a 200 calorie snack of feta cheese, tomato, and basil salad with whole grain crackers. A good nutrition tip: if you are busy and don’t really feel hungry but know you need to eat something, go for a light lunch of a few hundred calories then eat a “second lunch” a few hours later when you do feel hungr... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2588472 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:04:21 +0100 2588472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2473162&cid=t_112062_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F06%2F12%2Fhealthmatters-2009-no-76%2F Fade Fave: Obesity: a question of arts and minds Fade Skinny: In this article concerning obesity the author argues that the focus on individual choice and partnerships with the food industry limit what can be achieved in addressing obesity. (Print subscription held at Fade Library) Posted in Journals Tagged: cooperation, food industry, Obesity (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2473162 Fri, 12 Jun 2009 08:42:49 +0100 2473162 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2399270&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F05%2F08%2Fthe-end-of-useless-dieting-books%2F In this post, I’m going to talk about what I don’t Like About “The End of Overeating” by DAVID A. KESSLER, MD. Even as I type I am annoyed with myself because I hesitate to give the book any press – even bad press! But I can’t keep these opinions bottled up. Of course, I would love to hear other opinions and see if I can’t be influenced by something else. I will admit off the bat that I have not read one page of this book. But I’ve seen what I need to see from the media stories and PR pitches flooding my inbox. My main “beef” with the book is that it positions the food industry as pure evil villains and consumers as powerless victims while he is the vindicator (a credible doctor we can trust) coming in to save us all with this boo... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2399270 Fri, 08 May 2009 22:15:18 +0100 2399270 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2381180&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F30%2Fdo-the-dietary-guidelines-for-americans-have-a-pr-problem%2F I know I should be blogging about swine flu - isn’t everyone? But instead… let’s talk about the USDA Dietary Guidelines… they will be revised for 2010 (mandated by law every 5 years). No, it is not nutrition experts trying to stay in business… it’s a government thang… I was just reading a post by Janet Helm, a fellow RD at Nutrition Unplugged, and it inspired me to write a comment. Basically, I think the guidelines have a PR problem and no matter what they say that is “different” or new, they won’t see real change, unless they think about how people will actually use the guidelines and integrate that into real life. Here’s my comment: My personal feeling is that many people are “desensitized” to the Dietary Guidelin... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2381180 Thu, 30 Apr 2009 12:47:21 +0100 2381180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349356&cid=t_112062_133_f&fid=35124&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Faspergerwoman%2F%7E3%2F1JTheHNQsaI%2Fautism-food-9-packings-sensory-overload.html There is a lot what one must know before eating a product. Packings are not always easy to read. How packings can be made autism-friendly. Have you ever thought about the information printed on a food packing? No packing seems to show the equal amount of information at the same spot. Of course there is a table telling us the amount kilocalories a product contains. And there are several nation wide used labels showing us this is a healthy choice object. It's a discovery tour every time I buy a new product to find the right thing I needed. It almost causes me sensory overload standing before the shelves filled with dozens of products who all promise me to be the best.After having made my choice, the second round begins, how to get those stuff home knowing about my disturbed locomotive. A bot... The Art of Being Asperger Woman blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349356 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 10:55:00 +0100 2349356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2342038&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F04%2F12%2Fsports-drinks-tax-to-fight-obesity%2F I’ve seen some lame ideas in my day, but this one takes the cake. The Washington Post reports that Kelly Brownell thinks the government should tax soda and sports drinks as a way to curb obesity rates in the United States. (Brownell is a professor of psychology at Yale University and director of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity). As a sports nutritionist I think it makes no sense to tax sports drinks. They provide a fueling and performance benefit to people competing in races (and training for them) for any event over 60 minutes. 10-milers, half marathons, marathons, triathlons, cycling races and let’s not forget team sports. Discouraging their use puts people at higher risk for dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and hyponatremia (all of which can be deadly). ... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2342038 Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:11:30 +0100 2342038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2262107&cid=t_112062_167_f&fid=38271&url=http%3A%2F%2Frebeccascritchfield.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F13%2Fis-gluten-free-the-new-fat-free%2F Hordes of new gluten-free are falling onto store shelves faster than my IRA. The gluten free market is expected to grow by $1 billion over the next three years - from $1.6 to $2.6 billion by 2012). Now, this is a welcome change for anyone with celiac’s or a gluten allergy, sensitivity, or intolerance. It certainly gives them more choices and makes it easier to manage their disease. Trust me, any person with celiac’s will testify you don’t want an “episode”. Two million people have celiac’s - about 1 in 133 - so it is considered common. More people are being diagnosed with the disease. I don’t question if there is a need for more products. I’m just raising the question with all these new products coming to market catching consumers’ att... Balanced Health and Nutrition Rebecca Scritchfield's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2262107 Fri, 13 Mar 2009 14:05:35 +0100 2262107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1834741&cid=t_112062_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F403926604%2Ftop-10-hot-careers-for-2012.html I'm often asked by my students "what kind of job can I get with a master's degree in bioethics?" -- the short answer is that one needs to look at the master's degree as a supplemental degree -- that is, it is beneficial in terms of analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking in your basic field. Last month, Daily Galaxy published a Future 'Top 10' Hot Careers in 2012, and all ten arguably have aspects that could benefit from an bioethics (that is the broadest spectrum definition of bioethics -- from food ethics to neuroethics to healthcare ethics to computer ethics and beyond) perspective: 1) Organic food Industry 2) Computational Biology 3) Parallel Programming 4) Data Technology 5) Simulation Engineering 6) Boomer Caregiving 7) Genetic Counseling 8) Brain Analysts 9) Space To... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1834741 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:32:15 +0100 1834741 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1124843&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2008%2F1%2F2%2Fan-eaters-manifesto-eat-food-not-too-much-mostly-plants.html Brian Klepper Monday's Morning Edition on NPR had an interview with Michael Pollan, the author of the bestselling "In Defense of Food." When asked to summarize what he has to say about the subject, Pollan says, "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." He adds, "That's it. That is the short answer to the supposedly incredibly complicated and confusing question of what we humans should eat in order to be maximally healthy." You can spend a very worthwhile 6 minutes listening to the interview here.Pollan's advice is a mix of common sense and hard science, and it is long overdue, part of the difficult consciousness-raising that's necessary for us to overcome the epidemic of obesity and chronic disease that now plagues developed and developing nation's.  ... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1124843 Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:59:27 +0100 1124843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1013313&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F11%2F8%2Fis-obesity-deadly-here-we-go-again.html By Dov Michaeli MD, Ph.DIn 2005, a team of investigators at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, published a paper that shook the foundations of our long-held beliefs; they found that death rates due to overweight (BMI 25-30) and obesity (BMI >30) were actually lower than death rates due to underweight. The paper came under withering criticism by scientists and nutritionists who had been preaching the gospel of weight control. “Libertarian” organizations funded by the food industry, such as “Food Freedom”, piled on with glee. Their basic message: you can’t trust those scientists; just let the consumer beware (and, I presume, let Darwin and the forces of the “free” market weed out those who did not). The most serious criticism o... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1013313 Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:41:03 +0100 1013313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=956050&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F10%2F16%2Ffood-porn-hardees-and-the-920-calorie-burrito.html by Pat Salber Perhaps the folks over at Hardee's fast food haven't heard the country is in the midst of an obesity epidemic.  They have just unveiled a new breakfast offering, the Country Breakfast burrito.  It consists of a two egg omelet filled with bacon, sausage, diced ham, cheddar cheese, hash browns and sausage gravy.  Surrounding this protein load is a flour tortilla.  The burrito weighs in at 920 calories.  That's right, 920 calories, about half of what you should ingest in a day.  This little baby also has 60 grams of fat.  All those calories and all that fat will only set you back $2.69.According to a story by the Associated Press, Brad Haley, Hardees' marketing chief, says that the burrito offers the sort of big breakfast item normally found in sit-down restaurants with... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=956050 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:16:54 +0100 956050 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=828078&cid=t_112062_87_f&fid=34867&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thediabetesblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F28%2Fsugary-hazard-high-fructose-corn-syrup-may-raise-diabetes-risk%2F Filed under: Type 2, Diet, Research, ProductsA lot of people I know avoid foods that list high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) as an ingredient. Apart from the calories they add to foods, there's a growing belief that lab-devised products like HFCS are simply unnatural and may be harmful. Wikipedia has an interesting article on the origins and controversy surrounding HFCS, if you want to learn more.Not surprisingly, the food industry has always defended HFCS against claims that it is harmful. But here's the latest contradiction of that claim: a recent study found that HFCS is "astonishingly" high in reactive carbonyls, which are thought to contribute to the development of diabetes. The study was led by Dr. Chi-tang Ho, head of Rutgers University's Department of Food Science, and colleagues. The... The Diabetes Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=828078 Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 828078 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=749640&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F7%2F20%2Fbetter-food-ads-for-kids-is-it-a-step-in-the-right-direction.html This article motivated me to dig a bit deeper. According to a press release found on the CBBB’s website, the eleven companies* participating in its Childrens Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, have“pledged to focus essentially all of their advertising primarily directed to children under 12 on products meeting better-for-you standards or refrain from advertising to that age group.” (Better-for you, compared to what?? … the high sugar, high fat they were advertising to kids before?). Steven J Cole, President and CEO of the CBBB goes on to day, “These expansive commitments significantly exceed the Initiative’s baseline requirements.” The PledgesHere are some of the pledges:McDonalds:All advertising primarily directed to children under 12... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=749640 Sun, 22 Jul 2007 21:22:33 +0100 749640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=695201&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F6%2F26%2Fangry-moms-and-school-food.html When I wrote about the food industry marketing sweetened, energy dense foods to kids in my post titled: "Is the food industry playing games with your children:  You bet it is," I got the usual spate of email comments telling me that it is not industry, rather it is parents, that should be faulted. After all, these folks argue, parents, not kids buy and serve the food. (Yeah, but I contend the industry wouldn’t market this stuff to kids if it didn't pay off…but that is another story.)Now, the NY Times tells the story of an angry mom taking on junk food in her kids’ schools. The story, titled Child Nutrition: Two Mothers, a Camera and a Look at School Lunches, was emailed to me by Karen, my husband’s daughter and the mother of our l... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=695201 Tue, 26 Jun 2007 00:01:08 +0100 695201 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658705&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F6%2F5%2Fguys-and-groceries.html Have you ever sent your guy to the grocery store because the pantry was bare? You asked him to do “The Big Shop.” After an hour or two, he comes home with one or two bags and about five or six items – you know what he got -- milk, bread, a bag of apples, a head of lettuce and some beer. Maybe, if you are lucky, he picked up a pound of ground round or a couple of pork chops.Well, a new report, titled “Men in Grocery Stores: In Aisle and In Need” explains why this happens. Here’s the answer: men get overwhelmed in the grocery store. I love it. They are “bamboozled” by all of the choices…and, guess what? They won’t ask for help. Hahahahaha.Now I haven’t actually read the whole report primarily because it costs $2500 (it is wri... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658705 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 19:16:37 +0100 658705 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658706&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F6%2F4%2Ffood-facts-and-fat.html The results of the 2007  Food and Health Survey* are in and they show…guess what? Most people want to lose weight. Seventy-five percent of individuals surveyed said they are concerned with their weight. This is up from 66% in 2006. 70% said their reason for making dietary changes is “to lose weight,” and 56% said they are actively trying to lose weight. This is interesting as it seems to reflect reality.  According to the latest scientific evidence, 66% of Americans are overweight or obese.Where there is a disconnect, however, is people’s knowledge of the relationship between "calories in" and "fat on."  Although 60% of Americans who are trying to lose weight say they are doing so by reducing the number of calories they consu... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658706 Mon, 04 Jun 2007 18:01:47 +0100 658706 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=576466&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F4%2F28%2Fmini-blog-of-the-day-calorie-designations-on-food-packaging.html Here is the translation for calories on food packaging:Calorie free:   Fewer than 5 calories per servingLow calorie:  40 calories or less per serving.  If a serving is 30 grams or less or 2 tablespoons or less, it signifies 40 calories per 50 g of the foodReduced or fewer calories:  At least 25 percent fewer calories per serving than the reference foodThat means you can say something is "reduced in calories" if there are 25% fewer calories, but the food can still be very high calories.  75% of a big amount is still a big amount  (Source: The Doctor Weighs In) The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=576466 Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:30:16 +0100 576466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=564152&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F4%2F23%2Feat-green.html Did you know that 10 percent of the energy consumed in this country (~100 billion gallons of oil per year) is used to grow our foods? And 14% of that astounding number is related to transporting foods from where it is grown to where it is eaten? Another 1/3 of the energy related to producing food is related to the manufacture of fertilizers.  The SF Chronicle, in a supplement to celebrate Earth Day, published an article to help readers Eat Green.  Entitled, "Are You Gorging on Fossil Fuels?" the article , written by Carol Ness, provides some, well, food for thought...and hopefully it will spur you to action.  Here are some of the tips from that article:Eat local.  You can save tons of energy by eating foods grown within 100 to 150 miles of where... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=564152 Tue, 24 Apr 2007 01:49:31 +0100 564152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=543184&cid=t_112062_117_f&fid=34612&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thedoctorweighsin.com%2Fjournal%2F2007%2F4%2F13%2Fwant-to-make-money-off-the-obesity-epidemic-have-i-got-a-deal-for-you.html Here is food for thought for the profit-oriented among us (yours truly included). Can you make money off of Obese America?Here are some facts: Sixty-six percent of Americans are obese or overweight Seven million are more than 100 pounds overweight. $33 billion in services are spent each year on health care for the obese. So, it should not be surprising that a widely followed web site that tracks the stock portfolio of Wall Street mavens (Warren Buffett) and not so mavens, and some outright…well, you get the point, has created, (I am not making this up) an "Obesity Index”. I thought it would be educational and, yes, profitable to take a look at it: The Obesity Index               &nbs... The Doctor Weighs In blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=543184 Sat, 14 Apr 2007 02:53:03 +0100 543184