I have had a few things on my mind lately so I am going to get random on you. Ready?
- Have you heard of black rice? It is the newest thing! It is hard to find right now but it should become more mainstream. It is much like brown rice, but a bit chewier. Just as with brown rice, be sure that the ingredient list says “whole grain black rice”. Here is a good article that summarizes what it is.
The Corn Refiners Association has petitioned the USDA to rename High Fructose Corn Syrup as “Corn Sugar“. In trying to improve its image, this is a very smart move. Corn sugar does sound much more natural. It will likely take years but just another example of how marketing can be misleading. What is your take on this? Read more about it here.
Chocolate milk has been a source of conflict between parents, administrators and the dairy industry. Proponents of chocolate milk say that flavoring the milk is the only way to get kids to drink it. Those against it feel it is too high in unnecessary sugar. I would have to agree with the latter. Children, as well as adults, need to learn to appreciate the natural flavor of foods. Eating overly processed foods is what has led to a preferential taste for overly sweet, salty or fatty foods. In the end, dumping sugar in milk just so kids will drink it isn’t worth it. What do you think?
Exercise is important for good health and can be helpful in weight loss. We know it burns calories, which helps to create a calorie deficit essential to weight loss. But in a recent study, exercise was also found to regulate appetite and hormonal control of hunger and fullness. Research does suggest that a sedentary lifestyle may lead to overeating. It probably doesn’t hurt that incorporating exercise can also put you in a healthy mindset and may lead to healthier food choices.
Be wary of products that boast “a full serving of fruits and/or vegetables”. It is always better to eat whole foods rather than processed, packaged foods. Have you seen the new fruit roll ups that are made with “real fruit”? While it may use concentrated fruits or fruit juices, they are still adding A LOT of sugar. Read here for more examples.
So there you have it! Now you know what runs through my head :). I really would love feedback on these topics and how you feel about them.
Emily Fonnesbeck RD,CD
