Nutrition Labels

In the past few weeks, I’ve had the chance to ponder the question “What is healthy food?” It seems that many of us have very different perceptions. Maybe that’s what stands in our way some times, we think healthy food and healthy eating is not obtainable.

It would be so much easier if my brain did not crave things like salty chips or sweet cookies but the reality is, it does. Maybe it’s a combination of many years of being bombarded with advertising to make me think I want it or maybe it’s as simple as it satisfies something in my head. I didn’t take enough psychology in college to answer that. I do know if it’s around me (like it is now as I write; you wouldn’t believe what is at the end of the table at my sister’s house) I’m less likely to eat well.

In my older years, I have realized that if I allow myself a little rather than denying myself entirely, I can balance the cravings with Read More »

The food label is an effort to simplify and encourage the use of nutritional information. It is clear, informative, and detailed, providing everything a consumer would normally need to decide if a food meets their nutritional standards before buying.

Nutrients
The common nutrients, such as Total Fat, Cholesterol, and Sodium, are required fields. Other nutrients, such as Iron and Vitamin K, are optional and not required to be listed.

Serving Size
Serving size tries to reflect the amount a person can eat. It must be about the same for like products, which makes it easier to compare the nutritional qualities of related foods. Serving sizes are expressed in both common household and metric measures. Read More »

Approximately 1,572 pounds of The King’s Delight Co.’s Applegate Naturals frozen, gluten-free chicken nuggets have been recalled because they contain wheat. 

The presence of wheat is not declared on the label of the 8 oz. cartons.

Applegate Naturals Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

Here are the details of this recall if you have purchased this product: Read More »

Wegmans Gluten Free Double Chocolate Brownie Mix, All Purpose Baking Mix, Honey Cornbread Mix, and Chocolate Cake Mix have been recalled because they may contain undeclared allergens, including milk, soy or pecans. Individuals who have allergies to those undeclared ingredients are at a serious risk of life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume those products.

Wegmans gluten free brownie mix

Read More »

OAKLAND, Calif., April 18, 2012 — Add Hidden Valley Salad Dressings to the growing list of foods to clearly call out that they are gluten free.

The makers of Hidden Valley Salad Dressings have added a “Gluten Free” logo to bottles and dry packets of its signature Original Ranch® dressing as well as much of its Farmhouse Originals product line. Packages with the new logo should appear on store shelves this summer.

The packaging change is designed to help Read More »

The FDA is finally moving on regulating the claim “gluten-free” on packages, which is fantastic news!  Lots of people have put in countless hours to make this happen.  We’ve got 1 month left to comment—until October 3^rd—and YOUR comment is vital to getting the law YOU want.

During the Aug 2nd teleconference, we heard that the comment period was re-opened and we might have a law by late 2012.  Several prominent researchers, including Dr. Alesso Fasano and Dr.Stefano Guandalini, spoke in favor of the new proposed legislation. “This is a standard that has been in use in Europe for almost two decades, & the science supports the U.S. adopting it as well,” commented Dr. Fasano.  I posted highlights of the teleconference, but upon reading the 90+ page safety assessment, I had a lot of questions! http://1.usa.gov/r4NDLA

The safety assessment suggests that for the most sensitive Celiac, Read More »

I have had the opportunity to connect with Dr. Stephen Wangen, the founder of the IBS Treatment Center in Seattle, WA.  Awhile back, at a CSA (Celiac Sprue Association) meeting I had the pleasure of helping Dr. Wangen with his book signing.  He had flown in to Denver to speak on his books, Healthier Without Wheat and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Solution. There was a full audience of folks, just like you and I, who were able to ask personal questions and learn more about living with Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance, as well as exploring other areas such as food allergies.

Since that time, Dr. Wangen and I have had the chance to talk about what the IBS Treatment Center does to help people really understand their bodies and how food can be affecting them.  He explores the possibilities of Celiac Disease, gluten intolerance and food allergies and helps people to develop a healthier lifestyle tailored to their specific needs.  At the same time, Dr. Wangen has observed the emotional affects these conditions can have on people and understands that not feeling well emotionally has an affect on how people take care of their physical well being.  What makes his practice so fantastic is the positive nature.  Dr. Wangen helps people view the changes by looking at the benfits and the gains and focusing on what people can have, rather than on what they can’t.  Here is what Dr. Wangen had to say when I asked him about his own experiences. Read More »

Special limited time offer while supplies last. 50% off remaining inventory of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Eating” ($8.50 plus $4.95 shipping).

“This book was written to help you move as simply and easily as possible from a gluten-full to a gluten-free diet. It is chock full of all the basic information you need to get started on the diet and would make a nice companion book to “The Gluten-Free Nutrition Guide.” It is written from a refreshingly unique (and often times funny) perspective as Eve (my co-author) went gluten-free while writing this book.” ~Tricia Thompson, MS, RD

To be eligible for this promotion, this book must be purchased directly from Read More »

Getting enough of the nutrients we need is the most important component of getting well and staying healthy.  If the foods in our diet are deficient, then we must turn to supplements to make up the difference.

But what do the ingredient labels mean?  What are the correct amounts we should be taking?  Do vitamins really expire?

Nature Made, a producer of vitamins, minerals and herbal products designed to promoted good health, answers your questions.  Read More »