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The United States and the European Union have agreed to work together to create new global diets, despite major differences over sustainable agriculture. Washington and Brussels will not only strengthen the global food supply, but also work to protect the environment and climate.

US USDA Undersecretary of State Jewel Bronak told reporters in Rome after attending a UN conference on food systems. Bronak said he and European Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wozniacki (pictured) wanted to find a common ground. This may be despite the fact that the United States and the European Union do not strongly agree on how to stabilize agriculture.

Bronak did not give any details on how to do it, but stressed that the meeting with the EU Commissioner was very positive and that the two agreed to work together on future plans.

The EU reviews general agricultural policy and the growing and food production patterns of the 27 EU countries. In doing so, the EU wants to reduce the use of chemical agents and turn agricultural land use into organic.

In the United States, there have been strong objections to government intervention and restrictions on agriculture and the food industry. Among other things, they are opposed to European trade restrictions on genetically engineered foods. In addition, the EU plans to impose an CO2 environmental tax on imports of pollutants, which will not do enough to combat climate change.

We are committed to recognizing our differences and focusing on science and innovation in tackling food security and climate change, Bronak said. At the same time, he stressed that the Biden administration did not guarantee the new standards that foreign reforms would impose on American farmers. Everyone has a different approach to improving sustainability, he said. There are different approaches to sustainable farming practices. There is no one right way to do that.

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The United States and Europe are working together to modernize the diet - SHSU Houstonian Online

What goes into making decisions about your diet? For some, its all about weight loss, and the old adage move more, eat less still seems to work. Eating less may mean portion control for some, while others may decide it means eating lots more vegetables. Who hasnt spent a week wondering if the Dolly Parton Diet would melt away the pounds?

Diet has long been considered an important part of health. Indeed, Hippocrates is credited with saying Let food by thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food. While the evidence is slim that Hippocrates truly said this more than two millennia ago, theres no doubt that diet is important to health and wellbeing. Food is powerful, as outlined in this article which concludes The healing power of nutrition is a combination of multiple supporting roles that synergistically and unselfishly work together.

What if you have a specific condition that some experts say can be addressed through your diet? Its important in this case to look at the science behind the claims to help you figure out if, indeed, a specific food plan can help you. For example, a 2019 peer-reviewed study asserts that chronic inflammatory diseases have been recognized as the most significant cause of death in the world today, with more than 50% of all deaths being attributable to inflammation-related diseases such as ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and autoimmune and neurodegenerative conditions. Diet is cited as one of the major causes of chronic inflammation, stating that evidence linking diet and mortality is robust.

Perhaps youre looking for a diet that reduces inflammation; the internet is full of sources of help with an anti-inflammatory diet. Heres where understanding the reliability of sources is important. As Tony Rogers wrote in his article, For every credible website, there are dozens chock full of information thats inaccurate, unreliable or just plain nutty. Be sure you check out the source before you make any lifestyle changes. While not an endorsement, these sites may be helpful:

However, maybe you choose the foods you consume based upon an ethical issue. Fifty years ago, Frances Moore Lappe pointed out the environmental impact of meat production and promoted a vegetarian diet in her book Diet for a Small Planet. Thirty years later, her daughter, Anna, updated the research, publishing Diet for a Hot Planet: The Climate Crisis at the End of Your Fork and What You Can Do About It further detailing the role food production has on climate change.

Some people avoid all animal foods and choose instead a vegan plant-based diet. For many, veganism is about more than simply food; it can also be a complete lifestyle, shunning anything coming from anything else that had a mother or a face, whether it be represented on your plate, in your clothes or (wool) or shoes (leather). The Vegan Society states that Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude as far as possible and practicable all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing for any other purpose

This article provides good advice: the key (to finding the right diet) is finding one you like and can stick to in the long run and reviews five diets supported by science.

Whatever your motivation, diet can play a huge role in wellbeing. What works for you?

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What is the Best Diet for Wellbeing and Health? - Prohealth - ProHealth

October 5, 2021

Fred Hardinge

Our entire world has been shaken by the COVID-19 pandemic since the early months of 2020. The way we work, worship, communicate, fellowship, and shop has changed dramatically. We hope the end is in sight, but nothing is certain yet.

Long-term population-based research such as Loma Linda Universitys Adventist Health Studies strongly suggests that individuals who live according to principles of the churchs health message (including regular physical activity [especially outdoors], wholesome eating, adequate rest, avoidance of toxic substances, cultivating wholesome relationships, and trust in God) experience fewer of the conditions known as comorbidities. Healthy living confers some resistance to infections as well. While each principle is associated with tangible health benefits, the combination of healthy lifestyle practices provides the most benefit to overall health and well-being.

So can we say an Adventist lifestyle built upon our health message helps in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic? Lets examine the current evidence.

SLEEP: Getting good-quality sleep is vital to physical and mental health.1 Over the past few decades researchers have found that adequate sleep is necessary for the immune system to function appropriately in resisting infection. Inadequate sleep duration in otherwise healthy people is associated with an increased likelihood of developing the common cold, a viral infection. Subjects who averaged sleeping less than five hours per night had a 50 percent infection rate compared to 18 percent in those sleeping an average of seven-plus hours in the week preceding the evaluation.2 While specific data relating sleep to COVID-19 infections is lacking, it is likely safe to assume adequate rest will make a difference since studies show consistent relationships between short sleep duration and increased risk for mortality, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, stroke, coronary heart disease, overweight and obesity, weight gain, and type 2 diabetes. Thus, adequate sleep helps reduce COVID-19 comorbidities.

EXERCISE: The role of physical activity in defending us from infection continues to grow. Regular, moderate physical activity (i.e., walking, cycling, hiking, and swimming) acts as an adjuvant to stimulate immune defense and metabolic health. Consistent, moderate exercise reduces the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, with decreased death from influenza and pneumonia.3 Sedentary living contributes to excess weight, a significant comorbidity in COVID-19 infections. Moreover, a study of 48,440 adult patients in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that routine activity may help protect people who get COVID-19 from becoming seriously ill.4

DIET: Results of research on frontline health-care workers from six countries with high COVID-19 exposure are encouraging.5 Participants were surveyed from July to September 2020. The self-reported data from 2,884 participants included demographic information, dietary pattern information, and COVID-19 outcomes (568 cases). After adjusting for confounders, those who followed a plant-based diet had 73 percent lower odds of moderate to severe COVID-19; those who followed a plant-based or pescatarian [includes fish] diet had 59 percent lower odds of moderate to severe symptomscompared to those who consumed regular diets. When participants reported following low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets, they had significantly higher odds of more severe symptoms. This study found no association between the dietary pattern reported and the infection rate or duration of COVID-19. These encouraging results suggest that a diet rich in nutrient-dense foods may add an important layer of protection against severe COVID-19 symptoms without reducing infection rates or potential viral spread to others.

SUNLIGHT: Recent studies suggest that sunshine exposure limits the spread of the COVID-19 disrupting virus particles in aerosols (sneezing and coughing) and may inactivate the virus in outdoor environments.6 In addition, sun exposure, and vitamin D status are linked to COVID-19 incidence, fatality, and recovery rates through action on the immune system. Appropriate sun exposure (i.e., no overexposure) is beneficial. Vitamin D supplementation is recommended and beneficial when blood levels are not adequate, especially in darker-skinned individuals.

SOCIAL SUPPORT: Social support has been identified as a protective factor against COVID-19-related mental health issues.7 Examples of social support include giving comfort or providing a listening ear in the face of life challenges or distress. Healthy personal relationships are the most beneficial, but an enriching church fellowship even virtually is effective in providing social support and spiritual encouragement. The benefits go both ways, too. Ellen White wrote that doing good is a work that benefits both giver and receiver.8 The fellowship of believers during a pandemic plays an important role in healing, comfort, and spiritual nurturea real boost to mental health. Additionally, studies show that diet, exercise, and sleep are great contributors to mental health and well-being.9

The Bible speaks to how Christians are to behave and personal prayer and trust in God are essential. Paul entreats all believers to let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:4).Certainly this includes physical distancing, mask wearing, and basic hygiene measures. Christians should do everything possible to limit the spread of the virus, if for no other reason than the well-being of others!

The primary goal of the Adventist health message is health promotion and disease prevention. Yet there is a crossover between preventive and therapeutic measures for there is wisdom in applying measures appropriate to the circumstances. The context informs the decision. In a pandemic a healthy, wholistic lifestyle can be a life preserver, but there may be other appropriate, acute, lifesaving interventions we may need. Even so, rigorous adherence to healthy behaviors does not guarantee an absence of sickness.

We absolutely should practice and promote the health principles God has given us through inspiration and inspired scientific discovery to protect ourselves and others. Wholistic health moves us to thank God for the knowledge and creativity He gives to humans to develop technologies that strengthen us so we can continue to honor Him in troubled times. For all these blessings we thank God and praise Him with our mouths, attitudes, and actions.

Fred Hardinge is a nutrition and lifestyle specialist at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

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Adventist Review Online | The Adventist Health Message and COVID-19 - Adventist Review

Barbara Schwitek lost69pounds through non-profit TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a noncommercial weight loss, education and support organization

Barbara Schwitek often thought of the words recited at her weight loss support group whenever she was grazing the kitchen.

The Kamloops woman lost69pounds through non-profit TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), a noncommercial weight loss, education and support organization. As a result of her weight loss,Schwitekwas named the 2020 TOPS British ColumbiaQueen, meaning she lost more weight than any other female TOPS member in the entireprovince.

She received the honour by reaching the weight loss goal she set for herself with her doctor when she joined the Kamloops chapter of TOPS in 2007.

We chose a goal that was both obtainable and healthy and then you just go from there, Schwitek said.

She said it took 13 years of yo-yoing up and down with her weight, but with the support of TOPS and her doctors, Schwitek reached her goal weight of 150 pounds.

Schwitek said she lost the weight through a combination of exercise, planning healthy meals and portion control. There were also weekly accountability weigh-ins that helped motivate her, as did a pledge recited at every TOPS meeting that she would remind herself of that she is an intelligent person who will control her emotions and, when tempted to use food to satisfy frustrations or dull her senses, she would instead take off pounds sensibly.

Schwiteks exercise of choice was to go for walks, often taking to the outdoor and indoor tracks at Hillside Stadium and the Tournament Capital Centre.

Now that shes lost the weight, Schwitek is transitioning to a maintenance program of TOPS known as KOPS (Keep Off Pounds Sensibly).

Thats another journey of its own trying to keep the weight off within a 10-pound leeway is almost as difficult as taking the weight off in the first place, Schwitek said.

She continues to exercise and control her portions to keep the weight off, but noted its been a challenge amidst the pandemic without the support of TOPS meetings, which hadnt been running for a while due to pandemic restrictions.

We havent had a meeting in probably 16 months and we didnt do weigh-ins for a while, and then we started weighing in in someones backyard, she said.

Schwitek said its only been within the last three weeks that the group has returned to meetings, with COVID-19 protocols in place, but there are still some members who dont feel comfortable. As a result, meetings number between eight and 10 people, while membership is at 25.

Schwitek was honoured and humbled to be named TOPS British ColumbiaQueen.

She said TOPS differs from other weight loss groups because there are no paid employees and its run by its members.

Schwitek said the non-profit is affordable and essentially a support group with educational weight loss tools, not an avenue to fad diets.

She noted TOPS is also available to men and teens, with meetings in the evenings for people to attend.

For more information on the program, go online to tops.org.

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After 13 years of hard work, Kamloops woman is a TOPS Queen - Kamloops This Week

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Prepared meals have historically had a bad reputation: frozen entres conjure images of freezer-burned beige TV dinners, whereas refrigerated packaged meals bring to mind bland protein shakes or mystery-meat deli slices. But before you click away, let us introduce you to a new world of pre-made delivery servicesfully prepared meals that are delicious, nutritious, and ready in minutes.

Prepared delivery services often appeal to individuals looking to save time in the kitchen, since they allow people to streamline their routine and enjoy meals that require virtually no preparation or cleanup. Just follow the instructions to pop the meals into the oven, microwave or a saucepan. Pre-portioned meals and snacks come straight to your door, and different services offer rotating menus that appeal to various diets and preferences.

Whereas many popular meal kit delivery services offer ingredients that need to be prepared, chopped, and cooked, the options in this roundup are all ready to eat in mere minutes. Whats more, most of these plans offer meals in flexible bundles and a la carte, meaning you can select a service that fits seamlessly into your busy lifestyle.

When deciding which prepared delivery service is right for you, its important to keep in mind your current lifestyle. Individual prepared meals are most beneficial when they simplify the busier and more stressful parts of your daily routine. Maybe youre all set with lunch but you cant be bothered to cook after work. Or maybe you love getting creative for dinner but are bored with your offices midday options. Whatever the case, its important to identify the areas youd like to upgrade.

Another consideration is slightly more obvious: your food preferences and dietary restrictions. The options below adhere to various lifestyles, so you can feel free to try out a gluten-free dinner or experiment with a vegan lunch. Organic options abound, as do menus conscious of macronutrient requirements and food sensitivities. Importantly, youll want to pay attention to whether the meals come fresh or frozen, since they may require different reheating options. If you choose frozen meals, keep in mind that youll be slightly more limited in the types of foods youll receive, since things like salads and sandwiches dont do well frozen.

Finally, youll want to consider price. As you might expect, fully prepared meals tend to be on the expensive side, since youre paying for preparation and delivery in addition to the ingredients themselves. That said, many find that the time and energy saved is well worth the price.

Services that deliver refrigerated meals package meals thoughtfully to ensure they arrive on your doorstep as fresh as possible. Some services, like Epicured, Territory, and Home Bistro, offer twice-weekly deliveries so that meals are never sitting in your refrigerator for more than a few days. Many services also ship meals with insulating liners and frozen gel packs, as well as cold chain transportation wherever possible. If youre curious about specific services practices, check their website FAQs.

Frozen meals are packaged to preserve taste and nutrition as well as ensure that reheating is safe and simple. The Good Kitchens TB12 Performance Meals, for example, use a cryovac process that reduces the amount of oxygen in the package, eliminating the need for preservatives. Services also go to great lengths to ensure temperature regulation during shipping; Veestro, for example, ships meals in an insulated shipping container with dry ice.

Different services have different plans that can fit a variety of lifestyles and needs, whether you hate cooking altogether or are just looking to replace an occasional meal. A la carte options are often more expensive than meals that are part of a bundle, but theyre a great option if youre looking to test the waters without commitment.

A closer look at the best meal kits in each category

Customers love: Delicious, hearty meals that save time and appeal to any type of eaterFresh or Frozen: Fresh, and you can select weekly or twice-weekly deliveries so that youre enjoying meals at their freshestBest for: Those looking for flexibility and transparent nutritional informationAvoid if: Youre not located within the delivery regionAverage price per meal: $11Territorys menu rotates weekly and seasonally and avoids ingredients like dairy, gluten, and refined sugarsbut the meals dont skimp on flavor. You can filter among a variety of dietary needs such as Paleo, Vegan, Whole30, Low Fat, Low Carb, Mediterranean Diet, and each meal is accompanied by transparent information like macronutrient ratios and exact ingredients. Ready after just ninety seconds of reheating, these convenient and filling meals require no subscription commitment and zero effort, making them a great option for anyone looking to streamline their mealtime.

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Customers love: Affordable, ingredient-conscious mealsFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Those looking to save time and money without sacrificing qualityAvoid if: You tend to be hungrier than the average personAverage price per meal: $9High quality ingredients, careful preparation free from allergens, and timely delivery can make fresh meal delivery an expensive habit. Fortunately, Freshlys meals come in at around $9 each, making them a more budget-conscious choice for any type of eater. Choose from a certified gluten-free menu of fresh meals ready in seconds. Personalize your delivery with additional options from the multi-serve Proteins & Sides lines designed to simplify meal prep. [Read our Freshly review]

Customers love: Vegan meals abundant in superfoodsFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Wellness fiends or those looking for a short-term diet cleanseAvoid if: Youre looking for a more affordable service for the long termAverage price per meal: $25Looking to splurge on nutritious meals or recover from a wild vacation? Sakara has you covered with a menu of organic superfoods that promise numerous health benefits in addition to time saved in the kitchen. Sakara offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, as well as detox teas and advice from wellness coaches. Meals like Anti-Inflammatory Veggie Masala and Classic Superfood Granola with spirulina-infused green goddess mylk are sure to have you feeling glowy in no time. One thing to note is that while many fresh delivery services can be frozen for later consumption, Sakaras meals wont handle freezing well.

Customers love: Time-saving meals adhering to special dietsFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Low-carb eaters looking to streamline meal planning and cookingAvoid if: Youre looking for more creative meals that arent centered around certain dietsAverage price per meal: $11Fresh N Lean offers a wide variety of plans for different diet preferences, especially for carb-conscious eaters. You can subscribe or select a la carte meals from menus like Protein+ (for high-performance athletes), Keto, Paleo, Low-Carb Vegan, and Bulk. Avoid the hassle of counting macronutrients with fresh meals catered to your lifestyle. Organic ingredients, flexible plans, and satisfying meals make Fresh N Lean a service unmatched in convenience for low-carb lifestyles.

Customers love: Delicious plant-based meals that save time and energyFresh or Frozen: FrozenBest for: Transitioning to a plant-based diet with minimal effortAvoid if: You prefer plant-based meals without meat alternativesAverage price per meal: $10If youre looking to increase your vegetable intake but youre overwhelmed at the prospect of planning and cooking meals, consider Veestro. This service offers three organic plansA La Carte, Chef's Choice, and Weight Lossno chopping vegetables required. Ready to serve after a quick defrost, Veestros frozen meals incorporate meat alternatives and vegan proteins that can help omnivorous eaters easily transition to a less meat-centric diet.

Customers love: Plant-based, gluten-free meals from a rotating menuFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Vegans who want to eat healthy without stressAvoid if: You prefer more protein-heavy vegan optionsAverage price per meal: $9Vegans and vegan-curious eaters will appreciate the ease and flexibility of Splendid Spoons delivery service. A versatile menu of over fifty ready-to-eat meals means youll never get bored of these plant-based meals and snacks. Customize your order according to your lifestyle and flavor preferences, choosing among breakfast smoothies, grain bowls, soups, and noodle dishes, all of which are vegan and gluten-free. With a rotating menu, seasonal options like the Pumpkin Spice Smoothie and Roasted Brussels Sprouts Grain Bowl, and a full selection of delicious soups, Splendid Spoon is making it easier than ever to eat vegan.

Customers love: Chef-prepared entres that bring restaurant-quality meals to your doorstepFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Those looking to upgrade their mealtimeAvoid if: Youre on a budget or dont want meat-heavy meals every nightAverage price per meal: $25Ever wished you had a professional chef whipping up delicious, personalized meals in your kitchen? When it comes to prepared meal services, Home Bistro is your best bet. Home Bistros gourmet meals are prepared by world class chefsincluding famous names like Iron Chefs Cat Cora and Daina Falk from Hungry Fanand delivered fresh to your doorstep. You can select restaurant-quality dinners like Mediterranean Chicken with Orange Honey Labneh Sauce, Israeli Couscous and Honey Roasted Carrots a la carte or as part of a larger package, and choose weekly or biweekly delivery with no commitment.

Customers love: Gluten-free and low-FODMAP meals that dont skimp on flavorFresh or Frozen: Freshbut if you need to freeze some meals, check for freezer-friendly itemsBest for: Those looking to enjoy fresh meals that are conscious of various GI disordersAvoid if: You dont have specific dietary needs and prefer a more diverse menuAverage price per meal: $13If youre dealing with a GI disorder, you can take comfort in Epicureds precautions against cross-contamination and low-FODMAP and gluten-free meals. Chefs and dieticians have collaborated to design a menu that caters to those with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohns, Colitis, SIBO and Celiac. With thoughtful portion sizes, interesting flavors, and wholesome ingredients, Epicureds weekly deliveries are a great option for people with specific dietary needs.

Customers love: Healthy on-the-go lunches and snacksFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Anyone needs a fresh, convenient midday mealAvoid if: Youre looking for slightly more filling meals or have very specific dietary preferencesAverage price per meal: $9Sad-looking desk lunches are a thing of the past with Farmers Fridge, a delivery service that specializes in flavorful midday meals and snacks. The menu features a variety of salads, grain bowls, and wraps that cater to a variety of preferences including vegan and gluten-free diets. In addition to lunches like the Shawarma-Spiced Cauliflower Salad or Chicken Tikka Masala, Farmers Fridge offers snacks and breakfast options too. Unlike some other delivery services, these meals are super portable, since they come in convenient, reusable jars.

Customers love: Portable, convenient soups that make healthy eating easyFresh or Frozen: Freshthese soups are shelf stableBest for: Those who want a healthy, comforting meal anytimeAvoid if: Youre looking for solid meals or live in a warm climate and dont want hot soupAverage price per meal: $8Proper Goods stews and broths have you saying *Adam Driver voice* good soup all day long. These shelf-stable soups use whole ingredients, limit salt and sugar, and also include options for keto and vegan diets. The portability of these wholesome soups makes them a great option for an office lunch, camping meal, or weeknight dinner, since all you have to do is heat up the pouch and youre good to go. With options like classic chicken noodle, butternut squash, and Southwest chili, Proper Good makes healthy eating a breeze.

Customers love: Wholesome meals centered around an athletes nutritional needsFresh or Frozen: Frozen ready in just three minutes in the microwaveBest for: Casual gym-goers to intense athletes looking to save time in the kitchenAvoid if: You prefer fresh meals over frozenAverage price per meal: $13Peak athletic potential requires careful nutrition and thoughtful preparation. With the TB12 Performance Meals from The Good Kitchen, you can follow a regimen inspired by Tom Brady without stressing about ingredients, preparation, or recipes. These frozen entres are customizable, nutrient-rich, and fit seamlessly into a variety of dietary preferences. Meals like Chicken Satay with Cilantro and Broccoli and Citrus Shrimp with Quinoa and Spiced Cauliflower are tailored to support an athletes nutritional requirements while also prioritizing taste and convenience.

Customers love: Classic meals that adhere to special dietary and nutritional needsFresh or Frozen: FrozenBest for: Seniors with specialized dietsAvoid if: You follow a plant-based diet or prefer more modern flavor profilesAverage price per meal: $14Magic Kitchen caters specifically to the dietary needs of senior citizens, with options including low-sodium, renal, and diabetic. A far cry from nutritionally lacking freezer-aisle meals, Magic Kitchens healthful menu offers peace of mind to ensure that you or your loved ones are receiving wholesome, quality meals without the stress of grocery shopping or cooking. Tasty meals like Beef Short Ribs, Chayote Black Bean Succotash, and Oaxacan-Inspired Mole offer a balanced, convenient dinner designed by chefs and dieticians.

Customers love: Flexible meal plans that cater to different allergies, diets, and nutritional needsFresh or Frozen: FreshBest for: Those looking to avoid certain ingredientsAvoid if: You have severe allergies or are looking for plant-based or gourmet mealsAverage price per meal: $10If you want fully prepared meals delivered to your doorstep but worry your allergies make that impossible, consider Snap Kitchen. You can select meals from one of eight menusincluding high protein, balance, Whole30, and low carband view the full nutritional profile of the dish, including macro counts, ingredients, and common allergens. All of Snap Kitchens meals are free from gluten, artificial preservatives, antibiotics, added hormones, artificial colorings, and flavorings.

Caroline Curran is a Thrillist contributor.

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The Best Pre-Made and Prepared Meal Delivery Services - Thrillist

New strategic campaign innovatively integrates nutrition facts about fresh avocados in efforts to reduce Type 2 diabetes risk among Hispanics, who have a 50% chance of developing the disease in their lifetime

Published: Oct. 5, 2021 at 8:03 AM MDT|Updated: 8 hours ago

MISSION VIEJO, Calif., Oct. 5, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As November marks National Diabetes Month, AltaMed Health Services, the nation's largest independent federally qualified community health center, and Aguacates Frescos - Saborea Uno Hoy, a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados developed especially for Hispanic families, will join forces to improve nutritional education and access to glucose testing for the early detection and possible prevention of type 2 diabetes, a condition that impairs the body's ability to regulate sugar.

Beginning in the fall, the AltaMed mobile unit will travel throughout Southern California to offer free glucose testing and education that integrates messaging on how dietary fiber, like that found in avocados, may help maintain healthy blood glucose levels.Delicious recipes and meal planning tools featuring fresh avocadoswill be shared in English and Spanish to inspire families to eat healthy and boost fiber intake with the traditional favorite.

"We are excited to partner with Aguacates Frescos - Saborea Uno Hoy in the fight against type 2 diabetes by educating the community on the value of fresh fruits and vegetables with bilingual tools, like nutritious recipes that include fresh avocados," said Cesar Sauza, Registered Dietitian, Manager, Clinical Nutrition of Health Education and Wellness with AltaMed. "Creatively integrating the benefits of fresh avocados into our conversations about improving the quality of diet supports our commitment to be respectful of cultural preferences in our approach to help the community grow healthy."

If unmanaged, diabetes can be life-threatening and according to the CDC,US adults overall have a 40% chance of developing type 2 diabetes. But for a Hispanic/Latino American adult, there is more than a 50% chance, and it is likely to develop at a younger age. Diets rich in healthy foods containing fiber, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

"Fiber, like that found in avocados, slows down food digestion which promotes satiety and prevents rapid rises in blood glucose following a meal," said Krista Linares, Registered Dietitian and Saborea Uno Hoy spokesperson. "Since most adults don't get enough dietary fiber, it is beneficial to raise awareness of easy ways to boost intake. Delicious avocados add fiber to the diet and are already a much-loved staple in Hispanic homes."

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans point to strong evidence that healthy eating patterns are associated with positive health outcomes. The Hass Avocado Board's Avocado Nutrition Center is continually studying how eating fresh avocados can have a positive effect on reducing risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Meal planning tools, recipes, articles by dietitians as well as access to clinical research that looks at how replacing carbohydrates with avocado affected glucose and insulin levels are available at SaboreaUnoHoy.com/AltaMed.

About Saborea Uno Hoy and the Hass Avocado BoardSaborea Uno Hoyis a leading source of the healthiest reasons and tastiest ways to enjoy fresh avocados developed especially for Hispanic families. A science-based resource, it provides delicious and culturally-relevant recipes and articles in Spanish and English to help make it easy for consumers and health professionals to learn more about the nutritional benefits of fresh avocados and ways to include them in everyday menus.

About the Hass Avocado BoardThe Hass Avocado Board (HAB) exists to help make avocados America's most popular fruit. HAB is the only avocado organization that equips the entire global industry for success by collecting, focusing and distributing investments to maintain and expand demand for avocados in the United States. HAB provides the industry with consolidated supply and market data, conducts nutrition research, educates health professionals, and brings people together from all corners of the industry to collectively work towards growth that benefits everyone. The organization also collects and reallocates funds to California and importer associations to benefit specific countries of origin in promoting their avocado brands to customers and consumers across the United States. For more information, visitSaboreaUnoHoy.comor follow HAB on Facebook,Instagram,Twitter,PinterestandYouTube.

About AltaMedAltaMed understands that when people have health care that looks at their individual health needs and respects their cultural preferences, they grow healthyand help their families do the same. So we're delivering complete medical services to communities across Southern California. Since 1969, our team of qualified multicultural and bilingual professionalsfrom these same communitieshas focused on eliminating barriers to primary care services, senior care programs, and even essential community services. With nearly 50 accredited health centers and service facilities, we remain committed and ready to help you grow healthy at any age.

Contact: Vickie Fite (310) 613-0937

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SOURCE Aguacates Frescos - Saborea Uno Hoy; AltaMed Health Services

The above press release was provided courtesy of PRNewswire. The views, opinions and statements in the press release are not endorsed by Gray Media Group nor do they necessarily state or reflect those of Gray Media Group, Inc.

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AltaMed Health Services' Mobile Unit Adds Free Glucose Testing and Highlights the Nutrition Benefits of Avocados for National Diabetes Month - KKCO-TV

This is the second piece in a series produced by the Global Action Platform on Sustainable Consumption and Diets. To learn more, visit the webpagehere.

Biodiversity is crucial to societies worldwide. Plants produce oxygen and store carbonboth important for climate regulation and creating breathable airbut they also release water and volatile compounds into the atmosphere, which in turn influence cloud formation and rainfall.Biodiversity enables carbon to be stored in soil and maintains soil fertility. It provides food we eat directly and supports the production of food in agriculture through pollination, pest control and soil health. Biodiversity also provides important cultural and well-being benefits: many societies recognize iconic plants and animals as culturally important and throughout the COVID-19 lockdown, hearing singing birds has lifted the hearts of people around the world.

Despite the fundamental importance of biodiversity,thousands of specieshave gone extinct this century indicating that we are in a sixth mass extinction of species that is human caused and accelerating. The primary cause of this biodiversity loss is the production of ever more food.The conversion of land for agriculture, as well as theintensificationof agriculture, impacts the quality and quantity of available habitat. Food production also affects fresh-water wildlife* through extraction of water and reduction in water quality from soil and farm chemical runoff. Downstream pollution, especially from fertilizers, even affects marine systems. Marine wildlife is, of course, also heavily impacted through fishing.

The biggest driver of habitat loss on land has been theconversion of natural ecosystemsto crop production or pasture. The land occupation of agriculture has increased around 5.5 times since 1600 and is still increasing. Currently,land for food productionoccupies roughly40 percent of the worlds landthat is not desert and uses 70 percent of the available water resources.

Instead of wild animals, a handful of farmed speciesnow dominateglobal animal biomass. Farmed animals (mainly cows and pigs) now constitute 60 percent of the global biomass of all mammals, while humans make up 36 percent and wild mammals make up just 4 percent. For birds, the global biomass is29 percent wild birdsand 57 percent chickens. More than three quarters of agricultural land is used to farm these animals or their feed. Overall, agriculture is anidentified threatto 24,000 of the 28,000 terrestrial species at risk of extinction. In marine ecosystems, fishing is the largest driver of biodiversity loss.

Conserving biodiversity, reducing carbon emissions, and building climate resilience all have a critical role to play in building more productive and healthy food systems and ensuring food security for everyone. While food is currently one of the biggestthreats toandvictims ofenvironmental change, the good news is that its also our best bet at bending the curves on health and sustainability. Thepreponderance of evidencesuggests that sustainably managed food production systems can actually support and enhance biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions. Incorporating a greater diversity of crops and integration of livestock, creating and maintaining well-connected habitat for associated biodiversity,practicing sustainable soil managementand reducing the use of synthetic inputs can increase biodiversity and ecosystem services without negatively affecting agriculture yields.

Changing diets is crucial for conserving biodiversity

Developments on the post-2020global biodiversity frameworksuggest that we need to promote agrobiodiversity both in our diets, as well as biodiversity more generally, in our production landscapes, thus managing the supply side and the demand side malpractices across the food systems. This means we must transition towards bio-diverse and sustainable diets that provide diverse multi-nutrition diets accessible for all, while also adopting nature-based solutions in agriculture and reducing food waste. Dietary change is a potent tool forreducing the pressure on land, enabling land to sustain both nature and more nature-positive farming. We believe this is possible for two main reasons:

1. At a global level, we produce more food than we need per capita. Approximately, 40 percent of the food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted, equal to more than 2.5 billion tons per year.For many people in more affluent societies, eating fewer total calories, but more diverse, plant-based foods and wasting less can radically reduce environmental footprints and yield significant health benefits. Whilst it is clear demand for food is growing, this is often stimulated by markets and increased population wealth, and evidence is rapidly accumulating that, at a societal level, eating less and better can be highly beneficial.

2. The environmental footprint of foodits associated land use, greenhouse gas emissions, water use and biodiversity impactvaries significantly from one type of food to the next. In general, the largest differences occur between animal-sourced and plant-sourced foods, with the latter having lower footprintsin some cases, substantially lower.

If we did not waste food, over-consume calories, or demand excessive amounts of the most environmentally damaging foods, and ate the right amount of the right sorts of food for our health, we would very significantly reduce our total demand for foodand with it, our total demand for land and other natural resources. This is particularly true in more developed countries and urban settings, though in some developing countries consumption of animal-sourced foods may need to increase to tackle burdens of undernutrition.

TheGlobal Biodiversity Outlook 5provides valuable lessons for facilitating systemic shifts towards sustainable food systems transition. Sustainable food transition implies that we must promote sustainable and healthy diets with a greater emphasis on a diversity of foods and nutrients, and more moderate consumption of meat and fish, as well as dramatic cuts in the waste involved in food supply and consumption.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution to achieve the necessary shifts in our consumption patterns to restore global biodiversity. For example, while shifting to a more plant-based diet might work well for many western countries, it might be difficult at this time for many others.In fact, in some countries, consumption of animal-sourced foods may need to increase to tackle burdens of undernutrition. We must also recognize that food producers are valuable stewards of our land and waters, and many protect vital biodiversity. In all cases, we must work with deep cooperation and empathy to understand diverse perspectives and situations so that we can achieve healthy and sustainable diets for all while restoring the biodiversity that is fundamental to humanity.

*We use the term wildlife to refer to wildnon domesticatedplants and animals (including fungi and microbes) that contribute to the biodiversity in a place.

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Why Are Diets and Biodiversity Linked? Food Tank - Food Tank

You can make the so-called "most important meal of the day" really count for something if you get in the habit of eating certain foods for breakfast. And we're not just talking about healthy foods that nourish and energize your body so you can tackle the day at your best. Depending on what foods you decide you put on your plate, you can manage important aspects of your health, from your heart to your brain.

Specifically, if you're interested in managing your blood pressure, one way you can do that beyond eating a healthy diet, exercising, and keeping stress levels low is by eating one blood pressure-managing food at breakfast: amaranth. This ancient grain is rich in fiber and magnesium: two nutrients that have been linked to low blood pressure.

Before we get into how your diet can influence blood pressure, let's start with what blood pressure really is and how it's linked to your overall health:

"Your blood pressure is the telltale sign of how hard your heart is working to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body, and if your blood pressure is high, it means there's a lot more strain on your heart muscle," says registered dietitian Grace A. Derocha, RD, a national spokesperson with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who has certifications in diabetes and heart disease prevention and management.

High blood pressure can foretell a related problem: stiff blood vessels. The more rigid your blood vessels, the harder your heart must work, and the combinationblood vessel rigidity and heart straincan increase the risk of plaque build-up (atherosclerosis), heart disease, and stroke.

"We want our blood vessels to be like yoga instructors, really flexible so they don't build up that plaque and further increase blood pressure," Derocha says.

Actually, there are lots of foods that'll help lower blood pressure, but if you want to start your day off with a powerful blood pressure reducer meal, here's your recipe for amaranth porridge.

Make a porridge of amaranth, an ancient grain, rich in fiber and blood pressure-lowering magnesium.

"One cup of cooked amaranth gives you 38% of your daily needs of magnesium," says Deroacha. "Studies show that magnesium is a relaxer of blood vessels. This mineral is lacking in the American diet because we don't eat enough fruits and vegetables, two or three servings at best when we should push 4 or 5. The people who live so long in some of those blue zone areas get 9 to 10 servings."

The fiber in the whole grain also helps to tamp down inflammation in the body, which can impact blood pressure. (Derocha combines steel-cut oats in her amaranth hot cereal for texture and taste; amaranth has a nutty flavor.)

Top that amaranth porridge with berries and pumpkin seeds. "Pumpkin seeds are a good source of the amino acid arginine that helps produce nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels," says Derocha: "The deep colors of berries come from anthocyanins that also help to increase nitric oxide."

Bananas are well known for lowering blood pressure because they're a good source of potassium, a mineral and electrolyte the relaxes the walls of the blood vessels. So, add them to your amaranth porridge if you wish, but you can get more potassium by making a smoothie with coconut water, says Derocha: "Coconut water has six times the amount of potassium in a banana." She recommends a smoothie or smoothie bowl made with coconut water and frozen fruit as a perfect blood-pressure-lowering breakfast when you're in a hurry.

Don't stop at breakfast for heart health. There are many powerful blood-pressure-lowering foods that can work into lunch or dinner. One of the best, says Derocha is Swiss chard, a leafy green rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium that studies suggest can prevent hypertension. Other good sources of potassium and magnesium are beans and lentils, which are also high in heart-healthy fiber.

Raw carrots should be on your bp-lowering food list, too. "They contain powerful plant chemicals. Beets contain nitrates. Broccoli is rich in magnesium. Celery has a phytochemical called phthalides that helps relax blood vessels. Tip: Add celery to soups. Research suggests celery might be better for blood pressure when cooked," Derocha notes.

With 23 years of helping people with high blood pressure improve their diets, Derocha knows the eating strategies that work best to lower BP. But before she tells us what to do, it's important to understand which foods cause blood pressure to rise and why.

The American Heart Association gave the worst food culprits a nickname: The Salty Six, the six common foods that are very high in sodium.

Sodium is essential to your health because it regulates the fluid balance in your body. But when you eat too much salt, it pulls more water into your blood vessels and, in turn, your bloodstream, increasing the volume of blood.

High blood volume increases pressure against the walls of your blood vessels. Over time, this elevated blood pressure injures blood vessels, encourages plaque buildup, and forces your heart to work extra hard to pump blood throughout your body.

The American Heart Association recommends we keep our sodium intake to 2,300 mg per day. For ballpark reference, you get nearly half that amount lunching on a Philly cheesesteak and fries. No wonder the average American consumes 3,400 mg of salt per day. It adds up. We love our salt. And so do food manufacturers, who pile it on for taste and its preservative power for extending shelf life. Restaurants are notorious for oversalting their offerings, too. Beware of these 10 Saltiest Restaurant Foods in America.

"The Salty Six are mostly processed foods," says Derocha. "When life gets in the way, we reach for convenience foods." And that can get us in trouble.

Avoiding those salty foods will help reduce high blood pressure, if you have it, she says. But you can do more by replacing them with foods that contain compounds clinically proven to drive down blood pressure and improve the health of your blood vessels.

(For more details and an infographic, visit Heart.org.)

While food choice is a strong weapon against high blood pressure, it's not the only one in your arsenal. Read on for advice from doctors on Proven Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure Now, especially during the pandemic.

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The One Breakfast Food to Eat to Lower Your Blood Pressure, Says Dietitian | Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

Name: The Mediterranean diet.

Age: Coming up for 60 years old.

Effect: Positively tumescent.

Oh no, am I going to need a sick bucket for this? Not at all. The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet have been well known for decades. The combination of olive oil, legumes, fruit and vegetables, and comparatively low amounts of red meat is incredibly good for the human body.

Why am I so nervous? Dont be nervous. Observational studies have shown that this diet has any number of benefits. It has been claimed to lower the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and dementia.

Right. Plus it could help with erectile dysfunction.

OK, see, there it is. I knew you couldnt keep this wholesome. There is nothing wrong with a better sex life. Erectile dysfunction is thought to affect around a third of men at some point. Its a serious condition.

And olive oil helps? It can, yes. According to research presented at this years European Society of Cardiology congress, men with high blood pressure are twice as likely to experience erectile dysfunction than their peers with normal blood pressure. And the Mediterranean diet is fantastic for lowering blood pressure.

Which can get things working downstairs again? Yes. The researchers found that men who stuck closely to the Mediterranean diet had higher coronary flow reserve (which means they were better able to increase blood flow when needed), and better erectile performance.

Wow! We should all be eating the Mediterranean diet. No, really, we should. Especially the part about red meat. The Mediterranean Diet Foundation states that you should try to eat no more than two servings of red meat a week. Not only is that better for your health, but it is also better for the environment.

This is all well and good, but I dont enjoy sex and therefore cannot see the benefit of the Mediterranean diet. Im glad you brought this up. What if I told you that the diet had another benefit?

Im listening. Well, in 2014, Spanish researcher Fernando Azpiroz examined the Mediterranean diet for other benefits, and found that it can also reduce the incidence of farting by 28%.

Astonishing. It isnt the best fart-decreaser, though. For that you have to adopt a much more regulated anti-fart diet. But nobody is going to knock 28%.

So youre saying that people who eat the Mediterranean diet are healthier, less prone to disease, have better sex and fart almost a third less than their peers? Thats right. Out of interest, what did you have for breakfast this morning?

Three Mars bars and a steak. Well, at least that explains the smell.

Do say: Ill have Greek salad, please.

Dont say: And a cold shower, just in case.

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The Mediterranean diet: why it could lead to a more satisfying sex life - The Guardian

You may think you know all about calories. Many people have been counting them, cutting them, and adding them up for most of their lives. But when it comes to weight loss, theres actually still a lot of confusion out there about calorie counting. It turns out that many of the most common beliefs on the subject are really just myths. Here are seven of the most persistent calorie counting myths plus the facts, straight from experts.

Plenty of people believe that as long as they stick to a certain number of calories per day, theyre eating healthy. This myth can get in the way of eating a balanced, nutritious diet. You cannot compare 100 calories of salmon to 100 calories of soda, says Samantha Cassetty, RD, former nutrition director of Good Housekeeping, who is based in New York City.

She points out that salmon is loaded with beneficial nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and protein one reason the American Heart Association recommends eating it twice a week that work really hard to nourish your body. With soda, its the opposite those calories are working against you, she says. Not only are they lacking in nutrition, but they are also full of sugar, and drinking them has been associated with an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes, past research shows. Its a total mistake to think all calories are the same, Cassetty says.

With only about 9 calories a stalk, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), its obvious how this myth got started. Its easy to imagine that the act of chewing celery erases enough of those calories to take the food into negative calorie territory. Its an idea leftover from another era, says Cassetty.

Cucumbers, radishes, lettuce, and other water-rich vegetables are also sometimes said to be negative-calorie foods, but just like with celery, its nothing more than a myth. There are no negative calorie foods, says Cassetty.

Related: What Is the CICO Diet and Can It Really Help You Lose Weight?

What you see is not necessarily what you get when it comes to calorie information on nutrition labels. There is leeway for manufacturers, says Cassetty. In fact, by law, food manufacturers can be up to 20 percent off the mark with this number, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That means a product youre eating that you believe has 200 calories might actually have up to 240 calories. A study published in the journal Obesity investigated the accuracy of nutrition labels andfound that prepackaged convenience meals had 8 percent more calories on average than their labels claimed. That can add up.

This is a gross oversimplification of the science of calories, and hardly the way weight loss works in real life, according to Cassetty. Overall body size, genetics, sleep, and stress can all complicate this general rule, she says. As a body loses weight, the amount of calories it needs to maintain that weight goes down.

The 3,500 calories-equals-one-pound math simply doesnt account for this. Nor does it take into consideration other factors including gender, changing diet and exercise habits, and poor compliance, according to an article in Todays Dietitian. Carson C. Chow, PhD, a senior investigator in the mathematical biology section of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is quoted in the article explaining: Every 10 calories per day decrease in calorie intake leads to an eventual one-pound loss, but it can take three years to get there." (You can check out the National Institutes of Healths Body Weight Planner tool to try this new math out for yourself.) This rule of thumb isnt quite as appealing to dieters as the 3,500 calorie rule, but its more accurate.

Related: The 16 Best Apps for Weight Loss: Diet Plan Tools, Fitness Trackers, and More

Theres a difference between the number of calories a given food contains and how many calories your specific body absorbs from that food. The number of calories you may assimilate can vary based on the makeup of your gut microbiome, according to research, among other things. In anotherprevious study, researchers from Harvard even discovered that calorie counts can vary between raw and cooked foods. And then theres the fiber effect. Because your body doesnt absorb fiber (its the indigestible part of plants), the amount a food contains can also affect the calories you actually get. One small study of 18 people, which was published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, found that almonds contain more calories than they contribute to a persons diet. Almonds, in particular, are a source of prebiotic fiber, which we do not absorb, according to previous research.

Related:I Tried Noom for Weight Loss and It Worked

Many calorie counters live and die by the calories burned readouts on their exercise equipment and fitness trackers. Its very common for people to decide to eat an extra snack or have dessert based on a number supplied by their device, says Cassetty. But a study from Stanford Universitypublished in May 2017 in the Journal of Personalized Medicinefound that wearable fitness trackers are generally off by 27 percent. Thats a substantial amount. If youre overestimating your calories burned by that much, it can not only make it impossible to lose weight, it can result in weight gain, she says.

People dont realize when they exercise, theyll unconsciously decrease other energy spent throughout the day, says Cassetty. Previous research supports the notion that after exercise people may fidget less, stand less, or take the stairs less often. The body is always compensating, making small adjustments to maintain energy balance below the level of your awareness. Its not necessarily something you can control, says Cassetty.

People do a really bad job of estimating the number of calories they eat, then they get an inflated idea about how many calories they burned thanks to these devices, says Cassetty. You can really end up on the wrong side of that equation.

Can calorie counting be a helpful guide for weight loss? Sure. But theres no need to feel like youll never shed excess pounds if you cant commit to tracking every calorie especially when research suggests otherwise. A study published in September 2017 in Perspectives on Psychological Science concluded that reducing calorie intake may not be the golden ticket to weight loss that people assume it will be.

And a study published in February 2018 in JAMA found that other dietary changes, for instance eliminating processed foods, can be just as effective for weight loss. Notably, the study was designed to determine whether a low-carb or low-fat diet was better for weight loss. Neither group counted calories, but they were given nutrition advice. Both groups lost around the same amount of weight, and what they had in common was a diet of natural whole foods, not processed food. So count, or dont count, but know that the best approach is the one that works for you.

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The 7 Biggest Myths About Calories - Everyday Health

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