by Renée Canada The recent move of Congress to include tomato paste as a serving of vegetables has drawn harsh criticism from food activists, school nutrition advocates and average citizens concerned about the current state of public health, particularly in children. Perhaps the biggest controversy surrounding the recent release of the agriculture appropriations bill is that the tomato paste used … [Read more...]
by Renée Canada Few who consumed public school lunches in their distant childhood remember them being models of stellar nutrition, yet there was no pretense that they were. Friendly’s Sundae Cups were sold next to buttery mashed potatoes drenched in artery clogging gravy, wilted string beans and fatty, mystery meatloaf. Many of us played it safe by bringing a bag lunch every day. With the Obama … [Read more...]
by Renée Canada There has been much debate about the safety of genetically modified, or GM, foods since they were first put on the market in the early ‘90s. The industry has stood by its claim that any potentially harmful chemicals from pesticides added to crops—like soybeans, canola and corn—would pass through the body with ill-effect. However, the results of a study published earlier this … [Read more...]
-by Renée Canada As information continues to flow about how maternal health impacts fetal health, expectant mothers have increasingly more to consider when it comes to diet and their unborn children. Most are aware of the importance of having a calcium-rich diet for developing bones and getting enough folic acid to help prevent neural tube defects like spina bifida. Certain types of fish, like … [Read more...]