Nutritious choices made simple ®
College students will begin the fall semester in about a month. Freshmen will suddenly have the freedom to choose what they eat without any input from their parents. If they live on campus, students will make these decisions at an all-you-can-eat dining hall.
We know that good nutrition and regular physical activity are essential to health. Yet, other factors, like the environment we live and work in, also determine the health of our communities. Think of your community: where can residents safely enjoy physical activity? You likely thought of a public park, trails, or a recreation facility. July happens to be Park and Recreation Month and its purpose is to promote and recognize local parks and rec efforts. Let’s take this opportunity to discuss how public parks and trails improve our communities and promote good health for all.
Up to 20% of Americans have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In the past, people with IBS had to learn to live with their IBS symptoms, but not anymore! A new dietary approach, called a FODMAP-elimination diet, makes it possible for up to 80% of people with IBS to get relief.
Did you know that 40% of food produced in the US ends up in our landfills? Such a staggering statistic like this makes it a logical issue to focus on in 2017. Reducing wasted food not only helps the planet, but also saves money- something everyone loves!
Brenden Parker is a first year student in the nutrition program at South Maine Community College in South Portland, Maine. He also works in the Buxton, Maine Hannaford. As part of a class assignment, Brenden asked to visit with the Guiding Stars Licensing Company to learn more about the Guiding Stars program. We asked Brenden to share some of his thoughts for our blog.
We are thrilled to see that the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans have been released! The Guiding Stars Scientific Advisory Panel was actively involved in reviewing proposals that led to the development of the final recommendations, and we are very excited to delve into the finalized details. These guidelines reflect the current consensus and are updated every five years to reflect the latest evidence-based findings about nutrition and healthy, which is why we rely on the Dietary Guidelines as we update and improve our own food-rating algorithms.
Have you heard the buzz about the film Fed Up? The film takes a hard look at America’s diet and draws some pretty strong conclusions. In a nutshell, the film points an accusing finger at the food industry and stirs a big ole pot about how what we eat is making us sick.
March is National Nutrition Month, a time to spread the knowledge of healthy eating and to encourage a healthy lifestyle. As the warmth of early spring gradually replaces winter’s chill, it’s also a good time to replace high-calorie comfort foods with nutritious and healthier food choices.