Did You Know...
...the true American pastime is snacking? According to research at
Columbia University, virtually each one of us will reach for a snack
at least once a day, and, half of us reach for a snack two to four times
a day. Our favorite snack time is afternoon, which is when we reach
for something salty. Next comes the pre-bedtime snack, when we want
something sweet. In 1997 these treats added up to 21.6 pounds per American,
per the Snack Food Association, which is up more than 2 pounds from
a decade ago. Snacking can be okay, but, good choices are the key. Eat
only as much as you need to satisfy yourself. If one bite of that candy
bar is all you need, wrap it up and save the rest for the same time
tomorrow.
...Americans are consuming more added refined sugar than ever before?
Last year an average of 156 pounds per person was consumed which is
up from 144 in 1994 and 127 in 1986. Much of the consumption is attributed
to pop (or sodas, depending on where you are from). Various brands are
quickly replacing other more healthy beverages such as water, fruit
juice and milk. One 12 ounce can of pop contains 103 percent (10 teaspoons
or 40 grams) of the recommended sugar limit set by the U. S. Department
of Agriculture. Unfortunately, food labels list only total sugars –
the combination of both natural and processed sugars. That could change
as health and nutrition groups lobby the Food and Drug Administration
to require a separate listing for added sugar on future food labels.
...a diet high in strawberries, blueberries and spinach may boost your
brain power? Tufts University neuro-scientists fed rats the equivalent
of a pint of strawberries, blueberries or a large spinach salad each
day for eight months and found that the rodents fared better on memory
tests and showed less age-related mental decline than the group that
got standard issue rat chow. The growing season is upon us, so why not
add more fruits and vegetables to your diet? For more information about
strawberries, visit our web site at www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/strawberries.
June
2000
Problem with Pines | Tomatoes
- Questions & Answers | Plan A Cutting Garden
| Bug Bites: Cucumber Beetles & Japanese Beetles
| Hort Shorts | Hort Tips
| Locally Grown: In Season Produce | Spotting
Health Fraud | Foodborne Illness Peaks in Summer
- Why? | Summertime Food Safety Guidelines
| Health & Household Tips | Did You Know...
Index
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