Fabulous Fermented Foods

These trendy (but ancient) foods have potential health benefits.

Fermented foods may be the oldest “new” food trend around. The process is as old as civilization itself, and fermented foods are consumed in nearly every culture in the world. While researchers attempt to tease out how the changes caused by fermentation actually impact health, many not-fully-substantiated health claims are being made. Let’s take a look at what we know, and don’t know, about these promising (and tasty) foods.

The Impact of School Food Policies

Childhood obesity in the U.S. has more than tripled since the 1970s. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 1 in 5 school-age children and young people (6 to 19 years) in the United States is classified as obese. What’s more, studies show that most children and adolescents don’t meet dietary recommendations, and metabolic problems like diabetes and high blood pressure are showing up earlier than ever before.

Walnuts May Lower Cholesterol

A review and analysis published recently in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggested that eating walnuts could improve blood lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) without causing weight gain or increasing blood pressure.

Healthy, Satisfying Snacks

The right snack can take the edge off between-meal hunger, and nourish the body, too.

A snack is basically any food or drink consumed between meals. Researchers sometimes add qualifiers (a snack is smaller than a meal, provides less calories, or takes place at least 15 minutes after mealtime), but most snackers are probably just looking for a quick, convenient way to make it to the next meal without getting “hangry,” or a pleasurable break from the daily routine.

Eating for the Environment

Dietary choices are important to personal health, and they can also affect the health of the planet.

Food production impacts the environment, and interest in how food choices can reduce this impact is rising. According to the 2018 International Food Information Council Foundation food and health survey, 59 percent of consumers say it’s important to them that the foods they purchase and consume be produced sustainably, up from 50 percent in 2017. The latest research, including research from Tufts, indicates that a more plant-based diet is a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly diet.

The Facts about Local Produce

Local, seasonal fruits and vegetables are good options, but other types of produce are excellent choices too.

Throughout the summer and fall, farm stands display locally-grown fruits and vegetables, and supermarkets offer fresh seasonal produce, along with organic, conventional, imported, and frozen selections. Understanding the variables associated with these options may make deciding what to buy a little easier.

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