General Nutrition

If youve heard of the glycemic index (GI for short) but arent quite sure whether you need to pay attention to it-or exactly what it means-youre hardly alone. Scientists have been debating the merits of measuring the glycemic index since its introduction in 1981. The glycemic index uses a 100-point scale to measure how rapidly the carbohydrates in a food cause blood sugar to rise. Glycemic load (GL) adjusts this figure by taking into account serving sizes and the amount of carbohydrates per serving.

For the first time, the US Department of Agriculture has approved

If you visited any of Americas national

Do the heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids

Picking healthy foods when eating out is a priority

Eating more legumes, vegetables and fruits and less meat is associated with lower mortality risk, accord-ing to a new study. But that doesnt mean becoming a vegetarian necessarily means youll live longer, cautions Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory.

Weighing the trade-offs between dairy, soy, almond and other choices.

Corn occupies a unique position in the American dietary landscape. Its a grain, a vegetable, a snack and ce-real ingredient, an ethnic-food mainstay, a source of cooking oil, a cherished treat of summer and early fall, and even a sweetener (not to mention a fuel source).

If you think you can avoid unhealthy restaurant fare by skipping nation-wide chain restaurants for smaller local eateries, a new Tufts study has a wake-up call for you.

How much of a food product has to be whole grains to qualify to use the term