 | May 10-16 is Food Allergy Awareness Week
Learn about food allergy, and identify the foods most commonly related to food allergy. For more information, see FNIC's Resource List on Food Allergies and Intolerances. |
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| May is National Stroke Awareness Month
Learn the signs and symptoms of stroke, and find out how to lower the risk for stroke by leading a healthier lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet. |
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| New Data Analysis Shows Possible Link Between Childhood Obesity and Allergies
A new study from NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases suggests that reducing childhood obesity may help to prevent allergies. |
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| Warning on Hydroxycut Products
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warns against using Hydroxycut dietary supplement products as some of these products may contribute to liver injuries. |
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| USDA Posts Frequently Asked Questions About the H1N1 Virus (Swine flu)
Find out how you can protect yourself against the H1N1 virus (also known as swine flu). Note that there is currently no evidence that humans can get this virus by eating pork products. Get the latest information on CDC's Swine Influenza (Flu) Web site. |
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| New Dietary Supplement Ingredient Database (DSID) Available
Read about the introduction of the new , which provides estimates of the actual vitamin and mineral content, compared to content claimed on the label, of a representative sample of adult multivitamin/mineral supplements. |
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| Studies Reveal How Plants Protect Us from Disease
USDA researchers are studying how healthful plant compounds work to fight inflammation and disease. |
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| Most Americans Should Consume Less Sodium
A new CDC study shows that almost 70 percent of American adults should consume no more than 1,500 milligrams (mg) of sodium per day. |
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| Consumers Willing to Pay a Premium for Organic Produce
Research from the USDA's Economic Research Service indicates that consumers are willing to pay higher prices for some fruits and vegetables. |
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| FNS Programs Affected by the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is providing assistance to American families via the Federal food assistance programs. |
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| Heart-Healthy, Reduced-Calorie Diets Promote Long-term Weight Loss
A recent NIH study shows that a healthy diet that is overall reduced in calories--regardless of the proportion of carbohydrate, fat, or protein--can help adults maintain weight loss. |
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| March is National Nutrition Month
Celebrate National Nutrition Month! Visit the CDC's recently re-vamped Web site for a look at a wide range of nutrition topics. |
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| February 22-28 Is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week
Learn about the signs and symptoms of an eating disorder, and how it may be treated, with this fact sheet. For more resources on eating disorders, visit FNIC's Consumer Corner. |
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| Food Choices and Health Indicators
A new USDA study shows that consuming more calories from fast food is associated with higher body mass index (BMI) in men and women ages 31-50. |
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| When Nudging in the Lunch Line Might Be a Good Thing
USDA's Economic Research Service presents a new look at how children may make better food choices in school cafeterias. From the March 2009 issue of Amber Waves magazine. |
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| February is American Heart Month
Learn more about heart diease and how you can help to protect your heart with diet and exercise. Also includes some specific tips for women. |
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| FDA Warns Consumers Against Dietary Supplement Containing Undeclared Drug
FDA has issued a warning not to take the dietary supplement Venom Hyperdrive 3.0 as it contains sibutramine, a drug that can pose serious health risks if not monitored by a physician. |
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| Show Your Children How to Live a Healthy Life
Tips for encouraging your children to live a healthy life by modeling positive behaviors like eating nutritious food and getting regular physical activity. |
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| Recall of Products Containing Peanut Butter due to Salmonella Outbreak
The FDA is recalling some food products made with peanut butter or peanut butter paste. Visit the Food Safety Information Center's Web site for the latest updates. |
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| January 18-24 is Healthy Weight Week
Learn tips for maintaining a healthy weight, including healthy eating tips and a link to information on how physical activity can help. For more information on losing weight, see Nutrition.gov's "Interested in Losing Weight?" subject spotlight. |
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| Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use Among Adults and Children
According to a recent report, almost four in ten adults and one in nine children used CAM therapies, like dietary supplements, in 2007 (the latest year for which data is available). |
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| Antioxidant Effects From Eating Almonds
Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service showed that eating up to two and a half ounces of almonds daily helped to decrease harmful body chemicals that could lead to cell damage. |
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| January 5-11 is National Folic Acid Awareness Week
Folic acid is a B vitamin that can help to prevent birth defects. The CDC urge all women who could become pregnant to get 400 micrograms of folic acid a day. Learn how to get enough in your diet. |
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| UPDATED FDA Warns Against Tainted Weight Loss Pills
The FDA is warning consumers not to buy more than 25 different weight-loss pills because they may contain undeclared ingredients that could lead to health risks. See FDA's Questions and Answers for more information. |
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| Healthy Holidays
The start of a new year often means the start of new habits. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can easily be achieved by making some of these easy, conscious decisions. |
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| Caffeine - No Substitute for a Nap to Enhance Memory
A new study from the National Institute of Mental Health suggests that a short nap is better for enhancing memory than a couple of cups of coffee. |
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| National Handwashing Awareness Week (Dec 7-13)
Handwashing is one of the simplest ways to prevent the spread of illness and infection. Here, find tips for the most effective handwashing techniques. |
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| Healthy Holiday Gift Ideas
Gift ideas to help your family and friends be more healthy in the new year. |
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| Simple Exercise in Children Yields Long-Term Skeletal Benefit
New research shows that jumping exercises in early childhood can help to boost bone mineral density in children, with sustained results over several years. |
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| Vitamin D-Rich Mushrooms: A Research Success!
USDA scientists have found a way to boost the vitamin D content of white, brown, and portabella mushrooms with UV-B light. |
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| Can Low-Income Americans Afford a Healthy Diet?
Discusses challenges of eating a healthy diet faced by low-income Americans, and provides some facts about food costs and food assistance programs. |
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| The Road to a Healthy Life/El Camino Hacia una Vida Saludable
The Department of Health and Human Services has released a bilingual (English and Spanish) brochure featuring guidelines for eating a healthy diet and being physically active. Based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005. |
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| November is American Diabetes Month
Find facts and figures about diabetes, as well as information on managing and preventing diabetes. For more resources, visit our Diabetes page. |
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| MyPyramid for Preschoolers Released
USDA's Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion recently released this new section of MyPyramid especially for children ages 2-5. Help your preschooler eat well and be healthy with a customized MyPyramid Plan. |
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| Study Finds Food Allergies On the Rise in U.S. Children
A new CDC study shows an 18% increase over the past 10 years in the number of children who have food allergies. For food allergy resources, see FNIC's Food Allergy Resource List. |
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| 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Meeting
The second meeting of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee will be held January 29-30, 2009. The Committee is inviting oral testimony and encouraging written comments from the public. |
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| Fight Osteoporosis: Bone Up on a Quality Diet
A new study suggests that vitamin C may protect against bone loss in older men. Read more about how fruits and vegetables may protect your bones. |
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| Food Prices Up 5-6% in 2008
Read about the changes in food prices from 2007 to 2008 for all foods, as well as changes for specific food products. Find tips for how to "Eat Right When Money's Tight" from USDA's SNAP-Ed Connection. |
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| 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Released
The first-ever Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans have been released by the Federal Government. Check the "Be Active Your Way: A Guide for Adults" booklet for tips on how to fit physical activity into your life. |
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| Despite Higher Food Prices, Percent of Income Spent on Food Remains the Same
On average, Americans are still spending less than 10 percent of their income on food, despite the fact that food prices have increased nearly 4 percent in 2007. Read more in the September 2008 issue of "Amber Waves." |
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| Get Smart with Fruits and Veggies!
September is Fruits & Veggies--More Matters Month. Find cost-saving tips for adding fruits and veggies to your routine. |
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| "Buscador de Recetas" - Spanish Version of Recipe Finder Database Now Available
The Food Stamp Nutrition Connection has announced the release of the Spanish version of the Recipe Finder Database. Users can search the database in both Spanish and English for over 400 recipes with nutrition and cost analysis. |
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| Use of Nutrition Labels Declining, Especially Among Young Adults
According to a recent USDA analysis, food label use is lower today than in 1995, especially for adults ages 20-29. Read more in the September 2008 issue of the ARS magazine, "Amber Waves." |
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| FDA Announces Public Hearing on Food Advisory Labeling
FDA is interested in receiving comments from consumers about what wording would be most effective in communicating the likelihood that an allergen may be present in a food. These comments will help the FDA assist food manufacturers in using allergen advisory labeling that adequately informs food allergic consumers and their caregivers. The hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2008. |
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| Is Dietary Knowledge Enough? Hunger, Stress and Other Roadblocks to Healthy Eating
A new report from ERS illustrates how both long-term health objectives and immediate influences, like eating away from home, can drive individuals' food choices. |
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| FDA 101: Dietary Supplements
Part of the "FDA 101" series, this article describes how dietary supplements are regulated and offers safety tips for consumers. |
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| Report Sheds New Light on Food Marketing to Children and Adolescents
Read about the results of a new study on food marketing to children and adolescents recently announced by the FTC. |
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| Latest CDC Data Show More Americans Report Being Obese
The CDC recently released updated information on obesity trends in America (see animated map). Learn which three states have the highest numbers of self-reported obesity. |
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| Spice-Rack Favorites Battle Foodborne Pathogens
Herbs and spices like oregano, thyme, and cinnamon may offer more than just pleasing flavors. Research suggests that they may also keep food safe by protecting against bacteria. |
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| New Spanish Consumer Guide Compares Diabetes Meds
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently released "Pastillas para la diabetes tipo 2", a Spanish language consumer guide that provides information on how to control type 2 diabetes. |
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| CAM and Diabetes: A Focus on Dietary Supplements
New from NCCAM, this fact sheet reviews basic information on diabetes with a focus on the safety of selected supplements that are sometimes used in diabetes management. |
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| Tangy, Junior-size Fruit Bars from ARS
Need a healthy snack? Learn about new flavorful, chewy bars made from apples, pears and other fresh fruit developed in a process by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. |
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| Childhood Obesity May Be Leveling Off
According to a recent study, the number of overweight children in the U.S. may be leveling off. However, researchers advise that there still needs to be more focus on obesity prevention. |
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| Time to Talk About Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Learn about Time to Talk, an educational campaign that encourages patients�particularly those age 50 or older�and their health care providers to openly discuss the use of CAM. |
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| FDA Lifts Warning About Eating Certain Types of Tomatoes
Though continuing to search for the cause of the recent salmonellosis outbreak, the FDA has determined that tomatoes are safe to eat. Learn more about the outbreak, including what foods you may need to avoid, on FDA's Web site. |
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| How Much Time Do You Spend Eating and Drinking Each Day?
Learn how much time is spent eating, drinking, grocery shopping, and preparing meals in America from the USDA ERS Eating and Health Module of the American Time Use Survey (ATUS). |
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| Plant Foods May Help to Preserve Muscle Mass in Older Adults
A new study by USDA ARS-funded scientists suggests that plant foods are not only contain essential vitamins, minerals and fiber that are keys to good health, but also may help preserve muscle mass in older men and women. |
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| Start at the Store: 7 Ways to Prevent Foodborne Illness
Seven useful hints to keep in mind when shopping for food that will help keep foodborne illnesses out of your home. Also in PDF|526 KB. |
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| Sizing Up Teen Snacking
Ninety percent of teenagers eat one or more snacks a day according to a new study from USDA Agricultural Research Service. Find out more about what teens are snacking on and how this stacks up to MyPyramid recommendations. |
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| Discover More About Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for maintaining good bone health. Find out how much you need, and where you can get it with this updated fact sheet from the Office of Dietary Supplements. |
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| May is National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
There are 1440 minutes in every day�Schedule 30 of them for physical activity. Find tips for being more active, or you can help others by sharing some of your own ideas! |
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| FDA Finds Toxic Levels of Selenium in Some Dietary Supplements
The FDA and Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc., have recalled the dietary supplements �Total Body Formula� and �Total Body Mega Formula.� Read about FDA's Final Analysis of these products. |
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| Reduce Screen Time During Turnoff Week April 21-27
Research shows that children and teens who spend more time in front of the TV, computer, or video screen may be at higher risk for overweight than kids who limit screen time. Learn some helpful tips for reducing screen time. |
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| 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
USDA and DHHS announce their intent to establish the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) and invite nominations for the Committee. Nominations will be accepted through May 24, 2008 as instructed in the Federal Register notice. |
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| Personal Counseling and the Web May Help You Keep Weight Off
A recent National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute study showed that monthly personal counseling and web-based interventions helped adults sustain weight loss. |
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| April is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation. Find out about foods that can make IBS worse, and ways to make it better. |
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| Normal Weight Doesn't Always Equal Healthy Weight
A new study shows even normal-weight individuals may have a high percentage of body fat, leaving them susceptible to heart disease or diabetes. Read more about what this could mean for you. |
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| Food Label Helps Consumers Make Healthier Choices
Comparing items using the food label can help you to choose the best value for your health. Learn about the percent Daily Value, how to decipher confusing claims, and more. |
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| Nutrition Basics
New from the CDC! Learn about some basic nutrition concepts to help you sort through nutrition research and dietary advice. |
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| NEW! MyPyramid Menu Planner
Plan menus to meet your MyPyramid goals by searching for foods and beverages you plan to eat. Take a site tour to get started. |
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| How to Be Heart Smart at the Supermarket
Explore how to navigate nutrition claims and food labels to help you choose healthy foods when shopping. |
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| Health-Promoting Foods: From ARS to You!
Learn about the many USDA ARS efforts under way to improve the nutritional value of lettuce, tomatoes, grains, meats, and more!
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| Project M.O.M. - Mothers & Others & MyPyramid
This new initiative from MyPyramid aims to empower the nutritional decision-makers in every household to model healthy lifestyles and make "family-healthy" food choices. |
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| Does Meal Frequency Affect Your Health?
Learn about the possible health effects of eating one large meal a day compared with eating three meals a day based on USDA research. |
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| Pregnant? Don't Drink Alcohol
How much do you or your friends know about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Find out why you should not drink alcohol during pregnancy in the feature article from the CDC. |
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| MyPyramid Video PodCasts
The first MyPyramid podcast shows how small steps can add up to real changes in your weight and health. Check back every month for new ones. |
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| Nutrition Information for Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish
Download posters from the FDA CFSAN to help plan a healthy diet and learn about the important nutrients in fruits, vegetables and fish. |
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