Food Ingredients
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Don’t Be Fooled by Food Labels
There are so many food labels today: Organic, Grassfed, No Hormones or Antibiotics added, Non-GMO, Certified Humane…the list goes on. Ever wonder what all those food labels really mean? Well, we’re here to help you understand them and to know when you’re being fooled!
Food Ingredients, Food Regulations and Policy
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Pet Food for Thought
Which type of pet food is best? With all the choices today - kibble, raw food, homemade, grain-free, freeze-dried - we certainly have a lot to think about. Dirt to Dinner examines the ways to cut through the confusion in the pet food industry.
Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health
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GMOs are Confusing: A Recipe for Understanding
Consumers continue to be confused by GMOs. What if we told you that enhancing your banana bread recipe with additional nutrients is similar in concept to adding a gene to a plant?
Food Ingredients, Food Technology
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#CeleryJuice: Based on Facts or Followers?
What is the deal with celery juice? How did it become a viral sensation overnight? Is its rapid gain in popularity attributed to any scientific research, or is this an example of society's demand for quick fixes and social acceptance?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Sugar is Sugar is Sugar
Each day, most of us consume two to three times more sugar than is recommended by the American Heart Association (AMA). It is often hiding in foods where you may not expect it. How is sugar processed in your body, and what does this mean for your health?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Bud Light - Foul Play!
Bud Light fouled consumers and corn farmers with their Super Bowl LIII commercials. Wielding corn syrup as the knife to cut down the competition confused and misled consumers by engaging in a fear-based marketing ploy.
Food Ingredients
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Healthy Sugar? The Sweet Taste of Tagatose
Sugar can be addictive and bad for your health. What if there was a healthier option?
Food Ingredients, Future of Food
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You Are What You Eat!
By following a healthy diet, chronic inflammation can be reduced by up to 50%.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Should I Go Gluten Free?
Are you thinking about going “gluten-free”? Many people claim it helps them lose weight or ease inflammation. But gluten-free isn't for everyone.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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The (Potential) Power of CBD
CBD may reduce stress, anxiety, and inflammation, and is a promising therapeutic agent in the battle against epilepsy, cancer, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
Food Ingredients, Health
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Is Salt Worth its Salt?
There is Himalayan salt, Pink Salt, Grey Salt, Black, Salt, Blue Salt, Coarse Salt, Flakey Salt... What makes them different?
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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Frozen Fruits & Veggies: Is Fresh Always Best?
When it comes to produce, is fresh always best? Or is frozen produce equally as nutritious?
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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Is Honey Healthier than Sugar?
Is honey a healthier sweetener than sugar? We wanted to learn more about what is in honey and how this delicious sweetener is made.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Is Cold-Pressed Juice Healthier than a Smoothie?
Cold-pressed juices are very popular these days. But when you juice fruits and vegetables, you remove almost all of the fiber from your favorite produce and leave behind a lot of sugar.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Juice Press's Misleading Marketing on Conventional Farming
Fear-based marketing tactics are hurtful to farmers and spread false information to uninformed consumers.
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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How Much Protein Should You Eat a Day?
Do you rely on protein powder to supplement your meals? How much protein do you really need?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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A Stop Sign for Obesity?
Obesity is a global health challenge that requires action. Recently, Chile has adopted black stop sign labels to warn consumers of food products high in sugar, saturated fat, calories, and sodium.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Regulations and Policy, Health
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Milk and "Milk" Alternatives: Which one is right for you?
Consumers are switching from traditional dairy to substitutes. But are dairy-free alternatives better for you than traditional milk?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Coffee: Friend or Foe?
Coffee speaks a global language. This potent little bean wakes up millions of people every morning. Are there any health risks associated with your morning cup of caffeinated joe? Alternatively, are there any benefits?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Toxins and Toxicants - how much is too much?
We often hear that things that are considered “toxic” are always bad for you, while any food or product that is good for you is completely non-toxic,
Food Ingredients, Food Safety
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Are Insects the Future of Food?
Insects are in the spotlight as a healthy, affordable, and easily produced protein source for the future. We've examined the health benefits, but now it's time to put these critters to the taste test.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Technology, Health
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Stonyfield's Marketing Misstep
Stonyfield yogurt is under fire. After posting a controversial video marketing their organic yogurt as "safer for children", consumers fought back…and rightfully so! Fear-based marketing is misleading and harmful to customers.
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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Are There Hormones in Milk?
Are there hormones in milk? Yes! All milk contains naturally-occurring hormones.
Animal Welfare and Health, Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health
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What is an Artificial Sweetener?
Does consuming these artificial confections contribute to health issues or are they indeed a healthy alternative to sugar?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth with No Added Sugar
Eight delicious ways to satisfy your sweet tooth with no added sugar.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Why Is Sugar Bad For You?
Too much sugar causes obesity, which is linked to a variety of health problems. How much sugar can you safely eat every day?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Healthier Holiday Cocktails
Nine recipes for holiday cocktails with less sugar.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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It’s the Merriest Time of Year (for calories!)
How different are spirits, wine, and beer in terms of calories, sugar content and nutritional value?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Nix The Toxins!
We are told to live in fear of toxic substances and their effects on our health. But what makes something toxic? And how does our body process toxicants?
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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What is Clean Eating?
What does "clean eating" mean? Is it a sensible lifestyle change or a marketing gimmick?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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The Ketogenic Diet: Fueling the Body with Fat
The Ketogenic Diet embraces healthy fats and asks you to kick carbs, sugar, and even some protein to the curb. It’s proven to be successful in very overweight patients, but what does the research say about long term potential, especially if you are not obese?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Agave: Too Good to be True
Agave nectar is a popular sweetener that many people use to replace sugar. Don't let marketing fool you.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Kefir, Kombucha, and Sauerkraut…Oh My!
Probiotics are not just limited to Kefir or Kombucha, but gut health is very important!
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Crazy for Kombucha
Kombucha is a probiotic drink claiming to benefit digestion, inflammation, and general health.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Ancient Spice Gets New Reputation
Turmeric claims to reduce inflammation and prevent disease, including cancer and Alzheimer's. What does the research say?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Greek Yogurt: Wasting a-Whey
Two-thirds of the milk used in the production of Greek yogurt doesn't end up in the final yogurt product.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a popular “cure-all” with a myriad of health and dieting claims. What does the research say?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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How is Salt Made?
Geologists call it Halite, chemists call it sodium chloride (NaCl)— the rest of us call it salt. Salt has a remarkable history, which dates back to the earliest civilizations. How is it made?
Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health
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Got Milk?
Milk is a perfect and easy vehicle for many important nutrients. It is high in calcium, protein, essential fatty acids, and vitamins A, E, D, B2, and B12.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Is Protein Powder Healthy?
Protein helps your body build muscle, repair issue, and creates important hormones and enzymes. The best source for protein still lies in a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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What's With Alkaline Water?
Water is over 50% of the human body mass. It is vital for human life. But does the type of water you drink make you healthier? Should we be buying Alkaline water?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Seasons Change...Your Produce Should Too!
As the seasons change, our produce options change as well. This happens to be optimal for your body. But, do you know what produce to buy and when? How to select fruit that is ripe and veggies that are fresh?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Let’s go to the MED!
The Mediterranean Diet has been touted as one of the most beneficial “diets” on the market. Can it help hopeful healthy-eaters enjoy a better relationship with their food?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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What are Antioxidants?
What is an antioxidant? Do you know if your body needs antioxidants? If not— you are not alone! These days, millions of products are labeled as containing a strong source of antioxidants.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Is a Plant-Based Diet Better for You?
As the demand increases for new “meatless options”, we asked ourselves— should we be making a switch or simply incorporating more plant-based products into our diet?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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NYT: Reporting Based on Science?
The New York Times recently published an article claiming that genetically modified (GM) or engineered (GE) crops have not lived up to their most basic promises that they increased crop yields and reduced overall chemical pesticide usage. Dirt-to-Dinner summarizes the reaction to the article by respected researchers and scientists.
Agricultural Technology, Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Safety
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CocoNUTs!
Coconuts are full of heart-healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals—-and no sugar. Should coconut be part of your diet?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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A "New" Burger
The protein staple that often occupies 50% of your dinner plate has turned from traditional beef, pork, or chicken to vegetable-based proteins and cultured meat. How is food technology influencing our protein options?
Food Ingredients, Food Technology, Future of Food
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Crazy for Cocoa
How healthy is chocolate? How much (or how little) do you need to reap the nutritional benefits?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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What's the Catch?
The fish on our plate often comes from all over the world, but we really have no knowledge of exactly where the fish spawned, swam, and was processed. Has the fish on your plate been caught or farmed sustainably? Was it fed a healthy diet before it was harvested?
Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Regulations and Policy, Food Safety
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A Sustainable Shrimp's Tail
Shrimp is the most popular American seafood. But have you ever given any thought as to how it is farmed or caught?
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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Does Activated Charcoal Detoxify?
Activated charcoal is believed to be a detoxifier! But how much of this is factual and how much is strategic marketing?
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Insects: A New Protein Source
Looking for a new protein option? Here is what you need to know about insects as a new protein source!
Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Technology, Future of Food, Health
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Grass or Grain, Beef is Beef
Whether your meat was fed a grain based meal or foraged for grass, it is still a nutritious source of protein, B-complex vitamins, zinc, iron and phosphorus.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health
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Produce Variety Helps Diet Variety!
Year round availability plus the desire for a healthy diet has given new life to basic fruits and vegetables.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Supplements: Natural or Synthetic?
With a few exceptions—such as vitamin E, natural beta-carotene, and vitamin B12—all of the vitamins used in dietary supplements are synthetic.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Food Regulations and Policy, Health
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The 5:2 Fasting Diet
While you may need to jump start your system with an extreme diet, long term weight loss is really only successful if you develop and maintain healthy eating habits.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Understanding the Paleo Diet
While keeping Paleo can help you maintain a diet free of both additives and preservatives, eliminating entire food groups probably isn’t the way to go.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Investigating the “Natural” Label
Labeling food as “natural” is often more of a marketing ploy than anything else. Guess what, foods without the “natural” label can still be good for you…
Food Ingredients, Food Production
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Should We Eat Wheat?
Whole grain is an important part of your daily nutrition and while you don’t want to have a big bowl of pasta every day, eating a well balanced meal, which includes wheat, is healthy.
Diet, Food Ingredients, Health
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Is Red Meat Carcinogenic
The World Health Organization released a statement saying red meat consumption should be limited as it is considered carcinogenic. But before you ditch the steak or even occasional bacon, we need to take a closer look at the studies behind this statement and whether the potential risk is something to worry about…