Quick Notes & Newsworthy Items

The posts in this category highlight content from around the web on cooking, food, nutrition, cookbooks, medical studies and more.... typically fairly short writeups why I think the information is noteworthy.

When Unhealthy Foods Hijack Your Brain

In a book being published next week, the former Food and Drug Administration chief, Dr. David Kessler, brings to consumers the disturbing conclusion of numerous brain studies: Some people really do have a harder time resisting bad foods. It’s a new way of looking at the obesity epidemic that could help spur fledgling movements to reveal calories on restaurant menus or rein in portion sizes.

Coffee Drinkers Show Lower Dementia Risk

In more good news for coffee lovers, a new study suggests that middle-aged adults who regularly drink a cup of java may have a lower risk of developing dementia later in life.

Chopped on Tonight 10 on the Food Network

Octopus, duck, and animal crackers, oh my! And all in one dish? Food Network’s newest series, ‘Chopped’ airs tonight at 10 pm, where chefs sweat it out over weird food combos to please the palate.

Will Americans put on "recession pounds"?

Americans may reduce the amount they spend on food in response to a sour economy but some experts fear they may pick up weight in the process.

Fast Food + Nearby Schools = Fat Kids

Youth who study just a short walk from a fast-food outlet eat fewer fruit and vegetables, drink more soda and are more likely to be obese than students at other schools, according to research published Tuesday.

Mediterranean Diet Avoids Diabetes?

Can a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, plant based foods (fruits, vegetables, and legumes), and fibre but low in meats reduce the occurrence of type 2 diabetes among initially healthy participants? A new study says so.

How Much Is Enough?

Water is one of the most basic elements of life but figuring out how much we ought to drink hasn’t always been so simple. As it turns out, there really was no scientific evidence for the 64-ounce daily recommendation that was based on survey data of usual consumption.

5 Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight

How do you explain weight gain when your lifestyle includes regular exercise and a healthy diet that is controlled in calories? Gaining weight is absolutely maddening, especially when you really don’t understand why the needle on the scale keeps going up.