School lunches get a bad health rap, but they may be getting better. A new study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, indicates that the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act, a 2012 federal law that aims to nutritionally boost school lunches by making whole grains, vegetables and fruits more available and requiring students to select one fruit or vegetable portion per meal, has prompted kids to consume more essential nutrients and fewer calories. The study’s lead author, Donna B. Johnson, a professor at the University of Washington’s School of Public Health, told The New York Times that the study proves the policy has “improved the quality of meals served to millions of children every day” and that “kids are healthier because of it.”
The truth about coconut oil
If the craze for coconut oil has left you confused as to whether it’s healthy or not, you have company. In response to a question from a reader hoping to gain clarity on the subject, The New York Times’ Well blog asked nutrition experts, who said that, despite the hype, the data doesn’t support the idea that coconut oil consumption carries health benefits. Plus, the Times notes, “Coconut oil is high in saturated fatty acids, and saturated fat has been linked to high cholesterol levels and heart disease.” Having said that, if you are going to eat it anyway, at least eat it in moderation and get virgin coconut oil, rather than the highly processed stuff. Processing pretty much strips coconut oil of the “good essential fatty acids and antioxidants” that come with the cholesterol-raising bad ones, the Times warns.
Juice-cleanse detox details
Speaking of health crazes, let’s move on to the juicy subject of juice cleanses, in which dieters seek to “detox” their bodies by consuming only fruit and vegetable juices (no other foods) for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Science is not behind the diets, Time magazine warns, advising readers to consult their physicians before attempting a cleanse. The magazine also explains what a person can expect from a juice cleanse, and it’s not all so good: You may find your metabolism slowing down (which is the opposite of most dieters’ goals) to conserve energy in response to reduced calorie consumption — plus, you may feel colder, more tired and weaker, and get headaches. On the bright side, by eliminating foods and then gradually reintroducing them, you may gain insight into which ones don’t agree with you. Still …
Amy Reiter is a writer and editor based in New York. A regular contributor to The Los Angeles Times, she has also written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, Glamour, Marie Claire, The Daily Beast and Wine Spectator, among others, as well as for Salon, where she was a longtime editor and senior writer. In addition to contributing to Healthy Eats, she blogs for Food Network’s FN Dish.
from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1PO5NCa
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