Former President Clinton advocated compromise between industry and nutrition advocates as the fastest way to improve the health of the nation. more ›

One alderman advocates a tax hike of 15-35 cents per bottle. Is it ever going to happen? more ›

The markets will serve the west side as part of the mayor's plan to improve access to fresh food. Also part of the plan? A whole mess o' Wal-Marts. more ›

File this under "strange packaged food facts." Consumerist informed us last Wednesday that the ingredients list for Snapple Apple Juice Drink does not include any apple at all! We've enjoyed the drink in the past, so we were a bit flummoxed to realize that the only juice in it was pear juice, and that at only 10%! When confronted, the company responded with a very terse letter which included the line "If you have a concern regarding the intake of this product, we suggest that you contact your health care provider." Whoa. more ›

Tribune reporter Monica Eng looks at the increase in farmers markets that will be able to accept LINK Cards this summer. City officials said a couple of years back that it would be too hard to make this happen in official city farmers markets. Then the Woodlawn-based non-profit organization the Experimental Station, which runs the 61st Street farmers market, said "really?" and helped set up five markets with the capability to accept LINK cards. more ›

When you are stuffing popcorn in your face at the movies, do you have any idea how many calories you are eating? Do you want to know? Well, a large popcorn can be the caloric equivalent of 3 Big Macs (approximately 1500 calories), a fact hard to keep in mind while your hand-to-mouth action keeps pace with the explosions on the screen. The LA Times reports that the FDA would really like you to know these numbers, but that theater owners are not particularly fond of disclosure. more ›

To find "real" food in a supermarket, we've often been told to "shop the perimeter." In other words, stick to the produce, meats, fishes and dairy. The reason they are on the perimeter is that they need to be regularly restocked. In other words, they rot - one of the hallmarks of actual food. But, just in case you are ever confused (or want a good laugh), try this handy chart by Darya Pino of SummerTomato.com. more ›

Last week, the attention of many political junkies was fully occupied - in Illinois, by the passage of the law allowing same-sex civil unions and at the federal level, by the debate over the extension of the Bush-era tax cuts. At the same time, two major pieces of food-related legislation made it through congress that some may have missed. The Child Nutrition Bill and the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act both passed, with the former just awaiting a presidential signature and the latter needing house approval and reconciliation. Both bills contain provisions that the slow food and anti-poverty activist communities have been fighting for, but some analysts have argued that the bills have serious problems. Food writers care about politics too; belly up to our breakfast table and discuss. more ›

WebMD, that haven for self-diagnosis, has created a great slideshow describing the nutritional information for some of the best and worst sandwiches in American fast food restaurants. This slideshow is particularly useful because instead of the standard preaching about avoiding all fast food, the authors have given us suggestions for eating relatively well at most of the major chains. It's also slightly shocking how many calories are packed into these sandwiches, especially at the "healthier" chains like Panera. more ›

It's been quite a week for 5th Ward Ald. Leslie Hairston. After putting feelers out about running against Daley for mayor of Chicago she then backpedaled and played the "misunderstood" card. So it was only a little awkward yesterday when she appeared before the fourth estate with Mayor Daley to laud the opening of a Walgreens that sells fruit and vegetables in a South Side food desert that only a mega-corporation could love. more ›

According to Feeding America, 1 out of every 4 children in the country are food insecure,which means they live on the brink of going hungry. In her 2009 Food Desert Progress Report, researcher Mari Gallagher estimated over 600,000 Chicagoans lived in areas of the city that weren't easily accessible to fresh groceries. Of that number, one-third are children. What serves as a grocery store in these areas is often a corner convenience store with limited options for fresh, canned or frozen food. Ultimately, residents of food deserts are typically buying junk food with their money or SNAP assistance, which increases the childhood obesity epidemic in these neighborhoods, as well as increased health risks. more ›

Although we ride an average of 30 miles a day during the warm season, have ridden centuries and even biked 500 miles in a week (from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Chicago) once upon a time, it's only been in the past 4-5 years where we've truly understood that proper nutrition can positively effect our bike rides. You're only going to get so much energy from country fried bacon before you hit a wall and start dragging ass until the energy bars kick in. more ›

Is “attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD) simply a trendy medical diagnosis applied to unruly, excitable children? Or is there a scientific explanation for the rising incidence of ADHD among kids? A study published in the June issue of the Journal of Pediatrics strongly suggests pesticide exposure, specifically to organophosphates, increases risk of ADHD. more ›

Before firing up the grill, consider that what meats you choose to cook, and how you cook them, may significantly affect your health. We know that one crispy, blackened hot dog is not going to pose significant damage, but there are notable health risks associated with grilled meats. Evidence suggests that the combination of meat and intense, direct heat results in the formation of compounds known as heterocyclic amines (HCAs), that factor in to the development of cancer. HCAs are formed when amino acids (the building blocks of protein) and creatinine (a chemical found in muscle tissue, including that of red meat, poultry and fish) react at very high cooking temperatures. Researchers have identified 17 different HCAs that may increase our cancer risk by damaging the DNA of our genes. HCAs are most strongly linked to colon and stomach cancer. more ›

2010 Taste of Chicago is set to kick off on June 24th. If you equate the Taste with a day of over-indulgence, heartburn, or an all-around assault to your diet and digestive system, scouting out the Taste's healthier edible options using this handy Healthier Choices Map, courtesy of Humana. more ›

Support for improved child nutrition programs is expanding and, as reported by the Chicago-based American Dietetic Association, coming from unlikely sources. The ADA reports that the Defense Authorization Bill includes support for the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act, an opportunity that arises every five years. Programs affected by this include the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. more ›

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• Haven't checked in on Grub Street Chicago since Nick Kindelsperger took over as editor. Looks like the site has finally lost that new guy smell. [GS Chi]
• Chicago Magazine lists their best new restaurants of last year. [Chicago Mag]
• Sun-Times food editor Janet Rausa Fuller followed food truck advocate Matt Maroni around the National Restaurant Association trade show. Must-read. [Sun-Times]

The Chicago Tribune's food critic, Kevin Pang, described KFC’s Double Down sandwich as, “unfathomably salty, and the exorbitant sodium levels could melt icy driveways. I'm left with sandpaper mouth for hours and I might as well have someone kick me in both kidneys with steel-tip shoes.” Our own Chuck Sudo contemplated he may have reduced his life expectancy by consuming the Double Down. Comprised of bacon, cheese and a fat-laden sauce tucked between two breaded chicken filets, it’s a meal that could harm your health in just one sitting. The original Double Down sandwich contains 540 calories, 32 grams of fat, and 1,380 milligrams of sodium. The Double Down Combo Meal has 1,000 calories, 45 grams of fat, and 2,120 milligrams of sodium. more ›

Near North Health Services Corporation (NNHSC) is one of the largest providers of community-based primary health care in the city of Chicago, serving members of our community in dire need. Simply stated, they're helping anyone and everyone. The communities they serve are, according to the organization, “characterized by large concentrations of CHA high rise apartments, abandoned residential buildings, blighted commercial properties, and an utter absence of basic services and health care resources”. It is the mission of NNHSC to provide services focused on the medically underserved using primary care concepts, advocate for safe and healthy communities, and acknowledge the environmental, social and cultural factors that influence one’s health. They stand as a positive force on the health status of the entire community and empower its members to take ownership of their health. more ›

If Mario Batali can commit to Meatless Monday, it’s quite possible anyone can. Recently the meat-intensive celebrity chef announced that all 14 of his restaurants will offer Meatless Monday options. Way to go Mario! And why wouldn’t he go meat-free? Sure, a gooey salty pepperoni pizza will always hold a place in our hearts, but vegetarian food is diverse, healthier, and freakin’ delicious. more ›

Last year researchers at University of Chicago put this theory to the test on eleven healthy men and women. Results showed their subjects consumed more calories after sleeping 5 1/2 hours than they did after sleeping 8 1/2. Another study published in 2005 found that sleeping less than 7 hours per night puts us at greater risk for becoming overweight, and that risk increases with each hour of sleep lost. more ›

After the jump, check out a list of CSA programs that have drop-off locations in the Loop and/or North Side (for details on drop locations, visit an organization's website). For a more complete list of CSA farms serving the entire Chicagoland area go to FamilyFarmed.org. more ›

Exploring the environmental benefits of grass-fed beef. more ›

Results of a new study show that women who take calcium supplements and a multivitamin have reduced breast cancer risk. The findings were presented last Saturday to the America Association of Cancer Research in Washington by researchers at Ponce School of Medicine in Puerto Rico. The study analyzed 744 women, including 278 with breast cancer and 466 healthy controls, using blood tests and questionnaires about dietary intake of specific vitamins and minerals. The women taking calcium supplements had a 40% reduced risk of breast cancer, while those taking a multivitamin showed a 30% reduced risk. "We found that taking multivitamins and calcium supplements were strongly protective against breast cancer," said Dr. Manuel Bayona, a professor in the public health program at the Ponce School of Medicine. "Which vitamins exactly? We don't know because they were multivitamins." According to study co-author Dr. Jaime Matta, a professor of pharmacology, physiology and toxicology, “It's possible that the vitamins work better together than individually." more ›

This week marks the birthday of the sweet, spongy Twinkie, invented in a Chicago area bakery 80 years ago. According to the Hostess Corporation, “The Continental Baking Company hit the sponge cake gold mine in 1930 when Jimmy Dewar invented Twinkies. Seeing a need for an inexpensive product during the depression, Dewar made use of shortcake pans that were only used during the strawberry season. Dewar's idea was to inject the shortcake with a banana crème filling to make them a year-round treat and sell them two for a nickel.” Today Hostess operates several bakeries across the country, which bake 500 million Twinkies each year, requiring 8 million pounds of sugar, 7 million pounds of flour and 1 million eggs. more ›

This juicy seitan recipe, from the ultimate vegan cookbook, Veganomicon, requires only a handful of ingredients and about 15 minutes of active prep work. The result is so delicious it’s sure to become a staple in your arsenal of meat-alternatives. more ›

Today we report the latest news in the health benefits of the unpretentious apple. A recently published study shows the soluble fiber in apples (called pectin) may do wonders for the health of our digestive tract. We already know fiber ensures normal digestive processes (have you read the highly-informative What’s Your Poo Telling You by Dr. Stool?), but what about all those critters that live in our colon? more ›

We know school nutrition is desperate for drastic reform, yet we're still surprised to learn that Chicago Public Schools runs a daily nacho service. Consider this and the fact that, for many CPS students, the lunch they eat in school is the best meal they receive all day. Tuesday the Chicago Tribune reported CPS’ current plan to overhaul their school menus. more ›

Health claims like “High in Fiber” and “Low Cholesterol” are more than arbitrary statements made by food manufacturers to persuade customers to buy their product. In fact, as reported by the American Dietetic Association, the Food and Drug Administration has strict guidelines for how health certain claims may be applied to a food label. Here is a list of regulated health claims and what they mean to us. Keep in mind that in order to best interpret these claims, we must know the food’s serving size, rule #1 of label reading. more ›