Food and Culinary

Take the time to read nutrition labels and you may be rewarded with a smaller waistline, says a recent study. Shoppers—women, in particular—who read food labels are almost nine pounds thinner than their non-label-reading counterparts.

Conducted by a group of scientists from the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, the study uncovered major discrepancies between people who read nutrition labels and those who do not.Read more

Writer, registered dietitian and mother of twins Janet Helm posts on her website Nutrition Unplugged http://nutritionunplugged.com/ her thoughts on “The Glamorization of Gluten-Free.” Pondering why going gluten-free is the new diet craze, she discusses whether going gluten-free will help people lose weight. “The answer is, it depends,” she writes. “There’s nothing inherent about a gluten-free diet that’s going to melt away the pounds.Read more

A diet high in healthy, nutritious carbohydrates can result in a lower body mass index (BMI), according to a study appearing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The study found that diets rich in fresh fruit, pasta, and rice and lower in meat were associated with lower BMI. These diets also resulted in more favorable micronutrient intakes and lower caloric intakes.  Increased consumption of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and magnesium were also associated with lower BMI in both sexes.Read more

We are pleased to present the latest issue of Kernels, our e-magazine. In this issue we focus on the health benefits of grains and we tackle the current myths and misinformation about wheat and carbohydrates. Also, we’ll tempt your taste buds with two delicious, hearty soups. Finally, Wheat Growers Corner adds to your baking expertise with our primer on the different kinds of flour and their uses.Read more

Baked foods can soon begin packing a more powerful punch, thanks to a Food and Drug Administration-approved petition allowing the use of vitamin D2 yeast at higher levels.

The new rule permits bakers to use yeast at levels not to exceed 400 international units (I.U.) of vitamin D per 100 grams in the finished food. A fat-soluble vitamin that is found naturally in very few foods, vitamin D is essential to bone health and wellness.Read more

Calling all home baking educators – you won’t want to miss the Home Baking Association (HBA) Annual Meeting October 14-16 in La Jolla, CA. “Baking is NOT a Spectator Sport” is the theme for this year’s meeting featuring two hands-on workshops and 14 speakers giving updates and information for extending the home baking message using new technology and resources.

Presentation topics include “The World of Spices: Where Flavor & Nutrition Unite,” “Why Bake? Research That Advocates Home Baking,” and “Lifting, Rising, and Heating UP Your Online Baking Message.”Read more

Eating on the go can do more than compromise your diet—it can take a bite out of your wallet. When your go-to lunch strategy involves cafeterias, restaurants, vending machines, and fast food, costs add up quickly. Packing your own lunch is a great way to eat well on the cheap. Thanks to a range of healthy wheat options—pitas, wraps, and tortillas, to name a few—you can pack a delicious, nutritious homemade meal for a fraction of what it costs to eat out.Read more