Consumer

We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Now, a recently released study offers yet another reason: Children who start their day with a cereal breakfast—even if that cereal is presweetened—tend to have lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and less chance of being overweight or obese than children who eat other breakfasts or who skip the meal entirely.

The study was published in peer-reviewed healthcare journal Infant, Child & Adolescent Nutrition (ICAN).Read more

Folic acid, a B vitamin, is a big deal and this week is National Folic Acid Awareness Week.  Not only can folic acid and folate containing foods help prevent devastating birth defects but they may also help protect against heart disease, and colon, cervical and breast cancers.  Preliminary research also indicates a connection between adequate folic acid intake and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease as well as Parkinson’s disease.
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According to a new study, obesity in humans could be caused by a bacterial infection and not from eating too much, exercising too little or genetics. What’s more, a diet rich in whole grains may change the pH in one’s stomach, thereby limiting the obesity-causing bacteria’s activity.Read more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has announced increased flexibility for School Food Authorities (SFA) to plan grain servings as a part of healthy breakfast and lunch menus for America’s school children. Read more

Consuming bread on a regular basis may do more than provide you with fiber and other essential nutrients—it may also help prevent cardiovascular disease.

A study led by University of Barcelona’s Professor Rafael Llorach Ramon Cajal linked daily bread consumption to a healthier lipid profile, resulting in better cardiovascular health.Read more

Holiday meal preparations tend to focus on the main dish and desserts, but side dishes play an important supporting role. To make sure your holiday meal boasts an all-star cast, try your hand at some homemade dressing this year. It’s easy and will give your main dish some real pizzazz – whether you’re serving poultry, beef, pork or even vegetarian.Read more

Looking for an easy, low-maintenance recipe to help dress up dinner? Look no further! These low-effort dinner rolls perfectly complement Thanksgiving dinner or any special holiday meal.

The dough does not require kneading, so even novice bakers should have no trouble making these tender, delicious rolls. Simply toss the ingredients into a bowl, mix, set aside, shape, bake and viola!—fluffy homemade bread with minimal effort. Pressed for time? The dough can be prepared, placed in the pan, and refrigerated up to a day ahead. Read more

If the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holiday season has you feeling like a Scrooge, consider whipping up some homemade bread, Christmas cookies, or a cake. The sweet smell of freshly baked goods does more than satisfy a sweet tooth—it can also put you in a better mood.

According to a study published by researchers at the University of Southern Brittany in France, shoppers standing in front of a bakery were more likely to help a stranger retrieve a dropped item than those shoppers who were standing in front of a clothing store.Read more