Wheat's Up

First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” Campaign, television reality shows focused on weight loss and media coverage may all be having an effect on Americans’ eating habits, according to new research from international research firm Mintel.

The report shows that just over two-thirds of American adults are trying to eat more healthfully in order to lose weight, or maintain a healthy weight and diet. Age does make a difference as well. Eating more healthfully is more important to older adults than younger ones.Read more

Summer always goes too fast. Back-to-school advertisements  fill me with mixed emotions: I like the routine, I dread the monotony. A quick calculation tells me we've made more than 4,500 school lunches. Monotonous? With a modicum of imagination, no.Read more

Once upon a time, the typical American pantry included a single canister of flour. Today, supermarkets stock myriad milled options—reflecting increased consumer demand for diversity in the baking aisle. Whether exploring health trends, culinary interests or ethnic cuisines, here is some information your clients can use as they foray into the world of flours.Read more

Flour output by U.S. mills in January-June increased 2.5% to a record 205,398,000 cwts, compared with 200,337,000 cwts in the first half of 2011, according to data interpolated by Milling & Baking News from statistics released by the North American Millers’ Association (NAMA). Based on interpolated NAMA data, flour production in the second quarter aggregated 101,936,000 cwts, up 1.6% from 100,313,000 cwts in April-June 2011.

To link to FoodBusinessNews.net, click here.

One of the true measures of just how far we’ve come in the fight against obesity (and therefore, healthful eating in general) is to examine the nation’s kitchens to determine what basics are being used on a consistent basis.Read more

Wheat has long been a major contributor of nutrients to the American diet through consumption of bread, rolls, cereal and pasta.

Grains contribute more than 70 percent of the folic acid/folate; 50 percent of the iron and 39 to 60 percent of the three major B vitamins, and many other nutrients.Read more

Here’s a new baking trick to try now that summer is here — grilled pizza! You can use the same pizza dough you already use (frozen, pre-made or make your own using all-purpose or bread flour) but since grilling pizza uses direct heat, go lighter with the toppings. Try thinly sliced cheeses (mozzarella, of course, but also try grated fontina, smoked Gouda, or goat cheese), thin strips of fresh vegetables (baby spinach, summer squash, asparagus, spring onions – be creative and make the most of summer’s bounty) and fresh herbs (basil, rosemary, and thyme all work well).Read more

Most Americans (52 percent) have concluded that figuring out their income taxes is easier than knowing what they should and shouldn’t eat to be healthier, according to the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation’s 2012 Food & Health Survey.
 Read more

We all love chicken – in fact, Americans buy more chicken than any other food for the center of the plate.  So if you’re looking to add a new twist to a tried and true favorite, look no further than our “Deviled Chicken Breasts with Mushroom and Bacon Dressing.”Read more