Every week, I wince at the cost when I go through the grocery store checkout line. How can I save money but still eat healthfully?
It can seem like a challenge at times, but family and consumer science educators associated with Cooperative Extension and land-grant universities across the country offer tips to help, including:
Shop the sales. Look at grocery store fliers to see what’s being offered at a discount. They are often available online in advance to help you plan.
Shop on a full stomach. It’s true: You’ll tend to spend less than if you shop when you’re hungry.
Plan your meals based on sale items or items you already have on hand. Make a list according to your meal plan, and stick to the list when you shop — unless you see a cheaper...
How do you tell the difference between normal feelings of sadness and actually being depressed or suicidal? When should you seek help?
These are questions that have gotten a lot of attention in the wake of the death of Robin Williams. His suicide followed a longtime struggle with depression, and that generated much discussion in the media and online.
And that type of discussion can be helpful. According to the American Association of Suicidology, suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in the United States in 2011, and the second-leading cause of death of young people. Research indicates that mental disorders such as depression and/or substance abuse have been found in 9 out of 10 people who die by suicide, but only one-third of them (3 out of 10) received mental health services in...
When I hear about a recall involving fresh produce, how can I find out if the fruits and vegetables in my refrigerator are affected? If I buy organic produce, am I safe?
Information about recent recalls and food safety alerts are available on the front page of foodsafety.gov.
This listing contains information from both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which oversees 80 percent of the nation’s food supply including produce, seafood and dairy, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which is in charge of meat, poultry and processed egg products. For foods covered just by the FDA, see www.fda.gov/safety/recalls for recall information going back 60 days.
For recalled fresh produce check the FDA list. You can run a specific search by using the product name as a keyword. By...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The type of fat in avocadoes not only helps the body absorb carotenoids such as beta-carotene, but it also helps convert them to vitamin A -- a vital function that could reduce severe vitamin A deficiencies in the developing world.
That’s according to a recent Ohio State University study that found that the body formed more than 12 times as much vitamin A from carrots when they were eaten with avocado than when they were eaten alone. Similarly, more than four times more vitamin A was formed from tomatoes when they were eaten with avocado in the study, which was published Aug. 1 in the Journal of Nutrition.
“From previous studies, we expected to find an increase in absorption of provitamin A, and we did,” said lead author Rachel Kopec. “But our...
What’s the difference between corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup?
High fructose corn syrup starts out as corn syrup. But food and beverage manufacturers alter the product for a number of reasons: High fructose corn syrup tastes sweeter than regular corn syrup. It also has good browning capabilities — a plus when making baked goods.
To really understand the science behind the sweetness, you need to know some background about the sugars sucrose, glucose and fructose.
Sucrose is table sugar. It’s usually made from sugar cane or sugar beets. Chemically, it is made up of one molecule each of glucose and fructose, bonded together. Even though both are types of sugar, fructose tastes sweeter than glucose.
Corn syrup is primarily glucose, so it’s not as sweet as...
Like me, my children are overweight. I’m having trouble figuring out how to talk with them about it. What’s the best approach?
A lot of people get nervous about how to discuss weight issues with their kids. In fact, a 2011 survey conducted by Sanford Health and WebMD found that parents felt more uncomfortable talking about weight than they did about alcohol, sex, drugs or smoking.
There’s probably good reason for this. A 2013 study published in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that if such conversation isn’t handled properly, things can turn sour. Researchers concluded that, with adolescents, at least, focusing on weight and size led to more binge eating and other unhealthy weight-control behaviors. On the other hand, focusing on health and on being a positive role model...
I tend to drink 1 percent or fat-free milk, but recently I’ve heard that full-fat dairy might help with weight loss. Should I switch?
There’s some interesting science going on these days regarding dairy fat. For example, a review of 16 studies, published last year in the European Journal of Nutrition, supported the view that high-fat dairy foods don’t contribute to obesity. And it’s not hard to find other research with similar findings.
Despite results from these studies, most nutrition professionals believe the verdict is still out on whether or not dairy fat can help you manage your weight. Until the science is settled, they recommend sticking to the advice offered in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans: “Switch to fat-free or low-fat (1 percent)...
Every month, we put some money into a traditional 401K for retirement, but we wonder if we should start putting some of that money into a Roth IRA instead. What are the pros and cons?
You need to take lots of things into account in deciding between a Roth IRA, or individual retirement account, and a traditional IRA. Each type of investment has its own rules and regulations. But let’s just focus on the basics:
• Contributions. A Roth IRA doesn’t offer any tax benefits at the starting gate. Whatever you invest comes directly out of your pocket.
On the other hand, traditional IRAs offer an immediate payoff, as you are probably aware from your 401K account (which is a type of IRA). Let’s say you contribute $300 a month to a traditional IRA, for a total of $3,600 a...
I got hit with a nasty bug last week, and I wonder if it might have been food poisoning. I’m OK now, but what kinds of food poisoning are most common, and what are the symptoms?
Generally, foodborne illness symptoms can be mild or severe, and include everything from upset stomach, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, fever and dehydration.
Many times, it’s difficult even for doctors to differentiate between foodborne illness and other types of gastrointestinal distress. But experts estimate that 48 million Americans each year become ill from contaminated food. So, it’s a good idea to know where it’s likely to come from and to take steps to prevent it.
To keep track of foodborne illness, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network (or FoodNet,...
GALLIPOLIS, Ohio -- A session set for Aug. 13 will mark the end of the season’s trainings for on-farm fruit and vegetable microbial safety, but organizers are already planning new sessions focusing on agricultural water safety beginning in 2015.
The Aug. 13 Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) Training program will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Gallia County office of Ohio State University Extension, 111 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis. Registration is $20 and is required by Aug. 6. Go online to go.osu.edu/kkq to download and print the registration form. For information, contact Jeff Moore, OSU Extension educator, at 740-446-7007.
Participants receive a certificate of participation and a recordkeeping binder, said Lindsey Hoover of Ohio State University’s Fruit and Vegetable Safety...
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio -- For many kids, 4-H is a building block of success throughout their lifetimes.
That’s the focus of this year’s locally produced special on 4-H, “4-H Elements,” to air at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, on Dayton’s WHIO-TV.
“I created, with the help of some 4-H volunteers, a ‘4-H Periodic Table of Elements’ for the show”, said Patty House, 4-H Youth Development educator in Clark County for Ohio State University Extension. But instead of carbon and oxygen, House’s table includes elements such as fun, knowledge, leadership and community.
OSU Extension is the outreach arm of Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
House, who has worked with WHIO-TV on the annual...
My kids love having ice cream, especially in the summer. But I want to get them to eat more fresh fruit. Any tips?
Packed with nutrients, fresh fruit is a smart choice to satisfy a summertime sweet tooth.
The produce aisle is well-stocked with kid-friendly berries, grapes, melons, peaches, plums, pears, cherries and plenty of other options during the summer months. And, according to the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines, fruits and vegetables are major contributors of nutrients that are under-consumed in the United States, including folate, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and vitamins A, C and K. At the same time, they’re a shrewd alternative to dairy- and grain-based desserts, such as ice cream, cakes, cookies and pies, which are major contributors of excess sugar and fat in the American...
I was hoping that eating more fruits and vegetables this summer would help me lose a few pounds, but so far, no luck. Am I missing something?
A lot of people think that eating more healthfully will automatically help them slim down. And no wonder: Most weight-loss plans emphasize the importance of incorporating more fruit and vegetables into the diet.
That’s advice worth following for most Americans. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, adults in the U.S. consume fruit only 1.1 times per day on average, and vegetables only 1.6 times per day. At the same time, U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend adults eat 1.5 to 2 cups of fruit daily, along with 2 to 3 cups of vegetables. Boosting fruit and vegetable consumption is a good idea for just about everyone.
But...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Boom, then bust. It’s a scenario often played out in local economies heavily reliant on one type of industry, especially in the energy sector. And it’s an underlying concern for Ohio communities currently experiencing a boom in shale oil and gas development.
But the cycle isn’t inescapable, say community development specialists with Ohio State University Extension. They have received funding to help eastern Ohio communities examine how shale development, also known as fracking, is affecting their economies, environmental conditions and social structures and to create plans for long-term viability.
With $200,000 in funding for a three-year project from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, OSU Extension has joined...
I’m taking my children to pick-your-own farms for the first time this summer. Any tips?
First -- have fun! Of course, that’s the whole point, with the added benefit of getting the freshest produce possible.
But you also need to keep in mind some food safety considerations. Although consuming fruits and vegetables is associated with all sorts of health benefits, it’s also possible to be exposed to bacteria and other microorganisms that could cause foodborne illness.
The most important thing to remember is for you and your children to wash your hands, and do it often and properly. Here are some guidelines:
Wash hands before picking fruit, after going to the bathroom, after eating, and after any hand-to-face contact, such as after coughing, sneezing or blowing your...
I’ve never wanted to “over-involve” my children in too many organized activities, but this summer they don’t seem to be interested in doing much of anything except playing video games and watching television. I don’t want them to waste the entire summer, but I’m out of ideas. Any suggestions?
It’s ironic: These days, it’s very easy for both children and adults to become so busy that they don’t have time for rest and relaxation, and for the complete opposite to occur — to be so lackadaisical that we spend most of our time sitting in front of a screen.
Finding a middle ground is a good goal. Focus on activities that will exercise either the brain or muscle groups, or, ideally, both.
According to educators with Ohio State...
I’m seeing more local meat at the farmers market. Do words like “no hormones,” “grass-fed” and “organic” all mean pretty much the same thing?
Not really. Each term has a specific meaning, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) regulates their use.
One piece of background: Rules about the labeling of different foods are complex. For one thing, the USDA is in charge of only meat, poultry and processed egg products. Other foods are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. That might seem straightforward, but it can quickly get complicated.
For example, FDA regulates eggs in the shell, but USDA regulates processed egg products. FDA regulates fruits and vegetables, but USDA runs the...
My father has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I’m surprised to learn about all of the complications that can result. What’s the best way we can help him reduce his risk?
You’re right. Diabetes — really, the high blood sugar that results — can cause all sorts of complications.
When glucose stays in your bloodstream instead of entering cells, that means it can’t be used by cells for energy, causing you to feel tired or lethargic. All that sugar running through your bloodstream also damages blood vessels. That includes small blood vessels such as those in the eyes, which can cause blindness, and in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney failure. It also includes large blood vessels, leading to heart attack and stroke. High blood sugar can also cause...
Next month, I want to try to cut added sugars from my diet, but I’m confused when I look at the Nutrition Facts labels. For example, sliced fruit packed in juice seems to have a lot of sugar. How can I tell if it’s added sugar or just the natural sugars from the fruit and juice?
First, good for you for paying attention to added sugars in your diet. On average, Americans consume about 16 percent of their daily calories from sugars added during food production and processing, during cooking, or from the sugar bowl at the table. The nation’s Dietary Guidelines have recommended decreasing the amount of added sugars in the diet for years.
To answer your question, though, if the label says “100 percent juice,” there are no added sugars in the beverage. ...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Thanks to a grant from the National Institutes of Health, Ohio State University researchers are examining how to combat the dangerous, rapid weight loss that often accompanies cancer, chemotherapy and other serious diseases and the treatments designed to fight them.
The two-year, $361,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute will allow researchers to solve mysteries surrounding the phenomenon called cachexia, said principal investigator Martha Belury.
Belury is the Carol S. Kennedy Professor of Nutrition in Ohio State’s College of Education and Human Ecology and is a scientist with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. OARDC is the research arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.
Many people associate weight...
Some good friends asked us to co-sign on a loan to allow them to get a lower interest rate. They said they won’t have any problem making payments (especially with the lower rate). My husband and I disagree about this. Where can we find information about the risks we’d be taking on?
Your friends are asking for a significant favor, and you’re smart to investigate the ramifications of being a co-signer on a loan. It’s a lot more than acting as a character reference. It means you agree to repay the loan in full if your friends can’t or won’t.
Several agencies have information about what you need to consider before making a decision, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (www.consumerfinance.gov), the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov) and...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- When Rob Isner was growing up, he spent summers at his grandparents’ farm in West Virginia.
“My level of knowledge about farming and agriculture first came from things like bringing in hay and just playing on the farm,” Isner said. “I think a lot of things that we internalize as adults come from those kinds of childhood experiences -- not necessarily from a structured curriculum or working with an Extension educator or a teacher, but just from the fun stuff that kids do.”
Now, armed with a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, a master’s in education and two decades of experience in teaching, management and landscaping, Isner is hoping to offer similar inspiration to students in science, technology, engineering and math...
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As Ohio State University Extension celebrates the 100th anniversary of the nation’s Cooperative Extension Service on May 8, its leaders hope the occasion provides the opportunity to broaden people’s understanding and awareness of what today’s Extension organization has to offer.
“I firmly believe Extension is needed more today than it was in 1914,” said Keith Smith, director of OSU Extension and associate vice president for agricultural administration at Ohio State University. “With so much information that’s hitting the public these days and coming at us so fast, people have to ask, What’s true? What can I rely on? What’s going to be best for me?
“People need an unbiased, research-based foundational source...
My wife always rinses packaged lettuce that’s marked as prewashed. She said it sometimes smells funny so she likes to rinse it off. If it smells funny, should we eat it? And is washing it necessary?
Prewashed lettuce in a sealed bag sometimes accumulates carbon dioxide, and you might notice a slight odor when you first open the bag. It should dissipate quickly and doesn’t indicate any health risk.
Be sure to read the label. Don’t assume that prepackaged produce is prewashed. If it is, you’re right — there’s no reason to wash it again. But if you can’t resist, just be sure you do so properly. It would be ironic if, in trying to be doubly safe by washing prewashed produce, you ended up contaminating it by doing so sloppily.
The U.S. Food and Drug...
My daughter says students at her school throw away a lot more cafeteria food these days because they get too many vegetables. Why serve a food if kids just throw it away?
A lot of people had this fear when new U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines for school meals went into effect in 2012. Those new standards are required for the 100,000-plus schools taking part in the National School Lunch Program. The rules mandate schools offer more whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and require students to select either a fruit or a vegetable as part of their lunch.
Even though many people complain the result is more food waste, some new research indicates that’s not the case. A study in the April issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine compared the amount of food thrown...
