Reading List: Cheerios' Bogus Claims, Deadly Hydroxycut, Assault on Salt & More

We're always combing through news stories and the latest studies to stay current. The info doesn't always make it here (you might find links on our Twitter or Facebook pages), but we wanted to start sharing some highlights. Check back every Friday to see our "reading list."

In this week's round up: deadly Hydroxycut, the restaurant menu-labeling debate, Cheerios' cholesterol claims and getting paid for staying healthy.

Hydroxycut It Out!

Have you seen those Hydroxycut ads? They're hard to miss. Well, now the FDA is saying ignore them and spare your health. Earlier this month, the FDA released a statement blasting the Hydroxycut supplements as dangerous. Reports link its usage to at least one death and possible liver damage. For years, I've told my clients to stay off the stuff...I hope they all listened!

New BFFs: Farmers’ Markets and Supermarkets
It can be a real pain to pick up your fresh produce at the farmers' market and then hightail it to the supermarket for other essentials. In Iowa, they’ve solved this problem by inviting local farmers to sell their fresh foods outside the supermarket. Now, when can we get that in New York?
The Assault on Salt

Salt is in the cross hairs again -- and justly so. A Center for Science in the Public Interest report concluded that most folks are getting 4 times the daily recommended amount of sodium (4 times!). A major contributor is some popular chain restaurants -- and no, not just fast-food joints. Click to the second page to see some of the scary salt stats for some top menu items.

Not-So Cheery Cheerios

On the box, Cheerios claims that eating those whole grain O's will help you lower cholesterol 10% a month. The FDA warned Cheerios to put the kibosh on that because they're marketing the cereal like a “drug” (a legal no-no unless you've filed a drug application). The FDA seems to be cracking down on food label health claims more and more; a good thing since they can be so confusing. Let’s wait and see who they target next…

Counter Attack: Should Calories Be Mandatory On Menus?
Residents and government officials in Tennessee are hotly debating a mandate that restaurants post nutrition info for all menu items. Advocates hope calorie details will help curb high obesity rates; opponents to the measure think it's unfair. Similarly, the Massachusetts Public Health Council approved a law requiring chains (20 locations or more) to display calorie facts. What do you think?
Skip These 8 Foods, Please!

This week, we shared a list of 9 foods that may seem "healthy" but aren't always. On the flip side, here are 8 foods to avoid completely. I agree that 7 of the 8 can sabotage your waistline, but I question avoiding all “white” breads -- just enjoy those in moderation.

Cash In On Your Health

Some companies are rewarding employees with cash, gifts and even lower insurance premiums when they keep up healthy habits like biking or not smoking. A former co-worker just told me her insurance plan provides $250 back when you get a clean bill at your annual check-up. I'm looking into my current plan stat (and you should, too).

Next Up

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Reading List: Gluten-Free Snack Explosion, Nuking Away Bacteria & Dannon's Misleading Claims

In this week’s nutrition news: A grocery store unveils colored-coded product labels, the USDA’s launches a farm-to-table initiative and Dannon settles lawsuit for claiming their probiotic drinks boost immunity.

Reading List: Skip That Detox, Flaxseed Pluses & More Supplement Warnings

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Reading List: New Coke Calorie Labels, Candy Linked to Violence & More

Coke moves to make their calorie info more clear, a healthy eating kids book hits the market and you can make money by changing your lifestyle.

Reading List: No Cal Noodles, HFCS’s New Name and No More Birthday Cupcakes?!

In this week’s nutrition news: College cafeteria goes trayless, market’s hiring dietitians to help shoppers and high fructose corn syrup petitioning for a new name

Reading List: Improving Heart Health & Dirty Bagged Greens

In this week’s nutrition news: Kicking off Heart Healthy Month, understanding good-for-you fats and how the Super Bowl can bring on a heart attack.

Reading List: Soda Linked To Early Death, BPA Ban Faces Resistance and More People Going Organic

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Reading List: Grocery Store Showdown, Detox Truths & Hershey’s New Candy

How to detox safely, the story behind Kellogg’s tainted waffles and new reports show up to 10% of college students have high cholesterol.

Reading List: Weight Loss Wagers, Calorie Confusion & Tiger’s Labeling Mishap

In this week’s nutrition news: Study shows that watching TV shortens life span, the versatility of maple syrup and find out which country is under the most pressure be thin

Reading List: Debate Over Exercise, Tomato Blight & Banning Drive-Thrus

In this week’s nutrition headlines: Northeastern tomato crops wiped out by blight, Smart Choice logo debut, and 4 lifestyle changes that lower your risk of disease.