Reading List: Top 5 Overrated Food Trends, McDonald's Food Safety & A Dating Site Scandal

In this week’s nutrition news: Healthy People’s Newest Goals, dating site kicks off overweight members, and how small changes can keep diabetes at bay

In this week’s nutrition news: New health goals for Americans, McDonald’s excellent food-safety standards and how small changes can keep diabetes at bay.

Did Americans Meet Their Healthy Goals for 2010?
Every 10 years the government sets standard health goals for Americans. Most goals tend to be ambitious -- for example, lowering our collective salt and fat intake. Americans didn’t fare well on either of these (both have gone up in the past 10 years!). For the 2020 goals, the government plans to set forth more attainable, simpler objectives and hope that creates a more positive mindset and result. The idea is that baby steps are a smarter way to reach better healthy. What do you think?
McDonald’s Outstanding Food Safety Guidelines

I’m not a big fan of Mickey D's, but according to this USA Today article, McDonald’s has top-of-the-line food safety practices (even I was impressed!). At the plant, a 32-person cleaning crew works from 2 to 6 a.m. Hamburger meat is kept cold in special bins the size of hot tubs, and trucks delivering the food are sealed shut with a steel bolt -- only the purchaser can unlock them with a bolt cutter (or the meat gets sent back). School lunch programs, please, take notes!

Gain A Little Weight? You're Not Dating Material
A highly selective dating site, Beautifulpeople.com, just kicked off about 5,000 members after they posted holiday pictures that showed they'd gained weight. Seems other members complained that some folks had let themselves go; in response the site locked them out until they lost the pounds. Would you really want to meet friends or potential lovers here?
Preventing Diabetes

A large national study set out to examine ways to help prevent and delay onset of diabetes. The study divided its 3,000-plus volunteers into three groups: one group received medication, the second received motivational nutrition counseling and the third got a “fake” pill. Of the three groups, those who had the nutrition counseling and were highly motivated did twice as well as those who just took their medication. As it turns out, it took only a few small changes in exercise and eating habits to help control blood sugar more effectively.

Overrated Food Trends
This Chicago Tribune article, written by a registered dietitian and colleague Janet Helm, talks about the top five overrated food trends of the year. On the list: super juices, coconut oil, infused water, chia seeds and agave nectar. Have you tried any of these foods?

Next Up

5 Food Safety Rules for Eating Outside During the Summer

Warmer months means spending more time outdoors. Here's what to know when you bring your meal outside.

Food Network Predicts the Biggest Food Trends of 2024

The latest appliances, ingredients, culinary communities and more.

How A Food Safety Expert Cleans Her Kitchen

When was the last time you cleaned these spots in your space?

What to Know About Thanksgiving Dinner Food Safety

Thanksgiving is not the time to skimp on those food safety habits that can make or break the festivities.

What a Food Safety Expert Wants You to Know About All the Food Recalls

Including how to stay up-to-date on the latest recalled products.

12 of the Biggest Trends In Food Right Now

From lazy cooking to vintage-inspired glassware.

5 Frozen Foods to Stock (and 5 to Skip)

Your freezer was created to preserve food for longer periods of time. But filling it with junk can sabotage any healthy eating plan. I’ll tell you which items to stock up on and which can lead to a bulging waistline.

We’ve Predicted the Biggest Food Trends You’ll See In 2023

What will we all be cooking and eating next year?