Nutrition

Hunger and nutrition are non-negotiables: Experts

HUNGER and nutrition should become non-negotiables under the Marcos administration, according to local economists.

With the majority of Filipinos already not being able to afford healthy diets, the recent spike in inflation caused by more expensive food items would require the national government to introduce interventions.

One intervention, Ateneo Eagle Watch Senior Fellow Leonardo A. Lanzona Jr. told the BusinessMirror, is for the government to provide food subsidies instead of cash subsidies. This will ensure that families do not grow hungry and that the food is also good for them.

“I would like to note that hunger and nutrition are non-negotiables. There seems to be a general trend in this and the previous administration to focus on the economy and basically assume that income will be distributed automatically,” Lanzona said in an e-mail over the weekend.

“It is important to prioritize health, nutrition and education because downgrading their values in this post-pandemic period will make it difficult to return to its previous state,” he added.

Giving food subsidies, Lanzona said, would also spur agriculture production. This can be part of a comprehensive agriculture program where farmers are encouraged to plant nutritious food varieties to increase access to them.

“The idea is that focusing on the economy is really a one-way street.  It is more viable to work on human capital now and determine how we bring it to a level that can restore growth,” Lanzona said.

In a separate e-mail, Ateneo de Manila University Associate Professor Geoffrey M. Ducanes told the BusinessMirror that providing food subsidies for poor Filipinos will prevent them from falling deeper into poverty or make them go hungry.

“This is especially important for children of poor households who might become malnourished and whose physical and mental development can be affected,” Ducanes said.

He explained that the spike in inflation and the depreciation of the peso are worrisome when it comes to food prices.

Ducanes said these could increase the price of imported food that Filipinos consume on a daily basis. This includes “imported fruits and vegetables, meat, canned goods, and even sweets.”

The impact of the depreciation of the peso, Ducanes said, would have lingering effects on inflation. This will have a significant impact on the ability of Filipinos to afford commodities, particularly food.

The increase in inflation hurts the poor more, especially if the source of the increase is in food. The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) said food alone has a weight of 34.8 percent in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for all households and as much as 55 percent for the bottom 30 percent.

“The effect of the peso depreciation is of course not limited to inflation, it could also positively affect our exports as they become less expensive in the world market. In assessing the effects of a peso depreciation, this should also be given weight,” Ducanes said.

“Given the further depreciation of the peso in July 2022, we would expect an even higher cost for the same basket this month should the peso depreciation continue to hold,” he also said. In the long term, Ducanes said, the country should strive to increase domestic agricultural productivity. This can be addressed by dealing with the problems in the agricultural sector.

Ducanes cited a need for greater investment in agricultural infrastructure, equipment, and research and development.

He also stressed that the Philippines should keep trade open in order to allow Filipinos to have access to affordable food and non-food items. This allows a steady supply of items that are not supplied domestically and options to source items elsewhere that may be considered cheaper.

Image credits: Junpinzon | Dreamstime.com

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ASN paper highlights the strengths, limitations of research methods used in nutrition science

The American Society for Nutrition (ASN) highlights the value that all methodologies used in nutrition research contribute to the discipline, and that all methodologies, when used and interpreted appropriately, contribute to the evidence base. This is imperative to make informed decisions such as in policy development and implementation. The white paper, "Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science," was published today in Advances in Nutrition.

As ASN President Martha Belury, PhD, RD, stated, "All methods in nutrition science complement one another in order to advance health and well-being." The ASN Board of Directors commissioned development of this white paper, "Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science," following growing polarization within the nutrition science community and among the audiences that translate and apply nutrition research. Differences of opinion are often shaped as conflicts when they should be considered as areas of needed collaboration.

"This paper highlights the strengths, limitations and interpretations of the many methods used in nutrition science and how they work synergistically," said Nutrition Research Task Force co-chair and ASN Past President Richard Mattes, PhD, RD. Co-chair Sylvia Rowe noted, "This paper will be useful not only for nutrition researchers and other nutrition professionals but can lead to improved understanding of nutrition research methods by audiences that translate nutrition research findings, such as journalists, educators, clinicians, and policymakers."

Source:

Journal reference:

Mattes, R.D., et al. (2022) Valuing the Diversity of Research Methods to Advance Nutrition Science. Advances in Nutrition. doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmac043.

Biden Administration Takes Additional Steps to Strengthen Child Nutrition Programs

Department providing another nearly $1 billion boost to schools for purchasing food

WASHINGTON, June 30, 2022 – The Biden Administration announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide nearly $1 billion in additional funding to schools to support the purchase of American-grown foods for their meal programs. The department also applauds the President’s recent signing of the Keep Kids Fed Act, which equips schools, summer meal sites, and child care food programs with extra resources so they can continue serving children through school year 2022-2023. Both actions are a response to the significant challenges child nutrition program operators continue to face, such as high food costs and supply chain disruptions.

“The Biden Administration knows that ongoing impacts of supply chain issues and rising food costs continue to be a challenge for many schools and child nutrition operators, and we are thankful for Congress stepping up to ease some of their burdens,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “On our end, this funding boost is yet another step the Administration is taking to ensure every child who needs a meal, gets one. No matter the circumstances, USDA and all our partners must continue collaborating to provide our young ones with the healthy meals they count on.”

The $943 million boost from the department is provided through USDA’s Commodity Credit Corporation. Funds will be distributed by state agencies to schools across the country, so they can purchase domestically-grown foods for their meal programs. This assistance builds on the $1 billion in Supply Chain Assistance funds USDA previously allocated in December 2021, which states can use this school year as well as next to provide schools with funding for commodity purchases.

The Keep Kids Fed Act will also provide assistance to program operators across the country by:

  • Extending nationwide flexibilities to summer meal programs through September 2022, including allowing sites to continue serving meals in all areas, at no cost to families;
  • Providing schools with an additional temporary reimbursement of 40 cents per lunch and 15 cents per breakfast, and child care centers with an extra 10 cents reimbursement per meal;
  • Providing all family day care homes with the higher temporary reimbursement rate for school year 2022-23;
  • Equipping USDA with additional flexibilities to support schools, as needed, based on their local conditions.

This new authority does not allow all students to eat school meals free of charge in school year 2022-2023. Nonetheless, the department will continue providing other program flexibilities within its existing authority, such as:

  • Equipping schools and program operators to quickly respond to health-related safety issues by offering grab-and-go and/or parent-pickup of meals; and
  • Extending deadlines for districts to participate in the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows schools serving many high-need students to provide all meals for free without collecting applications from families.

For next school year, in most school districts, families will need to complete an application through their school to determine if their household is eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, as was done before the pandemic. USDA is also supporting the expansion of direct certification, which uses existing data to certify children for free or reduced-price meals without an additional application. All states are required to directly certify students for free meals if their household receives SNAP benefits, and some states also directly certify for free and reduced-price meals based on participation in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations or Medicaid. States that are interested in participating in the Direct Certification for Medicaid demonstration project are invited to respond to the current request for applications (PDF, 649 KB), which closes on September 30, 2022. In school year 2019-2020, 1.4 million students received free and reduced-price meals thanks to direct certification through Medicaid.

“USDA is working alongside our child nutrition partners to support them in delivering vital, nutritious meals to tens of millions of children every school day,” said Stacy Dean, deputy undersecretary of food, nutrition, and consumer services. “There’s a long road ahead, but the extra support and funding for our operators will help them continue to serve our children well. We can – and will – overcome these challenges, together.”

For additional information, please see:

USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition agrees to acquire F.L. Emmert

Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition announced June 30 that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire F.L. Emmert, a leading manufacturer and marketer of advanced nutritional solutions for the pet and livestock industries. Emmert is a 140-year-old, family-owned company with manufacturing operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and 35-plus employees.

"We look forward to welcoming the Emmert team, and we're excited about the capabilities this acquisition provides," said Matt Fanta, president of Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition.

Emmert has a proven track record in animal nutrition, delivering the right balance of brewer's yeast, protein, vitamins, and essential amino acids to support companion animal and livestock health. As a leader in expanding U.S. and global markets, Emmert is also known as an innovator with strong research and development capability.

"Emmert supports Nutrition's strategic priorities and complements our three core businesses – pet, livestock and aquaculture," Fanta said. "The acquisition will expand our product and customer base in pet food with value-added products. We also see great potential for Emmert's research and development capabilities – which complement our own and can be leveraged in the future across the division, including the livestock and aquaculture businesses."

Wilbur-Ellis President and Chief Executive Officer John Buckley noted, "Emmert's capabilities are a great fit for the Nutrition business, bringing greater balance and diversification to the division's portfolio. The acquisition also supports the company's broader strategy to continue building on our position as a leading agriculture and food company in North America."

Along with a strong business fit, Buckley and Fanta highlighted the similar values and culture of Emmert and Wilbur-Ellis. In 2021, Wilbur-Ellis celebrated its 100th anniversary and is one of the largest family-owned companies in the United States. With Emmert's 140-year-plus history as a family-owned business, the two companies share a long-term view and similar values.

"Wilbur-Ellis has a long history of growth through acquisition," Fanta noted. "And in every case, having similar values has been an important consideration. With that in mind, we look forward to having such a strong, value-based organization like Emmert become part of the Wilbur-Ellis Nutrition business."

Consummation of the acquisition remains subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Nutrition warnings are coming to the front of some packaged foods in Canada

Canada will require that companies add nutrition warnings to the front of pre-packaged food with high levels of saturated fat, sugar or sodium in an effort to help grocery shoppers make healthier choices with just a glance.

But ground meat will be exempt from the labels, after ranchers groups objected to Health Canada's proposal earlier this month.

The government says the labels are meant to help Canadians eat healthier, as the so-called "nutrients of public health concern" have been linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

"These regulations are designed to make it easier for us to make informed, healthier choices," said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.

Health Canada said the new labels will complement, rather than replace, the more detailed nutrition information that's typically on the back of food packaging.

In general, they'll be placed on pre-packaged foods that contain more than 15 per cent of the suggested daily value of  saturated fat, sugars or sodium. For pre-packaged meals, the warnings will only go on items with more than 30 per cent of the recommended daily intake.

Ground meat exempt from warning

The proposed labels were at the centre of controversy earlier this month when a group of ranchers opposed the government's plan to include warnings on ground meat.

At the time, the Canadian Cattlemen's Association said the policy would "vilify" ground meat and make people think it's a less healthy choice than whole cuts.

Now, Health Canada has exempted ground meat from the warning labels, even if it's high in fat or salt. The product was deemed to have health benefits in spite of the "nutrients of concern," along with milk, many cheeses and fruit.

"Canadian families rely on ground beef as a nutritious and affordable food staple and an important contributor to food security. We are pleased with Health Canada's decision to omit ground beef from requiring a misleading warning label," Canadian Cattlemen's Association President Reg Schellenberg said in a written statement.

Packages of sugar and salt will also be exempt, as the government said including labels on such products would be redundant.

The rules are set to come into force at the beginning of 2026, which the government said gives companies ample time to manage the costs of adjusting their packaging.

Health Canada will also limit the size of "voluntary health-related information," such as labels that proclaim an item high in fibre.

Reckitt Benckiser ‘may shelve plan to sell infant-nutrition unit’

UK consumer goods major Reckitt Benckiser is reportedly considering postponing plans to sell its infant-formula unit.

News agency Bloomberg, quoting unnamed sources familiar with the situation, said the sale, reputedly worth US$7bn, has fallen victim to “chaos in the industry and worsening financing markets”.

The company reportedly kicked off plans to sell its remaining businesses in infant formula in April and was said to be working with advisers on moves to sell the assets, which include the Enfamil brand. A number of private-equity firms, including Clayton Dubilier & Rice, were linked with a possible acquisition.

A sale would mark Reckitt’s exit from infant formula five years after buying US manufacturer Mead Johnson. Last year, the company sold its infant-formula operations in China to local investment firm Primavera Capital Group. Reckitt Benckiser kept an 8% stake in the business.

However, last month it was reported that potential buyers had been spooked by a US shortage of infant-nutrition products caused by the closure of an Abbott Laboratories plant following a salmonella scare.

Ironically, Reckitt Benckiser is one of the companies that has increased the production of its products to help keep supermarket shelves stocked.

But, according to Bloomberg’s report, talks between the London-listed company and potential acquirers have stalled in recent weeks.

Aside from the baby-formula crisis, the media outlet cited disagreement over valuation and a lack of available funding for reasons no deal has been sealed.

The structure of the sector is also coming under increased scrutiny by regulators, keen to ensure that shortages do not occur in the future.

The report said Reckitt Benckiser has not yet made a final decision on whether to formally pull the sale.

Just Food has asked Reckitt Benckiser to comment on the Bloomberg story.

Just Food analysis: Why there’s no single formula to fix US infant-milk market

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Nutritional Facts About Artichokes

Artichokes contain a lot of instant nutritional perks as well as potential long-term health benefits. They’re also extremely versatile when it comes to cooking options.

Plenty of folks have never thought to eat an artichoke, mostly because it has kind of a strange look and an even stranger name. Fair.

Well, to ensure you’re not missing out, we’re intro’ing this little green goodie with everything you need to know about its nutritional value and how it translates to health boosts for your body.

You might’ve seen artichokes referred to as globe artichokes, French artichokes, or green artichokes. You might’ve also seen them being called vegetables, but they’re actually a type of thistle, which has been around for thousands of years.

An artichoke is a bulb made up of its thorny outer leaves, feathery choke, and fleshy heart. The heart is at the base of the bulb and this is what you’ll be wanting. The leaves are inedible, as is the choke unless you’re using a baby artichoke.

Eaten raw, artichokes taste slightly bitter, similar to asparagus or celeriac. When cooked (more on that later), the bitterness gives way to a milder taste that’s not unlike boiled potatoes.

They’re tasty and easy to find at the store, but are artichokes good for you? In short: yes! They pack a serious nutritional punch whether eaten raw or boiled up:

That’s a mighty little thistle, once we compare some of these values to your recommended daily intake (RDI) of certain nutrients. Artichokes contain:

  • 25% (raw) or 15% (boiled) of your Vitamin C DV
  • 24% (raw) or 22% (boiled) of Vitamin K DV
  • 22% (raw) or 27% (boiled) of folate DV
  • 19% (raw) or 13% (boiled) of magnesium DV
  • 12% (raw) or 9% (boiled) of phosphorus DV
  • 14% (raw) or 10% (boiled) of potassium DV

The healthy nutrient profile of an artichoke translates to a number of health benefits. For example…

Artichokes contain a boatload of antioxidants

Antioxidants protect against a huge range of health conditions by helping your body get rid of the toxic byproducts of processing oxygen. Artichokes are a potent source of antioxidants, meaning they could play an active role against:

  • Heart disease
  • Some cancers
  • Lung disease
  • Age-related eye disease

Artichokes can tell good cholesterol from bad

We’re reasonably sure that artichoke leaf extract plays a role in keeping cholesterol low – essential for your heart and your health in general. Better still, evidence suggests that the extract can balance the ‘good’ (HDL) cholesterol and the ‘bad’ (LDL) type.

Get used to artichoke leaf extract. This is what most studies use when they examine the health benefits of artichokes. It’s a concentrated version, usually sold in pill form. Very little formal research has been done on the plant itself, but we can reasonably assume its health effects will be similar to the extract.

You may be able to regulate your blood pressure with an artichoke

Studies on animals and test tube-bound cells suggest that artichokes might help keep your blood pressure steady. We know they’re a solid source of potassium, which regulates the blood. Some research also hints that leaf extract helps your body produce eNOS, an enzyme which keeps blood vessels wide enough to facilitate a healthy flow of the red stuff.

Your liver could get a boost from artichokes

Recent studies indicate that artichoke leaf extract might be good for helping your liver function. It helps repair damage done to the liver, speeding up the rate at which tissue grows back. It also increases the rate at which you produce bile, helping flush toxins out of the liver.

As with most of these benefits, we need more research before we can say for sure how they work. At our current best guess, it’s the antioxidants silymarin and cynarin that are to thank.

Artichokes might be great for digestion and IBS

Because they’re so rich in fiber, artichokes help keep things moving along nicely as far as your digestion is concerned. In particular, a type of fiber called inulin is present in artichokes. This is especially good for promoting healthy digestion.

If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inulin appears to be good for regulating gut bacteria and easing the spasms that sometimes come with the condition. Overall, the existing evidence is looking good for artichokes and your digestive system.

You can keep blood sugar low with an artichoke (maybe)

Studies have hinted that artichoke leaf extract might play a role in lowering your blood sugar levels. However, what little research in this area we have tends to mix the extract with other plants. Other studies have taken place on rats, but not humans.

The strongest evidence we have suggests that the specific enzyme which turns starch into glucose (called alpha-glucosidase) might be the key. However, we need to know more before we can say how artichokes interact with that enzyme.

Artichokes (might) fight cancer cells

The high antioxidant content packed into artichokes gives it a healthy start as a cancer-buster. More detailed studies have suggested that the leaf extract might slow the growth of cancer cells. Others indicate that the extract could have potential in other cancer therapies.

But, it’s still very early days for this research. Most studies have been done either on rats or cells contained in test tubes. We need to know more about how exactly the extract affects cancer cells in actual humans.

Artichokes are a very flexible food. You can get artichokes at pretty much any grocery store, but not all are created equal. To pick a nice ripe artichoke, look for:

  • Weight. A heavier artichoke means it’s still retaining plenty of moisture, meaning it’s closer to peak ripeness.
  • Sound. The leaves of a healthy artichoke should squeak against each other if you squeeze it. No squeak means dried-out leaves.
  • Form. A perfect artichoke’s leaves will be opened only slightly, without too much separation. If the leaves are opened up too much, it could be too old.

Finally, you might find an artichoke whose leaves are peeling a bit. These have been hit with a touch of frost, but they’re still perfectly fine to eat. In fact, some people insist that frost-kissed artichokes are even tastier.

Artichokes can be grilled, braised, or baked. Two of the most common (also quickest and easiest) ways to prepare an artichoke, however, are steaming and boiling. In either case, you’ll need to prepare it for cooking.

To do this:

  1. Use a sharp pair of scissors to snip the thorny tips off the outer leaves
  2. Cut off the tip of the artichoke (about an inch down) using a sharp knife
  3. Pull off the small, looser leaves around the base and stem
  4. Slice off any excess stem so you’ve only got about an inch sticking out of the artichoke’s base
  5. Rinse your artichoke, making sure the water gets in between the leaves

To steam your artichoke (one per person):

  1. Toss a clove of garlic (cut into two halves), a bay leaf and a slice of lemon into two inches of water
  2. Put a steaming basket on top of the pot and boil the water
  3. Place your artichokes into the steaming basket
  4. Steam for 25-35 minutes until the outer leaves can easily be pulled off

If you prefer to boil your artichokes, do so in lightly salted water for 20-30 minutes. As with steaming, you’ll know it’s time to eat when the leaves are easy to peel off.

Once the heart is cooked, you can use it in:

Artichoke allergies are extremely rare, most people are at no risk from eating a cooked or raw artichoke. You may be at higher risk if you’re also allergic to other plants of the aster family (like daisies, thistles, sunflowers and kiwis).

Artichoke extract is more concentrated. It’s recommended that pregnant or breastfeeding women avoid the extract, but we don’t have enough data yet to say whether or not it’s safe.

Because artichoke leaf extract helps increase bile movement, you should probably avoid it if you have bile duct obstruction or gallstones.

Folk have been eating artichokes since the days of old, but we still need more research to know exactly how these delicious thistles really benefit our bodies. That gives them an air of mystery, but don’t feel put off trying them.

Their versatility and unique flavor might just make them your new best culinary buddy!

USDA Launches Feds Feed Families 2022 to Help Fight Food and Nutrition Insecurity

Left to Right: USDA Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration Kimberly Peyser; Capital Area Food Bank Client Rebecca Williams;  Feds Feed Families 2022 National Chair Angela French-Bell; and Capital Area Food Bank President and CEO Radha Muthiah

WASHINGTON, June 27, 2022 – U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the kickoff of the 13th annual Feds Feed Families program, a voluntary food drive which encourages employees from all federal agencies to give in-kind contributions – food, services, and time – to food banks and pantries of their choice.

USDA is honored to lead the campaign for all federal employees. This year’s theme is Fighting Hunger – Giving Hope.

The launch event for this year was held at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C. With the help of donors, volunteers, and partner organizations, the food bank distributes more than 45 million meals annually. That is an average of 88,000 meals a day.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Kim Peyser was on hand to shepherd in the 2022 campaign which focuses on summer giving from June 27 – September 30, as well as encourages federal employees to give year-round. So far in 2022, more than 1.5 million pounds of food has been donated through the campaign.

Peyser said more than 38 million Americans, including 12 million children, experience food insecurity, thanking federal employees for participating in this important program.

Capital Area Food Bank President and CEO Radha Muthiah shared the impact of COVID-19 on food assistance programs, noting that donations are down. She said during these challenging times Feds Feed Families is more important than ever before to meet the rising demand of food needed to “unlock human potential.”

"One box feeds a family of four for up to three days. On a good day we pack 500 boxes a day. On a great day 2,500 boxes," said food bank volunteer Maureen O'Donnell, stressing the importance of volunteering at food networks, as volunteer numbers are down.

Rebecca Williams, a food bank client whose family fell upon hard times, said "Everyone deserves access to food regardless of economic status, racial background or current situation.”

Photos and the recorded livestream from today’s launch are available for viewing.

To learn more about the 2022 campaign, visit the Feds Feed Families Hub.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Peanut Butter and Peanuts Purchased for Nutrition Program –

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On Nutrition: Deadhead damaging health habits | Lifestyle

The rich array of daisies in my garden are now spent and faded, not nearly as fresh and vibrant as they were in the spring. So I decided to teach my grandkids how to remove (aka “deadhead”) the dried-up flowers to help direct the plant’s energy toward making new blooms.

“This is very satisfying,” my maturing 10 year-old granddaughter remarked as we removed used-up flowers to make room for new growth. “Actually ... it’s really fun!”

Later, as we admired our work, I found an article on plants that reminded me of some “deadheading” I may need in my own life. Pardon the questionable analogies, but perhaps you can identify.

Periodically remove old blooms that sap strength and energy. The last thing I need is to hang on to “old blooms.” That means I need to know the right techniques to rid my body of unhealthy growth. For example, I can nip my tendency for mindless snacking in the bud. Then I can redirect my energy toward more worthwhile pursuits, like taking a walk and rejuvenating myself more often with water.

Know your own needs. Only certain types of plants need to have their dried-up flowers deadheaded, I learned. Likewise, I need to get the facts from health experts before I jump into a technique that may harm me in the long run. Good places to start include the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (eatright.org) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website, nutrition.gov.

Pinch in the right place. Oh, how I wish I could pinch off extra love handles as easily as I pinch dead flowers from my plants. Perhaps I can start by pinching my mouth shut more often.

Inspect your blooms regularly. My bathroom scale is a good reminder to remove unwanted blooms from my personal “garden” as soon as they pop up. This one habit can help me stay free of any excess foliage that can sap my energy and weigh me down.

Guard your garden from pests. They can sneak up without warning, such as when I grab a handful of M&M’s every time I feel stressed.

If you have ideas on how you tend your own health garden, drop me a line. I’d love to share your personal tips with other health gardeners.

In the meantime, look for creative ways to deadhead damaging habits. Learn as much as you can from reliable professionals. And may you thrive in your own garden for years to come.

(Barbara Intermill is a registered dietitian nutritionist and syndicated columnist. She is the author of "Quinn-Essential Nutrition: The Uncomplicated Science of Eating." Email her at [email protected].)

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