Weight Loss 'Stomach Pump' Approved by FDA

The Aspire Assist is like a reverse feeding tube. A port sits on the outside of the body that is connected to the stomach, but instead of putting food in, it is used to drain food out. About 30% of the food a person eats is drained from the stomach into the toilet through the device, and the remaining food is digested as normal. Obviously, this has a lot of people talking and many are calling it medically assisted bulimia. Here's what I think about it.

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Aspire Assist animation FDA Aspire Assist Press Release

Nutrition Facts Panel is Changing!

The new nutrition facts panel has been in the works for a couple years now, but the the FDA has finally approved the updated design! There have been a few changes made to the overall appearance of the panel and some changes to what information is included. They've also made some important updates to serving sizes and the way they're used. This is big stuff!

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Are Food Dyes Bad for You?

The color of our food plays an important role the eating experience, but are synthetic food dyes bad for us? Here's the lowdown on food dyes, whether or not you should avoid them, and what I do personally as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

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KIND Bars Healthy Again?

Over a year ago, the FDA told the maker of KIND Bars that they had to remove the word "healthy" from several products. Now, that decision is being reversed thanks to an interesting nuance and the FDA says it is looking to re-evaluate it's definition of healthy when it comes to packaged foods. 

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Biggest Losers Gain Weight!?

A recent study of Biggest Loser contestants  has a lot of people talking. Not only did many of the contestants gain weight after the show, but they also saw changes to their metabolisms and hormones. So what exactly do these results mean and what should we do when it comes to weight loss?

Is Local Food a Lie?!?

Local food is great! It's often fresher, tastes better, and buying it supports people in your community. But is all local food what it seems to be? And what about restaurants that serve local food? Are they the real deal? A recent series by Laura Reiley in the Tampa Bay Times called Farm to Fable looks into this and what she finds is shocking. A lot of "local" food isn't what you think it is.

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Farm to Fable Part 1 (Restaurants)

Farm to Fable Part 2 (Farmers' Markets)

A Cure For Food Allergies?

Food allergies and allergies in general are a serious problem for a lot of people, but a new treatment might change all of that. Research is being done on a new technique and the early findings are really exciting! Could this be the cure for allergies?

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Cooked Food Better Than Raw?

It's a common misconception that raw foods are always more nutritious. In fact, there are certain nutrients that are better absorbed when cooked! So which nutrients are damaged or lost in cooking and which are enhanced? And should we be eating raw food or cooked food to be healthy?

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Does Body Positivity Promote Obesity?

The issue of body positivity is everywhere right now, especially with the new Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition featuring Ashley Graham, a plus size model, on the cover. But does the body positivity and anti body shaming movement promote obesity?[x_video_embed type="16:9"][/x_video_embed]

Understanding the 2015 Dietary Guidelines

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines for Americans have finally been released! A lot has stayed the same, but there have been a few notable changes. Also, there's at least one thing that didn't change that is causing a bit of controversy.

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  Read the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines

Does Meat Cause Cancer?

The World Health Organization recently put out a statement that processed meats and red meat are linked to cancer. So what does this mean for us? Do we need to change the way we're eating? Here are my thoughts on the topic.

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A Dietitian Who Eats Lard?

Fat is an important part of a healthy diet, but which fats are healthy and which ones aren't? In the past it's been said that unsaturated fats were the healthy ones, but it turns out that isn't exactly right. Here's the breakdown when it comes to healthy and unhealthy fats.

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Do You Believe This Fat Myth?

There's a big myth about fat that just won't go away. Unfortunately, years of incorrect information has brought us to a place where a lot of people simply don't know the facts about fat. So what's the truth about fat and should it be incorporated into our diet?

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Trans Fat Ban a Good Idea?

The FDA has announced that partially hydrogenated oils, the main source of trans fat, will no longer be allowed in food by 2018. This trans fat ban has a lot of people excited, but there are others who don't think this is such a great idea. Also in this Real Food Round-Up, are people too focused on nutrients and a recipe you need this summer.

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Final Determination Regarding Partially Hydrogenated Oils

The Surprising Link Between Trans Fat and Deforestation

Indonesia's Palm Oil Industry Rife With Human-Rights Abuses

We’re More Concerned With Nutrients Than Actual Foods

Nutrient-centrism and perceived risk of chronic disease (Abstract)

Homemade Mayo without Raw Eggs

Eat Chocolate to Lose Weight?

There's lots of talk about a study that shows eating chocolate while on a low carbohydrate diet can actually help you lose more weight than a low carb diet alone. Also in this week's Real Food Round-Up, finding BPA free canned goods and a chocolate dessert.

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'Slimming chocolate' study fools the world's media

Chocolate Weight Loss Study's Authors Reveal Report Was Fake (UPDATE)

Why A Journalist Scammed The Media Into Spreading Bad Chocolate Science

BPA in Canned Food

Mocha & Black Bean Mousse Cake from Green Kitchen Stories

U.S. Egg Supply in Crisis!

A recent outbreak of the bird flu has caused a crisis for the U.S. egg supply. In Iowa, the largest egg producer in the United States, 40% of the egg laying flock has been killed. Strangely enough, it doesn't seem that back yard flocks are being affected. But why is that the case? Plus, dietitians are changing their tune about saturated fat and a recipe for a fun frozen treat in this Real Food Round-Up.

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Egg Farms Hit Hard as Bird Flu Affects Millions of Hens

Bird Flu Is Slamming Factory Farms But Sparing Backyard Flocks. Why?

Bird flu outbreak mostly spares backyard chickens

Academy Of Nutrition And Dietetics Commends Strong, Evidence-Based Dietary Guidelines Report

2-Ingredient Pina Colada Popsicles from Live Simply

Big Changes Coming to Panera Bread

Panera Bread is a popular food chain that is making some big changes. They recently announced that they will be removing 150 additives from their menu. But does this change actually make a difference as far as health is concerned, or is it all just a marketing ploy? Also in this Real Food Round-Up, I'm explaining vegetarian fed chickens and sharing a radish recipe.

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Panera Is Getting Ready To Ditch 150 Ingredients

People love chickens that are “vegetarian fed.” But chickens are not vegetarians.

Braised Lentils With Radishes, Fava Beans & Mint from Yummy Beet

Chipotle Goes GMO Free

Chipotle has recently announced that they are now GMO free! This is great for people looking to avoid GMOs, but what has actually changed with the food and what work still needs to be done?

Also in this Real Food Round-Up, Tyson has committed to reducing antibiotic use in it's chickens, Pepsi is removing aspartame from it's diet drinks, and a recipe that takes strawberries to the next level.

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Chipotle GMO Free Announcement

Tyson ending use of human antibiotics in US chickens by 2017

Pepsi to ditch aspartame in Diet Pepsi

Breakfast Parfaits with Roasted Strawberries from A Couple Cooks

Doctor Oz Controversey

Doctor Oz is coming under fire again, this time from a group of physicians who wrote a letter to Columbia University asking that Dr. Oz be removed from his faculty position. Many in the medical profession have strong feelings about Dr. Oz. Here's what I think.

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Letter to Columbia University from 10 physicians

Dr. Oz's response on his show

Dr. Oz TIME article

Columbia doctors on Dr. Oz

Dr. Oz's response on the Today Show

Chipotle pork shortage update

Asparagus, Fennel, and Spinach Soup from Green Kitchen Stories

Are KIND Bars Healthy? | Real Food Round-Up

The FDA recently sent a letter to the maker of KIND bars to tell them that they cannot use the word "healthy" on several of their bars. For the FDA, it's all about the fat. The FDA says that KIND bars have too much saturated fat to put the word healthy on their packaging. But are KIND bars really unhealthy? Plus, a recipe for homemade KIND bars in this Real Food Round-Up!

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Nut So Fast, Kind Bars: FDA Smacks Snacks On Health Claims

FDA letter to KIND

KIND's response to FDA letter

Homemade KIND bar recipe from Primal Bites