Pre-cut, packaged melon distributed by major grocery chains across 16 states have been tied to an outbreak of salmonella illness, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Friday. The outbreak has so far involved 93 cases of Salmonella Carrau illness, including 23 cases so severe the patients required hospitalization, although no deaths have been reported,… read on >
All Food:
Kids’ ER Visits for Swallowing Toys, Foreign Objects Have Doubled Since 1990s
About 100 kids a day are rushed to U.S. emergency rooms after accidentally swallowing a toy piece, battery, magnet or other foreign object, according to new research. That’s almost twice as many as in the mid-1990s. “The sheer number of these injuries is cause for concern,” said Dr. Danielle Orsagh-Yentis, lead author of the study… read on >
Is Your Smartphone Making You Fat?
Mindlessly switching from your smartphone to other media devices and back again might lead to added pounds, scientists say. A small, new study found that heavy-duty media multitaskers also tended to be heavier, weight-wise. It’s possible that these devices are actually changing the brain, theorized lead author Richard Lopez, a postdoctoral fellow in psychology at… read on >
Easy, Delicious Recipes From Your Blender
Blenders aren’t just for whipping up fruity drinks. You can also use them to make delicious savory recipes such as dressings, spreads and soups, all in seconds. For a tasty black bean dip that’s delicious hot or cold, blend a 15-ounce can of cooked black beans (perfect for helping reach daily fiber goals) with two… read on >
Still No Source as E. Coli Outbreak Grows to 96 Cases Across 5 States: CDC
U.S. health officials say an outbreak of E. coli illness from an unknown source has risen to 96 cases across five Eastern states, up from the 72 cases reported last Friday. The origin of the food-borne illnesses remains unknown, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said late Friday. “The investigation is still ongoing… read on >
How to Cut Your Kids’ Sugar Intake
The concerns about sugar and kids go far beyond the risk of cavities. An extensive research review by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that kids who consume a lot of foods and drinks with added sugar could develop heart disease risk factors — like obesity and high cholesterol — starting in childhood. These risks… read on >
Healthy Kitchen Essential: The Vacuum Sealer
If you’re looking for a cooking shortcut and a way to make food more economical, consider vacuum sealing. With a vacuum sealer, you can extend the storage life of foods by measuring out the right portion sizes and sealing them in handy bags, either premade or made by you from a roll of special plastic.… read on >
Health Tip: Vitamin B12
The brain and other organs rely on vitamin B12 to function properly. For most adults, the recommended B12 dose is more than 2.4 micrograms, says the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B12 is naturally found in a variety of animal products and is especially high in fish like trout, salmon and tuna. Other sources of… read on >
For One Man, Too Much Vitamin D Was Disastrous
Vitamin D is the healthy “sunshine” vitamin, but it can have a dark side, one Canadian man discovered. A team of Toronto physicians reported on the case of a 54-year-old man who developed kidney damage after taking extremely high doses of vitamin D. It’s a cautionary tale for consumers, medical experts say. “Although vitamin D… read on >
The Skinny on Beef
Beef often gets a bad rap, but is it really that bad for you? Here’s the problem: Most cuts of beef tend to be high in the wrong kind of fat. Ironically, though, that saturated fat you see surrounding your favorite cut or those white streaks running through it is exactly what makes beef juicy.… read on >