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Your Professional Resource for Nutrition Education

Tips from International Osteoporosis Foundation: Part 1- Five essential strategies for osteoporosis prevention

Posted 5/24/2013 by Guest Blogger

As a health professional, you know that your bones and muscles form the structure that carries you through a lifetime. As they age, many people are affected by weak bones and muscles, and are therefore at increased risk of falls and broken bones (fractures). Read More >>

Happy Celiac Awareness Month! Separating the Fact from the Fiction—and Dispelling the Hype Around Gluten

Posted 5/14/2013 by Guest Blogger

As the awareness of celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders grows, it is important to continue to separate the facts from the unknown to the media hype. First, let’s look at what we do know. Read More >>

Veggies Matter

Posted 4/30/2013 by Guest Blogger

On average, Americans only eat half as many veggies as they need. We hear a lot of reasons why this is the case: “I’m too busy to cook; it spoils before I can use it; I don’t cook – or don’t know how to cook…” As a parent working full-time out of the home, I understand both the time and energy constraints. Read More >>

Social Media and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans

Posted 4/25/2013 by Guest Blogger

At the USDA’s Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, we have been expanding our social media presence to reach consumers everyday on their favorite social media websites. Our goal is reaching consumers of any age with helpful dietary messages that they can apply whenever they are purchasing foods in cafeterias, choosing meals at restaurants, making choices at the grocery store, and planning and preparing foods at home. Read More >>

Make Vegetables Part of your Spring Cleaning Routine

Posted 4/18/2013 by Nicole Hines

The air is getting warmer, the snow is starting to melt, and the days are getting longer. You know what that means? Spring is here! I look forward to spring every year not only because I LOVE spring cleaning, but because a new season allows me to start fresh when it comes to setting and committing to my goals. Read More >>

New Research Examines Link Between Dairy Intake and Bone Health

Posted 4/9/2013 by Carolyn Gugger, PhD, RD

As you know, dairy foods are an important source of essential nutrients that are beneficial for bone health. Like most dairy products, yogurt provides many important nutrients. A recent study, funded by the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition, examined the relationship between dairy intake, including yogurt, and bone density in adults from the Framingham Offspring cohort study. Read More >>

Yogurt, a Perfect Addition to School Meals

Posted 4/2/2013 by Dawn Chen, RD

How does yogurt fit into today’s school meals and Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations? Our new toolkit, developed for school foodservice professionals, describes why yogurt is a nutritious option to help meet school meal regulations and to incorporate into a healthy diet. “Yogurt – A Perfect Addition to School Meals” can be used to provide an up-to-date training on details school nutrition staff may want to know about yogurt. Read More >>

MyPlate on Campus: Champions for Healthy Eating

Posted 3/27/2013 by Guest Blogger

It’s that time of year again. The time we focus our attention on lifting up and cheering on our favorite colleges and universities…March Madness at its best! And while campuses around the country gear up for the NCAA Championship, the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion is also looking for champions on campuses – student ambassadors of healthy eating on campus with our new MyPlate On Campus program. Read More >>

Million Hearts: You Can Help Prevent One Million Heart Attacks and Strokes

Posted 3/19/2013 by Guest Blogger

Do you know the ABCS of heart health? That’s Aspirin as appropriate, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. Health care professionals who excel in the ABCS can help their patients—and the Million Hearts initiative—prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Read More >>

Betty Crocker Now Delivers

Posted 3/14/2013 by Blog Re-Post

We all worry about our loved ones as they age. Can they remain in their own homes? Are they getting enough to eat? Seniors often struggle with getting proper nutrition because the simple task of shopping and preparing meals at home becomes more and more challenging. That’s one reason why General Mills this month is launching the Betty Crocker Kitchens meal delivery service in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Read More >>

Eating Cereal, including Pre-Sweetened Cereal, Associated with Healthier Body Weights in Children

Posted 3/12/2013 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

Adding to the already established body of evidence linking ready-to-eat cereal consumption with healthier body weights is a new paper examining cereal consumption, including pre-sweetened, and health related biomarkers associated with obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome. Read More >>

Celebrate National School Breakfast Week, March 4-8, 2013

Posted 3/5/2013 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

This week, we’re excited to celebrate National School Breakfast Week. Currently, over 11 million US children participate in the School Breakfast Program. Additionally, many children in the US fall short of meeting calcium, folate, iron, zinc, Vitamins A, D, E, fiber and whole grain recommendations. Read More >>

Boost Your Yogurt IQ

Posted 3/1/2013 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

Check out this new yogurt infographic to learn more about the benefits of yogurt,fun ways your clients can jazz up their yogurt routine and swapportunities for smarter snacks. Read More >>

Talking Weight Management with Maggie Moon, MS, RD (Part 2)

Posted 2/21/2013 by Guest Blogger

How can your clients improve their diets to help manage weight? Maggie Moon, MS, RD, answers our questions in a two-part Q&A on weight management. The second part of this series covers two areas many clients struggle with in their diets – snacking and eating breakfast daily. Read More >>

Talking Weight Management with Maggie Moon, MS, RD

Posted 2/15/2013 by Guest Blogger

Where do your clients struggle with weight management? Maggie Moon, MS, RD, took time to answer questions in a two-part Q&A on weight management. The first part focuses on where clients struggle with weight management and how they can incorporate more exercise into their daily routines. Read More >>

“Ways to ‘Live Thin Naturally’ in 2013 and Beyond: 5 “Eating Thin” Tips

Posted 2/7/2013 by Guest Blogger

“Diet” is not a four-letter-word; it’s how to describe what you eat daily. Being cognizant of what we put into our bodies and the frequency we consume food is more likely to make a sustainable impact on weight management than fad diets, which can work initially, but are often an ineffective means of weight maintenance. Read More >>

“Ways to ‘Live Thin Naturally’ in 2013 and Beyond: 5 “Moving Thin” Tips

Posted 2/5/2013 by Guest Blogger

Exercise and diet go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight management and achieving a healthy lifestyle. With busy schedules, finding time to “move” can sometimes be challenging. Building regular exercise into schedules can help yield better results in reaching weight management goals. Read More >>

Ways to ‘Live Thin Naturally’ in 2013 and Beyond: 5 “Living Thin” Tips

Posted 1/31/2013 by Guest Blogger

Put the fad diets aside and make weight control second nature! Instead of “going on a diet,” make weight loss intuitive, instinctual and permanent. Use the ‘one day at a time’ strategy, making small yet significant choices, each and every day. Read More >>

Three Steps to Weight Management Success

Posted 1/24/2013 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

By this time into the new year, you may have some clients who have abandoned their resolutions – including those to maintain a healthy weight and incorporate more physical activity into their lives. As we near the end of the month, it may be challenging to keep your clients focused and motivated. Here are three steps you can suggest they follow every day. Read More >>

Cooking with Yogurt – Easy Swaps for a Healthier Lifestyle

Posted 1/17/2013 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

For many consumers, yogurt is popular as a nutritious mid-day snack or as part of a meal. It’s likely that your clients are no different. But the reality is that yogurt is versatile enough to be enjoyed alone or as a nutritious swap for other ingredients. Additionally, it can be used in a variety of recipes and meal occasions, from dinner to dessert. Read More >>

Helping Clients Control Portion Size is Key to Reaching Weight Management Goals

Posted 1/10/2013 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

A little more than a week into the new year and how many of your clients are still holding strong on their weight management goals? As health professionals, we often discuss the importance of balancing calorie intake with physical activity. But many people have a difficult time really understanding calorie balance. Read More >>

5 Tips for a Healthier You in 2013

Posted 1/4/2013 by Blog Re-Post

With the whirlwind of the holiday season behind us, many cultures around the world have traditions to start in the New Year. In the U.S., many of us start with resolutions to create healthy habits and set new goals. The most popular New Year’s resolutions include losing weight, eating right, spending more time with family, managing finances, getting organized and volunteering. Read More >>

Making a Resolution to Help Clients Take Small Steps toward their Weight Management Goals

Posted 1/3/2013 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

With more than half of Americans (55%) looking to lose weight in 2012*, chances are you have at least a few clients looking to do the same as part of their New Year’s resolutions. For many, eating more healthfully and increasing their level of physical activity can be daunting – and Americans are evenly split on which one is more difficult. Read More >>

Gifts from Heart and Hearth

Posted 12/18/2012 by Blog Re-Post

There’s a gift in homemade food gifts for everyone. You get to bake and make your way into the holiday spirit. Here are some healthified recipes from Live Better America to get you started on your homemade treats straight from the heart. Even when your kitchen kindnesses are long consumed, you’ll feel the joy in having given such goodness! Read More >>

Breakfast Myth: Breakfast Foods Are Too Fattening

Posted 12/11/2012 by Guest Blogger

It’s easy to understand how some people might believe that certain foods are more “fattening” than others. Classifying foods based on whether they can make you gain weight or not is a far simpler notion to grasp than the concept of energy balance (where calories in should equal calories out)! So whenever the topic of “fattening foods” comes up, I try to clarify the issue with this brief lesson in anatomy: The stomach does not have eyes. Read More >>

FNCE 2012 Recap

Posted 12/4/2012 by Jill Landin, RD

If you weren't able to attend the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' (AND) annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) earlier this year in Philadelpia here's a summary of the news we shared at our booth and during onsite events. Read More >>

A New & Improved Whole Grain Curriculum

Posted 11/28/2012 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

We are pleased to announce the release of a new and improved Go With The Whole Grain For Kids™ nutrition education curriculum. Intended for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, the program features two Whole Grain Heroes who guide students on a journey to learn about the benefits of whole grains. Read More >>

Eating Well Across the Lifespan: Adult Cereal Eaters & BMI

Posted 11/26/2012 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

We all know there’s no single solution for managing one’s weight. But identifying the foods and behaviors associated with a healthy weight is a start, and we’d like to share new research related to this. Read More >>

Breakfast Myth: Skipping Breakfast Because You Don’t Like Breakfast Foods

Posted 11/13/2012 by Guest Blogger

One of the things I love most about being a registered dietitian is all of the fascinating things I learn about food from my clients and consumers. Whether it’s the personal preference of one person I met to put salt on watermelon or the cultural tradition of the entire nation to eat pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving, it is people who give meaning to food. Read More >>

Eating Well Across the Lifespan: Cereal & Older Adults

Posted 11/7/2012 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

Did you know that by 2030, the number of adults 60 years of age or older is expected to comprise 25% of the US population? And, the number of Americans who are 85+, will double? With this expansive growth, the health of older Americans will become an even larger priority for nutrition professionals. Read More >>

Happy Family Caregiver Month!

Posted 11/1/2012 by Guest Blogger

This November, National Family Caregiver and National Hospice Month, recognizes the 65 million Americans that provide care for a family member or friend. Family caregivers can be a strong ally to health care professionals. Many caregivers may not know where to begin when discussing some important issues with their loved one. Starting with a less charged topic about healthy aging, such as a universal connector, like food, could be a great place to begin deeper conversation. Read More >>

General Mills Targets Food Waste

Posted 10/24/2012 by Blog Re-Post

Food waste is a human, environmental and economic tragedy. The facts are sobering. One-third of all the calories produced every year are wasted – that’s 1.3 billion tons of food waste while one billion people go to bed hungry every night. Read More >>

Breakfast Myth: Skipping Breakfast to Save Calories

Posted 10/23/2012 by Guest Blogger

After writing my last post about Making Time for Breakfast I realized it covered just one of several reasons given by clients for not eating in the morning. Since there are so many others I thought it would be useful to put together a short series on the Top Myths for Not Eating Breakfast. Read More >>

World Osteoporosis Day

Posted 10/22/2012 by Guest Blogger

World Osteoporosis Day (WOD) is observed annually on 20 October, and launches a year-long campaign dedicated to raising global awareness of the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis and related musculoskeletal diseases. Led by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF), WOD generates worldwide media and public awareness campaigns by national osteoporosis patient societies from around the world with activities in over 90 countries Read More >>

Making One Giant Pledge with the Jolly Green Giant

Posted 10/11/2012 by Dawn Chen, RD

Getting kids (and adults!) to eat a variety of vegetables can be a “giant” challenge. To encourage families to eat more vegetables, the Jolly Green Giant visited his fans in an unlikely location – Grand Central Terminal in New York City. Read More >>

FNCE is Nearly Here!

Posted 10/4/2012 by Jill Landin, RD

It’s that time of year again…FNCE is nearly upon us! As always, we are very excited for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ annual meeting, especially the opportunity to brush up on what’s new in nutrition as well as share with you the latest General Mills happenings. Read More >>

Getting to Know Culinary Nutrition Expert, Liz Weiss

Posted 9/28/2012 by Guest Blogger

We are busy preparing to launch the MyPlate “Make Half Your Grains Whole Grains” video series, which features registered dietitian and culinary expert, Liz Weiss, MS, RD, co- founder of Meal Makeover Moms. You’ll be seeing more of Liz as these videos are rolled out, so we’d like to give you the chance to get to know her better. Read below for more and thank you to Liz for taking the time to chat with us! Read More >>

Make a Healthy Change for Whole Grains

Posted 9/20/2012 by Guest Blogger

In last week’s post, I previewed the changes many of you will be seeing in school cafeterias across the country. This week, I’d like to preview another important MyPlate initiative and remind you that healthier eating doesn’t stop at school. Read More >>

The School Day Just Got Healthier

Posted 9/13/2012 by Guest Blogger

September is an exciting month marking the transition from summer to fall. And, as the first of the leaves begin to fall, children are heading back to school. This fall, the School Day just got Healthier because of important changes in the school cafeteria. Students can expect to benefit from tasty, healthier, and more nutritious food as implementation of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act takes place across the country. Read More >>

Making Time for Breakfast

Posted 9/4/2012 by Guest Blogger

The most common reason I hear from my clients for not eating breakfast is that they aren’t hungry in the morning. Upon further questioning, I usually find this applies on mornings when they have to be up early and out the door for school or work and eating breakfast on weekends and other days off is no problem. Read More >>

Consumer Acceptance Guides Responsibility Efforts

Posted 8/28/2012 by Blog Re-Post

The relationship food companies have with their consumers goes beyond traditional parameters. Our consumers trust us with the food they put in their bodies, the food that nourishes and fuels them throughout the day. This gives us a unique connection to our consumers that we take very seriously. Read More >>

Ready-to-Eat Cereal A Top Food Source of Vitamin D

Posted 8/21/2012 by Blog Re-Post

Our need for adequate amounts of vitamin D has been covered widely by the media in recent weeks given the important role it plays in helping to keep our bodies healthy. Unfortunately, many of us are not getting enough of this important nutrient. But, did you know that eating certain ready-to-eat cereals can also be a great way to increase your vitamin D intake? Read More >>

Common Barriers to Whole Grain Consumption

Posted 8/1/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

We know 9 out of 10 Americans aren't getting the recommended amount of whole grain...but why not? Hear what Judi Adams, Wheat Foods Council President, has to say about why people might not be choosing whole grain foods. Read More >>

Is BBQ Season Up In Smoke?

Posted 7/19/2012 by Brent Kobielush, PhD

If you’re like me, there isn’t a grilling season. Rather, grilling is a lifestyle. However, for most, grilling season begins in Spring and ends in Fall. You may have heard many rumors about the formation of carcinogens associated with grilling, but what are the facts? Read More >>

Global Whole Grain Consumption

Posted 7/12/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

We knnow that Americans are not meeting the recommendations for whole grain intake, but what about global whole grain intake patterns. Are people in other countries getting enough whole grain? Read More >>

Don't Forget: Revisit Your Goals

Posted 7/5/2012 by Guest Blogger

As health professionals, we all know how important goal-setting can be in helping our clients succeed with behavior change—it keeps them motivated, gives them small victories, and helps them progress. But sometimes, we may forget to engage in this practice ourselves... Read More >>

Whole Grain Clues

Posted 6/29/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

This week's post is about using clues, like the Whole Grains Stamp to find whole grain foods. Read more about the Whole Grain Stamp and join us on LinkedIn to see an interview with Cynthia Harriman from the Whole Grains Council. Read More >>

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

Posted 6/18/2012 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

I recently heard a commercial (unfortunately I can’t remember what it was for!) that had a joke that went like this: Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes….that way you’ll be a mile away and they won’t have any shoes! Ha ha ha! As health and nutrition professionals, we know how important it is to understand our audience’s point of view when we are educating and encouraging positive behavior change. Read More >>

When in Rome, learn more about fiber!

Posted 6/7/2012 by Tom Boileau, PhD

When in Rome, learn more about fiber? Well, not exactly, but that's what I did at the International Dietary Fibre Conference in May. It was a great opportunity to hear from many scientists and see what's new in the world of fiber. Read More >>

Happy 1st Birthday, MyPlate!

Posted 6/1/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

June 2 marks the official one-year anniversary of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion's (CNPP) symbol for healthy eating: MyPlate. Read More >>

Linkedin Chat This Week!

Posted 5/29/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

We had such a great time with our members at our Linkedin Chat in March that we wanted to host another! Join us on our Linkedin Group Page on Thursday, May 31, from 2-3 pm CT for a live whole grain discussion. Read More >>

Day 2 of the Whole Grains Summit: Collaborative Solutions for Whole Grains & Health

Posted 5/22/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Building on the information presented during the first day, Day Two of the Whole Grains Summit was focused on smaller discussions about solutions to the issues highlighted in yesterday’s post, such as aligning the definition of whole grain food around the world. This post pulls out some of the highlights from those discussions. Read More >>

Day One of the Whole Grains Summit: Creating a Vision of the Whole

Posted 5/21/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Day One of the Whole Grains Summit in Minneapolis, MN, concluded yesterday, Sunday, May 20. The first day was dedicated to building a global view of whole grain challenges which included definition of a whole grain food, availability, and consumption. This post includes some of the take-aways from the day for those who couldn't attend. Read More >>

15 Stealth Health Tips With Whole Grains

Posted 5/16/2012 by Guest Blogger

Today, Robyn Flipse, MS, RD, accomplished media dietitian and cultural anthropologist joins us on our blog. In her post, Robyn shares some stealth health tips to help boost whole grain intake. Read More >>

Top Tips for Media RDs--or those aspiring to be

Posted 5/10/2012 by Guest Blogger

Today we welcome Pat Baird, MA, RD, successful media dietitian and University of Connecticut professor, to our blog. In her post, Pat shares some of the things she’s learned in her journey as a media spokesperson. Read More >>

A Guide to Gluten-Free Whole Grains

Posted 5/1/2012 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

Today marks the start of National Celiac Awareness Month, so we’d like to help with a challenge faced by those following the gluten-free diet – getting enough whole grains. Read More >>

Whole Grain Research: Recognizing the Contributions of Dr. Rimm

Posted 4/25/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

As the annual meetings for Experimental Biology and the American Society for Nutrition come to a close, we’d like to congratulate Eric Rimm, ScD, who was presented the General Mills Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition Innovation Award. Dr. Rimm is an Associate Professor at Harvard University and his contributions to the body of research on whole grains and health have been many. Read More >>

Nourishing Lives: Our 2012 Global Responsibility Report

Posted 4/20/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

General Mills recently released the 2012 Global Responsibility Report and we’re delighted to share some of the highlights with you. Our company-wide mission is Nourishing Lives – whether we’re making strides in sustainability, responsible marketing practices or increasing whole grain in the food supply, our driving force is helping people live better. Read More >>

Enjoying Amaranth: Tips for Using This Ancient Grain

Posted 4/12/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

According to our recent LinkedIn poll, you named amaranth as the whole grain that scares your clients the most, so we’d like to use today’s post to share some tips for enjoying this ancient grain. Read More >>

Happy Whole Grain Sampling Day

Posted 4/4/2012 by Guest Blogger

In celebration of Whole Grain Sampling Day, we asked Cynthia Harriman, Director of Food and Nutrition Strategies, from the Whole Grains Council to tell us a bit about the event. Read More >>

Using Your Resources: Benefits of the Bell Institute Community

Posted 3/23/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

We don’t know about you, but as nutrition professionals, we stay pretty busy. In addition to the demands of daily life, we do our best to keep abreast of the latest in nutrition which, as we all know, is no small task. Read More >>

Happy Registered Dietitian Day!

Posted 3/14/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Today marks the fifth annual RD Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to recognize all the wonderful dietitians in our community. We’re thrilled to be connected to so many of you and would like to applaud your commitment to helping people follow healthier eating habits that lead to healthier lives. Read More >>

Five Facts About Cereal & Breakfast

Posted 3/5/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Did you know this week is National School Breakfast Week …and that National Cereal Day (March 7) also falls during this week? Needless to say, we’re pretty jazzed about the occasion. While we believe breakfast is important all year long, this week is a great excuse to spotlight the benefits of breakfast…and cereal! Read More >>

Celebrating National Nutrition Month®

Posted 3/1/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

National Nutrition Month® starts today and provides us with a great opportunity to focus on “Get Your Plate in Shape.” While this means different things to different people, one thing is for sure – an “in-shape” plate follows the model of MyPlate, including a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups. Read More >>

The Next Big Leap

Posted 2/26/2012 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

I can’t quite figure out if Honda made up the Leap List or if it existed prior to their recent campaign. Regardless of its origins, as a goal-oriented, habitual list keeper myself, I sure liked the idea of it. For those who haven’t heard of it, a Leap List is kind of like a Bucket List—instead of your list relating to things you want to do before you die, it’s a list of things you want to do before your next big leap in life (i.e. before you have children, get married, turn 30/40/50, buy a house, …etc). Read More >>

Lending a Helping Hand For Heart Health Month

Posted 2/17/2012 by Karin Nehm, MS, RD

It is heart health month and what better way to get inspired than to attend a Go Red for Women event? As I looked around me I saw hundreds of influential women dressed in red, all with the same mission of making a difference in fighting heart disease. Among them were young heart health survivors of all ethnicities. Read More >>

What REALLY makes a heart happy?

Posted 2/8/2012 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

I’ve always been a fan of February. It’s “all about the heart” month. With Valentine’s Day and Heart Health month in full swing, I began to wonder what REALLY makes a person’s heart happy? The heart often represents a symbol of “emotional” well-being because a lot of input is needed in both diet and social support to help it go pitter-patter. What kind of input? Well, as any scientist would, I started looking for answers and asking questions! Read More >>

Vegetables With Sauce Get the "Green" Light

Posted 2/1/2012 by Pam Mason, MS

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend people increase fruits and vegetables—for good reason! We know there are many associations to overall good health when people eat their produce. When it comes to veggies, even though getting people to eat them may still be a challenge (for moms and health professionals alike), the message that frozen vegetables are as nutritious as fresh has gotten a lot of traction. Read More >>

In Search of a Cereal Made With Whole Grain? Just Look For the White Check

Posted 1/25/2012 by Marilyn Werner, MS, RD

It has been about a year since the 2010 Dietary Guidelines were released which continued to promote the consumption of whole grain as part of a healthy eating pattern. As health professionals this was great news, since we know that most Americans do not eat nearly enough whole grain. In fact 95% of Americans fall short of the recommendation to make at least half their grains whole. Read More >>

Weight Management Advice for the New Year

Posted 1/18/2012 by Karin Nehm, MS, RD

There’s a lot of focus on New Year’s Resolutions this time of year—and, for many, the resolutions are around weight loss. Perhaps you have clients who have decided to finally take those extra pounds off or maybe you’ve helped them reach a healthy weight and now they want to maintain their loss. Read More >>

Building Better Bone Health in 2012: With or Without Lactose

Posted 1/10/2012 by Bridget Cassady, PhD

Welcome to 2012! As we leave 2011 behind and embark on a new year, I can’t help but notice the longer line at the salad bar and overcrowded parking lot at the gym. While I secretly grumble about my delayed lunch and restricted use of the gym equipment, I confess I am among the millions of well-intentioned Americans who begin each year with a health-oriented goal (or two). Read More >>

Finding the Joy in Feeding Teenage Boys

Posted 1/3/2012 by Amy Loew, MS, RD

As a mom of two active, teenage boys, I often find myself juggling my dietitian mom hat (have they met the recommendations for fruits and veggies today?), my working mom hat (how am I going to finish this presentation and get all the supplies for the erupting model volcano?), and my plain old mom hat (what is for dinner?). Here are some strategies that have worked at our house: Read More >>

Exchange It!

Posted 12/20/2011 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

The holidays are rich with traditions! They are often what we look forward to most as we celebrate with family and friends. One of my favorite traditions is enjoying creative gift and food exchanges. Through the years we have expanded far beyond the cookie swap! It has provided great memories, valuable treasures, and a way to share a bit of what makes each of us unique. Read More >>

Is Your Knowledge on Yogurt “Live and Active?”

Posted 12/9/2011 by Juli Hermanson MPH, RD

We all know that live and active cultures are one of the benefits provided by most yogurt. But how do you know if they’re in the yogurt you choose? And are they still live and active in your yogurt by the time you’re eating it? Read More >>

Risk-Taking and Food Allergies

Posted 11/30/2011 by Brent Kobielush, PhD

As we enter the holiday season, most of us look forward to parties, family get-togethers, and great food. However, how many of us have ever stopped to think about how hard it must be to live with a food allergy during the holidays? A food-allergic individual is constantly considering whether or not a certain food may contain an ingredient that can cause serious harm. Going out to eat, the grocery store, the cafeteria, parties, a friend’s house suddely becomes a significant process. Read More >>

Betty is "Healthified"

Posted 11/21/2011 by Guest Blogger

Have you ever wondered how Betty Crocker approaches healthy cooking? Just in time for the holidays, we had a chance to get a sneak peek into “healthifying” recipes with Shirley Dolland, Manager of the Betty Crocker Kitchens. Read More >>

Caring for Caregivers During the Holidays

Posted 11/14/2011 by Guest Blogger

Did you know that 19% of Americans over the age of 65 live alone? Additionally, 10% of Americans over the age of 85 experience symptoms of depression. Part of fighting depression is ensuring older adults are getting enough socialization. November is National Family Caregiver Month and a great way to engage aging family members in a social activity is through cooking. Read More >>

Mindful Grocery Shopping...

Posted 11/2/2011 by Adalia Espinosa, MS, MBA

I’ve noticed that in recent times there is a collective emergence of the state of being aware. It’s this concept of cultivating awareness – i.e. being mindful of the effect that (insert your topic of choice) has on yourself, the community and the environment. So we have terms like mindfulness meditation, mindful eating, mindfulness education, even mindful asset planning! Read More >>

The Choice is Yours!

Posted 10/26/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

The many food choices we have are something most people probably don't give much thought. But, if you stop to think about it, there are lots of food choices available to us--thanks to our modern food system. The blog post "Celebrate the Wonder of Food Production" on foodinsight.org this week is a reminder to take note and celebrate all the choices our modern food supply affords us. With that perspective in mind, I thought about my food choices this week... Read More >>

Celebrate the Farmer

Posted 10/19/2011 by Blog Re-Post

This past weekend I returned to the family farm in Northern Kentucky to visit my 86 year old parents and reflect on their years of constant labor on the now cow-less dairy farm. All the while, I was appreciating that I’m one of the lucky ones to experience the farm to fork process! Growing up on a dairy farm was not deemed glamorous by me or my friends, but maturity brings wisdom, so as I look back, here are some of my reflections: Read More >>

Packaged, Local, Organic? ...oh, my!

Posted 10/11/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

If there's one thing everyone is talking about these days it's food. In today's modern food supply, there are so many options and public awareness around the choices we have and make around food: eating out, packaged foods, buying local, purchasing organic,...etc. At the end of the day, the question I feel I am often pressed with as a dietitian is whether or not all (or any) of these options can be part of a harmonious and healthy diet? Read More >>

Thanks for visiting us at ADA FNCE 2011

Posted 10/4/2011 by Jill Landin, RD

A big thank you to all those who stopped by the General Mills booth at the 2011 American Dietetic Association (ADA) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) and took part in our Get the Whole Story™ Art Project. Your participation generated a $25,000 donation to the ADA Foundation's Kids Eat Right Program to help fund the creation of a Family Meal Planning Tool kit! Read More >>

Healthy Eating Tips for Aging Loved Ones

Posted 9/27/2011 by Guest Blogger

Today, we welcome Greg Skolaut from Home Instead Senior Care to our blog. In his post, Greg writes about the "sandwich generation" and some of the challenges they face in helping aging loved ones stay safe and healthy. Read More >>

Visit us at ADA FNCE 2011

Posted 9/19/2011 by Jill Landin, RD

From coast to coast we always look forward to the American Dietetic Association’s (ADA) Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (FNCE) and interacting with our fellow RDs. This year we have again put together a fun and interactive booth activity: the General Mills Get the Whole Story™ Art Project. Read More >>

Back-to-School: Anxiety or Excitement For a Busy Mom?

Posted 9/13/2011 by Sarika Haris, PhD

Summer is over and kids are back to school. Nervous, anxious, excited, relieved, other? I’m not sure which emotions are predominant for most moms out there, but I, for one, sure am excited AND anxious. Read More >>

Cheerios - Celebrating 70 years!

Posted 8/31/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

In 1941, Cheerios was introduced under a slightly different moniker as a new ready-to-eat cereal made from wholesome oats. This year, the cereal celebrates its 70th birthday and continues to provide many families with a great-tasting, wholesome cereal. Read More >>

My Internship at the Bell Institute

Posted 8/24/2011 by Long "Dexter" Chen

I just finished my second summer internship at the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition! It was a great experience for my career and stands out as a highlight in my life because what I learned here exceeded my expectations. Read More >>

Paying it Forward...In the Dirt!

Posted 8/16/2011 by Sharyl Leinen, MBA, RD

“Nourishing Lives” is General Mills mission, and comes to life in many ways through the people that work here. From developing wholesome foods that nourish the body, to nourishing the environment through sustainability efforts, to volunteering our time and talents to help nourish communities around the globe. Volunteerism is woven into the fabric of General Mills. Through the General Mills Foundation Volunteer Match program employees can discover new ways to apply their skills and passions for the benefit of others in their local community. That’s where I found mine. Read More >>

Champions for Healthy Kids – Finale and Future

Posted 8/3/2011 by Jeff Peterson

The General Mills Foundation recently announced the recipients of its annual Champions for Healthy Kids grants to 50 youth-serving organizations with programs designed to promote both nutritious eating and physical fitness behaviors. This year’s recipients cover a broad range of youth nutrition and fitness programming, from urban farming to running clubs to mobile food pantries. Read More >>

Have You Eaten Yet?

Posted 7/26/2011 by Dawn Chen, RD

“Have you eaten yet?” is a common greeting I heard over and over again during my recent visit to China. Typical Chinese grandmothers and mothers will immediately usher you into their home and offer some delicious traditional foods, comfort and company of family and friends. Meals are not just a time to refuel, but rather an occasion to gather everyone together among good conversation. Read More >>

An Inspiring Trip to Las Vegas

Posted 7/19/2011 by Kristin Harris, PhD

Two of my Bell Institute colleagues, Marilyn Werner and Ali Dorazio, and I had the pleasure of attending IMPACT 2011 – the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) 39th Annual Physician Assistant Conference in Las Vegas. The conference kicked off with an opening reception complete with Cirque de Soleil performances. Entertainment aside, AAPA was one of the most inspiring professional conferences that I have attended in the recent past. Read More >>

Veggies: A Covert Mealtime Operation

Posted 7/12/2011 by Holly Willis, PhD, MS, RD

I have four nephews and two nieces. Of them, two eat any vegetable on their plate, two eat only a select few, one won’t touch anything he thinks might resemble a vegetable, and, the last one…well, she isn’t eating solid food yet, but we’re rooting for her to be a veggie eater like her older brother. So what’s a person to do when kids won’t eat things we know are good for them? Penn State researcher, Maureen Spill, might have a solution. Read More >>

MyPlate Education: Be Part of the Movement

Posted 6/28/2011 by Guest Blogger

USDA is excited about the release of the MyPlate icon, the launch of ChooseMyPlate.gov, and the associated Dietary Guidelines for Americans messaging campaign, and the interest these have received from health professionals, media, and the public! We have also received many questions about the specifics of the MyPlate icon. Read More >>

The Challenge

Posted 6/21/2011 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

What if you lived in the inner city with public transportation as your only method to obtain food? What if your knowledge of cooking was very limited? Could you plan, shop, prepare and eat a nutritionally adequate diet on $50 per week? Sound like a reality TV challenge? In actuality this is an eye-opening project developed for my college nutrition students to better understand the challenges faced by individuals who are classified as “food insecure”. Read More >>

Green Giant: Living the Green Life

Posted 6/14/2011 by Pam Mason, MS

We often think about the “green movement” as an effort that’s gained a lot of attention and traction over the past few years. In fact, many of these efforts go way back. Sustainability efforts aren’t new to Green Giant either. “Green” is in their name. They practice being green everyday and have done so for decades. Read More >>

The New Food Icon: Changing the Landscape Of Our Plates

Posted 6/3/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Like many of you, I was excited to hear USDA’s announcement about the new food icon and tuned in to the live stream webcast this past Thursday for the much anticipated unveiling of MyPlate. Listening to the announcement and the Q&A session that followed, the intent of MyPlate was clear: Provide a visual example that will prompt consumers to think about building a healthy plate at meal times, including awareness of portion sizes. Read More >>

The USDA Proposed Rule on School Meals

Posted 5/24/2011 by Ali Dorazio, MS, RD

This past January, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the long-anticipated Proposed Rule on Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This rule proposes to revise the meal patterns and nutrition requirements for the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program to align them with the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Read More >>

Bone Healthy At Every Age

Posted 5/17/2011 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month and it’s an excellent opportunity for you to help increase awareness and understanding of the disease. The Surgeon General’s report on Bone Health and Osteoporosis estimates that, “by 2020 half of all Americans over 50 will have weak bones unless we make changes to our diet and lifestyle.” Read More >>

The Gluten-Free Diet: Celiac Disease, Gluten Sensitivity and More?

Posted 5/3/2011 by Pamela Cureton, RD, LDN

As springtime arrives in Maryland, it also brings Celiac Awareness Month during the month of May. This gives me an opportunity to reflect on the advances that have been made in celiac disease (CD) since I entered the field in 1993. At that time, the gluten-free diet (GFD) was an extremely challenging undertaking. Read More >>

Recognizing Scientific Innovation

Posted 4/26/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD with George Fahey, Jr, PhD

The area of scientific innovation and advancement is part of General Mills rich history. As a company committed to science and technology, we respect others’ endeavors and feel it’s important to support efforts and recognize those that are making significant scientific contributions. One of the ways General Mills does this is through an award sponsorship with the American Society of Nutrition. Read More >>

A Twist on Food at Experimental Biology 2011

Posted 4/19/2011 by Holly Willis, PhD, MS, RD

Every April, approximately 13,000 scientists descend upon one chosen city for five days of intellectual stimulation, networking, and a bit of fun. The conference, called Experimental Biology, was held in Washington D.C. this year, which worked out well since it overlapped with the end of the cherry blossom festival. Read More >>

Serving on the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Posted 4/12/2011 by Anh-Tram Pham, MPH, RD with Sharon Nickols-Richardson, PhD, RD

Having recently served on the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC), we asked Dr. Sharon Nickols-Richardson from the Pennsylvania State University to tell us a little about her experience. Read what she had to say. Read More >>

Celebrating Achievements in Heart Health

Posted 4/5/2011 by Dawn Chen, RD

What do you get when you join over 700 cardiovascular specialists, passion for heart disease prevention, cutting-edge education and speakers, and Minnie Mouse? The recent Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) Symposium held at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Florida! Read More >>

Sports, Cardiovascular, and Wellness Nutrition DPG: Then and Now

Posted 3/28/2011 by Jean Storlie, MS, RD

I had the opportunity to attend the 27th Annual SCAN Symposium this year and introduce John Ivy at a breakfast talk, sponsored by Wheaties and the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. As I thought about General Mills, SCAN, and John Ivy, my mind landed on one word: Championship! Read More >>

Unsung Heroes of the Human Body

Posted 3/21/2011 by Jennifer Brulc, PhD

Every day, for every year of our lives, from the moment we are born onward, we are accompanied by 100 trillion of our best friends. They eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with us – in fact we couldn’t eat without most of them. Any guesses yet on who are our “special” friends? Microbiota – the unsung heroes of the human body. Read More >>

Ready, Set, Veggie Up!

Posted 3/14/2011 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

The 2010 Dietary Guidelines urge Americans to not only increase vegetable intake but to include a variety of veggies in the diet, especially those dark-green, red and orange in color. To help meet this goal, they recommend making half your plate fruits and vegetables. Not only can vegetables play an important role in health, they can add color to meals, and provide nutrients for eating on the go. Read More >>

There’s No Time like the Present!

Posted 3/7/2011 by Juli Hermanson MPH, RD

The fourth annual Registered Dietitian Day is March 9! As a registered dietitian myself, I feel a mounting sense of urgency. Our role is more vital than ever in translating science into practical advice. I especially feel that urgency in working with the food industry. The fact that our employers care so much about health and nutrition to hire registered dietitians speaks volumes. But do they listen, you may ask? Read More >>

Getting Social

Posted 2/28/2011 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

Quick question…what does a cup of yogurt, a fashionista, a dietitian, and facebook have in common? At first glance, not much. As a dietetic student (many moons ago), I always knew part of my profession would be to communicate nutrition information. I had no idea it was during the dawn of a communication revolution! Read More >>

Sharing Our Expertise to Nourish Lives: General Mills Efforts In Africa

Posted 2/21/2011 by Indra Mehrotra, MS RD

Like many young professionals, my career started with a sense of purpose and idealism. I wanted to help prevent the scourge of malnutrition which was so prevalent in India. My dream came true when I was hired as a nutritionist by the Catholic Relief Services in New Delhi. Now, at General Mills, I have stumbled upon a similar path and am volunteering to help "nourish lives" in Africa. Read more... Read More >>

Spreading the Love in Heart Health Month

Posted 2/14/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

Happy Valentine’s Day to all! This holiday happens to be one of my favorites…what’s not to love about a holiday focused on love and affection? And, while I enjoy a decadent molten chocolate cake as much as the next chocoholic, this year, I wanted to honor heart health month in a healthier way. So, in the spirit of love and armed with nutrition knowledge and a little flair for creativity, I thought of ways I could embrace the heart health theme and let others know that I heart them and their hearts. Read More >>

Serving on the 2010 US Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee

Posted 1/31/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD with Joanne Slavin, PhD, RD

We are all familiar with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the advice they provide, but the process of how they come-to-be every five years is a bit of a mystery to most of us. To help us understand a little more about the process we asked Dr. Joanne Slavin from the University of Minnesota to tell us about her experience working on the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. Read More >>

Whole Grain Education Across the Nation

Posted 1/25/2011 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

As I was reading through the Great Big Whole Grain Idea! Sweepstakes entries yesterday, I was struck by the amount of whole grain education going on across the nation. There are a lot of whole- grainiacs out there touting the benefits of whole grain! Read More >>

Expert Perspectives on Bone Health (Part Two)

Posted 1/17/2011 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

To continue the dialogue of bone health, we asked expert Connie Weaver Ph.D., Distinguished Professor and Department Head at Purdue University, to discuss her perspective on this timely topic. Read More >>

Top Poll Results of 2010!

Posted 1/4/2011 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

The Times Square ball has dropped, the horns have been blown, and all the polling results from bellinstitute.com have been tallied! What questions got your top votes last year? Here’s a sample of what you had to say… Read More >>

It wouldn't be a holiday without....

Posted 12/20/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

We all have at least one favorite holiday tradition. As a foodie, mine typically revolves around culinary experiences that help define my festivities. What has fascinated me over the years is the persistence of maintaining these traditions, no matter how absurd! Take my husband’s family for example… Read More >>

Reaping the Benefits of Processed Foods

Posted 12/13/2010 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

I love a good garden just like the next girl. Despite our 0.021 acre lot in Minneapolis, we diligently till, plant and tend our small plot each year. To get the premium piece of dirt with maximum hours of sunlight, we dug up the best part of our lawn carefully situated between the reaching shadows of the neighboring houses, garages and gorgeous yet sun-blocking boulevard trees. Read More >>

Charity Starts At Home

Posted 12/6/2010 by Jeff Peterson

'Tis the season of giving! Whether driven by holiday-inspired benevolence or year-end tax planning, the next few weeks will produce a spike in individual charitable giving, and according to a recent PR Week/Barkley poll, the most popular causes in America are once again those related to children’s education (20%), health (18%), and poverty (12%). All are noble causes... Read More >>

Breakfast Rocks Around the World

Posted 11/29/2010 by Mindy Hermann, MBA, RD

Mom sure was right about the importance of eating breakfast, as I learned in preparing for last week’s media briefing to my colleagues at the American Dietetic Association Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo. What surprised me most was the world-wide agreement on how much breakfast matters, particularly related to body weight in children. Read More >>

Expert Perspectives on Bone Health (Part One)

Posted 11/22/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

New Calcium and Vitamin D intake recommendations will be announced by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) on November 30. In anticipation of this announcement we asked expert Robert P. Heaney, M.D., Vice President for Research at Creighton University, to discuss his perspective on bone health. Read More >>

FNCE 2010 High Notes

Posted 11/12/2010 by Kathleen Zelman, MPH, RD, LD

Being among over 11,000 of my professional colleagues attending educational sessions in Boston at the American Dietetic Association Food and Nutrition Conference was fantastic. Nutrition is an evolving science and keeping up to date is essential for all practicing registered dietitians. Read More >>

Cereal at Breakfast: A Strong Way to Start the Day

Posted 11/8/2010 by Juli Hermanson MPH, RD

November is in full swing! The holiday season, with its threat of adding pounds from the endless feasting, approaches. Are you tempted to skip breakfast? Think any of your clients are tempted to do the same? If they are skipping, it’s up to you to point out what they’re missing! The latest data continues to lay out a compelling story for starting the day with a cereal breakfast and how it can help manage weight. Read More >>

Visit us at ADA FNCE

Posted 11/1/2010 by Jill Landin, RD

If you are attending ADA FNCE next week in Boston we hope you will stop by the General Mills booth (#3331) to Get the Whole Story™. Participate in our fun and interactive presentation, visit each of our story stations and receive a leather journal* to record your whole story. Read More >>

Defining Digestive Health

Posted 10/25/2010 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

I just got back from the American College of Gastroenterology meeting held in San Antonio Texas. This annual conference was an impressive gathering of the latest in technologies, research and clinical care all meant to help us on the journey of understanding digestive health. This got me thinking, what actually is digestive health? Read More >>

Fired-Up for FNCE?

Posted 10/18/2010 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

There’s less than three weeks until the American Dietetic Association’s Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo (a.k.a. FNCE) and the countdown is marked by a flurry of last-minute preparation at the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition. While I’m excited about all the Bell Institute activities I’ll be involved in, I’m also excited about a few other items on my itinerary this year.... Read More >>

Soup's On

Posted 10/12/2010 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

Fall is officially here! As the cool air creeps in, I enjoy the changing fall colors, hooded sweatshirt weather, and time for warm, delicious soup. Nothing is better than the smell of a slow simmering pot of homemade soup over the stove. Soup can be a breeze to make, budget-friendly, and nutritious. Read More >>

To Trick or Treat...that is the question?

Posted 10/4/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

As a dietitian and mama of two school age kiddos, this time of year often brings commentary on my giveaway habits at Halloween. Either to my face, or whispers behind me, I hear other parents say, “I bet you don’t believe in handing candy out at Halloween?” Read More >>

Food Insecurity in America—A Challenge for All of Us

Posted 9/27/2010 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

I’ve read several articles recently on the issue of food insecurity in America. This month the American Dietetic Association released an updated position paper on food insecurity and ADA President, Judith Rodriguez, contributed to the USA Today supplement, A Hunger-Free America, which addresses this enormous problem. How enormous? In 2008, it was estimated that 49 million Americans experienced food insecurity, many being children. Read More >>

Dressing Room Dilemmas

Posted 9/13/2010 by Tamara Schryver PhD, MS, RD

Super heroes or sports heroes? Light pink or hot pink? Closed toe or strappy sandle? Common decisions when shopping for school clothes. But what happens when.... Read More >>

Celebrating Whole Grains Month

Posted 9/3/2010 by Michelle Tucker, MS, RD

It’s that time of year again, and by “that time” I mean, of course, that it’s Whole Grains Month. I haven’t been in clinical practice for several years, now, but I remember how monthly themes like this could inspire me to educate my clients. Board displays, tip sheets, trivia questions for the bold and the brainy, and presentations to employees were all part of my arsenal to get people fired up about the nutrition topic of the month. Read More >>

What's for Lunch?

Posted 8/26/2010 by Ali Dorazio, MS, RD

It’s back to school time! For those who work in school foodservice there can be some steep challenges in feeding hundreds, maybe even thousands, of kids a healthy breakfast and lunch every day. So what is a great solution for meeting both health and happiness at school meal time? The answer…adding whole grain kid-favorites to the menu. Read More >>

The Diabetes Difference

Posted 8/15/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

“Changing Lives, Building Knowledge, and Creating Opportunities.” This was the theme of the August 2010 American Association of Diabetes Educators Conference. In a growing and multifaceted disease, I was inspired by the approaches these educators employ to enhance the health of their patients. Read More >>

New Developments in Fiber

Posted 7/20/2010 by Tom Boileau, PhD

Fiber is generally accepted as a nutrient that is important to overall good health, but for many, our knowledge of fiber stops there. I recently attended the 9th Vahouny Fiber Symposium, which was a great opportunity to learn of new developments in this exciting field. Read More >>

The Whole Grain Puzzle

Posted 7/12/2010 by Satya Jonnalagadda, PhD, RD

Have you wondered why we are being asked to eat more whole grains? Does it really have a significant impact on our health? I was honored to be part of the Putting the Whole Grain Puzzle Together: Health benefits Associated with Whole Grains symposium, at the Experimental Biology meetings in April, that addressed these very questions. Read More >>

Champions for Healthy Kids!

Posted 6/21/2010 by Anh-Tram Pham MPH, RD

How do we help our youth live healthy, balanced and active lifestyles? It takes initiative, bright ideas, and passionate commitment! I was once again impressed with the over 1,000 applications submitted for this year’s General Mills Champions for Healthy Kids Grant. These are the people willing to drive change so our children can have a healthier tomorrow. Read More >>

Seasonal Eating

Posted 6/11/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year! Nope it wasn’t my birthday, or anniversary, it was the first day of my Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) pick-up. It’s a glorious day each late spring that the first box of vegetation bounty arrives at my local drop site. Read More >>

And the Winner Is.....

Posted 5/25/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

Recently I wrote a post discussing the first Minnesota Idea Open Challenge contest. Over 400 ideas were submitted to tackle the issue of: How could your community use $15,000 to help people eat smart and be active? So what was the winning concept? What is this ‘Idea Open’ anyway? So glad you asked! Read More >>

3 Months FREE of JNEB

Posted 5/1/2010 by Tamara Schryver PhD, MS, RD

To thank you for being on the front lines of nutrition education, the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition is pleased to announce FREE online access to the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior for the next three months! To access this month’s dedicated WIC supplement and other valuable JNEB resources click "read more" below. Read More >>

Being Part of the Solution!

Posted 4/19/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

If your community had $15,000 to help people eat smart and be active, how would you use it? There has been plenty of discussion recently concerning the best approach to growing public health challenges in America. How are we finding solutions? Read More >>

Sixty-Six Days

Posted 3/30/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

I’ve often heard it takes 21 days for a new habit to form. As we approach spring, how many New Year’s resolutions have actually sprung into action? A study published in the July 2009 European Journal of Social Psychology found that daily events like eating fruit at lunch or running for fifteen minutes took an average of sixty-six days to become a habit. Read More >>

The Mighty Mint Sprig

Posted 3/16/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

Today I ran outside with short sleeves on. This may not sound impressive, but mid-March in Minnesota is not known for tropical breezes. I came home and noticed that my entire garden was free of the snowy blanket that had engulfed it only days ago. On further inspection I noticed something amazing…a mint sprig shooting out of the dense black soil! Read More >>

The Great RD Adventure!

Posted 3/8/2010 by Juli Hermanson MPH, RD

March 10 is Registered Dietitian Day! For the many RDs who visit this site each day, we salute you! I am curious if you RDs remember as vividly as I, taking the registration exam? That was the beginning of the the Great RD Adventure! Read More >>

Can Patient Centered Medical Homes deliver better nutrition education?

Posted 2/25/2010 by Suzanne Skapyak MS, RD

Whether you are a care provider or trying to negotiate care for yourself or a loved one within our current health-care system, healthcare reform is on everybody’s mind. What is a Patient Centered Medical Home and can it be the answer to more cost effective and enhanced care? Read More >>

Food Package Flexibility: A Picky Eater's Mom Plea For Help

Posted 2/16/2010 by Tamara Schryver PhD, MS, RD

I’ve spent a good chunk of my career working with the Women, Infants, and Childrens (WIC) program. One thing was always missing—practical experience—until recently when we added our daughter Gia to our family. The WIC Food Package Final Rule is being heavily debated for the 9,000,000 mothers, infants, and children in who participate. As a mother, I finally have a frame of reference. Read More >>

A Comforting Thought

Posted 2/8/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

At a recent girlfriend gathering the discussion of, “events and the favorite foods that go with them”, was an exciting topic. We went down the line from holiday feasts, Super Bowl party snacks, and Valentine’s Day desserts. After I stopped dreaming of chocolate truffles, I considered the notion, “Can comfort foods actually be good for our health?” Read More >>

Good Day Sunshine!

Posted 1/27/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

It’s that time of year (especially if you live in the tundra north like I do) in which the daily shot of sunshine seems elusive. With the warmth and glow of the sun also comes a soaking dose of Vitamin D. Last year was a big “media” year for the usually low key D. So what's the breakdown of the recommendations and how should we be guiding our patients on Vitamin D intake? Read More >>

Eating for Performance! We Need Your Help!

Posted 1/18/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

This month the Bell Institute will be speaking with Dr. John Ivy, exercise physiologist and Department Chair of Kinesiology at the University of Texas at Austin. For the past thirty years he has researched simple, healthy options for building strength, endurance and muscle mass. The best part is you get to ask Dr. Ivy the questions! Submit your questions this week and tune in for the answers on bellinstitute.com! Read More >>

Wholly Confusion

Posted 1/11/2010 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

Information overload is everywhere. As experts in the field of nutrition and health, we are suppose to be “on top” of the latest research. I don’t know about you, but that feels daunting in a science that is constantly evolving. At the October 2009 American Dietetic Association conference in Denver, I had the opportunity to learn, listen, and educate. One area of confusion I noticed was around the benefits of whole grain. I had several colleagues ask, “Why isn’t the fiber content similar in all whole grain products and what are the positives to increasing dietary whole grains?” Read More >>

Moving the Dial

Posted 12/22/2009 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

One of my favorite teaching tools is the “Stages of Change” for modifying health behavior. Early in my career, I would get discouraged when I didn’t see enough “progress” in some of my patients as they endeavored to make better choices. I loved how this model taught me there are victories even in the small progressions people make everyday. Read More >>

Welcome to Our New Website Home

Posted 11/11/2009 by Christina Meyer-Jax MS, RD

I have a guilty pleasure of watching home improvement TV shows. I think the biggest thrill is seeing how the end result of these shows really improves the lives of the people who actually live in these houses! They have more useable space for their daily needs and for hanging out with family and friends. At the Bell Institute of Health and Nutrition we are so excited to show you our new website home! Read More >>

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