MANATEE -- New federal nutrition guidelines are coming to school cafeterias in Manatee County and elsewhere in the United States.

The new nutrition guidelines will require every public school student to have a fruit or vegetable on their plate, said Sandra Ford, the district's director of nutrition services. The new rules are a result of a federal law passed in December 2010 called the Healthy Hunger-free Kids

Act, Ford said.

The act earned support from not only President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who have been advocates of healthier eating habits among children, but from Republicans including former Sen. Bill Frist and former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee.

Because the Manatee School District already offers several fruits and vegetables at each meal, Ford said she anticipates little financial impact. But she does anticipate that about 20 percent of students who didn't previously eat a fruit or vegetable will now be more likely to.

The school board today is also set to review a status report on the district's health insurance fund deficit that shows the shortfall sitting at just over $3.5 million as of January 2012, the latest date for which figures are available. The board had decided last year to reduce that shortfall by imposing a 2.75 percent pay cut on teachers and other cuts on other employees, but the deficit will be lessened more slowly since the board decided not to make that pay cut retroactive to the start of this school year.

Another highlight of tonight's meeting is a report from Moody Elementary School, one of five schools that are part of a pilot program called Project Push, designed to improve the reading performance of children for whom English is a second language.

This is the first year of the project and so no data is yet available, said Joe Stokes, director of elementary education. Moody's experience and that of the other four participant schools -- Daughtry, Orange Ridge-Bullock, Palm View, and Rogers Garden -- will determine whether the program will be expanded to all Manatee County elementary schools next year, Stokes said.

The meeting is at 5:45 p.m. at school board headquarters, 215 Manatee Ave. W.

Follow the tweets of Christine Hawes, Herald education reporter, during the school board meeting on Twitter @chawesreports. Hawes can also be reached at 941-745-7081.

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Manatee school board talks nutrition, health insurance, reading tonight

Here is what the main screen for the interface looks like. You can easily get to any day you've used the system for, and see these stats for any day.

So in this case I had a shake for breakfast, a salad with lemonade for lunch, and an omelet with water for dinner. This is a nice mix of pre-made items and personal recipes to demonstrate how the system works.

For pre-made items like the shake, you search their system to find the entry. The system has thousands of items in it and has pretty much anything pre-made. So I found this and selected it. Easy. Now it's one of my 'favorites' so I can easily add it in going forward without searching for it.

For the salad and omelet, I added those as recipes. Adding a recipe is also easy. You make your list of ingredients and it already knows the calories in, for example, grape tomatoes. So you just tell it the quantity and it does the rest. You can save those recipes and even share them with others. And again it then is easy to select them going forward.

Once you've gone that, it shows you all the carbs, protein, fat, and calories, and even other values like sodium and vitamin A, on these easy to use screens. So you can scan your menu and see what is good and what might need to be adjusted. You can see how you're doing for calorie count and carb count.

I definitely like the My Nutrition area of the SlimCoach system, and find it quite useful. No matter what your weight and health desires, it's good to know what you're ingesting and how it's affecting you!

My one minor complaint here is that it shows all the top numbers in red if they're below whatever level you set. So say I set my carbohydrate level to be 25% of my daily intake of calories. I want to stay below 25%. So a low number is GOOD. However, the system shows it as red. I should be able to indicate that I think low numbers are good in some areas.

Buy the Biggest Loser Slimcoach White from Amazon.com Buy the Biggest Loser Slimcoach Black from Amazon.com

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My Nutrition - Biggest Loser SlimCoach

Pro Shop Nutrition owner David Park said his business does not make money. The only money this business makes is to regenerate its own products, he said. Park, who has been in the business since 1997, said he has a job teaching the driving-under-the-influence program in Ridgecrest and Mojave, and his wife works for the Sierra Sands Unified School District. This business is put together so people in Ridgecrest dont have to leave to get products from high-priced stores, he said. The business carries weight-loss products, body-building products as well as health and nutrition products for mind and body. You have to work with the whole body, Park said. People want to trim fat or add beef, but its much more than that. He said he can put diet plans together for people who want to lose weight. Asked how the store regenerates its own product, Park said the store sells its own product with enough profit to buy its own product. I have yet to take a paycheck, and Ive been open since December, he said. I dont take money from the store. My wife doesnt take money from the store. Pro Shop Nutrition carries brand names such as BSN, Muscle Tech, Optimum Nutrition, Muscle Pharm, Cellucor, USP Labs and Now. Park said his daughter, Monica, has been in Ridgecrest since third grade. Ive been here every summer and every weekend all my life, he said. When I became an adult, I came to Ridgecrest. I consider myself a Ridgecrest person. This store was put together for Ridgecrest people. He said the business is family-owned and operated, and it is not a franchise. We take a lot of pride in being able to help people, said Park. For example if someone came into my store looking for a specific product that they got out of town and they liked it, we have a suggestion box. We do special orders all the time. The business is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The phone number is 760-375-8663, and the business accepts Visa and Mastercard. Were truly here to help people achieve their goals, he said. If a person sees something on the shelf when they walk into my store, I always ask them, What are you looking to do not What are you looking for, and I try to match that product with their goal.

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Pro Shop Nutrition aims to help

Schiff Nutrition International (NYSE: WNI) reported earnings yesterday. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeawayFor the quarter ended Feb. 29 (Q3), Schiff Nutrition International beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded significantly and GAAP earnings per share grew.

Gross margins increased, operating margins contracted, net margins dropped.

Revenue detailsSchiff Nutrition International reported revenue of $72.2 million. The three analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ wanted to see revenue of $65.0 million on the same basis. GAAP reported sales were 25% higher than the prior-year quarter's $57.7 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

EPS detailsEPS came in at $0.16. The three earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ forecast $0.12 per share. GAAP EPS of $0.16 for Q3 were 14% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.14 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Non-GAAP figures may vary to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin detailsFor the quarter, gross margin was 45.8%, 960 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 9.8%, 120 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 6.4%, 60 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking aheadNext quarter's average estimate for revenue is $62.9 million. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.12.

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Schiff Nutrition International Beats on Both Top and Bottom Lines

SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc., (NYSE:WNI - News), announced results for the three- and nine-month periods ended February 29, 2012.

We are pleased with our third quarter performance, stated Tarang Amin, president and chief executive officer. Net sales grew 25%, which was driven by a 53% increase in our branded business. These results reflect successful execution against Schiffs growth strategy as we invest to build premium brands and lead innovation in our categories. Our core brands Schiff Move Free and Schiff MegaRed, in particular, benefited from strong marketing and sales execution as well as traction from new items.

Three Months Results Ended February 29, 2012

For the fiscal 2012 third quarter ended February 29, 2012, net sales were $72.2 million, compared to $57.7 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. The 25% increase reflects growth in key brands, new product introductions and a full quarters contribution from the probiotics acquisition. Branded sales results were partially offset by an expected decline in private label business. Selling and marketing expenses were $17.8 million, or 25% of revenue, compared to $7.9 million, or 14% of revenue. Net income for the fiscal 2012 third quarter was $4.6 million, compared to net income of $4.0 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Earnings per diluted share were $0.16 for the fiscal 2012 third quarter, compared to $0.14 for the same period in fiscal 2011. Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation, was $9.3 million for the fiscal 2012 third quarter, compared to $7.4 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

Nine Months Results Ended February 29, 2012

For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, net sales were $191.5 million, compared to $161.8 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Selling and marketing expenses were $45.0 million, or 24% of revenue, compared to $26.2 million, or 16% of revenue. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2012 was $11.8 million, compared to net income of $9.6 million for the same period in fiscal 2011. Earnings per diluted share were $0.40 for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to $0.33 for the same period in fiscal 2011. Adjusted EBITDA was $25.3 million for the first nine months of fiscal 2012, compared to $21.5 million for the same period in fiscal 2011.

We are positioning Schiff for long-term growth. Our sales and gross margins continue to benefit from our investments in brand building. It is gratifying the business has responded to these efforts so positively in fiscal 2012, concluded Amin.

Company Outlook

The company adjusted its fiscal year 2012 expectations. Net sales are expected to grow 16% to 19% as compared to fiscal year 2011 net sales of $213.6 million. Gross profit percentage is expected to be in the range of 44% to 46%. Selling and marketing expenses, as a percentage of net sales, are estimated to be in the range of 23.0% to 24.5%. Other operating expenses are estimated at approximately $27.5 million to $29.0 million. The company continues to anticipate a very high single-digit operating margin for fiscal 2012.

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Schiff Nutrition International, Inc. Announces Fiscal 2012 Third Quarter Results

Utahs Schiff Nutrition International said its sales for the third quarter of its 2012 fiscal year grew 25 percent, the result of a strong marketing campaign and the introduction of a number of new products.

The Salt Lake City-based company, whose third quarter ended Feb. 29, 2012, said revenue for the period reached $72.2 million, up from $57.7 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Those revenue helped Schiff post net income of $4.6 million for the quarter, or 16 cents per share, compared with the net income of $4 million, or 14 cents per share, for the same period in fiscal 2011.

"We are positioning Schiff for long-term growth," Tarang Amin, president and CEO, said in a statement announcing the companys latest financial results. "Our sales and gross margins continue to benefit from our investments in brand building."

Schiff market nutritional supplements under a variety of different brands.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2012, sales reached $191.5 million compared with $161.8 million for the same period in the previous fiscal year, Amin said.

Net income for the first nine months of the year was $11.8 million, or 40 cents per share, compared to net income of $9.6 million, or 33 cents per share, for the comparable period in fiscal 2011.

Copyright 2012 The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Schiff Nutrition posts higher 3Q revenue, earnings

WATERLOO Malnutrition is a big problem among older adults that can lead to serious health problems and steady decline in ability if they dont adopt a healthier diet, a University of Waterloo researcher says.

Older adults need more nutrients than we think and catching it early is key, said Heather Keller, a registered dietitian and Schlegel research chair in nutrition and aging at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging.

Keller will share her expertise in senior nutrition at a free public lecture on Wednesday at the Kitchener Market from 4 to 5:30 p.m. She will provide information on nutrient needs and useful strategies and resources.

Keller works with older adults in the community as well as families and practitioners to share her knowledge on the importance of a healthy diet and how to ensure elderly people are getting enough essential nutrients. She developed a simple questionnaire to identify where older adults are doing well and where improvement is needed ( http://www.eatrightontario.ca/escreen).

Older adults think theyre doing fine, Keller said.

Yet often theyve slipped into bad habits, such as skipping meals. Snacking, and weight loss can follow. Thats a problem because older adults primarily lose muscle and not fat, increasing the risk of balance problems and falls.

Nutrition needs change as a person ages because their body doesnt process nutrients in the same way, making healthy eating essential to prevent and manage health conditions but also more complicated.

Older adults dont realize they need more nutrition in less calories, said Keller, who is now studying how to improve nutrition in long-term care homes.

Although its commonly known elderly people need more calcium, other nutrients need to be boosted to protect health. Vitamin D, for instance, is often lacking in older adults because skin changes affect the ability to make the vitamin through sun exposure. Substantially more protein is needed to maintain muscle mass.

Older adults soon show the effects of poor nutrition because they dont have the same reserves as young adults, who can quickly recover from a bout of bad eating. Possible health effects include osteoporosis, loss of function, cognition issues, including early onset dementia, delirium and balance problems.

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Good nutrition essential to protect health of elderly people

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Closure Systems International is pleased to announce that its Extra-Lok V 38mm OD cap has been selected for use on a new line of GNC Advanced Nutrition Beverages. GNC, one of the world's largest specialty retailers of nutritional products, has been helping people Live Well for more than 75 years by offering a variety of health and wellness supplements, ranging from vitamins to diet and sports nutrition products. With its licensee partner, Shadow Beverages LLC, GNC has now entered the ready-to-drink beverage category in new markets with an extensive range of Nutritional Waters, Sport Nutrition, and Protein Nutrition Beverages. The range meets the targeted needs of all levels of active consumers.

The GNC beverage line includes XP / Extreme Performance drinks, targeted towards intense performance athletes that push themselves above and beyond, and Active drinks, formulated to meet the hydration and metabolic needs of more mainstream active consumers. The GNC Nutritional Waters, Sport Nutrition, and Protein Nutrition Beverages are packaged in 20 oz. and 14oz PET bottles by Graham Packaging. The XP beverage lines have black labels and black closures, while the Active bottles have white labels and clear closures.

CSIs versatile, light-weight Extra-Lok V 38mm OD cap was chosen over alternative closure options due to its premium look, consumer safety features, and optimal sealing and application performance. Equally important were the technical expertise and customer services CSI provided, according to Allen Warner, Director of Supply Chain for Shadow Beverages. "At each step, CSI provided unmatched technical service and on-time delivery. For us, the decision was easy, said Warner. CSI is the worldwide leader in beverage closures and exceeded our expectations by meeting extremely tight project timelines, he added. With CSIs expert guidance, we enjoyed a smooth, trouble free bottling start-up.

The new line of GNC beverages delivers everything active consumers have come to expect from the leader in healthy innovation significantly superior nutrition. Extending the GNC brand portfolio to include nutritionally enhanced ready-to-drink beverages makes perfect sense, and Shadow Beverages has done an excellent job developing just the right product and packaging, said CSI Sales Manager, Sussy Goff. CSI is thrilled to be a part of such an exciting launch.

Distribution of the new line of GNC beverages, currently consisting of 14 SKUs, has begun through various channels in the United States. To learn more go to http://www.drinkGNC.com.

For further closure information, please contact:

Rodolfo Haenni, Global Marketing Manager Closure Systems International 7702 Woodland Dr, Suite 200 Indianapolis, Indiana 46278 USA Rodolfo.Haenni@csiclosures.com 317-390-5073

For further product information, please contact:

Eric Fling, VP of Field Marketing Shadow Beverages & Snacks LLC 4650 E. Cotton Center Blvd, Suite 240 Phoenix, AZ 85040 ericf@shadowbev.com 480-371-1100

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Shadow Beverages Selects Closure Systems International Closures for New GNC Advanced Nutrition Drinks

Special to The T&D The Times and Democrat | Posted: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 9:00 am |

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is encouraging Americans to return to the basics of healthy eating during Marchs National Nutrition Month campaign, Get Your Plate in Shape.

This years theme focuses on the U.S. Department of Agricultures MyPlate, a simplified explanation of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, says Rebecca Fuller, clinical nutrition manager at the Regional Medical Center. Get Your Plate in Shape encourages a balanced diet, proper portion sizes and an active lifestyle.

Focusing on the new MyPlate can help our community make simple changes to their daily eating plans that will benefit them for a lifetime, Fuller said. They can do things like eating the recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy each day start building your plate with fruits and vegetables. Choose bright, vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables, and make them half of your plate. Next add grains, preferably whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta and 100-percent wheat bread. Complete the remaining portion of your plate with lean proteins and add a low-fat source of dairy.

Launched in June 2011, USDAs MyPlate replaced MyPyramid as the governments primary food group symbol as an easy-to-understand visual cue to help consumers adopt healthy eating habits consistent with the Dietary Guidelines. Dividing the plate into four sections fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins, as well as a glass representing dairy products it shows consumers how they can incorporate the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines into every meal.

Initiated in 1973 as a week-long event, National Nutrition Week became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. For more information about National Nutrition Month, visit eatright.org/nnm.

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'Get Your Plate in Shape' during National Nutrition Month

A school nutrition pilot program is expected to make serving low-income students in Kentucky school districts easier in the 2012-2013 school year.

Kentucky joins Alaska, Florida, Illinois, New York and Pennsylvania in the demonstration phase of a program to use Medicaid data to determine elibility for school meal assistance. The project is under the authority of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which manages the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs.

When we applied for this pilot project, I think the USDA saw that Kentucky is a leader in this area, and that there was a need for this because we do have such a high level of students who are eligible for this, said Lisa Gross, Kentucky Department of Education spokesperson.

Currently, 56 percent of students in Kentuckys public school system qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, which puts Kentucky in the top ten in need, said Gross.

Calloway County has 57.13 percent of student on free and reduced-price meals, and 39 percent of students in the MISD qualify for free and reduced-price meals, according to school district data.

(Kentucky) has also been doing direct certification, which is what this program is, through programs like SNAP, which is the federal nutrition program, and K-TAP which is the state version of that program for low income families, so we have a pool of people we know will benefit from this, stated Gross.

The number of students served through free and reduced-price lunch is likely to increase slightly in districts. However, the greatest benefit is expected to be efficiency. Using Medicaid data will cut down on the amount of paperwork that school districts have to do, and that is something that excites Pat Lane, school nutrition programs director for Calloway County Schools.

Im very excited to learn that we will have access to the Medicaid data as an additional resource for the 2012-2013 school year. From our office computers, we will be able to verify a familys participation in Medicaid and then greatly expedite our process to offer free or reduced price meals to students, said Lane. It will also mean one less financial aid application for a family to complete, which should provide even greater privacy and security. The end result of this program will be fewer hungry kids, and thats awesome.

Mallory Cathey, MISD school nutrition director, called the pilot program wonderful.

Any way we, as a district, can qualify more students and get them fed nutritious meals at no cost to them is a win/win situation, she said.

Continued here:
Nutrition pilot program to help serve students

Bangladesh: UN Agency Launches Nutrition Support Campaign For Children, Women New York, Mar 19 2012 1:10PM The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today it will begin rolling out a new campaign aimed at providing nutritional support to Bangladeshi children and pregnant and nursing women.

The campaign, which will specifically target the countrys Coxs Bazar district where almost 20 per cent of children under the age of five are undernourished, will not only include nutritional support for those in need but also provide nutrition education for the community-at-large.

The rolling out of this programme to improve maternal and child nutrition with the Government is an important step in the fight against undernutrition in Coxs Bazar, said Christa Rder, WFP Representative in Bangladesh.

By acting now to address the critical first 1,000 days of life and the period up to age five, WFP aims to help children reach their full potential later in life, she added.

WFP plans to assist 14,800 children and 2,000 pregnant and nursing women through the programme. Mar 19 2012 1:10PM ________________ For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news

Follow us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/UN.News.Centre) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre)

ENDS

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Bangladesh: UN Agency Launches Nutrition Support Campaign

The Irish Times - Monday, March 19, 2012

Dragon Nutrition: Bottling new products with a twist

FAMILY-OWNED independent drinks company J Donohoe Beverages has been manufacturing, bottling and distributing drinks in the southeast for more than 200 years.

Three years ago, the firm pushed itself into the 21st century with the launch of a new subsidiary, Dragon Nutrition, to take advantage of the growing market for added-value drinks with a nutritional twist.

Dragon has developed a range of drinks aimed at those involved in sport, leading active lives or interested in physical wellbeing. The first Dragon products, a line-up of five shots including a protein drink and a pre-gym supplement were launched in 2011. They are sold through pharmacies and online.

Donohoe Beverages, which has a turnover of 20 million, invested 650,000 over three years setting up its nutrition subsidiary between the cost of product RD and pilot production facilities.

New to market is Little Dragon Intense Energy, a full-sized carbonated energy drink containing B vitamins that will be sold through the mainstream retail network.

Intense Energy was developed to serve the portion of the market with a need for that blast of energy provided by the shot but delivered in a larger, long-lasting form and without the associated sugar crash, as the drink is sugar free, says Siobhn Donnelly, who is responsible for Dragons marketing.

J Donohoe is a long- established company but very forward-looking at the same time, with its own RD department, and we were looking at ways to take our expertise in the drinks business into new areas, Donnelly adds.

Functional drinks, for use in sports and other activities, were identified as a potential growth area for us. When we started researching the idea, they were still a new concept and people assumed we were talking about producing something like a Complan.

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New Innovators

March as National Nutrition Month is being used to raise awareness about healthier eating. In our KERA Health Checkup,Sam Baker talked with Meridan Zerner, a registered dietitian with Cooper Aerobics, about nutrition and children. She said many kids dont always get the nutrients they need despite their parents efforts.

Meridan Zerner: Keep in mind that a lot of us really didnt have a great education in solid nutrition when we were young, and certainly we have to take into account the economy. They may not have what they perceive to be a budget for a healthier diet. Theres an idea that healthy food has to be incredibly expensive, which is not necessarily the case. When parents are working that much longer, and it is what it is, you have to rely on these outside sources to fuel your children. And so theyre getting their lunch, perhaps even their breakfast, from school. So we need to look for a better quality meal there.

Sam Baker: Its not easier, though, with all the processed food targeted at children.

Zerner: No. And more and more theyre giving schools and other programs discounts on processed food which makes it more appealing budget-wise. But the big picture is being lost. These kids are not healthy, with one in three being overweight or obese. Theyre unhappy, there are higher levels of depression in children who are that unhealthy. Theyre bullied. It goes on. The benefits of taking the time to make a few healthier choices, to support that, both at home and in the school, is incredibly worthwhile.

Baker: So what nutrients should children be getting, and does that depend on the age?

Zerner: It does depend on the age but as a concept we like to look at the plate model, so the government has a new plate model, which is wonderful. Its something you can start to teach your children now. Half of the plateis color. Youre looking to fill half the plate with some fruit or vegetable. Now thats a concept, that lunch has some color in it. I think we do a better job at dinner ensuring that theres a vegetable for children. To make sure that the human body needs that, for vitamins, for minerals, as an anti-inflammatory. You need it. Health starts quite young. Ive seen six and seven year-olds on cholesterol medication and thats obviously quite concerning to me.

Baker: Six or seven?

Zerner: Six or seven year-olds with Type 2 diabetes, which is the kind of diabetes we used to call adult onset diabetes that comes from weight and diet and lack of exercise. Were seeing this in young, young children.

Baker: When I was young the emphasis always seemed to be on Vitamin C, for starters; calcium. Are kids even getting enough of that these days?

Zerner: No they really arent. If you compare the 1950s to now, as an example, kids then would have three cupsof milk to one glass of soda. Now its absolutely the reverse. Children today are having three cups of soda to one glass of milk. And its not necessarily about the milk, but its how are we going to get in calcium for their bones, along with vitamin D, which were finding is integral in cancer prevention, in allergies and asthma, in attention deficit there are many things where Vitamin D can be meaningful. And its hard to get.

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Nutrition & Children

BRADFORD, England, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The founder of Predator Nutrition, Europe's leading sports supplements retailer and distributor, has questioned the validity of a recent study by Harvard School of Public Health that claims red meat consumption may increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and premature death.

Reggie Johal has analysed the research findings, which hit the headlines around the world early this week after reporting that "regular consumption of red meat, particularly processed red meat, was associated with increased mortality risk" following observation of more than 100,000 people.

Johal, though, has found several irregularities with the investigation and has outlined them in some depth in a blog post on his company's website to hit back at allegations that red meat can increase the risk of early death.

The report has sparked health fears about eating red meat on a regular basis. Johal, however, has urged caution; although the former Great Britain American football international is keen to stress that consumption of meats like bacon and sausages should be kept to a minimum, healthier cuts of red meat should be selected and care should be taken to avoid burning the meat.

He commented: "This study shows the way that the mass media can jump on a study without understanding the actual data upon which it is drawn.

"Once you look at the raw data you can see that the categorisation of what constitutes unprocessed or processed meat is not one which most people would agree with.

"They have also used statistical techniques to paint a misleading picture. The reality is that there were fewer deaths among those who consumed red meat moderately compared to those consuming both the most AND the least. This basically showed their adjustment for lifestyle factors was not done accurately at all.

"All this study really showed us is that those with the unhealthiest lifestyles, who smoked and drank the most, had the highest rate of deaths.

"You could actually argue, given that red meat consumption was associated with a decline in death rates up to a certain point, that its consumption had a protective effect on people whose lifestyle was otherwise unhealthy. Those who ate a moderate amount of red meat had a lower death rate, despite having unhealthier lifestyles compared to those eating the least red meat."

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Predator Nutrition Founder Slams Latest Red Meat Research

During the month of March, Kewanee Hospital is observing National Nutrition Month, anutrition education and information campaigncreated annually by the American Dietetic Association. The campaign focuses attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits. Registered Dietitian (RD) Day, also celebrated in March, increases awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and recognizes RDs for their commitment to helping people enjoy healthy lives. National Nutrition Week began in March 1973 as a week-long event and became a month-long observance in 1980 in response to growing public interest in nutrition. The American Dietetic Association's mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people by advocating for its members. Registered Dietitian (RD) Day was created to increase awareness of registered dietitians as the indispensable providers of food and nutrition services and to recognize their commitment to helping people enjoy healthier lives. Registered Dietitian Day was observed this year on Wednesday, March 14. During this time, Kewanee Hospital recognized Katie Keaschall, the hospitals registered dietitian. Registered dietitians are specially trained and educated to translate the science of nutrition into practical solutions for living healthy, Keaschall said. The difference between a registered dietitian and a nutritionist or consultant is the level of education and accreditation requirements placed on RDs. For the month of March, a variety of new menu items have been added, focusing specifically on the four major food groups Meatless Mondays, Toss-It Tuesdays (fruit and vegetable salads), Whole Wheat Wednesdays, Try-It Thursdays (unique food items), and Fruity Fridays. Members of the community are encouraged to visit the KH Caf anytime during regular hours, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Being a registered dietitian is very rewarding, Keaschall said. Knowing that you are helping patients make changes in their eating habits to improve their health is a great feeling.

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Kewanee Hospital observes National Nutrition Month

DBR Staff Writer Published 16 March 2012

Mead Johnson Nutrition and Argentina-based diary producer SanCor Cooperativas Unidas have officially established a joint venture (JV) to expand the availability of pediatric nutrition products across the Southern Cone of South America.

Mead Johnson Nutrition chief operating officer Kasper Jakobsen and SanCor Cooperativas Unidas of Argentina chairman of board of administration Oscar Carreras met in Buenos Aires to establish the JV.

Mead Johnson will invest ARS850m ($196m) for an 80% ownership interest in the JV, which will develop, produce and market pediatric nutritional products under the SanCor Beb brand at existing facilities in Argentina.

The company will provide clinical research, proprietary formulas and product innovation, while SanCor will contribute its local market knowledge of Argentina and manufacturing capabilities.

Carreras said Mead Johnson strengthens its presence and growth potential in South America, while SanCor is able to better leverage its manufacturing base and continue exploration of business opportunities in other promising categories.

In 2011, SanCor's turnover in the infant formula and children's growing-up milk categories totaled nearly ARS300m ($69m).

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Mead Johnson, SanCor establish pediatric nutrition JV

CHICAGO, March 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With about one out of every three children in this country obese or overweight, it's more important than ever to focus on healthy choices and changes that families can make together. Throughout March, which is National Nutrition Month, BeSmartBeWell.com shares stories of real families like Cindy and her children, who got healthier by cutting out junk food and exercising more.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please visit: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/childhoodobesity/50831/

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120315/MM69985LOGO)

"We lost over 200 pounds together as a family," says Cindy in a video on Be Smart. Be Well. "After going back through and looking at pictures of where we were to where we've come, it's just absolutely amazing!"

Making changes for the betterParents don't have to do it all on their own. There are many resources available, including MyPlate by the USDA. In 2011, the USDA shed the traditional food pyramid for the new MyPlate, which illustrates the proper mix of fruit, vegetables, dairy, grains and protein you should eat to maintain a healthy diet. For example, it shows that a meal plate should be at least half filled with fruits and vegetables. Parents can use MyPlate to teach their kids what to put on their plate to make a healthy meal.

At BeSmartBeWell.com, Cindy demonstrates how she uses MyPlate in her own kitchen for her family's meals. "The only thing that goes on the table with us is vegetables. If they've had their portion of meat, bread or potato and they're still hungry, I say, 'there's still a whole bowl of vegetables there, eat them up,'" she says.

Cindy's son, Austin, says the changes the family made were big ones, but not difficult. Once his mom explained the dangerous path their diets had put them on, Austin made it his goal to eat right and get healthy. As he shed pounds, he also gained energy and confidence

"I want to live to be like 100 and do a ton of things. I want to travel to Paris! I want to go to Italy!" he says in a video on the site.

What can I do about it?BeSmartBeWell.com/Childhood-Obesity provides practical information to help families adopt healthy eating and exercise habits. Produced by the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, in collaboration with medical experts and national health organizations, BeSmartBeWell.com features:

At the site, visitors can also register for the monthly Spotlight Newsletter and News Alerts for in-depth articles and breaking news on nutrition, childhood obesity and other important health topics.

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It's a Family Affair: BeSmartBeWell.com Recognizes National Nutrition Month With Tips to Help Families Eat Healthier

Myth: You have to drink eight cups of water per day

You hear it so often that eight cups of water a day is necessary for everything from weight control to cleansing the body that it seems it must be truth, but the reality is there is no good evidence to support this claim. In fact, this age-old myth is believed to have originally stemmed from a 1970s textbook that made the statement that the human body needs a bit more than two litres (8 cups) of fluid per day from all sources, including coffee, tea, milk, juice, pop and, yes, even alcohol. While we have sadly learned since then that alcohol is not good for hydration, we do know that virtually all fluids do hydrate us, including caffeinated drinks such as tea and coffee, so long as you are habituated to them. When it comes to weight, remember some drinks, such as pop and juice, contain quite a few calories, so sticking to water is usually best. Some individuals, including athletes, those at risk for kidney stones, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, might require extra fluids, but for everyone else, it's all about finding the right amount of fluids for you.

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Gallery: Addressing four common nutrition myths

For nearly two decades, nutrition expert Luann Colombo of Littleton has been finding new ways to translate her knowledge of science and health into hands-on education. In addition to having authored a myriad of books and childrens games, Colombo has produced curriculums that were featured on the television show Bill Nye: The Science Guy.

Colombo also instructs workshops on maintaining good health, including Every Human Body Needs a Bit of Fat. The workshop, directed at teens and young adults, is about understanding the importance of maintaining healthy levels of fat. It is meant not only to increase knowledge and awareness of overall bodily health, but also to empower teens by dispelling negative myths about body fat. The workshop, most recently held in February at Lowell General Hospital, is planned for an April date to be determined.

Colombo spoke to the Independent about her work educating teens, and society at large, about nutrition and wellness.

Tell me about the work youve done to further education in science and wellness.

I write science books for kids; I have 42 published books. I managed the outreach program at Seattles Pacific Science Center, doing science education with teachers and students throughout Washington state. I now do nutrition education with individuals and in small and large venues on topics such as family nutrition, weight management, sport nutrition and, of course, on fat.

What do you love about it?

I subscribe to the interactive, hands-on approach to education. I love the ah-ha! moment of scientific discovery. The more senses people use in learning, the deeper and longer-lasting the learning. I also love empowering people to make healthy decisions about what, when and how much they eat.

Tell me specifically about the class Every Human Body for teens.

Fat has a bad rap. Its over-consumed, over-avoided and over-substituted. The invitation to the workshop says it all: This super-interactive and occasionally hilarious free workshop explores common myths about diet and disease, explains the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and offers tips on healthy eating. A smidge of label-reading math reveals just how much sugar, salt and fat a typical teenager consumes in everyday foods, what types of foods are best, why colors matter and why every human body needs a bit of fat the right kind.

What are your goals with the class?

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Q&A with Littleton nutrition educator Luann Colombo

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Calorie Count (www.caloriecount.com), a free award-winning health and wellness Web site with more than 3.7 million members, has launched a Premium Service, which enables subscribers to more effectively reach their nutritional goals through expert personalized nutrition advice and support from registered dietitians.

The first paid service offered by The New York Times Companys About Group, Calorie Counts Premium Service bridges the gap between valuable free, automated services like those Calorie Count will continue to offer and well-known but expensive diet plans. With subscriptions ranging from $9.99 to $29.99 per month, the Premium Service is designed to enable more online users to have affordable access to expert nutrition advice and support.

The Premium Service is an enhancement to Calorie Camp, Calorie Count's interactive and educational healthy lifestyle social network launched in December 2011. Calorie Camp members can set specific nutrition and wellness goals, track and share their daily food logs, and receive support and feedback from the Calorie Count community. Building upon Calorie Camps free functionality and support from the community, the Premium Service connects subscribers with a designated dietitian, who will review the members eating behaviors and food logging and offer personalized, ongoing nutritional guidance based on the users specific needs.

For years, Calorie Count has given consumers the power to change their health and lifestyles by providing tools, knowledge and support from our highly-engaged community, said Igor Lebovic, co-founder, CalorieCount.com. Now, by combining our existing free online tools with the efficiency of communication through the Web, we can offer our members access to expert feedback in a price range thats accessible for people who could not previously afford to work with a nutrition professional.

Calorie Counts Premium Service has monthly subscriptions for three levels of access:

Our Calorie Count community members are truly an inspiration. As a registered dietitian, theres no greater joy for me than to see them take control of their health and well-being, added Rachel Berman, director of nutrition for CalorieCount.com. Even the most conscientious dieter needs support and guidance. Our new Premium Service will enhance the online community by connecting us more directly with our members.

Calorie Counts Premium Service is the latest product in Calorie Counts growing lineup of healthy-living tools, created to aid members as they monitor their wellness goals, seek expert nutritional advice and interact with other members of Calorie Counts engaged community. Most recently, Calorie Count launched its first app for iPad, designed to help members easily and quickly track their progress with tools that take full advantage of the iPads unique functionality.

For more information and to become a member, visit http://www.caloriecount.com. To download the iPad app or other free mobile applications created by Calorie Count, visit caloriecount.com/mobile. To learn more about Calorie Counts social networking platform, Calorie Camp, visit http://caloriecount.about.com/calcamp/join.

Follow Calorie Count on Facebook and Twitter.

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New Calorie Count Premium Service Offers Expert, One-on-One Nutrition Guidance and Support from Registered Dietitians