Nutrition
How to Use -- Contents
Slightly Creaky does extensive research to find the links you would most likely need and provides them for you in an easy-to-find format. You can access the various categories from any of our web pages using the top or side menus. Each category has generalized headings, followed by more specific ones.
Categories
Updated July 22, 2010
| Health & Nutrition | |||
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| Nutritional Guides | |||
| Dieting & Weight Loss | |||
| Dietary Supplements | |||
| Geriatric Nutrition Information | |||
| Nutrition Information for Restaurants | |||
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. - Mark Twain
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Health & Nutrition (General Resources)
Health & Nutrition
Nutrition Information |
"The Food and Nutrition Information Center - a leader in food and human nutrition information dissemination since 1971. Provides credible, accurate, and practical resources for nutrition and health professionals, educators, government personnel and consumers." |
| USDA National Agricultural Library | |
| Food Dictionaries and Encyclopedia | Links provided by the US Department of Agriculture |
| Nutrition.gov | Providing easy, online access to government information on food and human nutrition for consumers. |
| Food and Nutrition | A collection of articles about a variety of nutritional information. |
| USDA National Agricultural Dietary Guidance | Dietary guidelines and assessment, articles and information about assorted nutritional information. |
| Shopping, Cooking, and Meal Planning | "Find a wealth of information, resources, and tips for healthier ways to plan and shop, for you and your family. Resources to help you store and preserve your foods safely, while preserving nutrients and quality. Keep your food and water safe during emergencies and severe weather! Find information and resources to help you be ready." |
| Dietary Guidelines for Americans | From the US Health & Human Services. "The food and physical activity choices you make every day affect your health—how you feel today, tomorrow, and in the future. " |
| Dietary Guidelines for Americans | "Science-based advice on food and physical activity choices for health. The 2005 edition of the Dietary Guidelines remain the current guidelines until the 2010 edition is released." |
| Information for People Over 65 on Food, Nutrition, and Cosmetics |
A collection of articles on a variety of topics. |
| Food & Nutrition Information for Consumers | "Brochures, tips sheets and other resources to help you and your family achieve a healthy lifestyle." |
| Nutrition Assistance Programs | "No one should go hungry in America. FNS provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. We help nearly one in five people. Check out our programs to see if we can help you or your family." |
| Nutrition Information and Resource Center | "This website has online fact sheets and other publications. It also has links to many other nutrition websites, making us a great place to begin searching for information on any nutrition-related topic." |
| My Pyramid | "One size doesn't fit all. MyPyramid offers personalized eating plans and interactive tools to help you plan and assess your food choices based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans." |
| Diabetes Food Pyramid | "The Diabetes Food Pyramid divides food into six groups. These groups or sections on the pyramid vary in size. The largest group – grains, beans, and starchy vegetables – is on the bottom. This means that you should eat more servings of grains, beans, and starchy vegetables than of any of the other foods." |
| USDA Food Guide Pyramid Resources | Links to food pyramid articles |
| American Dietetic Association | "The world's largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. ADA is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy." |
| "From vegetables to milk to meat, humans generally enjoy a wide variety of foods that provide the body with nutrition and energy. But for some people with food allergies, eating certain foods or food components can cause a mild to serious abnormal reaction, with symptoms such as throat swelling, abdominal pain and wheezing. After eating certain foods, some people may even experience anaphylaxis, a dangerous condition that renders a person unable to breathe and can reduce blood pressure to extremely low levels." | |
| Understanding Food Allergies | |
| Food Allergies: When Food Becomes the Enemy |
" Imagine what it would be like if eating a peanut butter sandwich or some shrimp, or drinking a tall glass of milk left you vomiting, gasping for breath, and furiously scratching a fresh crop of hives. For some people with food allergies, that's reality. A food allergy, or hypersensitivity, is an abnormal response to a food triggered by the immune system. While many people often have gas, bloating or another unpleasant reaction to something they eat, this is not an allergic response. Such a reaction is thought to not involve the immune system and is called "food intolerance." |
| Food Allergies What You Need to Know |
"Each year, millions of Americans have allergic reactions to food. Although most food allergies cause relatively mild and minor symptoms, some food allergies can cause severe reactions, and may even be life-threatening. There is no cure for food allergies. Strict avoidance of food allergens — and early recognition and management of allergic reactions to food — are important measures to prevent serious health consequences." |
| Allergies and Food Sensitivities | "Find general food allergy resources and information on a variety of specific allergies and sensitivities, including egg, fish, nut, soy, wheat, milk allergies and lactose intolerance." |
| Recognizing Food Allergy Symptoms | "Not all food allergy symptoms work like they seem to on television. Here is some information on food allergy symptoms to help you recognize and deal with your possible food allergy." |
| Take Charge Of Your Food | "The human body is well equipped to fight off certain harmful bacteria.Certain populations however can be at far greater risk of developing serious illness if contracting food poisoning, like pregnant women, very young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems or certain chronic illnesses." |
| Food Poisoning Information Center | "Learn the Source of Your Food Poisoning Illness, How To Treat it and How To Report it." |
| How to Avoid Food Poisoning | "Although many people assume that all foodborne illnesses are “food poisoning,” food poisoning is only one type of foodborne illness. True food poisoning is caused by a harmful contaminant, such as a toxin or a chemical." |
| Following Proper Grilling Etiquette Outdoors | "A recent survey conducted by the American Dietetic Association revealed that the majority of men confess to improper outdoor food handling. Men are more likely than women to use the same plate and grilling utensils when handling raw and cooked meats without cleaning them between uses." |
| Food Poisoning Prevention | "Food poisoning, also called foodborne illness, is a common, distressing, and sometimes life-threatening problem for millions of people in the U.S., and throughout the world." |
| How To Recognize Food Poisoning Symptoms | "The CDC estimates that 76 million Americans get sick, more than 300,000 are hospitalized and 5,000 people die from food-borne illnesses each year. The highest incidence of death due to food poisoning occurs in children, elderly and people who are chronically ill or with weakened immune systems, such as cancer and kidney disease patients." |
| Bacteria and Food Poisoning | "Food Poisoning (Food Borne Illness) results from eating food contaminated with bacteria (or their toxins) or other pathogens such as parasites or viruses." |
| Food Poisoning or Flu? | "Many of the symptoms of food poisoning mimic those of the garden-variety flu, sometimes leaving people to wonder if the cause was the food they ate or a virus they picked up along the way." |
| Stomach Flu | "Stomach Flu is an intestinal infection caused by several different viruses. Highly contagious, Stomach Flu is the second most common illness in the United States." |
| Stomach Virus | "Stomach flu is caused by a virus. There are a number of different viruses that can cause stomach flu, but the so-called "stomach virus" does not actually affect the stomach at all." |
| Salmonella | "Salmonella is the genus name for a large number (over 2,500) of types of bacteria." |
| E. coli Infection | "There are many conditions with symptoms similar to those of E. coli infection. Diagnosis of E. coli infection can be complicated by the fact that most bacterial infections that cause diarrhea are accompanied by a high fever." |
| Food Safety "Road Rules" For the Savvy Traveler | "Six out of 10 Americans plan to take one to two trips this spring and summer, and three out of 10 plan to take three to four. " |
"You may be able to prevent two of the most common diseases of modern civilization, tooth decay (caries) and periodontal disease, simply by improving your diet. Decay results when the hard tissues are destroyed by acid products from oral bacteria." |
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| How Does What I Eat Affect My Oral Health? | |
| Diet & Disease | Information includes diet and allergies, diabetes, cancer, digestive problems, heart conditions and much more. |
| Nutrition Assistance Programs | "No one should go hungry in America. FNS provides children and low-income people access to food, a healthful diet, and nutrition education. We help nearly one in five people. Check out our programs to see if we can help you or your family." |
| About the DASH diet (Hypertension) |
"The DASH eating plan significantly lowered blood pressure in the recent Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) study, and it may also help prevent and control high blood pressure." |
| Manage Weight (Hypertension) | "Controlling your weight is a very important step that you can take to reduce your high blood pressure. Losing just a few extra pounds can help lower your blood pressure. Keeping your weight under control can also help you feel better, be more able to exercise, and reduce your chance of having a heart attack." |
| Eating Out When You Have Diabetes | "Large portions are the norm at many restaurants but diabetes nutrition is often based on moderate portions. If the restaurant offers meals in several sizes, choose the smallest. Or get creative." |
| Glucose Control - Diabetic Diet | "If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor has probably mentioned that you should pay careful attention to nutrition and diet as part of your treatment program." |
| Diabetes Definitions | "Dictionary Defintions of diabetes-related terms from A to Z adapted from the American Diabetes Association and the NIDDK (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)" |
| Diabetes Food Pyramid | "The Diabetes Food Pyramid divides food into six groups. These groups or sections on the pyramid vary in size. The largest group – grains, beans, and starchy vegetables – is on the bottom. This means that you should eat more servings of grains, beans, and starchy vegetables than of any of the other foods." |
| Glycemic Index: Use with caution | " Glycemic Index either will be the next big fad or will fizzle under its own conflicting character. More research is needed before processors should jump in " |
| Functional Foods for Reducing Cancer Risk | "For centuries people consumed food simply for its nutritional value. But in recent decades, the role of specific foods is evolving into one of prevention. This trend is based on research findings such as a lower incidence of cancer among people who ate more fruits and vegetables, and less heart disease in those whose diets contained less fat." |
| Five Medication-free Strategies to Help Prevent Heart Disease | Mato Clinic. "You can prevent heart disease by following a heart-healthy lifestyle. Here are five strategies to help you protect your heart." |
| Keeping Cholesterol Under Control | "The body needs cholesterol for digesting dietary fats, making hormones, building cell walls, and other important processes. The bloodstream carries cholesterol in particles called lipoproteins that are like blood-borne cargo trucks delivering cholesterol to various body tissues to be used, stored or excreted. But too much of this circulating cholesterol can injure arteries, especially the coronary ones that supply the heart." |
| Delicious Decisions | "A healthy diet and lifestyle are the best weapons you have to fight cardiovascular disease. Making heart-healthy dishes--from appetizers to desserts--that you and your whole family will love is much easier than you might think." |
| A Special Message for Cancer Patients Seeking "Alternative" Treatments | "Don't let desperation lead you to try things just because someone advises you to do so. Read the information on this web site thoroughly." |
Just about everything you need to know about food safety, and more. |
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| Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition | |
| National Food Safety Programs | A joi9nt project of U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
| Foodborne Illness and Disease | From the US Department of Agriculture. |
| Safe Foods | Food safety information including the latest USDA alerts, product recalls, animal cloning, imported foods, Allergy information, and food poisoning and disease outbreaks. |
| Online Food Safety Course | Food safety Australia is a leading food safety education organization delivering cutting edge food safety training programs. |
| Keeping your Convenience Foods Safe | "People are turning to convenience foods such as canned foods, frozen foods and prepared salads to fill their plates at dinnertime instead of preparing meals from scratch. Below are tips from the American Dietetic Association to help you purchase and store convenience foods safely." |
| FightBac | "Educating consumers about safe food handling" |
| Food Safety and Irradiation: Protecting the Public from Foodborne Infections | "In the United States, foodborne infections cause an estimated 76 million cases of illness and 323,000 hospitalizations annually" |
| Reporting Illnesses and Product Complaints | Who to contact |
| Home Food Safety Tips | "Select a question from the Interactive Kitchen below. Answer all nine questions to find out how safety savvy you are. Good Luck!" |
Information on understanding disordered eating and eating disorders. Covers Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and Exercise and Eating Disorders |
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| Eating Disorders | |
| What Causes Eating Disorders? | (PDF) "Eating disorders are complex conditions that arise from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and social factors." |
| The Many Causes of Eating Disorders |
"Anorexia and bulimia are very complicated disorders, and different people can develop eating disorders for different reasons. That is, while many individuals with eating disorders think and act in very similar ways, the reasons they have these thoughts and actions can be quite different." |
| Anorexia | "People suffering from anorexia are very skinny but are convinced that they are overweight. Weight loss is obtained by many ways. Some of the common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives and not eating. " |
| Anorexia Nervosa | "For people with anorexia, it really is true that one can never be too thin. Despite being dangerously underweight, anorexics see a fat person when they look in the mirror." |
| Bulimia Nervosa | "A person with bulimia eats a lot of food in a short amount of time. This is called binging. The person may fear gaining weight after a binge. Binging also can cause feelings of shame and guilt. So, the person tries to "undo" the binge by getting rid of the food. This is called purging." |
| Bulimia Nervosa | "People with bulimia are extremely concerned with their weight, yet they can’t fight the compulsion to binge. So they drastically overeat, and then they purge, fast, or exercise to get rid of the calories. " |
| Binge Eating Disorders | "Most of us overeat from time to time, and some of us often feel we have eaten more than we should have. Eating a lot of food does not necessarily mean that you have binge eating disorder. Experts generally agree that most people with serious binge eating problems often eat an unusually large amount of food and feel their eating is out of control." |
| National Eating Disorders Association | "Our organization is dedicated to providing education, resources and support to those affected by eating disorders. Whether you are an individual living with an eating disorder, a family member or friend looking to offer support to a loved one, or a treatment professional looking to help others — we have structured our site to address your needs." |
| Academy for Eating Disorders | "A global, multidisciplinary professional organization that provides cutting-edge professional training and education, inspires new developments in eating disorders research, prevention, and clinical treatments, and is the international source for state-of-the-art information in the field of eating disorders." |
| Other Types of Eating Disorders | Other than Bulimia and Anorexia. |
| Eating Disorders Widespread Among U.S. Women | "Sixty-five percent of American women between the ages of 25 and 45 report having disordered eating behaviors, according to the results of a new survey." |
| Food Labeling | "These FDA Food Labeling web pages address the labeling requirements for foods under the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act and its amendments. Food labeling is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc." |
| Food Labeling | |
| Food Labeling | "FDA's Food Labeling program develops policy and regulations for dietary supplements, nutrition labeling and food standards, infant formula and medical foods. Also conducts scientific evaluation to support such regulations and related policy development." |
| What's in Food | "Look up the nutrient value of thousands of foods in USDA's on-line searchable database. Results show values for 128 nutrients." Also includes information about sodium, food additives, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. |
| Organic Foods | "Provides information on labeling requirements for organic foods. Also available in Spanish. Also discusses several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase organic food." |
| Secrets From Inside Nutrition Facts Labels | "Information about calories and calories from fat was added as health experts charted the growing problem of overweight and obesity. More recently, several key vitamins and minerals joined the list. Health officials are currently discussing additional changes to the labels." |
| Council for Biotechnology Information | "Sustainable development seeks to balance and integrate immediate and long-term community needs. It helps enhance our quality of life today, as well as to protect, preserve, and fulfill our needs in the future. Sustainable agriculture is a key component of sustainable development, particularly because it allows for economically and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices." |
| Interpreting Food Labels | "Reading food labels will help you quickly identify whether or not a food product is a healthy choice. The food label is a reliable, accurate, user-friendly source of valuable nutrition information. What you learn from reading and comparing food labels will help you avoid any ingredients that you may be sensitive to as well as help you limit nutrients that you want to cut back on and increase nutrients that are good for you. " |
| Label Lessons | "In this feature, shoppers learn the fine art of label reading. The fact is, so many consumers make unhealthy choices based solely on confusing labels and misleading claims that food manufacturers boldly place on their packaging." |
| Nine Ways Food Labels Mislead | "No health-conscious shopper heads to the grocery store planning to be so baffled by medical claims, nutrition labels and ingredients lists that he or she ends up filling the cart with all the wrong foods. And yet, thanks in part to the handiwork of savvy marketers, that happens all the time. Just how confused are we when it comes to interpreting food labels?" |
Nutritional Guides
Nutritional Guides
Nutrition Guidelines |
"Find food information and analysis and see healthy eating facts. On Nutrition Data, you'll find detailed nutrition information, plus unique analysis tools that tell you more about how foods affect your health and make it easier to choose healthy foods." |
| Nutrition Data: Know What You Eat | |
| CalorieKing.com | "The CalorieKing.com Food Database holds the nutritional information for over 50,000 American generic and brand name foods (including over 260 fast-food chains). There is a wide range of nutrient data and information available including calorie count charts, fat content, fiber content, protein content and much, much more." |
| USDA National Agricultural Library | "The Food and Nutrition Information Center - a leader in food and human nutrition information dissemination since 1971. Provides credible, accurate, and practical resources for nutrition and health professionals, educators, government personnel and consumers." |
| Fast Food Nutrition Fact Explorer | The Fast Food Nutrition Fact Explorer database contains the nutritional data of 12 of the world's most popular fast food restaurant chains. It can help you follow the dietary or weight loss advice of programs designed to reduce your risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Whether you have chosen to follow, a low fat, low calorie, low sodium, low cholesterol, or low carbohydrate diet, the Explorer's powerful search capabilities can help you determine which fast food items will meet the recommendations of your diet or weight loss program. |
| Nutrition Information for Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish | "In order to encourage retail stores that sell raw fruits, vegetables, and fish to participate in the voluntary point-of-purchase nutrition information program, the FDA has created downloadable posters for printing. These posters show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish in the United States. Retail stores are welcome to download the posters, print, display and/or distribute them to consumers in close proximity to the relevant foods in the stores." |
| Nutrition Facts and Information Center | " If you're interested in making better, healthier food choices, you've come to the right place. lifeclinic.com nutrition channel offers comprehensive, understandable news and features about how nutrition plays a role in your health. Read our nutrition articles to learn the basics of good nutrition, figure out how to read a food label and understand the role of different vitamins, nutrients and minerals in keeping your healthy." |
| Nutritional Supplements Guide | "You’ve made the choice to go after a healthy lifestyle, so you rush out and try to obtain all the healthy supplements you need. However, although nutritional supplements can offer many benefits, they can also give you unwanted side effects.Many herbs can interact with other supplements, and certain vitamins/minerals only work effectively in conjunction with other nutrients." |
| Getting the Nutrition You Need | "As you get older, good nutrition plays an increasingly important role in how well you age. Eating a low-salt, low-fat diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fiber can actually reduce your age-related risks of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and other chronic diseases. By eating a wide variety of foods, you can pretty easily get what your body needs." |
| The Good Nutrition Guide | UK site. "How much sugar and salt is hidden in that breakfast cereal? How much fat is in your child's pizza? Over the past year the Good Nutrition Guide's team tested hundreds of the most popular supermarket staples to discover the best products to put in your basket" |
| Smart Nutrition | Includes information about the new food pyramid, dietary guidelines, "Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) and the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (ULs). Also find vitamin and mineral fact sheets." |
| "The American public is being constantly bombarded with health information in the media. While we can certainly trust some sources to provide us with sound health and nutrition advice, we need to be cautious because not everything you read or hear in the media is based on fact." | |
| Nutrition Claims: Fact or Fiction? | |
| What's in Food | "Look up the nutrient value of thousands of foods in USDA's on-line searchable database. Results show values for 128 nutrients." Also includes information about sodium, food additives, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. |
| Quackwatch | A Slightly Creaky Recommended Site. "Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere." |
| Anti-Quackery Ring | "This ring is for sites that combat & debunk health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies, and are more interested in real, objective, scientific proof, than in the speculative, subjective, and unproven theories and anecdotes of so-Called "Alternative" Medicine." |
| Nutritional Nonsense | "There's a lot of nonsense out there when it comes to nutrition, ranging from harmless myths and silly fads, to deliberately deceptive hype and or fear mongering." |
A collection of articles about food and health related scams. This includes weight loss programs and equipment, alternative medical treatments, and diagnostic testing. |
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| Protecting Yourself Against Health Fraud | |
| Fraud and Nutrition Misinformation | "Find resources and information for spotting suspicious health claims and links for checking out food and nutrition myths and misinformation. Includes resources specific to weight loss diets and products. " |
| National Council Against Health Fraud | "Focuses upon health misinformation, fraud, and quackery as public health problems. Our positions are based upon the principles of science that underlie consumer protection law. We advocate: (a) adequate disclosure in labeling and other warranties to enable consumers to make truly informed choices; (b) premarketing proof of safety and effectiveness for products and services claimed to prevent, alleviate, or cure any health problem; and, (c) accountability for those who violate the law." |
| Quackwatch | A Slightly Creaky Recommended Site. "Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere." |
| The Touch That Doesn't Heal | "what was once a ragtag assortment of New Age nostrums has metastasized into a multibillion-dollar industry championed by dozens of lobbyists and their congressional sympathizers. Among the most popular therapies are acupuncture, at $50 to $100 per session; reflexology, which involves massaging various parts of the hands and feet, starting at $35 an hour; and aromatherapy, which relies on the supposed healing properties of about 40 "essential oils," with treatments at $30 to $90 an hour." |
| The Australian Council Against Health Fraud | "Focuses on health misinformation, fraud, and quackery as public health problems." |
| Energy Bars? Power Bars? | "Energy bars are made of sugar, refined carbohydrates and fats, fortified with small amounts of vitamins and minerals– the nutritional equivalent of a cookie and about 1/6 of a multivitamin pill. Protein bars add milk or soy powder. They are not more nutritious than a bowl of cereal, and they cost a lot more." |
| Health Fraud | 6 Web Pages |
| State, County, and City Consumer Protection Agencies | "City, county and state consumer protection offices provide consumers with important services. They might mediate complaints, conduct investigations, prosecute offenders of consumer laws, license and regulate a variety of professionals, promote strong consumer proctection legislation, provide educational materials and advocate in the consumer interest. " |
| "How can you achieve a belly that's too full to become fat? We asked our crack team of nutrition advisors to help identify foods that keep a man in optimum operating condition. Then we scoured the grocery store to locate the top contenders. Finally we sampled, and sampled, and sampled every last one." | |
| 125 Best Foods in Your Supermarket | |
| Nutrition Information for Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish | "In order to encourage retail stores that sell raw fruits, vegetables, and fish to participate in the voluntary point-of-purchase nutrition information program, the FDA has created downloadable posters for printing. These posters show nutrition information for the 20 most frequently consumed raw fruits, vegetables, and fish in the United States. Retail stores are welcome to download the posters, print, display and/or distribute them to consumers in close proximity to the relevant foods in the stores." |
| Food Labeling | "FDA's Food Labeling program develops policy and regulations for dietary supplements, nutrition labeling and food standards, infant formula and medical foods. Also conducts scientific evaluation to support such regulations and related policy development." |
| Natural Does Not Mean "Good For You" | "Many manufacturers try to use only "natural flavors" because critical consumers believe they are more healthful." |
| The Top 10 Nutra-Smart Foods | One paragraph each - with links containing more detail. |
"This publication is a compilation of resources on vegetarian nutrition. The resources are in a variety of information formats: articles, pamphlets, books and full-text materials on the World Wide Web. Resources chosen provide information on many aspects of vegetarian nutrition." |
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| Vegetarian Nutrition Resource List | |
| Vegetarianism in a Nutshell | "Vegetarians do not eat meat, fish, and poultry. Vegans are vegetarians who abstain from eating or using all animal products, including milk, cheese, other dairy items, eggs, wool, silk, and leather. Among the many reasons for being a vegetarian are health, ecological, and religious concerns, dislike of meat, compassion for animals, belief in non-violence, and economics." |
| Vegetarian Diets | (PDF) "A large part of the world’s population subsists on vegetarian diets. In many areas, people are vegetarians because of inadequate income, lack of animal products, and religious and cultural beliefs' |
| Vegetarianism | "Vegetarianism has become an increasingly popular dietary lifestyle in the United States. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, approximately 3 to 7% of people in the United States consider themselves vegetarians. The increasing availability of vegetarian foods and entrees in grocery stores and restaurants has made it easier for people who don't eat meat or animal products to create healthy diets and lifestyles." |
| Vegetarian Diet and Balanced Nutrition | "If you feel drawn to a vegetarian diet, then you should honor that that inner guidance; just make sure that that you maintain a balanced and complete diet." |
| Organic Foods | "Provides information on labeling requirements for organic foods. Also available in Spanish. Also discusses several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase organic food." |
| Vegitarian Nutrition | Links provided by the US Department of Agriculture |
| The Vegan Society | "Founded in 1944, The Vegan Society provides advice on ways of living free of animal products for the benefit of people, animals and the planet. " |
| The Vegetarian Resource Group | "Dedicated to educating the public on vegetarianism and the interrelated issues of health, nutrition, ecology, ethics, and world hunger. In addition to publishing the Vegetarian Journal, VRG produces and sells cookbooks, other books, pamphlets, and article reprints." |
| Vegetarian Diet | "People who follow vegetarian diets can get all the nutrients they need. However, they must be careful to eat a wide variety of foods to meet their nutritional needs" |
| Vegetarian Times | "For over 30 years, Vegetarian Times has been at the forefront of the healthy living movement, providing delicious recipes, expert wellness information and environmentally sound lifestyle solutions to a wide variety of individuals." |
| A New Food Guide for North American Vegeritarians | (PDF) In English and French |
| "No matter what sport you participate in, whether it be football, basketball, baseball or soccer, it is vital that the body receives the correct nutrients to stay healthy. The main nutritional needs of the body during physical training programs are keeping the right intakes of protein, vitamins, carbohydrates and minerals." | |
| Sports Nutrition Guide | |
| Nutritional Needs of Athletes | "Whether you're a competitive athlete, someone who exercises for health and fitness or a sedentary individual, you need the same type of nutrients - in different amounts. However, some athletes also need more calories or fluids because of the intensity of their sports or training program. Exercise or training may increase calorie needs by as much as 1,000 to 1,500 calories each day." |
| Online Publications - Fitness and Sports Nutrition | Listed Alphabetically by Title |
| American College of Sports Medicine | "The American College of Sports Medicine puts into practice its strategic efforts to advancing the health of all. As the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members." |
| Fitness and Sports Nutrition | "A variety of fitness and sports nutrition topics and resources from organizations and institutes that specialize in sports medicine and exercise science research. " |
| Sports Science | "A Peer-Reviewed Journal and Site for Sport Research" |
| Female Athlete Triad Coalition | "Represents key medical, nursing, athletic, and sports medicine groups, as well as concerned individuals who come together to promote optimal health and well-being for female athletes and active women." |
"A health or medical practice is called "alternative" if it is based on untested, untraditional, or unscientific principles, methods, treatments, or knowledge. "Alternative" medicine is often based on metaphysical beliefs and is frequently anti-scientific." |
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| "Alternative" Health Practices | |
| A Special Message for Cancer Patients Seeking "Alternative" Treatments | "Don't let desperation lead you to try things just because someone advises you to do so. Read the information on this web site thoroughly." |
| "Alternative" Medicine, Quackery, Health Fraud |
"As a former true believer in so-Called "Alternative" Medicine, even using it to treat terminally ill patients, I have experience from the "inside". I have seen too many deaths, including among my own family members." |
| Alternative and Complementary Medicine General Resource Guide |
"Alternative medicine is used to replace conventional treatments, so opting for a nutritional therapy for cancer instead of chemotherapy is alternative. Complementary therapies are used alongside conventional treatments. For example, acupuncture or herbs may be used for the nausea associated with chemotherapy." |
| Acupuncture | "There are many different kinds of acupuncture, involving different kinds of needles, different insertion points, different techniques, and the use of various accompaniments such as electricity or moxibustion." |
| Does Acupuncture Work? | "Millions of people say that acupuncture has alleviated their suffering and boosted their bodies, but others insist that it's more rooted in belief than scientific fact. Is acupuncture really the cure for what ails you, or does it only turn you into a human pincushion?" |
| Alternative Medicine Foundation | "Providing consumers and professionals with responsible, evidence-based information on the integration of alternative and conventional medicine." |
| Aromatherapy | "The practice of using essential oils taken from plants, flowers, roots, seeds, etc., in healing. The term is a bit misleading, since the aromas of oils, whether natural or synthetic, are generally not themselves therapeutic. Aromas are used to identify the oils, to determine adulteration, and to stir the memory, but not to directly bring about a cure or healing. It is the "essence" of the oil--its chemical properties--that gives it whatever therapeutic value the oil might have." |
| An Inside View of a Chiropractic Office | "As far as I could tell, everyone who came through the door was advised to have chiropractic treatment. For the doctors, life appeared to a constant struggle to convince masses of people that they needed spinal adjustments" |
| Chirobase | "Accurate information about chiropractic is not easy to get. Most publishers, editors, and broadcasters are unwilling to examine this topic in depth and to publish critical information. As a result, most reports reaching the public express what chiropractors would like people to believe. This Web site will enable you to deepen your understanding. If you decide to seek chiropractic care, it may also help you find a suitable practitioner." |
| Decisions To Initiate Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation | "To determine the appropriateness of chiropractors' decisions to use spinal manipulation for patients with low back pain." |
"Have you ever been so sick that you just closed your eyes and started to pray? If so, you’re not alone. According to a University of Rochester study, as many as 85 percent of people pray in addition to receiving treatment." |
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| Can Prayer Heal? | |
| Prayer in Medicine | "Some religions encourage or even require parents to ignore medical treatment for their children—even if to do so is likely to prove fatal—in favor of prayer." |
| Faith Healing | "Faith healing can involve prayer, a visit to a religious shrine, or simply a strong belief in a supreme being." |
| Healing Prayer & Distant Healing | "Praying for the recovery of the sick or injured is widely practiced. According to the National Institutes of Health prayer is the most commonly used "alternative medicine" in the U.S. According to a survey of more than 31,000 adults conducted as part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 2002 National Health Interview Survey. NIH considers prayer a "mind-body therapy," a category that also includes biofeedback, meditation, guided imagery, hypnosis and deep breathing exercises." |
| God in the CCU? | "Has the Judeo-Christian God been shown to exist, and to intervene in the hospital course of patients?" |
| Faith Healing | "Most cases of faith healing need no cure, since most patients will get better even if they receive no treatment at all." |
| Religion and Medicine: Why Faith Should Not Be Mixed With Science | "In these times of evidence-based medicine, it is essential that all recommendations by physicians be grounded in solid scientific data." |
| But not yet, Lord – Religion, Medicine and Death | "You might expect the religious to accept death as God’s will and, while not hurrying towards it, not to seek to prolong their lives using heroic and often traumatic medical procedures. Atheists, by contrast, have nothing to look forward to after death, so they might be expected to cling to life.In fact, it is the other way round—at least according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association." |
| Some Thoughts about Faith Healing | "A 1996 poll of 1,000 adults found that 79% believed that spiritual faith can help people recover from disease." |
| "Accurate information about multilevel marketing is not easy to get. Few publishers, editors, and broadcasters are willing to examine this topic in depth. Most reports reaching the public express what the companies and individual distributors would like people to believe. Nearly all MLM companies selling health-related products exaggerate their value, and the vast majority of people who become distributors do not make significant income." |
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| MLM Watch | |
| What's Wrong With Multi-Level Marketing? | "This article will analyze four problem areas with MLM. Specifically, it will focus on problems of I) Market Saturation, II) Pyramid Structure, III) Morality and Ethics, and IV) Relationship Issues associated with MLMs." |
| MLM – the truth! | "Informs readers on "entrepreneurial chains" – network/multi-level marketing (MLM), pyramid/chain selling, consumer direct marketing." |
| Multi-Level Marketing Legit Deal or Pyramid Scheme |
"Multi-level marketing is a system of retailing in which consumer products are sold by independent businessmen and women (distributors) usually in customers' homes. You can set your own hours and earn money based on your efforts and ability to sell consumer products or services supplied to you, the distributor, by an established multi-level marketing company." |
| Becoming Wealthy With MLM: A Myth | "On the face of it the sale of generally good quality products and the building up of a marketing organisation does not appear to be too difficult. Everyone with a bit of common sense, enthusiasm and perseverance must be able to do this. Why is it then that so few Distributors are able to create a reasonable income?" |
| The Mirage of Multilevel Marketing | "Don't be surprised if a friend or acquaintance tries to sell you vitamins, herbs, homeopathic remedies, weight-loss powders, or other health-related products. Millions of Americans have signed up as distributors for multilevel companies that market such products from person to person. Often they have tried the products, concluded that they work, and become suppliers to support their habit." |
| The 10 Big Lies of Multi-Level Marketing | "My analysis of the MLM business is based upon fourteen years experience in corporate consulting specifically in the distribution field and more than 10 years of research and writing about the MLM model." |
| Multi-level Marketing Is it the Road to Riches or Disaster? |
"This is the story of my three-year involvement with one of the top multi-level marketing companies in the country. Although the names have been changed, the essential information is correct and paints a clear picture of what the vast majority of people who venture into MLM have no way of knowing beforehand but later wish they had. " |
| Index to Information about Herbalife International | "Herbalife International, founded in 1980, markets dietary supplements, herbs, weight-management products, and personal care products." |
| List of Multi-level Marketing Companies | "This is a list of Wikipedia pages about companies which utilize multi-level marketing, also known as "network marketing", for most of their sales." |
Dieting & Weight Loss
Dieting & Weight Loss
Weight Guidelines |
"Find resources and information related to definition of overweight and obesity, statistics, related organizations including the Weight-control Information Network, the National Weight Control Registry, and programs such as Smallstep.gov and Shape Up America, and more." |
| Weight & Obesity | |
| Calorie Calculator and Nutrition Guide | "Calculate the number of calories you need to maintain, lose or gain weight. Find the amounts of foods you need every day from the different food groups. Learn about serving size information and healthy food sources too." |
| Nutrition Data: Know What You Eat | Suggestions for healthy eating and weight control. Includes articles, links and general information. |
| Healthy Weight | "A healthy weight is the natural weight you can reach through good eating, regular physical activity, managing stress, and not smoking. Reaching a specific weight is not as important as the lifestyle changes you make to become healthy." |
| Weight Loss and Nutrition Myths | "Research suggests that losing 1/2 to 2 pounds a week by making healthy food choices, eating moderate portions, and building physical activity into your daily life is the best way to lose weight and keep it off. By adopting healthy eating and physical activity habits, you may also lower your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure." |
| Weight and Waist Measurements for Adults | "Today, 66 percent of adults in the United States are considered overweight or obese. How do you know if you are among them? Two simple measures, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference, provide useful estimates of overweight, obesity, and body fat distribution." |
| The Calary Control Council | "If you're looking for information on cutting calories and fat in your diet, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, or your favorite low-calorie, reduced-fat foods and beverages (and the ingredients that make them possible)... you've come to the right place!" |
| FDA Has Sweet News for Consumers of Sugar Substitutes | "The safety of sugar substitutes has been debated ever since Teddy Roosevelt said, almost 100 years ago, “Anybody who says saccharin is injurious to health is an idiot!” |
| Sugar Substitutes and Your Health | "Despite the popularity of these products, though, some people have concerns or questions about the safety of the sugar substitutes that make the products possible. Misinformation about sugar substitutes abounds, especially on the Internet, and people may have difficulty distinguishing trustworthy sources of information on this topic from less reliable ones." |
| Aspartame, Saccharin And Stevia | "There is no convincing evidence that small amounts of any of the available artificial or non-caloric plant sweeteners will harm you." |
"Provides the general public, health professionals, and the media with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues." |
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| Weight Management | |
| Manage Weight (Hypertension) | "Controlling your weight is a very important step that you can take to reduce your high blood pressure. Losing just a few extra pounds can help lower your blood pressure. Keeping your weight under control can also help you feel better, be more able to exercise, and reduce your chance of having a heart attack." |
| My Fitness Pal | "The easier it is to track your diet, the more likely you'll do it" |
| Dare to Lose Weight | "You can do this! Whether you've got 10, 25, 50, 100 or more pounds to lose, you can change your life and LIVESTRONG! We've got a fantastic group of folks here who will cheer your victories and encourage you every step of the way." |
| Calorie King | "Control your weight or your weight will control you. At CalorieKing, our mission is to put you in charge of your weight so you can enjoy the life you choose." |
| Calorie Count | "Calorie Count doesn't prescribe a particular diet. Eat any foods you want as long as you burn calories. Motivation is very important in dieting! Get support and encouragement from our community. " |
| Free Calorie Counter Calculator | "As part of a healthy diet, it is important that you include counting calories as part of you diet routine. Losing weight by counting calories is about ensuring the amount of calories you consume each day is less than the amount of calories you burn up." |
| Body Positive | "BodyPositive looks at ways we can feel good in the bodies we have. Remember, your body hears everything you think." |
| Shape Up America | "Committed to raising awareness of obesity as a health issue and to providing responsible information on healthy weight management." |
| Healthy Eating and Diet | "Need advice on what you should be eating? WebMD asked noted health experts to answer common questions about nutrition, diet, and weight loss" |
| Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program | "Doctors do not always address issues such as healthy eating, physical activity, and weight management during general office visits. It is important for you to start the discussion in order to get the information you need. Even if you feel uncomfortable talking about your weight with your doctor, remember that he or she is there to help you improve your health." |
| The Weight-control Information Network | "Provides the general public, health professionals, the media, and Congress with up-to-date, science-based information on weight control, obesity, physical activity, and related nutritional issues." |
| Nutrition & Diet Reports | Collection of articles |
"Healthy weight loss is really an attempt to reduce excess body fat. We believe permanent fat loss is a process of education. Our aim is to educate each visitor by attempting to provide a holistic approach to every aspect of fat loss, from nutrition, diet, and the best exercises to the correct mind set. " |
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| Weight Loss Exercise & Nutritional Help | |
| Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity | "CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity (DNPAO) takes a public health approach to address the role of nutrition and physical activity in improving the public's health and preventing and controlling chronic diseases." |
| Weight loss & Fitness | Listing of articles provided by the Federal Trade Commission. |
| Walking - A Step in the Right Direction | "Walking is one of the easiest ways to be physically active. You can do it almost anywhere and at any time. Walking is also inexpensive–all you need is a pair of shoes with sturdy heel support." |
| Eat Less or Exercise More? | "Studying a group of healthy, overweight but not obese, middle-aged men and women, the researchers found that a yearlong regimen of either calorie restriction or exercise increase had positive effects on heart function." |
| Physical Activity and Weight Control | "Physical activity may help you control your weight by using excess calories that would otherwise be stored as fat. Most foods and many beverages you eat and drink contain calories, and everything you do uses calories. This includes sleeping, breathing, digesting food, and of course, moving around. Balancing the calories you eat with the calories you use through physical activity may help you maintain your current weight." |
| Gym Membership Isn't Necessary For Fitness | "Purchasing the right equipment, adding creativity to your workouts, and keeping your motivation up, you can start an exercise program around the house that will last." |
| My Calorie Counter | "Track your calories, carbs and other nutrients and find the calories you burn during exercise." |
| LiveStrong | "Demand Media and the Lance Armstrong Foundation built LIVESTRONG.COM as the definitive daily health, fitness and lifestyle destination. Through its rich and extensive content, interactive tools and an engaged community, LIVESTRONG.COM will help people take action to make the most of their life, their time, their body and their world." |
"Hoping to lose a few pounds in time for bathing suit season -- and tired of all the hype about "miracle" weight loss cures? To help you get answers about what really works for weight loss, WebMD turned to eight noted diet and nutrition experts for their own favorite diet tips. " |
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| Experts' Best Diet Tips for Weight Loss | |
| Ready to Lose Weight? | "For people who are either overweight or obese, getting to a healthy weight—and staying there—requires major lifestyle changes. For some, it may even involve surgery." |
| The Secret to Losing Weight | "Given that the population is certainly not getting any thinner, it would seem apparent that whatever it is that people are buying isn't working. One may therefore start suspecting that the key to successful weight loss must be some kind of well hidden secret, and consequently set out to find this secret, spending a lot of money in the process." |
| Consumer Reports Weighs In On the New Diets | "The article also outlines eight winning strategies for losing weight and three tactics that are unlikely to help." |
| WebMD's Diet Health Check | "...will assess your weight loss goals, determine your metabolic starting point, and your current eating." |
| Calorie Control Council | "The Council has fostered the communication of information on the importance of diet, physical activity and weight control in achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Consumers will benefit from a better understanding of the importance of reducing calorie and fat intake and increasing caloric expenditure as an essential part of a healthy lifestyle." |
| Weight Loss Drugs: How Much Do Diet Pills Help? | "You've seen the ads promising successful weight loss by taking diet drugs or weight loss supplements, but do they really deliver results? Could weight loss medications and over-the-counter supplements really help to reverse the obesity epidemic?" |
"We read and hear a lot of allegations about nutrition supplements being over-regulated by the FDA and other government agencies. But in fact, the truth is that such products are barely regulated at all and consumers use them at their own risk. And all those high-priced weight-loss programs? Most of them are worthless ... at best." |
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| Weight Loss, Nutrition, and Food Safety | |
| Weight Loss Products and Programs | "Unfortunately, there is no “magic-bullet”. The only proven way to lose weight and keep it off is by making permanent lifestyle changes. You must eat healthier, watch portion sizes and be active. " |
| Weight-Loss Advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends | (PDF) "The use of deceptive, false, or misleading
claims in weight loss advertising is rampant and potentially dangerous. Many supplements, in particular, are of unproven value or have been linked to serious health risks." |
| Fad Diets: Healthy or Hazardous??? | (PDF) "Fad diets make promises that sound too good to resist. Unfortunately, the weight lost on fad diets often is quickly regained. Even worse, some fad diets can damage your health." |
| Diet Books and Weight Loss Products | "ALL of the popular diet books and programs, regardless of the "scientific" explanations they give, recommend menus that give you 1500-1800 calories or less per day. For most people this means you will be taking in fewer calories. You can lose weight on ANY OF THEM, but ask yourself: Is this a way of eating I can follow for the rest of my life?" |
| Weighing the Evidence in Diet Ads | "Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf and you see them everywhere: Ads that promise quick and easy weight loss without diet or exercise. Wouldn’t it be nice if — as the ads claim — you could lose weight simply by taking a pill, wearing a patch, or rubbing in a cream? Too bad claims like that are almost always false." |
| Nutritional Nonsense | "There's a lot of nonsense out there when it comes to nutrition, ranging from harmless myths and silly fads, to deliberately deceptive hype and or fear mongering." |
"Find resources and information for spotting suspicious health claims and links for checking out food and nutrition myths and misinformation. Includes resources specific to weight loss diets and products. " |
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| Fraud and Nutritional Information | |
| Weight Loss Drugs: How Much Do Diet Pills Help? | "You've seen the ads promising successful weight loss by taking diet drugs or weight loss supplements, but do they really deliver results? Could weight loss medications and over-the-counter supplements really help to reverse the obesity epidemic?" |
| Feds Sue Weight-Loss Pill Pushers | "Since 2005 the defendants have marketed their product throughout the nation under the names Zyladex Plus, Questral AC, Questral AC Fat Killer Plus, Rapid Loss 245, and Rapid Loss Rx." |
| Quackwatch | A Slightly Creaky Recommended Site. "Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere." |
| Anti-Quackery Ring | "This ring is for sites that combat & debunk health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies, and are more interested in real, objective, scientific proof, than in the speculative, subjective, and unproven theories and anecdotes of so-Called "Alternative" Medicine." |
| Alerts and Advisories | Most recent recalls and medical alerts on dietary and herbal supplements. |
| Supplements & Weight Loss | "It is not at all uncommon to find nutrition supplement manufacturers making the most outrageous and misleading claims about the weight-loss, muscle-building or stamina-enhancing prowess of their product." |
Dietary Supplements
Dietary Supplements
| What Are Diet Supplements |
"You’ve made the choice to go after a healthy lifestyle, so you rush out and try to obtain all the healthy supplements you need. However, although nutritional supplements can offer many benefits, they can also give you unwanted side effects.Many herbs can interact with other supplements, and certain vitamins/minerals only work effectively in conjunction with other nutrients." |
| Nutritional Supplements Guide | |
| Dietary Supplements | "FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations than those covering "conventional" foods and drug products. The dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed."" |
| USDA National Agricultural Library | "Find links to general information about dietary and nutritional supplements from both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. Includes resource lists, individual supplement information, and links to resources for assessing supplement use." |
| Office of Dietary Supplements | From the NIH. A collection of articles from the National Institute of Health about the use of food supplements. |
| Dietary Supplements | "Dietary supplements are vitamins, minerals, herbs and other substances meant to improve your diet. They can come as pills, capsules, powders and liquids. Supplements do not have to go through the testing that drugs do." |
| Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements | "People buy dietary supplements because they want to take control of their own health care. But in today's go-go marketplace, you need to think before you buy and try. The Wellness Letter has discussed many supplements, including the popular ones listed below. Click on a name to find the claims, purported benefits, and our bottom line." |
| Dietary Supplements | "Find links to general information about dietary and nutritional supplements from both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. Includes resource lists, individual supplement information, and links to resources for assessing supplement use." |
| A Consumer Guide to Dietary Supplements | (PDF) "Some of these products have a long history as traditional remedies, especially many herbal and botanical products. Amino acids, enzymes, and some others are fairly new to the marketplace." |
| Food vs. Pills | (PDF) "With so much confusion about the food we eat, the following questions and related myths explain the value of food in comparison to vitamin and mineral supplement pills." |
"Includes general information as well as resources for specific vitamins and minerals, from ascorbic acid to zinc." |
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| Vitamins and Minerals | |
| Nutrition Data: Know What You Eat | 100% of daily needs: can it be done without supplements? |
| Dietary Supplements | "Are you considering vitamin or mineral supplements? Do you think you need them? Or that they “can’t hurt”? Here are some questions to ask before you decide to take them. Provides monographs on over 100 herbs and supplements including evidence-based, peer-reviewed data, and selected illustrations. A product-based database that includes information on more than 2,000 brands of dietary supplements and their ingredients, uses, and manufacturers. Allows users to determine what ingredients are in specific brands and to compare ingredients in different brands." |
| Dietary Supplements and Herbal Remedies | A compilation of articles from the New York Time's health section. |
| Dietary Supplement Quality | "In addition to our consumer-oriented activities, we are committed to developing comprehensive quality practices and standards for dietary supplements. We believe increased levels of research in combination with widely accepted standards will benefit those who use, prescribe and make dietary supplements. In promoting a science-based understanding of the health benefits associated with supplementation, we believe the quality, safety and availability of dietary supplements can only increase." |
| All About Nutritional Supplements | "Although dietary supplements are a great way to complement your diet, they are no replacement for healthy eating. Dietary supplements will help improve your health regardless of what you eat, but taken in combination with a well-rounded diet, our health can achieve even higher levels. " |
| Herbal Information | "Provides an overview of the safety of herbal supplements as well as the possible side effects and interactions. Includes an interactive, electronic herbal database providing scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health." |
| What Dietary Supplements Can and Can't Do | "The sticky issue surrounding nutritional supplements is the way they are regulated. These pills, powders and potions fall under a different set of rules when being watched by the Food and Drug Administration. According to the FDA, dietary supplements are regulated under a "different set of regulations from those covering 'conventional' food and drug products."" |
| Vitamins May Raise Death Risk from Cancer | "Covering trials involving more than 170,000 people, the review echoed other studies that found no protective effect from vitamins against disease." |
Links to articles provided by the US Department of Agriculture. |
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| Organic Foods | |
| What Does the "Organic" Label Really Mean? |
"Unlike just a few years ago, consumers buying organic products, whether produced in the United States or imported, can be assured that the foods are produced without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation or bioengineering. Organic farmers are required to adhere to certain soil and water conservation methods and to rules about the humane treatment of animals. " |
| Organic Food Standards and Labels | "Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones." |
| Homeowatch | "Homeopathic "remedies" are usually harmless, but their associated misbeliefs are not. When people are healthy, it may not matter what they believe. But when serious illness strikes, false beliefs can lead to disaster. This Web site provides information about homeopathy that is difficult or impossible to find elsewhere. The bottom line is that it is senseless and does not work." |
| HerbMed | "An interactive, electronic herbal database - provides hyperlinked access to the scientific data underlying the use of herbs for health. It is an impartial, evidence-based information resource." |
| Herbs: Magic, Medicine, or Mystery? | (PDF) "Consumers can buy herbal products without a prescription and may not recognize the potential hazards. For example, an herb may be included on the Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) list, but that does not mean it has been approved for therapeutic uses." |
| All About Organics | "The Organic Consumers Association deals with crucial issues of food safety, industrial agriculture, genetic engineering, children's health, corporate accountability, Fair Trade, environmental sustainability and other key topics. We are the only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers." |
| The National Organic Program | "NOP develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products." |
"Find links to general information about dietary and nutritional supplements from both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations. Includes resource lists, individual supplement information, and links to resources for assessing supplement use." |
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| Dietary Supplements | |
| Alerts and Advisories | Most recent recalls and medical alerts on dietary and herbal supplements. |
| Some Herbs Boost Breast Cancer Risk | "Alternative remedies are more popular than ever, and women are now seeking "natural" solutions for the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. But natural doesn't always mean safe. In fact, researchers have found that certain herbs may increase a woman's risk of breast cancer." |
| Herb Information Packet Series | "All the information you need to use herbs safely and effectively." |
| Herb ineffective as anti-depressant | "The popular herbal supplement, St John's wort, is an ineffective treatment for depression, a major study has found. " |
| The Dangers of Dietary Supplements | "The Food and Drug Administration has recorded more than 2,500 reports of side effects and 79 deaths associated with dietary supplements" |
| Vitamins Can Kill | "As you'd expect, the vitamin industry has denounced the findings, arguing the review is flawed, without being too specific about why." |
| Herb Research Foundation | "The world's first and foremost source of accurate, science-based information on the health benefits and safety of herbs---and expertise in sustainable botanical resource development." |
| Herbal Products and Supplements: What You Should Know | "Some of the most popular herbal products and supplements include chondroitin sulfate, echinacea, ephedra (also called ma huang), garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, glucosamine, kava, melatonin, phytoestrogens (such as black cohosh, dong quai and soy), saw palmetto and St. John’s wort." |
(Alphabetically by ingredient or product) |
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| How Herbal Products Interact with Medications | "Herbal health products or supplements can affect the way the body processes drugs. When this happens, your medicine may not work the way it should." |
| Drugs & Medications | "The resources below have been provided to help narrow your search to specific, targeted drug information. Information is available for both consumers and healthcare professionals on over 24,000 prescription and over the counter medicines." |
| RX List | "A-Z Drug List [Browse by brand or generic name]" |
| Drugs & Medications A-Z | From WebMD |
| Drugs & Medications | "Provides comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased information in patient-friendly language on more than 11,000 drugs and medications" |
| Specific Drugs and Medications | Alphabetical |
| Connecticut Probes Acai Berry Scams | "There is no competent scientific research that demonstrates any of the claimed effects of Acai berry, including weight loss, detoxification and increased energy and vitality." |
| Acai: Weight Loss Wonder Fruit? | "Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) berries have been making headlines as one of the healthiest foods on the planet. They're supposed to be good for weight loss, anti-aging, and more. But can acai really help you lose weight, as the online ads promise? WebMD asked diet and nutrition experts for the truth about acai and weight loss." |
| Acid Or Alkaline? | "You should not believe that it matters whether foods are acidic or alkaline, because no foods change the acidity of anything in your body except your urine." |
| The Antioxidant Myth | "Cranberry capsules. Green tea extract. Effervescent vitamin C. Pomegranate concentrate. Beta carotene. Selenium. Grape seed extract. High-dose vitamin E. Pine bark extract. Bee spit.You name it, if it's an antioxidant." |
| Antioxidants Can Harm | "There is little evidence that large doses of antioxidant pills prevent disease, and there is some evidence that they may cause disease." |
| Bilberry | "Some medical conditions may interact with Bilberry . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:" |
| Enzyme Pills | "These enzymes do not function in your body because they are broken down into amino acids like any other proteins." |
| Ephedra | "Half the supplements tested for Ephedra had a huge discrepancy between what the product label claimed was in the product and what was actually measured in the product." |
| Garlic | "We know that allicin from garlic can be beneficial for humans, but no one has done the research to tell us how much to take." |
| Gingko Biloba Does Not Improve Memory | "Compared to placebo, ginkgo did not improve performance in 14 standard tests of learning, memory, attention, and concentration." |
| Ginseng | "Studies done between 1999 and 2001 found that many ginseng products for sale in the United States contain little or no ginseng." |
| Glucosamine and Chondroitin | "They are used widely for osteoarthritis, especially of the knee, and have been better studied than most other diet supplements. But do they really work?" |
| Glucophage For Weight Loss (+) | "Metformin, sold under the trade name Glucophage, is used to treat diabetes, but several recent papers show that it also helps non-diabetics to lose weight by reducing hunger " |
| Juices Are Not Health Foods | "A glass of orange juice contains about one tenth as much fiber as an orange and twice the calories." |
| Lycopene To Prevent Heart Attacks (+) | "The best sources are tomato paste and sauce, and ketchup. " |
| Omega-3'S (+) | "Omega-3s can help prevent blood platelets from clotting and sticking to artery walls in the form of cholesterol-rich plaques." |
| Probiotics and Prebiotics (+) | "Probiotics are living microorganisms, the good bacteria, that live in the colon and reduce inflammation and help prevent and treat Crohn's disease, psoriasis, arthritis, and perhaps even certain types of cancers." |
| Soybeans | "...You would need to eat very large amounts of soy products to get any of these negative effects...." |
| Vitamin E Does Not Prevent Blindness, Worsens Colds | "Vitamin E may worsen the symptoms of the common cold." |
| "Focuses upon health misinformation, fraud, and quackery as public health problems. Our positions are based upon the principles of science that underlie consumer protection law. We advocate: (a) adequate disclosure in labeling and other warranties to enable consumers to make truly informed choices; (b) premarketing proof of safety and effectiveness for products and services claimed to prevent, alleviate, or cure any health problem; and, (c) accountability for those who violate the law." | |
| National Council Against Health Fraud | |
| Quackwatch | A Slightly Creaky Recommended Site. "Quackwatch is now an international network of people who are concerned about health-related frauds, myths, fads, fallacies, and misconduct. Its primary focus is on quackery-related information that is difficult or impossible to get elsewhere." |
| Weight-Loss Advertising: An Analysis of Current Trends | (PDF) "The use of deceptive, false, or misleading
claims in weight loss advertising is rampant and potentially dangerous. Many supplements, in particular, are of unproven value or have been linked to serious health risks." |
| Fraud and Nutritional Information | "Find resources and information for spotting suspicious health claims and links for checking out food and nutrition myths and misinformation. Includes resources specific to weight loss diets and products. " |
| Anti-Quackery Ring | "This ring is for sites that combat & debunk health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies, and are more interested in real, objective, scientific proof, than in the speculative, subjective, and unproven theories and anecdotes of so-Called "Alternative" Medicine." |
| Energy Bars? Power Bars? | "Energy bars are made of sugar, refined carbohydrates and fats, fortified with small amounts of vitamins and minerals– the nutritional equivalent of a cookie and about 1/6 of a multivitamin pill. Protein bars add milk or soy powder. They are not more nutritious than a bowl of cereal, and they cost a lot more." |
| Nutritional Nonsense | "There's a lot of nonsense out there when it comes to nutrition, ranging from harmless myths and silly fads, to deliberately deceptive hype and or fear mongering." |
| Money Down The Toilet | "This article takes a critical look at the need for vitamins, and explains why popping vitamin pills is not just a poor substitute for a healthy diet, it is simply a waste of money and may be potentially dangerous." |
| Detox Diets - A Complete Scam! | "Our bodies are extremely well designed, and they do a fantastic job of “cleansing” themselves. Our liver, kidneys, skin, lungs, and gut, are constantly processing and eliminating these nasty toxins. Meticulously flushing with copious amounts of water and fresh juices will do nothing to speed up the process." |
| "Detoxification" Schemes and Scams | "Many quacks tell people they have accumulated toxins and need "detoxification." The method they choose depends on what they want to sell." |
| Truth About Food | A serties of health videos from BBC, |
Geriatric Nutrition Information
Geriatric Nutrition Information
| Information for People Over 65 on Food, Nutrition, and Cosmetics |
A collection of articles on a variety of topics. |
| Nutrition Tips for Women Over 50 | "Good nutrition and exercise don't just slow down muscle loss and aid with weight control, they also help a woman guard against heart disease, stroke, a broken hip because of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, cancer, even the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Those risks increase with family history, inactive lifestyle, and eating a poor diet." |
| A Senior's Guide to Vegiterian Nutrition | "There is abundant evidence to show that an optimal level of nutrition can extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life. A large body of research examining the health of vegetarians, who typically consume a diet that is lower in calories, saturated fat, and protein, and higher in fiber and phytochemicals than nonvegetarians, shows that vegetarians suffer from less heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. Vegetarians also tend to live longer than nonvegetarians. " |
| Vitamins Do Older Women Little Good | "In yet another blow to the dietary supplement industry, researchers find no evidence that multivitamin use helps older women ward off heart disease and cancer, the top two killers of women, respectively." |
| Older Adults: Food Poisoning can be Prevented | "You may never have gotten sick from the mishandling of food in the past, but as an older adult, you are more vulnerable to foodborne illness. As you age, your immune system weakens, making it harder to fight off bacteria and serious illness." |
| Geriatric Nutrition Health | "With age comes many physical changes. Once the body reaches physiologic maturity, the rate of degenerative change exceeds the rate of cell regeneration. However, people age at different rates, so the elderly population is not a homogeneous group; there is great variability among individuals." |
| Geriatric Nutrition | Series of articles |
| Nutrition for Longevity | "No matter the amount of research that scientists do into anti-aging medicine, no matter how skilled physicians become in using these tools, if people will not turn their own attention to changing their diets for the better, there can be no completely successful cases in the realm of longevity medicine." |
| Nutrition and Aging | "Physiological changes occur slowly over time in all body systems. These changes are influenced by life events, illnesses, genetic traits and socioeconomic factors." |
| Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults | "The Modified MyPyramid for Older Adults continues to emphasize nutrient-dense food choices and the importance of fluid balance, but has added additional guidance about forms of foods that could best meet the unique needs of older adults and about the importance of regular physical activity." |
| Eating Well As You Get Older | "Eating well is vital for everyone at all ages. Whatever your age, your daily food choices can make an important difference in your health and in how you look and feel." |
| Nutrition After 50 | (PDF) "This brochure can show you how good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle can add vitality to your years and help you reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases. It is written for people age 50 and over. It also contains plenty of general information and practical strategies for those of any age who would like to lower their risk for chronic illness and feel better than ever." |
| As We Age: Nutrition for Senior Adults | "As you age, your lifestyle may be less active; you may sit more and perform less vigorous exercises or physical labor. Also, your body's metabolism may be less efficient or slower." |
| Exercise for Seniors | "There is a fountain of youth. Millions have discovered it - the secret to feeling better and living longer. It's called staying active." |
| Food Safety for Seniors | "Seniors have a lifetime of experience shopping, preparing and eating food. And fortunately, Americans enjoy one of the safest most healthful food supplies in the world. But a lot has changed over your lifetime--from the way food is produced and distributed, to the way it is prepared and eaten." |
| Improving and Extending Quality of Life Among Older Americans | "Today, about 80% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and 50% have at least two. These conditions can cause years of pain and loss of function. Public health efforts can help Americans avoid preventable illness and disability as they age. Research has shown that poor health is not an inevitable consequence of aging." |
Nutrition Information for Restaurants
Nutrition Information for
Restaurant
National Chains and Local
Most national food providers have a reasonable listing of the nutritional and caloric values on their company's home page. You can also find such information by searching for "Nutritional Information Company Name," such as "Nutritional Information Panera Bread."
Federal, state, and local laws regulate such information and requirements.
We can not possibly include such information on this site as there would be more than 1,000 such entries. Sites that have such information include (see below for descriptions):
| CalorieKing.com | "The CalorieKing.com Food Database holds the nutritional information for over 50,000 American generic and brand name foods (including over 260 fast-food chains). There is a wide range of nutrient data and information available including calorie count charts, fat content, fiber content, protein content and much, much more." |
| Fast Food Nutrition Fact Explorer | The Fast Food Nutrition Fact Explorer database contains the nutritional data of 12 of the world's most popular fast food restaurant chains. It can help you follow the dietary or weight loss advice of programs designed to reduce your risk of obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Whether you have chosen to follow, a low fat, low calorie, low sodium, low cholesterol, or low carbohydrate diet, the Explorer's powerful search capabilities can help you determine which fast food items will meet the recommendations of your diet or weight loss program. |
| Secrets of Restaurant Nutrition | "There are tips and tricks of the trade that many diners don't know. Want to find out more restaurant secrets about food safety, portion sizes, and which foods offer the most nutrition -- and value -- for the buck? Keep reading." |
| Healthy Dining Finder | "Healthy Dining has been at the forefront of restaurant nutrition since 1990. Healthy Dining's team – master’s level health professionals, registered dietitians, marketing professionals and a doctoral level researcher – has worked with hundreds of restaurants and analyzed thousands of menu items for nutritional content." |
| Diet Facts | See Nutrition Facts for 504 Restaurants |
| The Ultimate Chain Restaurant Nutrition Guide | "We rated the restaurants on the availability/completeness of information, how easy it was to locate and retrieve the information, and whether or not there was additional information such as allergy info." |
| Restasurant Nutrition Information | "Sometimes it helps to be able to compare them to other restaurants so you can have a more informed choice, especially when along a main road, you are bombarded with so many restaurant choices." |
| Nutritional Information on Restaurant Menus | "Researchers found that “using only the sense of taste, smell, and sight to accurately estimate the levels of calories, saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium found in a typical restaurant food serving is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for most consumers.”" |
| FatBurgr | "When you go to a restaurant, do you know the nutritional content of what you're ordering? We didn't either. Fatburgr gives you nutritional information from your favorite restaurants." |
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