As Congress debates whether to trim the food stamps budget as part of the massive Farm Bill reauthorization, lawmakers might want to consider this striking statistic from a new W.K. Kellogg Foundation survey : Three-quarters of Americans say they support a national program that would double Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (or food stamp) benefits at farmers markets. Read full article > >

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Americans eat more fresh foods than they did five years ago

Nearly half of babies in Malawi are affeced by stunted growth because of malnutrition.

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VIDEO: Malawi babies who are fighting to grow

The best way to label the nutritional content of our food is to be considered in a UK-wide consultation launched by the government.

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Consultation on how to label food

When it comes to nutrition policy, we know about a lot of things that don’t work: Soda taxes and proximity to healthy foods , for example, have relatively shaky support in the public health literature. At the same time, we know we need something to work: The CDC projects that 42 percent of the country will be obese by 2030. Read full article > >

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Have California schools cracked the code on obesity?

5@5 is a daily, food-related list from chefs, writers, political pundits, musicians, actors, and all manner of opinionated people from around the globe. As Earth Day, April 22, approaches, we encourage you to consider how you can reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably . When you dine at restaurants — which some of us do on a daily basis — it may seem hard to eat healthfully, let alone sustainably, but this isn't necessarily true. Clean Plates founder and nutritionist Jared Koch has some suggestions to put sustainable dining within your reach. Five Ways to Dine More Sustainably for Earth Day … and Every Day: Jared Koch 1. Try to order meat from animals that were pastured, and choose seafood that was caught or farmed sustainably “More and more restaurants are serving meat from pastured animals, that are often referred to as 'grass-fed.' Pastured animals get to go outside and munch on grass. It might not sound like a big deal, but it has a very beneficial effect on the surrounding environment (and the animals themselves). Factory farmed animals are cooped up together and produce significantly more pollutants than pastured livestock that help fertilize the soil they graze upon and support new grass growth. Also, it takes a significant amount of fossil fuel to grow and deliver the grain used to feed livestock. Grass? You just need some rain. As an added benefit to your health, pastured animals are also more likely to come from farms that don’t use hormones or antibiotics. As I learned from the Seafood Program Director of the Blue Ocean Institute, both wild-caught and farmed fish can be ocean-friendly depending on the fishing and farming methods. But how can you tell while scanning a menu? Download the constantly updated Seafood Watch app from Monterey Bay Aquarium (it even has a sushi guide), or text the Blue Ocean Institute at 30644 with the message FISH and name of the fish in question; they’ll text you back with an assessment and more sustainable alternative (if necessary).” 2. Try a vegetarian or vegan dish (Yes, I'm talking to you, meat eaters) “You don't need to be a vegetarian or vegan to be healthy or eat sustainably; simply ordering a vegetarian or vegan meal once in a while has a very positive environmental impact. In general, the less meat we consume, the lighter our carbon footprint. Who knows, you might even enjoy it and feel better afterward.” 3. Select dishes with produce that is locally grown and organic (or at least pesticide-free) “Local produce travels a shorter distance, retains more of its nutrients and tastes better. Organic farming practices support healthier soil and air, and ensure you won't ingest the pesticides used in conventional farming. Soy products, corn and canola oil are very likely to contain GMOs (genetically modified organisms) unless they're organic, so be sure to investigate before you order.” 4. Skip the bottled water “American landfills are overflowing with single-use water bottles. Fortunately, some restaurants are starting to filter their own water now, which makes the choice easy. If you want to avoid tap water and insist on a bottle, try to make the most local choice possible: Choose bottled water from the U.S. instead of water shipped across the globe.” 5. Don’t waste food “Restaurant portions can be super-sized; while I don't want to encourage you to overeat and finish your plate, I do suggest you think twice before sending your leftovers to the trash. Food waste in the U.S. has become a big problem. It's increased the carbon footprint of trash delivery services and created excessive landfills that release large amounts of methane into the air. If leftovers aren't for you, take your box and hand it to a homeless person on your way home, or leave the container on top of a trash bin for someone to find. Don't forget: These small changes, made on a consistent basis, will have a positive impact not only for your personal health but the health of the planet too.” Is there someone you'd like to see in the hot seat? Let us know in the comments below and if we agree, we'll do our best to chase 'em down.

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5@5: Dine more sustainably for Earth Day and every day

In a country filled with weight loss reality shows and outsized fast food combos, the omnipresence of food insecurity and hunger in the United States might come as a shock to some. According to the USDA, 50 million people, or 16.6 percent of Americans, live in households at risk of hunger. The Supplementary Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamps, now puts food on the table for one in seven Americans. A family of three (one adult, two kids) earning more than $23,900 would not be eligible for food stamps. The new documentary, “Hunger Hits Home,” explores the crisis of childhood hunger in America through the eyes of the parents, children, anti-hunger activists, educators and politicians on the front lines of the battle. The film, which premieres April 14, is part of Food Network's ongoing partnership with Share Our Strength's No Kid Hungry Campaign to end childhood hunger in America by 2015. Here's what's at stake in our own backyard and beyond. Living on food stamps and charitable assistance The food stamp challenge results: eating on $30 a week Could you live on $30 a week? 5 Shocking statistics about hunger Witnesses to Hunger: A portrait of food insecurity in America Childhood malnutrition has long lasting effects Criticism aside, food stamp program is “an essential lifeline” for 46 million people “A time of record need” for food insecure Lawmakers eat on a food stamp budget School lunch as a lifeline When school's out for summer, stomachs grumble In Kenya, when school is out, children face starvation Hungry at the holidays Feeding “motel kids” Celebrity chefs pitching in Tom Colicchio talks childhood hunger Eric Ripert – Feeding the needy with fancy fish Michel Nischan talks fixing a broken food system and helping out fishing families in the Gulf Starvation in Somalia What starvation feels like The funny sounding nut paste that's saving children's lives in Somalia “Feed the world's children. This, we should be able to do.” Catch up on all Eatocracy coverage of hunger and food deserts From our fellow food sites: FN Dish: 4 Ways to Take Action Against Childhood Hunger Today EatingWell: 6 Inspiring People Who Are Fighting Hunger BlogHer Food: Poor Girl on SNAP: Using EBT at the Farmers' Market Food52: A Day in the Life at Share Our Strength GMA.com: Fight Hunger With These 5 Charities Cooking Channel: Join the Great American Bake Sale Food Republic: Joining Bloggers to Take on Hunger YumSugar: 5 Ways to Fight World Hunger Beyond Donating Money

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Focus on hunger and hope

Elizabeth Gordon is the author of 'The Complete Allergy-Free Comfort Foods Cookbook and Allergy-Free Desserts'. She was diagnosed with multiple food allergies in 2007 after the birth of her first child and decided to combine her social work background with her love of the culinary arts to help people just like her. She cooks up new treats, weekly, on her blog allergyfreedelights.com The United States is home to 9 million adults and 6 million children coping with food allergies ranging from annoying rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis. Millions of other families are taking note of government-funded initiatives like Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move project and reaching for less processed and more natural fare. While healthy and safe eating is the common denominator between these groups, there is likely another: sticker shock when the checkout person hands over the grocery receipt. When I was diagnosed with allergies to wheat, eggs, string beans and figs in 2004, I wrongly assumed that my food bills would plummet, largely because it felt as though most of the foods that I enjoyed had just been eliminated from my diet. Venturing into the supermarket after that fateful doctor’s visit, I felt relieved that I finally knew why I was covered in a rash and that by simply choosing rice over rotini, I might be able to eliminate the itching that had plagued me since my daughter was born six months before. I was more than surprised when the cart, loaded with produce, a package of gluten-free flour , some gluten, dairy, soy, nut and egg-free chocolate chips and gluten-free snacks like pretzels came out to be almost three times what I previously budgeted for groceries. I thought that there was a mistake. There wasn’t, but even seven years later, I still can’t believe the amount of money that we spend on food. Granted, there are four of us, we live in New York City where the cost of living is higher, and specialty items that are both safe for me to eat and that my children enjoy are simply more expensive. However, I know that I am not alone. I took an informal survey of my Facebook fans, and of the roughly 50 responses, only one person said that her food bill hadn’t tripled as a result of her child’s severe food allergies. One food allergic family even added that they factored their food budget into their mortgage refinancing as a medical hardship. Whether coping with life-threatening food allergies or just buying more mindfully, families know that eliminating any or all of the top eight allergens (dairy, wheat , eggs, soy, fish, tree nuts, peanuts and shellfish) from their diets can get pricey. Here are five practical ways to reduce the weekly expenses: Opt for beans and rice over pasta Rice is always inexpensive and so are hominy, beans (like kidney or black beans), spaghetti squash and sweet potatoes. Gluten-free pastas and cereals are not. Reach for canned or dried legumes or starchy vegetables, which generally have more nutritional value anyway, and save the rice pasta and cold cereal for special treats. Make your own Cooking your own meals, snacks and treats instead of relying on pre-packaged fare will drastically reduce the allergic family’s food bill. It also ensures food safety. Cooking doesn’t have to be a five-course meal every night. Simple steps like making your own gluten-free flour mix for baking or making chicken stock at home really add up to savings. Invest in a slow cooker If you eat meat, the slow cooker turns inexpensive cuts like brisket or chicken thighs tender and moist, and it saves time because it can be left alone all day to have dinner on the table when you get home from work. If you live a vegetarian lifestyle, the slow cooker can be a great way to cook up hearty soups, stews and even big batches of gluten-free, steel-cut oats for breakfast. Eat seasonally The laws of supply and demand apply here. When fruits and vegetables are abundant, they are less expensive. Roast up some root vegetables in the fall. Load up on berries in the summer. Choose citrus in the winter to save. Don’t be afraid to freeze If you can’t live without blueberries in February or your kids want some corn come December, don’t hesitate to look in the freezer section. Better still, load up your own freezer with fresh fruit when it’s in season to eat later in the year. Evidence suggests that frozen fruits and vegetables are just as nutritious, and they can be cheaper, too. Don’t stop at just frozen produce! Freeze leftover herbs to avoid waste. Freeze coconut milk kefir in ice cube trays if you only use a little bit for baking. Stash the meat that was on sale at the market in the freezer for up to three months. Just these little steps reduce waste and expenditures in the supermarket. Safe and healthy eating does come at a price. Fortunately, simple steps can reduce it, because as every family, whether allergic or not, knows, every penny counts. Previously – Being gluten-free and well-fed and Living with peanut allergies

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Allergy-friendly grocery shopping without breaking the bank

New guidelines on nutrition for preschool children are published in an effort to reduce obesity in the under-fives.

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New food advice for under-fives

Britons are not eating enough fruit and vegetables despite nutritional advice being widely available, a study suggests.

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UK diet ‘lacking fruit and veg’

Too much time spent sitting increases the risk of developing cancer, even for those who exercise regularly. That’s according to research presented Thursday morning at the American Institute for Cancer Research’s annual conference . The AICR presented data suggesting that about 100,000 new cases of breast cancer and colon cancer per year can be associated with physical inactivity. One study presented at the conference and published in October in the journal Cancer Prevention Research found that among post-menopausal women, taking frequent breaks from sitting was associated with smaller waist circumference and lower levels of C-reactive proteins, both biomarkers associated with elevated risk of some cancers. In an analysis of data for 4,757 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) published in the European Heart Journal, even short periods of light activity — frequently standing up and walking for as little as a minute at time — reduced risk for such biomarkers as large waist circumference, elevated triglyceride levels and increased insulin resistance, which are linked to heightened cardiovascular disease but might also boost cancer risk. Read full article > >

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Inactivity boosts cancer risk, research finds

Two years of drought have left millions of people facing starvation in the Horn of Africa — more than 4 million in Somalia alone. Tens of thousands have died , and an estimated 750,000 are at risk of death. About 36 percent of Somali children under the age of 5 are malnourished; nearly 16 percent are severely malnourished, according to that country’s Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit. Read full article > >

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Starvation threat in Africa tests changes in assisting victims of famine

THE QUESTION Does chocolate, which is believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, offer heart-related health benefits? THIS STUDY analyzed data from seven studies involving 114,009 adults, ages 25 to 93, and including information on their diets and occurrences of cardiovascular disease over periods from eight to 16 years. People who ate the most chocolate — dark or light and in such forms as bars, drinks, desserts, snacks and nutritional supplements — were 37 percent less likely to have developed cardiovascular disease and 29 percent less likely to have had a stroke than were those who ate the least amount of chocolate. Chocolate consumption had no effect on the occurrence of heart failure. Read full article > >

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Chocoholics may have an edge in heart health

District students head back to school today, and at a few D.C. Public Schools, they will walk into brand-new or brilliantly renovated facilities . But at many more schools, students will find smaller but significant upgrades: new salad bars. This year, 27 DCPS schools will feature cafeteria salad bars, about double the number from last year. It’s the latest upgrade to school meals under nutrition chief Jeff Mills , who was hired by ex-chancellor Michelle A. Rhee to overhaul the school system’s dismal food service . Read full article > >

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D.C. Public Schools expand salad bars

After devoting decades to designing a pyramid, then honing and refining that design, the nation’s nutrition experts have settled on what they believe is the perfect geometry to represent what we should eat — a plate . Arriving in the midst of an obesity epidemic, this new at-a-glance guide to healthful eating is meant to remind consumers to limit heavy foods and beef up on the greens. “MyPlate” promotes fruits and vegetables, which cover half the circle. Grains occupy an additional quarter, as do proteins such as meat, fish and poultry. A glass of milk rests to the side. Desserts have been banished to the desert. Read full article > >

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At USDA, a plate usurps the food pyramid

If you wonder what kinds of beverages you should allow your kids to drink, a report published Monday morning in the journal Pediatrics makes things crystal clear: That’s just one of many useful nuggets of information from the report’s informative review of sports and energy drinks, the differences between the two and the way they should and, more important, shouldn’t be consumed. In short, the report, by the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition and the Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, notes that sports drinks and energy drinks are not interchangeable and that most kids shouldn’t drink either of them, ever. Read full article > >

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Report: Kids should stick to water, low-fat milk