Funding Sources

This applies to every health site you read or any "study findings" pertaining to any topic. Research the funding sources. Find out who the funding sources are. Be assured that "study results" will be skewed by funding sources.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) has a My Pyramid which is supposed to contain health eating suggestions. What the FDA doesn't tell you is that certain funding sources would not let the independent scientists incorporate researched facts into the Pyramid guidelines.

For instance, scientists wanted to state that red meat needed much stricter consumption guidelines. The American Cattle Industry is a USDA funding source, so results needed to be skewed to favor more red meat consumption.

Scientists wanted to incorporate stricter guidelines for minimizing soda pop consumption. That could not happen due to the soda pop industry being a USDA funding source.

These are just two examples of the importance of knowing who funds certain studies.

I know because I performed extensive research into this area while doing a number of college-level research papers.

Enjoying Whole Grains Can Be Easy

We all know the importance of eating whole grains as part of our healthy lifestyle. If you are not accustomed to eating whole grains, though, it may seem difficult. It is easier than you think.

Eat whole grain cereals, pastas, crackers, breads and snack items. Stop eating products made with refined or bleached flours.

Add some cooked barley to your soup. Enjoy a side dish of quinoa and mushrooms. (Learn more about quinoa in my whole grains cookbook). Use grains instead of potatoes for your side dishes.

Whatever amount of grains you eat, make half of them whole grains. Eating at least three ounces of whole grains daily is all it takes to improve your health.

Learn about portion control and what constitutes a serving. A serving of whole grain, for instance, is one piece of whole grain bread. ½ cup of cooked rice, pasta or cereal is one serving size. If you are eating whole grain cereals, one cup of cold cereal makes up one serving.

Read product labels. This will tell you how much a serving size is, the calorie count, amount of dietary fiber, amount of whole grains (hopefully), fat, cholesterol, etc. Whatever ingredients the product is made of will be on the label, also.

Look for whole grain as the first ingredient on a product label.

Check out the USDA's website at MyPyramid.gov for more info.