Sugar. Would a food by any other name taste as sweet?

As it turns out, the answer to that question is yes, and our food industry is literally banking on consumers’ growing appetites for sugar and sweeteners. Americans are expected to consume 11.2 million metric tons of sugar this year alone, much of it through processed foods and in the guise of dozens of different names for sugar.

Take a look at these statistics:

• The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal reported that 74% of products in the U.S. food supply contain added caloric or low-calorie sweeteners, or both.

• A study published by the open-access medical journal BMJ Open found that nearly 60% of an average American’s daily calories come from ‘ultra-processed’ foods – products that contain flavors, colors, sweeteners and other additives that you wouldn’t use at home. These products are the main source of added sugar in the U.S. diet.

• The USDA reported that the average...

Today is all about the green! What a great day to introduce you to all things green when it comes to the foods you eat.  NOW WAIT! Don’t leave me yet.  I’ll be the first to admit that unless green foods involve mint chocolate chip ice cream, key lime pie or, especially on this day – green beer, I was never too quick to pay attention.  But as I have continued to learn more about how the foods and beverages I put into my body influence how I feel, I’ve adopted a new approach when it comes to green foods.  And that is being curious.

For those of you who are struggling with achy joints, foggy or forgetful brains, or just feeling exhausted this could be some life-altering information.  There are several green foods that can help your body heal itself when incorporated into your diet.  The following list of foods are helpful when fighting that ugly word inflammation that’s being tossed around these days.

One of the...