Nutrition

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Connecting you with our food system and its value in our daily lives — from dirt to dinner.

Nutrition

Exploring advances in nutritional science and standards for health and food safety, as well as evolving consumer preferences, trends, and diets

Are snacks masking your body's protein needs?

Our bodies crave protein, so why do we try to satisfy this innate need with processed foods? A new study suggests we overeat because our protein needs are unmet. Could this be true?

Diet, Health

Tufts' Befuddling "Food Compass"

Really smart people have told me that occasional bouts of confusion are normal as we age, and I’ve taken comfort in that. But I’ve got to admit I was thrown for a very serious loop when I came across the Tufts Food Compass Score...

Diet

Not All Fiber is Created Equal

Most of us are fiber deficient, which is a pity: fiber helps maintain digestive health, lowers cholesterol, and controls blood sugar levels. But we can't just add any fiber to our diets to reap all these benefits; we need to consider a few other things...

Diet, Health

How does alcohol affect our health?

We wondered to what degree drinking alcohol detracts from our health. So we're digging into alcohol's effect on our brain & body so we can make informed lifestyle decisions.

Health

Omega 3 & 6: What’s the difference?

Are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids healthy? The science is conflicting. Some say we should not limit our intake, while others say we should avoid Omega 6s at all costs. We talked to an expert to uncover the truth.

Diet, Health

Milk: Should you go 'alternative'?

With so many substitutes for milk to choose from, it can be difficult to know which is best. How do mainstream milk alternatives compare nutritionally?

Food Ingredients, Health

5 Key Nutrients for Mitochondrial Health

Did you know that our diet has a direct impact on the function of our mitochondria, affecting our long-term health? Check out these 5 nutrients you can add to your diet right now to improve mitochondrial function!

Should MCT Oil be in your diet?

With a new influx of research surrounding MCT oil, we can now evaluate the claims and myths surrounding this fatty acid. Should you try it?

Food Ingredients, Health

How is Salt Made?

Salt is a vital component in the functioning of our bodies and it boasts over 14,000 known uses. Where does it all come from?

Food Ingredients, Food Production

Does alcohol stop us from burning fat?

We were ready to start enjoying our summer cocktails until we heard a rumor that alcohol stops the body from burning fat for up to 36 hours after drinking. Let’s find out if this should have us all dropping our cocktails!

Health

Eating for Healthy Mitochondria

Our cells' mitochondria create energy to keep our hearts beating, recognize pathogens, and program cellular activity. Our diet has a direct effect on our mitochondrial function, impacting not only our immunity but our long-term health.

Diet, Health

5 Benefits of Eating Eggs

It's National Egg Day! Let's talk about why we should incorporate eggs into our diet.

Heavy metal exposure: what to know

Heavy metals are present in everyday items and, if overexposed, can cause a variety of health problems. Knowing what foods to eat to fortify your body can provide a protective mechanism to combat these inevitable exposures.

Health

Plant-based chicken: should you switch?

Move over Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat beef burgers, there’s a new plant-based option in town. Let’s look at plant-based chicken and how it compares nutritionally to traditional poultry.

Food Ingredients, Health

5 Benefits of Fasting

Fasting for longer periods of time has been shown to have more long-term health benefits than intermittent fasting. Learn what some of these benefits include and decide if fasting is right for you!

Would a ‘traffic light’ label help prioritize your nutrition?

A new food label proves European food manufacturers' commitment to consumer health. This stoplight-like label helps shoppers quickly determine a product's overall nutrition. How will U.S. food producers react?

Health

Goodbye “GMO”, Hello “Bioengineered”

Have you seen the new GMO labels? As of January 1st, the USDA requires food companies to label products as “bioengineered” if any ingredients are genetically modified. What will this mean for GMOs and consumer acceptance?

Food Regulations & Policy, Health

How does fasting prevent disease?

I tried a fast-mimicking diet and learned it's so good for your health. But how many days do you need to fast for it to be effective?

Diet, Health

What's healthier: protein bar or burger?

How is sugar sneaking into your diet? Many of us turn to protein bars as an alternative to sugary snacks. But many of these “healthy” snacks have more sugar than a candy bar. Are we getting fooled?

Diet, Health

How Smart People Change Their Minds

It's easy to see when the choices others make are bad for them. However, our brains try to protect us from disappointing or conflicting info, resulting in overconfidence with our own abilities and beliefs than we should have.

Health

5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Happy Valentine’s Day! What are the benefits of that tasty treat you bring home to your sweet? Find out!

Supplements: Health solution or illusion?

Most of us take a supplemental nutrient to ease joint pain, make our digestive system happy, or get veggie nutrients we may have missed during the day. But do they really make us healthier? Or are they just a bandage over a bigger problem?

Health

The Caveman Diet: Should Our Diets Really Evolve?

We all care about diet and the important role it plays in our health. But how do we know what choices to make when our heads tell us one thing and our natural instincts might say something very different?

Diet, Health

We've got questions for you, 2022...

Governments and companies are changing the way we address food security, the environment, and consumer health. At D2D, we have covered some of these subjects previously but are now looking harder at how the future will be shaped by those who grow, trade, process, and consume food.

Food Production, Food Technology, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Study shows dairy's effect on heart health

A long-term study just released results contradictory to previous guidance on dairy intake. This study, coupled with others of its kind, has provided new food for thought: cutting down on dairy might not be the best choice for your heart health.

Health

Are fermented foods key to our health?

You want to prevent disease? Then consider fermented foods. Fermentation is a chemical reaction that’s responsible for some of our most favorite food and drinks that not only taste great – they can be great for you.

Health

A Stick or a Carrot to Help Us Eat Healthy?

What if your baking ingredients cost double this holiday season? A tax aimed at sugary products could have these effects, but will this make us healthier?

Health

The truth about calorie-deficit diets

Social media has us believing calorie-deficit diets are in right now, and many fitness trainers and influencers recommend it for weight loss and muscle building. But, when my fiancé tried to do it, we realized it’s not as easy as everyone makes it seem.

Diet

5 Ways to Celebrate Fall

Fall is finally here! What fun and healthy things can you do to celebrate?! Click to find out!

White Fat's Effect on Chronic Illness

Our bodies need fat to function, but some types are better than others. This discovery can change our treatments for chronic issues like obesity and diabetes while improving health.

Health

5 Healthy Fats

We used to think fat was bad for us, however now we know that’s not true. We need all different kinds of fat to have a healthy lifestyle. Here are five of the healthiest we can eat!

Getting nutrition info from social media? Think again...

Should we listen to social media for nutrition and health information? Although many people would say yes, following the diets and trends of influencers and celebrities may be more harmful than helpful.

Health

Is Liquid Chlorophyll Beneficial or Just a TikTok Craze?

Another green drink has entered the world – liquid chlorophyll. The trend, which went viral on TikTok, has users drinking chlorophyll to obtain its supposed ‘benefits.’ What’s the science, if any, behind this new phenomenon?

Health

5 Healthier Summer Cocktails

It’s summertime! And, if you’re looking for a refreshing summer cocktail that you can sip on guilt-free, you’ve come to the right place!

Grilling Season: Food Safety Best Practices

Before you fire up the grill, let’s review safe food storage, handling, and preparation to help you protect yourself, your families, and your guests from food-borne illnesses.

Food Safety

5 Facts about Animal Antibiotics

Should we avoid animal products at the grocery store that don’t have the “antibiotic-free” sticker? Many people think so, but this label may be more marketing than it is factual.

5 Benefits of Cheese

Happy National Cheese Day! There are many benefits to incorporating both cheese and other dairy products into our diets. Let’s talk about five big ones!

5 Benefits of Beef

To take advantage of all the grilling taking place this holiday weekend, we're highlighting some of the benefits of that lean and juicy beef patty. Although beef can get a bad reputation, it is a highly nutritious food with many health benefits.

Postbiotics: You Are What You Digest

You've probably heard of probiotics, but what about postbiotics? And what role do these components play in the relationship between our gut and our immune system? It turns out - a big one...

Health

I Tried Intuitive Eating for a Month - Here’s What I Learned

“Intuitive eating” is gaining a lot of momentum. It consists of listening to your body and thinking about food as a part of an overall lifestyle choice, rather than a restrictive diet. I decided to try it out to see if I actually eat healthier and feel better.

Diet, Health

5 Facts About the "Clean Eating" Trend

Eating ‘clean’ is becoming very popular, especially online. But, what does “clean eating” really mean? Don’t we all eat clean food every day?

Why Do We Make Bad Food Choices?

Before reading Jack Bobo's new book, I assumed I was making good choices to stay healthy. But after reading "Why Smart People Make Bad Food Choices", I questioned everything. Are social media and grocery store marketing tactics hijacking my decision-making? Apparently so...

Food Production, Health

5 Things to Know About TikTok's Liquid Chlorophyll Trend

Have you drank your chlorophyll today? Liquid chlorophyll is the new TikTok sensation. Users are turning to this daily supplement to help with their skin, reduce bloating, weight loss, and more. Thinking of trying it? Read this first!

Celebrating World Health Day: 5 Foods to Add to Your Diet

In celebration of World Health Day, we’re going to tell you the five foods that we should all incorporate into our diets to ensure a healthy heart, mind, and body.

5 Things to Know About AquAdvantage Salmon

AquAdvantage Salmon, created by AquaBounty, is the first genetically-modified salmon approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here is what we need to know about this GM salmon.

5 Benefits of Spinach

Happy National Spinach Day! Learn why we love this nutrient-packed leafy green.

Avoiding conventional strawberries? Ask these questions first...

Introducing D2D's "Discerning Dozen", a compilation of tips to identify good science from pseudoscience. This way, you can spot problems in the logic of buzzy news stories, like EWG's Dirty Dozen.

5 Benefits of Chicken

March 19th is National Poultry Day! And, what better way to celebrate than to talk about one of the healthiest proteins we eat – chicken!

EWG's “Dirty” Little Secret: There’s No Science Behind It

Lucy Stitzer, D2D's founder, believes we should have a choice on whether to buy organic or conventional produce - but wants science to drive the decision, not fear...

Food Safety, Health

5 Safe Food Additives

Many of us assume that if you can’t pronounce an ingredient, it’s automatically bad for you. This, however, is not the case at all. Many additives are entirely safe for human consumption, so much so, we see them in our fruits and veggies.

5 Creative Ways to Eat Your Veggies

Happy National Nutrition Month! Vegetables are one of the most nutritious foods we can consume, and our bodies need a lot of them. There are lots of fun and yummy ways to get your daily value of veggies and we’re going to show you some of our favorites.

What Should I Eat in a Day?

The USDA just released its new dietary guidelines. What does that mean for our diet and what exactly must we eat every day to get all the nutrients we need?

Diet, Health

5 Components Meat Has that Plants Don't

It’s no secret that many consumers are integrating a plant-based option into their diets. And, although increasing your vegetable intake is never a bad thing, it’s important to know what nutrients you may be lacking without meat.

5 Nootropic Foods

Nootropics, or “smart drugs,” are known for their brain-power effects, helping users think more effectively and develop a stronger memory. Sure, you can find them in a supplement, but what many people don’t know is that they’re in many of the whole foods we eat every day.

5 Food Labels to Look Out For

When you go to the grocery store, you'll see an array of different labels plastered all over your food, each one with a perceived connotation of whether it's good or bad. But what consumers don't know is the truth behind these labels and what they really mean.

Blue Zones: Long & Healthy Living

We all want to live long, healthy, happy lives…but how? “Blue Zones” are regions where populations live longer and healthier than the rest of the world. So what can we learn from them to improve our health?

Food Regulations & Policy, Health

5 Reasons Vitamins Are Essential

Fueling your body with vitamins is essential, especially in these long, dark, cold winter months. But, what makes vitamins so important?

Functional Water: All fun, no function?

Marketing can obscure our sense of good science, especially at the grocery store. Let’s get to the bottom of what functional waters can achieve...and what they really can’t.

Diet, Health

5 Benefits of GMOs

GMOs are one of the most controversial topics in mainstream culture, even though they are proven to have many benefits for our farmers, consumers, and the environment.

5 Steps to Healthier Living in 2022

Happy New Year! If you’re thinking about resolutions or want to become more focused on your health and immunity this year, we have some tips for you...

5 Healthier Holiday Cocktails

If there’s one thing we can’t seem to get enough of during the holidays, it’s festive cocktails! But many include extra calories, unwanted carbs, and lots of sugar. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of healthier options so we can enjoy them without worrying about breaking our health goals!

5 Better-For-You Holiday Sweets

We know the struggle of wanting to indulge while attempting to maintain your health goals. But don't fret - we've got recipes with all the flavor and less guilt.

5 Healthy Ways to Use Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving dinner is one of our favorite meals of the year, but we always struggle with one thing – what on earth do we do with all those leftovers?! Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Food Ingredients

Epicor: Strengthening our Immune Response

As we approach winter, we're pursuing ways to strengthen our immune system. Some of us have recently added EpiCor, a postbiotic, to our balanced diets and have felt its benefits. Let's take a closer look at this supplement...

Animal Welfare and Health, Health

5 Healthier Candies To Enjoy This Halloween

Halloween is here! So how can you indulge in a little candy without totally ruining your health and fitness goals? We list 5 healthier candies that you can eat in moderation this Halloween!

Health

Farmer & Rancher Election Survey Results

D2D set out with a goal to better understand the issues affecting American farmers - their concerns, hopes, and thoughts about the next four years. Here are our results...

Food Regulations & Policy, Food Trade, Health, Soil and Crop Management

5 Benefits of Apples

Fall is upon us! And, with fall comes delicious, fresh apples! Snacking on a fresh-picked apple, the smell of an apple pie in the oven – we sometimes forget their nutritional benefits. An apple a day really can keep the doctor away and we’re going to tell you why!

Food Ingredients

Nootropics: How to Eat for a Better Brain

What if you could think better, faster, and have a stronger memory? Nootropics, found in foods and supplements, are believed to have a positive effect on our mental capabilities and brain health. Let’s see how they work and find some natural sources.

Diet, Health

5 Ways to Catch COVID

We’ve told you what foods you should eat to protect yourself from COVID-19 and how to manage your physical self during COVID-19. This week, we’re taking a bit of a different approach. Introducing: 5 things you can do right now if you WANT Covid ;)

5 Ways To Help Your Body During COVID-19

Navigating through COVID-19 can be stressful, and stress can wreak havoc on our bodies. That’s why we’re here to give you 5 ways to help manage your stress and strengthen your immune system!

Protein Quality: Animal vs. Plant-based

Recent films and fantastical food documentaries have confounded us about proteins by vilifying meat and painting a story of plants as the superior source. Are you as confused as we are? Let’s see what the science says about the quality of plant vs. animal protein.

Diet, Health

5 Foods to Fight Off COVID-19

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Don’t touch your face. What about feeding our body with the right foods that will help us fight off any infections that come in our path? Here are 5 foods to eat to fight off COVID-19!

Health

5 Foods to Promote A Healthy Brain

Our brains are machines, and just like our stomachs, they also need to be fed with the best and most nutritious food that can be offered. Here are the top 5 foods to feed our brains while fueling our body!

5 Benefits of Blueberries

They’re known as a superfood for their high nutritional benefits. We know they’re good for us, but what’s going on in those tiny berries? We’re here to tell you!

Health

5 Sunscreen Ingredients to Avoid

Did you know that there are ingredients used in some sunscreens that may be more harmful than they are beneficial? We’re here to tell you which ones to avoid!

Health

Demanding Health: A Federal Call to Action

We are a nation struggling with health. Almost 75% of us are overweight, a contributing factor to heart disease, the #1 killer in the U.S. A recent report from Tufts says this could be prevented with government intervention. But is it too late?

Health

5 Healthy Proteins to Throw on the Grill

Wondering what you can grill for your friends and families that's both healthy and delicious? Don't worry, we've got you covered!

Are We Eating Away our Covid Fears?

COVID-19 has reshaped many things about our daily habits, including how we eat. So are we snacking more because we’re home all the time, or we’re stressed out, or a bit of both? And will these seemingly inconsequential shifts in our eating behavior affect our long-term health?

Diet, Health

Cortisol: Our Body's Stress Response

As stress levels rise from Covid and school reopenings, so do our cortisol levels. And too much can cause weight gain, high-blood pressure, diabetes, and insomnia. But don't fear: our diet can help manage these levels.

Health

Does Red Meat Cause Cancer?

We regularly hear that eating red meat causes cancer, but isn't meat a good source of protein and micronutrients? There are a few studies that, while not in total agreement, are well accepted by the overall community as being plausible, if not probable about meat's relation to cancer.

Food Ingredients, Health

A Few of D2D's Favorite Recipes...

Does Intermittent Fasting Make Us Healthier?

Can time-restricted feeding, or just eating during an 8 to 10-hour period during the day, offer just as many long-term health benefits as other intermittent fasting practices? And how hard is it to keep up?

Diet, Health

A Vitamin D-lemma: Sunscreen vs. Healthy Sun Exposure

How can we get our much-needed vitamin D while protecting our bodies from the sun and potentially harmful chemicals in sunscreens?

Health

Do I Eat it if I Can’t Pronounce It?

We are told that steering clear of scary-sounding ingredients is a simple, healthy way to avoid potentially toxic chemicals. But it’s important now more than ever to understand how food can affect us, because myths like this bolster unneeded fear during an anxious time.

Food Ingredients, Health

Finding My COVID-19 Silver Lining

As this virus infects the U.S., it’s taking a major toll on our everyday lives – employees being furloughed or laid off, the cancellation of all major sporting events, and, for me, a college senior at Cornell University getting ready to graduate, my world being totally flipped upside down.

Health

Dirty Tactics from EWG’s Dirty Dozen

EWG recently released its annual “Dirty Dozen” produce list, which stokes fears of eating produce with pesticide residues...as if we don't already have enough to fear with COVID. But is EWG right? Or do the benefits of eating produce to maintain our health far outweigh these concerns?

Food Safety, Health, Soil and Crop Management

A Virtual Happy Hour with Vegan Wine

With social distancing, we're not at the mercy of a small wine list at a local pub. So should we start our virtual happy hour with something vegan? But aren't grapes an inherently vegan product? Animal products have a role in wine production, and vegan consumers should be aware.

Food Ingredients, Food Production

A Brief History & Some Vegan Options

Food Ingredients

Why are we buying so much toilet paper?!

We've all witnessed panic-buying in the grocery aisles and maybe did some ourselves. The empty shelves reveal how we try to find control as coronavirus fears grow more rampant. But how do we control our fears and our carts?

Food Security, Health

Boosting Your Health with Mushrooms

Boost your immune system during COVID-19 with your diet. Mushrooms can strengthen your immunity, while also improving brain health and inhibiting cancer growth.

Food Ingredients, Health

Personalized Nutrition & Our Unique Health Needs

Which foods are best for you? Personalizing your diet can optimize your health and prevent illnesses like cancer and obesity. These programs create customized diets based on our personal data...but do they really work?

Diet, Health

Epigenetics: Can We Control our Health?

Epigenetics is the study of how our DNA can be triggered by our lifestyle, which includes food, sleep, stress, and our relationships. But can we really change our genetic predispositions affecting our health?

Health

An Interview with Gabrielle Reece: Ask Yourself "Why?"

As we begin the new year, many of us aspire to be healthier, stronger and leaner. So we turned to a professional who has dedicated her life to healthy living. Enter Gabrielle Reece and her approach to whole-body health.

Health

D2D's "Nice List" for the Holidays

Here's our "nice list" of helpful posts to keep you healthy, happy and in-the-know through the holidays and into the new year. Everything from delicious, low sugar recipes to global trade and alternative proteins, we've got you covered!

Food Regulations & Policy, Health, Soil and Crop Management

Coffee: Uniting Our Worlds

Our morning brew is so much more than just another beverage! Each cup connects us with farmers in the rainforests and mountains, highlighting the importance of sustainable farming. To bring our cup of joe to life, we introduce sustainability-rated Colombian coffee producer, Finca El Ocaso.

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Food Trade

'Tis the Season for Sugar

As the holidays approach, sweets are everywhere! Most of us consume two to three times more sugar than we should. Further compounding the problem are foods with hidden sugars. So what does this excess sugar mean for our health?

Diet, Food Ingredients, Health

Superfoods: Super Healthy or Super Hype?

Blueberries, kale, and chia seeds are examples of "superfoods" -- magical foods believed to make us instantly healthier and stronger while getting rid of toxins. But can superfoods actually deliver? Or are we just being fooled?

Food Ingredients, Health

Comparing Traditional & Alternative Burgers

Plant-based burgers are popping up everywhere! And while we've heard about their positive impact on our planet, what about the nutritional value? What are the differences between alt meat, beef, and veggie burgers?

Food Ingredients, Health

Can I Get Sick from Animals Fed GMOs?

If I eat meat or dairy and those animals have eaten GMO corn or soybeans, am I ingesting GMOs, too? Will I get sick? And what about the animals...is GMO feed harmful to them?

Food Safety, Health

Manuka Honey: Life Changer or Money Waster?

Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties are said to help cure everything from wounds to tooth decay and even infections from cystic fibrosis. Can this supposed superfood really provide relief from these ailments?

Food Ingredients, Health

Can GMOs Make Me Sick?

Concerned if GMOs are harmful to your health? We dug into exactly what happens in our bodies when we eat food that has been grown with a GMO.

Agricultural Technology, Food Safety, Health

Don’t Be Fooled by Food Labels

There are so many food labels today: Organic, Grassfed, No Hormones or Antibiotics added, Non-GMO, Certified Humane…the list goes on. D2D's here to help you understand them and to know when you’re being fooled!

Food Ingredients, Food Regulations & Policy

Electromagnetic Fields: Protecting Yourself through Nutrition

Did you know the devices we depend on all day emit electromagnetic fields? We're taking a look at what these fields do to our bodies and which foods help us combat any ill effects.

Health

Pet Food for Thought

The FDA recently stated that several specialty dog food formulations have led to canine heart disease. With so many food choices today, what should we feed our pets?

Food Ingredients, Food Production, Health

GMOs are Confusing: A Recipe for Understanding

Consumers continue to be confused about GMOs. What if we told you that enhancing your banana bread recipe with additional nutrients is similar in concept to adding a gene to a plant?

Food Ingredients, Food Technology

Are You a Junk Food Junkie?

#CeleryJuice: Based on Facts or Followers?

What is the deal with celery juice? How did it become a viral sensation overnight? Is its rapid gain in popularity attributed to any scientific research, or is this an example of society's demand for quick fixes and social acceptance?

Diet, Food Ingredients, Health

AquaBounty Salmon: 5 Questions

The MIND Diet: Healthy Eating for a Healthy Brain

Every 65 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s. That means that in the time it takes you to read this article, five people will have developed the disease. Alarming? Yes, but what if there was a diet that could help slow cognitive decline by targeting brain protective foods that combat the causes of dementia-related diseases?

Diet, Health

Does glyphosate—the world’s most heavily-used herbicide—pose serious harm to humans?

Coming Soon to Your Favorite Foods: The New Nutrition Facts Label

After 25 years, the nutrition facts panel is getting an update! Many businesses have already converted to the new label, which begs the question: what changes have been made and what do they mean to me?