The holidays mark the season of shopping and eating as shoppers rush to the mall to buy gifts. Malls are popular not just for the merchandise they carry but for the many restaurants and snack shops they offer.

Nearly all Americans consume much more salt than they need, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Increased salt (sodium chloride) intake is linked with higher blood pressure. Decreased salt consumption reduces the risk of high blood pressure.

In a salute to national rice month, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says, "Rice is delicious, nutritious, economical, versatile and an energy-rich carbohydrate."

In an attempt to lose weight, some people try to eliminate all fats and oils from their diets. That’s a mistake, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Are you pregnant? Are you planning on breast feeding? The Division of Human Nutrition and Food at Louisiana State University is recruiting pregnant women who live in the Baton Rouge area planning on breast feeding to participate in a research study. For more information contact Julissa at 225-578-7160 or e-mail her at : jsalgu1@lsu.edu

Beyond the common hot flashes, sleep disturbances and weighty issues associated with menopause, there are things going on behind the scenes that add another cause for anxiety. Are you getting enough calcium and weight-bearing exercise to prevent osteoporosis?

It's easy to find herbs and other dietary supplements, but much more difficult to find accurate information about them and their side effects or benefits, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world. It’s the dessert with the highest fat content, but it's also a good source of calcium.

A few hundred calories here, a few hundred calories there and pretty soon those pounds start creeping up. If you could trim just 100 calories a day from your diet, you’d be on your way to arresting that growing waistline, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition professor Dr. Annrose Guarino.

Federal nutrition programs – food stamps, WIC and child nutrition programs like school lunch and breakfast – historically have protected the nation’s most vulnerable people from severe hunger and malnutrition. "Today, federal nutrition programs continue to be critical," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

Following these guidelines will help ensure the health of American families while guaranteeing the health of agribusiness corporations around the world.

Eatsmart Recipes - Tuna Salad

Eatsmart Recipes - Green Beans

Eatsmart Recipes - Hamburger Patties

Eatsmart Recipes - Roast Pork & Roast Chicken

Eatsmart Recipes - Leftovers Sandwiches

EatSmart Recipes - Biscuit Mix

EatSmart Recipes - Baked Potato with Chili & Cheese

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines) provide science-based advice to promote health and reduce risk for chronic diseases through diet and physical activity. They are based on the preponderance of scientific evidence for lowering risk of chronic disease and promoting health. The Dietary Guidelines are targeted for healthy people two years of age and over living in the United States.

Parkinson’s disease is thought to be the result of oxidative damage of the nerve cells in the brain. Since vitamins E, C and carotenoids are antioxidant nutrients, recent research looked at the relationship of these nutrients to Parkinson’s, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants is one part of a diet and exercise program that protects against chronic diseases, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy. A recently published study bears out this claim.

Reading the ingredients label on packaging may reveal some bad fats in your snacks.

As baby boomers age, many reach for herbal supplements in hopes of staying young. Supplements can be harmful, cautions LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

It's very important to get enough folic acid in your body before and during pregnancy. Because the vitamin is critical to the baby's spine and brain development during the first month.

Everyone needs folic acid, but it’s especially important for women of childbearing age. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects.

There are many benefits to including more whole grains in your food choices. Knowing how to find a true whole grain in the grocery store can be a challenge.

Only about one in four U.S. adults exercises enough, according to current statistics. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says Dietary Guidelines for Americans from the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Health and Human Services can help remedy this situation.

Americans each eat more than 16 pounds of fresh tomatoes a year and consume the equivalent of 79 pounds in processed tomatoes annually. Tomatoes are a rich source of antioxidants, including vitamin C and lycopene, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed 07/11/06) The hot, summer months are a great time to enjoy fresh tomatoes. Enjoy them in green salads, chicken or shrimp salads, stuffed with tuna or simply on their own. They also make a wonderful addition to a heart-healthy and cancer-preventing diet, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Following its recent consumer alert about ephedra, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will issue a rule to ban the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says consumers should stop buying and using ephedra products now.

Weight loss advice abounds in our society, and most of the diets touted as new and revolutionary are actually old fad diets with a new name, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Yams are one of nature’s most nutritious root crops and are among the most versatile of all foods. This publication includes information on how they can be prepared dozens of ways.

LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to observe June Dairy Month by consuming the recommended servings of non-fat and low-fat milk and milk products.

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans emphasize that no matter the source – whether carbohydrate, fat or protein – calories do count when it comes to weight management.

With strawberry season in full swing, LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to choose Louisiana strawberries for a nutritious, healthy treat.

Eating only 100 more calories a day than you burn can lead to a weight gain of 10 pounds a year. With today’s larger portions, it’s easy to consume 100 extra calories, and more, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Enjoy Louisiana blueberries. They can help protect against diseases, including certain cancers and heart disease, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

Use these dietary guidelines for Americans to improve your quality of life and have a more productive life. Recipe for pizza dough and pizza wheel included.

Follow these exercise tips to help you feel better and have more energy.

Eatsmart Recipes - Macaroni & Cheese

Eatsmart Recipes - Mashed Potatoes

This publication includes information on blood pressure and how it can be lowered by following an eating plan called the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH).

Poor nutrition is a growing problem with today's children. But the experts at your local extension office have done their homework.

Eatsmart Recipes - Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwich

EatSmart Recipes - Eggs-in-the-Bread

A healthy recipe for a popular favorite -- taco salad.

Many people likely think that excessive eating and zero exercise are the sole culprits for weight gain. The reality is that as few as 100 calories a day can make a major difference in weight gain or loss.

Calcium is the most important mineral in your body. During growing years, calcium is important for bone growth. As we get older, it helps to keep our bones strong. What if you don’t get enough calcium? How much calcium do you need? How can you get calcium? Find these answers and more.

February is a month dedicated to the heart – in more ways than one. This is the time to celebrate love and give your sweetheart a valentine. This is also the month to wear red and call attention to prevention of the No. 1 killer of women – heart disease.

(Distributed 01/14/08) The LSU AgCenter’s Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program is looking for new participants in Caddo and Bossier parishes. This federally funded program, which got its start in 1969 with the national War on Poverty, is designed to enhance the quality of a family’s health. “We are looking to increase our caseload,” said Cathryn Robinson, extension agent and coordinator of the program in the two parishes.

During the holidays, we are all busy and stressed. We are in a hurry, and our regular schedule goes out the window.

When you're under stress, one of your best defenses is good health. To keep your body healthy, use these recomendations for a well-balanced diet and a regular program of exercise.

This publication provides information on a healthier diet for young children including some suggestions for substitutions in meal planning and preparation.

At about two years of age, children should be encouraged to choose diets that are lower in fat and saturated fat and that provide the calories and nutrients they need for normal growth. Follow these suggestions to meet those goals.

In past years, water exercise was practiced mostly by older adults, but now people of all ages and abilities are doing a variety of workouts in the pool.

The average American only gains 1 pound during the holidays, but most people will keep the extra weight during the next year.

(Distributed 12/18/06) When children help prepare holiday meals, they can develop a healthy self-concept and an appreciation for food safety.

Figs are nutrient-dense, versatile and very easy to pack and transport. They add nutrients and minerals to your diet without adding any fat.

The holidays can be a tough time to try to manage or lose weight, but you can keep it on track, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino.

If you gained weight in past Mardi Gras seasons, and weren’t happy about it, there are some preventive measures you can take this year. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy offers a number of tips.

"Eating healthfully is one of the most important things women can do to achieve and maintain good health," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames, in observance of National Women’s Health Week May14-20.

The new USDA recommendations for healthy eating and activity for kids.

Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life.

A New Year’s resolution for many Americans is to lose weight. Unfortunately, many Americans are unable to keep that resolution.

Including folic acid in your diet is a key strategy for optimal health, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. This is her message during National Folic Acid Awareness week, Jan. 9-15.

Energy drinks are quite the rage with the teenage and college crowd. These super sweet drinks are fortified with lots of caffeine, and often other ingredients of questionable virtue.

A recent study revealed that fat, energy, sodium and saturated fat intake were higher, and vitamin A and C intakes were lower, on days when diners ate fast foods. "The increased consumption of fast food and the increased energy and fat intakes may be related to increasing problems with overweight and obesity seen today," says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

(For Release On Or After 11/2/07) Gardening is a well-documented and beneficial form of exercise. It contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

EatSmart Recipes - Copper Pennies

March is National Nutrition Month sponsored by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) and its Foundation. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says the observance reinforces the importance of nutrition as a key component of health, along with physical activity.

A quarterly newsletter from the LSU AgCenter's Family and Consumer Sciences Division.

Carbonated beverage intake has increased significantly among America’s youth over a 20-year period. One soft drink a day has been linked to 60 percent increase in the development of obesity over time, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

We’ve heard it many times that a healthy diet should include plenty fruits and vegetables. Also, variety is very important to get all the vitamins and nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy.

Lifetime eating habits and attitudes about food usually are formed in early childhood. Family mealtimes, food guide pyramid daily servings, snacks and eating problems are included.

Millions of Americans are on the latest fad diets to lose weight. The problem is, most of these diets don’t provide lasting results, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

5 a day. That’s how many vegetables and fruits you need to eat each day. This illustrated children's nutrition book provides more information. (PDF Format Only)

Tips for eating right and exercising for families.

When someone is overweight and is motivated to lose weight, there are safe and effective methods to lose pounds and to maintain weight loss. An LSU AgCenter and Pennington Biomedical Research Center Nutrition Series.

How does bone loss occur? Who is most at risk? What can you do to prevent osteoporosis? Find these answers and more in this two-page fact sheet.

The holidays mark the season of shopping and eating. Busy shoppers may eat many meals at the mall. LSU AgCenter nutritionist, Dr. Beth Reames says to be sure and put something in your stomach before hitting the shops.

(Distributed August 2004) Eating only 100 additional calories daily beyond your needs can lead to a weight gain of 10 pounds a year. With today’s larger serving sizes, it’s easy to consume 100 extra calories, and even more, warns LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(News You Can Use For August 2004) Food manufacturers have until January 1, 2006, to list trans fat on their nutrition labels, but some manufacturers have already started the practice, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed August 2004) Few factors contribute so much to successful aging as regular physical activity, and it's never too late to start, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed August 2004) To help tweens be healthy and active, get them involved in a national program called "VERB: It's What You Do," recommends LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed September 2004) Eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, reduced-fat dairy products and whole grains may help control weight, according to LSU Agricultural Center nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames.

(Distributed October 2004) For Halloween this year, think beyond the usual sweet treats. LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames suggests handing out miniature toys, stickers and non-food favors available in the Halloween section at local stores.

For most people, fasting is an occasional choice, but for many people hunger is a year-round reality, according to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Annrose Guarino. She offers ways to help alleviate hunger.