According to findings of a Mayo Clinic study published July 2009 in the journal Gastroenterology¹, Celiac disease (CD) is over four times more common today than it was 50 years ago. The study also found that subjects who did not know they had celiac disease were nearly four times more likely than celiac-free subjects to have died during the 45 years of follow-up.

When people with celiac disease eat gluten, a response is triggered by the body’s immune system that damages the lining of the small intestine. Over time, this interferes with the absorption of nutrients and can lead to a wide range of serious problems.

Because of this, people with celiac disease must avoid eating any food that contains gluten. Even small amounts of gluten can affect those with CD and damage can occur to the small bowel even when there are no symptoms present. …read more of Mayo Clinic Study: Celiac disease 4 times more common than 1950s here

People often think that “healthy” foods can be expensive, but the truth is that some of the most nutritious foods can also be the cheapest – and the most delicious.

What’s more, foods that are good for your body also tend to be good for the environment, from less processing to fewer food miles.  We’ve identified 5 simple tips to save you almost $600 on your monthly bills and get you started eating healthy and eco-friendly.  Already a frugal foodie?  Read on, we’ve got something for you too. …read more of Eating Well on a Budget here

Looking for a natural, low-sugar alternative to processed energy drinks? Look no further than the humble coconut.

Barely processed, containing no refined sugars, and only one ingredient on its ingredient list, coconut water was the world’s first “Gatorade” — before we got tricked into thinking that sugary “energy” drinks were the only way to go to replenish after intense physical activity.

And with the food industry’s carbon emissions stemming primarily from processing and packaging, this “whole food” is a great choice for the earth with virtually zero processing and mostly eco-friendly Tetra Pack packaging. …read more of Coconut Water: The Original Energy Drink here

Soyfoods are hot – or not – depending on whom you believe. Soy, superstar of healthy alternatives, has been under attack. The Internet is a great resource for news and information about health and science and 87 percent of online users have researched a scientific topic at one time or another.¹ The Internet is also where sensationalistic claims based on half-truths and junk science, are legion.

There’s no denying that the mighty soybean is a nutrition powerhouse, containing high quality protein, complex carbohydrates and a virtual pharmacopeia of phytochemicals credited with the prevention of coronary heart disease, hypertension and many forms of cancer.²

Soyfoods’ appeal was once limited to the counter-culture. In recent years, interest in the health benefits of soy intensified in the research community and the popularity of soyfoods skyrocketed. …read more of The Skinny on Soy here

It’s summer time and that means it’s time to get out of the hot kitchen and start cooking outside. Sayonara to the hot stove and welcome to BBQ season… or even better, how about a grill on a wood fire, says Chef Michael Smith.

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking with this world-renowned Canadian chef, host of the Food Network series Chef at Home and award-winning author.

Hailing from Prince Edward Island, Canada, Michael spoke with me from the Culinary Institute of Canada. Speaking passionately about the importance of eating local and supporting community-supported agriculture, Michael finds his inspiration from local flavors, calling PEI a “chef’s paradise.” …read more of Renowned Chef Chooses Local here