Weight loss drugs continue to pop up in the news as does the focus on food costs and there climate change, SNAP and physical activity are also in the news. And a new online tool tracks the crops that are grown in your county – where they come from and where they go to.
In the news…
Is this a joke? Nope. Subway is bringing footlong cookies to their menu in January: nutrition info not yet available https://www.today.com/food/restaurants/subway-footlong-cookie-rcna127189. FTC warns food influencers over TikTok influencers and Instagram paid posts https://www.axios.com/2023/11/18/food-influencer-social-media-ftc-disclosure; https://www.fooddive.com/news/ftc-crackdown-could-change-influencer-marketing-for-food-and-beverages/700371/. Ultraprocessed foods now 67% of children/teen diets https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/10/health/ultra-processed-food-kids-teens-diet-wellness/index.html.
Italy bans cultured meat, restricts plant-based meat labeling https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/italy-bans-cultivated-meat-products/4018541.article.
Beginning 2025 NYC will have high sugar alert/warnings for restaurant food https://restaurantbusinessonline.com/beverage/nyc-looks-mandate-sugar-warnings-chain-restaurants.
Lawsuit against Panera Bread after daughter with heart condition drank their ‘charged lemonade’ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/panera-lawsuit-charged-lemonade-sarah-katz-death-rcna120785;
Panera adds warning label after lawsuit https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/10/30/panera-bread-charged-lemonade-warning/71382776007/.
CDC wants manufacturers to fortify corn masa flour w/folic acid to prevent birth defects https://www.tpr.org/podcast/petrie-dish/2023-11-25/cdc-wants-to-fortify-corn-masa-flour-with-folic-acid-to-prevent-birth-defects.
One twin ate vegan, the other didn’t. What was the outcome? The results of a twin study and it’s caveats https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/30/health/vegan-twin-study-wellness/index.html.
Weight loss drugs and trending alternatives…
Weight management drugs at a glance https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/1123p24.shtml.
FDA approves new obesity drug Zepbound https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/08/1211583497/fda-approves-zepbound-a-new-obesity-drug-that-will-take-on-wegovy. Wegovy and reduced CV events – a deep analysis of the recent study by Dr. Eric Topol https://erictopol.substack.com/p/the-big-trial-of-a-glp-1-drug-wegovy.
Connecticut’s approach to prescribing weight loss drugs https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/15/weight-loss-drugs-00127203.
5 states consider adding Medicaid weight loss drug coverage https://www.beckerspayer.com/payer/5-states-considering-adding-weight-loss-drug-coverage-under-medicaid.html. Loss of appetite, loss of the enjoyment of food at holidays another side effect of weight loss drugs https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/11/22/1214141739/appetite-loss-hunger-ozempic-thanksgiving;
another ‘take’ on how weight loss drugs may change food perceptions https://apnews.com/article/wegovy-ozempic-obesity-thanksgiving-holiday-bf8c1f8912eec7ac527bc00ebbbfa848.
A protein shake company sees increased use of their shakes from weight loss medication users https://www.just-food.com/news/bellring-brands-bullish-on-potential-weight-loss-drug-benefits/.
WeightWatchers’ pivot to weight loss drugs https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/28/business/sima-sistani-risk-taker/index.html.
Trending alternatives: TikTokers promote psyllium husk as ‘poor man’s Ozempic’ https://www.healthline.com/health-news/people-are-using-psyllium-husk-fiber-as-an-ozempic-alternative-does-it-work.
Berberine – ‘natural’ supplement and weight loss https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/1123p6.shtml;
SNAP…
Farm Bill extension continues prohibition of EBT processing fees for SNAP
https://www.grocerydive.com/news/ebt-processing-fees-snap-farm-bill-nga/700253/.
The National Grocers Association launches website for those retailers currently or considering offering online SNAP ordering https://www.grocerydive.com/news/nga-launches-website-snap-online-purchasing-grocery/700787/.
Will prices go down?/buying food…
Want to know where food grown in your area comes from and goes to? Food Twin is new online tool for that https://www.colorado.edu/today/2023/11/21/interactive-map-shows-where-your-food-comes; find background about the tool and search your county https://food.theplotline.org/ https://food.theplotline.org/. Is food deflation coming?
Walmart CEO thinks so https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/16/economy/grocery-prices-deflation-walmart/index.html. Which fast food chains are seeing upticks in customers? https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/01/business/taco-bell-menu/index.html. Discount online grocer goes nationwide, helps divert food from landfills https://www.purewow.com/food/martie-online-grocery https://www.purewow.com/food/martie-online-grocery. ‘Hybrid’ meals on the rise: part scratch cooked and prepared food https://www.grocerydive.com/news/hybrid-meals-grocery-deli-fmi/699346/.
Why Diet Coke got so expensive https://www.vox.com/money/23979340/diet-coke-price-coca-cola-pepsi-inflation-walmart-costco.
Climate change…
Climate change and the changes in what you can now grow in the U.S. https://www.npr.org/2023/11/17/1213600629/-it-feels-like-im-not-crazy-gardeners-arent-surprised-as-usda-updates-key-map.
Upcoming climate summit devoted one day to food, agriculture and water https://www.agriculturedive.com/news/food-agriculture-climate-negotiations-dubai-summit/700980/.
Physical activity…
Walking declined in U.S. largest cities between 2019 and 2022 https://www.govtech.com/fs/what-happened-to-foot-traffic-in-large-u-s-cities. Bike riding’s mental health benefits for middle schoolers https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/10/18/1206583788/bike-riding-in-middle-school-may-boost-mental-health-study-finds.
And for fun…
Healthy holiday grazing boards
https://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/1123p18.shtml.