One Small Step for Transparency in Nutritional Labeling.

Great news! The House Committee on Agriculture has passed the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The bill aimed at establishing federal uniform labeling standards for foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and also for GMO free foods is gaining momentum and gathering support. 

The House Committee of Agriculture is hearing accolades from Pamela G. Bailey, president and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), Calling the committee's vote "further evidence of the growing support and momentum in Congress for this bill." And Claire Parker, spokeswoman for the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food (CFSAF), who states, "Today’s committee approval of this legislation is a strong sign of the support for national food labeling legislation that gives consumers the information they want in a truthful, consistent manner." 

This is great news for all of us, consumers and producers, as we move forward. transparency is a must when it comes to our nutrition, health and well being. Bravo House AG Committee. Bravo. One step in the right direction lets keep this ball rolling. 

Stay posted and stay informed. For more news on NonGMOs and why they are so important check out the NonGMO Project. 

Eating a Protein Rich Breakfast Helps Curb Your Appetite

According to a recent article released by Daily Science, eating a protein rich breakfast helps curb your appetite through out the morning and helps you make smarter eating decisions throughout the day.

“While Americans generally consume enough protein, they tend to eat a small amount at breakfast, moderate amounts at lunch, and the largest amount at dinner. New research presented today at The Obesity Society's annual scientific meeting in Atlanta shows that eating high protein sausage and egg-based breakfasts curbed hunger throughout the morning, compared with a low-protein breakfast (pancakes and syrup) or skipping breakfast, in 18-55-year-old women.

"Eating a breakfast rich in protein significantly improves appetite control and may help women to avoid overeating later in the day," said Kevin C. Maki, principal investigator of the study and a research scientist with Biofortis Clinical Research, a Mérieux NutriSciences company.

All of the breakfast meals contained approximately 300 calories and similar quantities of fat and fiber. The protein-rich breakfast bowls contained 30 to 39 grams of protein. Participants completed questionnaires to rate aspects of appetite -- such as hunger, fullness, and desire to eat -- before breakfast and at 30 minute intervals between breakfast and lunch. A standard lunch meal of tortellini and sauce was served and subjects were asked to eat until comfortably full. Study participants had improved appetite ratings (lower hunger, more fullness, less desire to eat) throughout the morning after eating each protein-rich breakfast, and also ate fewer calories at lunch, compared with the low-protein breakfast and breakfast skipping (water only).

"In the USA, many people choose to skip breakfast or choose low protein foods because of lack of high protein convenient choices. These results demonstrate that commercially prepared convenient protein-rich meals can help women feel full until lunch time and potentially avoid overeating and improve diet quality," said Heather Leidy, an assistant professor specializing in appetite regulation at the University of Missouri and a co-author on the study.”

This article solidifies Dr. Scharper’s mission to provide a convenient and affordable high protein breakfast option to you. The lack of options in the mornings coupled with the ever growing list of responsibilities we have at the start of our day make it difficult to prioritize eating right over eating quick. But, Dr. Scharper’s Serious Oats boast 20g of protein in each individual cup and provides the perfect foundation to start your day off with good nutrition. 

OATS - A Super Food

It is no secret that oats have been on our health food radar for a while. In 1997 oats made a name for themselves when the FDA declared a label could be placed on any oat based product claiming an association between consumption of a diet high in oatmeal, oat bran or oat flour and a reduced risk for coronary heart disease.

And now the words ‘super food’ are buzzing around oats, hailing them the power to reduce disease and extend your life span. So what is inside of an oat that could possibly add years to your lifespan?

Well, oats are low in calories, and high in fiber and protein. Which is a winning combination. Their high fiber and protein content will satiate your hunger much longer than other sugary breakfast items and at fewer calories too. They are also a rich source in potassium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, selenium, thiamine and pantothenic acid (B5).  But what do these nutrients actually do in the body? Lets break this down into simpler terms.

• Pantothenic Acid also known as B5 is most known for its ability to release energy from the foods that we eat and decrease the negative effects of stress. 
• Potassium helps in maintaining the heart, brain, kidneys, muscle tissues and other organs of the body in a healthy condition.
• Zinc is important in helping the immune system fight off invading bacteria and viruses. 
• Thiamine also known as B1 helps the body’s cells convert carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for the functioning heart, muscles and nervous system.
• Copper plays a key role in the production of hemoglobin, a component of red blood cells; collagen, a component of bones and connective tissue; myelin, a sheathing that surrounds nerve fibers; and melanin, the pigment that colors your hair and skin.
• Selenium helps regulate the thyroid hormones and support a healthy immune system. One of selenium’s most important roles is as an antioxidant helping to prevent cell damage due to free radicals.
• Magnesium helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps heart rhythm steady, supports a healthy immune system, and keeps bones strong. Magnesium also helps regulate blood sugar levels, promotes normal blood pressure, and is known to be involved in energy metabolism and protein synthesis.
• Manganese is important in the formation of bones, connective tissues, blood-clotting factors and sex hormones, and also is involved in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation.

 Looks like oats contain a certified bouquet of nutrients. And the best part is, Oats are extremely inexpensive and very easy to obtain. So consider starting your day with a nice hot bowl of oatmeal every day and see what a difference it makes.