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.

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 Holiday Durham at 225-578-7160.

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?

Eatsmart Recipes - Homemade Cheese Pizza

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

Eatsmart Recipes - Tuna Croquettes

Eatsmart Recipes - Pudding

Eatsmart Recipes - Peanut Butter Snack Loaf

Eatsmart Recipes - Pancakes

Eatsmart Recipes - Oatmeal

Eatsmart Recipes - Leftover Fruit

Eatsmart Recipes - Grits

Eatsmart Recipes - Gelatin with Canned Fruit

Eatsmart Recipes - Garden Salad

Eatsmart Recipes - Fruit Cobbler

Recipes designed for people with diabetes.

This low-calorie dish is sure to please.

EatSmart Recipes - Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

EatSmart Recipes - Cheese Toast

Eatsmart Recipes - Cheese Sandwich

EatSmart Recipes - Breakfast Burrito

EatSmart Recipes - Biscuits

Eatsmart Recipes - Beef-Macaroni Casserole

EatSmart Recipes - Baked Potato with Chili & Cheese

Eatsmart Recipes - Red Beans and Rice

Many of us have probably not thought of having a diary since we were in fourth grade and writing secretively about our boyfriends. But keeping a food diary or journal can be an important step in understanding your eating habits and what triggers excessive eating.

Adequate intake of milk is essential to assure strong bone calcification process in early life. Few other foods have an adequate level of calcium, says LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Heli Roy.

Cardiovascular disease is a common chronic disease and the leading cause of death in the United States, although the rates have declined in the past 25 years.

Poor diet and physical inactivity may soon become the leading preventable causes of death.

Did you know that Americans consume more ice cream than any other nation in the world? Ice cream is one of the desserts most enjoyed by all ages, from children to grandparents, says LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Catrinel Stanciu.

Eggs have plenty to offer despite their cholesterol content, according to LSU AgCenter food and nutrition expert Catrinel Stanciu. Eggs are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein and a good source of vitamins B12, E, riboflavin, niacin, iron and phosphorus.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Be Healthy, Go Nuts! Nuts are high in protein and fiber, low in carbohydrates and sodium-free. Eating one ounce of nuts (about a handful) about five times a week is enough to provide the health benefits.

Crawfish are healthy food. They are an excellent source of high-quality protein; low in calories, fat and saturated fat and a good source of vitamins.

Soy protein offers health benefits. Soy is found in foods like soy milk, soy sauce, miso (soybean paste), tempeh (meat substitute) and tofu. Use these tips to get soy protein in your diet.

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.

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.

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.

EatSmart Recipe for making biscuits.

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.

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.

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

Lifetime eating habits and attitudes about food usually are formed in early childhood. Information about family mealtimes, snacks and food guide pyramid recommended daily servings, as well as eating problems, are covered in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

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

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.

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.

Sweet potatoes are good sources of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates. Information on selecting the best sweet potato, storage, cooking and nutrition facts. (PDF Format Only)

Rice is an extremely healthy food. It's low in fat and sodium, contains potassium and fiber and is rich in antioxidants. (PDF Format Only)

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.

Feeding Young Children (Ages 2-5): A healthful diet is necessary for both physical and mental development. Information on offering a variety of foods and foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol; using less sugar, salt and sodium; and promoting an active lifestyle. (PDF Format Only)

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

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).

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

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.

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.

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.

Graduate Research Study that will evaluate eye health during pregnancy as it relates to the diet.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

(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.

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.

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

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.

(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.

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.