DIET

President Joe Biden will host Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at the White House later this month for economic and security consultations.

In his first policy speech, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida promised to strengthen pandemic management and health care in case of another coronavirus resurgence, and turn around the battered economy and bolstering the country’s defenses against threats from China and North Korea.

Whether you’re stocking up for hurricane season or replenishing canned food or pantry items just to keep on hand, sometimes it’s hard to know what to buy.

Many people believe going on a plant-based diet can cause deficiencies in essential nutrients

And a new study shows a strong association between long-term diets and chronic inflammation, which researchers say can be one of the underlying causes of many health problems. Consumer Reports reveals which foods to avoid and how to jump-start an anti-inflammatory diet for better health. But in other cases, irritants and germs can cause low-level, persistent inflammation called chronic inflammation. How do you avoid chronic inflammation? CR says leafy greens like kale and yellow vegetables like butternut squash are also high in anti-inflammatory compounds.

It can help improve cholesterol and lower your risk of heart disease, obesity, and type two diabetes. AdOily fish contains omega-three fatty acids which may help reduce the risk of heart disease. One study found three to five cups of coffee a day reduced the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, type two diabetes, and heart disease. Too much can lead to obesity, heart disease, and other problems. Contributor(s) to this news report include: Julie Marks, Producer; Robert Walko, Videographer; Robert Walko, Editor.

While there’s no doubt that finding the time to exercise can be impossible some days, if you can start by focusing on creating a healthy diet for yourself, you’ll be on the right track.

A study out of the New England Journal of Medicine found that potato chips are the food most closely linked to weight gain. It contributes to more than one and a half pounds weight gain over a four-year period. And that syrup that you love for your pancakes and waffles may not actually be maple syrup, but really a mixture of artificial flavors, caramel color, and high-fructose corn syrup. A study out of Princeton university found rats that consumed high-fructose corn syrup gained more weight than those with table sugar. The high levels of sodium, added sugars, and high-fructose corn syrup add up to a lot of fat.

This past December, the federal government updated its dietary guidelines, which will be the standard for the next five years. Cleveland Clinic registered dietician Kristin Kirkpatrick said the guidelines can help all of us make the right choices. They’re also meant to give just some general guidance to Americans on what we should look at with our diet,” Kirkpatrick said. And finally, men should have no more than two alcoholic beverages per day, while women should only have one. She also recommends a whole foods diet consisting primarily of plants, with some animal protein added in.

It can be in the morning, afternoon, at night before bed, or heck, even at 3 a.m.

The vaunted Mediterranean diet and the French bon gout are getting some competition: The European food safety agency says worms are safe to eat. The Parma-based agency published a scientific opinion Wednesday on the safety of dried yellow mealworms and gave them a thumbs up. Researchers said the worms, either eaten whole or in powdered form, are a protein-rich snack or ingredient for other foods. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)ROME – The vaunted Mediterranean diet and French gastronomy are getting some competition: The European Union's food safety agency says worms are safe to eat. The Parma-based agency published a scientific opinion Wednesday on the safety of dried yellow mealworms and gave them a thumbs up.

So if getting back into shape is on your to-do list for 2021, there are some things you can do now to start the new year off healthy. Why run on a treadmill for hours on end, when 10-minutes of basically sprinting as fast you can be just as effective at burning fat? Finally, try cold showers. A study from 2009 shows cold showers can increase fat burning by up to 15 times as much as a warm shower. Doing these things can get you on the right track to having a healthier 2021.

According to Consumer Reports, the holidays are a time when people tend to reach for their favorite comfort foods. They’re typically filled with refined carbohydrates, sugar, and fat, which can make you bloated, tired and cranky. As health and age-fighting alternatives, experts suggest eating some whole grains like brown rice or quinoa. Without strong muscles to support your joints, your balance may suffer. Fielding recommends older adults .06 grams of protein for each pound they weigh to help prevent the risk of falling.

(AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)NEW DELHI — Authorities in India are reporting 36,470 newly confirmed coronavirus infections — that’s the lowest one-day tally in more than three months in a continuing downward trend. The case number reported Tuesday is the lowest since India had 35,065 newly confirmed infections on July 17. The seven-day average for daily COVID-19 deaths has also been climbing from 12 to 22 over the past 10 days. ___ROME — Italy registered slightly more than 17,000 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday. Italy’s total of known coronavirus infections during the pandemic now stands at 542,789.