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Guilt-free foods you can eat endlessly without gaining weight

Everything in moderation. But luckily, “moderation” with these 15 foods means something much more than most. The high water content, high fiber content and low calorie counts mean that you can pretty much eat these foods until you’re totally sick of them without seeing a bit of added weight on your frame. Of course you can overdo anything, but for a quick guide of what to guiltlessly grab from the fridge, start here. Blackberries Eating blackberries aids in digestion and helps us to stay alert. They are said to tighten tissue and give our skin a more youthful appearance. Like most berries, blackberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants known as bioflavonoids. Get all of this for only 62 calories per serving. Kale With 33 calories per cup, eat as much kale as you want without worrying about your waistline. It also contains three grams of protein and 2.5…

What produce is in season in January: Citrus, beets, and more

Happy New Year, everyone! Whether you’re a lifelong healthy eater or just taking the first steps toward your New Year’s resolution, it’s easy to get tripped up on what healthy produce options are in season and available during the cold winter months. Sure you can buy nearly anything you want in the supermarket, but that doesn’t mean those strawberries shipped halfway around the world are going to be any good. To stick to your healthy diet (and detox from all of those holiday cookies), you need to know what’s going to taste best during this coldest month for growing. So what is in season in January? For most of the country, not a whole lot. But between cheery citrus and crunchy root vegetables, there’s still plenty of foods grown around the country to inspire your cooking through the season. Citrus Most of the citrus grown in the States comes from Florida,…

How to pick perfect produce: cucumber, zucchini, corn

We’re smack in the middle of summer, which means it’s prime produce season, but picking the best produce only comes with experience. Expert advice can certainly help. I visited a market to ask a local farmer how to choose the best pickles, cucumbers and corn. Watch as Becca gives us the pro tips. Zucchini Zucchini is a versatile summer staple. Pair it with pasta, fry it and serve with marinara, or make it in to a dish of trendy zoodles. When choosing zucchini remember these three things: Bigger isn’t better. Larger zucchini tend to have larger seeds and less flavor. Smaller is the way to go. Zucchini can be green, yellow or white in color, but always look for a rich saturation of color on top — the underside will be paler in color, and that’s okay. It’s just the side that didn’t face the sun. Stems are a good thing…

Organic Food Sales Grow 8.4 Percent Across the Country

The U.S. organic sector continues to gain new market share, breaking numerous records in 2016, and has since topped $43 billion in sales, according to the Organic Trade Association’s 2017 Organic Industry Survey. While the overall food market was stagnant, organic food sales increased by $3.3 billion and accounts for more than 5.3 percent of total food sales in the country. Organic fruits and vegetables account for nearly 40 percent of all organic food sales — the largest organic food category. Organic meat and poultry sales increased by more than 17 percent last year to $991 million — the category’s largest-ever yearly gain. Organic dips and spices also continue to see increased sales with $57 million and $193 million sold respectively in 2016. (h/t Specialty Food Association)

Women No Longer Primary Grocery Store Shoppers

Tradition still leads us to believe women do more grocery shopping than men. But according to a recent study, the genders are now pretty much equal. The Grocery Shopper Impact MegaStudy conducted by VideoMining, a State College, Pennsylvania-based provider of store behavioral analytics, found that women account for 51 percent of in-store grocery shoppers and men 49 percent. Equal on-site presence has not meant equal spending power, however. On average, female grocery shoppers spend $2.73 more per trip. The study also found that shoppers of both genders are avoiding the center of the store in favor of shopping the perimeter — traditionally where the healthier items such as fruits, vegetables and dairy items are shelved. One in five shoppers avoid the center of the store altogether. Shoppers are also trading in their weekly packed carts for smaller, more frequent visits. About 68 percent of grocery store check-out carts include 10…

Dirty Dozen: Fruits, vegetables with the most pesticides

Nearly 70 percent of sampled produce was found to have significant pesticide residue, according to a new report by one government agency. The biggest offender? Strawberries. The Environmental Working Group released its 2017 list of the “dirtiest” and “cleanest” items in the produce isle. Strawberries, spinach and nectarines took the top spots of shame, while sweet corn, avocados and pineapples were rated the “cleanest.” At least 178 different pesticides were found on the produce, even after they were washed, and in some instances, peeled. Pesticides have been known to cause a number of health issues, including short-term problems like headaches and digestive troubles to chronic conditions like cancer and endocrine disruption. “Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is essential no matter how they’re grown, but for the items with the heaviest pesticide loads, we urge shoppers to buy organic,” said Sonya Lunder, an EWG senior analyst. It’s particularly important to reduce young children’s exposures to pesticides, says Lunder. “Even low levels…