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Starting in 2011, diners will be able to make more informed choices when dining out. The Maine State Legislature gave final approval to a statewide menu labeling law that will require restaurants to post calorie information on menus, menu boards, and drive throughs. The law only affects chain restaurants with 20 or more establishments and at least one in Maine. The policy has been implemented in cities and states across the country to give consumers access to important information in order to help them make healthier decisions.

 

In the last twenty years the rate of overweight and obese Maine adults has doubled and the rates among Maine children have tripled. Obesity has been linked to numerous negative health and economic outcomes. Greater accessibility to information to make more informed healthy choices is necessary to reverse this trend. It may not always be apparent when dining out which are the healthier options. Menu labeling will make us all better informed consumers and more equipped to make healthy choices.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan (Penguin Group, Inc., 2008) offers a concise explanation to the question, "How has America evolved to be one of the unhealthiest nations on the planet while at the same time becoming increasingly knowledgeable in the science of nutrition?" Pollan implicates forty years of federal food policy directed at protecting agribusiness at the expense of Americans' health. Pollan sites nutritionism, the ideology that assumes it is the scientifically identified individual nutrients in foods that determine their value in the diet, as a primary cause of ill health. This ideology has led to the flawed federal food policy that deems there are no good or bad foods, only good or bad nutrients. This approach to scientific research communication has also created a lot of confusion and distrust from consumers toward experts who seemingly vacillate over nutrition advice.
 
Pollan argues that this disconnect between whole foods and individual nutrients has allowed us to grow into an overweight, chronically ill nation.
 
Pollan's answer? Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants . He offers 5 simple guidelines to define and consider what foods to eat.

 

Budget cuts and a suffering economy has put a damper on funding for many wellness initiatives. Here are some wonderful grant opportunities to help supplement those dwindling budgets.

  

Phoenix Farm Community Supported Agriculture Phoenix Farm in Monmouth has increased the number of CSA shares available for the 2009 growing season. CSAs are a wonderful way to eat more locally grown foods as well as support the local economy. FMI: Contact Nancy Chandler 207-933-9370 or visit www.monmouthgrows.com

 

Healthy Sprouts Award Do you plan to have a youth garden program in 2010? If so, the Healthy Sprouts Award supports school and youth garden programs that teach about nutrition and the issue of hunger in the United States. Applications are due October 17, 2009. FMI: visit www.kidsgardening.com and click on grants.

 

Garden Crusader Award Do you know someone who is using gardening to make a difference in his/her community? Nominate that individual and you may win more than $15,000 in cash and gardening gear from Gardener's Supply. Application deadline is June 15, 2009. FMI: visit www.gardeners.com click on the Community link or 1-888-239-1553 or crusader@gardeners.com.