A recent study examined the effects of produce prescription programs in 12 U.S. states (1). Almost 4,000 individuals received produce prescriptions. About half were adults and half were children. They were all from low-income neighborhoods. Participants received paper vouchers or electronic cards providing from $15 to $300 per month to buy fruits and vegetables at grocery stores and farmers markets. They attended nutrition classes. The median length of program participation was 6 months.
Adults receiving produce prescription ate, on average, more than three quarters of a cup per day more fruits and vegetables; children averaged a quarter cup more per day. Both adults and children reported that their overall health status improved. Among adults with poor health, improvements were seen in blood pressure, glycated hemoglobin (a measure of diabetes control), and body mass index (BMI). These results suggest that produce prescriptions could have important benefits.
Eat an Apple and Some Broccoli and Call Me in the Morning: Produce Prescriptions Offer Health Benefits — https://www.vrg.org/blog/2023/10/13/eat-an-apple-and-some-broccoli-and-call-me-in-the-morning-produce-prescriptions-offer-health-benefits/ – Posted on October 13, 2023 by The VRG Blog Editor
Association Between Fruit Intake and Diabetes Risk
A healthy diet including whole fruits, but not fruit juice, may play a role in mitigating T2DM risk.
Associations Between Fruit Intake and Risk of Diabetes in the AusDiab Cohort — The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, dgab335, https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgab335
Link to the journal study above.
But if you want the highlights play the video that follows.
I had three servings of fruit today.
I also rescued a tiny turtle.
5 Fruits and Veggies a Day May Be Optimal for the Greatest Mortality Benefit
Five servings of fruits and vegetables a day — in particular, three vegetables and two fruits — provide the greatest mortality benefit, according to an observational study and meta-analysis in Circulation.
Researchers analyzed results from the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Over 100,000 people regularly completed food-frequency questionnaires and were followed for up to 30 years. During that time, nearly a third of participants died.
After multivariable adjustment, the greatest mortality benefit was seen for five servings of produce a day, compared with two servings (hazard ratio, 0.88). Eating more than five servings a day was not associated with greater risk reductions.
5 Fruits & Veggies a Day May Be Optimal in Terms of Survival — https://www.jwatch.org/fw117568/2021/03/01/5-fruits-veggies-day-may-be-optimal-terms-survival
There is a link to download the original study on the NEJM Journal Watch page. The discussion section of the study is worth reading if you’re interested in the details.
Fruit & Vegetable Intake Among U.S. Teens Abysmally Low
Just 7% of U.S. teens get the recommended daily intake of fruit — and only 2% get the recommended intake of vegetables — according to an analysis of data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys.
Fruit & Veggie Intake Among U.S. Teens Abysmally Low — https://www.jwatch.org/fw117440/2021/01/21/fruit-veggie-intake-among-us-teens-abysmally-low
Link to the MMWR article: Lange SJ, Moore LV, Harris DM, et al. Percentage of Adolescents Meeting Federal Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations — Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, United States, 2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:69–74. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7003a1
Surprised? I’m not surprised at all.
Strawberry – Update 05.24.20
It looked big when I bought the carton.
It was big. I’ve noticed the strawberries at the grocery store are bigger and sweeter.
Funny and interesting things happen when suppliers can’t sell their produce to the restaurant supply chain.
Update 05.24.20
Big boy #2.
Big boy #3.
Frenchy’s Citrus Gazpacho
“Send pictures of the Tiny Human.”
“Only if you send me your Citrus Gazpacho recipe.”
The exchange was made and Frenchy’s recipe follows:
CITRUS GAZPACHO
For 6 Cups
- 4 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 TBLS white wine vinegar
- 2 1/2 cups orange juice
- zest and fruit of 1 orange-remove the peel and pith
- zest and fruit of 1 pink grapefruit-remove the peel and pith
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced
- 1/4 medium red onion, diced
- 1/2 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced
- 1 TBLS olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
- Cayenne pepper to your taste
Instead of using fresh tomatoes which you must boil for 20 seconds, then dunk in ice water to stop the cooking, cool, peel, then dice-you can use a can of diced tomatoes.
Use an immersion blender or container blender to mix the tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, orange juice, orange and grapefruit zest. Puree. Pour over the cucumbers, peppers, onion, orange and grapefruit, olive oil and seasonings.
This is best when it has been refrigerated overnight. Top with fresh cut basil before serving. A few pomegranate seeds in each serving for color.
Beautiful in martini or cocktail glasses as a starter.
Historical Note for Family and Friends
Frenchy is a real person and our friendship predates my marriage to The Boss. When the Doctor and the Architect were tiny humans themselves we would have wonderful meals at Frenchy’s. I’m positive I’ve had this gazpacho but at my age I can’t remember when. Enjoy!
Avocadoes May Lower LDL
Source: Avocado a Day to Keep Heart Disease Away?: Health After 50
Small study with very interesting findings.
The Tomato Plant 06.17.14
My little green tomato has a new little buddy. The leaves and stalks eaten by the flea beetles have wilted and died off the vine. Our friends from across the street have experience with garden tomatoes. I was warned about squirrels and birds.
Huh???
The Tomato Plant 06.15.14
The tomato plant has been caged and sprayed with some environmentally friendly anti-flea beetle stuff. Look in the middle of the photo. TOMATO!
Happy Father’s Day 2014
Someone gave my wife and several of her coworkers tomato plants. Â While some folks didn’t want to have anything to do with a tomato plant, the tiny, green six inch tall plant came home one night. Â It was re-gifted to me. Â I decided to stick it in a pot and see if I could grow tomatoes. Â The tomato plant got big real quick. Â Which brings me to Father’s Day. Â I never thought I would be out on Father’s Day buying a tomato cage and something to dissuade flea beetles from eating my plant.
Nothing in life is free. Â The bug stuff and cage cost over $15.00.
I have a classic case of the brown thumb and can kill any plant assigned to me for care.  I hope I get some tomatoes out of this.
garyskitchen.net 