When the holidays season is in full swing, families and friends gather to enjoy time together over warms meals and plenty of dessert. But sometimes food spoils the party. Every year, foodborne diseases sicken 1 in 6 Americans (48 million people), hospitalize 128,000 people, and kill 3,000 people, according to the CDC. Let’s tackle how we can prepare food safely and keep the holidays healthy.
What Is Food Poisoning?
You can get sick with food poisoning after swallowing certain germs like salmonella. Common symptoms include: Diarrhea
Stomach pain or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fever “Most people have mild illnesses [from food poisoning], but some infections spread by food are serious or even life-threatening. Some people may need ...
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently signed a law that mandates the first-ever warning labels on foods like chips and candies that contain dyes and additives not allowed in other countries. “The law mandates disclosures for more than 40 ingredients, including food dyes and additives commonly used in food processing to help with texture, taste or shelf life,” according to AP News. Let’s dig deeper into what this law means and how it impacts families and communities.
What Does This Law Entail?
The newly signed law will require foods made with any of more than 40 dyes or additives to have warning labels starting Jan. 1, 2027. The labels will include verbiage saying the products’ contain ingredients “not recommended for human consumption” in Australia, Canada, Europe, or ...
Moving Matters! Did you know that physical activity directly impacts your health? The more work you put into your body, the more you reap the long- and short-term health benefits of exercise. That’s true at any age, but especially in older adults, who experience higher risk for diseases such as heart disease and cancer. One of the most serious diseases many older individuals face is dementia and Alzheimer's, which affects nearly 1 out of every 9 seniors in the US as of 2023, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. But with a well-balanced diet and regular exercise, symptoms have been known to ease and those who haven’t been diagnosed with the disease show a reduced risk for developing it. In fact, a new study published by the Journal ...
Obesity is a critical risk factor for diabetes and cancer. We shared the latest in obesity prevention and management at UT Health San Antonio’s webinar, “Tipping the Scales Toward Health,” at 11 a.m. Central on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. The webinar featured experts from the Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, the Metropolitan Health District of the City of San Antonio, and Genentech to explore the issue of obesity and related chronic health conditions like diabetes and related cancers that are impacting South Texas. Panelists discussed strategies for obesity management, diabetes management, and promoting a healthy weight. They will also addressed the non-medical drivers of health and share available resources and support for healthy lifestyles and the prevention ...
March is recognized as National Nutrition Month.® During this time, folks can prioritize better nutrition and take advantage of many resources that can help improve the health and nutrition of all families. Let’s dive deeper into resources that can be helpful to you and your families in achieving the best nutrition possible.
1. ‘Food Connects Us’ from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics created National Nutrition Month® in 1973. With this year’s theme of “Food Connects Us,” the Academy’s annual campaign encourages people to make informed food choices and develop strong eating and physical activity habits. “Health, memories, traditions, seasons and access can all impact our relationship with food. While these factors ...
Obesity Care Week 2025 (#ObesityCareWeek) is here! From March 3-7, 2025, Obesity Care Week is an annual public awareness effort to end weight stigma. It promotes education for a better world for people living with obesity. Also, World Obesity Day is March 4, 2025. Our Salud America! health team is happy to serve as an Obesity Care Week Champion to help raise awareness. "We need to continue to address the state of obesity care among Latinos and all people," said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio. Salud America! research has found that many people face health issues due to the non-medical drivers of health, from poverty and support to affordable housing and transit. This contributes to ...
The beverages we drink are important for our hydration and health. That’s why experts have made recommendations for healthy drink choices for children ages 5 to 18 based on evidence from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Heart Association. Healthy Eating Research (HER) has published these main recommendations: Beverages to drink: Plain drinking water and plain pasteurized milk. Beverages to limit: 100% juice, plant-based milk alternatives, and sweetened flavored milk. Beverages to avoid: Sugary drinks, sugar-sweetened beverages, beverages with non-sugar sweeteners, and caffeinated beverages. Let’s dive deeper into these recommendations and how they can impact your ...
Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the country, impacting 38 million adults in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The long-lasting condition also contributes to heart disease and cancer. That is why it’s important to address the non-medical drivers of health – such as access to transportation, healthy foods, and green spaces for safe play and exercise – which can influence risk for diabetes, especially for those genetically predisposed to it. Let’s dive into some new studies that explore diabetes and its impact on all people.
1. Issues with Diabetes for Those in Tough Financial Situations
Poverty can be a huge factor in the development of diabetes, especially in early childhood with those who ...
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new proposal to require front-of-package nutrition labels on most foods that have a Nutrition Facts label on back. The proposal would require a compact informational box, also referred to as the “Nutrition Info Box,” with nutrient information on the front (or principal display panel) of products. The box would also contain information on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content in a simple format showing whether the food has “Low,” “Med,” or “High” levels of these nutrients. The aim is to give consumers nutrition information to help them quickly, easily identify how foods and drinks can be part of a healthy diet. “Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the ...
13,250 People Commented on the Proposed Front-of-Package Nutrition Label Requirement
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a new proposal to require front-of-package nutrition labels on most foods that have a Nutrition Facts label on back. The proposal would require a compact informational box, also referred to as the “Nutrition Info Box,” with nutrient information on the front (or principal display panel) of products. The box would also contain information on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars content in a simple format showing whether the food has “Low,” “Med,” or “High” levels of these nutrients. The aim is to give consumers nutrition information to help them quickly, easily identify how foods and drinks can be part of a healthy diet. “Nearly everyone knows or cares for someone with a chronic disease that is due, in part, to the ...
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