Home > Food & Health > Nutrition > Avoid Mall Belly When Holiday Shopping The holidays mark the season of shopping and eating as shoppers rush to the mall to buy gifts. Malls are popular not just for the merchandise they carry but for the many restaurants and snack shops they offer. Preventing obesity requires coordinated efforts; LSU AgCenter hosts nutrition summit (Distributed 03/19/09) Obesity is a growing problem for the state of Louisiana, and coordinated efforts in the fight against it are important to potential success in stemming the obesity epidemic. That was the message echoed by experts at a gathering this week hosted by the LSU AgCenter. Nutrition and Fitness: Your Keys to Coping with Stress [Image: Coping with Stress] When you're under stress, one of your best defenses is good health. To keep your body healthy, use these recomendations for a well-balanced diet and a regular program of exercise. Dietary Guidelines for Children [Image: dietary guidelines] Feeding Young Children (Ages 2-5): A healthful diet is necessary for both physical and mental development. Information on offering a variety of foods and foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol; using less sugar, salt and sodium; and promoting an active lifestyle. (PDF Format Only)  more articles... Nutritional Benefits of Sweet Potatoes [Image: sweet potatoes] Sweet potatoes are good sources of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals and complex carbohydrates. Information on selecting the best sweet potato, storage, cooking and nutrition facts. (PDF Format Only) Nutritional Benefits of Rice [Image: rice] Rice is an extremely healthy food. It's low in fat and sodium, contains potassium and fiber and is rich in antioxidants. (PDF Format Only) Do We Need to Re-Think Our Drinks Energy drinks are quite the rage with the teenage and college crowd. These super sweet drinks are fortified with lots of caffeine, and often other ingredients of questionable virtue. Eye Health During Pregnancy [Image: Brochure about eye health during pregnancy] Graduate Research Study that will evaluate eye health during pregnancy as it relates to the diet. Breast Milk Study [Image: flyer] Are you pregnant? Are you planning on breast feeding? The Division of Human Nutrition and Food at Louisiana State University is recruiting pregnant women who live in the Baton Rouge area planning on breast feeding to participate in a research study. For more information contact Julissa at 225-578-7160 or e-mail her at : jsalgu1@lsu.edu Does Your Snack Need an Oil Change? Reading the ingredients label on packaging may reveal some bad fats in your snacks. Folic Acid Fact Sheet [Image: image file] Everyone needs folic acid, but it’s especially important for women of childbearing age. Folic acid can help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord called neural tube defects. Workable Plan Needed To Keep New Year’s Weight Loss Resolution A New Year’s resolution for many Americans is to lose weight. Unfortunately, many Americans are unable to keep that resolution. Eat Healthfully To Feel Your Best All Year Long Healthful eating is key to looking good, feeling great and being your best all year long, stresses LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames. Reames points out that millions of Americans turn to the latest fad diets to lose weight every year, but she stresses living a healthy lifestyle is about much more than dieting – and that food is essential to life. Nutritionist Offers Hope For Healthy Lifestyle During Holidays During the holidays, we are all busy and stressed. We are in a hurry, and our regular schedule goes out the window. Click for more information...