Understanding European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Guidelines

Synthetic fibers are common in many packaged foods and supplements in the United States. However, Europe is more cautious, with the safety of synthetic fibers remaining under scrutiny. Ovvia® refers to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidelines as the FDA is still updating its regulations.

Natural vs. Synthetic Fibers

Natural fibers originate from whole, unprocessed foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole...

Struggling to find genuine extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)? 

In this shopping guide, discover the key factors to look for and certifications to trust when shopping for authentic EVOO. Last week, you learned how to "Spot Genuine EVOO: Unveiling the Truth Behind Counterfeits." Here's a quick and easy guide:

What Matters in EVOO

1. Harvest Date: Choose EVOO within 24 months of harvest for optimal freshness [1].
2. Ignore Buzzwords: "Fresh pressed," "cold pressed," and "Non-GMO" labels can be...

Are you Overpaying for a Counterfeit?

Just because you're shopping at a specialty grocery or high-end supermarket doesn't guarantee that the extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) you're buying is the real deal. The olive oil industry is notorious for lacking regulation, which allows fake EVOO to infiltrate the market [1]. So, what's the difference between real and fake EVOO, and why should you care?

Real vs. Fake EVOO

• Authenticity: Real EVOO meets stringent chemical and sensory standards, ensuring...

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, and it's time to prepare for a fun-filled holiday! While festivities often involve delicious food and drinks, enjoying the celebration without compromising your health is possible. Here are five tips to help you maintain your wellness goals during the holiday weekend:

1. Opt for Fresh Veggies Over Chips: Instead of reaching for high-fat chips, choose vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, and carrots for snacking. These fiber-rich and nutrient-dense...

Fast-food chicken, particularly grilled chicken, is often considered healthy. However, this is not always the case. You may want to avoid fast-food chicken altogether; I stopped eating it.

Top Five Reasons Why:

#1: High-Fat Content: Fast-food chicken is often fried, coated with flour, breading, and cooked at high temperatures in unhealthy oils. This cooking process causes extra fat to accumulate in the meat. Even grilled and crispy chicken versions contain high amounts of fat due to the...

Do you eat at the same time every day, regardless of whether you're truly hungry?

Do you reach for food when stressed or emotional? You're not alone. Many of us fall into the trap of routine eating, where we eat out of habit rather than responding to our body's actual hunger signals [1]. But why do we behave this way?

As humans, we have evolved to seek out food to survive. In the past, we didn't always have easy access to food, so eating when it was available was important. This has led us to...

Looking for a unique way to break your regular eating routine on the weekends?

Brunch is the perfect meal to enjoy a combination of sweet and savory flavors without compromising your health. Here are three brunch favorites that you can enjoy guilt-free!

Ricotta Toast Bar

Instead of a taco or salad bar, make a ricotta toast bar and combine these ingredients to make all three savory and sweet favorites featured in the video!

Why's it Healthy?

Whole Milk Ricotta is a healthy option that...

Starting a new exercise routine can trigger an increased appetite and hunger, but is it real or just a decoy? Let's explore the science behind post-exercise hunger and how to distinguish between real and decoy hunger signals.

Leptin and Fat Storage

Leptin is a metabolic hormone that manages your appetite and fat stores. When you start an exercise program, Leptin thinks the stored fat on your body is there intentionally and that you've been saving and keeping it as future energy. This leads to...

The size used for comparison was a Russet that’s 52% larger in weight! That is the loophole Sweet Potatoes used to promote superior health benefits. And if it's so simple and obvious, how did so many trusted nutritional professionals and reliable resources get this nutrition fact wrong?

The USDA's website is the root cause of this misinformation. 

Small, medium, and large sizes are most familiar to the general population and easiest to visualize. The problem is the weight for each...

Blood Sugar Matters for Everyone, Especially if You're Over 45  

If you're over 45, you're even more susceptible to increased blood pressure, body weight, increased (bad) LDL cholesterol, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, and more! Elevated blood sugar levels cause and contribute to almost every one of these conditions. Healthy foods, like slow carbohydrates, can help lower blood sugar levels naturally to help improve these conditions to avoid progressive disease.

Slow Carbs = Steady...