New FDA gluten-free rules take effect today
Voluntary FDA rules that define gluten-free foods as those containing no more than 20 parts per million of gluten go into effect today. Registered dietitian Sheenagh King said the rule will be helpful for people with celiac disease and others who adhere to gluten-free diets because there are many hidden sources of gluten in foods that can lead to unintended exposure. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (8/1), The Times (Gainesville, Ga.) (8/5)

Sugar debate increases as FDA reviews comments on food-label plan
The FDA is reviewing comments on proposed food-label changes that would require manufacturers to list added sugars, not just total sugar content. Health organizations and nutrition experts say added sugars bring unnecessary calories and may contribute to weight gain, but Campbell Soup said in a letter to the FDA that the impression that reducing added sugars without cutting calories can affect weight may delay a real solution to the obesity problem. Reuters (8/4)

Greater weight loss seen with green-veggie intake
Research published in Appetite indicates women who had daily consumption of least 5 grams of green leafy vegetables -- such as spinach, kale and parsley -- had higher levels of the satiety hormone glucagon-like peptide 1, and attained a mean weight loss of 11 pounds at three months, compared with 7.7 pounds in the placebo cohort. eMaxHealth.com (8/2)

Study ties pistachio diet with better heart markers in diabetes
Diabetes patients who consumed two servings of pistachios daily for a month showed better cardiovascular health markers and more relaxed and open blood vessels during stress tests compared with those who did not eat the nuts, according to a study in the Journal of the American Heart Association. NewsMax.com (8/1)

Survey: Almost everyone snacks daily
A Nielsen study finds that 91% of people are daily snackers, and that 17% are snacking more this year than last. It's a matter of differences between the sexes, too: Women prefer chocolate, candy or cookies, while men are more likely to go for chips or pretzels. Bloomberg Businessweek (8/4)

Watchdog group names unhealthiest food franchise, meal
The Center for Science in the Public Interest's annual Xtreme Eating survey has named The Cheesecake Factory as the most unhealthy food franchise in the U.S. Data also showed Red Robin Gourmet Burgers' "Monster"-sized A-1 Peppercorn burger, Bottomless Steak Fries and Monster Salted Caramel Milkshake meal was the single unhealthiest fare in the survey, containing 3,540 calories, 69 grams of saturated fat and 6,280 mg of sodium. United Press International (7/31)

NYC campaign encourages people to take the stairs
A public health campaign in New York City encourages people to use the stairs whenever possible. Climbing stairs is a good way to burn calories, so the city has put up 30,000 prompts in more than 1,000 buildings to get people to take the steps instead of an elevator. National Public Radio/Shots blog (8/4)

Ohio hospital dietitian to act as nutrition "watchdog"
Ohio's Coshocton Hospital is getting a cafeteria makeover, new menus and a new meal-delivery system for patients with help from dietitian Krista Mathews, who will serve as the hospital's nutrition "watchdog." Spokeswoman Mary Ellen Given said providing the best nutrition to patients is driving changes in the menu. Coshocton Tribune (Ohio) (8/4)

Vending machines have little effect on students' soda intake
High-school students who had no access to vending machines were about as likely to consume at least one soda each day as those with such machines in their schools, according to a study in PLoS One. Significant differences in soda intake were seen only in states with lower soda taxes and in schools that sold sodas in their cafeteria. Science World Report (8/4)

Sesame chicken cucumber noodle salad
This salad works great for a hot summer night or for a picnic or potluck. Eating Well

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