2015 Vegan statistics show that 6 percent of US population is vegan. This means about 19.3 million people are vegan according to 2014 US population data. What happens when these people go on the road and make interstate trips? This creates issues in some families who sometimes ask their family members to give up being a vegan just for the trip.

Some people are touting seaweed as a super food for 2016, but this treasure from the oceans reached that status before the turn of the new year. In fact, experts have uncovered lots of reasons to love seaweed, so here are some of them plus a few ways to enjoy this sea vegetable during 2016 and many years to come.

Should you feel a little guilty selecting canned food items from your pantry that are past its “sell-by” date and giving them to your kid’s food drive at school? Here’s a recent reminder from ABC News about what “sell-by” and “best-used-by” labeling really means on food items.

Maybe you are trying to cut carbs to lose weight; maybe you just want to cut down on sugar. Either way, there will come a time when most people have cravings. So, if sugar is your kryptonite, you should consider taking L-glutamine.

Papayas are a large sweet seeded fruit that grow in tropical climates but are usually available year round in most developed countries. Papayas are native to Central America and have been long revered by the Latin American Indians. On their journeys, Spanish and Portuguese explorers brought papayas to many other subtropical lands. Christopher Columbus called papaya, “the fruit of the angels”. Papaya was introduced to the United States in the 20th century, and they have been cultivated in Hawaii, the major U.S. producer since the 1920s. Today, the largest commercial producers of papayas include the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. [2]

Two consumers have filed a class action lawsuit against General Mills because of the recent recall of gluten-free Cheerios. The company recalled 1.8 million boxes of the cereal because they contained gluten. Both regular Cheerios and Honey Nut Cheerios were affected by the recall. Now, two consumers are suing General Mills and claim the company is practicing false advertising.

I grew up on table salt. You remember it, the old Morton salt in the navy cardboard container with a picture of a little girl in a yellow dress holding an umbrella. I even remember my mom ordering a Morton salt umbrella for me when I was a kid. But I digress.

Have you ever heard of ellagic acid or followed an ellagic acid weight loss diet plan? Probably not, unless you are a botanist, a chemist, or a health nut. Truth is most people just don’t care what’s in their food, even if they’re smarter than the average bear. They just want something healthy that tastes good. But knowing what foods contain ellagic acid and including them in our daily diet can be very beneficial to health.

If you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, then you may have been excited to notice another gluten-free item on the grocery store shelves. However, if that item was Herr's Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips, you will want to pay attention to the latest recall. Herr Foods Inc. is recalling specific lots of some of its Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips because they are mislabeled as gluten-free. These chips actually contain wheat and should not be consumed by people who are sensitive to wheat or allergic to it.

For all of you who are looking for a natural, zero or low-calorie alternative to artificial sweeteners, monk fruit may be the answer. Is this relatively new addition to the sugar substitute market good for those with diabetes or who want to lose weight?

For thousands of years, seaweed has been used in many cultures, especially those in coastal regions, not only as a food source, but for its health benefits. Many of these areas such as Japan are considered “blue zones” where people are known to live longer and with fewer health problems. In fact, Japan has the highest number of octogenarians, people who live to be over the age of 100, in the world. Other well known “blue zones” are Sardinia, Italy, Loma Linda, California, and Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica.(1)

Is all takeout bad food bad for your health? Not necessarily, according to a recent CBS News report that tells viewers about a new take on takeout eating.

Cauliflower - yes, cauliflower is one of the hottest food trends for 2015. Are you celebrating the elevated status of this cruciferous vegetable?

Green tea and apples are both known to be healthy additions to our diet. Now researchers understand more about how apples and tea can protect us from heart disease and cancer.

Experts have been recommending that people drink more water for decades. Although most people are familiar with the usual benefits listed by doctors and nutritionists, there are unique advantages to adding more water to your daily routine. Hydration is essential for life, and your body requires water to function normally.