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Ultraprocessed foods like sodas and sweets should be regulated like cigarettes: study

Ultraprocessed foods like sugary sodas and sweets are “carefully engineered” to encourage consumption and should be regulated like cigarettes, according to a new study. Published Monday in The Milbank Quarterly, a peer-reviewed health-care journal, the study examines how the design, marketing and distribution of ultraprocessed foods mirrors tactics employed by the tobacco industry. Like industrial tobacco products, many ultraprocessed foods are strongly associated with serious health risks that can include heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity. “Some ultraprocessed foods have crossed a line,” study co-author and University of Michigan psychology professor Ashley Gearhardt said in a news release. “Products like soda, sweets and fast food are engineered less like food and more like cigarettes — optimized for craving, rapid intake, and repeated use. That level of harm demands regulatory action aimed at industry design and marketing, not individual willpower.” Drawing on addiction sc...

10 Mediterranean Diet Lunch Recipes in 10 Minutes

 Here are 10 Mediterranean diet–friendly lunch recipes that are fast (≈10 minutes each) , balanced, and practical for everyday eating. Each emphasizes olive oil, vegetables, lean protein, and whole foods. 1. Greek Chickpea Salad Ingredients: Canned chickpeas, cucumber, tomato, red onion, olives, feta, olive oil, lemon Method: Rinse chickpeas, chop vegetables, toss with olive oil and lemon. Why it works: High fiber, plant protein, healthy fats. 2. Tuna & White Bean Bowl Ingredients: Canned tuna (in water or olive oil), white beans, parsley, red onion, olive oil, lemon Method: Mix everything and season lightly. Protein-rich, no cooking required. 3. Avocado Tomato Toast with Olive Oil Ingredients: Whole-grain bread, avocado, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, salt Method: Toast bread, mash avocado, top with tomatoes and drizzle olive oil. Optional: Add sardines or boiled egg. 4. Mediterranean Hummus Wrap Ingredients: Whole-wheat wrap, hummus, cucumber, roasted peppers, spinach ...