Health Buzz: 2011 Year in Review

Health News from around the web for December 29, 2011.

For the last Health Buzz episode of 2011, we're rounding up the biggest health stories of the past 12 months from our own writers and around the web. Plus, we've got another great Ask Mary segment and a recipe that's sure to warm you up on a cold winter's day.

USDA Announces MyPlate

One of the biggest nutrition stories of the year was the announcement of MyPlate, which replaced the USDA's food pyramid icon. Although the food pyramid had undergone a transformation since its U.S. introduction in 1992, the plate image represents a major break from the past. Many educators have praised the new icon, saying that it's easier to understand and more concrete.

Source: USA Today

Are Dietary Supplements Harmful to Older Women?

The controversial results of a massive research study have made us question the health benefits of taking vitamin supplements. The Iowa Women's Health Study surveyed 38,000 older women over the course of 20 years. The researchers found that women who took supplements were at a higher risk of death, however, other experts disagree with the research methodology.

Source: LifeScript

Most Popular Diets of 2011

At the end of each year, DietsInReview takes a look at which diets were the most popular on our site. Since we began this list in 2008, Weight Watchers has been the most popular year after year. But in 2011, The 17 Day Diet, created by Dr. Mike Morono, took over the top spot. An older diet that moved up in rank was the Dukan Diet, thanks to its association with the Middleton family.

Source: DietsInReview

Ask Mary: Is Weight Watchers good for college students?

In this week's segment of Ask Mary, registered dietitian Mary Hartley answers the question, "Is Weight Watchers good for college students?" Mary says that Weight Watchers can be a good solution even for students eating at the dining hall, but there are other options also.

Recipe: Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Carrots

This recipe for stewed chicken and vegetables takes a little longer to cook, but it’s totally worth it. Make it for guests or on a not-so-busy weekend. Once you brown the chicken and sautée the vegetables, it will take another 20 to 25 minutes to simmer. When it's all done, you'll have a filling meal that's high in protein and rich in taste.

Source: Savor the Thyme on Bookie Boo