“The Dietary Guidelines for Americans” is the nation’s trusted resource for science-based nutritional recommendations that serve as federal nutritional policies’ cornerstone.

These guidelines set the tone for how Americans should eat, and provide health professionals information to help the public make informed choices about their diets at home, school, work and throughout their communities.

To stay current with nutritional research, DGAs are updated every five years, and recently went through an update for the 2015-2020 term.

Well guys, it looks like Americans are eating too much salt, sugar and saturated fat. We don’t eat enough foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish.

No surprise there, right?

Sugar, specifically “added sugar,” was singled out as a major concern.

Previous dietary guidelines included warnings about eating too much “added sugar,” but never  set a limit on the amount.

For the first time, new dietary guidelines have a clear limit on the amount of “added sugars” that should be included in Americans diets — no more than 10 percent of daily calories, which is about 12 teaspoons a day. For many people, a single sugary soda per day could put them over the limit.

What are “added sugars?” Well, they include  brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, glucose, high-fructose corn syrup, honey, raw sugar, sucrose and other caloric sweeteners. When sugars are added to foods and beverages to sweeten them, they add calories without giving any nutrients.

Naturally occurring sugars found in milk and fruits are not included in the “added sugars” limit.  The new guidelines have shown that the current intake of added sugars is more than 13 percent of calories per day in the U.S. population. 

Major sources of “added sugars” typically include sodas, energy drinks, fruit drinks sweetened tea and coffee. (Surprise, Surprise!) Other major sources of added sugars are in snacks and junk food, desserts such as cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts and pastries. Let’s not forget dairy products like  ice cream, other frozen desserts and puddings also include “added sugar.”

The combination of these categories make up more than 75 percent of intake of all “added sugars.”

So when you pop open a can of soda or take a bite out of that sprinkle doughnut, remember to limit that “added sugars” intake to 10 percent of your daily caloric intake or approximately 12 teaspoons per day.

See http://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/ for a more in-depth look at the Dietary Guidelines.

Rebecca Catalena is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CATALENA: How to limit your 'added sugars' intake

Crestview Public Library and all other Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative member libraries will take part in the Big Library Read program, the world’s largest global eBook reading club.

Libraries and schools will connect millions of readers around the world who are simultaneously reading the same eBook. Crestview library users can borrow the eBook, “American Sniper: The New York Times bestselling memoir of U.S. Navy Seal Chris Kyle,” now through Thursday, March 31 by visiting okaloosa.lib.overdrive.com.

In the book — the source for a blockbuster movie nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture — Kyle writes honestly about the pain of war, including two close SEAL teammates’ deaths. His wife, Taya, speaks openly about war’s strains on their family. Kyle, who was killed tragically in 2013, recorded the most career sniper kills in U.S. military history.

The free Big Library Read program — facilitated by OverDrive, the leading platform for eBooks and audiobooks from the library —  runs for two weeks. To start reading, all you need is a Crestview Public Library card.

“American Sniper” can be read on all major computers and devices, including iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, Chromebook and Kindle, without worrying about wait lists or holds. The eBook will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and there are no late fees.

The Big Library Read program is made possible through a partnership between the OCPLC, OverDrive and HarperCollins, publisher of “American Sniper.” See BigLibraryRead.com for more information on Big Library Read.

We also have copies of the book and audiobook available for ‘traditional’ check-out at the library. Come visit us!

Marie Garcia is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: GARCIA: Connect with the world by reading 'American Sniper'

Many who’d once hailed Jesus as their king turned against Him. They didn't realize Jesus’ persecution was part of God's plan for a sinful humanity’s redemption.   

What was going through the minds of Jesus' followers — His disciples and His friends? I am sure they were watching in horror as the crowd asked Pontius Pilate to crucify Him.

Never had there been such a man; one who could heal the blind, deaf and diseased, who could raise people from the dead — and now He was being put to death. 

Through it all, Jesus humbly, willingly offered Himself as a sacrifice for the world’s sins so we could be redeemed from the bondage of sin and justified before God.

Are we like Mary, who arose early to make sure the body of the Lord was anointed for burial? She found an empty tomb with an angel who told her, "He is risen, just as He said."

Although Jesus had spoken to his followers of His death, burial and resurrection, they didn't seem to understand, so this must have been a shock to Mary.

When she ran to the disciples, Peter and John immediately ran to the tomb to see if Jesus had really risen from the dead. 

How would we have reacted? You can be sure all of Jerusalem was stirred up once it was discovered that Jesus had risen from the grave.

Easter is the pinnacle of the Christian faith; without Christ's death, burial and resurrection we would not have forgiveness of our sins and eternal life with Christ Jesus when we accept Him as our Savior.

Have a glorious Easter as we celebrate Christ’s resurrection. He is Risen!

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

●6:30 a.m. March 27, Old Spanish Trail Park, on Stillwell Blvd., Crestview. Presented by the Crestview Area Ministerial Association.

●6:30 a.m. March 27, Gene Clary Park, located on the corner of New Ebenezer Road and Park, Laurel Hill.

Bring chairs, dress in warm clothing and, if it is cold, bring blankets.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICES:

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Easter is the pinnacle of Christianity

The story of Palm Sunday shows humanity’s fickleness.

Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back on a donkey and the crowds cry, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," throwing down palm branches and their coats.

Then, a few days later, some of these same people call for Christ’s crucifixion. (Luke 19:29-38 and Mark 11:2-10)

Today, people do the same thing. We ask for this or that, and sometimes we are pleased when we get it, but many times we either want more, or want it taken away, as it didn't meet our expectations.

For instance, we want more places to shop and eat in Crestview, yet when they are proposed, naysayers are upset that proposed new shops and restaurants will increase traffic problems, which may or may not be the case.

An interesting phenomenon is to observe a group excited by changes coming to town, and then one person joins the group who is against the proposed changes and begins to complain about traffic issues.

It is amazing to watch how quickly some of the people who were happy with the new shopping center suddenly change their minds.

In over 2,000 years, humanity hasn't changed much. People are still fickle, and can bend to crowd mentality.

When people thought Jesus would save them from Roman rule and be their earthly king, they hailed and praised Him (lowercase him). A few days later, they reviled Him (lowercase him). 

What they didn't realize is that He came to earth to be their savior and eternal king, not their earthly king, but that didn't fit into their plans.

We are still sinful, and we still want what we want, when we want it, no matter how it affects others. 

But please, let's try not to become part of the crowd in forming opinions on the Lord (follow with ,) as well as changes coming to our town.

Janice Lynn Crose, a former accountant, lives in Crestview with her husband, Jim; her two rescue collies, Shane and Jasmine; and two cats, Kathryn and Prince Valiant.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CROSE: Palm Sunday lesson reminds us of some Crestview fickleness

With news about the Zika virus spreading in Florida, now is the time to think about mosquito protection. 

As the weather warms, mosquitoes hatch. Female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes lay their eggs in temporary flood water pools — even small ones such as pet watering bowls, bird baths and upturned magnolia or oak leaves. So dumping out collection containers and raking leaves every couple of days can greatly reduce the population.

Becoming infected with Zika virus is not common. Though mosquitoes, blood transfusions or sex can transmit the disease, Florida’s only known infections were from people who had been “bitten” by mosquitoes while traveling to countries with active virus outbreaks. That is, until this past week, when a person-to-person infection occurred between a man who had been infected while out of the country and the woman he returned to in Florida. 

Mosquitoes usually obtain the virus by feeding on infected people, who may not exhibit symptoms because they have been exposed and their body has built immunity to the virus. Once the mosquito has drawn infected blood from the person, the infected mosquito “bites” another human, transmitting the virus mixed in saliva into the second host’s blood stream.

If the second host is a susceptible pregnant woman, there is a risk of birth defects for the unborn child. If the infected host is a man, he can transmit the virus in semen for about two weeks.

Public health officials in Florida can monitor mosquito-borne illnesses quickly and effectively. Though the daily news can be alarming, the awareness is truly the message.

Here are tips to protect yourself:

●Stay indoors at dusk (peak mosquito-biting time). If you must be outside, wear long sleeves and pants or mosquito repellents containing the active ingredient DEET.

●Repair torn door and window screens.

●Remove unnecessary outside water sources.

●Flush out water collected in outdoor containers every three to four days.

●Disturb or remove leaf litter, including roof gutters and covers on outdoor equipment.

●Apply larvicides, such as Bacillus thuriengensis israelensis to temporary water-holding areas and containers.   Mosquitoes have been around all winter with the milder weather and frequent rain. As spring approaches, they will lay eggs on water surfaces they can find. As you get ready to spruce up the yard, look at all the ways you can remove potential habitats for the pesky creatures.

Sheila Dunning is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.

University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office classes include: 

●March 16: “Bee Amazed,” 10-11 a.m.,   127 W. Hollywood Blvd., Fort Walton Beach. Cost: Free

●March 17: Private Agriculture, Aquatic and General Standards Pesticide Licensing Training, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3098 Airport Road, Crestview. Cost: $10 per session.

●March 17: Aquaponics, 6-8 p.m.,  3098 Airport Road Crestview. Cost: $10.

UPCOMING CLASSES

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: DUNNING: Do your part to stop the spread of Zika virus