Wednesday, 22 February 2023

5 myths about nutrition to ditch right now, according to a dietitian.

February 22, 2023 | VIEW IN BROWSER

This is TODAY

The Environmental Protection Agency orders rail company Norfolk Southern to clean up the site of a toxic train derailment in Ohio and pay all the costs. Plus, five myths about nutrition that a dietitian says we should all toss out, and tips on how to use your phone to create healthy habits instead of harmful ones.

The Latest

The EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to clean up toxic train derailment site in Ohio and pay all the costs.

The EPA announced yesterday that rail company Norfolk Southern has to conduct the cleanup and pay for any costs for the Feb. 3 derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. If the company fails to complete any of the actions, the EPA will immediately step in and then compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost. The Ohio Health Department has opened a clinic in the area to address community concerns after residents reported breathing issues as well as their pets and animals dying.

🥛 A registered dietitian shares 5 nutrition myths to ditch ASAP.

Wait, we can eat carbs?! High-fives all around! Registered dietitian Nora Minno identified 5 bogus myths about nutrition to scrap immediately for a healthier diet, including the myth that carbohydrates should be avoided. "In fact they're a really important part of a healthy, balanced diet," Nora said on TODAY. She also had some surprising facts about plant-based milk, fresh produce vs. frozen fruits and vegetables, and eating certain fats. See all the myths here.

Doctors told a woman, 21, her growing neck mole was 'nothing.' It was skin cancer.

British schoolteacher Darcy Shaw never had any severe sunburns or used tanning beds, but she had a mole on her neck for as long as she can remember. When it doubled in size in one year and became darker, her doctor told her it looked fine and that she had nothing to be concerned about. Three months later, she returned to the doctor for a separate issue and a nurse referred her for a biopsy of the mole. She ended up having stage 1 melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. "When I was actually told it was skin cancer, it was a massive bombshell because that hadn't been on my radar at all," she told Today.com. Read the full story about her journey and symptoms here.

How caviar — yes caviar — became TikTok's favorite snack.

If you think caviar is only eaten on yachts or in Michelin-starred restaurants, TikTok is here to show you it doesn't have to be that bougie. The famously fancy fish eggs have become a snack of choice for TikTokers pairing it with the likes of Doritos and Cheez-Its. "It's this weird juxtaposition of highbrow and lowbrow," beauty expert Sable Yong tells Today.com. Elliott Myers, a VP at Whole Foods, says there's been "significant growth" in caviar sales since last year. (He likes his with Tater Tots.) "I love that people are experimenting with this type of combination and getting away from that 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous' stigma that caviar has carried for some time," Myers told us. Read more.

Live Better TODAY

Achieve your life goals with easy tips.

Yes, there are such things as good habits when it comes to being on your phone. TODAY fitness contributor Stephanie Mansour found out the same device that causes mindless scrolling or leaves so many of us sleep-deprived can also be an effective health tool. She shared 5 ways to use the phone to create healthy habits, such as setting time limits, changing the sound of the alarm, and using yoga and meditation apps. See all her suggestions here.

What's for dinner?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

You don't need to be in New Orleans this week to get a taste of Mardi Gras (and you can skip the crushing hangover, too). This duck-andouille gumbo from the Crescent City's own Mason Hereford features a dark roux — a mixture of flour and fat that thickens sauces — with plenty of heat and rich flavor. He also has tips on when you know your roux is done and hints to help you avoid over-salting the dish. Get the recipe.

Daily Delight

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Elvis Pigsley has returned to the building. A lost pig in Anchorage, Alaska, was returned home safely after a man saw the 4-year-old swine wandering in the snow and shared some photos on Facebook to try to locate his owner. The Anchorage Police Department ended up bringing home the bacon when they scooped up Elvis in a cruiser and gave him a ride. "We're all familiar with refrigerated bacon, we just never thought we'd respond to a call for service related to that topic," the police wrote on Facebook. Elvis' owner says he's known for wandering the neighborhood. "He loves people and snacks, and if he feels like going out to find people with snacks, nothing will stop him," she told Today.com. (Honestly, same.)