There are so many options now in the dairy section that it may be a bit confusing to know what to buy. Here are some questions so you can evaluate your choices on your own: 

Laura Lynn is one of the lines of private label or store-brand products Ingles Markets sells. Laura Lynn is named after our founder’s (Mr. Ingle’s) daughter, Laura Lynn. At Ingles Markets you can find other store brands like “Ingles Best” and “Harvest Farms”. Most Harvest Farms products are USDA certified organic and will have the organic label. 

We probably all know people who claim they have been “bad” over the weekend. Often that means all of their typical food/beverage and activity/exercise habits are thrown out the window. Instead they may skip meals, eat more than normal or eat and drink foods and beverages they might not normally consume.

Alpha-Gal Syndrome, also known as mammalian meat allergy, is an allergy to meat. This allergy develops after a Lone Star tick bite causes a reaction in the immune system. This condition is becoming more common in the Southeast.

One of the most underappreciated parts of some of the foods we eat is fiber. Fiber can:

• Make us feel more full and satisfied.

• Help with digestion and gut health.

• Reduce "bad" cholesterol 

Often, I hear terms like “buy local” and “eat local foods”. But what does “local” mean? There is no legal definition of “local”, and it may depend on who is using this term and their personal opinion of what “local” means. 

Question: My father-in-law is now living with us, and he has Type 2 diabetes, but he also has a sweet tooth. Should I be buying sugar-free candy and cookies for him or is there a better option? 

Sometimes when we talk about “local foods” we tend to think only of seasonal fruits and vegetables, but it’s great to know that you can support local farmers and food makers throughout the year.

Where do you get your food inspiration for cooking or baking?

• If you’re a “Boomer” (born between 1946-1964) you’re likely to have a favorite cookbook or seek out new cookbooks that you can buy, check out from the library, or download to a device.

This time of year, we often see dramatic and often negative stories about food and nutrition. A few things to remember:

• Read beyond the headlines — Headlines are meant to attract your attention and get “clicks”. Before you react or make snap judgements, be sure to read the actual article.