Surrogacy 101

Foods to Help You Feel Better By Elaine Magee, MPH, RD

Are you feeling down in the dumps? Are you irritated at how often you’ve been irritable?

Perhaps it’s time to look at the foods and drinks you consume to see if they are trashing your mood. Nutrition experts say that the foods you eat can help you feel better -- or feel worse -- in the short-term and the long-term. 

• Meal-to-meal and day-to-day, keeping your blood sugars steady and your gastrointestinal (GI) tract running smoothly will help you feel good and energetic. If your blood sugars are on a roller-coaster ride -- hitting highs and lows from too much sugar and refined flour – you are more likely to feel out of sorts. This is also true if your gastrointestinal system is distressed due to intense hunger from a fad diet or constipation because you aren’t getting enough fiber and water.  

• Week-to-week and month-to-month, keeping your body healthy and disease-free makes good moods more likely. For example, key nutrients you get in certain foods can influence the levels of feel-good hormones such as serotonin. Other nutrients can help prevent inflammation so blood circulates well to all of your organs.

“Eating a heart healthy diet -- high in fiber and low in saturated fat -- is a great place to start to boost your mood. There isn’t any question about it, says Diane M. Becker MPH, ScD, director of the Center for Health Promotion at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

Conversely, “a high-fat, high-glycemic load meal can make you physically feel dysfunction in your body. People who eat this type of meal tend to feel bad and sleepy afterwards,” she says.

6 Tips for Foods and Beverages That Help You Feel Good

1. Seek out foods rich in vitamin B12 and folic acid (folate).

What’s special about chili made with kidney beans and lean beef? Or a light chicken Caesar salad made with skinless chicken breast and romaine lettuce? Or grilled salmon with a side of broccoli?

All these dishes feature one food that is rich in folic acid (folate) and another that is rich in vitamin B12. These two vitamins appear to help prevent disorders of the central nervous system, mood disorders, and dementias, says Edward Reynolds, MD, at the Institute of Epileptology, King’s College, London.

The link between higher food intakes of folate and a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms crosses cultures, too. A recent study confirmed this association in Japanese men. 

Folic acid is usually found in beans and greens. Vitamin B12 is found in meats, fish, poultry, and dairy.

Other dishes that feature B-12 and folic acid-rich foods include:

• A burrito or enchilada made with black beans plus beef, chicken, or pork

• A spinach salad topped with crab or salmon

• An egg white or egg substitute omelet filled with sauteed spinach and reduced-fat cheese

2. Enjoy fruits and vegetables in a big way.

Fruits and vegetables are packed with key nutrients and antioxidant phytochemicals, which directly contribute to your health and health-related quality of life.

In a one study, eating two more servings of fruits and vegetables a day was associated with an 11% higher likelihood of good functional health. People who ate the highest amount of fruits and vegetables felt better about their health.

3. Eat selenium-rich foods every day.

Selenium is a mineral that acts like an antioxidant in the body. What do antioxidants have to do with feeling better and minimizing bad moods? Research suggests that the presence of oxidative stress in the brain is associated with some cases of mild to moderate depression in the elderly population. 

One study evaluated the depression scores of elderly people whose daily diet was either supplemented with 200 micrograms of selenium a day or a placebo. Although more research is needed to confirm the findings, the group taking selenium had higher amounts of selenium circulating in their blood and significant decreases in their depression symptoms.

Try to get at least the recommended daily allowance for selenium: 55 micrograms a day for men and women.

Whole grains are an excellent source of selenium. By eating several servings a day of whole grains such as oatmeal, whole-grain bread, and brown rice, you can easily get 70 micrograms of selenium. Other foods rich in selenium include:

• Beans and legumes

• Lean meat (lean pork or beef, skinless chicken or turkey)

• Low-fat dairy foods

• Nuts and seeds (especially Brazil nuts)

• Seafood (oysters, clams, crab, sardines, and fish)

4. Eat fish several times a week.

Several recent studies have suggested that men and women have a lower risk of having symptoms of depression if they eat a lot of fish, particularly fatty fish like salmon, which is high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Omega-3s from fish seem to have positive effects on clinically defined mood swings such as postpartum depression, says Jay Whelan, PhD, head of the department of nutrition at the University of Tennessee.

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Herring

• Rainbow trout

• Salmon

• Sardines

• Tuna  

5. Get a daily dose of vitamin D.

Does a little time in the sun seem to make you feel better? The sun’s rays allow our bodies to synthesize and regulate vitamin D. 

Four recent studies showed an association between low serum levels of vitamin D and higher incidences of four mood disorders: PMS, seasonal affective disorder, nonspecified mood disorder, and major depressive disorder.

Researcher Pamela K. Murphy, PhD, at the Medical University of South Carolina says people can help manage their moods by getting at least 1,000 to 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day.

That’s significantly more than the Institute of Medicine’s Recommended Dietary Allowance for vitamin D, which is 600 IU daily for ages 1 to 70, and 800 IU for people over 70.

Very few foods naturally contain vitamin D. So she recommends we get vitamin D from a variety of sources: short periods of sun exposure, vitamin D supplements, and foods.

Vitamin D can be found in:

• Fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel

• Beef liver

• Cheese

• Egg yolks

But our primary source of dietary vitamin D is fortified foods, such as breakfast cereals, breads, juices, and milk.

6. Treat Yourself to 1 oz of Chocolate

“Small amounts of dark chocolate can be a physical upper,” says Becker at Johns Hopkins. “Dark chocolate has an effect on the levels of brain endorphins,” those feel-good chemicals that our bodies produce. Not only that, but dark chocolate also seems to have a heart-healthy anti-clogging effect in our blood vessels.

In one study from the Netherlands, Dutch men who ate 1/3 of a chocolate bar each day had lower levels of blood pressure and lower rates of heart disease. The chocolate also boosted their general sense of well-being.

How Foods and Beverages May Make You Feel Bad

Just as some foods can help you feel better, others can make you feel down. Here are ways to reduce the harmful effects of three foods that can drag you down.  

1. Reduce foods high in saturated fat.

Saturated fat is well known for its role in promoting heart disease and some types of cancer. Now researchers suspect saturated fat also plays a role in depression.

The link was found in a study called the Coronary Health Improvement Project, which followed 348 people between the 24 and 81. A decrease in saturated fat over a six-week period was associated with a decrease in depression.  

2. Limit alcohol carefully.

That “feel-good” drink, alcohol, is actually a depressant. In small doses, alcohol can produce a temporary feeling of euphoria. But the truth is that alcohol is a chemical depressant to the human brain and affects all nerve cells.

Depending on the amount of alcohol consumed, people can go quickly from feeling relaxed to experiencing exaggerated emotions and impaired coordination.

It’s no coincidence that depressive disorders often co-occur with substance abuse, and one of the main forms of substance abuse in this country is alcohol.

3. Don’t go crazy with caffeine.

Caffeine can increase irritability a couple of ways.

• If the caffeine you consume later in the day disrupts your nighttime sleeping, you are likely to be cranky and exhausted until you get a good night’s rest.

• Caffeine can also bring on a burst or two of energy, often ending with a spiral into fatigue.

Some people are more sensitive than others to the troublesome effects of caffeine. If you are sensitive to caffeine, decrease the amount of coffee, tea, and sodas you drink to see if this helps uplift your mood and energy level, particularly in the latter part of the day.

 

Review of Two Kellogg's FiberPlus Cereals: A LaMothe Product Review

When trying to conceive or just trying to eat a more balanced diet, we all become aware of how important healthy eating habits are. We are told to eat more fiber, add more antioxidants and find a way to enjoy doing just that. Well, I was asked to review 2 of Kellogg's FiberPlus cereals: Kellogg's FiberPlus^® Berry Yogurt Crunch and Kellogg's FiberPlus^® Cinnamon Oat Crunch. I received two full boxes and shared them with my husband and my 15 year old daughter. (and you know how picky 15 year olds can be!) Needless to say these two boxes didn't last long in our household. Both cereals tasted great and lived up to the wonderful Kellogg's reputation for producing healthy and tasty products. I felt like I was providing my family nutritious choices for their morning meal.  My daughter loved the Cinnamon Oat Crunch the best where my husband and I agreed that the Berry Yogurt Crunch was our favorite.  I would highly recommend that you give all of the FiberPlus cereals a try!

Compost: Turning Your Cast-Off Food Into Gold By Guest Blogger Dr. Christina Grant

 

Made from your table scraps (except meats and seeds) and yard waste, composting is the key to sustainability and organic gardening. It reduces your trash and the amount of junk that ends up in landfills, that is, if you aren't a big fast food fan and you actually eat fresh food.

There is little to no actual trash in my garbage bin. I recycle any paper products or glass and throw all vegetable, fruit, and table scraps into the compost bucket under my kitchen sink. Once full, I take the bucket of scraps and head out to the far corner of the yard where I dump it into a big pile. I toss in a few leaves and the pile turns itself into the most amazing, dark, rich soil I've ever seen. 

I was quite truly astonished when I first witnessed food and leaves turn into healthy soil. I had no idea of the method in which nature quickly breaks down organic matter, turning it into a lush product. Those of you who garden will understand my use of "lush" when referring to soil. Those of you who don't tend to the earth and grow a few things, you must start, even if it's a small pot of something near a window. 

The soil you create yourself can be used as mulch around trees and bushes, it can go into flower pots, and of course, can be mixed into soil in your garden. It enriches and feeds the earth while repelling the bugs that destroy your beloved plants. 

Strong, healthy soil is the key to organic gardening and to keeping plants thriving so they are not attacked by pests. This makes the use of caustic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides on our precious earth all the more ridiculous, since these chemicals deplete the soil. This weakens the plants, strips them of nutrients, and brings on even more pests. 

Composting is an amazing, wonderful way to help heal this precious earth. It is one way to give back to this planet which has provided us with all we need. And once you start, you won't want to see another banana peel or broccoli stalk go into the trash, because you will know what it's capable of becoming. 

My friend Rosanne (an earthy Taurus, naturally) taught me how to make a compost pile. I was finding it all mysterious and complicated, but she changed this. Her method follows. 

Use a bucket under the sink for your kitchen scraps. Outside, dig a hole about two feet deep and two to three feet wide. Put your cast-off food scraps in it with some leaves. Cover these with some dirt. Every few days, turn the pile a bit with a shovel or pitchfork to aerate it. If it's dry, add some water so it becomes like a wrung out sponge. 

Keep adding to the pile. When it’s fairly large, dig another hole next to it and begin adding fresh scraps to this new pile, allowing the older one to cook and do its thing. 

Out of the few methods I've tried, Rosanne's is the best and easiest. I've heard people say you have to do it in layers, adding food, then leaves, then dirt, and so on. But it's too complicated. All you need do is toss your scraps in and cover them with dirt. Add a few leaves and cuttings from plants or grass, mix once in awhile, and add some water occasionally. In very cold climates you would need to use alternatives. In this case, check with your local waste management company to see if they offer compost bins. 

In the past couple of years, I have used a black compost bin instead of making my pile on the ground. This has served to keep Rami, my Labrador-German Shepherd foodie, from eating everything in the pile. But it doesn't work as well. It isn't as fast or efficient. My next step will be to put a little enclosure around the pile, so it keeps the critters out.

If you live in an apartment or a place where an outdoor pile isn't possible, there are now counter top compost makers. To find out more about them, you can do an internet search of counter top composters. You’ll see there are many styles and a wide price range to choose from. 

Even if you aren't a gardener or don’t have a green thumb, just spreading your homemade compost onto the earth, perhaps around a few trees in your neighborhood, will help repair this place we have for so long treated with disregard.

 

Dr. Christina Grant is a holistic healer, teacher, and intuitive counselor. You are welcome to visit her blog, contact her, and sign up for her e-newsletter at: www.christinagrant.com. 

 

 

 

Chinese Herbs & Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) By Teri Calandra and Kristine Ward

China has been using herbs to treat diseases for thousands of years. While there are many current studies that show the benefits of using Chinese herbs and acupuncture, it is hard to argue with millennia of trial and error. Gynecology and women's health are two of the oldest branches of Chinese Medicine. Consequently, formulas geared toward fertility and women's health have been finely-tuned and modified for modern times. The use of multiple herbs comprise a formula. The formulas are developed to treat diseases by treating the whole pattern. It is very rare that a single herb is recommended by itself. The reason for this is to prevent any single herb from "over doing it". For example: if you have a thin light period of shortened duration, a healthy period can be accomplished by taking a formula geared toward nourishing and moving blood. There may be three herbs in a formula that focus on nourishing but one or two that are going to keep your cycle regular.

Chinese herbs are all natural and are essentially berries, roots, twigs, nuts, and seeds. The herbs help to enhance the effects of the acupuncture treatment. They also treat the presentation on a deeper level, and often help a person to obtain gynecological health and increase the chances of pregnancy faster. Herbs/ formulas can be taken in the form of raw (which have to be cooked then the strained liquid drank), granules (powdered herbs dissolved in warm water and drank), pills, or tinctures (herbs steeped in wine or alcohol). For more information regarding different types of formulas and dosage please see http://southloopacu.blogspot.com/.

That can Herbs do for ART?

A common question is, "Are herbs safe to be taking with my already prescribed medications?" Chinese herbs have been around for a long time. When a well trained practitioner of Chinese Medicine and Herbs recommends a formula to someone we generally know what kind of reaction to look for. We are taught to recognize the possible reactions associated with each individual formula, as well as education in conventional medications and hormone therapy (ex. Clomid). You should not have adverse reactions on any formula. If you do, it means that it is not the right formula for you, or that it has to be adjusted to your needs. Unfortunately, there are not many studies out there that show herb vs. drug interactions. However, because we know what our formulas do, and because we are treating underlying conditions, we can take into account what your medications do and build a formula around your current medications. Generally speaking, being treated with acupuncture and Chinese herbs, before starting your conventional fertility treatments, menstrual cycles are often regulated within three to six months. Once your cycle is regulated your chances of getting pregnant will increase in conjunction with your conventional fertility treatments.

All dose changes of drugs are decided by you and your primary physician. NOT YOUR ACUPUNCTURIST. For those on multiple prescriptions, we will work with you and your medical practitioner to ensure the highest quality of health care.

For more information please contact South Loop Acupuncture

719 S. State St unit 3
Sago, IL 60605
office 312.554.8116
fax 312.554.8117
www.southloopacu.com

Sharon LaMothe
Fertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/

Soy foods may cause infertility

I know of a lot of people who are using soy in their diets. Some are attempting to start their families and when I read this I thought I would pass it along. I like the fact that this article gives the pros and cons of soy products. I would like to add, however, that I do not eat soy products and am not well versed in their uses so if anyone would like to share their experience with soy products, I would be more then happy to post their comments here!

 

Sharon

 

Sharon LaMothe
Infertility Answers, Inc.
http://infertilityanswers.org/
LaMothe Services, LLC
http://lamotheservices.com/

Soy foods may cause infertility

In a previous article on the effects of soy foods, soy supplements and soy-based infant formulas, I reviewed the positive and negative effects of soy as identified by researchers before 2005.

The positive effects included protection against prostate and breast cancer, and reduced cardiovascular disease, as well as non-pharmaceutical treatment of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes.

On the negative side, there were indications of possible disruption of sexual development in babies who were fed soy-based formulas. There was also the warning that women with a tendency to oestrogen-sensitive breast cancer should avoid high doses of soy products.

More recent studies are now indicating that soy products may also cause infertility, particularly in men.

Endocrine disruptors
Soy foods and supplements contain plant compounds called phytoestrogens and scientists are now investigating if these chemical compounds act as endocrine disruptors – compounds that interfere with normal hormone function.

The latest Arbor Clinical Nutrition Update (2009) poses the question, “Can phytoestrogens cause infertility?” The review published by the Arbor Group lists a number of new studies that have shown various potentially negative effects caused by soy-product supplementation.

For example, a study of 99 men attending a fertility clinic found that those subjects who had the highest soy intake also had the lowest sperm counts compared to men who ate no soy foods.

In another study, researchers compared the effect of two scoops of pure soy protein powder (56g/day) on the testosterone levels of 12 healthy young men. After 4 weeks of using the soy protein powder, the average testosterone levels of the subjects had decreased by 19%. Once the men stopped taking the soy supplement, their testosterone levels returned to normal after about two weeks (Arbor, 2009).

In 1998, Santti and coworkers listed phytoestrogens as potential endocrine disruptors.

An endocrine disruptor binds to oestrogen receptors in the body and hampers production of normal sex hormones. Although there are many different chemicals that can be classified as endocrine disruptors (for example, breakdown products of pesticides and female hormones in our water supply and food chain), results of animal experiments indicate that normal sexual development and behaviour can be negatively influenced by phytoestrogens.

Researchers at the School of Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast, have also identified phytoestrogens as potential endocrine disruptors that may be contributing to the “increased incidence of male reproductive abnormalities and falling sperm counts” (West et al, 2005).

They point out that phytoestrogens, particularly from soy proteins, have become a major component in our typical Western diet. The use of soy-based infant formulas to treat babies that are allergic to cow’s milk is of special concern, because it's believed that the most vulnerable periods when the most serious, and possibly even irreversible damage to the developing sexual organs can occur, are the pre- and neonatal periods (West et al, 2005).

Female problems
Case studies of women who were taking high levels of soy supplements or foods showed that some women develop abnormal bleeding of the uterus, endometriosis and polyps. Removing soy products from their diets improved their symptoms (Chandrareddy et al, 2008).

The medical team reporting these case studies has called for additional research to determine the safety of phytoestrogens in soy supplements used by women, because although these supplements may be beneficial in some cases, they may also cause problems in other cases.

The boom in soy protein use
The past few decades have seen an unprecedented increase in the use of soy foods, soy supplements and soy products in the Western world. If you check practically any food label nowadays, you'll see that manufacturers have added soy protein, or “textured vegetable protein”, as it's also called.

For interest’s sake, I looked at 10 products in my kitchen, ranging from instant oats to biscuits to viennas, and 7 out of 10 products contained “textured vegetable protein”. In addition, you can now buy soy milk, soy ice cream or sorbet, and even ‘soy cheese’.

Then there are the hundreds of sports supplements that all contain vegetable protein or soy flour. In the baby-food category, there are plenty of soy-based formulas to choose from if your baby is allergic to cow’s milk. Finally, women can purchase a wide variety of post-menopausal self-medications to alleviate hot flushes and other unpleasant effects.

In view of the above, it's not incorrect to state that the modern Western diet is being flooded with soy protein and phytoestrogens. The reasons, among others, for this boom in soy protein in our foods and supplements are:

• The perceived health effects.
• The fact that textured vegetable protein is less expensive than meat, which is why most sausages, processed meats and hamburger patties contain ever-increasing amounts of vegetable protein.
• Textured vegetable protein provides good food-processing characteristics (increased water retention, lighter products, etc).
• It boosts the protein content, lowers the fat and cholesterol contents, and lowers the GI (glycaemic index) of the food.
• It's used in special foods for people who have allergies to other proteins.
• Growth of the vegetarian market.

So, while adding soy protein to food products and supplements has beneficial effects, the latest research indicates that we need more investigations to determine if excessive soy intake isn't potentially harmful. For example, it would be ironic if sportsmen who consume vast quantities of soy protein with their muscle-building supplements, are decreasing their testosterone levels. After all, testosterone helps to build lean muscle mass.

As the Arbor team (2009) concludes: from what we know at present, ingesting soy protein can on the one hand be beneficial to prevent hormone-linked cancers of the breast and prostate, but it may well also have negative effects and contribute to infertility.

While we wait for clearer guidelines to emerge from research studies with humans, it may be prudent to only eat moderate quantities of soy-containing foods, not to use soy-containing sports products, only to use soy-based infant formulas under the care of a paediatrician, and only to take soy-based menopausal supplements when prescribed by your gynaecologist.

(, DietDoc, July 2009)

Any questions? Ask DietDoc

References:
(Arbor (2009).Can phytoestrogens cause infertility? Arbor Clinical Nutrition Updates, Issue 308:1-3, June 2009; Chandrareddy A et al. (2008). Adverse effects of phytoestrogens on reproductive health: a report of three cases. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 14(2):132-5; Santti R et al, (1998). Phytoestrogens: potential endocrine disruptors in males. Toxicol Ind Health, 14(1-2):223-37; West MC et al. (2005). Dietary oestrogens and male fertility potential. Hum Fertil, 8(3):197-207.)

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The Hope Uncorked wine tasting kit is a grassroots awareness campaign dedicated to helping cancer survivors fulfill their parenthood dreams.

WHAT Wine Tasting Kit! Gather a minimum of 6 people (including you) who each pay a $25 ticket price and we'll send you a kit to host a simple wine tasting party (except the wine of course). WHO You! The role of host is simple: have your friends over for wine! WHEN Anytime! Host an event whenever it's convenient for you and your guests! WHERE Anywhere! The possibilities are endless - apartment, home, office, art gallery, client event, or anywhere you like to get together. WHY Make a difference! The Hope Uncorked kit directly supports Fertile Hope, a national non-profit organization addressing the number one cancer survivorship concern - infertility. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy, radiation and surgery can all cause permanent infertility. However, the majority of patients aren't told their risks, let alone about all of the parenthood options available to them. With your help, we can share this secret and empower men and women with the information they need to turn their parenthood after cancer dreams into reality! HOW It's Easy! Our online system does the work for you so that all you have to do is buy the wine (or ask your friends to bring your favorite bottle) and host your party! IMPACT Huge! In addition to hosting a fantastic event, you will: Let the secret out of the box by raising awareness Provide life changing information about parenthood after cancer Raise money for an invaluable cause that affects your peers Receive fabulous guest goodies including Uncorked, a wine tasting guide by Women & Wine® and Sofitel®, and a 1-year subscription to your choice of Cookie, Glamour, Gourmet GQ or SELF Magazine (a $12 value) One person - you - can make a difference. Host an event and change someone's life. (888) 994-HOPE www.hopeuncorked.com

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How to Clear Confusion From Food Allergy Warnings

We, as parents of children with food allergies, are always concerned that what we give our kids to eat, or what others give, may have a negative affect on their delicate systems. I found this article and thought I would share it with you. As a woman with a peanut allergy, (among other things) I am always concerned with what the package says or what the menu reads...... Sharon www.InfertilityAnswers.org How to Clear Confusion From Food Allergy Warnings

August 26, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's one of the biggest frustrations of life with food allergies: That hodgepodge of warnings that a food might accidentally contain the wrong ingredient. The warnings are voluntary -- meaning there's no way to know if foods that don't bear them really should. And they're vague: Is "may contain traces of peanuts" more reliable than "made in the same factory as peanuts?" Now health officials in the U.S. and Canada are debating setting standards, amid increasing concern that consumers are so confused they're starting to ignore the warnings. "Really, the safest thing you can do is make all your food at home from scratch, period," says Margaret Sova McCabe of Sanbornton, N.H., whose son Tommie, almost 8, is allergic to peanuts, dairy, wheat and five other ingredients. But she doesn't find that practical -- and repeatedly has spotted longtime favorite "safe" foods suddenly bearing new warnings that accidental contamination is possible after all. "Sometimes we buy the product anyway, and sometimes we don't," says McCabe, who is a law professor and questions how often the warnings signal liability protection rather than true risk. "What does this really mean? Can I count on it, as a consumer, to really have any meaning?" she asks. The Food and Drug Administration will ask those same questions at a public hearing on Sept. 16, a first step toward developing what it calls "a long-term strategy" to clear the confusion. "Advisory labeling may not be protecting the health of allergic consumers," the FDA acknowledged. Canadian authorities have gone a step further, saying accidental-allergy warnings are "misleading consumers" and advising food makers to begin clarifying them even as Health Canada researches a formal policy. The food industry recognizes there's confusion. The Grocery Manufacturers of America has been working to set new guidelines on the warnings for more than a year, but declined comment before next month's meeting. About 12 million Americans have food allergies. Severe ones trigger 30,000 annual emergency-room visits, and 150 to 200 deaths a year. Starting in 2006, a U.S. law required that foods disclose in plain language when they intentionally contain highly allergenic ingredients such as peanuts or dairy. Left out of the law are accidental-allergy warnings -- for foods that might become contaminated because they were made in the same factory, or on the same machines, as allergen-containing products. The FDA has said that a quarter of inspected food factories have the potential for such a mix-up. More and more foods bear precautionary labels, but there's a disconnect. The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, an influential consumer group, counts at least 30 different ways that the warnings are worded -- and consumers too often falsely assume that one food is riskier than another because its label sounds scarier. Three-quarters of parents of food-allergic children surveyed by the group in 2006 said they would never buy a food with an accidental-allergy warning, down from 85 percent in 2003, when such labels were novel. The FDA's own surveys found the allergic pay more attention to warnings that a food "may contain" an allergen than those "made in the same factory" labels. Yet when University of Nebraska researchers tested nearly 200 products with various accidental-peanut warnings, they found that peanuts were more likely to have sneaked into products labeled "made in the same facility." And Health Canada researchers recently discovered that some chocolate labeled as possibly containing "traces" of peanuts or tree nuts in fact contained up to six times the amount that the government considers a trace level. Contributing to consumer mistrust are puzzling warnings, like canned or frozen vegetables with nut precautions. Just last week, allergy network founder Anne Munoz-Furlong was stunned to receive a basket of fresh fruit with a warning that it might contain nuts or milk. "Right now everybody's making up their own rules," Munoz-Furlong says -- and she's pushing FDA for clear standards to help consumers understand which foods to avoid. In Canada, the government's review is just beginning, but meanwhile it recommends foods bear one of two labels: "May contain X allergen" or "Not suitable for consumption by persons with an allergy to X." Back in New Hampshire, the McCabes show how tricky label reading is. Tommie has loved a particular nondairy soy yogurt since infancy. When it began bearing an accidental-allergy precaution, his mother toured the factory and was relieved by how the equipment was cleaned. But last week, she noticed the label had changed again, to say the yogurt might also contain live cultures based on milk. It "maybe illustrates how difficult it can be when you have food allergies to stay on top of that information," McCabe said.