Latest news with #Nilson
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
These are the best stargazing sites in North America
Travelers are increasingly lifting their eyes to nighttime skies in search of impressive celestial phenomena and, perhaps, more. 'Looking up at the night sky is sort of what makes us human,' says Ruskin Hartley, the executive director of DarkSky International, a nonprofit group based in Tucson, Arizona. 'We have done it for millennia. Every single culture has told their first stories in the stars overhead, and they found meaning in the stars. Today, the vast majority of people are robbed of that.' On a clear night last November, I spent over two hours in a dome atop nearly 7,000-foot-tall Kitt Peak, an hour outside of Tucson, peering through one of their 20-plus telescopes. The moonless night along with the high and dry climate enabled our guide to share bright and clear highlights, including the Andromeda galaxy, the ringed planet Saturn with several of its moons, and a globular cluster. Outside the dome, we simply marveled at the stunning clarity of our galaxy home, the Milky Way. In the United States, 99 percent of us live in areas impacted by artificial light pollution. While dark skies are essential for many nocturnal creatures and ecosystems, recent studies have also touted the health benefits of darkness for humans. To help preserve and better connect us with this at-risk natural resource, DarkSky International has designated 155 dark sky places across the United States, six in Canada, and two in Mexico for stellar stargazing and efforts to preserve darkness. Among the five categories of dark sky certification, sanctuaries meet the most stringent requirements, says Amber Harrison, DarkSky Places program manager, and many are in the western part of the continent in less populated areas. Designated in 2024, the world's largest international sanctuary—half the size of New Jersey—is in the high desert of the Oregon Outback. This 2.5-million-acre sanctuary includes broad and flat basins, mountain ranges with elevations from 4,700 to 8,000 feet, and alkali lakes, says Dawn Nilson, a DarkSky delegate who consulted on the process. 'With little or no light pollution, you see these celestial objects against an inky black, smooth canvas,' says Nilson. 'What's particularly special about the Outback is you get to see all those stars reflected on flat, calm, alkali lakes.' Nilson usually doesn't take her telescope along because there's no need. 'With your naked eye, you can see the many colors of the stars and star-making factories, like the Orion Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula.' In this pristine darkness, you might even spy your shadow cast by starlight. (9 must-see night sky events to look forward to in 2025) Astro adventurers should be experienced 'remote travelers,' cautions Nilson, because there may be no cell service or facilities nearby. 'Always bring more layers for warmth than you think are necessary,' she advises. Outfitters, such as Bend's Wanderlust Tours, offer guided excursions, and Rose City Astronomers (partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) hosts star parties. Oregon Astronomy will team you with telescopes and a NASA ambassador. Other U.S. sanctuaries include Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the only one east of the Mississippi. In the southwest, the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve spreads 15,000 square miles across southwestern Texas and Mexico and is the largest Dark Sky reserve. You'll find a constellation of guided options, from public telescope viewing at the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas at Austin to ranger-led night walks in Big Bend National Park to starry nights with DarkSky Texas. On any dark sky-focused adventures, we all carry 'a superpower,' says Nilson: The human capacity for night vision. However, that scotopic, or low-level light vision, takes at least 30 minutes to activate fully and can be negated by a white flashlight or a glance at an illuminated screen. Seasoned stargazers recommend using red-light flashlights and scheduling your excursion during the new moon phase for optimal darkness. (A practical guide to stargazing) With 28 certified dark sky communities and parks, Utah has the highest concentration of certified skygazing options in North America. That includes Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges and also a sanctuary. The catch: Getting there requires a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell followed by a one-hour hike. The site is considered sacred by many indigenous cultures, including the Pueblo of Zuni and the Hopi Tribe. Straddling the Canadian border, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first binational international Dark Sky Park and includes Montana's Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park. Known for its mountainous scenery and rich biodiversity, the area is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, and both parks are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Dark Sky Guides in Waterton Lakes will maximize your viewing, and you can join Glacier's summertime ranger-led astronomy programs. In Quebec's Eastern Townships, guided astronomy activities abound at Parc National du Mont Mégantic, including an aurora borealis show in the AstroLab museum and guided stargazing with telescopes. (Activities are in French.) To achieve reserve status, local municipalities replaced 2,500 light fixtures and reduced local light pollution by 25 percent. In the park, you can hike to three mountain summits and explore diverse forest ecosystems. In Alberta, Jasper National Park is designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, one of 17 in the country. The town is actually within the preserve's limits. Every October the Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place, and features a planetarium and telescope viewing, Indigenous music and storytelling, and guided night hikes. Lately, both urban and rural areas are darkening their skies to boost astrotourism. New Brunswick offers 'easy access to dark skies,' says Stéphane Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy. 'Even in our cities, you're no more than 15 minutes away from a very dark sky.' The province has three dark-sky preserves designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, including Fundy National Park, known for the highest tides in the world. Other parks and towns are applying for designations to create a coastal stargazing corridor. 'When you're looking towards the Bay of Fundy from the New Brunswick coast, you're facing the southern half of the sky which is where mostly everything arises,' says Picard. 'We call that the rising tides and rising stars region.' The province hosts star parties with telescopes throughout the year. Several jurisdictions have designed stargazing trails, including Tucson's Astro Trail with 11 dark sky experiences and Montana's Trail to the Stars with 45 recommended sites. With 12 Dark Sky Parks and another dozen working toward certification, Colorado has a self-guided 'Experience the Night' itinerary, chock full of daytime activities and night-gazing sites, including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Mexico's first urban night sky place, Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park, between Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende, focuses on educating the public about the value of darkness. (Why Tucson is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky) East Coast residents seeking closer options can head to Pennsylvania's Cherry Springs State Park, which is within the larger Susquehannock State Forest and has laser-guided night sky tours. West Virginia's Watoga State Park's name derives from the Cherokee name for 'starry waters,' and travelers may spy abundant constellations here. As stargazing gains in popularity, DarkSky International has developed its principles of responsible astrotourism, which emphasizes respect for local cultures and environmental health, along with sustainable growth. Hartley hopes that immersive dark sky experiences will inspire people to 'make some simple steps in and around your house and your neighborhood and your city to reclaim a little natural darkness.' (Big Sky, brighter stars: Why Montana is 2025's ultimate stargazing destination) Amy Brecount White is a Virginia-based writer with work seen in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, National Parks Traveler, Sierra Magazine, and more. She focuses on travel, particularly immersive outdoor adventures and moments full of wonder. See more at -
National Geographic
5 days ago
- National Geographic
These are the best stargazing sites in North America
Travelers are increasingly lifting their eyes to nighttime skies in search of impressive celestial phenomena and, perhaps, more. 'Looking up at the night sky is sort of what makes us human,' says Ruskin Hartley, the executive director of DarkSky International, a nonprofit group based in Tucson, Arizona. 'We have done it for millennia. Every single culture has told their first stories in the stars overhead, and they found meaning in the stars. Today, the vast majority of people are robbed of that.' On a clear night last November, I spent over two hours in a dome atop nearly 7,000-foot-tall Kitt Peak, an hour outside of Tucson, peering through one of their 20-plus telescopes. The moonless night along with the high and dry climate enabled our guide to share bright and clear highlights, including the Andromeda galaxy, the ringed planet Saturn with several of its moons, and a globular cluster. Outside the dome, we simply marveled at the stunning clarity of our galaxy home, the Milky Way. In the United States, 99 percent of us live in areas impacted by artificial light pollution. While dark skies are essential for many nocturnal creatures and ecosystems, recent studies have also touted the health benefits of darkness for humans. To help preserve and better connect us with this at-risk natural resource, DarkSky International has designated 155 dark sky places across the United States, six in Canada, and two in Mexico for stellar stargazing and efforts to preserve darkness. The Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first binational international Dark Sky Park. Photograph by Alan Dyer, VWPics/Alamy Stock Photo In search of the darkest sanctuaries Among the five categories of dark sky certification, sanctuaries meet the most stringent requirements, says Amber Harrison, DarkSky Places program manager, and many are in the western part of the continent in less populated areas. Designated in 2024, the world's largest international sanctuary—half the size of New Jersey—is in the high desert of the Oregon Outback. This 2.5-million-acre sanctuary includes broad and flat basins, mountain ranges with elevations from 4,700 to 8,000 feet, and alkali lakes, says Dawn Nilson, a DarkSky delegate who consulted on the process. 'With little or no light pollution, you see these celestial objects against an inky black, smooth canvas,' says Nilson. 'What's particularly special about the Outback is you get to see all those stars reflected on flat, calm, alkali lakes.' Nilson usually doesn't take her telescope along because there's no need. 'With your naked eye, you can see the many colors of the stars and star-making factories, like the Orion Nebula and the Lagoon Nebula.' In this pristine darkness, you might even spy your shadow cast by starlight. (9 must-see night sky events to look forward to in 2025) Astro adventurers should be experienced 'remote travelers,' cautions Nilson, because there may be no cell service or facilities nearby. 'Always bring more layers for warmth than you think are necessary,' she advises. Outfitters, such as Bend's Wanderlust Tours, offer guided excursions, and Rose City Astronomers (partnered with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) hosts star parties. Oregon Astronomy will team you with telescopes and a NASA ambassador. Other U.S. sanctuaries include Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and Maine's Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, the only one east of the Mississippi. Rainbow Bridge National Monument is one of Utah's 28 certified dark sky communities and parks. Photograph by Ralph Ehoff, Getty Images Southwest stargazing options In the southwest, the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve spreads 15,000 square miles across southwestern Texas and Mexico and is the largest Dark Sky reserve. You'll find a constellation of guided options, from public telescope viewing at the McDonald Observatory at the University of Texas at Austin to ranger-led night walks in Big Bend National Park to starry nights with DarkSky Texas. On any dark sky-focused adventures, we all carry 'a superpower,' says Nilson: The human capacity for night vision. However, that scotopic, or low-level light vision, takes at least 30 minutes to activate fully and can be negated by a white flashlight or a glance at an illuminated screen. Seasoned stargazers recommend using red-light flashlights and scheduling your excursion during the new moon phase for optimal darkness. (A practical guide to stargazing) With 28 certified dark sky communities and parks, Utah has the highest concentration of certified skygazing options in North America. That includes Rainbow Bridge National Monument, one of the world's largest natural bridges and also a sanctuary. The catch: Getting there requires a two-hour boat ride on Lake Powell followed by a one-hour hike. The site is considered sacred by many indigenous cultures, including the Pueblo of Zuni and the Hopi Tribe. The Pleiades star cluster and the other stars of Taurus rising above Mount Kerkeslin in Jasper National Park. Composite Photograph by Alan Dyer, VWPics/Redux Look to northern skies Straddling the Canadian border, the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the first binational international Dark Sky Park and includes Montana's Glacier National Park and Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park. Known for its mountainous scenery and rich biodiversity, the area is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, and both parks are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. Dark Sky Guides in Waterton Lakes will maximize your viewing, and you can join Glacier's summertime ranger-led astronomy programs. In Quebec's Eastern Townships, guided astronomy activities abound at Parc National du Mont Mégantic, including an aurora borealis show in the AstroLab museum and guided stargazing with telescopes. (Activities are in French.) To achieve reserve status, local municipalities replaced 2,500 light fixtures and reduced local light pollution by 25 percent. In the park, you can hike to three mountain summits and explore diverse forest ecosystems. In Alberta, Jasper National Park is designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, one of 17 in the country. The town is actually within the preserve's limits. Every October the Jasper Dark Sky Festival takes place, and features a planetarium and telescope viewing, Indigenous music and storytelling, and guided night hikes. The night sky viewing program at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Photograph by Greg Dale, Nat Geo Image Collection The Milky Way over the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona. Photograph by Babak Tafreshi, Nat Geo Image Collection More easily accessed starry skies Lately, both urban and rural areas are darkening their skies to boost astrotourism. New Brunswick offers 'easy access to dark skies,' says Stéphane Picard of Cliff Valley Astronomy. 'Even in our cities, you're no more than 15 minutes away from a very dark sky.' The province has three dark-sky preserves designated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, including Fundy National Park, known for the highest tides in the world. Other parks and towns are applying for designations to create a coastal stargazing corridor. 'When you're looking towards the Bay of Fundy from the New Brunswick coast, you're facing the southern half of the sky which is where mostly everything arises,' says Picard. 'We call that the rising tides and rising stars region.' The province hosts star parties with telescopes throughout the year. Several jurisdictions have designed stargazing trails, including Tucson's Astro Trail with 11 dark sky experiences and Montana's Trail to the Stars with 45 recommended sites. With 12 Dark Sky Parks and another dozen working toward certification, Colorado has a self-guided 'Experience the Night' itinerary, chock full of daytime activities and night-gazing sites, including Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Mexico's first urban night sky place, Joya-La Barreta Ecological Park, between Querétaro and San Miguel de Allende, focuses on educating the public about the value of darkness. (Why Tucson is one of the best places in the world to see the night sky) East Coast residents seeking closer options can head to Pennsylvania's Cherry Springs State Park, which is within the larger Susquehannock State Forest and has laser-guided night sky tours. West Virginia's Watoga State Park's name derives from the Cherokee name for 'starry waters,' and travelers may spy abundant constellations here. As stargazing gains in popularity, DarkSky International has developed its principles of responsible astrotourism, which emphasizes respect for local cultures and environmental health, along with sustainable growth. Hartley hopes that immersive dark sky experiences will inspire people to 'make some simple steps in and around your house and your neighborhood and your city to reclaim a little natural darkness.' (Big Sky, brighter stars: Why Montana is 2025's ultimate stargazing destination) Amy Brecount White is a Virginia-based writer with work seen in National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, National Parks Traveler, Sierra Magazine, and more. She focuses on travel, particularly immersive outdoor adventures and moments full of wonder. See more at -
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State hockey lands commitment from Swedish forward Eric Nilson
Michigan State hockey lands commitment from Swedish forward Eric Nilson Michigan State hockey finished their roster moves on the defensive side of the ice with adding Ferris State transfer Travis Shoudy into the mix, leaving just one or two more forwards left to add to completely fill the 2025-26 roster. The Spartans have found their latest piece to the puzzle on Friday night. Michigan State gained the commitment of Eric Nilson, a 2007-born native of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but coming from Sweedish heritage. He is expected to join the Spartans roster in 2025-26. He will come to MSU from Sweden's J20 Nationell league as a member of Djurgårdens IF. Nilson is the son of former NHL player Marcus Nilson, who played 10 seasons in the league, racking up 270 points. The son of an NHLer, Nilson has NHL prowess himself, being one of the top prospects in the upcoming 2025 NHL Entry Draft, and is currently projected as a second round pick. A 6'0", 155 pound 18-year-old, there will most likely be a small learning curve coming to NCAA hockey, but he should be a plus player for the Spartans over the next few seasons. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
Borneo Post
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Genset licensing enforcement is safety, not punishment
KOTA KINABALU (May 21): The enforcement of generator set (genset) licensing fees in Sabah is not a form of punishment, but rather the fulfillment of a legal and safety obligation under Malaysian law, said Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) Vice Youth chief Nilson Lo in addressing continued public confusion and political accusations surrounding the issue. He said recent allegations about exorbitant fees and 'punishing' users were firmly rebutted as misrepresentations of technical requirements. Nilson stressed that genset registration and licensing is a long-established legal requirement, not a new policy by the state. It has been mandated under the Electricity Supply Act 1990 for decades (previously enforced by the Energy Commission at the federal level) and is now administered in Sabah by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) under the state's Electricity Supply Enactment 2024. 'Compliance with genset licensing isn't about penalising anyone – it's about safety and accountability,' he said. This enforcement ensures proper oversight: all generator installations are documented, tested by qualified personnel, and inspected when necessary to meet required standards. Without such regulatory compliance, unlicensed or sub-standard generator setups could pose serious public hazards – including fire risks, electrical overloads or electrocution accidents. He underscored that the goal is to protect public safety, so framing these measures as 'punishment' is a gross misunderstanding of their true purpose. The statement also set the record straight on licensing fees. Nilson made it clear that ECoS itself only charges modest annual fees for genset licenses, ranging from as low as RM30 up to a maximum of RM3,000 – depending on the generator's capacity. 'ECoS is not introducing new or exorbitant charges. The fee structure remains unchanged from what was previously imposed,' he noted. This means a small backup generator might incur just a RM30 fee, while even the largest industrial gensets (above 5,000 kW) pay around RM3,000 per year – figures that are identical to the former federal rates, now simply collected by the state agency. Any implication that Sabah's government created a new heavy financial burden is therefore false. Nilson firmly refuted the viral claim that ECoS imposes a RM25,000 'genset fee.' He explained that such large amounts are not any licensing fee from ECoS, but rather market-negotiated costs between genset owners and licensed electrical contractors (not unregulated 'runners') for bringing certain installations up to code. 'Reports of RM20,000– RM25,000 costs are misleading – those payments went to private consultants or contractors, not to ECoS itself,' he said. In other words, if a genset owner ended up spending that sum, it usually covered a bundle of technical works and services needed to meet safety requirements – not a government charge. Such contractor-provided works often include: • Proper Earthing Installation: Installing or upgrading the genset's frame/neutral grounding system to meet safety standards. • Drawings & Signage: Preparation of layout diagrams, single-line electrical drawings, and required safety signage for the installation. • Safety Equipment: Provision of insulated rubber matting for switchboards and on-site first aid instruction charts, as required by safety regulations. • Calibration & Testing: Calibration of meters and protective relays, and thorough testing of the genset's safety systems (such as circuit breakers and shutdown mechanisms). • Design & Commissioning Support: Engineering design reviews and coordination of inspection tests during installation commissioning to ensure compliance with the law. Nilson noted that these compliance services are typically required for larger commercial or factory-scale generators, and they were standard practice even during the federal era of Energy Commission oversight. In fact, the fundamental processes, technical standards, and fee ranges have not significantly changed with the shift to ECoS. What has changed is that Sabah now exercises its own regulatory authority (and retains the revenue locally) as part of the GRS-led devolution of powers – a development the party views as positive. Therefore, portraying the current enforcement as a new or arbitrary 'RM25k state penalty' is highly misleading. The statement advised genset owners that ECoS's actual role and charges are being misconstrued: ECoS even provides a public directory of certified contractors and an online registration system so that owners can avoid unnecessary middlemen costs by dealing directly. The LDP Vice Youth Chief also addressed the opposition's narrative that the prevalence of gensets implies Sabah's ower grid has 'collapsed.' He rejected this claim as a distorted political narrative. Standby generators are a standard precaution in industry and commerce worldwide – including in Peninsular Malaysia – and their use in Sabah does not mean the grid is beyond hope. Even in regions with generally reliable supply, critical facilities and businesses maintain backup gensets to protect against any outages. 'Hospitals, data centres, shopping malls, hotels, office complexes – you name it – all rely on standby generators as a prudent safeguard to ensure uninterrupted operations,' Nilson noted. In fact, Malaysia has a robust market for backup gensets, with businesses across the country considering backup power solutions indispensable to avoid losses during power interruption. Seen in this context, many Sabahan businesses owning gensets is a sign of responsible risk management and resilience, not evidence that the government has failed the electricity supply. Using genset ownership as a political weapon – to claim the entire Sabah grid has 'collapsed' – is irresponsible and inaccurate, Nilson asserted. In closing, he reiterated that he stands firmly by ECoS and the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS)-led government's reform agenda in the energy sector. Ensuring every genset is lawfully registered and safely installed is part of building a more reliable power system for Sabah, not an attempt to burden the people. He urged all parties to stop misrepresenting technical compliance measures as a political burden and to refrain from needlessly alarming the public.
Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to Thousands of Premature Deaths Each Year
For every 10 percent increase in ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in your diet, your risk of premature death rises by around 3 percent, according to a comprehensive new study that has health officials across eight nations—including the United States, Canada, and the UK—calling for immediate policy interventions. The research, recently published in the 'The evidence on the health impacts of UPFs are very compelling, with over 30 different outcomes already associated with UPF consumption, including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes,' Eduardo Augusto Fernandes Nilson, the lead researcher from Brazil's Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, told The Epoch Times. What Makes UPFs Harmful? According to Nilson, UPFs affect health beyond their high levels of sodium, trans fats, and sugar, which are linked to poor health outcomes when eaten excessively. Industrial processing also transforms these foods through the addition of colorants, artificial ingredients, emulsifiers, and other additives. UPFs are heavily manipulated from their original state, often containing ingredients not commonly found in home kitchens. Examples include soft drinks, chips, chocolate, packaged meals, and ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Researchers analyzed data from nationally representative dietary surveys and mortality records in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, the UK, and the United States, finding that as the percentage of UPFs in a person's diet increases, so does the risk of premature death. Food processing can harm health through various biological and physiological mechanisms, including the creation of harmful chemicals, changes in macronutrient structure, and the addition of additives. These changes can lead to increased intake of sugar, salt, and fats, reduced satiety, and altered digestion and absorption of nutrients. Related Stories 4/19/2025 3/11/2025 The study found significant variations in UPF-related mortality between countries. Colombia had the lowest UPF consumption, with UPFs making up 15 percent of a person's total energy intake. The researchers estimate that processed foods accounted for around 4 percent of premature deaths. In the United States, which had the highest consumption—with more than 50 percent of a person's daily energy coming from UPFs—nearly 14 percent of premature deaths are linked to these foods. For context, the researchers noted that in 2018 alone, approximately 124,000 premature deaths in the United States were attributed to UPF intake. These findings build upon previous research, including a review of seven cohort studies Finding Balance in Food Choices Laura Pensiero, a registered dietitian and chef who owns Gigi Hudson Valley in New York, told The Epoch Times that while UPFs can have a significant negative impact on health if eaten in excess, she doesn't believe in completely demonizing or banning them. 'It's about finding a balance—embracing whole and minimally processed foods for daily nutrition while allowing room for occasional indulgence,' she said. 'The focus should be on nourishing your body with whole, nutrient-dense foods, and enjoying the occasional processed treat without guilt.' The 2021 study also noted that high consumption of UPFs is associated with various health issues, including heart disease, obesity, diabetes, certain cancers, and depression—further adding to the growing body of evidence that UPFs are harming public health. Dr. Joel 'Gator' Warsh, a board-certified pediatrician and founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine in Studio City, emphasized the urgency of changing course. 'We need to shift our focus to prevention, real food is medicine, and cutting back on UPFs is one of the most powerful tools we have,' he told The Epoch Times. Practical Steps to Reduce UPF Consumption The main takeaway of the study is that UPFs are an important risk factor for noncommunicable diseases and that 'they are replacing the traditional, healthy diets of all countries and this is causing a significant burden to their health,' Nilson said. Reducing UPF consumption requires more than consumer education, he said. 'Food choices are influenced by price, availability, information, and other factors, and education by itself is insufficient to ensure healthy diets,' he said. 'Therefore, we need to make healthy dietary behaviors easier and more accessible and affordable.' Before you make your purchases at the grocery store, 'scour the facts,' and if you see chemical names or unfamiliar ingredients, 'it's best to stay clear,' Michelle Bacarella, a registered dietitian, food scientist, and functional food and supplement formulator, told The Epoch Times. Pensiero recommends that we begin reducing our UPF intake with small, manageable changes. 'Focus on cooking more at home with whole ingredients like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and minimize packaged foods with long ingredient lists or items not generally used in a home kitchen,' she said. Gradually replace processed snacks with healthier alternatives, such as fresh fruit or homemade granola, and read labels carefully to avoid additives and excessive sugar, she added. 'By shifting towards whole or minimally processed options, you can improve your diet without feeling restricted.'
