This week’s health news raises lots of questions about what we eat (and what we know about what we eat):

Apparently, not all sugars are created equal after all. Find out which kind of sugar feeds the growth of cancer cells. (Reuters)

You may have seen commercials for new added-fiber foods that ‘taste great.’ What you didn’t see is what happens to some people after they eat that “stealth fiber.” (SparkPeople)

One recent food recall has raised some questions about the 80,000 chemicals on the U.S. market today … and how little we know about them. (Washington Post)

More, more more! Americans are eating more whole-grain bread than ever. We’re drinking more beer. (Time) And our kids are taking more prescription drugs. (Employee Benefit News)

See how sitcom star-turned-game show host Drew Carey lost 80 pounds and ended his need for diabetes meds. (People)

This story about the declining health of our nation’s clergy has important lessons about work-life balance for us all. (New York Times)

Finally, we’ve seen many stories speculating about the fitness claims of toning shoes. But this one actually put toning shoes to the test! (American Council on Exercise)

A few stories from the week in health news, starting with reflections after 10 days abroad:

Of all the proposed aids to ending the obesity crisis (and we hear a lot) Jennifer LaRue Huget’s “being surrounded by beauty” is this blogger’s favorite. Just back from Italy, she shares other thoughts as well. (Washington Post)

File Under: Sitting is bad. Does a little exercise give you license to lounge? Check out this report on “active couch potatoes.” (New York Times)

File Under: Sitting is good. See how another kind of sitting - in meditation - may help you be more productive. (Association for Psychological Science)

Are air fresheners leading to breast cancer? A first-of-its-kind study has bad news for household cleaning products. (abstract: Environmental Health; report: WebMD) Fortunately, all-natural alternatives, like vinegar and baking soda, fight grime too. (Charity Guide)

In the hit movie Inception, Leo DiCaprio can invade people’s dreams. Find out how science can really see into our dreams. (Livescience)

Many of the stories that caught our attention this week concern danger from unexpected places:

Refreshing backyard pond or creepy chemical soup? This audio report may not keep you out of the pool, but it may change your pre-pool habits. (Science Friday)

Before you slip on those Manolos (or their affordable knock-offs) find out how high heels change your muscles. (Livescience)

Don’t miss this startling new report on the life-threatening dangers of life-saving drugs. (InvestigateWest)

U.S. News & World Report just released their annual ranking of the nation’s best hospitals. And with those rankings comes criticism of the list. (L.A. Times)

This stirring article puts a face on the obesity epidemic with the story of two young sisters and their small Kentucky town. (Washington Post)

This week’s health news kicks off with dual reports reminding us to think before we eat:

What do the ‘organic’ label and Dora the Explorer have in common? Both lead people to eat more. (Livescience and USA TODAY)

Get more tips on healthy eating for kids from GeekDad (Wired) and from personal trainer and mom Kimberly Garrison (Philly.com)

From Zoloft to Zumba? The evidence mounts for treating depression with exercise. (Time)

In one town, it’s legal to play blackjack but illegal to bike. (NBC 9News) Bicycle Colorado fights back.

How do busy executives stay in shape? The “What’s Your Workout?” multimedia feature has answers. (Wall Street Journal)

The first formal study comparing sports bars and gels to sports drinks just released its results. (New York Times)

Last month, we reported on warnings about environmental hazards from the President’s Cancer Panel. Now come 9 tips for what to do about it. (Environmental Working Group)

Lots of food news this week, and we’ll start right here in Philly:

Locavores, rejoice! A new site launched to promote Philadelphia’s fabulous local food scene. (Philly Homegrown)

Brown rice or white rice? New research may sway you to the ‘dark’ side. (ScienceDaily)

Meat may be a particular danger to girls … and you can tell by age 12. (Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine)

HDL, in case you forgot, is the ‘good’ cholesterol, and there’s good news for people with lots of it. (CNN)

New federal dietary guidelines are on their way. Check out this brief overview (Food Navigator) or the official Executive Summary (USDA).

Prone to muscle cramps? The quick fix may already be in your refrigerator. (New York Times)

Women-only gyms are nothing new. A non-profit women-only gym – with sliding-scale rates in a low-income neighborhood – is. Read or listen to the audio stream. (NPR)

Want to get your kids more active? New research suggests you hide the remote. (WebMD)

This week, we heard lots of reasons to stay active, plus some tips for healthy, tasty treats:

Just because you’re at one with the universe doesn’t mean you aren’t annoying. Check out these yoga etiquette tips. (New York Times)

To bike or not to bike? That was the question for the current Prince of Denmark … and he biked – around DC with NBA all-star Caron Butler – for a good cause. (League of American Bicyclists)

New guidelines say that even cancer isn’t a free pass to skip exercise. It offers benefits for patients and survivors. (American College of Sports Medicine)

New research finds that exercise may even help you avoid the need for Viagra. (WebMD)

Find out how to get some exercise and give back to your community, all at your local park. (American Institute for Cancer Research)

Lots of energy and breakfast bars are chock full of hydrogenated oils and other unhealthy ingredients. These 4 whole-food bars make the grade! (Natural News Network)

Finally, we know that small amounts of dark chocolate are heart-healthy. This video shows how one Philadelphia company makes chocolate that’s also good for their community and the environment. (Viddler)

Eggs, fish, coffee, aspirin, alcohol – sometimes you read that they’re good for you; sometimes you read that they’re bad for you. Add the sun to that list of confusing health concerns. Sun exposure is the main way that we get vitamin D, the current ‘It’ nutrient for strong bones, a healthy heart and more. But too much sun exposure can also lead to skin cancer, the most common form of cancer.

With summer right around the corner, our GO newsletter checks out both sides of the great sun debate and adds some tips for safe outdoor activity. And that comes just in time for Sun Safety Week, which runs this month from the 6th through the 12th.

GO’s current “Summer Issue” also spotlights the real dangers of artificial sweeteners. And it features a Pesto-Topped Grilled Summer Squash recipe, courtesy of our partners at EatingWell, to add some tangy, vitamin-rich deliciousness to your next cookout.

Here’s hoping your Memorial Day weekend is filled with long walks, safe sunning and real food:

We’re big advocates of walking for better health, and we weren’t surprised to hear that it’s now been linked to a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. (HealthDay)

Soap shouldn’t give you cancer. Check out these new guides to safe, carcinogen-free body care products (Organic Consumers Association) and sunscreens. The latter comes with a sunscreen search engine. (Environmental Working Group)

Is your food “real”? Is it “mighty real”? Two blogs that devote themselves to “real food” share some delicious whole-food recipes: at Real Food Has Curves (which also has a book) it’s their Roasted Pepper and Shiitake Salad, while Real Food Rehab details their favorite ‘mind-blowing’ salads.

Go, DC! The greater Washington area came in at #1 in the latest American Fitness Index ranking. How does your hometown measure up? Our beloved Philadelphia, only so-so. (American College of Sports Medicine)

Lastly, here’s an intriguing look at the dieting struggles of overweight celebrities and why we love them. (Los Angeles Times)

What’s Miley Cyrus have to do with endocrine disruptors? You can find all that and more in the week’s health news:

Michelle Obama officially launched her Let’s Move campaign to end childhood obesity within a generation. (Childhood Obesity Task Force)

Last week, a 240-page report from the President’s Cancer Panel sounded alarms about the risk from environmental chemicals: everything from tap water to bug spray to medical imaging and beyond. The report received some cheers with prevention tips (Environmental Working Group) and some jeers for what it ignores (Reuters).

On that note, a new report reveals the hidden, carcinogenic chemicals in popular fragrances. (Campaign for Safe Cosmetics) There’s even a petition to urge JLo, Halle, Miley and Britney to take action on their namesake fragrances. You can also search the Skin Deep database for safety info on your favorite personal care products. (Environmental Working Group)

You’ve heard about distracted driving. Take this quiz to see if you’re in danger from “distracted dining.” (SparkPeople)

When foodies quibble: check out the 5 lessons that the beef-and-butter crowd has for vegans. (Nourished Kitchen)

Why does Washington State’s new candy tax apply to Three Musketeers but not Milky Way? Read the fine print. (SeattlePI.com)

Here are the news stories that caught our attention, plus a couple of new social media launches:

In the market for a new cell phone? First, check out their radiation emission scores. This updated ranking includes scores for the hottest 2010 models. (Environmental Working Group)

Call it the ‘Diet That Wouldn’t Die.’ Atkins is back in the news as research seems to be rehabilitating the reputation of saturated fat. (Washington Post)

Our kids are eating more junk-food snacks and less fruit and are heading towards “constant eating.” Those are the conclusions from a new study in the journal Health Affairs. Check out the surprising findings and some smart snacking tips. (University of North Carolina)

Note to Cher: maybe you can turn back time. A new study suggests that weight loss can un-clog your arteries! (Health.com)

Reading isn’t necessarily believing. A new survey found that, for the first time, more than half of Americans read food labels. But about as many of us distrust front-of-package claims like “low fat” and “high fiber.” Check out the FDA’s findings in their Fact Sheet or their Consumer Update.

Finally, two GlobalFit partners have new social media ventures. WellCall, Inc. just launched a YouTube channel. And Molly Napolitano, the contributing exercise physiologist for our GO newsletter, now blogs on a range of topics to help women be more fabulous and more confident. Only a couple of posts so far on each, so subscribe now to stay up to date.