IINsider’s Digest: USDA retracts endorsement of Meatless Mondays, Alaskan Health Coaches Improve Corporate Wellness, and more...

This week, the USDA published a seemingly harmless endorsement for Meatless Mondays on its website. But when a social media firestorm revealed the outrage of livestock producers - and even a member of congress - the USDA quickly retracted the statement. (New York Times)

"Are We Sugar Crazy?" asks Integrative Nutrition lecturer David Katz, in search of a balance between the position that "sugar is poison" and the fact that Americans eat far more sugar than recommended by health organizations (US News). Katz also weighs in on bariatric (weight-loss) surgery, stating, "our problem is letting too many [people] need it in the first place". (Huff Post)

Inspired by the kick-off of the London Olympics, the British Medical Journal takes a hard look at the benefits of sports drinks. The verdict? Most of us don't need 'em. (Boston.com)

An Alaskan company models innovation in corporate wellness, tackles the rising tide of obesity with the help of local Health Coaches. (NPR)

Former McDonald's execs are taking on the challenge of holistic, healthy fast food with their venture, Lyfe (Love Your Food Everyday) Kitchen. (Wired)

We all know that diet is directly related to disease – especially in the case of obesity. Physicians are tapping into their holistic side by prescribing fruit and veggies for overweight patients, through a program funded by the non-profit Wholesome Wave (CNN).

Snack attack? Or simply the emotional munchies? US News examines the psychology of cravings, and why we're really rummaging around the refrigerator.

Can and should the government measure the happiness of its citizens? The British Office for National Statistics believes so, having recently surveyed the “subjective well-being of individuals, which is measured by finding out how people think and feel about their own lives.“ (The Economist)

Two California Mothers are taking General Mills to court, claiming the "natural" products they advertise contain a range of highly processed ingredients. Surveys report that the unregulated term "natural" is even more appealing to consumers than "organic" - an interesting conflict the mothers hope to bring to light. (New York Times)

Mark Bittman delves back into the world of milk, after 1,300 comments and emails proved his love/hate relationship with dairy is far from uncommon. (New York Times)