Intelligence For Life.........Food Intelligence For College Students.........Tweeti

No offense college kids. You’re not known for making healthy or smart food choices. A survey of more than 4,000 college students published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that they “engage in risky eating behaviors" by consuming undercooked animal products, which carry risks of illness, and foods past their expiration date. So, before you chow down on those ramen noodles that have been sitting in your cupboard since freshman year, you need to hear this food intelligence from CNN:

• Do dry packaged foods – like ramen or boxed macaroni and cheese – last forever? Most dehydrated products do have a “best if used by” date. However, food experts say it’s not dangerous to eat them after this date. Just know that the food could taste different or stale if you do.
• The pizza from last night has been sitting out on the counter. Can I eat it for breakfast? The USDA doesn’t recommend it, since perishable foods shouldn’t be left out for more than two hours. Why? According to food safety experts, after the first two hours, bacteria start multiplying at an exponential rate. So if you want to enjoy a piece of breakfast pizza, make sure you stick the leftovers in the fridge.
• Can I cut the mold off bread or cheese and eat the rest? Not really. If you see mold on one slice of bread, there’s probably mold on the other slices, too – you just can’t see it yet. So, toss it. What about cheese? Soft cheeses with high moisture content – including brie, cottage cheese, or cheese that’s shredded, sliced, or crumbled – should be thrown away if you see mold. However, a bit of mold on hard cheese - like cheddar or parmesan - can be trimmed off. Just cut a one inch section around the mold. Be careful not to touch the mold with your knife to prevent cross-contamination.
• Can you drink bottled water past the expiration date? Yes. Water is safe to drink past its expiration date – as long as the bottle isn’t leaking