There's an experiment going on right now--but it isn't being conducted by scientists. It's being conducted by parents. In 30 million kitchens across the U.S. that experiment is called  "What Can My Child Eat?" In families with children with autism and allergies, the result of that experiment can either be a day of relative calm and comfort, or it can produce anything from brain fog, digestive discomfort, and mood swings, to pain, seizures, skin outbreaks, and severe digestive distress.

Today, in America, portions are out of control. The old admonition to eat everything on your plate no longer applies when processed foods add little nutrition and loads of calories. With an epidemic of obesity, people need to know more than what to eat, and what not to eat to stay healthy. They also need to learn to distinguish a sufficient portion, from one that packs on the pounds. In her opening talk, nutritionist Dr. Lisa Young, author of The Portion Teller Plan pointed out that by definition, fast food is cheap food. Super-sizing your portion costs food companies nothing, but eating over-sized portions can cost you your health.