The Weekly Skinny: All the healthy news you need (4-23-10)

DQ Blizzards are the latest fast food items to come in a smaller version. Are shrinking portions the new trend? FatFighterTV has a look at this story and other diet and fitness headlines making news this week.

Fast food restaurants offering smaller sizes
Is super-sizing getting downsized? Probably not, but I was glad to see that some fast food restaurants are making smaller versions of their grub. There are mini burgers at Burger King, smaller wraps at Quizno's, and this summer, Dairy Queen will have a 7-ounce Mini Blizzard. Maybe portion sizes will go back to what they used to be 20 years ago...

New report urges FDA to slash hidden salt
Despite some companies cutting back on salt in their foods, a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) says it is not enough. The IOM is urging the government to gradually reduce salt in foods to a level that would have Americans cutting back, on average, by about half a teaspoon. Right now, we eat about 1½ teaspoons of salt every day. That's more than double what we need, and high enough to increase the risk of health problems like high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes. Most of that sodium is hidden in processed foods and restaurant meals.

Ramen creator's son wants to make healthier noodles
More than 50 years after his dad created instant noodles as a way to help feed Japan after World War II, Koki Ando wants to make the popular Ramen brand healthier. Ando now runs the company and says less salt is a must, but it has to be done gradually to keep customers happy.

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[photo credit: Getty Images]