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Legislation, Lawsuits, and the lucrative diet industry. (140 posts)
Americans Are Eating More: But Which Foods?
The NY Times has published an interesting graphic showing how food consumption has increased.
In 1970 the average American ate 16.4 pounds of food per week. By 2006 this had increased an additional 1.8 pounds per week.
What changed?
» moreSteamplicity: A Healthy Vending Machine?
Nowadays we have vending machines for everything; hot chips, pizza - even South Beach diet food.
Steamed food is a new one on me. From Selecta:
The model works on the basis of offering high quality ingredients that are cooked using a steam pressure cooking system. [...] it maximises the taste and nutritional value of the food.» more
How to Buy Healthier Food: Shop Online
Supermarkets can be very manipulative: the candies at the checkout counter (at the perfect height for a 4 year old); the more expensive items are at eye level - budget options often sit nearer the ground; the colors, the smells, the ambience.
It's all there to make you buy more. On-line grocery shopping is a good alternative - and the University of Connecticut has given us another good reason:
We tend to choose healthier foods on-line compared with a "real" store.
» moreHow Much Sugar Do You Consume?
We like it sweet. Too sweet - and I can't help wondering how our obsession with sweetness is tied to our expanding waists.
Food mega-giant Kraft recently scored a hit in China with Oreos cookies - but not the kind that Americans eat. According to the Wall Street Journal: "Kraft learned that traditional Oreos were too sweet for Chinese tastes".
So they reformulated the flavor - and Oreos are now the No 1 cookie in China.
The Skinny on "Light" Juices
This is a guest post from Kerry McLeod of eBrandAid.
It seems that juice manufacturers are capitalizing on our culture's obsession with weight by putting their juices on a "diet!" Just walk down any juice aisle and find many of your favorite juices in low-calorie, sugar-free varieties.
We're all looking to cut calories - but are these emaciated juices sacrificing nutrition for fewer calories?
The Glamor Side of Thin Always Wins
There are two reasons for our obsession with thinness: 'health' or 'desirability'. Many will do anything to get thin for 'glamor's' sake, but under the guise of health.
It seems that we humans take extreme measures - that can be exceedingly unhealthy - in order to fit into the body beautiful culture.
» moreSexy Gym Ads: Clever or Sleazy?
Using sex to sell products and services is nothing new. In fact when it comes to the fitness industry, it is pretty common. But there seems to be a very thin line between progressive marketing and overt sexuality - with Equinox Fitness Clubs pushing the boundaries. In January, the high-end fitness center with 41 clubs launched their "Happily Ever" campaign - a $3-5 million promotion that features some very provocative ads.
Check out the print ads below:
» moreThe "Big Brother" Shopping Cart
I can remember my first experience with technology and shopping carts while trying to go beyond the parking boundaries of the local Safeway grocery store. I was shocked and amazed when my cart just stopped suddenly.... not that I was trying to steal it or anything... really, I wasn't. Anyway, this new brainchild of Microsoft does much more than that! The "MediaCart" boasts the following features:
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- Heather on The Quad Stacker: Australia Gets Hungry:
Geez, after reading this comment (and the one in the last place) I'm w...
- Dr. Joel Fuhrman, MD on Bizarre Celebrity Diet Ramblings:
Hey Barry-
Two questions...
1. Why do you read Diet-Blog if we are S...
- Suki from Japan Kenko Diet Plum on Time To Stop Picking Food While Cooking?:
i always have to taste it,otherwise my dishes will end up with too sal...
- Georgia on Yoghund: Frozen Yogurt For Dogs:
Sorry to disillusion you, I grew up around cows and dogs and yes I hav...
- Heather on Overcoming Toxic Hunger: A Major Cause of Obesity:
Huh. I have fasting hypoglycemia. (Not reactive)
And I've fainted nume...
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