Candy Lovers Never Get Old You've heard about glucosamine, but you can't remember what
you've heard. Glucosamine is one of those terms medical advertisers love to throw around in commercials;
you hear it, but it doesn't register. Maybe that's because you aren't 75—are you?
Glucosamine is the
amino acid that has been found to maintain joint mobility, which isn't really a problem for most of us yet.
However, now scientists are touting glucosamine as a godsend even for those with no joint issues, especially
athletes who wish to maintain mobility later in life. While already available in capsules, glucosamine is now
also found in a new bottled drink, called Motion Potion. Lightly carbonated, and flavored (Twisted Orange
Apricot, Twisted Berry, Twisted Lemon), the drink is packed with 1500 mg of glucosamine.
If you want your
glucosamine in another edible format, check out Life Smart candy chews, glucosamine packed candy in
flavors like peanut butter and chocolate. These chews also feature joint helpers MSM and
chondroitan.
The Good Doctor
I knew there was something fishy about Dr. Phil's sudden
weight loss regimen featured on The Today Show. Could Phil really care that much about the health of
America? Maybe, but he also cares about what he can get out of the equation. In this case, the answer is a
bundle of cash.
'Change your behavior and take control of your weight.' That's the tag line on a group of
Dr. Phil food products, under a label called Shape Up! With Dr. Phil McGraw. The whole thing makes me lose
my appetite, but Dr. Phil acolytes may want to buy up every shake mix and nutrition bar on the shelf, if for no
other reason than they'll have lots of label pictures of the Doc in one of his patented aw-shucks poses for their
photo montage.
Change is Good
Did you know Kraft Foods is local? That's right, Kraft, of
Glenview, is expanding its line of already existing products by morphing them. For example, Grey Poupon
mustard will now become a salad dressing line. Honey Dijon, anyone? Kraft's Planters nut line will now
include Planters Nut Poppers, peanuts covered in crunchy-flavored shell coatings, like Cheddar and Ranch.
Ick.
Even stalwart Jell-O is getting an update. Targeted at adults, the new, chilled Jell-O Smoothie Snacks
feature real fruit, only 2.5 grams of fat, and 100 calories. Currently, you can find only a Strawberry Banana
flavor.
Labels? We Don't Want
No Stinkin' Labels
The National Restaurant
Association, an organization of 870,000 restaurant and food service outlets, has formally come out against
mandatory nutrition labels on restaurant menus. The MEAL Act (Menu Education and Labeling Act of 2003,
introduced by Rosa DeLauro a Democratic rep from Connecticut) would require all restaurants to explicitly
state nutrition content on menus, similar to the labels found on packaged goods in grocery stores, including
calories and fat grams.
The benefits are pretty clear. Consumers would be able to finally make informed
decisions about what food to order in a restaurant, will eat healthier, and live longer. Many fast-food chains
already provide nutritional information, although it is often posted out of the way, or available only upon
request.
But, is this what consumers really want? Opponents say that restaurant goers don't want to see
that just their appetizer alone contains more fat grams than they are supposed to eat in an entire day. Skipping
dessert on that special romantic dinner date isn't really very romantic, but do you really wanna blow 650
calories on that piece of cake?
Spokespeople for those in the food industry list a myriad of reasons why the
MEAL Act is just no good, primary among them, being cost. The amount of money it takes to send food to a lab
for analysis would put many small operators out of business.
Also, the sheer number of choices available
on any one item would make labeling and arduous process. For example, a diner ordering a simple sandwich
might choose several toppings, or none at all. What about white, wheat, or rye? Then, there's the whole hold
the mayo, but give me the mustard thing. And, what about Specials of the Day?
Large chains, like Chili's
and The Olive Garden could afford the expense, but there would be an additional financial burden even for
them. Fear of lost sales for extras, sides, appetizers, and desserts is a real concern, as is the prospect of just
less business. We are all told it is healthier to cook and eat a meal at home, but this may be the act that
actually hits home, keeping diners there.
On their Web site, The National Restaurant Association states, 'If
the aim is to effectively address the complex issue of obesity in America, this legislation mandating nutrition
labeling for restaurant menus clearly misses the target. Seventy-six percent of meals continue to be eaten at
home, but when Americans do dine out at one of the nation's 870,000 restaurants they find a wide variety of
venues, menu items, and portion sizes—meeting customers' demands for choice, value and flexibility, as well
as their tastes and dietary needs.'
While this may be true, diners do not always choose the healthy and
nutritious alternatives. Proponents argue that labeling will.
