Food & Nutrition

Contrary to popular belief, Diet Coke does not contain zero calories. It doesn't have much; it's the same as about 0.9% of an M&M. But the chemical structure of aspartame, the cola's artificial sweetener, shows us why there are any calories at all.
You're athletic. You run regularly. You swim, cycle or lift weights to keep your muscles strong. And you watch what you eat for the purposes of remaining lean – and so that you can remain athletic. So you have all the bases covered, right? Well, almost, because a new study says "you still can’t outrun your risk factors” for cardiovascular disease, making doctor's visits essential.
The state of California requires McDonald's to offer water or milk as the default beverage with their well-known combination. So now, when your child asks for juice or soda, you can tell them "the government won't allow it." It must be election time when our politician's concern themselves with "the children."
Dr. Ioannidis is not just a bull in a china shop; he's a bazooka in a china shop. And now the bazooka is aimed at shoddy nutrition research, which he suggests is in need of "radical reform."
According to PETA, veggie burgers cause cancer because of their iron content. Using their logic, so does soy and spinach.
Quickly following on the heels of news that salt should be used in moderation, it turns out that the same is true for our latest dietary villain: carbohydrates. It also turns out that too few can be just as bad as too many.
There's concern that our sources of dietary protein are not sustainable and alternatives are sought. Among them: insects. A new report looks at their benefits and risks as a dietary staple. 
It seems that salt's association blood pressure and heart disease along with the recommended amount of salt needs to be reconsidered in light of this new study.
Our bodies break down carbohydrates and starches you eat into a simple sugar called glucose, which is transported from the bloodstream into our cells by the hormone insulin where it can be used for energy. Insulin also signals the liver to stop producing sugar.
Unless it's a strategic resource, like food, energy, or science, we're all for letting the free market find the best solution. If supplement hucksters can have an easier time in a dictatorship like China, this is one time we should have no problem letting communism win.
A new study found that smokers consumed around 200 more calories per day than both non-smokers or former smokers. And that's despite eating smaller food portions. And what that means is that they engage in more snacking, and treating treats like meals.
The cost of the annual cookout is down. But as we thank our farmers we should remember that what is good for the consumer may not be as good for the producer.