Are Diet Sodas Healthy?

"They may be free of calories but not of consequences." - Professor Helen Hazuda speaking on diet soda.
After knocking the wind out of my mates sails regarding his healthy fruit salad and apple juice, the next topic that came up on the radar was his diet soft drink. You see, the next logical step for my friend to take whilst on his weight loss plan was to be drinking the 'diet' stuff instead of 'normal' stuff.
I mean, if a soft drink has the word 'diet', 'sugar free' or 'low cal' etc... It's got to be healthy for you right?
His new found enthusiasm for his health and weight loss plan had already taken a dent regarding fruit and sugar, so I understood the switch to sugar free soft drinks. After he finished guzzling down his cold can on a sunny day I said one word to him... Aspartame.
In a nutshell, this was my response...
THE REAL THING?
I'm a big believer that the answer lays within the questions we ask ourselves. Ask a better question and you usually get a better answer. So the questions I asked my friend was this...
Did you know that your zero calorie, sugar free, diet soft drink that you've just guzzled, contains an artificial sweetener called aspartame?
Aspartame is a chemical that is used as an artificial sweetener (more on this in a sec')... Now here's a real kicker of a question you need to ask yourself -
Did you know that there is no evidence to suggest that using artificial sweeteners like aspartame helps anyone lose weight?
In fact, there's compelling evidence that the use of aspartame and artificial sweeteners contribute to weight gain. Hello!!!
A 10 year study by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio showed that those who drank two or more diet sodas a day had a 500% greater increase in waist size!
Now something to seriously think about is this - Your waist line is a powerful indicator of a build-up of visceral fat, a dangerous type of fat around your internal organs that is strongly linked with type 2 diabetes and heart disease. I believe your waistline is a much better indicator of heart risks than BMI (body mass index).
So do you think a diet soft drink is really worth drinking if it actually increases your waistline?
And to add insult to injury, there are compelling studies that it's very detrimental to your health too.
Even if you are a skeptic, did you know the approval of the artificial sweetener aspartame (E951) is the most contested in FDA history? Why is this?
As he stared at his empty can he just finished guzzling, I thought I'd pitch him one more question just to make him feel extra special!
If you are genuinely trying to improve your health, aren't you better off avoiding diet soft drinks and aspartame - especially if safety concerns exist?
After grilling my mate with questions, I went on to explain a little more about artificial sweeteners and aspartame.
SO WHATS IS ASPARTAME ANYWAY?
Simply put, aspartame is a chemical substance that is approximately 200 times sweeter than sucrose (table sugar) and contains very few calories when used. It's now used in over 6000 products with many being in 'diet' food and beverages, from weight loss powders to chewing gum.
There are other artificial sweeteners on the market along with aspartame (NutraSweet) - sucralose (Splenda), neotame (made with aspartame), saccaharine (Sweet-n-Low), acesulfame-K (Sunnette) to name a few. Even though aspartame is probably the most commonly used, the others are worth noting and avoiding. I certainly do!
Being low calorie, this makes it very attractive for manufactures when profit above everything else is a priority. And just like sugar it's everywhere!
I've been working in the health industry for a long time and along with many products, I seriously struggled to find a protein supplement that didn't contain some form of artificial sweetener and flavoring.
ACCIDENTAL DISCOVERY
I don't really hold much confidence in the chemical substances used in food and beverages that are accidentally discovered in a laboratory.
On aspartames discovery back in 1965 -
'... a chemist working for G.D. Searle & Company. Schlatter had synthesized aspartame in the course of producing an anti ulcer drug candidate. He accidentally discovered its sweet taste when he licked his finger, which had become contaminated with aspartame, to lift up a piece of paper.' - Wikipedia
On sucraloses discovery back in 1976 -
OK. Are you sitting down for this next one?
'... the researchers who developed sucralose, also known as Splenda, originally started out in an attempt to create an insecticide. (Yes, you read that right.) An assistant who was asked to test the compound mistakenly thought he was being asked to taste it... ' -Primal Body, Primal Mind
'... While researching ways to use sucrose as a chemical intermediate in non-traditional areas, Phadnis was told to test a chlorinated sugar compound. Phadnis thought that Hough asked him to taste it, so he did. He found the compound to be exceptionally sweet... ' - Wikipedia
Whether you believe the above quotes or not, I think it would be hard to hold any regard for these substances and if they are likely to be at all healthy to consume.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS?
Good question! Type the above the sentence into Google and see what comes up... It's quite incredible! There's a big list!
Studies have shown that artificial sweeteners can reduce the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by up to 50%!
This is not a good thing! A healthy gut is essential for overall health, well being and weight management. I wrote on the importance of a healthy gut called: Turn that frown upside down and lose weight in the process.
All artificial sweeteners have been implicated in cancer too. As far as I'm concerned, if they are not a natural substance that occurs in nature, avoid them!
The thing that really gets to me is the marketing of these products. The belief is created that if you are to consume these products through artificially sweetened food and beverages, you are helping weight loss/management. If you believe this then you have been misled.
And sadly switching to your 'normal' sodas (I use that term loosely) and concentrated juices isn't a great option either as they are loaded with sugar. The Sydney Morning Herald released this article recently about children's soft drinks related to disease. What is the world coming to!
ALTERNATIVES?
An entirely safe sugar substitute to use is Stevia (taken from a leaf), and has no caloric or carbohydrate value. Stevia has been used by primitive South American cultures for centuries. Just make sure you stick to pure Stevia.
And as for diet sodas? If you care about your health avoid them! You can't beat good old-fashioned H2O. If you need to sweeten it up try squeezing a lemon.
There are also some great coconut waters available at the moment, just make sure they are 100% coconut water and don't have any added sugar.

Tellicherry Black Peppercorn: A Riper Choice

By Silton Carlos

The Malabar region of Kerala in India has been known for centuries as the foremost producer of high grade pepper. Yet the "king of Peppercorns" is a grafted Malabar peppercorn grown on Mount Tellicherry. It is Cultivated with great care and allowed to ripen longer than other peppercorns so as to develop a richer and more sustained flavor. It is a robust and very distinguished flavor that is mild in heat as well. Used wisely, Tellicherry Black Peppercorns can elevate the other flavors in a dish while binding them into a cohesive symphony.
Tellicherry Black Peppercorns are ideal for using in Indian dishes as well as for use as table pepper. They also make very useful additives for marinades and sauces in oriental and continental cuisine. Due to the strong flavor, small amounts can go a long way into enhancing a dish. They do not induce much sneezing even when directly inhaled, yet have a very recognizable aroma. They are also a better option in the use of Indian medicine such as Ayurveda and also for the creation of aroma oils and perfumes.
What distinguishes Tellicherry Black Peppercorns from the Malabar variety is the larger size of the peppercorns, the richer aroma, the fuller taste and the significantly lower heat signature. Obviously, these peppercorns are priced higher since they are a premier produce. They are best consumed freshly ground and lose their flavor quicker than regular peppercorns.
Storage is always recommended in airtight containers, since prolonged exposure evaporates the flavor and aroma of these peppercorns. In fact, if left out in the open too long these peppercorns become tasteless and odorless much faster than regular peppercorns. However, when stored correctly they can retain their flavor for a long time. Tellicherry Black Peppercorns are also used as a clarifying and elevating agent in a lot of dishes. It can serve to heighten the flavor of many other ingredients including ginger and lime.
It is always a good idea to invest in Tellicherry Black Peppercorns instead of regular peppercorns since they can really enhance a dish and make even ordinary dishes come to life. They are also richer in the antioxidants that make peppercorns so healthy. Consumption of just two pinches of this pepper on a daily basis is not only beneficial to the body and mind; it is a great way to make even the most mundane meal flavorful and exciting.

Is Food Service Right For You

By Mark A Brethauer

Working in the culinary arts can be demanding and stressful at times. With a larger than normal turnover rate, there will be times you will work short-staffed. The hours you work can vary from a brief three-hour shift up to ten and twelve hours a day depending on your position and the company you work for. Some operations may require you to work a split shift, usually three hours at lunch and three hours at dinner. You may also be required to work weekends and holidays; this is especially true in hotels, resorts, private clubs, and healthcare.
Few companies spend the time or financial resources for proper training, especially smaller operations. Starting wages are usually just above minimum wage, and many companies lack a decent benefits program. Don't let any of this deter you; these are minor challenges that can be overcome in time.
There will always be detours and roadblocks in any career. Those who are passionate about the culinary arts embrace these issues; nothing deters them. If you want to make excellent money and work in a job you love, sacrifices will have to be made, this is a fact you must accept
The following is a list of what I experienced in my career as a Chef and hospitality manager. If you stay in food service for any length of time, you will experience similar situations

1. Low wages with few benefits. If you're in it for the money, get out and become an attorney or physician.
2. Long hours, stressful day, and sleepless nights.
3. Working every weekend, every holiday, working seven days without a day off, and working open to close. It will happen at some point in your career. Accept it and embrace it.
4. Getting called in on your day off. If you are contacted to come in on your day off and refuse, don't expect the best hours or good salary increases.
5. I worked in kitchens without the proper equipment but I was expected to produce the menu anyway.
6. I worked in bug and rodent infested kitchens. Some were so bad it looked as if the floor was moving when I turned the lights on in the morning.
7. I worked for and with alcoholics, drug addicts, and individuals who made my job more difficult just to see me struggle.
8. I've worked with and been threatened by employees and customers who were drunk and/or on drugs. I was threatened by a drunk attorney when I cut him off in the hotel bar
9. I've been severely burned, cut myself, and cut by others. My hand became infected so bad it doubled in size overnight and almost had to have it cut off. My employer told me not to go to the doctor for my cut so I kept it wrapped up. He paid in the long run.
10. As a Chef and Manager, I experienced theft of food, paper supplies, and alcohol. We had one employee steal empty beer cans for a few months before being caught and fired. They were worth $.10 each so he made about three hundred dollars.

And the list goes on. It never gets boring but it's not what you see on television except what you see in Kitchen Nightmares with Gordon Ramsey. That is reality.

Ways to Know If Your Food Is Really Organic!

By Rakesh Mohan Verma

"Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food."
- Hippocrates
In spite of the loud buzz being created about consuming only organic products, there are some factors that you need to be skeptical about. Do not fall prey for the smart marketing tools being applied to you and your family. Yes, everyone would willingly agree to go organic, it being at the cost of your health and the well- being of your family. Nevertheless, be a smart organic buyer. Raw, unprocessed and unconventionally produced foods do conduct a great deal of benefits for your health, yet know where to draw the line... This line is in reference to whether all the foodstuff in your house are "really" organic?
Below have been put forth some facts to enable you to understand what you are up against:
You may already be well- aware of the organic product suppliers in your vicinity or online for that matter and you might be completely convinced about the food he/ she delivers at your house. However, are you aware of the following? Take a look:
• Labels that are genuine and meet the standards set by the USDA or other vital organic food governing bodies.
• The harmful effects of pesticides that enter your body from non- organic products.
• The major deception called "organic junk food".
Well, it is crucial for you to be well- informed about all the aspects that surround this word called 'organic'. Get acquainted at the earliest to banish the chances of standing cheated.
An unadulterated fact that you should be aware of is that organic products have "real" health benefits. Here is how:
• Organic fruits and vegetables possess 40% more antioxidants than its conventional equivalent.
• They are also known to have higher levels of good health imparting minerals such as iron and zinc.