The Food Section: Appetizers

The "Health Halo Effect"

While Americans may be paying more attention to eating healthily, they are still getting fatter.

Pro-Anorexia Sites Go Public

Once anonymous and secret, pro-anorexia groups are now moving into more public forums like Facebook.

Salt Is the New Trans Fat

As  predicted by  the Economist, salt is the new trans fat: Mayor Bloomberg has signaled that he wants to reduce the public's salt intake by 20% over the next five years.

Child Hunger Spikes in U.S.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, almost 700,000 children went hungry in America during 2007, a 50% increase over the previous year.

FDA Detains All Milk Products from China

The FDA has issued an order to detain "all milk products, milk derived ingredients and finished food products containing milk from China due to the presence of melamine and/or melamine analogs."

Gordon Ramsay Blamed for Cooking Injuries

A new study blames celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay for a rise in kitchen fires, scrapes, and other culinary disasters.

Is Salt Destined to Become the Next Trans Fat?

A pinch too much [Economist]

Big Food Agrees to "Front of Package" Calorie Labels for Some Foods

'Good for you,' label will shout [Chicago Tribune]

Cheese: Best Medicine for High Cholesterol

Want to lower your cholesterol but still enjoy fatty cheese? Just eat your Camembert in the morning.

This is the claim made by Dr. Alain Delabos, a French physician who is an exponent of "chrononutrition," which is based on the premise that cell functions are biologically programmed to take place at specific times. "Cheese is wonderful medication against cholesterol," said Delabos, "as long as you eat it that right time."

Accordingly, Delabos suggests eating fatty foods in the morning, heavier foods -- like steak -- around lunchtime, and sweets in the afternoon.

Cheese for breakfast keeps cholesterol down, says French doctor [Telegraph]

Greece: The Next Fast Food Nation

Greece, the birthplace of the "Mediterranean diet," which emphasizes consumption of olive oil, fish, and produce, is now "overflowing with chocolate shops, pizza places, ice cream parlors, soda machines and fast-food joints," according to a front page article in the New York Times.

The diet, which has been associated with longer life spans and low rates of heart disease, is getting harder and harder to find in Greece. Two-thirds of Greek children are overweight, and the negative health effects are increasing. "It is almost a perfect diet, but when we looked at what people were eating we noticed that much of the highly praised diet didn’t exist any more," said Josef Schmidhuber, a senior economist with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. "It has become just a notion."

Fast Food Hits Mediterranean; a Diet Succumbs [New York Times]

Gastropedics

Aches and pains endured by restaurant workers, from "shaker's shoulder" "pasta posture."

Eating for Better Breath

Certain foods -- such as green tea, yogurt, and xylitol gum -- can actually improve or prevent bad breath.

Bottle Shock

While the FDA recently concluded that bisphenol A (BPA) is perfectly safe for use in food packaging and bottles, researchers at the Yale School of Medicine have just discovered that the chemical can be linked to brain function and mood disorders in monkeys. This is the first time that BPA has been connected to health problems in primates.

Obesity and Ear Infections

Researchers have found that adults with a history of ear infections were twice as likely to be obese as those with no such history. The link may be traced to a nerve that passes through the ear and normally inhibits the "creamy sensation of fatty foods." Damage to the nerve would lower its inhibiting effect, making foods seem creamier and more pleasurable.

Latest Food Scare: Tainted Tomalley

The FDA is warning consumers to avoid eating tomalley in all American lobster (a.k.a. Maine lobster) because of a potential contamination of toxins that can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning, which can be fatal.

Calorie Shockers

The Wall Street Journal surveys the calorie counts of dishes on chain restaurant menus in New York and discovers "some intriguing -- and appalling -- information."

Study Supports Low-Carb Diet

According to a new study, one of the longest and largest to compare low-fat and low-carb diets, low-carb and Mediterranean-style diets helped people lose more weight than a traditional low-fat diet. The low-carb diet also improved cholesterol more than the others.

Oh Really?

Studies show mayo can reduce food spoilage.

Often Overlooked

Eleven healthy foods we're just not eating enough of, courtesy of the New York Times.

South Koreans Protest US Beef

More than 100,000 South Koreans turned out yesterday to protest their government's lifting of a ban on imports of beef from the US and calling on their president, Lee Myung-bak, to resign. US beef was banned by Seoul in 2003 after mad cow disease was found in American cattle. Anyone care for our tomatoes?

Hold the Tomato

McDonald's, along with a number of other chain restaurants and supermarkets, has halted sales of some tomatoes following the outbreak of salmonella, linked to tomatoes, in 16 states.

Upset Stomach? Soda Falls Flat

Contrary to popular belief, scientists have found that flat soda is an ineffective remedy for upset stomach.

The Sex and the City Diet

"Vodka-tinis, sex, the odd olive ... it's the Sex and the City regime. Just consult your doctor - and therapist - first."

Sugar Babies

Parents feeding their babies organic formula may believe that it is healthier than other products. However, it is much sweeter than other formulas because it contains cane sugar, or sucrose, which can lead to some harmful health effects in infants.

Counting Calories (or Not)

Five chain restaurant outlets have flouted New York City's new policy that they post calorie counts on their menus, but the City has no way to enforce the requirement until July.

Counting Calories

Blogger Midtown Lunch says that Chipotle's calorie counts for its products just don't add up.

Bufala Desk: China Bans Cheese

China, notorious for its own food safety problems as of late, is the latest nation to ban buffalo milk mozzarella made in Campania and contaminated with dioxin. Italy has announced a recall of cheese from 25 factories.

Mozzarella Moratorium

Fears over the toxicity of mozzarella made in Campania have led Japan to temporarily ban imports of the buffalo milk cheese. Moreover, the European Union is also threatening Italy with a possible Europe-wide ban.

Eat Your Breakfast

Researchers have found a direct correlation between eating breakfast and body mass index (BMI): the more often an adolescent ate breakfast, the lower his or her BMI.

Italy's Mozzarella Scare

Health authorities in Campania have discovered dioxins in buffalo milk, causing a scare about the safety of mozzarella produced in the region. It is believed that toxic waste, dumped illegally by the mafia, is leaching into the water and contaminating pastures where the buffalo graze.

Better Know a Slim Jim

Earlier, we reported on restaurants, grocers, and other retailers that may have received shipments from the largest beef recall in history. Now, the California Department of Public Health has released a list of 466 products containing the recalled meat. Download the PDF and peruse the list for yourself.

Whither the Fat Foodie?

Facing grave health concerns, some gourmet gluttons are changing their ways and learning to love tofu. Even Mario Batali, poster child for what the New York Times calls "The Fat Pack," plans to get a little less molto and drop 40 pounds.

Cookie Monster in the Kitchen

A British cook has has managed to pursue a successful career as a chef despite surviving solely on a diet of biscuits since he was a toddler.

Drunkorexia

According to the New York Times, the latest in eating disorders is drunkorexia, "shorthand for a disturbing blend of behaviors: self-imposed starvation or bingeing and purging, combined with alcohol abuse."

Better Know a Burger

The California Department of Health has released a partial list (pdf) of the names of retailers -- including butchers, markets, and restaurants -- that received shipments from the largest beef recall in history (143 million pounds from Westland-Hallmark Meat Co.). Consumers Union is urging the USDA to release the names of all national retail outlets where the meat was recalled.

The Medieval Diet

The diets of medieval peasants, which typically included two loaves of bread and three pints of beer per day (but no sweets), were more healthy than what we eat today. On the other hand, they also burned more calories with 12 hours of back-breaking labor every day.

Sushi Scandal

Tests conducted by the New York Times have revealed that tuna served at many of New York City's top sushi restaurants contains mercury levels that exceed accepted safety standards.

Cola and Kidneys

Consumption of sodas can increase the risk of diabetes and obesity, but colas also contain high levels of phosphoric acid, which has been linked to kidney stones and other kidney problems.

King of Trans Fats

A study by the Canadian government has found that Burger King has the highest levels of trans fats in its french fries, chicken nuggets, and other meals compared with other fast-food chains. Commercial, pre-packaged foods such as cookies and frozen potatoes were also analyzed in the report (complete data here).

Drink More, Prevent a Cold

While drinking alcohol may not cure a cold, it may lessen your risk of getting sick.

Batali v. Keller

The Wall Street Journal counts calories in a match-up between McDonald's menu and dishes created by chefs Mario Batali and Thomas Keller.

Acrylamide Linked to Cancer

A Dutch study of 120,000 people has found a direct link between acrylamide, a chemical that natural occurs in fried starches, and the incidence of ovarian cancer. See also: Switching from chips to peanuts.

The Impact of Overindulging

The average American consumes approximately 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving. Such huge meals can increase the risk for heart attack, gallbladder pain, and dangerous drowsiness while driving, writes Tara Parker-Pope.

Caloric Cupcakes

An analysis of the nutritional content of New York cupcakes reveals the confections deliver a whopping amount of fat and calories. Crumbs Bake Shop's vanilla cupcake, for example, weighs in at a staggering 780 calories: "Eating one of Crumbs' masterpieces is, it turns out, equivalent to eating three slices of pizza."

The Stone Age Diet

A British man remained sleepless for 11 days on what he called a "Stone Age" diet of raw food. He said that he was trying to beat the Guinness world record of 264 sleepless hours (though Guinness has withdrawn its backing of a sleep deprivation class because of its health risks).

Not a Small Number of Calories, Per Se

New York magazine breaks down the Per Se tasting menu, calorie by calorie (including wine pairings and extras). What's the damage? 2,416.2 total calories and 107.8 grams of fat.

"Iron Chef" for Oldsters

A nursing home in Albany, New York, stages an "Iron Chef"-style crab cook-off. Unfortunately, "Most of the spectators could not sample the concoctions cooked at the competition because of their dietary restrictions."

Garlic: No Effect on Cholesterol

Health: Researchers find that raw garlic and garlic powder have no effect on cholesterol.

Milk Cancels Out Beneficial Effects of Black Tea

Health: A new study by German scientists has found that the addition of milk to black tea eliminates any beneficial effect it may have in protecting oneself against cardiovascular disease.

Spicy Foods

Health: Researchers in the UK have discovered that spicy foods can kill cancer cells.

High Fat Linked to Weight Loss

Health: Researchers link full-fat dairy with weight loss. See also: How much food do you get for 200 calories? Via dethroner.

Taco Bell Outbreak

Health: Taco Bell E. coli outbreak may be tied to green onions.

NYC Bans Trans Fats

Health: The New York City Board of Health votes unanimously to ban trans fats at restaurants.

Wither Winter and Weight

Health: Are we biologically programmed to put on the pounds during winter, or are there ways to avoid gaining weight as the weather turns cold?

Chocolate Is the New Aspirin

Health: Scientists at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine have found that dark chocolate can function in the same way as aspirin in preventing heart attacks.

KFC to Eliminate Trans Fats

Health: Fast food chain KFC will eliminate trans fats in response to the New York City proposal to restrict their use.

Do You Have Celiac?

Health: October is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Do you have celiac?

Calorie Restriction Diet

Health: New York magazine's cover story explores the "Calorie Restriction" diet -- "the ultimate in dietary trade-offs: a lifetime lived as close to the brink of starvation as your body can stand, in exchange for the promise of a life span longer than any human has ever known."

E. Coli Strain Tarced to Cattle Farm

Health: Investigators trace strain of E. Coli bacteria in outbreak to manure from a California cattle farm.

E. Coli and Lettuce

Health: E. Coli tests prompt a recall of green-leaf lettuce by  the Nunes Co., one of the nation's largest vegetable suppliers.

Snack Food Guidelines for Schools

Health: Bill Clinton secures an agreement from Kraft Foods and several other major food companies to set guidelines for fat, sugar, sodium, and calories for snack foods sold in schools.

New York City Proposes Ban on Trans Fats

Health: The New York City Board of Health has voted unanimously on a proposal that would prohibit the city’s 20,000 restaurants from serving food that contains more than a trace amount of trans fats (official press release). While some chefs and restaurateurs applaud the decision, others have expressed unease about the measure.

E. Coli Outbreak Continues

Health: As the number of E. coli cases traced to spinach climbs to 109, Natural Selection, the world's largest producer of organic produce, recalls 34 of its brands.

Viruses Approved To Treat Food

Health: The Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of bacteria-killing viruses that can be sprayed on cold cuts, hot dogs, and sausages to combat microbes.

Morning Sickness "Regulates" Diet?

Health: A new study suggests that morning sickness may have evolved to ensure that pregnant women would not digest too much unhealthy food and endanger the fetus.

Fearless Fish Eating

Health: Mackerel and other fish you can eat without fear of mercury, PCBs, pesticides, or impacting the environment. Plus: A New York Times fish list.

Barbie Blamed

Health: A new British study blames super-skinny Barbie dolls for promoting "girls’ insecurity about their image which in turn may contribute indirectly to insecurity and eating disorders later in life."

Soda in Schools

Health: Beverage distributors agree to halt sales of soda to schools.

Red Wine May Be Good For Your Teeth

Health: A new study suggests that red wine may be good for your teeth. Via sw.

Improving Hospital Food

Health: More and more hospitals are revamping their food service programs to provide more palatable and diverse menus.

Diet, Health, History

Health: The desire to shape one's medical fate through diet is entrenched in American culture.

Low-Fat, No Effect

Health: The largest study ever to investigate whether a low-fat diet reduces the risk of cancer or heart disease has found that the diet has no effect. Plus: Read the JAMA article.

Teflon Turmoil

Health: Recent findings that Teflon may contain a "likely" carcinogen are alarming, but should you toss out your nonstick pans? Not yet, says food science writer Robert L. Wolke.

Kimchi Cure?

Health: Could kimchi be a cure for bird flu?

Hi-Cal Burrito

Health: Beware the Chipotle burrito. Tasty as it may be, a vegetarian version contains more fat than two Big Macs combined.

Enormous Omelet Sandwich

Health: Burger King has unveiled the Enormous Omelet Sandwich, which weighs in at 730 calories and 47 grams of fat. Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me) commented that it "should come with a $5-off coupon for your first angioplasty."

Japanese Cold Remedies

Health: Heal thyself with these Japanese folk remedies for colds, such as boiled banana with sugar or egg mixed with sake.