Mars and Wrigley

No idea how this totally slipped by me, but a friend in Chicago alerted me to the really big news in the candy industry concerning the merger of Mars, Inc. and The Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Not much for me to say on the matter, except that I love Juicy Fruit and M&M's (yum! almond!).

Here's a cool little picture slide show from the Chicago Tribune: Mars/Wrigley Merger

Some videos for you:

I love the song in this M&M's ad (it's This is the Day by The The, if you're interested)



and thinking of Juicy Fruit reminds me of this awesomely funky song by Mtume!

Cool Gadget!

I simply must have one of these spoons! It has a built in scale! How cool is that?!?!

What are some other must have gadgets for dieting?

Via GadgetReview: http://www.gadgetreview.com/2008/03/spoon-scale.html

Timely Advice

As the weather warms up, it is always good to hear some ideas for weight loss:

This info just released from the Calorie Control Council hits the spot:

"By making simple diet substitutions, consumers are able to slim down without sacrificing their favorite foods and beverages," says Beth Hubrich, a registered dietitian with the Calorie Control Council. "Sucralose and other low-calorie sweeteners can aid in weight loss efforts. Of course, portion control and regular exercise are also crucial to a healthy lifestyle. According to a 2007 national survey conducted by the Calorie Control Council, 194 million U.S. adults enjoy low-calorie foods and beverages. The top reasons cited for the light product use include maintaining better overall health, calorie reduction and eating or drinking healthier foods and beverages.This year, don't let swimsuit season be your worst nightmare.
Well, maybe not my worst nightmare, but with a handy diet soda, hopefully not as bad.

Enjoy the sun everyone!

"Spring into Shape" Before Summer -- Sugar-free Foods and Beverages Can Help With Spring and Summer Weight Loss Efforts

Taste of Tava

Sometimes there are definite advantages to being the writer of the I Love Diet Soda blog...like free beverages. I was lucky enough to be able to sample the new zero calorie sparkling beverage from Pepsico, Tava. I know a lot of people are moving away from soft drinks, so these flavored sparkling waters might be just what they are looking for. I like all the flavors, very fruity and nicely sweet, but must say that the black cherry citrus was my favorite.

I like the cool names for the flavors too: Brazilian Samba, Mediterranean Fiesta, and Tahitian Tamure. Are you like me and don't know what a Tamure is? Check this out then. All of this makes me want to grab some of these and be in the sand and surf.

Although, I'm not in the target demographic (apparently men and women aged 35 to 49, according to this story) I don't have any problem recommending this new calorie free drink.

Emphasis on Diet Drinks

Interesting article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today about Pepsi's plan for 2008:

"PepsiCo Inc. will make a strong pitch this year for its Diet Pepsi Max and SoBe Life Water beverages to counter moves by Coca-Cola, which is aiming to win consumers with its Coke Zero no-calorie soda and Glaceau line of enhanced waters."

I think this article, even though it focuses on business aspects, really points out how varied and diverse the range of low-calorie beverages is. Whether it is from Pepsi, Coke, or Cadbury. The options when it comes to soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks is mind-boggling sometimes. I am all for the multitude of choices; it gives those trying to get an advantage while watching calories the choices they deserve.

AJC: Pepsi emphasizes diet drinks, water

Diet Soda and Sweeteners Helpful in Weight Control

Just to confirm this again, diet sodas do NOT cause weight gain.

A new study by Adam Drewnowski from the University of Washington's Center for Public Health Nutrition concludes that low-calorie (or no-calorie) sweeteners may be of help in resolving the obesity problem, although they are not magic bullets. Diet soda and low-calorie sweeteners can be a part of a sensible plan to cut calories through simple substitutions. Take out the high calorie food and replace it with a lower calorie version.

“Low-calorie sweeteners reduce the energy of most beverages to zero and lower the energy density of many foods. Every dietary guideline these days tells us to bulk up, hydrate, and consume foods with fewer calories but more volume,” says Drewnowski.

Check out the study here: Intense sweeteners, energy intake and the control of body weight

Changes For 2008

If you are like a lot of people, you made a resolution to lose some weight in 2008. Luckily, the Calorie Control Council has some tips to make your resolution a success. Forget fad diets and radical changes; moderate sustainable changes are the way to go.

Check out the trends here: Moderate Changes Are “In” For 2008

1. Convenience will be key. The schedules of Americans today are busier than ever and people are constantly on the go. Consumers will increasingly prefer convenient, healthy food options over meals that require a lengthy preparation time. When consumers were asked why they would choose to make a particular dish for a meal the top reasons were “it required little or no effort” (53 percent) and “took little or no planning” (50 percent), according to the NPD Group’s 21st Annual Eating Patterns in America Report. Food options that can be eaten on the go will also prove popular with consumers, as many products can now be eaten directly out of the container and fit in a cup holder.
   
2. Exercise will become a family affair. Families will focus on activities that allow them to interact while being more active. Finding activities that are fun for everyone and making the activities a part of the regular schedule will become a top priority in 2008. Such activities may include running/walking in the park, a friendly game of softball or soccer and going to the gym as a family.
3. Food companies will help promote healthy messages. As part of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative, ten major food companies in the United States have pledged to voluntarily include healthier messages in marketing to children, including incorporating “healthy lifestyle messages” into interactive online games.
4. Consumers will learn to “budget” calories. Consumers will better understand the role of reducing calories to lose weight. By incorporating low-calorie foods such as diet sodas, light juices, and light yogurts, consumers can control their calories while still enjoying their favorite foods. In fact, 86 percent of Americans (194 million) are using low-calorie, sugar-free products, according to the Council’s consumer survey. In addition, foods with a lower energy density, such as fruits, vegetables and broth-based soups, will be incorporated into a reduced-calorie eating plan.
5. Fad diets will be overshadowed by sensibility. Although numerous diet books on the latest quick fix to lose weight will continue to be published, Americans will grow wary and instead opt for sensible, lifestyle choices. The Council’s consumer survey indicates that only six percent of dieters follow restrictive weight loss plans as a means to control weight.

So, budget your calories and start working out with the family. These trends for 2008 can lead to some real results.

Another New Product

Seems like new stuff keeps hitting the shelves faster than I can sample it and get up a post. BevNet reminded me of a new product I had been meaning to get something up about, but had simply forgotten.

In partnership with Coca Cola North America, Caribou Coffee has some new iced coffee beverages on stores shelves and in coolers. I've picked up a couple of bottles of the regular flavor and really like the cool aluminum bottle packaging. The taste is not as sweet as most of the other iced coffees I've had, and at 120 calories, it's not going to kill your diet or waistline either.

Check out the BevNet review here: Caribou Coffee.

Here is some information from Coke. I like that name for the bottle Alumi-Tek, feels so sci-fi.

While doing a little research for this post, I found this great site from Coke that details all new products: New Products. Pretty awesome!

Fighting Not to be a Fall Fatty - Say That Three Times in a Row!

So yeah, summer’s almost over and that means goodbye to bathing suits and hello to thick winter jackets. Even those that despise the winter weather are likely to be free from the scantily clad days of summer. I know I sure am.

Every year around this time I notice my jeans getting a little tighter and my face looking a little fuller. I use the Fall season to enjoy all of the foods I wouldn’t dare consume during the summer – cream-based soups, tons of chocolate, steak – you get the point.

This Fall I’m determined to maintain a sleek figure and not go on an all-out food binge. Plus, my 25th birthday is coming up in October and I want to look good. Here are some very sensible tips I found. I’m going to try and incorporate them into my daily routine. For those of you also looking to maintain your figure, I hope these tips help you as well.


Make sure you eat a good breakfast. It keeps your energy levels stable and keeps your metabolism high.

Fill your plate with veggies and eat them first. If you split your plate into 4 sections two of them, or half the plate, should be veggies. That leaves 1/4 for a meat item and 1/4 for a starch.

Remove liquids with calories from your diet plan. This includes soda's and juices. Switching from regular soda to diet soda saves you 150 calories from a 12 ounce can. That's 54,750 calories a year or almost 16 pounds.

Switch from whole milk to 1 percent or skim milk.

Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.

If you're feeling hungry have a glass of water first. Often we think we are hungry when in reality we are thirsty. Even if it is true hunger the water will fill you up a little and you'll be less likely to overeat.

Have a healthy snack at 3PM when your energy is low. Vegetables with low-calorie dip, rice cakes and sugar-free jam, low fat yogurt or a small handful of almonds are all good choices.

Keep your portions reasonable. Portions should be the size of your fist or the size of a deck of cards. Stay away from "supersize" portions

Eat at a slower pace. It can take 15 minutes for our brains to register that we are full so if you're eating fast you're probably eating too much.

Eat more soup. They are filling and good for you. Stick with the non-cream soups that are low in calories and often high in fiber.

Eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism high, hunger at bay and your blood sugar levels stable.

Use low calories condiments like mustard instead of fatty ones like mayonnaise.

Keep a food journal, especially if you're just starting to diet. There are lots of them available online. CaloriesCount.com has a great food diary.

If you're eating out get a doggie bag and put half your meal into it for later or even better for someone else. A typical meal out will have 1000+ calories, not including bread, appetizers, drinks etc.

When eating out skip the dessert. If you simply have to have that triple fudge chocolate layer cake share it with someone.

Treat yourself once a week. Even the strongest of us have weak moments. If you know that you'll get a break once a week it's much easier to stick with your diet for the other 6 days.

Exercise regularly. Even if you just walk 20-30 minutes a day the benefits are amazing. You'll lose not just from the calories you burn during exercise, but also from the boost in metabolism.

Find an exercise partner. It helps to know that someone is counting on you to show up at the gym. And it makes it more like an appointment and thus harder to skip out on.

Limit the amount of alcohol you drink. Try to drink only on weekends and limit yourself to one or two glasses.

Diet Soda and Weight Loss

Unless you've been living under a rock the past couple of weeks you've seen the stories on diet soda and possible weight gain. I've even blogged about it here already. Read my previous post if you want to see my feelings on this "science." If you don't believe me, hear what Dr. John Fernstrom has to say about diet soda, aspartame and weight loss in this YouTube clip I found:



(I've been trying to include more videos for you guys, what do you think?)