A recent review of the scientific literature concluded that low-calorie (or no-calorie) sweeteners may be of help in resolving the obesity problem. Although they are not magic bullets, low-calorie sweeteners in beverages and foods can help people reduce their calorie (energy) intakes. "Low-calorie sweeteners reduce the energy of most beverages to zero and lower the energy density of many foods," said study co-author, Dr. Adam Drewnowski, Director, Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington. "Every dietary guideline these days tells us to bulk up, hydrate, and consume foods with fewer calories but more volume."

The study by Bellisle and Drewnowski, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, evaluated a variety of laboratory, clinical and epidemiological studies on low-calorie sweeteners, energy density and satiety.

Senator Harkin Responds To Bush's Backward-Thinking Budget Proposal

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today discussed the impact President Bush's budget proposal would have on Iowans and Americans. Harkin leads the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee as well as the appropriations subcommittee that funds health and education initiatives - both jurisdictions received major cuts in Bush's budget.

“It is clear that Iowans and Americans are desperate for a new direction for our country. Regrettably, President Bush's budget proposal is more of the same, pushing our country backward as he has for the past seven years," said Harkin. “He proposes deep cuts to programs that Americans rely upon, programs that protect our seniors, educate our kids and strengthen communities of every size. While slashing programs for low and middle income families, the President insists on extending his tax giveaways to the wealthiest Americans.

Author wants San Antonians to get fit

A San Antonio fitness buff and author is taking his message public this month, launching a campaign to get more people to make exercise part of their daily routine.

Brinkmann has partnered with local gyms like Lifetime Fitness and Sports and Nutrition stores.

In Defence of Food by Michael Pollan

Her parents wouldn't recognise the foods we put on the table, except maybe the butter, which is back. Today in America, as in much of the western world, the culture of food is changing more than once a generation, which is historically unprecedented - and dizzying.

What is driving such relentless change? One force is a multibillion-dollar food-marketing machine that thrives on change for its own sake. Another is the constantly shifting ground of nutrition science that, depending on your point of view, is advancing the frontiers of our knowledge about diet and health or just changing its mind a lot because it knows much less than it cares to admit. Part of what drove my grandparents' food culture from the dinner table was official scientific opinion, which, beginning in the 1960s, decided that animal fat was a deadly substance.

Pet food recalls

Locate the brand or enter the UPC code below to find out if your pet's food has been recalled.

NY calorie rule applies to cocktails

Put down that margarita, and back away from the bar.

The law, scheduled to go into effect on March 31, applies to restaurants with more than 15 outlets across the country. That includes fast-food places such as McDonald's and sit-down chains such as Olive Garden and T.G.I.

Giusto to skip critical meeting

They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily. He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. They give great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.