Nearly two-thirds of American adults take dietary supplements, mostly multivitamins, calcium, omega-3, says trade group. Supplements aren't regulated as drugs; study showed 9 percent of 300 drug-induced liver injuries potentially were linked to supplements. Senate subcommittee plans hearing on safety. Since last December, FDA has warned about 70-plus weight-loss supplements; agency urges consumer vigilance.

By Anna Wilde Mathews

The Wall Street Journal. (may require subscription) 2009-09-07

Sweet peak: Energy drink rinse linked to athletic performance

In trial, cyclists pedaled faster after rinsing their mouths with high-carb drinks, but saw no difference with artificially sweetened versions in study. Brain scans showed that glucose, maltodextrin in the mouth triggered pleasure circuits in brain not activated by artificial sweetener. Circuits are thought to reduce athletes' perceptions of how much effort they are expending, allowing them to work harder, longer. And: In rat study, artificial sweeteners result in more sluggish metabolism that stores, rather than burns, incoming excess calories (click 'See also').

By Ian Sample

The Guardian (UK) 2009-04-15

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Corn flakes go to food bank after swimmer loses contract

Kellogg

San Francisco Food Bank accepts 3,800 pounds of frosted flakes, corn flakes featuring Michael Phelps, Olympics swimmer, on box. Kellogg canceled contract over photo that appeared to show him smoking marijuana. And: Pot legalization activists threaten Kellogg boycott; saga takes precedence over salmonella-tainted peanut products in recorded reply on firm's consumer hotline (click 'See also').

By C.W. Nevius

San Francisco Chronicle 2009-03-11

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Setting the table for learning at school lunch

Time, Inc.

School lunch is learning opportunity for students, says Arthur Agatston, cardiologist, researcher, South Beach Diet creator. Leisurely meals in positive atmosphere provide foundation for better learning. Children will eat healthier food if supported by curriculum, tastings, gardens. 'School is where you have the kids. School can be the most efficient way to spread good habits.'

By Tara Parker-Pope

The New York Times 2009-02-20

Teen girls' weakness linked to vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency linked to weakness in teen girls, study says; earlier work showed that up to 70 percent of teen girls may be low on intake. Best food sources include salmon, tuna, mackerel, fish oil (click 'See also') but sunshine is key to metabolizing crucial nutrient. Previous studies show lack linked to diseases later in life - osteoporosis, muscle weakness, cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, heart disease.

By Stephen Daniells

NutraIngredients.com, Europe 2009-02-04

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Opinion/blog: Food, baseball intersect for Rays' manager

Jeff Houck

Joe Maddon holds forth on matters of the plate.

Baseball, food, wine are top passions for Tampa Bay Rays' manager Joe Maddon, who was raised in Phillies' country on spaghetti and meatballs, sausage and peppers, good Italian breads, ravioli, lasagna, pierogies, halupkies, and sauerkraut. Game No. 1 of the 2008 World Series between Rays, Phillies, is in Florida (click 'See also').

By Jeff Houck

The Tampa Tribune 2008-10-22

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Eat, sleep, swim, win. Repeat.

www.swimroom.com

Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps pared his life to three components and the gold medals followed. At the games, he ate enough pasta and pizza to feed a village, although not as much as his usual 12,000 calories a day. And: Breakfast is three fried-egg sandwiches with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, fried onions and mayo.

By Karen Crouse

The New York Times 2008-08-16

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Caffeine aids workout recovery, study shows

After workout, drink caffeine and eat carbs to restore muscles and to gain advantage for next contest, study suggests. Subjects who consumed caffeinated drink had higher levels of blood glucose, insulin and signalling proteins (which transport muscle-powering glucose) than those who drank carb-only beverage.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News 2008-07-02

Fueling up for the Tour de France

Competitive cyclists, long ago bored with white pasta, hire chefs for high-energy fuel. In time preceding race, team Columbia's German chef, who specializes in cooking for elite athletes, makes oat burgers, quinoa and whole grain rice - a variety of foods not normally found in hotels in rural France.

By Michael Barry

The New York Times 2008-07-03

Powering toward the Olympics with simple, natural food

Ham and eggs, sushi rice bars, and other high-protein-carbohydrate mixes fuel Olympic cyclist and allow lingering blood-sugar boost. Next to power in pedaling, nutrition is most important element in cycling performance. Athletes often forget performance boost from real, simple, natural food, says trainer.

By Gretchen Reynolds

The New York Times 2008-06-19

Workout recovery plan begins with protein, carbohydrates

Best post-workout recovery begins with protein-carbohydrate snack, researcher learns by comparing study of cyclists with those of diabetics. Eating snack within 30 to 45 minutes of strenuous activity prompts muscles to store even more fuel (glucose, which is stored as glycogen) for next workout, and protein helps repair and strengthen muscles.

By Gretchen Reynolds

The New York Times 2008-06-01

Slugger goes vegetarian

Milwaukee Brewers/MLB

Prince Fielder goes vegetarian and Milwaukee Brewers fans who, every sixth inning, cheer their favorite human dressed as a weiner product between bites of bratwursts, are baffled. 'Eat a steak,' they cry, if an at-bat doesn't yield a run. He switched after reading how cattle and chickens were treated and 'was totally grossed out.' He gets protein from beans and shakes, isn't hungry all the time and thinks plain tofu tastes like a wet eraser.

By Alan Schwarz

The New York Times 2008-04-27

Opinion: Budgeting willpower

Belt-tightening may lead to weight gain, since willpower is depleted when people control themselves, when they modify behavior, or when their blood sugar drops. In one study, those who ate radishes before attempting an impossible puzzle quit earlier than those who ate chocolate chip cookies. Foods that maintain blood sugar levels (those containing protein or complex carbohydrates) might enhance willpower for longer periods.

By Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang

The New York Times 2008-04-02

Resisting temptation

As frequent traveler, it's hard to resist the lure of Cinnabons, adult beverages and super-size hamburgers in airports, says design team leader of Sports Museum of America. He decided not to be a big, out-of-shape guy, carrying bags, bending and twisting through security, trying to get to his seat, and then staying out of his seatmate's space.

By Terence Healy, as told to Joan Raymond

The New York Times 0000-03-25

Olympian effort

United States Olympic Team symbol.

U.S. team prepares to provide athletes three meals a day during Beijing Games. Tyson Foods will ship lean protein; Kellogg's is sending Frosted Flakes and Nutri-Grain bars. Culinary team will hire local vendors and importers for other foods. In the meantime, athletes take hot pot, recipes and pouches of chicken to international qualifying event.

By Ben Shpigel

The New York Times 2008-02-09

Power to the protein bar?

A look inside the PowerBar Protein Plus shows that we're eating laxatives, some girlie hormones, decent amino acids - and we're showing solidarity with other Americans by doing our part to consume 58 pounds of this sweetener per capita each year.

By Patrick Di Justo

Wired magazine 2008-01-18

Less red

To save the planet and ward off diet-related disease, walk or bike half an hour a day instead of driving, and eat less red meat, say physicians and climate scientists. In global economy, the meat sector alone causes 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, says UN report.

By Seth Borenstein

The Associated Press/Lifestyle Magazine 2007-11-11

Going the distance

Nearing his goal of 63 marathons in 63 days (finishing with the NY marathon on November 4) for charity, endurance runner Tim Borland powers up by eating between 8,000 and 10,000 calories a day: bagels, peanut butter, honey, hummus, cottage cheese, dried fruit, nuts, bread, pasta, pizza, Subway sandwiches, chocolate-covered raisins, chicken and fish.

By Jim Ritter

Chicago Sun-Times 2007-10-07

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