We’ve concluded a 4 day nutrition and food conference and expo (FNCE 2009) hosted by the American Dietetic Association. For a first time participant, such a convention may seem a bit overwhelming, but it does provide a great opportunity to learn about the current state of affairs in the world of nutrition and food.

Random observations:

1. The people. RDs are probably the nicest bunch of people one can get to know. That makes the participation in the event a real treat.

2. Conflict of Interest. The presence and influence of the food industry was pervasive and worrisome. From the moment one stepped into the conference center, she was greeted with huge signs thanking corporate sponsors such as Coca Cola, Unilever, and Mars. The logos of the sponsors were plastered on each of the swag bags the participants received at registration.

The conference is divided into many simultaneous educational sessions on various nutrition topics, as well as a food expo. Several of the educational sessions were also sponsored by food companies. For example, Coke sponsored a session entitled Children’s Dietary Recommendations:urban myths, parental perceptions, and scientific evidence. Guess what the speaker had to say: Artificial colors are fine, artificial sweeteners are fine, and sugar does not cause obesity.

Especially troubling was the fact that so many young RDs and students participate in the program and are ingrained to accept these conflicts of interest as matter of fact. If the American Dietetic Association stays this course, the public credibility of dietitians as a group will suffer. (See Smart Choices Program as just one example).

3. In moderation. We can’t count the number of time we’ve been told that snack A or drink B should be consumed in moderation. If we hear that word one more time, we’ll just drown somebody in a bucket full of “discretionary” calories. Whenever junk food processors are with their back with the wall, they pull their “it’s in fine in moderation” card. You know what – it’s not.

Here’s why – Each manufacturer of junk food or beverage is vying for the 10% discretionary calories a person can consume in a day. That works out to approximately 150 calories for a growing child. Unfortunately, a can of Coke is XXX. But is little Johnny “discretionating” with just that one can for a whole day? Heck no! What about the morning Sweetened cereal? And the potato chips for lunch? The sugar sweetened lunch milk? The afternoon cookies? And Jello for dessert? There is no moderation because too many manufacturers need to sell us too much crap.

4. State of Emergency. With the rising rate of obesity, one would have expected to feel a heightened sense of urgency at the conference. Perhaps we did not participate in the right lectures and presentations, but the overall atmosphere seemed to be business-as-usual.

That said, FNCE 2009 was a great learning experience and a wonderful opportunity to meet the folks working “in the trenches”. We look forward to next years conference in Boston.

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The LA Times reports on a new study showing that kids who chew gum perform better academically:

The study was conducted by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and was sponsored by the Wrigley Science Institute. The study included 108 students, ages 13 to 16, who were assigned to either chew sugar-free gum during math class, while doing math homework and during math tests or to refrain from gum-chewing. After 14 weeks, the students’ took a math test and their grades were assessed.

Those who chewed gum had a 3% increase in standardized math test scores and had final math grades that were significantly better than the other students. Teachers observed that those who chewed gum seemed to require fewer breaks, sustain attention longer and remain quieter.

Read the entire article…

What you need to know:

The Wrigley Science Institute is funded by the William Wrigley Jr. Company, a top player in the chewing gum industry, recently acquired by an even bigger player, Mars Incorporated. It is in these companies’ best interest to promote sales by hopping on health trends and funding studies that shine on gum in a positive effect.

Don’t let these so called “independent” studies fool you for one second. With all due respect to the scientists working at the Wrigley Science Institute, and the researchers at Baylor College, there is an inherent flaw when science is “hired” for corporate purposes.

Let’s treat gum as what it is – a sweet, refreshing treat, no less no more. That’s what Wrigley did in commercials of the past. It should stick to that line today as well.

What to do at the supermarket:

If you are buying gum at the checkout counter, you’re paying a fortune. It’s usually cheaper to buy several packages in bulk, or even order a stock of your favorite brand online.

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The American Dietetic Association, the largest organization of dietitians in the US, has accepted a new sponsorship from Truvia. Truvia is the brand name of a stevia based sweetener manufactured by Cargill, recently approved as safe for consumption by the FDA.

Cargill is not the first sponsor of the ADA, a 68,000 member strong organization based in Chicago. On the ADA’s sponsorship page, one can find The Coca Cola Company, PepsiCo, Mars Company, Unilever, General Mills and Kellogg’s.

Is this a problem?

Rephrasing the question with more detail:  Can an organization whose mission is to direct people to proper dietary choices be sponsored by food companies whose products aren’t always inline with proper dietary choices?

Read more…

It’s  unclear if  New Year weight loss resolutions are the reason, but for the second time in a week, a new front of package nutrition information label has been introduced.

Sara Lee joins the Food Label frenzy and has introduced Nutritional Spotlight. You can download their press release here [PDF]. The system, which is similar to the European GDA labeling, will initially appear on Sara Lee bread, bun, and bagel products. Similar labeling efforts were introduced by Kellogg’s and Mars late last year. The label simplification movement has shifted to high gear in the past few months with the introduction of  pan industry initiatives such as Smart Choices and NuVal. For more details, read our history of product nutrition labeling.

What you need to know:

While the underlying logic of simplyfing the nutrition labels is to be commended, this is a marketing play by Sara Lee, which will most definitely spotlight the positive nutrients in its products, not the negative ones.

What to do at the supermarket:

Choose products that don’t have a long ingredient list. Unprocessed foods are easy to find at the supermarket. Just stick to the perimeter of the stor, where you will find fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy and low fat cuts of meat.

Don’t be fooled by Nutritional Spotlights or other front of label nutrition simplifications created by specific food manufacturers because they are just an another arrow in their quiver of marketing messages.

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