Scoreboard Gourmet

Diet soda is 100 percent nutrition-free

That's the greatest thing I've read in years. Faithful readers of ScoreboardGourmet should that I am hugely anti diet soda. Thank you David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding of Men's Health for this information (which we've seen before but it's nice to be reminded of why we seriously need to push for Juice In Stadiums and Ballparks):

Just because diet soda is low in calories doesn't mean it can't lead to weight gain.
It may have only 5 or fewer calories per serving, but emerging research suggests that consuming sugary-tasting beverages--even if they're artificially sweetened--may lead to a high preference for sweetness overall. That means sweeter (and more caloric) cereal, bread, dessert--everything.
Guzzling these drinks all day long forces out the healthy beverages you need.
Diet soda is 100 percent nutrition-free, and again, it's just as important to actively drink the good stuff as it is to avoid that bad stuff. So one diet soda a day is fine, but if you're downing five or six cans, that means you're limiting your intake of healthful beverages, particularly water and tea.
There remain some concerns over aspartame, the low-calorie chemical used to give diet sodas their flavor.
Aspartame is 180 times sweeter than sugar, and some animal research has linked consumption of high amounts of the sweetener to brain tumors and lymphoma in rodents. The FDA maintains that the sweetener is safe, but reported side effects include dizziness, headaches, diarrhea, memory loss, and mood changes. Bottom line: Diet soda does you no good, and it might just be doing you wrong.

healthy food and drink the NFL uses to maximize performance

Since Saturday is a good day to think about going to the gym and taking care of yourself. He's some inspiration. In a Men's Health article Jamie Bellavance tells us:

Despite what you may have heard, NFL players don't gnaw on raw meat at training camp. And bulking up for the season doesn't involve binging on Big Macs. In fact, if the New York Giant's team nutritionist caught Tiki Barber carrying in fast food bags for lunch, he'd be in big trouble.

While NFL players consume between 5,000-10,000 calories each day during training camp, they're also burning 2,000-3,000 calories on the field in double-session practices. The calories they eat come in the form of healthy foods with high-carbohydrate and protein content, as well as from drinks like milk, smoothies, and sports drinks. Each food eaten has a purpose, whether it's for hydrating, muscle repair, preventing muscle cramping, or to replace nutrients lost through sweat. At camp, empty calories are banned.

healthy food and drink the NFL uses to maximize performance: Eggs - Muscle-Building, Immunity, Vision, Waffles- Cardio Fuel, Fruit – Hydration, Milk – Strong Bones, Muscle Contraction, Chicken Breast – Lean Muscle, Energy, Memory, Fish - Anti-inflammation, Muscle Repair, Immune Function, Vegetables – Hydration, Muscle Repair, Pasta and Rice – Energy, Speed Recovery, Sports Drinks – Hydration, Prevent Muscle Cramping, Sodium-Rich Foods – Retain Water, Prevent Muscle Cramping, Ice Cream – Cool Down Treat

If you haven't already read it, you should check out the entire article here. It's a good one. One day I'll write something new for you. In the meantime I'm busy figuring out how to categorize this post.

actually, Zone Diet is ChefsDiet (no apostrophe and no space)

Not sure if any of you really care, but the previously mentioned Zone Diet will be called the ChefsDiet as of next week. I might have to sit in front of Giambi's apartment building and check to see if any of those black cooler bags get delivered. And does he have to put the delivery on hold every time there's a road game? that could get very annoying. Maybe the ChefsDiet people just check the schedule and he doesn't have to email them every time. That picture up there is a link to their site.

is Giambi still on the Zone Diet?

Do they send enough food to keep him going while playing? They obviously did not send enough to Pavano. What about Cashman? I'm serious. He gets it too. It's just so damn convenient, especially when it's too hot to cook, or shop. Here's a link to get some free Zone bars (plus the whole diet delivery, obviously): ChefsDiet Meal Delivery - Get FREE Snack Bars If you've never had any of their snack bars, you'll be surprised by how good they are. I like the Fudge Graham.

Aramark and Centerplate HATE Trans Fats

from press releases... Beginning with Opening Day of the 2007 baseball season, Aramark will use non-hydrogenated corn and sunflower oil containing zero grams of trans fat that provides the same great taste fans have come to expect from their favorite ballpark food. Aramark worked with suppliers, dietitians and chefs to identify new oil that offers the best combination of value, performance, taste delivery and health profile.

"While traditional ballpark favorites continue to be the most popular menu items, Aramark is committed to identifying and providing a wide range of choices that enhance the overall game day experience, as well as promote a healthy lifestyle," said Ned Paynter, Executive Vice President, Aramark Stadiums and Arenas. "By converting to new fryer oil, fans can continue to enjoy the quality and taste of their favorite food, as well as try new items, all while reducing their consumption of trans fats."

and... Centerplate, Inc. announced plans to eliminate trans fats in 2007. The plan includes preparing foods using only trans fat-free shortening products. Centerplate also intends to continue to work with its food suppliers to eliminate their use of trans fats in their processing operations. "We are committed to being at the forefront of the new standards for responsible food and beverage policy," said Janet Steinmayer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Centerplate. "Several of our venues now feature food preparation methods that utilize trans fat free alternative products, and we have been aggressively testing and analyzing our alternate choices in many of our 127 venues. In addition, we will continue to work proactively with our distributors and suppliers with the goal of replacing any trans fats with alternatives in their product offerings as well."

Labels: aramark, centerplate