CAPE TOWN — Restaurants, food manufacturers and fast-food outlets will have to revise their recipes with government plans to reduce unhealthy trans fats in food.

Although naturally occurring trans fats in animal products such as milk and meat are harmless, those made industrially from vegetable oils have been linked to heart disease, diabetes and breast and prostate cancer.

The fats have been used widely in the food industry for decades as they are cheap, palatable and have a long shelf life. But as awareness of health risks associated with trans fats has grown, more nations have moved to regulate their use, forcing large food companies and restaurants to find alternative ingredients.

The Department of Health said yesterday it would meet industry players and academics next week to discuss its plans to draft regulations to reduce the levels of unhealthy trans fats in all processed and prepared foods.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said this week in Parliament that these regulations would be published for comment by year- end, and take effect by the end of March. There would be a six- month grace period to comply with the new laws.

The laws would affect all manufactured and prepackaged food sold in SA as well as food prepared by restaurants and fast-food outlets. Trans fats are used widely in snacks and baked and fried goods.

Department of Health’s food- control director, Andries Pretorius, said some South African food companies had begun to cut trans fats from their products.

“We have noticed some products on the shelf saying they are trans fats-free. There is growing awareness in the industry,” he said. Local margarine producers had also begun to use healthier fats, he said. 

Food giant Tiger Brands ’ corporate affairs manager, Bongiwe Njobe, said the company was committed to reducing the levels of trans fats in its portfolio of products, in line with global trends and national regulations once they had been finalised.

The Cancer Association of SA’s Carl Albrecht welcomed the plans to regulate trans fats in SA.

He said New York mayor Michael Bloomberg had “transformed the whole food industry” when he banned the use of trans fats in restaurants and bakeries.

Fast-food chains McDonald’s and KFC had stopped using trans fats in their US outlets last year, Albrecht said.

A study has shown that while the recession might be hard on your wallet, it actually has some positive health benefits.

A study on health trends during the Great Depression looked at US death rates between 1920 and 1940, researchers found that during the bleakest years of the Great Depression, death rates dipped when compared with years of economic expansion. The patterns were seen among men and women, and across age groups.

At the same time, life expectancy generally increased during the recession years and declined during years of growth.

The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, may seem counterintuitive. However, they add to previous research showing correlations between economic woes and health improvements in various countries.

Why bad times may be good for you
Many people may assume that the health of the general population takes a hit during recession, noted lead researcher Dr Jose A. Tapia Granados, an assistant research scientist at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. "But it is very clear that this is not the case.”

This study could not look at the reasons why. However, Tapia Granados speculated on some potential factors. Economic expansions have been linked to population increases in smoking and drinking, as well as less sleep and more stress.

At least some of these factors could have immediate effects on mortality rates, Tapia Granados said. If a person with underlying heart disease begins to smoke more, for example, that could raise his or her short-term risk of heart attack.

In addition, as the economy picks up, so does roadway traffic -- which also means more traffic deaths. Fatal workplace injuries show a similar increase.

Increased industrial production and road traffic also create more air pollution, Tapia Granados said. He noted that studies have shown that deaths from heart disease tend to spike on days marked by heavy air pollution.

How the study was done
In their study, Tapia Granados and his colleagues found that during years of strong economic growth -- including 1923, 1926, 1929 and 1936-1937 -- overall death rates were higher, and deaths from heart disease and tuberculosis peaked.

In contrast, during the early 1930s, which were the main years of the Great Depression, death rates declined, while life expectancy rose -- from age 57 in 1929 to age 63 in 1933, followed by a temporary decline in 1936.

The difference was most striking among non-white Americans, the researchers found. Between 1921 and 1926, these men and women lost roughly eight years in life expectancy, but during the Great Depression, they gained an equivalent number of years.

When the researchers looked at specific causes of death, they found that deaths from five of the six top US killers remained stable or decreased during the Depression. The one exception was deaths from suicide.

"For this reason," Tapia Granados said, "suicide prevention is particularly important today."

He said that he and his colleagues plan to investigate some of the potential reasons why, outside of suicide, recessions may have health benefits. One focus will be the possible role of decreased air pollution.

Another will be the role of work-related factors, Tapia Granados said, including the question of whether longer hours, faster-paced work and sleep deprivation take a health toll during economic good times. – (Reuters Health, September 2009)

Breakfast is by far the most important meal of the day. After a long night's fast, it refuels your body for the day ahead. Despite its importance, many individuals are habitual breakfast skippers. Here are three common breakfast barriers with tips to overcome them.

If you're a habitual breakfast skipper, just remember that eating a healthy breakfast doesn't have to take a lot of time or effort. After a long night's fast, your body needs fuel from food (whether as a burrito or oatmeal!) to get going. Plus, it can help you maintain a healthy weight and feel better throughout the day.

Food Trends to Help You Prepare for the New Economy

South Africa has already begun following in the footsteps of some bigger countries in flavours and food trends that will feature strongly the rest of this year and next.

According to Mintel International, a global supplier of information on world trends, we can expect to see an interesting array of flavours and food trends in our food shops and on our dinner tables, with persimmons, starfruit, lavender and cactus among the most popular.

These flavours, with the exception of cactus, can already be seen in supermarkets and greengrocers, with persimmons sneaking on to the shelves of many good food stores, and Lindt lemon-lavender chocolate released overseas.

Other flavours becoming desirable across the world include chimichurri, a green sauce or marinade used for grilled meat, peri-peri and masala.

The American Culinary Federation expects a shift away from high-fashion haute cuisine to more robust, comforting bistro meals.

Children can also expect to be offered healthier fast food meals, as already introduced by a few of our favourite take-away joints, and organic food and local produce will continue to dominate discussions among foodies.

Other trends that seemed to have latched on to South African cooks include serving breakfasts all day, using eggs in many dishes - including lunch and supper - and creating gourmet meals using budget ingredients and simple flavours.

We can also look forward to Mexican and Peruvian food invading our lives, and ginger taking the place of mint.

Additionally, offal, including tripe, liver, kidneys, sweetbreads, brains and even testicles, can be expected to make a big comeback as the price of choice cuts of meat skyrockets during the recession.

Unlike many of our Western counterparts, South Africans seem to have already adopted this way of cooking, taking a waste not, want not approach to food and concocting a wide array of delicious delicacies using offal.
 
 

We're all entitled to having our particular likes and dislikes when it comes to the food we eat. But which foods should we all make a point of including in our diets, because they're simply magic?

Take a look at our list of top 10 super foods – and find out why you just can't afford to go without them. The good news is that some of your favourites probably made the list:

1. Tuna
Tuna, and other fatty, dark-skinned fish, came out tops.

Fatty fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Research suggests that the omega-3s can also play a role in preventing conditions like hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, depression, dry eye syndrome, and possibly cancer. These are all diseases that affect a staggering number of people across the globe.

Make a plan to eat fatty fish at least two to three times a week. Just make sure you lay off on the batter and added fat.

2. Eggs
A single egg is packed with goodness. And while eggs do contain cholesterol, the effect is not as detrimental as scientists once believed.

For as little as 75 calories, an egg provides 12% of the daily recommended value for protein, as well as a wide variety of other nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, B12, D, folate, iron, phosphorous and zinc.

On top of this, the humble egg is now also categorised as a "functional food", i.e. a food that provides health benefits beyond its basic nutritional benefits.

The key is the carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, found in egg yolks. These substances collect in parts of the eye and have been shown to play a role in promoting vision and preventing some common causes of blindness.

A word of warning though: make sure your cholesterol levels are normal before you start including more eggs in your diet. You may be suffering from high cholesterol without knowing it.

However, if your cholesterol levels have been tested and are normal, two or three eggs per week could boost your health. Just remember to opt for poached, boiled or scrambled eggs instead of fried ones.

(Keep an eye out for pasteurised eggs. These eggs, which are now available at Checkers and Checkers Hyper stores in Gauteng and the Western Cape, are safe to use if you're pregnant or immune compromised.)

3. Beans
Baked beans, black beans, lima beans, kidney beans. Eating plenty of beans can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and help prevent cancer, researchers say.

This is mostly due to the fact that beans are a rich source of antioxidants. A variety of veggies, fruits, legumes and nuts recently battled it out for the top spot on a new list of the 20 most antioxidant-rich foods. The small red bean came out tops, and red kidney beans and pinto beans weren't far behind.

A serving (one-third cup of cooked beans) contains about 80 calories (336kJ), little fat, no cholesterol, and plenty of complex carbohydrates. These legumes also provide a good source of B vitamins, potassium and fibre.

Legumes make a great side dish and can also be used as a substitute for meat as it's inexpensive. While legumes don't contain complete proteins such as meat, you could supplement your diet by eating grain or dairy products along with legumes. This is particularly useful in the diet of the vegetarian.

4. Cocoa
Here's a bit of good news for chocoholics: the delicious treat could lower your risk for heart disease and hypertension.

It looks like cocoa exerts its positive effect mainly in three ways: firstly, by keeping the endothelium (the layer of cells that lines the heart and blood vessels) healthy, thereby reducing the risk of heart attacks; secondly, by lowering blood pressure, which is also related to heart disease; and thirdly, by modulating platelet function in a similar way as aspirin does.

However, the key ingredients in cocoa, what scientists call flavanols, are only present in dark chocolate.

Although more research needs to be done, it's probably safe to say that a small helping (10 g) of good-quality chocolate every day could do no harm – if the chocolate is of the darker variety, and if it forms part of an energy-controlled diet.

5. Brazil nuts
Due to Brazil nuts' high selenium content, these nuts can be seen as a "complete" protein source.

This means that, unlike the proteins in most plant products, Brazil nuts' proteins contain all the necessary amino acids to foster optimal growth in humans in the same way as proteins from animal products do. But even animal products, like chicken and beef, don't contain as much selenium as Brazil nuts do.

Selenium is also a powerful antioxidant, which protects against harmful free radicals that may cause heart disease and cancer. Selenium is also important for healthy immunity. And Brazil nuts are also a very good source of zinc (essential to digestion and metabolism).

Eight medium Brazil nuts count as one serving (30 g). Since these nuts are high in fat, they shouldn't be included in the diet more than three times per week. These nuts should also replace other fats in the diet and shouldn't just be added.

Note, however, that, because of its high saturated fat content, Brazil nuts could be a dangerous addition to your diet if you are at risk of heart disease. Rather opt for nuts with less fat, like almonds, if this is the case.

6. Garlic
Garlic is not only a great way to add a little kick to a pasta dish; it also offers tremendous health benefits because of its high antioxidant content.

Research has shown that garlic could help prevent heart disease, hypertension and cancer, and can possibly improve lung function. Garlic is also a great way to boost one's immunity – especially in wintertime.

Include a clove or two of garlic in your diet every day. Just make sure that the garlic isn't overcooked. And steer clear of garlic if you're on anti-coagulant medication.

7. Yoghurt
Yoghurt not only contains bone-building calcium, but is also a great source of probiotics.

Probiotics are microbial foods or supplements that can be used to change or improve the intestinal bacterial balance to boost the health of the host. Probioics thwart the overgrowth of harmful bacteria by competing for attachment sites and nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract.

Include a tub of fat-free or low-fat yoghurt in your diet every day – just make sure the label states "live AB cultures".

8. Citrus
You probably know that citrus fruits are a fantastic source of vitamin C, but did you know that oranges, naartjies, lemons and grapefruit are all also rich in antioxidants?

Citrus contains zeaxathin (like eggs) that maintains healthy vision. These fruits are rich in flavanones that play a role in preventing cancer. Citrus fruits also contain caffeic acid that may reduce the risk of heart disease and eye disease.

A variety of delicious citrus fruits are available in South Africa. Depending on the season, try to include citrus fruits in your diet as often as possible.

9. Bananas
Research has shown that high-potassium foods, of which the banana is a prime example, may lower the risk of stroke.

Potassium also plays a vital role in the functioning of the muscles, heart and nerves. It ensures that the body’s fluid levels remain balanced and that the body is neither too alkaline nor too acidic. It also prevents calcium from being lost in the urine.

Eating bananas before bedtime can also make for a good night's sleep, as bananas help to increase serotonin levels. To top these benefits, bananas help to maintain bowel health and are good energy-boosting snacks.

10. Cranberries
Cranberries are packed with proanthocyanidins that have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, and improve urinary tract health. New research shows that cranberry juice may also work against gastrointestinal viruses.

Drink 300 ml cranberry juice every day to reap the benefits.

New Stores Opening Soon

We are very excited with the positive response we have received from the corporate world.  It is a frequent compliment to us when land lords and owners of shopping centers approach us to inquire if we are interested to take up premises in their centers.  We have already signed lease applications with Lynwood Shopping Center (Pretoria) for the opening of Caramello's stores by 2009.  Invitations from other centers such as Sommerset Mall (Sommerset West), Cavendish Square, Hunters Retreat (Port Elizabeth), Arlington Mall (Kwa Zulu Natal), The Villa (Pretoria) and Off-Shore Center to open Caramello's in those centers has put us in overdrive to canvas suitable franchisees to take up premises there.