The good and evil truths about your food addictions

It’s hard to resist the simple addiction of sipping a hot cup of coffee or frappe, or perhaps the tingling sensation that sweet foods could give, or munching on those bags of chips while watching sappy movies late in the afternoon. But does your body appreciate them the way your taste buds do?

Dieticians and nutritionists from Manila Doctors Hospital’s (MDH) PROHEALTH Research and Education Center give you the truth about your addictions.







Coffee
• It’s known as a mental stimulant, which keeps us alert after some time.
• It boosts energy levels and prevents sleepiness, as the body releases adrenaline when we take it in.
• It may also help burn calories as it increases the body’s metabolism.

BUT: If you drink more than two cups a day, you may face the following:

PMS. While caffeine can decrease discomfort and that bloated feeling, it can cause a drop in blood sugar, which in effect aggravates PMS.

Cancer. Though there is no concrete evidence that caffeine alone may cause cancer, but if you love to drink coffee and smoke at the same time, then beware. Studies show that doing so may lead to cancer, particularly breast cancer.

Too much caffeine may lead to headaches, sleep problems and anxiety attack and bladder conditions as it acts as a diuretic to the body.

How to deal: If you can’t get rid of your frappes and espressos right away, try lessening your intake each day until you’re used to drinking small amounts or none at all. Substitute coffee for something healthier —nothing could be better than water.

Sugar
Sugar is a carbohydrate. It boosts your energy, helps sharpen memory, as glucose is the main sugar that feeds our brain cells. If taken moderately, it will help you gain weight.
BUT: This wickedly yummy treat may bring about these negative effects:
Hyperglycemia. A blood-sugar problem caused by too much sugar and improper diet.
Tooth decay. The bacteria in plaque depend on sugars to produce acids, which break down the enamel and start tooth decay.

Headaches and dizziness. Low glucose levels resulting from the severe dip after a high sugar intake tax the brain and cause headaches.

Other symptoms of too much sugar intake are great stress and fatigue, depression, anxiety, lack of mental alertness, and rapid mood swings. It may also delay wound healing, particularly for people with cancer or other disease conditions, as bacteria thrives on sugar as their immediate food source.

How to deal: Always eat your meals on time to prevent craving for sweets. Satisfy your sweet tooth by eating fruits instead.



Junk Food
Chips, packs of salted goodies, are the most convenient food-on-the-go. It is handy to eat or take anywhere, but junk food is precisely that—junk! It’s tasty (especially when it’s in your favorite flavor) but gives us nothing but empty calories (meaning we gain weight but we don’t get any nutrients from it).

BUT Junk food will never give us nutrition that our body needs. Some of its harmful effects are:
• Lack of energy
• Poor concentration
• Heart diseases
• High cholesterol

How to deal: Self-discipline is what you need to be able to swerve away from your junkie-addiction. If you’re really craving for something to munch on, the least you can do is substitute the flavored varieties with the plain-flavored ones, or better yet opt for a bag of popcorn (but not the microwaveable kind). A healthier option? Try crunching on dried or roasted unsalted nuts instead. It gives you the same comfort of chips without causing harm to your body.

Want to know more? Manila Doctors Hospital’s resident nutritionists and dieticians at the PROHEALTH Center offer diet counseling services that are tailor-fit to your lifestyle. They also offer nutrition and disease education on common medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity.

• PROHEALTH is open from Mondays through Saturdays from 8 am to 5 pm and is located at the ground floor of Manila Doctors Hospital, 667 United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila. You may reach them at these numbers (02) 524-3011 local 4718. For more information, you may visit http://www.maniladoctors.com.ph.

source: interaksyon.com

Too much coffee may increase death risk - study

WASHINGTON DC -- A new study linked heavy coffee drinking to increased death risk among people under 55 years old.

Published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings, the study found a statistically significant 21 percent increased mortality among those drinking more than 28 cups of coffee a week or 4 cups of coffee a day.

The risk for death from all causes rose by more than 50 percent for men and women younger than 55 years but no adverse effects were found in heavy coffee drinkers aged over 55, it said.

University of South Carolina researchers examined coffee consumption of over 43,000 individuals aged 20 and 87 years from 1971 to 2002.

During the 17-year median follow-up period, more than 2,500 participants died.

The study found among younger men a trend toward higher mortality even at lower consumption but this became significant at about 28 cups per week where there was a 56 percent increase in mortality from all causes.

Younger women who consumed more than 28 cups of coffee per week had double the risk of dying from all causes than those who did not drink coffee, the study continued.

"For those drinking high amounts, there should be some caution as this dose is associated with at least a signal for increased total mortality in this large study, especially in those under 55 years of age," the study's co-author Xuemei Sui from University of South Carolina in Columbia told Xinhua on Friday.

Coffee has long been suspected of contributing to several chronic health conditions although earlier studies on coffee consumption in relation to deaths from all causes and deaths from coronary heart disease are limited and the results are often controversial.

"No organization has specific recommendations for coffee drinking - lots out there are based on published studies which yet reach a definite conclusion," Sui said. "My review is that it is safe to drink low doses (one to two cups and probably two to three cups per day) of coffee with even some potential benefits of the low dose. Really, moderation is key. Avoid excess drinking coffee."

source: interaksyon.com

Unlimited coffee at One Pacific Place

MANILA, Philippines - Now here’s something to perk up the afternoon for the corporate warrior based near Ayala Avenue’s central business district. An “Unlimited Brewed Coffee Promo,” the latest kick starter offered at One Pacific Place’s Strand Café, gives coffee lovers the luxury of enjoying all the brewed coffee they want for only P199 net.

The Unlimited Brewed Coffee Promo includes single-served cake and pastries of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. This is truly a welcome proposition for those who want to sit back and relax, and also for those who want to work while savoring the caffeine-y goodness of the hotel’s choicest Arabica coffee beans.

The promo runs all August. “This is ideal for people who want to sit out the rush hour,” says general manager Eric Bernie Corpus. “Instead of battling traffic after an already grueling work schedule, why not relax for a bit and take up our promo?”


Corpus adds: “This is also perfect for those who are waiting for their appointments and meetings. Strand Café and the One Pacific Place is a relaxing spot where one can re-group and recharge before facing the demands of work.  Perhaps a casual promo coffee after enjoying our Mongolian buffet.”

He says diners will be given assurance of the freshest brewed coffee and pastries. “The cakes and pastries we are serving come straight from our own creative kitchen, so one is assured that these are always freshly baked.”

Make no mistake about it: the promo will not use ordinary cups. Instead, coffee is served in personalized mugs that diners can bring home for a reasonable fee. “It is an option that they will want to consider,” says Corpus.

The Unlimited Brewed Coffee promo runs from 3 to 11 p.m., Monday to Friday, for the whole month of August.



One Pacific Place Services Residences is managed by Quantum Hotels & Resorts and is located at 161 H.V. de la Costa Street, Salcedo Village, Makati City. For reservations, call (02) 304-7777 local 715. Visit its website at www.onepacificplaceresidences.com.

source: philstar.com

Go Nuts Donuts, Highlands Coffee tie up to take on bigger rivals

MANILA -  Filipino brand Go Nuts Donuts is tying up with Vietnam's Highlands Coffee so they can take on bigger rivals.

In a briefing on Tuesday, Tina Trillana-Lagdameo, owner and marketing manager of The Donut People Inc, said the company has partnered with Highlands Coffee to "capitalize on the numerous synergies between the two companies." Part of this is selling Go Nuts Donuts in the cafe chain.

Go Nuts Donuts is owned by the De Ocampo and Trillana families, who introduced Coney Island Ice Cream and Whammos in the Philippine market. IP Ventures Group owns the master franchise of Highlands Coffee and bought 40 percent of the donut company in June last year.

According to Lagdameo, their unique value proposition is they know the Filipino palate, since her maternal family has been in the food business for 30 years.

Aside from this, Go Nuts Donuts are priced lower than the competition but "not that cheap" as not to be in the same league as its foreign counterparts.

Prior to Go Nuts Donuts' entry in December 2003, the market was dominated by Mister Donut and Dunkin' Donuts, both American brands. Ten years after, Go Nuts Donuts' competitors now include Krispy Kreme, another American brand, and J.Co Donuts of Indonesia.

When flour prices went up a couple of years ago, Go Nuts Donuts decided to absorb the pain and let margins take the hit rather than hike prices. Thankfully, flour prices have stabilized and the company has kept its prices steady for two years, Lagdameo said.

"Our customers are price-sensitive and if we increase our price, there would be some kind of fallout," she said, adding that the company plans to keep to the broad B market.

This is the same value proposition that Highlands Coffee offers. Michael N. Lacy, IP Ventures Inc Retail Group chief executive advisor, said the best arabica coffee from Brazil is four times the price of the best robusta coffee from Vietnam.

Vietnam now is the second-biggest coffee producer in the world after Brazil.

"Because it is grown in Asia, the cost of importing it to the Philippines is substantially less. That means we win on quality and we win on price," Lacy said. This would be more pronounced once the Asean economic integration starts by 2015, which would spell lower tariffs on commodities coming from the Philippines' neighbors.

Some of Highlands Coffee's competitors source their coffee from different parts of the world, which makes their prices variable, Lacy said. A no-frills latte from Highlands Coffee is under a hundred pesos, at least P10 cheaper than rivals.

Drinking high-end coffee is aspirational and some would go to coffee shops to relax and to check emails. Lacy said just going into the coffee shop to do that is a product in itself, just like what some of Highlands Coffee's competitors offer. To trump that, Highlands Coffee is offering free Internet courtesy of its sister company, Netopia, the country's biggest Internet cafe network.

Aside from Go Nuts Donuts, Highlands Coffee would also be offering other food products in the next six months so customers can have a wider range of choices depending on the time of the day. They intend to go 24/7 in some of its branches where there are business process outsourcing firms nearby, such as in Alphaland Southgate Tower in Makati.

The coffee company now has 10 stores and would be opening at least six Highlands Coffee-Netopia hybrid stores nationwide this year, some in Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. For Go Nuts Donuts, at least six stand-alone stores are in the pipeline, most in Luzon.

To keep it edge over its foreign competitors, Highlands Coffee would be opening stores in places "where there won't be Starbucks in it," Lacy said.

He said Highlands Coffee is strong in "unlikely" places such as Lucena City, where the company already has two branches. He said the Philippines may look saturated with coffee shops but it still has enough room to grow. In the US, a person goes in a coffee shop an average of 17 times a month while in the Philippines it is only four times a month.

Go Nuts Donuts and Highlands Coffee are banking on the robust consumer spending and the fast economic growth so Filipinos can afford luxuries such as high-end beverages and impulse purchases, as Lagdameo calls it.

In the next five years, Go Nuts Donuts intends to have 50 branches nationwide while IP Ventures would like to increase its stores from 200 across all brands (Highlands Coffee, Kitaro, Netopia) to 1,000.

source: interaksyon.com

Nescafe Dolce Gusto: A barista all your own

Recently, we heard the story of how a young woman who graduated at the top of her college class chose to be a barista abroad instead of following the expected corporate path. It may seem to border on the extreme, this madness over coffee. But then, who are we to judge, right? What we can be certain of is that the phenomenal enthusiasm over coffee continues to grow.

While most of us might be unwilling to give it all up to be able to blend the perfect cup of Joe, we do appreciate a perfect brew.  But the powdered, instant stuff may just prove too inadequate for some aficionados.  And while they could be willing to drive to a coffee shop in the dead of night once the craving grabs them, it just isn’t practical. Thus, Nescafe’s Dolce Gusto machines make it so much easier. With a barista in your own home, all you need to do is shuffle to the kitchen to make a satisfying drink. No need to deal with sleepy, grumpy baristas either.

“These are easy-to –operate machines, so you get your perfect cup in a jiffy,” says Jiggy Cruz, Nescafe Dolce Gusto consumer marketing executive, as he demonstrates the use of the new coffee machine models named Genio and Melody 3. Like the popular Piccolo and Circolo models, the new Dolce Gusto machines are sleek, stylish and compact.  Jiggy explains that these latest models are equipped with Flowstop Technology, “which results in a perfect cup every time.” Flowstop is a mechanism that delivers the exact measurement for each beverage. To make them even more convenient, the machines come with a selection wheel so that you can customize your drink’s strength to your liking. In addition a built-in LED feature will recommend the number of capsules to make the perfect drink should you prefer a more potent drink. For his part, Jiggy shares that he likes a strong cup of coffee and is therefore partial to Nescafe’s Caffe Grande Intenso made from Arabica beans, which are slowly roasted until they are rich, dark and intensely flavorful.




Of course, another advantage of the Dolce Gusto machines is that they can prepare both hot and cold beverages.  Thermoblock technology is applied to the gadgets to allow water to quickly heat up. There is no need for pre-heating. Just as importantly, energy-conscious consumers will be glad to note that an automatic switch-off feature is in place. This turns off when heating is done, thereby saving on energy consumption.  Jiggy Cruz concludes, “Meeting Filipinos’ demand for high-quality drinks remains our core priority. Our goal is to give them more reasons to enjoy the perfect cup they deserve, whether automated or not, in a convenient and classy way.”

Design buffs might be interested to note that Dolce Gusto’s Circolo model won the International Forum Design award and got an honorable mention in the prestigious Red Dot Design.

article source: philstar.com

Anne Curtis meets SMC boss Ramon Ang, finds him ‘very humble’

Anne Curtis made a courtesy call to San Miguel Corporation president and COO Ramon Ang on Friday morning two days before her scheduled appearance as the muse of the San Mig Coffee Mixers at the PBA opening ceremonies on Sunday.

“Was finally able to meet Business Tycoon Ramon Ang today alongside the San Miguel Coffee players. For a man of such power he is very humble,” the actress posted on her Facebook and Twitter accounts.

This was preceded by this message: “Now rushing to Shoooooowtime! Time for more coffee para todo listo!!!!”

The “It’s Showtime” co-host recently added San Migue Coffee Super Packs to her portfolio of product endorsements. She is also the image model for two other San Miguel products, GSM Blue and Magnolia Health Drinks.



She was also the muse of Barangay Ginebra during one of the PBA opening ceremonies in 2010.

The 27-year-old, labeled by fans as the National Sweetheart and Princess of All Media, has lost count of her brand ambassadorships.

“I’m not sure. Siguro around 25 na. Around that number siguro,” she said during the media conference for San Mig Coffee two weeks ago.

“It’s another blessing na dumating sa akin. It only means na I did something good na naman. I’m happy to endorse this new product because, basically, coffee drinker ako,” she noted.

Anne was named Best Actress at the FAMAS Awards on Tuesday for her performance in last year’s blockbuster hit “No Other Woman”.

The follow-up film that  reunites her with leading man Derek Ramsey, “A Secret Affair”, will open next month in theaters nationwide.

source: interaksyon.com

Designer toys for coffee drinkers

MANILA, Philippines - When we look at how toys have changed – from the wooden miniatures of the past to the gadgets and gizmos of today – we’ll find that toys have gradually developed complex representations, an interesting mix of visual culture. Enter designer toys – collectibles produced in limited editions by artists and designers, who are either self-taught or classically trained in graphic design and illustration.








A treat for collectors and memorabilia enthusiasts, designer toys are the focal point in the third installment of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s Taste Series, a series of events set to highlight individual passions by showcasing a distinct life interest.


Dubbed “Avant Cup: Contemporary Art Appreciation with CBTL,” the event ran last August at the South Court of the Power Plant Mall. Avant Cup featured contemporary toys from Secret Fresh, the local haven for modern toy collectors, who are very much into vinyl figures incorporating various influences, from graffiti, comics, film and animation to music, architecture, fine art and design.


“In Avant Cup, we decided to showcase the ingenuity and creativity essential in designing limited-edition vinyl toys to reflect our commitment to delivering premium handcrafted beverages,” shares Walden Chu, president of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Philippines. “As part of our Taste Series, Avant Cup seeks to engage the local toy market to get them further immersed in contemporary collectibles complementing their fine tastes, while savoring brewed perfection in the form of our quality drinks.”

Featuring solo and collaborative works from Secret Fresh’s pool of talented artists, namely, Christian Tamondong (in collaboration with Huck Gee), Nemo Aguila, and Whoop, the week-long event also served as a venue to sample and purchase CBTL, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf’s single-serve beverage system.

For the whole week, customers availed of a special CBTL Single Serve Beverage System set for P14,950. The set, which is valued at P25,000, includes a CBTL Machine, a CBTL Milk Frother, a CBTL Sampler Pack (made up of 12 assorted capsules), and 10 CBTL Premium Coupons.

Born out of a partnership between The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and the prestigious Italian capsule system brand Caffitaly, CBTL can produce premium espresso, brewed coffee and tea. It offers coffee and tea aficionados a convenient way to enjoy over 70 variants of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf specialty drinks, in the comfort of their own home, with just a touch of a button.

“CBTL makes it possible for anyone to enjoy The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s distinct café experience wherever they might be. Just plug the machine, put in a capsule, push a single button, and you can enjoy a steaming hot drink with the same gourmet flavor, exquisite aroma, and carefully blended consistency found in any drink purchased from our stores,” shares Chu.

source: philstar.com

Starbucks expands in China

LOS ANGELES/BEIJING - Starbucks Corp has ambitious expansion plans in China, but like any big new emerging market there are teething problems, not least of which is that customers love it so much they stay for hours and hours and sometimes don't even buy a drink.

Chief executive Howard Schultz expects mainland China to overtake Canada as Starbucks' second-largest market by 2014 and some analysts believe it could one day rival the United States as the company's biggest market.

"The No. 1 opportunity for the entire company is China," Schultz told about 300 Starbucks employees and their family members at a company forum in Beijing. "This is where we want to invest, where we want to grow."

Starbucks has reorganized decision-making to transfer more responsibility to its China unit from its headquarters in Seattle.

"We now have a design team here, a real estate team here," Schultz said. "We recognize that the size of the opportunity and the size of the prize in China is the most significant opportunity we have as a company."

The world's biggest coffee chain is a symbol of Western affluence in a nation of tea drinkers. But the tendency for Chinese visitors to linger in cafes and their lower income levels means sales volumes are much smaller than the United States and other markets where taking drinks to go is the norm.

"For a decade the core business was expats and tourists. Without question, the core business today is Chinese nationals," Schultz told Reuters ahead of his trip to Beijing and Shanghai where he is also meeting store managers.

Xu Baoli, a 51-year-old stock trader in Beijing, said he visits Starbucks at least 10 times a month, but doesn't go for the coffee. He is taking a break, surfing the Internet and meeting with clients.

Observers note that Chinese customers will sometimes bring their own food to Starbucks and Xu admits that every so often he doesn't bother to buy anything at all.

"I like the concept," said Xu. "Chinese people used to think you needed a spoon and saucer to drink coffee. Now, walking around with a Starbucks cup in your hand has become a fashion statement for Chinese."

With the U.S. market maturing, few prizes are as enticing as China and its population of more than 1.3 billion.

Starbucks entered China in 1999 and now has more than 570 stores in 48 cities. By 2015, it plans more than 1,500 stores in 70-plus cities, though that would still only account for about half of China's major cities and would be just a fraction of the 10,800 stores in the United States.

"It could very well be exactly what's happening with Yum," Michael Yoshikami, chief executive of Destination Wealth Management, referring to KFC parent Yum Brands Inc. The U.S. fast-food company got an early foothold in China and now gets more revenue from that market than any other.

And while Starbucks' China cafes contribute less than 5 percent of company revenue, their store operating profit margins, at around 22 percent, are higher than U.S. cafes because they charge essentially U.S. prices in a market famed for its low labor costs.

Hurdles to growth

But even with that big silver lining, there are big impediments to growth including low incomes, rising costs and the fact that most Chinese don't have a coffee habit.

The market is still small, with specialist coffee shops such as Starbucks booking sales of $358 million from mainland China in 2010. That was up from $104 million in 2005, according to Euromonitor International. By comparison, the United States accounts for $8 billion in revenue for Starbucks.

Consumers in China drink an average of just three cups of coffee per year, according to an industry study, and for many Starbucks prices are simply out of reach.

Based on average wages in China, it would take 1.3 hours of work in the more affluent east of China to buy a Starbucks tall (12-ounce) caramel macchiato. That goes up to 1.6 hours in the west and 1.9 hours in central China, says Bernstein Research analyst Sara Senatore.

Affordability remains a top concern for analysts, who worry that as Starbucks' expansion progresses beyond the country's biggest cities, it will be less able raise prices to protect margins.

But CEO Schultz said income levels had not been a barrier to growth, adding that Starbucks' shops in non-core markets perform "as well or better" than stores in cities like Beijing and Shanghai, helped by pent-up demand.

Attracting quality employees when competition for skilled workers is intensifying as other chains also expand, is difficult, says Paul French, chief China analyst for market research firm, Mintel.

To that end, Starbucks announced plans to launch a training program called Starbucks China University next year. It also unveiled a 1 million yuan ($158,700) fund that will provide emergency financial assistance for Starbucks employees. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com