Smart Start not so smart

15. May 2006 William Davis (2)



Kellogg's has crafted a campaign to support the American Heart Association featuring acress Sela Ward. Her attractive face, familiar to many TV and movie viewers, does add a comforting face to their efforts.

What's in this cereal made by the manufacturers of Pop-Tarts, Cheez-It, Rice Krispies, and Chips Deluxe cookies?

There are, indeed, some healthy ingredients: oat bran, potassium; you can even get a version made with soy protein. But there's sugar listed as the second ingredient. High-fructose corn syrup is also listed prominently. (Remember this issue? High-fructose corn syrup causes overwhelming sugar cravings, causes your triglycerides to skyrocket, and is probably among the principal food ingredients that make you obese.)

Upon detailed questioning of my patients struggling to lose weight, this and products like it are often among the "healthy" foods they've gravitated towards. We spend a great deal of time dissuading them of this idea.

A one-cup serving of Smart Start is low in fat (1 gram) but contains 43 grams of carbohydates, of which there are 14 grams of sugar. There are a meager 3 grams of fiber. To me, this sounds like a cupcake.

The Kellogg's people are exceptionally clever marketers. Partner with the American Heart Association and movie stars? Brilliant!

You should trust food manufacturer advertising about as much as you trust drug manufacturer advertising, which is to say not at all.

Kellogg's sold $10 billion dollars of food products last year. They are the world's leading producer of breakfast cereals. They are a leading producer of convenience foods: cookies, crackers, cereal bars, and frozen waffles under the brands Keebler, Pop-Tarts, Eggo, Cheez-It, Nutri-Grain, Rice Krispies, Famous Amos, and Kashi.

Can they cash in on healthy trends? They'll certainly try.
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Comments (2) -

  • Anonymous

    2/26/2009 6:58:00 PM |

    Hi Doc, You say a lot about what ISN'T that great for us but where's the stuff that DOES pass the tests? Smile What are the best cereals out there?

  • Helen Kopp

    3/5/2009 6:02:00 PM |

    Exactly.  It seems my choices are so limited, as I stroll down the isle at the grocery store and every single packaged food is bad for me.  I eat plenty of fruit, but my body needs bread and I need something convinient when I am not able to cook and need food fast.

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Sun green tea

Sun green tea

21. July 2011 William Davis (11)
Here's a great way to enjoy the health benefits of green tea during the summer: sun green tea.


I dropped two green tea bags into approximately one-half gallon of cold water in a clear glass jar. I placed the jar in the sun (with top on) for four hours, then brought it into the kitchen. I served it as iced tea with a slice of lemon and mint leaf.

The sun green tea was a smoother than standard green tea brewed with hot water. Ordinarily, if you brew hot green tea for more than 3-5 minutes, it becomes more bitter or tannic. This sun green tea, despite steeping for four hours, was not the least bit bitter or tannic.

The green tea lasted well for about 48 hours, more than enough to enjoy several glasses per day.
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Comments (11) -

  • Eric

    7/21/2011 1:53:59 AM |

    Isn't there some bacteria that grows in sun tea?

  • Shreela

    7/21/2011 2:41:53 AM |

    I believe Eric is correct, although sinus problems tell me not to search for it right now LOL
    Try overnight tea in the fridge instead.
    http://www.theyummylife.com/blog/2010/08/22/How+to+Make+Refrigerator+Iced+Tea

  • Againstthegrain

    7/21/2011 6:46:21 AM |

    I have to agree with Shreela, as I have had the misfortune of drinking sun tea that had been at room temp for too long during warm weather.  Steep and store the tea cold in the fridge and discard it after two or three days if it isn't consumed, or at the first sign of anything floating in the tea.  The bacteria that grows in tea brewed at room temp (or warmer) can cause an unpleasantly strong attack of the "runs".  

    More info about this issue:
    http://www.snopes.com/food/prepare/suntea.asp

  • Joe E O

    7/21/2011 11:28:19 AM |

    Dr. Davis care to comment:

    Study: Boosting Good Cholesterol With Niacin Did Not Cut Heart Risks:
    http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/05/28/136678665/study-boosting-good-cholesterol-with-niacin-did-not-cut-heart-risks?ft=1&f=1001

    Peace
    Joe E O

  • Kent

    7/21/2011 3:10:50 PM |

    Joe E O,  I would investigate the numerous other studies that have proven the effectiveness and benefits of Niacin, before dicounting it due to skewed and flawed study you reference. Keep in mind that anytime something shows benefit over the Statin Machine, it is going to have a full out assault launched against it.

  • Randy

    7/21/2011 3:18:29 PM |

    Also good with a couple of mint tea bags thrown with the green tea. Safeway Select is very good.

  • Randy

    7/21/2011 3:19:55 PM |

    Is a warm or cold extraction as effective at pulling the antioxidants out of the tea and into the water?

  • Chris B

    7/21/2011 5:58:35 PM |

    I would second the refrigerator tea suggestion over sun tea.
    Also, the reason green tea can be bitter so often is that does not like water as hot as black tea and if it is brewed with the same boiling water, that is too hot for it. If you try letting it cool just a little first or not quite get to boiling, you will get a better brew. There are sites out there that will tell you proper temperatures, but I generally don't feel like pulling out the thermometer so I usually just wing it.

  • Againstthegrain

    7/31/2011 9:41:24 PM |

    Dr. Davis,

    Most of the time, brewing tea in the sun will probably be fine, especially if the tea is consumed quickly and stored in the refrigerator.  But there definitely is *potential* for problems, especially when brewing during warmer weather or prolonged storage time out of the refrigerator.  That's what happened with one batch I made a couple summers ago -  I kept the pitcher on the counter for a few days due to lack of refrigerator space, adding ice to chill the tea when I filled my glass (or just drinking the tea at room temp).  I had at least three tea refills before I connected the tea consumption to the frequent "just-in-time" trips to the loo that day.  Upon further inspection, the tea had a slightly cloudy appearance, with a large thing floating in it.    The runs stopped after I dumped the tea and switched to drinking water.  

    Now when I "cold-brew" tea I either make it in on the counter during cooler weather or in the refrigerator during warmer weather, never in the sun where the water will become warm.  I dump leftover tea after a few days if it isn't consumed, and I thoroughly wash the container.

  • Yvonne

    8/2/2011 9:38:14 AM |

    I think I'll make the sun tea the same way Dr. Davis did, so as to get that smooth green tea flavor; but I'll add the lemon to the brewed tea after I remove it from the sun (to boost its natural acidity), and decant it in smaller jars in the refrigerator. Thanks for this recipe, Dr. Davis!

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