Diana Hunter (Author of FoodSmart)

Diana Hunter added a status update: Join Diana for a "Be FoodSmart" Author Event & Signing on Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Broward County Main Library (100 South Andrews Avenue) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information call 954.370.9153.

Diana Hunter added a status update: FoodSmart wins the National Indie Excellence Award for Nutrition. http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-...

Diana Hunter liked Jaclyn's review of FoodSmart:

" I'm so glad I recieved this book as a Goodreads Giveaway! I learned so much from it and it is a reference book that I will keep handy, and continually refer to, because there is so much good stuff in it. I attempted to read it cover to cover for m... "
Read more of this review »

Diana Hunter liked Sara's review of FoodSmart:

" ARC received through the First Reads giveaway program.

This is a fantastic reference work. I'll be using this for years. "

Diana Hunter made a comment on FoodSmart: Understanding Nutrition in the 21st Century — FoodSmart Q & A with Diana Hunter

"1. Why did you write FoodSmart?
To provide people with a concept on understanding nutrition that would allow them to make sense of conflicting nutritio...more 1. Why did you write FoodSmart?
To provide people with a concept on understanding nutrition that would allow them to make sense of conflicting nutrition information and make educated dietary choices for life.

2. What makes FoodSmart different from other books on nutrition?
It's very unconventional. To begin with, it's a reference book that has standard reading in it and vice-versa. It contains references at the bottom of the pages so you can see where the information came from or find more information with ease, wider top and bottom margins so you can take notes or add your own information, and varied writing styles to make it interesting; for example, a Q & A chapter on organics and a chapter on sugars and sweeteners that's set up like a glossary. The chapters are in differential order to keep the reading interesting too. It even has an extended index where many of the subjects are crossed-referenced so they can be found easily in the text. What's most different, however, is my approach to getting people to understand how they can use nutrition to their advantage without all the mystery and confusion. In chapter one I lay out why nutrition is confusing by describing the main types of variables that affect foods and related products. In chapter two I actually describe what many of those variables are for certain foods, beverages, and products and how to use them to your advantage when making nutritional choices.

3. What are some of the specific topics you cover in FoodSmart?
Dieting, organics, sweeteners, supplements, food irradiation, genetically modified (GMO) foods, food safety, food marketing to children, and life-cycle nutrition from pre-birth through adulthood. I also provide pros and cons for many commonly consumed foods as well as useful listings of food and drug interactions, regulatory contacts, and safe food storage durations.

4. What's your take on where nutrition as a whole is headed?
In the scheme of things, nutrition is in its infancy. We're constantly learning more about foods and nutrients, so our depth of knowledge on the subject will certainly increase ― along with the number of new types of foods and nutritional products. At the same time we're focusing on meeting the needs of a growing population. As these two realities collide we'll encounter a wide range of challenges and benefits associated with food development and health.

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Diana Hunter liked Tony's review of FoodSmart:

" Tons of great information! I have 2 copies, 1 signed. "

Diana Hunter made a comment in the group Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club — MSG topic

"MSG is a commercially produced additive used as a flavor enhancer. When it is added to foods, the FDA requires that it be listed on labels (and menus)...more MSG is a commercially produced additive used as a flavor enhancer. When it is added to foods, the FDA requires that it be listed on labels (and menus) as its full given name, "monosodium glutamate." However, if you suffer from reactions to MSG or have an intolerance to it (a condition often referred to as "MSG Symptom Complex" or "Chinese Restaurant Syndrome"), there is more you need to know about glutamate in general.

Glutamate (also called glutamic acid) is an amino acid found naturally in plant and animal protein. The majority of glutamate found in most plant and animal foods is "bound" glutamate that is "attached" to each respective type of protein. This form of glutamate is unlikely to cause health problems. Conversely, glutamate found in many additives, and therefore many processed foods, is "free" glutamate that has been broken from its bound form during ingredient processing. Free glutamate can combine with free sodium to create monosodium (mono = one; sodium = salt) glutamate. Examples of additives that contain free glutamate include hydrolyzed vegetable protein, autolyzed yeast, and yeast extract. Commercially produced monosodium glutamate differs from free glutamate in that it is intentionally derived from the glutamate amino acid and combined with sodium rather than forming as a result of food processing or occurring naturally in foods. Many people report having reactions after ingesting processed foods that contain the "free" form of glutamate identical to those they experience after eating commercially produced MSG. A number of people also report having reactions when they ingest foods that contain higher levels of naturally occurring free glutamate, such as tomatoes, Parmesan cheese, and mushrooms, or when they ingest a large amount of free glutamate from a combination of sources, especially on an empty stomach.

In addition to these considerations, it is important to know that ingredients or additives listed on labels may themselves contain MSG (or free glutamate due to processing, or both), in which case MSG may in fact be in a product but not be listed on the label. MSG may also contain contaminants that have the potential to cause reactions.

Lastly, while we need glutamate for nerve transmission and other important bodily functions, it is a non-essential amino acid, meaning our bodies can manufacture it on their own without ever deriving it from our diet.

Hope this helps.

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Diana Hunter gave

to:

Candide
by Voltaire

My rating:

Diana Hunter added a photo to the group Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club

Diana Hunter joined the Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club group.

Diana Hunter added a status update: Join Diana for a "Be FoodSmart" Author Event & Signing on Thursday, September 2, 2010 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Broward County Main Library (100 South Andrews Avenue) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information call 954.370.9153.
Aug 10, 2010 01:00pm · like · see status
Diana Hunter added a status update: FoodSmart wins the National Indie Excellence Award for Nutrition. http://www.indieexcellence.com/indie-...
May 18, 2010 05:52pm · like · see status
Diana Hunter liked Jaclyn's review of FoodSmart: " I'm so glad I recieved this book as a Goodreads Giveaway! I learned so much from it and it is a reference book that I will keep handy, and continually refer to, because there is so much good stuff in it. I attempted to read it cover to cover for m... " Read more of this review »
Feb 05, 2010 06:43am · see review
Diana Hunter liked Sara's review of FoodSmart: " ARC received through the First Reads giveaway program. This is a fantastic reference work. I'll be using this for years. "
Feb 02, 2010 07:20am · see review
Diana Hunter made a comment on FoodSmart: Understanding Nutrition in the 21st Century — FoodSmart Q & A with Diana Hunter "1. Why did you write FoodSmart? To provide people with a concept on understanding nutrition that would allow them to make sense of conflicting nutritio...more "
Jan 15, 2010 01:34pm
Diana Hunter liked Tony's review of FoodSmart: " Tons of great information! I have 2 copies, 1 signed. "
Nov 17, 2009 07:49pm · see review
Diana Hunter made a comment in the group Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club — MSG topic "MSG is a commercially produced additive used as a flavor enhancer. When it is added to foods, the FDA requires that it be listed on labels (and menus)...more "
Nov 07, 2009 04:52pm
Diana Hunter gave to: Candide by Voltaire	My rating:
Nov 03, 2009 09:51am
Diana Hunter added a photo to the group Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club
Nov 02, 2009 01:55pm · like · view gallery
Diana Hunter joined the Q&A with Diana Hunter / FoodSmart Fan Club group.
Nov 02, 2009 01:50pm · see group

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