Most people probably don’t know what Aspartame is. It’s a sweetener found in a lot of processed food and drink, candies and gum. There is a controversy around aspartame which is whether its chemicals, or byproducts are carcinogens, cancer-causing agents, from ingestion of the chemicals or the reaction and change in them that occurs during digestion. Read the Wikipedia entry on the Aspartame controversy, and please check the label on any goods that are sweetened without sugar. It’s probably Aspartame, or Splenda. Probably avoid both of them. Diet Coke would be the most popular product using it.

You don’t have to listen to me though. Research for yourself. I think you’ll find that interestingly products containing Aspartame aren’t anything remotely important in your nutrition anyway, so it’s very logical and easy to avoid them. Diet Soda? I mean come on. You want diet soda? It’s called water, or even tea. Add a little lemon if you like.

Coolhunting reported on some of the male / female snacks in Japan. As always, the beat me to the good stuff. But while in Japan, I’ve been chewing on Black Black. Like most snacks in Japan, the name is just slightly strange. The gum is black yes. It has a strong minty flavor, one that burns into your nostrils like wasabi. That might be why it’s so popular here. What I like about it is the large container it comes in. The family size Black Black comes in a cylindrical plastic box with a spring-loaded flip up lid. It fits perfectly in your cup holder. I like it because you get a lot so you can share with everyone on trips with plenty to go around. We picked up a container at Costco here in Japan for about $6.50. I think at most places it’s $7-$9. Ouch that’s a lot for gum, but as I said, you get a lot. I’ve been told it has caffeine in it, but haven’t noticed. My absolute favorite thing about it. The tagline. “Hi-Technical Taste.” Um Okay.

Read the coolhunting article on the whole sexist gum and snack thing. Japan is the best place in the world for snacks. Want a snack with your beer? No not peanuts. In Japan you’ll have the squid jerky instead.