The Silk v Almond Breeze Battle Wages On - and We Win

<span style="font-size: large;">   I have written about the virtue of almond milk 3 or 4 times in the past year.  I believe it has a lot to offer as a replacement for cow's milk.  It has a better nutrient profile, zero sugar (unless you buy a version that is sweetened.. and why would you DO that?), and it has  good fat from almonds.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">    In the second or third post, I spoke about one brand having slightly more calories than the other. If your interested in why that might matter  h<a href="http://yourhealtheducator.blogspot.com/2013/03/choosing-lower-calorie-option.html" target="_blank">ere is that post</a>.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">     Not only was there a calorie difference between the two brands but a significant price difference as well.  I was, initially, paying 50 cents more for the lower calorie milk (and I use two cartons a week). </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">    I followed up sometime later to tell you that the other brand miraculously determined or changed so that it didn't have those 10 extra calories after all.  This was great news.  I could buy the cheaper milk  because the producer changed its recipe! YAY </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">    I must not be the only calorie sleuth in the almond market nor the only one who sacrificed money to get less calories. Once the calories were equal I switched to the lower priced milk.  That must have been the behavior of many customers because the higher priced milk is now only 10 cents more.  In other words, the other company also changed based on the behavior of customers.  We had an effect on the producers.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">So this is fantastic. Consumers driving healthier options.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   This is exactly the type of response we are starting to see and hoped to see with restaurant menu labeling.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">If I can get a lower calorie (read healthier) meal at one restaurant then I will go to that restaurant. If restaurants want my business they will smarten up and give me more lower calorie choices - and prices will even out just like they did for the milks.  (if there are lots of people making choices this way)</span><br /><br />

The Silk v Almond Breeze Battle Wages On - and We Win

   I have written about the virtue of almond milk 3 or 4 times in the past year.  I believe it has a lot to offer as a replacement for cow...

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Sharing a Healthy Plate

<span style="font-size: large;">   Last night I attended a small gathering of doctorate students in Public Health at my university.  We had a pot luck appetizer theme and I took that as an opportunity to get out my tulip platter and wow people with nutrient dense, calorie light treats.  I took a picture and post it below so that you might consider bringing a healthy tray to your next social event.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Tonight I met a different set of friends.  We are planning our high school reunion.  Our meeting was at a restaurant and someone had preordered a few appetizers.  They were all calorically dense and I chose to just have a beer (:)). So on occasion, I DO drink my calories, but for some, alcohol is health promoting.  This is never true about sugar sweetened beverages! </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Tying these two evenings together is another true thing about me.  I do not eat food to make other people feel comfortable.  I eat when  it suits me to eat (which is related to what the food is and whether or not I am hungry). As you might also know, I don't take kindly to 'food pushers'. {food pushers are those that seem to feel uncomfortable by other people's not eating, or not eating "more"} And yet I am as much a food pusher as any body else and have to restrain my own impulses.[It's a phenomenon of our broader culture - of many cultures]  Last night, if someone had not made a plate of food at our buffet table, I found myself <i>wanting</i> to ask, "Aren't you going to eat something?"  And I did offer to make a plate for one guest in particular -(her hands were full with her twins!).  It's funny isn't it.  In my defense, I never push things that are not part of a quality diet :)</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Here is the tray - which has Wasa crackers and two flavors of Light Laughing Cow cheese wedges (they do not come that way, I bought two and mixed them), grapes in personal sized bunches (I cut them that way), vegetarian eggrolls cut into 50 calorie servings, and my own blueberry cake squares.</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP4d4UeEcHTMFx5ZZ7jOxqgXym1ANpeauTIEIENmRwcVV0cp1Odf2jSvgtCycaNiYhmut66bzRdQs8kkDNf_dt1EneYUcSFJFNormmyFfHlJd-xpaohScVcuEQpEZVLYPfD_4K7alzbS4/s1600/healthy+tray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeP4d4UeEcHTMFx5ZZ7jOxqgXym1ANpeauTIEIENmRwcVV0cp1Odf2jSvgtCycaNiYhmut66bzRdQs8kkDNf_dt1EneYUcSFJFNormmyFfHlJd-xpaohScVcuEQpEZVLYPfD_4K7alzbS4/s640/healthy+tray.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Beneath those goodies is a great picture of a tulip - I love tulips.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>

Sharing a Healthy Plate

   Last night I attended a small gathering of doctorate students in Public Health at my university.  We had a pot luck appetizer theme and I...

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Product Line - Label Alert

<span style="font-size: large;">   I wish this post were an update on national menu labeling or standardized front of pack product labeling, but it is not.  I am still unaware of an expected date for action on either of these.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   What I want to draw your attention to today is a potential "trick" label.  I have noted for your education that the words "all natural" or "natural" on a food label do not guarantee anything more than this: "minimally processed."  If you have a definition for minimally processed, its as good as any because the entire issue is cloaked in vagueness.  If you really want something that has limited processing (and you probably should) then buy fresh fruits and vegetables.  Hopefully, your chicken, fish and meat would not be processed, but don't take that for granted.  Read the label (e.g. chicken is often 'plumped' with salt).</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   But those are not the tricks of which I speak today.  I refer to a product line.  Just because a group of products is named Wholesome Goodness does not mean that any of the items are good for you or healthy.  There are several criteria by which to measure, but you might consider the amounts of added sugar, sodium, Trans fats and saturated fat, as well as calories per gram (or serving size).    </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   If you are buying tomato sauce for example, you may have Del Monte, Hunts, a value brand and Wholesome Goodness.  The trick is that consumers see Goodness and think it is the healthiest one.  That may or may not be true.  Don't be sold by names or label disclosures, read the ingredients and nutrition facts panel to make a better decision. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   This is all we can do unless or until the FDA/USDA come up with a standardized symbol and criteria. I would not trust individual food manufacturers as their goal is to sell a product not to improve the quality of your diet.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="387" id="il_fi" src="http://mypbrand.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/wholesome-goodness-lineup.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 8px; padding-right: 8px; padding-top: 8px;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is just a product line, not an accredited line of healthy or low calorie products.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />

Product Line - Label Alert

   I wish this post were an update on national menu labeling or standardized front of pack product labeling, but it is not.  I am still unaw...

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Bowling Alleys and Movie Theatres

<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After my studies yesterday, I met a few classmates at the local bowling alley.  (my peers force me to be social once a month and it darn near kills me, just saying....)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have not been to 'the lanes' in a very long time and I have not been since I became passionate about all of this labeling stuff and access to healthy foods.  </span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I noticed a few things during my 2 hours there.  A sort of subculture exists among the bowlers.  I remember this from my childhood.  My parents were on a league and once a week or so, I would go with them and run and play and eat french fries and candy along with other kids whose parents were bowling.  Everyone was smoking, drinking and having fun.  Now the smoking is outside.  (right in front of the doors - I might add)</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I saw several leagues in play last night and lots of elementary school aged children running, laughing, playing, eating.  I thought about being a parent, coming after work for my league and what I might feed my children.  No outside food or beverage is allowed.  I went to the food area and reviewed the menu.  There was not ONE single thing that could be considered low calorie or low fat - not ONE thing.  No salad, no fruit, no vegetables.  There were many burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, fries, and pizza.  I checked out the vending machines, nothing there either.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today I received an email from CSPI which included a video link.  It was timely so I have included it here for you.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Watch the video - it's informative!  <span style="font-size: small;">(if this is not accessible in the email feature, just click on the health educator link and visit the blog itself)</span></span></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QifyoBvGt0k?rel=0" width="420"></iframe>

Bowling Alleys and Movie Theatres

After my studies yesterday, I met a few classmates at the local bowling alley.  (my peers force me to be social once a month and it darn nea...

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Healthy NE Low Calorie

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Natural does not automatically mean healthy and healthy does not necessarily mean low calorie.  I have said this before - but it always bears repeating.   (the abbreviation NE is from data analysis code - it stands for not equal- and I am spending too much time with data!)</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">About a week ago I saw a press release that announced the the purchasing of a company called Mrs. Mays by Dole Food Co.  I did not find that exact story when I searched again today but here is one from the <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120302-712140.html" target="_blank">WSJ</a>.  In the story I read, the spokesperson for Dole was explaining that this was a perfect fit for the company as it is trying to improve vending options with healthier snacks.  Mrs. Mays is known for its natural snack foods.  When I read this, I made a note to look up the company, Mrs. Mays, and their products.  I did so because I know that natural does not mean natural much of the time and 'healthy' is just as suspect.  </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I did my looking up today and in fact, I their ingredients hold up pretty well for the natural claim.  And ok - I will give them the 'healthy alternative to junk food' claim as well - should we be thinking candy bars and chips. However, they do not get the 'low in calories' kudos.  It can be tricky, but the serving size for most of the snacks is less than 1 oz - LESS than.  The packages contain a couple of ounces.  Some of the items are not loose - i.e. a fruit strip or a bar - and the serving size for those is just over an ounce.  Taken this way - the products are very high in energy density - over a hundred calories for an ounce of food? </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Mays may be a good vending choice, but for me, fresh food continues to give the most bang for the caloric buck - with a high level of nutrients.</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I bookmarked this link correctly, it should open on the <a href="http://www.mrsmays.com/product_details_mrsmays.html?GoCate=11&indx=47" target="_blank">nutrient</a> facts panel for one of the products.  This package contains 4 ounces and the serving size is just about 1 ounce - that one ounce has 150 calories and I am certain most people would eat half if not all of the package in one sitting.  (remember that declaration from some of the FOP labeling discussion.  The IOM thought that the package should give total calories if it was expected that the entire package could reasonably be consumed in one sitting)</span>

Healthy NE Low Calorie

Natural does not automatically mean healthy and healthy does not necessarily mean low calorie.  I have said this before - but it always bear...

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Bake Sale Do Over

<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">As I was walking with my friend who has had the WLS this evening, she shared that the church had called and asked her to make something for the bake sale. She said yes, even though she didn't have the time (two jobs and in school too!).</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">She said she didn't know what to make and that she just might get some cookies at the grocery store bakery. I said of course, "Oh NO! You are going to give them that processed, crap." She said, "The kids won't know the difference." To which I exclaimed even louder, "Oh man, they are the one's who need to eat better!"</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">So she asked me about the cereal bars that I make. She and many of my friends and You Tube fans like them and have incorporated them into their daily diets. We got her all set with the ingredient list and the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pPFwxYWZJ4">video instructions </a>- so YEAH - a healthy option at a bake sale. </span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;">BTW, I think it was 2007 when I worked at WFUBMC, we had a bake sale. I made a tray of sugar free - low calorie goodies and they sold out lickety split!</span>

Bake Sale Do Over

As I was walking with my friend who has had the WLS this evening, she shared that the church had called and asked her to make something for ...

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Food Packages too?

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2bWR-kX0fdM_INBruNmS-kh3GiXWu9NOx5gnTtyt-svan2SKJIeuUQOUC6ts9a2xlaxwqbZVbt1nnNBpzoQskvqYCiMnPiOLl9sDW0kIXzTGV7e3HUV60iyF_klsIhhUm8VoTpIaIhuR/s1600-h/smart+spot.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396325587338769106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2bWR-kX0fdM_INBruNmS-kh3GiXWu9NOx5gnTtyt-svan2SKJIeuUQOUC6ts9a2xlaxwqbZVbt1nnNBpzoQskvqYCiMnPiOLl9sDW0kIXzTGV7e3HUV60iyF_klsIhhUm8VoTpIaIhuR/s320/smart+spot.gif" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 80px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 80px" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#330000;">Ah dear, I had so much hope. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">A few years ago, the smart spot or smart choices label made its debut. This green circle with a check mark in it was supposed to alert consumers to healthy products. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">In fact, during my internship at the local health department I did research on what items might be considered healthy enough for such a label and then reviewed the vending machine wholesale options to find foods that would meet this standardand and get that special label. The vending machines do currently have said labels. Again, WE used a particular criteria.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">It is a very good concept and I continue to support it. At the same time, I understand the concern of the FDA and others in that the lable is being misused by some food companies, AND there are additional labels out there adding to the confusion and misinformation.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">The label is used to denote low calorie products and often non TFA foods, but what is happening now has happened before - sugar is getting promoted, inadvertently. A snack that is only 100 calories but also only sugar, is really not GOOD for you. Empty calories are never health promoting. However, calorie and sugar moderation are very good things! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">The FDA is now considering making some statement on the standards that should drive these labels and I have read that some manufacturers have recently pulled back from using the smart choices label until further guidance is offered. That makes sense.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">In the meantime, do let me encourage you to visit the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a joint effort between the AHA and the Clinton Foundation. </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"><a href="http://www.healthiergeneration.org/">http://www.healthiergeneration.org/</a></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">Here you can find specific guidelines for healthy food and beverages for yourself and your children. And as always, read the label - don't let a symbol stop you from reading the label! </span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:Trebuchet MS;color:#330000;">Also, I have been seeing this one lately, No High Fructose Corn Syrup. That is surely a good sign. It is also a sign of progress that this is an issue at all.</span></div>

Food Packages too?

Ah dear, I had so much hope. A few years ago, the smart spot or smart choices label made its debut. This green circle with a check mark in i...

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