Kids Meals and Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity is climbing at an astounding rate. The rates have tripled in the last 30 years, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. And of course, adult rates of obesity are climbing as well. One of the issues that some theorists put forth is that people tend to eat out a lot more these days. Busier lifestyles and two-income households tend to mean that there is less time or inclination for home cooked meals. While we could make healthy food choices when we are out, the truth is that they are often harder to do. Fresh … Continue reading →

Fruits and Vegetables Aren’t Healthy Anymore?

What if I told you that all of the fruits and vegetables that you have been serving your family aren’t as healthy as they should be? That in fact, you’ll have to eat almost three times the amount of sat, broccoli, to get the nutrition that you think you are getting, that the government has been telling you that you are getting? Prevention Magazine is reporting on a story that reveals that fruits and vegetables just don’t have as much of what it takes anymore. In fact, the nutritional value of fruits and vegetables is dwindling. Take the broccoli example. … Continue reading →

The Best of the Worst Fast Food Breakfasts – Part 2

Yesterday, I blogged about bad fast food breakfasts. They may taste great, but do you really need your daily allowance of calories, fat, and sodium in one meal? Here are more bad choices and remember, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends between 18 and 31 grams of saturated fat subtracted from a total of 65 grams of fat, and less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium for a 2,000 calorie diet. Burger King Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Platter – I am a sucker for biscuits and sausage gravy, but can do without the 680 calories. And the sodium count … Continue reading →

The Best of the Worst Fast Food Breakfasts – Part 1

I will admit, part of my problem with weight is that I am a lazy cook. It is much easier to grab something on the go at McDonald’s than to cook a nutritious meal at home. This includes breakfast just as much as it does lunch and dinner. Yet, I also know how bad fast food can be. If you have ever seen the documentary Supersize Me, you know that too much fast food can raise your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and have other disastrous effects on your health. Of course, that documentary was an extreme – Morgan Spurlock ate … Continue reading →

What Triggers Asthma?

Asthma has come to be an unwanted word in our home. Our youngest was first diagnosed with asthma when he was about a year old. His first asthmatic attack resulted in an emergency room visit. The doctors went through all the possibilities as to why his asthma could have started. The top of their list was allergies, however, at that time they wouldn’t test children that young. Asthma has become one of those things that you just never know when it is going to hit. At one point my son became part of a study at Children’s Hospital of Milwaukee. … Continue reading →

Kellogg’s Cereal Makes False Health Claims

Although we would like to believe every health claim that we see, the truth is that sometimes we are misled. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has said that false health claims are being made by Kellogg’s cereals. In particular they were talking about Rice Krispies cereal. Kellogg has made the claim that Rice Krispies can improve children’s health. However, there has been no studies or clinical trials done to back up those claims. Last year they made similar false health claims on Frosted Mini-Wheats by saying that the cereal could improve attentiveness in children. As a result, Kellogg is … Continue reading →

False Health Claims On Foods

I’m a fan of Celebrity Apprentice and this past Sunday it came down to the final two, actress Holly Robinson Peete and rocker Bret Michaels. Both are fighting for causes that are personal to them. Holly is fighting for autism and Bret is fighting for diabetes. In this last episode, Holly and Bret had to come up with a new flavor for Snapple tea. I loved that Bret focused on diet Snapple, as a way to help those dealing with diabetes. This is a product that is helpful to those who are dealing with diabetes. Many of us are more … Continue reading →

Should Foods Come with Choking Warnings?

Warning labels for choking hazards are required on certain toys — especially those with small parts and balls. Here in the United States, it’s a federal law! But there isn’t a similar law on the books for foods that may be choking hazards. The American Academy of Pediatrics — the largest group of pediatricians in the United States — would like to see a similar federal law for foods that may be choking hazards… or see more foodmakers willingly add choking hazard warnings to their labels. Another alternative would be redesigning foods to make them less of a choking hazard … Continue reading →

Did the Olympics Inspire You?

While the Olympic games may be behind us now (at least until the Summer Games in 2012), the Olympic spirit may stick with you long after the Closing Ceremonies. And you don’t have to be an Olympic-level athlete to let the Games inspire you to better health! Olympic Inspiration Number One: introduction to new sports. It seems like they add new sports to the Games each year — one I’d never seen or heard of before this year was ski cross. But it sure looked like fun: four athletes side-by-side on a course that includes turns, jumps, and fast-paced passes. … Continue reading →

No Brown Foods, Please!

My father recently had some dental work done that left him very sore in the mouth. The pain was bad enough that he was on a diet of mostly mush for a few days! Luckily, he’s a fan of certain mushy foods; for as long as I can remember, my dad has loved Cream of Wheat hot cereal. (I like it with accessories like dried fruit or maple syrup, personally!) So he ate a lot of Cream of Wheat while his mouth was recovering. But when my mom served up the first bowl, it prompted this comment from my father: … Continue reading →