Julie & Julia has finally arrived on Netflix. As I sit enjoying the movie (and popcorn!) with my family, my desire to attend culinary school grows. Both Julie and Julia are far braver than me, I wonder if I have it in me? You should check out the inspiration, too:
December 28, 2009
Popcorn: It’s aMAIZEing
Recently popcorn has gotten some bad press after a CSPI report, which found a medium-sized popcorn and medium soda at the nation’s largest movie chain pack the nutritional equivalent of three Quarter Pounders topped with 12 pats of butter. However, I am hear to set the record straight for popcorn everywhere.
Those who know me best, know popcorn ranks on the top of my favorite foods list. Compared to many other snack foods, air-popped popcorn ranks low in calories at only 30 calories per cup! Best of all popcorn is also filling, high in fiber, and is a whole grain! If you don’t have the means to air pop your own popcorn, read the labels on the packaged popcorn. Those marked as “smart pop” or “light” usually are nutritionally smart choices.
Vitamin M tip: Don’t try to convince yourself the popcorn found at movie theaters or the type that is packaged with labels stating it is “ultimate”, “theater style”, or “butter lovers”, which are loaded with salt and butter, qualifies as a healthy snack! However, in moderation its okay to enjoy these versions of this snack!
In the meantime, enjoy air-popped or light popcorn as a guiltless treat- Happy snacking!
December 27, 2009
Healthy Road Trip Snacks
Before embarking on the 9 hour drive (which turned out to be 10 hours with all the post-holiday traffic) to Hilton Head Island, SC– I packed healthy road trip snacks. I hope my ideas help inspire your own healthy snacks for the road!
Vitamin M tip: Invest in a small cooler so you don’t feel restricted to packing only shelf stable items for your trip. A cooler and refreezeable ice can be purchased at any grocery store for a reasonable price and do not take up very much room in your car! This will expand the amount of options you have while you are on the road.
- Water (stay hydrated even when you are just sitting!)
- Popcorn (pre-pop before you hit the road)
- Fresh fruit (peel it or slice it before leaving the house (so you don’t have to take the skin off while driving or worry about bringing a knife)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Carrots or celery sticks
- Grapes
- Granola
- Healthy snack bars
- Whole grain crackers
- Rice cakes
- Nuts
- Dried fruit
- String cheese
- Sandwiches (be careful with condiments as they can be messy!)
Enjoy your holiday travels and drive safe!
December 20, 2009
Sizing Up Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity
This week the Federal Trade Commission had Public Forum on “Sizing Up Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity.” Proposed voluntary standards for food marketing to children from ages 2 to 17 were released during a progress report from the interagency working group. The director of the FTC’s consumer protection bureau, stressed that the proposals aren’t regulations but food and restaurant companies should pay attention because if they don’t take the lead on changing their food marketing practices, “Congress may decide for all of us.” The interagency recommendations will be sent to Congress in June 2010, after a public comment period.
December 11, 2009
What’s Hot in 2010: Chef Trend Survey
Check out the survey of American Culinary Federation chefs, which provides a comprehensive culinary forecast and menu trends prediction report. More than 1,800 professional chefs ranked nearly 215 culinary items as a “hot trend,” “yesterday’s news,” or “perennial favorite” on restaurant menus in 2010 brought to you by the National Restaurant Association. I was pleased to see nutrition made the top 10 list! This is a good sign that the new year may be a healthy year!
November 20, 2009
Food Facts
Hi readers- I got a little bit of grief over the weekend for being a blogging slacker, so I thought these Thanksgiving food facts from Foodlink America may smooth things over with my readers! Enjoy them and have a very Happy Thanksgiving! Vitamin M
Talking turkey: The average American ate 17.6 pounds of turkey in 2008, making it the fourth most popular meat choice after chicken, beef, and pork.
More talk: Turkey production in the U.S. has increased 300 percent since 1970.
A bird’s special day: An estimated 88 percent of Americans eat turkey at Thanksgiving.
But not just a holiday attraction anymore: Forty years ago, half of all turkey consumed was eaten during the holidays; today just 29 percent is.
The native fruit: The cranberry is one of just three fruits native to North America. (The others are the Concord grape and the blueberry.)
Not so fresh: A full 95 percent of cranberries are processed into juice, sauce, or dried and sweetened. Only five percent are sold fresh to consumers.
August 17, 2009
Plate Expectations
Read this article about creating healthy versions of popular kids snack foods. I got a chuckle out of the first paragraph!
August 7, 2009
Snack Attack
According to the Consumer Reports National Research Center’s recent telephone survey of 1,003 women age 18 and older, more than two-fifths (41 percent) of women who snack claim their snacking habits have been affected by the slowing economy. For the most part, this impact has been positive, with nearly a quarter (23 percent) snacking more healthfully — although the survey did not ask for details about what the respondents considered more healthful — and 17 percent snacking less often.
Read the entire article here.
August 6, 2009
Little Bites of Perception
A new study by foodservice consultant Technomic and kid-focused brand marketing agency C3 has found that nearly nine out of 10 kids surveyed say that fresh vegetables and fresh whole fruits are healthy. Other foods named healthy by kids included salad (78 percent), steamed vegetables (76 percent) and eggs (72 percent). At least half said that fish, cheese, chicken and peanut butter are healthy as well.
August 5, 2009
A note from Vitamin M
Hi Readers,
I have been a bad blogger recently- With two summer school courses and a big move to Washington, D.C. I have been very busy! Please look for new posts in the next few days!
Have a healthy day!
Maggie
