- Could silly faces on a plate help feed picky eaters?
Kids may be picky eaters, but according to a new study from Cornell University, how food is presented to them makes a huge difference in the food they choose to eat.
Children crave a greater visual diversity on the plate, whether it’s varying colors or ingredients shaped into silly faces and designs.
According to the study, “On average, they [kids] preferred seven different items on their plates, and six different colors.”
Parents, however, found three items of different colors more appealing.
Could this trick allow for more nutrient-rich foods in kids’ diets?
Read the rest of the study. And get some fun plating ideas after the jump.
Read more »
- It's one of our favorite food holidays: National Peanut Butter Day!
In honor of National Peanut Butter Day, we’ve rounded up some of our best posts related to this oh-so-versatile spread. Whether you make a peanut butter smoothie or spread it on some apple slices is entirely up to you, but either way, it’s easy to see why there is a whole day dedicated to this addicting treat.
9 Reasons to Celebrate National Peanut Butter Day
Read more »
- Applebee's is jumping on the healthy restaurant menu bandwagon.
New year, new Applebee’s menu items. The restaurant chain started 2012 with three new dishes — all under 550 calories.
The entrees start with a Roasted Garlic Sirloin, 7 oz. of garlic-marinated sirloin served up with potatoes and creamed spinach stuffed mushrooms. The Sizzling Chili Lime Chicken is served over rice with Asian-style vegetables in a spicy chili sauce. Rounding out the new menu is an Asian Shrimp & Broccoli, a sweet and spicy dish with mixed vegetables and blackened shrimp.
“The focus is on the flavors,” said Chef Shannon Johnson, executive director at Applebee’s. “Even when they are watching their calories, our guests want great flavors, choices including proteins and carbs and full-size portions. With our Under 550 menu, the only thing missing is the calories.”
Tell us: Will you try the new menu items at Applebee’s?
In my years of practice, I found that many families don’t eat dinner together – or any meal for that matter. A recent study released by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University revealed what a big difference family meals make in your children’s lives.
About the Study
Family mealtime has drastically decreased since the 1950’s. Although you may not initially see the connection, family meals play a huge role in your kids’ lives. Yes, it’s important to eat together in order to sit down and catch up on the day, but there’s more to it. The study called The Importance of Family Dinners VI dug deep to see if there was a connection between the frequency of family meals and teen substance abuse. It also explored what teens thought about the concept of family dinners. The results will shock you.
Read more »
Today’s National Spaghetti Day, but do you really need a holiday to give you an excuse to cozy up to a bowl of hot, comforting pasta? We encourage you to celebrate this festive day with one of our favorite spaghetti recipes, and in case you need more of a reason to eat some spaghetti, a few of our best posts on why we love the stuff.
12 Reasons to Celebrate National Spaghetti Day
Ellie Krieger’s Pasta Puttanesca
Serve Ellie’s traditional Italian sauce, made with tomatoes, olives, capers and arugula over your favorite pasta any day, but for today, we recommend whole-wheat spaghetti.
Spaghetti and Meatballs: Healthier Than You Think
Find out why this classic dish made our list of 10 Foods That are Healthier Than You Think.
Read more »
- Giant food is out this year.
Each year new nutrition fads appear and old ones head out the door. Here’s a look at what’s hot for 2012 and what’s fizzled out.
Out: “Toning” shoes
The makers of the shoes that claimed to help tone the lower body, agreed to pay $25 million settlement for making false claims.
In: Fun exercise classes
Zumba, kickboxing, boot camp, pilates and spin classes are just some of the ways Americans have been getting in shape.
Read more »
We covered a lot in 2011: the Dukan Diet, homemade salad dressing, the worst exercise habits and the best ways to eat peanut butter. Before we kick off 2012, let’s take a look back at the most popular posts of 2011.
#10. The Top 10 Worst Eating Habits
Too many meals away from home, too much sugar and believe it or not, not eating enough are some of the top offenders on this list. Which are you guilty of?
Read more »
The Food Network Kitchens has come up with its annual list of the top trends that will define 2012 in food. Check out one of the trends here, then visit Food Network’s Dish and Cooking Channel’s Devour for the rest of the list.
Read more »
I’m always warning parents about the amount of sugar lurking in their kids’ favorite breakfast cereals. Even brands that market themselves as whole-grain-filled, healthy choices rank up there with candy. Our friends at Environmental Working Group (EWG) are weighing in with some shocking facts. Are you serving your kids dessert for breakfast?
Read more »
- Is your melon safe?
The recent Listeria outbreak has made us aware that our food supply isn’t as safe as we may think. This isn’t the first time melon has caused illness or even death. Here’s a look at melon outbreaks and simple tips to keep your loved ones safe.
Past Melon Outbreaks
Sliced melon is no stranger to foodborne illness. It’s considered a potentially hazardous food, meaning a food that has the ability for bacteria to grow and thrive. One of the most memorable stories I can recall happened in 2000. A 2-year old girl fell ill and died after eating at a Milwaukee Sizzler. Although the girl never ate the E. Coli tainted ground beef, it was argued that the sliced melon she ate contained the bacteria. The alleged faux pas made during preparation was cross-contamination.
The recent outbreak of cantaloupe has shed light on the importance of keeping melon safe. As of today, 133 people have become ill and 28 have died throughout 26 states from Listeria-tainted cantaloupe. Although Jensen Farms in Colorado recalled the cantaloupes on September 14, symptoms of Listeria can take up to 2 months to appear. So the numbers can still go up through November.
Read more »
