Deconstructing the “Eat This, Not That” Book for Kids

Feb. 22, 2009 It’s Sunday, and I rarely post on the weekend, but I have to say, I’m having a book for brunch, digesting and devouring the Eat This, Not That! For Kids by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding of Men's Health. Eat This, Not That pulls kid-friendly fare off the menus of  "sit down" restaurants (which make up one-quarter of our meals but account for more than … [Read more...]

Kidney Stones In Kindergarten? Put Down the Sports Drink, Kiddo!

Today’s New York Times reports "A Rise in Kidney Stones Seen in U.S. Children," naming high sodium intake of processed foods as one of the culprits, sending wee ones into urology clinics (no pun intended). Ever since the multimillion dollar marketing blitz sanctifying sports drinks as a 'better for you' beverage I've watched kids chug down those colossal sized jugs of neon … [Read more...]

Will California’s New Menu Labeling Help Kids’ Health?

Congrats, wellness crusaders, the L.A. Times reports California is officially the first state in the nation to enact menu labeling policy for calorie count info on menu boards and food displays of chain restaurants with 20 or more outlets, phased in by 2011. (SB1420 fact sheet here and CSPI press release here) Wait a sec, didn’t we already approve this? I gave it 200% … [Read more...]

HFCS Ad Analysis: Dieticians Dissed, Media Literacy Mandatory

When I sounded off in HFCS Corn Wars about the ‘artificial sweetness’ of the ubiquitous HFCS ads, I promised I’d have our own nutrition correspondent, Rebecca Scritchfield weigh in with her professional analysis, but first…you MUST see BlogHer Gena Haskett’s insightful piece on the way we should consume advertising. It’s straightforward, … [Read more...]

HFCS Corn Wars: A Surprise That’s Far from Sweet

“Mom, go to SweetSurprise.com right now!” yelled my daughter in an urgent commando bark. Before I could even protest her lousy timing, I got a “NOW! I’m not kidding! GO! GO!” she shouted at me like a drill sergeant. Sheesh. Well, when she’s right, she’s right. Turns out ABC Family was running not one, not two, but EIGHT rotations of … [Read more...]