The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide

Most kids’ meals at chain restaurants offer poor nutrition, as fried chicken fingers, burgers, fries, and soda reign

Nearly all of the meals offered to kids at America's top chain restaurants are of poor nutritional quality.

Fried chicken fingers, burgers, French fries, and sugar drinks continue to dominate the kids' meal offerings, according to a report to by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. The report found 97 percent of the nearly 3,500 meal possibilities didn’t meet the center's nutrition criteria for four- to eight-year-olds.

In addition, the center said 91 percent of kids' meals at America's major chains don’t meet the nutritional standards of the National Restaurant Association’s Kids LiveWell program.

 "One out of every three American children is overweight or obese, but it's as if the chain restaurant industry didn't get the memo," Margo G. Wootan, nutrition policy director for the center, said. "Most chains seem stuck in a time warp, serving up the same old meals based on chicken nuggets, burgers, macaroni and cheese, fries, and soda."

One chain with improvements is Subway, according to the report.

All eight of Subway restaurants' Fresh Fit for Kids meal combinations met the center’s nutrition criteria. Subway is the only restaurant chain that doesn’t offer sugar drinks as an option with its kids' meals, instead including low-fat milk or bottled water along with apple slices with all of its kid-sized subs.

To meet the center's nutrition criteria, kids' meals must not exceed: (1) 430 calories, (2) more than 35 percent of calories from fat, or (3) more than 10 percent of calories from saturated plus trans fat.

Meals that meet the center’s criteria can’t have more than 35 percent added sugars by weight or more than 770 milligrams of sodium. The criteria require meals to make a positive nutritional contribution either by providing at least half a serving of fruit or vegetable, including an item that is 51 percent or more whole grain, or including specified levels of vitamins or fiber.

The center’s criteria exclude sugar drinks in favor of water, juice, or low-fat milk. The association's standards are similar, though they allow more calories.

Some of the least healthy kids' meals available at chain restaurants include:

• Applebee's Grilled Cheese on Sourdough with Fries and 2 Percent Chocolate Milk.

•  Denny's Jr. Cheeseburger and French Fries.

• Dairy Queen's Chicken Strips, Kids' Fries, Sauce, Arctic Rush (a Slushee-type frozen drink), and Dilly Bar.

At 19 chains, none of the possible combination of the items offered for children met the center's nutrition standards. At nine of the 19 chains, including McDonald's, Popeye's, Chipotle, and Hardee's, no meals met the associations Kids LiveWell standards.

At Wendy's, only 5 percent of 40 possible kids' meals met the center’s standards – most items were too high either in sodium or saturated fat; at Burger King, only 20 percent of the 15 possible kids' meals met the center’s criteria. At both of those chains, the same low percentages of possible meal combinations met the association's Kids LiveWell standards.

The center’s last review of the nutritional quality of kids' meals at chain restaurants was in 2008. Overall, chains have made little progress since then.

The center’s report recommends that companies:

• Participate in the association's Kids LiveWell program, and reformulate their kids' meals to meet those standards.  

• Offer more fruit and vegetable options, and make those, rather than French fries, the default sides.

• Offer more whole grains and remove soda or other sugar drinks from kids' menus.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Watch out for diet and fitness cons in the New Year

As consumers ring in the New Year, many make resolutions to improve their health in 2013. If you are one of these, the Better Business Bureau warns to beware of ads promising quick and easy ways to lose weight. Doctors, dietitians, and other weight loss specialists agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat less and increase your physical activity.

In 2012, BBBs nationwide received more than 13,000 complaints about the health and fitness industry. This includes health clubs, health and diet products, and exercise equipment. Consumers have complained about deceptive advertising, ineffective products, and confusing or misleading contracts.

For consumers looking to lose weight this year, the BBB offers the following advice:

• Consult a physician. Before starting any weight loss program, visit your family doctor to discuss your overall health and safe and effective weight loss programs.

• Do research. Always check out fitness clubs, websites, and other health-related companies with the BBB by visiting www.bbb.org.

• Read contracts carefully. When signing up for recurring memberships, such as at a gym or weight control program, be sure to understand all the terms and conditions before signing. Make sure you know how to cancel and whether or not your membership is automatically renewed at the end of the contract.

• Be wary of free trials. Know when the free trial begins and ends and whether or not you have to call to cancel in order to avoid future charges. Be clear on how much you’ll be charged if you don’t cancel and whether or not you have to return any unused product.

• Avoid unproven products. Fad diets and new products are advertised every year that promise amazing results. Many such claims aren’t supported by evidence and some products have dangerous side effects.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be wary of claims that a product can shed pounds without dieting or exercise or programs that promise unusually good results.

Best wishes on finding a weight loss plan that works for you. It can be done. More than a dozen of my friends have been able to lose weight and keep it off.

Copyright 2013, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

USDA awards $4.5 million in grants to increase local food in schools

I applaud the U.S. Department of Agriculture awarding more than $4.5 million in grants in 37 states and the District of Columbia for connecting school cafeterias with local agricultural producers.

When I was growing up in Central Washington’s apple country, it always seemed wrong that apples in the stores were expensive and came from somewhere else.

It’s important, especially with climate change and diminishing energy resources, to get as much of our food as we can locally.

The federal emphasis on connecting local farmers and school cafeteria programs is important because, when schools buy from local farms, jobs are created and the economy benefits. In addition, energy costs for transporting food are reduced.

And, when school kids understand more about where food comes from and how it’s grown, they’re more likely to make healthy eating choices, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan said in a statement.

The 68 grants, the first USDA Farm to School grants, will help schools use locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes.

The grants will be used in more than 3,200 schools that have an enrollment of 1.75 million students. Nearly half of these students live in rural areas.

Examples of some of the projects include:

• Lawrence County District in Walnut Ridge, Ark., is using grant funds to coordinate efforts with other school districts to combine buying power and attract new producers to school food service.

• Weld County School District 6 in Greeley, Colo., will expand kitchen facilities to serve local products year-round through processing and freezing techniques.

• Des Moines Municipal Schools in New Mexico will receive grant funding to increase the types of products it buys from local vendors. Local cattle farmers already supply the school district with 100 percent locally produced beef. The USDA grant funds will be used to develop contacts with local fruit and vegetable producers so a full meal of locally sourced products can be served.

A list of awards for fiscal year 2013 is available at http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/F2S/pdf/F2S_Grants-FY2013.pdf.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Celebrate Food Day today by taking action for better food and food policies

Today is Food Day, the nationwide celebration for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.

Food Day offers events consumers can take part in such as those focusing on health, sustainable agriculture, farmworker justice, and animal welfare.

It’s coordinated by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, a consumer advocacy group, with an advisory board of food movement leaders.

Events are being offered in all 50 states. To fine one, check out the details on the map at FoodDay.org.

Among the events

Future of Food: 2050, Washington, D.C., 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Mott Haven Academy Rooftop Garden Opening, New York, N.Y., 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Eat Real at Foley Square, New York, N.Y., 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Savannah Food Day Festival, Savannah, Ga., Sunday, October 28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Denver Botanic Gardens Food Day, Denver, Colo., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Los Angeles Food Policy Council, Los Angeles, Calif., 9 a.m.

Food Days at Babson College, Wellesley, Mass., noon to 4 p.m.

Online events

Eat Real Quiz.

Film Premiere.

Twitter Conference.

More events are listed at FoodDay.org.

Food Day seeks to motivate Americans to change their diets for the better and to take action for improved food policies, the center said in a statement.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Action on smaller soft drink containers and school lunches are important steps in fighting obesity

After writing a number of posts about how voluntary programs by the food industry aren’t enough to curb high obesity rates in American, it was good to see two government actions to improve the food we eat.

The New York City Board of Health voted to cap at 16 ounces the size of soda served at restaurants and other food vendors regulated by the city.

Since soda and other sugary drinks are the largest source of calories in the diet in this country, the action will help reduce the obesity and the health problems it causes, the Center for Science in the Public Interest said in a statement.

Another positive government action is the requirement that school children will get twice the amount of vegetables and fruits in their meals, as well as more whole grains and less salt and unhealthy fats.

Health and education groups, including the center, have praised the updated school meal standards, unveiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in January. The standards set calorie maximums for the first time and lower calorie minimums to make sure that school meals address obesity, as well as hunger, the center said in a statement.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

What are the most fattening foods for fall?

When the temperature starts to go down, many people turn to rich fall foods such as those served for football games, hayrides, and fireside meals.

While fall foods can be comforting, it only takes an extra 100 calories a day to put on 10 pounds a year.

Registered dietician Felicia Stoler, Ph.D., author of the book “Living Skinny in Fat Genes: The Healthy Way to Lose Weight and Feel Great,” offers this list of the most fattening foods of fall:

• Halloween candy. Long before Halloween arrives, bowls of candy bars appear frequently at the office.

• Tailgating buffets. Chips, guacamole, ribs, burgers, and beer. This one day of overeating can ruin a whole week’s worth of conscious eating.

• Cream soups and hearty stews. Beware of cream of baked potato and broccoli cheese soups and beef stroganoff. Warm soups and stews may feel nutritious, but if they’re loaded with cream, cheese, or meat, they are also loaded with calories.

• Root vegetables. While many are super-nutritious, root vegetables can quadruple in calories when you cream them, fry them, or mix them with cheese, cream, butter, canned soups, or crispy bacon. A sweet potato casserole can easily have 500 calories per serving – 400 more than a plain roasted sweet potato. 

• Seasonal beverages. Hot toddies, along with hot chocolate, pumpkin-spice lattes, eggnog, and apple cider, are a quick way to take in lots of extra calories. A 16-oz. Starbuck’s pumpkin spice latte with 2 percent milk and whipped cream is 380 calories, while the same size caramel apple cider has 410 calories.

• Apple, pecan, and sweet potato pies. These fall favorites start with healthy ingredients such as heart-healthy nuts or antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. However, they also include high-calorie ingredients such as piecrusts, sweet fillings, and whipped cream or ice cream topping.

• Macaroni and cheese. It's a favorite comfort food for kids and adults, but it can wreck your diet. In addition, many recipes call for extra ingredients such as high-fat meats or sausage. 

To cut calories, eliminate these items or only eat small portions. Concentrate on fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, meatless meals, and skipping desserts instead.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

How will trends in aging, such as increasing housing costs and rates of diabetes, affect your aging?

By Rita R. Robison

The baby boomers are coming.

It’s no secret that the increasing number of boomers is changing everything about retirement.

While boomers are looking at new ways to retire and government agencies and the health care industry are struggling to get ready, some trends are worth looking at as we make plans for a workable and graceful retirement.

Today, older Americans enjoy longer lives and better physical function than did previous generations. However, for some, an increased burden in housing costs and rising obesity may compromise these gains.

These are the findings of a federal report, “Older Americans 2012: Key Indicators of Well-Being,” which tracks trends to see how older people are faring as the U.S. population grows older.

The reports points out what we already know. As boomers age, there will be many more older adults:

In 2010, 40 million people age 65 and older make up 13 percent of the population in the United States.

In 2030, the number and proportion of older Americans is expected to grow significantly – to 72 million, about 20 percent of the population.

In the report, 37 key indicators are grouped into five categories – population, economics, health status, health risks and behaviors, and health care. The Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics prepared the report.

Trends in the report predict what’s in store for boomers:

• More older women work – It’s likely that more boomer women will be working in “retirement.” Some older Americans work for economic reasons. Others like the social contact, intellectual challenges, or sense of value that work provides. The report shows that the number of older women in the labor force has increased significantly over the past 40 years. In 1963, 29 percent of women aged 62-64 worked outside the home. In 2011, it increased to 45 percent. In 1963, 17 percent of women aged 65-69 were in the labor force. In 2011, it increased to 27 percent. For women 70 and older, 6 percent worked in 1963, increasing to 8 percent in 2011.

• Slight declines in poverty, increases in income for some since 1974 – Some boomers may have more money in retirement than their parents. The report indicates that older Americans are in better economic shape now than they were in 1974. Between 1974 and 2010, the proportion of older people with income below the poverty thresholds – less than $10,458 in 2010 for a person 65 and older – fell from 15 percent to 9 percent. The percentage with low income – between $10,458 and $20,916 in 2010 for people 65 and older – dropped from 35 percent to 26 percent. Gains also were seen in income over the period, as the proportion of people 65 and older with high income – $41,832 and above in 2010 – rose from 18 percent to 31 percent.

• Increased housing problems – Boomers may have problems meeting housing costs. The report shows the most significant issue for older adults is housing costs, which has been steadily increasing. In 1985, about 30 percent of households with householders or spouses age 65 and over spent more than 30 percent of their income on housing and utilities. By 2009, the proportion of older people with high housing costs reached 40 percent. For some multigenerational households, crowded housing is also fairly common.

• Rising rates of obesity – Obese boomers are likely to have more health problems and earlier deaths. The report points out that obesity, a major cause of preventable disease and premature death, is increasing among older people. In 2009-2010, 38 percent of people age 65 and over were obese, compared with 22 percent in 1988-1994. In 2009-2010, 44 percent of people age 65-74 were obese, as were 29 percent of those age 75 and older.

• More use of hospice – Boomers are more likely to be using hospice services. The report indicates the percentage of older people who received hospice care in the last 30 days of life increased from 19 percent in 1999 to 43 percent in 2009. The percentage of older Americans who died in hospitals dropped from 49 percent in 1999 to 32 percent in 2009. The percentage who died at home increased from 15 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2009.

So, while government agencies and the health care industry need to step up their efforts to be ready for boomers, boomers, too, need to accurately access their retirement needs and increase their efforts to be ready financially and emotionally.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

This week’s Blogging Boomer Carnival offers information on hospital safety, weight loss, adult children, and fresh produce from local farmers’ markets

By Rita R. Robison

This week, I’m hosting the Blogging Boomer Carnival #267.

The Blogging Boomer Carnival is a collection of like-minded blogs cooperating to share their best stories of interest to the Baby Boomer Generation.

On Thursday, I wrote about a first-time safety report by Consumer Reports which showed that more than half of the 1,159 hospitals in 44 states that were analyzed received a score below 50 on a scale of 1-100.

The low-score results included some well-known hospitals such as Massachusetts General Hospital, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and Cleveland Clinic.

Consumer Reports rated the hospital in its August issue and online at www.ConsumerReports.org.

Laura Lee Carter, the Mid-Life Crisis Queen, has been thinking a lot about healthy aging lately. That's why she recently wrote a book: “How I Lost 55 Pounds at Age 55: This Isn’t Brain Surgery, But May Require Some Serious Soul Surgery.”

See the Mid-Life Crisis Queen’s blog to learn more about her book.

Anne Maxfield says if it's too darn hot, how about a cool carrot salad to take advantage of those farmers’ market carrots? The Accidental Locavore shares an easy and versatile carrot salad recipe.

John Agno, blogging at SoBabyBoomer, says when the time comes for your child to make that leap out of the nest, you need to welcome this transition.

“It's a natural, positive step for the adult child to find a place in the world,” Agno said. “’In the world,’ means outside of your house and your shared life, away from you.”

And, as for Tom Sightings, see if you can figure out who he's profiling in the new installment of Remember Him?, the series that looks back at some our favorite baby boomer icons.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are America’s largest age group so far, and a dynamic group they are.

Boomers are leading corporations, serving as governmental officials, heading up non-profits, worrying about retirement, and experiencing layoffs at a higher rate than younger workers. They’re also reinventing themselves in trying economic times, with some looking for their dream jobs to keep them happy in retirement.

At each stage in their lives, boomers have changed things. They’re continuing to make America different as they begin entering into their retirement years.

In addition to The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide, members of the Blogging Boomer Carnival are: The Accidental Locavore, The Midlife Crisis Queen, Sightings at 60, and Arabian Tales and Other Amazing Adventures.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Blogging Boomer Carnival #261: Read about veterans, weight loss, hepatitis C testing, investments, part-time work, and food storage

By Rita R. Robison

This week’s Blogging Boomer Carnival is hosted by Vaboomer.com.

Take a look at the weekly roundup of boomer articles on a variety of topics including remembering veterans, losing weight, testing for hepatitis C, investing, working part time, and solving food storage problems.

Baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964, are America’s largest age group so far, and a fascinating group they are.

Boomers are leading corporations, serving as governmental officials, heading up non-profits, worrying about retirement, and experiencing layoffs at a higher rate than younger workers. They’re also reinventing themselves in trying economic times, with some looking for their dream jobs to keep them happy in retirement.

At each stage in their lives, boomers have changed things. They’re continuing to make America different as they begin entering into their retirement years.

In addition to The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide, members of the Blogging Boomer Carnival are: The Accidental Locavore, The Midlife Crisis Queen, Sightings at 60, Arabian Tales and Other Amazing Adventures, So Baby Boomer, Vaboomer, Empty House Full Mind, and Witty Woman Writing.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist

Carcinogens found in regular and diet Coke and Pepsi, consumer group says

Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, and Diet Pepsi contain high levels of 4-methylimidazole or 4-MI, a known animal carcinogen, a new chemical analyses has found.

The carcinogen forms when ammonia or ammonia and sulfites are used to manufacture the “caramel coloring” that gives these sodas their brown colors, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the consumer advocacy group that commissioned the tests.

The center petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban ammonia-sulfite caramel coloring in February 2011.

This week, the center again asked the FDA to revoke its authorization for caramel colorings that contain 4-MI, and to change the name of the additive to “ammonia-sulfite process caramel coloring” or “chemically modified caramel coloring” for labeling purposes.

“Coke and Pepsi, with the acquiescence of the FDA, are needlessly exposing millions of Americans to a chemical that causes cancer,” Michael F. Jacobson, center executive director, said in a statement.

“The coloring is completely cosmetic, adding nothing to the flavor of the product,” Jacobson said. “If companies can make brown food coloring that is carcinogen-free, the industry should use that. And industry seems to be moving in that direction. Otherwise, the FDA needs to protect consumers from this risk by banning the coloring.”

The center collected samples of Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, Diet Coke, Diet Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper, and Whole Foods 365 Cola from Washington, D.C.-area stores:

• Pepsi’s products had 145 to 153 micrograms (mcg) of 4-MI in two 12-ounce cans.
• Regular Coca-Cola had 142 mcg per 12 ounces in one sample and 146 mcg in another.
• Diet Coke had 103 mcg per 12 ounces in one sample and 113 mcg in another.

California has a 29-microgram benchmark for 4-MI. Levels above that in a serving of food or beverage may be required to bear a warning notice. Based on California’s risk model, the center estimates that the 4-MI in the Coke and Pepsi products tested is causing about 15,000 cancers in the U.S. population.

While federal law bans food additives that cause any number of cancers, the FDA has an exception for contaminants of food additives. It tolerates a lifetime risk of one cancer in one million people.

Three of four samples of Dr Pepper or Diet Dr Pepper that center tested had low levels of 4-MI, with about 10 mcg per 12 ounces. But even those levels pose a cancer risk of seven in one million – seven times greater than what the FDA allows, according to the center. The lower levels in those three samples indicate that it’s possible to lower, if not eliminate, the amount of 4-MI.

Pepsi told the center that it has switched to a coloring in California that contains much less 4-MI and plans to do the same in the rest of the country, Jacobson said.

When most people see “caramel coloring” on food labels, they likely assume the ingredient is similar to what you might get by gently melting sugar in a saucepan, he said.

“The reality is quite different,” Jacobson added. “Colorings made with the ammonia or ammonia-sulfite process contain carcinogens and don’t belong in the food supply. In any event, they shouldn’t be obscured by such an innocuous-sounding name as ‘caramel coloring.’”

While the test results are troubling, the center says soda drinkers should be much more concerned about the high-fructose corn syrup or other sugars used in soft drinks. Soda drinkers are much more likely than non-soda drinkers to develop weight gain, obesity, diabetes, and other health problems.

Copyright 2012, Rita R. Robison, Consumer Specialist