Nutrition?????

Today in class we discussed nutrition. Then I went to Hardees! I did eat a roast beef with no fries - felt too guilty to go for the 1/2 pound thick burger with large fries. What are we busy people to do? We could bring lunch but bringing leftovers would mean cooking in order to have leftovers. TV dinners (especially the ones designed for losing weight) are much healthier than in the past and they work.

There are a few good nutritious choices at the fast food places. Sandwiches and salads are great but some of us want something hot - especially in the winter. Besides them, there are bean burritos (which you can get al Fresco at Taco Bell instead of with cheese), and Wendy's chili or baked potato (or both). I wish Hardees or Wendys had steamed broccoli or baked sweet potatoes.

Of course, there is the vending-machine food pyramid. You have to have one of each food group - yellow package, red package, brown package and green package. Pick clear or green bottle to go with.

If you were not aware, there is a new food pyramid. My students last year created a nutrition website. You can access it at http://www-instruct.nmu.edu/education/clowe and click on "Nutrition for Teens" at the bottom of the page. The new food pyramid is discussed and compared to the old one on the page labeled "food pyramid" and it contains a link to the USDA official food pyramid site. There is even a place for kids on the USDA site.