This past weekend was my daughter’s school’s Spring Carnival, so I headed up an exciting new booth called the Healthy Kids Challenge. In it the children go through three fun stations: Play, Eat and Think.

1) Play (for 2 minutes)We set up an area with hop scotch, hula hoop, jump rope and we timed the children as they played for 2 minutes straight

2) Eat (the rainbow)

We set out fruits and vegetables in every hue of the rainbow, which we had cut and prepped the day before. The challenge was for the children to at least taste one food of each color. Our local Whole Foods generously donated all the produce (Thanks Whole Foods!). So not only did the children learn about health and have fun with it, we were able to raise important funds for the PTA.

3) Think (about health)

We wrote up a series of question to test the children’s knowledge about healthy living. As the final leg of the challenge each child picked, and had to answer, a question out of a fishbowl.

After completing the challenge the children were awarded tickets redeemable for prizes. The feedback we got was incredible—-both the children and the parents loved it and said they wish there were more things like it at other school fairs.

Wouldn’t it be great if this Healthy Kids Challenge were as common as cotton candy machines at school carnivals? We can make it happen! If you are interested in running one at your local school I would be happy to pass the supply list and other materials on to you. Just email me at info@elliekrieger.com. All I ask in return is that you let me know how it went and send a photo or two!

Starting June 1^st you can watch my show, Healthy Appetite, Monday through Friday at 9:30 am (8:30 central) on the new Cooking Channel!

Cooking Channel, which launches on May 31^st, is the newest network from Scripps Networks Interactive, which also manages Food Network, HGTV, DIY Network, Travel Channel, and GAC. Cooking Channel caters to passionate food lovers like us by focusing on a richer variety of food information and cooking styles, a broad diversity of cultures, lifestyles and cuisines, and a deeper dive into cooking instruction and food information. It’s an exciting, fresh and intelligent new food channel that I am excited to be a part of.  For more information go to www.cookingchanneltv.com.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart for geeky science types. It’s most likely rooted in my close relationship with my grandpa Burt, who was an engineer with an analytical mind and the highest standards of excellence, standards that really rubbed off on me. I could feel my grandpa’s pride in me last week as I accepted the 2010 Nutrition Science Media Award from the American Society of Nutrition “for consistent, accurate nutrition science reporting…”

I have to say, all that accuracy can be challenging in this media environment. You see, science is evolutionary- knowledge unfolds gradually and a body of work is necessary to get a genuine understanding of an issue. But the media demands revolutionary- it wants the latest, hottest, newest, most profound, life-altering idea daily. I work hard find the place where the two meet, presenting sound information in interesting and fresh media-friendly ways. What an honor to be recognized for my work by the premier nutritional scientists (a.k.a. geeky science types) whom I regard so highly.

 You should have seen the look of shock on my face when, standing at the food case at Starbucks, I first saw the number of calories in a seemingly sensible sized slice of their banana bread. 490! Yes, folks 4, 9- oh. About a third of my daily needs.

The calories were posted boldly and conveniently right next to the price, thanks to a program in NYC that requires calories to be posted on menus in restaurants with 15 or more locations.  I had an inkling that tasty treat was high in calories but seeing the number right there at my decision making moment swayed me away from it. I wondered if it were doing the same for others. As it turns out, it does. A new study of purchases at Starbucks from before and after the calorie postings found that people who previously bought 250 calories or more decreased the calories they purchased by 26%. That saves anywhere from 65 to hundreds of calories a day.

As you may know I am not an eat-by-numbers person. I would rather focus on eating wholesome food and leaving the table when I am not quite full. But having the numbers front and center when buying food can help us manage our calorie “budgets” just as the price helps us make financial decisions. When you eat out, you don’t get to see the ingredient list or get real perspective on portions so having that number can be a very useful tool. So far, only a handful of cities require calorie posting on menus.   But I think it’s a good thing and hope more eventually will.

My guess is this transparency will ultimately lead to more calorie friendly options. I see Starbucks is heeding that call.  That fateful day I opted for the delicious Blueberry Oat Bar for 250 calories (half that of the Banana Walnut Bread). Knowledge sure is power. Some other sweet Starbucks picks include:

Petite Vanilla Bean Scone: 140 calories

Mini Sparkle Doughnut: 120 calories

Marshmallow Dream Bar: 210 calories

Biscotti: 150 calories

Chocolate Covered Grahams: 150 calories