What would you like with your bowl of ice cream? How about some fiber, antioxidants, or probiotics? Scientists are trying to turn ice cream into a functional food with these ingredients. While functional foods are very popular right now, personally, I’d rather just have a little bit of the plain stuff – ice cream or other foods – than the nutritionally “forced” versions. How about you?

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It may be a no-brainer that most kids’ cereals have more sugar than adults’, but wow – 85 percent more?! That’s what a new study from Yale University finds. It also shows kids’ cereals have 65 percent less fiber and 60 percent more sodium than those made for adults. Last year, Consumer Reports found some popular children’s cereals have as much sugar as a glazed donut.

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Hi there! I am on vacation in the beautiful Pacific Northwest this week, but I wanted to leave you with some Food for Thought:

For creative ways to add fiber to your diet, watch this video!

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By the end of 2010, about 80 percent of Kellogg cereals, including kid favorites like Froot Loops and Apple Jacks, will have at least three grams of fiber per serving, according to an article in USA Today. Of course, fiber is good for us and many Americans don’t get nearly enough. But critics say adding fiber alone won’t make a product healthier. I say, read the label on the back to know all the ingredients you’re getting.

What do you think?

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Have you tried Starbucks’ new Vivanno Nourishing Blends yet? I just tasted one this weekend and I will definitely be going back for more. They’re basically smoothies packed with protein and fiber… without any artificial colors, artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn syrup – yay!

They come in two flavors – Orange Mango Banana and Banana Chocolate (I tried the chocolate one). Here’s what you get in each:

Orange Mango Banana Blend
A banana, Naked® Juice, whey protein and fiber powder, your choice of milk, and ice. The nutrition info for a 16 ounce serving made with 2% milk is: 250 calories, 2 grams of fat, 47 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 16 grams of protein.

Banana Chocolate Blend
A banana, bittersweet cocoa, whey protein and fiber powder, your choice of milk, and ice. The nutrition info for a 16 ounce serving made with 2% milk is: 270 calories, 5 grams of fat, 44 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 21 grams of protein.

If you’re trying to cut calories and fat, you can order one with nonfat milk, of course. And if you need that caffeine kick, get yours with a shot of espresso.

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Seriously, I love saving money and I’m always on the lookout for Kashi coupons. But an even better find – free Kashi granola. Yep, Kashi is giving away free samples of its new Mountain Medley blend.

The description I found on the company’s website sounds yummy: “Mountain Medley will remind you of your favorite trail mix. Toasted seven whole grain clusters are mixed with: a touch of honey and maple; chewy cranberries and raisins; crunchy almonds and pecans; and delicious sunflower seeds and coconut flakes.”

A one-half cup serving has 220 calories, 6 grams of fiber, and 6 grams of protein.

I’m a big fan of Kashi’s concept – no refined sugars, artificial additives, or preservatives. The products are filled with fiber, protein, and whole grains… plus they are tasty.

You can get your free sample of Kashi granola here until May 18, 2008. With the high costs of groceries lately, this is a nice treat. Enjoy!

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Whole wheat vs. whole grain foods – do you know the difference? With so many of both on store shelves these days, it can be a lot easier to get your fiber and eat healthier foods. But it can also be confusing to know what to choose. Several FatFighterTV members have asked me which is better. To get some expert answers, I went to Tara Gidus, RD, Spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

FatFighterTV: Okay, whole wheat vs. whole grain – what is the difference?

Tara Gidus, RD: Wheat is a type of grain. Other grains that can be considered to be whole grain are brown rice, barley, buckwheat, quinoa, corn, oats, rye, teff, triticale, millet, amaranth, sorghum, and wild rice. Wheat can come in the form of spelt, bulgur, wheatberries, and faro.

FFTV: Is one better for you than the other?

TG: Many products that say whole grain may have a mix of any of the above whole grains or they may just have one, like whole grain oats. Different grains have different nutritional profiles, but all whole grains are nutrient dense with plenty of complex carbs, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Multigrain just means there are a few different grains in the product, but that does not necessarily mean any of the them are whole grain.

FFTV: What should consumers look for to help them make the best choice?

TG: Consumers should choose anything that says whole grain. Read labels carefully. Something that says “made with whole grain” usually means made with very little. I look for 100% whole grain or if the first ingredient is whole wheat flour. If it says wheat flour that means it is refined flour, not whole wheat. Consumers need to be familiar with which grains are whole grain and look for those as ingredients. The Whole Grain Council also has a stamp that they put on whole grain products, so people can look for that whole grain stamp on the packages of whole grain products.

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So there you have it – that should make us all better-informed whole wheat/whole grain shoppers. Thanks, Tara!

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I’m always looking for ways to get more fiber in my diet. So when I saw the new Fiber One Yogurt at the grocery store, it seemed like just the right combo for me.

Since yogurt doesn’t have any fiber on its own, I usually add granola, nuts, or whole-grain cereal to it to help reach my daily goal. Fiber One Yogurt gets its fiber – 5 grams in each 4-ounce serving – from inulin. Inulin? What’s that, you ask? Even if you haven’t heard of it, you’ve probably been eating it for years. It’s a dietary fiber naturally found in lots of common plant foods like artichokes, wheat, and bananas. It’s also in chicory root, which is specifically being used more and more as a source of inulin in processed foods. Check your labels (look for ‘chicory root’ or ‘inulin’) – you might be surprised. I was!

So, how does Fiber One Yogurt taste? I just tried the Strawberry flavor and really liked it. It’s fruity, smooth, and creamy – you wouldn’t even know there was fiber in it. It also comes in Peach, Vanilla, and Key Lime Pie.

Some other things you might want to know: each serving has 80 calories, which kind of seems like a lot to me for just 4-ounces. And it does contain sugar… by way of ‘high fructose corn syrup’, so keep that in mind if added sugar is something you’re trying to avoid. On the plus side, it has 20% of the Daily Value of fiber.

Here’s a look at Fiber One Yogurt’s nutrition label so you know exactly what you’re getting:

If Fiber One Yogurt is something you want to try, click here for a coupon to save $1.25 – it costs $3.29 for a six-pack. Let me know what you think of it!

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As I continue to detox from all the calories I had over the holidays, I am getting back to my healthy eating routine which includes lots of fiber. It takes some effort to get enough, but it’s definitely worth it.

Fiber helps with digestion and adds bulk to your diet which can help control your weight. It can also help to prevent heart disease and some cancers, as well as help control diabetes.

Fiber fan, June Lehmann, is a believer. She switched to whole wheat bread, eats fiber at every meal, and has one more strategy.

“I try to eat nuts before a meal – before lunch and dinner – because they do say that will curb your appetite,” explains Lehmann.

Fiber may help you lose weight because you will feel fuller longer. The Institute of Medicine recommends you get between 21-38 grams a day, depending on your age and gender. Basically, you should have 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you have each day.

Here are 10 tips to help you boost your fiber intake:

• Eat lots of fruits and veggies
• Choose brown rice over white
• Eat whole grain pasta, bread, and cereal
• Sprinkle granola on yogurt
• Add beans to soups
• Top cereal with fruit or nuts
• Add bran or oatmeal to casseroles
• Use ground flaxseeds in baked goods
• Choose whole fruit more often than juice
• Substitute legumes for meat in chili and soups

If you really want to keep track of how much you’re getting, try writing down what you eat along with the fiber content. That’s always an eye opener for me. You may be surprised to find you need to add much more fiber to your diet. The average American only gets 15 grams a day.

See the video here

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