Balance of Food

Chicago wants breakfast for all kids but allergens and time stand in the way

School lunch gets the brunt of the attention when dealing with feeding kids during the day. But there are the breakfast programs as well as snack and sometimes dinner programs (as I learned recently).

Fewer kids usually qualify for breakfast than for lunch, and so the seating issues are often not as significant. But the Chicago Public Schools want to institute breakfast for all children, and the idea is running into a few problems.

The basic premise: make sure kids get a good breakfast. Everyone agrees on that. And the CPS will actually make money — $18.7 million annually on feeding all the kids, and in times where schools come up short on funding, this seems like a win-win.

There are two looming issues that has parents up in arms, and they are objecting to the new policy.

• One is allergens, an issue if the food is in the cafeteria, but cafeterias/gyms are cleaned after the lunch period, reducing the risks. Having potential allergens in the classroom all day is going to be a problem.
• Parents are also concerned that meal time is cutting into school learning. CPS has one of the shortest school days in the country.

The second problem is easy to solve: lengthen the school day, though that may not be as easy to do as it is easy to suggest.

The first problem is more extensive, especially given the limited options for breakfast food that wouldn't cause allergies.

There are certainly other issues, ranging from some kids getting a second breakfast to even more potential for wasted food.

The trivial answer would be to teach the kids a life lesson and have them eat at their desk during class, like their parents do at work. And that could solve the issues of several lunch periods by having kids eat lunch at their desks, too.

Okay, so that isn't serious, even if the solution is tempting.

The status quo is that kids go the cafeteria and eat their breakfast, if they qualify, before school and away from the classroom.

The parents who are complaining have good points, though the time issue should be an easy solution. But the idea of compulsory breakfast reduces the stigma of identifying breakfast kids as "poor."

Ideally, you wouldn't worry about the kids standing around in the cafeteria eating breakfast, regardless of whether they would qualify. But CPS would make less money if every kid doesn't take a breakfast.

The important thing is for kids to be nourished in the morning, at fullest capacity, to learn as much as you can. Whatever compromise is necessary — let's get it down.

Colbert looks at food shortages and 72-hour pastrami

In case you missed it last week, Colbert had two poignant takes on food. The most dramatic is the impact of food shortages on the world.

Laurie Garrett from the Council on Foreign Relations stopped by to discuss several factors in this crisis, including the use of food to create fuel and market speculators. Natural disasters and disease certainly have made their impact. Focusing on what humans can control will help reduce the problem.

And if you think the impact is on countries we may never visit, U.S. food prices are rising as well.

On a lighter note, Nathan Myhrvold was on Colbert to talk about his 6-volume "Modernist Cuisine" on molecular gastronomy. Colbert got to try 72-hour pastrami where he doesn't need teeth and pistachio ice cream that has no cream.

As much as Colbert eats and drinks on-camera, this was particularly fun because he wasn't sure how things would go if he ate it.

The "Colbert Report" airs Monday-Thursday nights at 11:30p on Comedy Central.

Podcast: Give children time before they start drinking soft drinks

This week's podcast deals with giving children time before they start drinking soft drinks.

To access the podcasts, check them out in the podcast library.

Podcast 032511

Fast food and food trucks: Jack in the Box plays homage

Food trucks are a mixed bag here at BalanceofFood.com.

There is an appreciation for bucking the bricks-and-mortar system, though we have too many empty buildings in this country. But when food deserts still exist, food trucks hit the neighborhoods that don't lack for choices.

So we enjoy the homage to food trucks by Jack in the Box.

Jack is launching the "Jack’s Munchie Mobile" — bringing its attitude and burgers, fries, and tacos to the street.

Now we have a fondness for Jack's snarky advertising campaigns over the years. (Full disclosure: I wrote a story on Jack's comeback for Marketing News in 1995.)

The Jack trucks aren't going to the food deserts; the target is young adults in popular spots looking for a late-night treat. Besides, the food deserts have plenty of fast food choices.

And there is a certain charm to having a fast food restaurant on the streets taking advantage of the food truck movement. People complain about the Monster Burgers, Baconators, and the Double Down and the extremes of fast food, but this is all a backlash against the rising quality food movement. Jack in the Box having a food truck fits in well with this plan. If you have two food trucks side-by-side, you likely won't choose the Jack truck, and even Jack in the Box knows this.

But if food trucks are good for those in food-plenty neighborhoods who appreciate what they do, then they are good for drunk people wanting a late-night taco.

Still waiting for a way to get food trucks to sell fruits, vegetables, and other quality treats in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Jamie Oliver, part deux: Still better than most TV food reality shows

Are you ready for Jamie Oliver, part II?

If you have ignored all the bad and odd press that Jamie Oliver has had from his Los Angeles experience, you might not be as excited.

But you have to figure that the show, no matter how good or bad it is, will still be better for the cause than "Shedding for the Wedding."

After "Village on a Diet," Jillian Michaels yelling at people, and the umpteenth incarnation of "The Biggest Loser," we're ready for Oliver's antics once again.

Season Two can't be as good as Season One, and maybe it doesn't have to be as good. And if we have plenty of battles over flavored milk, Season Two will be worthwhile.

We would like to see some improvements: no commercials within the show, less pouting and emotional reactions — more help, less hype.

ABC is showing this on Tuesdays, well, at least, the debut is on Tuesday, so the network thinks there will be more entertainment value. Season One ran on Fridays, one of the two nights where TV viewing is down.

More entertainment value might be good for ABC, but not necessarily the viewer trying to learn something.

When Jamie Oliver engineered the revolution in England, the revolution wasn't televised. Americans need the revolution to be televised, but the more that the show is about nutrition and food, the better off we will be.

We will have our usual set of updates for the show. And we will scream if we see Oliver hawking a particular brand of frozen veggies. The revolution will be televised, but here at BalanceofFood.com, we will make sure that the revolution follows certain basic standards.

Podcast: Making blueberry season last as long as possible

This week's podcast deals with making blueberry season last as long as possible.

To access the podcasts, check them out in the podcast library.

 Podcast 031811

You can be smart about March Madness, St. Patrick's Day, great food and drink temptations

Today is the odd combination of St. Patrick's Day and the opening day (for all practical purposes) of March Madness.

So this combo will lead to a lot of consumption of food and drink. Admittedly, there might be less bar action since people can watch all the games on various channels. Previously, you had to hope your CBS station would carry the game you wanted. But the bars will still see a lot of action.

We aren't going to suggest you abstain or even starve yourself. Enjoy the chance to root for your team. After all, by Sunday night, there will only be 16 teams left.

But here are some tips to consider if watching the game from the bar.

-- Eat better on March 16 and 18. Too late for the day before, but if your team is playing on Thursday, eat well on Friday. And vice versa if your team plays on Friday.

-- Drink at a casual rate. If you are going to watch several games, pace yourself. Vodka with fruit juice is a decently healthy drink.

-- Think turkey burgers and sweet potato fries. Eat the lettuce and tomato with your sandwich.

-- Drink lots of water.

Your calorie intake will likely be on the rise. Eating cabbage in the traditional corned beef and cabbage will also help, even if your fellow bar mates might disagree.

Enjoy the games. Hope your team wins. Play it smart, and you can have fun while being good.

Food stockpiling can save money, but only if you eat what you buy

As part of my early spring cleaning, I have discovered elements of food hoarding.

This isn't a disease, but it can get out of hand. (If you haven't seen this week's "The Simpsons," look at the episode for examples of hoarding extremes.)

American store shelves are filled with shelf-stable items, so the temptation to overbuy is there. As food prices rise, this temptation becomes stronger since the 6th can of tomato puree may have been cheaper than a can you would buy today in the store.

Winter time is a great time to hoard food, so you aren't going out in a blizzard for something you easily could have bought in November.

However — but — you need to be cautious of expiration dates, freezer burn, and forgetfulness. Put food in your refrigerator and freezer(s), but know what you got, how long it has been in there, and eat what you have.

Saving money only works if you consume what you buy.

When I get a chance to explore my friend's place, I plan to report on the habits of a significant food hoarder. I need more time (and her permission) to take a full look into her freezer. I did get a quick peek; the freezer is packed.

Besides the obvious hoarding problems and waste, packing your freezer affects the temperature of the food in the freezer. Too much of a good thing isn't so good.

Eat the real peanut butter, even if you have to stir things up

Say it with me, "The real thing is better than the fake stuff."

We could be talking about a number of things, some food-related and some non-food-related. But today, the subject is peanut butter.

I was not a typical kid in many ways, but in one particular way: did not like peanut butter. So I couldn't tell you what was in peanut butter as a child, because I ate so little.

When I tried natural peanut butter as an adult, I discovered that it was okay. Not great, but certainly rather good. Sure, the extra stirring is annoying, but worthwhile, given the taste improvement.

So I was sufficiently horrified to read Tom Philpott's take from Grist.org about what Skippy does to make its peanut butter "reduced fat."

This isn't to say that Skippy is the only company to do this, but the reduced-fat peanut butter is a problem, regardless of which company makes it.

Peanut butter is fat, ideally fat from peanuts. Some fats are better for you than others: avocado, olive oil. So fat is part of the deal. And we need fat.

Philpott points out that a natural peanut butter has 190 calories per two-tablespoon serving and 15 grams of fat, the "reduced fat" product has 180 calories per two-tablespoon serving and 12 grams of fat. Unless you are eating it out of the jar with a spoon as if it were ice cream, the difference isn't worth it.

The reduced-fat peanut butter adds sweet (corn syrup solids and sugar), salt, vegetable oils, and other type stuff. The natural peanut butter has peanuts and salt. Which one is more yummy?

If you grew up with peanut butter, stirring it might blow your mind — the oils are there so you don't have to stir it. I didn't, so I don't really care. But you might. And if you do, get your kid or significant other to stir it for you. And if you live alone, close your eyes as you do it.

Don't be afraid of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. You shouldn't be afraid of any food, even the ones that add no or few little nutrition. But if you are afraid, don't be scared of the natural sources of fat, carbohydrates, and protein. If you eat a sensible amount of the regular peanut butter, you will be better off in every respect than if you eat more of the "reduced fat" peanut butter.

And this doesn't even factor in the salmonella taint that started this discussion in the first place.

Podcast: New and old ways to fight childhood obesity

This week's podcast deals with new and old ways to fight childhood obesity.

To access the podcasts, check them out in the podcast library.

Podcast 031111