By Larry Blagg
The debate continues with the issuance of the new dietary guidelines, which are set to be released later this year. Are carbohydrates bad? Are whole grains good? Do we really need to eat more fruits and vegetables? Are all animal fats bad? And which course(s) of nutritional action will we take in the coming year to stem obesity and Type 2 diabetes?
As a food professional and a consumer, I feel the key to healthy living is to eat a balanced diet, with all food groups represented in moderation. Admittedly, I don’t always follow my own advice, but I do try.
The new dietary guidelines were the subject of many panel discussions at IFT (Institute of Food Technologists) events, ADA (American Dietetic Association) conferences and nutrition schools across the nation. We’re all concerned about how to provide healthy foods to our school children, and eating more whole grains, fruits and vegetables should rank at the top of everyone’s list as a good first step.
Here at the California Raisin Marketing Board, we think we’ve uncovered a pretty good idea, and introduce you to Lowry Martin from Have Your Cake and Eat It Too, based in Upper Marlboro, Md. Lowry has created a line of muffins for school nutrition programs that incorporate whole wheat and at least a full serving of fruit and/or vegetables to help kids get off to a healthy start each day. The muffins come in a 2-oz. size, which contains one serving of bread and one serving of fruits/vegetables, while the 4-oz. option delivers two servings of bread and fruits and vegetables.
Additionally, the varieties are amazing. It’s quite a kick to eat a muffin that tastes like Chocolate Covered Raisin, Spinashyayams, Squashalicious, O! Apple Zuchini, Squashyapinapples, Vanilla Yum and Yamzy, just to name a few.
Lowry recently shared a booth with the Fresno, Calif.-based California Raisin Marketing Board at the 64th National Conference of the School Nutrition Association in Dallas and she was quite pleased at the response she received to her products. Why? Because the muffins help to solve an ongoing problem and fit into the new dietary guidelines. To top it all off, the products are delicious, as her customers will attest on a daily basis.
Lowry’s products can be found in the Baltimore City schools and the Prince George’s County schools as well. Look for more great ideas from Lowry at www.haveurcaketoo.com, or at 240-441-6248.
It looks like I may have found a more appetizing way to meet my own dietary objectives!
Editor’s Note: Larry Blagg is senior vice president of marketing for Fresno, Calif.-based California Raisin Marketing Board, which sponsors the America’s Best Raisin Bread contest. The deadline registration for the competition is Aug. 23. Go to www.loveyourraisins.com to learn more about the contest.
