After my studies yesterday, I met a few classmates at the local bowling alley. (my peers force me to be social once a month and it darn near kills me, just saying....)
I have not been to 'the lanes' in a very long time and I have not been since I became passionate about all of this labeling stuff and access to healthy foods.
I noticed a few things during my 2 hours there. A sort of subculture exists among the bowlers. I remember this from my childhood. My parents were on a league and once a week or so, I would go with them and run and play and eat french fries and candy along with other kids whose parents were bowling. Everyone was smoking, drinking and having fun. Now the smoking is outside. (right in front of the doors - I might add)
I saw several leagues in play last night and lots of elementary school aged children running, laughing, playing, eating. I thought about being a parent, coming after work for my league and what I might feed my children. No outside food or beverage is allowed. I went to the food area and reviewed the menu. There was not ONE single thing that could be considered low calorie or low fat - not ONE thing. No salad, no fruit, no vegetables. There were many burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, chicken wings, fries, and pizza. I checked out the vending machines, nothing there either.
Today I received an email from CSPI which included a video link. It was timely so I have included it here for you.
Watch the video - it's informative! (if this is not accessible in the email feature, just click on the health educator link and visit the blog itself)
Showing posts with label calorie content. Show all posts
Showing posts with label calorie content. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
McDonald's Resource
Though it does pain me to do so, I am alerting you to a pretty cool feature on the McDonald's website. First I will tell you what led me to explore their website today. I had mentioned that I received a coupon book from them in my mailbox (the post office appreciates their business). On one of the pages there was mention of wholesome choices and on this page were pictures of a few items with the caption, "300 calories or less." I took that to mean that they had a line of entrees that were called Wholesome Choices and I wanted to check them out to see if they really were on the lower end of the calorie spectrum. My plan was to make a note of these special items for readers of my blog.
In fact, they do not have that category, but they do have a search feature that lets you see all items that they sell, presented in order of calories (or fat, or sodium, or sugar-you pick the sort feature). After you select the nutrient of interest, a list of the items in order from lowest to highest will appear. They display as icons, pictures, and if you let you mouse hover on the picture, it tells you the nutrient info for the item. Pretty darn neat.
This will not get me into McDonalds and there are three points that should be made - beyond the fact that currently, the people who would be most likely to make use of this resource (like me) don't eat at fast food joints and do not have a weight problem.
That last point is the basis for these important steps:
1) first we have to make the resource relevant - i.e. educate people on the impact of calories and why they should limit them
2) drive people to the resource - and that includes providing access because not everyone has a computer or an internet connection
3) get people to use the resource once one and two are in place (promotion)
The webpage and search feature that McDonald's provides is a tool that allows for informed eating and for that I must give... Kudos! It is called the Full Menu Explorer and can be seen/used by clicking here.
In fact, they do not have that category, but they do have a search feature that lets you see all items that they sell, presented in order of calories (or fat, or sodium, or sugar-you pick the sort feature). After you select the nutrient of interest, a list of the items in order from lowest to highest will appear. They display as icons, pictures, and if you let you mouse hover on the picture, it tells you the nutrient info for the item. Pretty darn neat.
This will not get me into McDonalds and there are three points that should be made - beyond the fact that currently, the people who would be most likely to make use of this resource (like me) don't eat at fast food joints and do not have a weight problem.
That last point is the basis for these important steps:
1) first we have to make the resource relevant - i.e. educate people on the impact of calories and why they should limit them
2) drive people to the resource - and that includes providing access because not everyone has a computer or an internet connection
3) get people to use the resource once one and two are in place (promotion)
The webpage and search feature that McDonald's provides is a tool that allows for informed eating and for that I must give... Kudos! It is called the Full Menu Explorer and can be seen/used by clicking here.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Phases and Rule Making (informed eating initiatives)
It seems that the deeper I get into my paper, the one I am writing for no real reason except that I think that it will help me accomplish some of my goals - oh that is a good reason, isn't it? Well, I am nearing the end, but realize that I need to become more familiar with one of the reports that has been released regarding front of pack labeling in this country.
I did want to tell you these two things so that you know where "we" are with regard to menu/vending labeling and package front signposting, or FOP labeling.
I may have said this already, but in regards to menu and vending machine calorie content disclosure mandated by the Affordable Care Act, the FDA will continue to take comments and expects to have a final rule for the establishments/operators by the end of this year. Once they have the final rule(guidance) in place, the restaurants will have six months to comply. The vending machine companies will have one year. The rule will say, among other things, what has to be on the signs; just calories, or other nutrient info as well.
The front of pack initiative is being driven by a congressional directive as well. At this time, the Institute of Medicine is completing Phase II of their two phase task. The report from Phase I has been published. That is the report I need to spend more time reviewing as it does come with a number of "conclusions." Those conclusions regard whether it makes sense to have a FOP standard, what should be included in the symbol, who the label should be for, and such. In Phase II the different types of sign posts and the working criteria the IOM has in place will be tested with consumers. Part of the initiative involves consumer ease of use, preference and comprehension of the new labeling . In fact, the letter that the director of Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements sent to food providers is available here.
I called the IOM this week and they assured me that NO one was going to be privy to early results or leanings on which symbol they'd recommend (i.e. the multiple traffic light), but that the report on this research and recommendations to go forward should come out this fall.
Today I had a very productive meeting with the university vending machine contract director (head honcho) and we are a go for some type of machine initiative on campus that is related to informed eating. I am very jazzed about this :)
I did want to tell you these two things so that you know where "we" are with regard to menu/vending labeling and package front signposting, or FOP labeling.
I may have said this already, but in regards to menu and vending machine calorie content disclosure mandated by the Affordable Care Act, the FDA will continue to take comments and expects to have a final rule for the establishments/operators by the end of this year. Once they have the final rule(guidance) in place, the restaurants will have six months to comply. The vending machine companies will have one year. The rule will say, among other things, what has to be on the signs; just calories, or other nutrient info as well.
The front of pack initiative is being driven by a congressional directive as well. At this time, the Institute of Medicine is completing Phase II of their two phase task. The report from Phase I has been published. That is the report I need to spend more time reviewing as it does come with a number of "conclusions." Those conclusions regard whether it makes sense to have a FOP standard, what should be included in the symbol, who the label should be for, and such. In Phase II the different types of sign posts and the working criteria the IOM has in place will be tested with consumers. Part of the initiative involves consumer ease of use, preference and comprehension of the new labeling . In fact, the letter that the director of Office of Nutrition, Labeling and Dietary Supplements sent to food providers is available here.
I called the IOM this week and they assured me that NO one was going to be privy to early results or leanings on which symbol they'd recommend (i.e. the multiple traffic light), but that the report on this research and recommendations to go forward should come out this fall.
Today I had a very productive meeting with the university vending machine contract director (head honcho) and we are a go for some type of machine initiative on campus that is related to informed eating. I am very jazzed about this :)
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Count 'em Because They Count!
To the best of my knowledge the legislation that was signed into law by President Obama yesterday is called the Affordable Health Care for America Act. I am paying attention to the news for any mention of disease prevention or health promotion items within this new law and will highlight them as discovered.
Today I am happy to note that the bill included a provision to force fast food and other restaurant chains to list calorie content of their menu items at point of ordering location. A company that has more than 20 stores is considered a chain, so your Apple Bees, Red Lobsters, TGIFridays etc – will be included.. Oh, I bet there are more than 20 Bonefish Grills – yay! This means that you have to see the total calories BEFORE you place your order. There will be places to view other nutrient information, but the calories must be “in your face.”
Yes, we did have some reports earlier this year that people didn’t always pay attention to the content information and that it wasn’t always accurate – but this is still a step in the right direction.
What I hope to see next is health communications that target the consumer and teach a skill. The skill is to understand the menu and how the numbers can impact health. This will NOT make a difference in our obesity crisis if people don’t know about calories – it would be like putting SPF numbers on all the sunscreen but not telling anyone what SPF stood for OR that sun itself was a risk factor for skin cancer.
So – we (public health folks) have a lot to do to enhance this policy, and when we do, the chefs are going to respond to the consumers need for lower calorie options and in ten or twenty years – we may reduce the prevalence of obesity in this country.
I am very excited about this – knowledge is power….
Today I am happy to note that the bill included a provision to force fast food and other restaurant chains to list calorie content of their menu items at point of ordering location. A company that has more than 20 stores is considered a chain, so your Apple Bees, Red Lobsters, TGIFridays etc – will be included.. Oh, I bet there are more than 20 Bonefish Grills – yay! This means that you have to see the total calories BEFORE you place your order. There will be places to view other nutrient information, but the calories must be “in your face.”
Yes, we did have some reports earlier this year that people didn’t always pay attention to the content information and that it wasn’t always accurate – but this is still a step in the right direction.
What I hope to see next is health communications that target the consumer and teach a skill. The skill is to understand the menu and how the numbers can impact health. This will NOT make a difference in our obesity crisis if people don’t know about calories – it would be like putting SPF numbers on all the sunscreen but not telling anyone what SPF stood for OR that sun itself was a risk factor for skin cancer.
So – we (public health folks) have a lot to do to enhance this policy, and when we do, the chefs are going to respond to the consumers need for lower calorie options and in ten or twenty years – we may reduce the prevalence of obesity in this country.
I am very excited about this – knowledge is power….
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