By David Feder, R.D., Editor[email protected]
It was the shot heard round the world of food. General Mills got the jump on everyone last fall in what may go down as the October Surprise of health and nutrition when they announced they would make all their cereals with whole grains. The surprise isn’t the whole grains, of course. The fact that whole grain foods are healthful is old news. But when a company the size of General Mills introduces such a drastic change, the competition can only follow.It became clear a passive approach to helping people eat more nutritious meals simply wasn’t working — not with two thirds of Americans overweight and childhood obesity a major epidemic. The case could be made that food manufacturers have dabbled with this for years — how else to explain the existence of thousands of products with added nutrition benefits? But what makes General Mills’ action so impressive is that, rather than enhance some of their items to offer up as alternatives to “regular” versions of the same items, their change is sweeping: General Mills cereals will all eventually be whole grain-based. This is one general who knows how to lead a nutrition charge.As someone who believes in taking everything in moderation — including moderation — I also have to face up to the fact we Americans are strong in many arenas, but not when it comes to taking care of ourselves. I’m pleased that instead of waiting around for us to moderate ourselves some manufacturers are taking action for us.Our cover feature takes a good-for-you look at berries and your health. The news about these little bursts of fruity flavor only keeps getting better. Before you read this comprehensive primer on what blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and every-other-berries can do for you, stop and think: When was the last time you enjoyed a bowl of ripe juicy berries?With cereal and berries covered, we thought we’d go for the breakfast trifecta and talk about juices. Of course, when you read where juices are in the scheme of beverages these days, you’ll see they are way past breakfast.All in all we have a tasty, healthy issue for you. Enjoy, and be sure to tell us what you think.Eat Well!
It was the shot heard round the world of food. General Mills got the jump on everyone last fall in what may go down as the October Surprise of health and nutrition when they announced they would make all their cereals with whole grains. The surprise isn’t the whole grains, of course. The fact that whole grain foods are healthful is old news. But when a company the size of General Mills introduces such a drastic change, the competition can only follow.It became clear a passive approach to helping people eat more nutritious meals simply wasn’t working — not with two thirds of Americans overweight and childhood obesity a major epidemic. The case could be made that food manufacturers have dabbled with this for years — how else to explain the existence of thousands of products with added nutrition benefits? But what makes General Mills’ action so impressive is that, rather than enhance some of their items to offer up as alternatives to “regular” versions of the same items, their change is sweeping: General Mills cereals will all eventually be whole grain-based. This is one general who knows how to lead a nutrition charge.As someone who believes in taking everything in moderation — including moderation — I also have to face up to the fact we Americans are strong in many arenas, but not when it comes to taking care of ourselves. I’m pleased that instead of waiting around for us to moderate ourselves some manufacturers are taking action for us.Our cover feature takes a good-for-you look at berries and your health. The news about these little bursts of fruity flavor only keeps getting better. Before you read this comprehensive primer on what blueberries, strawberries, blackberries and every-other-berries can do for you, stop and think: When was the last time you enjoyed a bowl of ripe juicy berries?With cereal and berries covered, we thought we’d go for the breakfast trifecta and talk about juices. Of course, when you read where juices are in the scheme of beverages these days, you’ll see they are way past breakfast.All in all we have a tasty, healthy issue for you. Enjoy, and be sure to tell us what you think.Eat Well!
