Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

Where's the fruit?

By MIMI ANDELMAN
Published February 5, 2007

A nutritional analysis of 37 of the most heavily advertised children's foods, those bearing colorful pictures of fruit, found that more than half contained no fruit at all. Children need three to four servings of fruit a day, so buy whole or cut fruit in the produce department, says Leslie Mikkelson, a public health nutritionist and managing director of the Prevention Institute, a co-founder of the Strategic Alliance, which conducted the study. But when you do buy packaged foods that appear to contain fruit, check the ingredient list. The study is available online at www.prevention institute.org/sa/fruit/.

Among the study's findings:

No fruit: Dannon Danimals XL Strawberry Explosion, Fruity Cheerios, Yogurt Go-Gurt Yogurt Strawberry Splash, Berry Berry Kix, Fruity Pebbles, Nestle Nesquik Strawberry Milk.

Minimal fruit: Capri Sun Strawberry Juice Drink, Sunny Delight Fruit Drink, Skittles, Grape Popsicle, Fruit Roll-Ups.

Some fruit: Berry Burst Cheerios, Eggo Blueberry Waffles, Quaker Chewy 90 Calorie Baked Apple Granola Bar, Smucker's Strawberry Jam, Apple Jacks.

Not just for sweethearts

If you think Valentine's Day is just for hanging out with your honey, think again. A recent customer survey by eToys.com found that 98 percent of those polled, about 350 customers, say that the EXCHANGE OF CARDS, GIFTS OR CANDY IS A FAMILY TRADITION. And instead of just giving chocolate and Conversation Hearts, parents are trying to make Valentine's Day last a little bit longer. Fifty-three percent of respondents say they give stuffed animals that hopefully will become a cherished keepsake. Other findings from the survey include:

- 88 percent of parents say their favorite Valentine's Day gift was a homemade card from their child.

- 51 percent of those polled say eating dinner together on Valentine's Day is their favorite family activity.

- 85 percent of parents say their children give friends and classmates cards on Feb. 14.

- 15 percent of respondents give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets.

Finding your way at the State Fair

Sure, you remember when your parents took you to the FLORIDA STATE FAIR to see the livestock, get on the Tilt-A-Whirl and eat a giant swirl of cotton candy. Well, it's fair time, and maybe you can take your kids. The fair opens Thursday complete with all of those attractions and more. Go to www.floridastatefair.com/fair_schedule.asp to see which day you want to go (armband unlimited ride days are Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Feb. 16, 18 and 19) and check out special discounts on admission. You can also pick up the Wendy's Kids Guide to the Fair in the Ag Hall of Fame Building on the fairgrounds.

Just the thing for the grandkids

Stars on Ice makes a stop in Tampa in two shows this month. Recently announced additions to the cast are 2006 Olympic silver medalists, including figure skater Sasha Cohen and ice dancers Tanith Belbin and Benjamin Agosto. Shows are at 4 p.m. Feb. 18 and 7 p.m. Feb. 19 at the St. Pete Times Forum. Tickets are $23.25-68.25; children 12 and under are $8.25. St. Pete Times Forum: (813) 301-2500, www.stpetetimesforum.com; Ticketmaster: (813) 287-8844, (727) 898-2100, www.ticketmaster.com.

[Last modified February 4, 2007, 21:01:37]