Myth: Bagged lunches are boring.

Answer: Busted

Just because it is a lunch from home doesn’t mean it can’t have some flare added. If your child complains about their lunch every day except on Lunchables day then some sprucing up can be done. First have your children help you pack their lunch. If children are involved in the decision making then they are more likely to eat it. Another idea is to have easy and fun foods available to choose from. Yogurt in a tube, string cheese, baby carrots and ranch dressing, exotic fruits like star-fruit and blood oranges are all fun to eat and nutritious.

Other ideas to pack a healthy sack lunch include:

• Use your old cookie cutters to cut sandwiches into fun shapes
• Make our own Lunchables meal. Cut deli meat and cheese to fit crackers and have your child assemble at school.

For more information on back-to-school nutrition, visit Missouri Families or MyPyramid.

Guest Contributor: Eva Hightaian, Nutrition Intern at the University of Missouri
Co-Author: Donna Mehrle, MPH, RD, LD, mehrled@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension

Myth: It is ok if my child does not eat breakfast. There is just no time in the morning.

Answer: Busted

We have all heard breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet some kids still do not eat it. Breakfast not only supplies the body with energy but also nutrients to kick start the day. Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast perform better in school, score higher on tests, have higher attendance and are less likely to be overweight. No time for breakfast? No problem, try preparing it the night before or keep quick and easy on-the-go foods available.

Yogurt, fresh fruit, a bagel and peanut butter, string cheese and toast are all great on-the-go breakfast ideas. Foods such as instant oatmeal, cereal and milk and waffles are quick and easy to make. And if you want to prepare breakfast the evening before, try making a breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, turkey bacon and a slice of cheese on a whole-wheat bagel. Just pop it in the microwave in the morning and eat it in the car or bus.

Want to try something new? Recipes that you can prepare on the weekend and keep in the fridge all week are also quick and easy breakfast ideas. Baked Blueberry and Peach Oatmeal is easy to prepare, healthy for you and delicious!

For more information on back-to-school nutrition, visit Missouri Families or MyPyramid.

Guest Contributor: Eva Hightaian, Nutrition Intern at the University of Missouri
Co-Author: Donna Mehrle, MPH, RD, LD, mehrled@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension

Myth: Any after-school snack is fine for my child as long as it fills them up until dinner.

Answer: Busted

Snacks are an important part of a growing child’s diet. Snacks help supply nutrients that can be missed in other meals. Try choosing healthy after-school snacks that are packed with nutrients and will help keep your child full. Chopped fresh fruits and veggies are great to have on hand and are quick and easy to prepare. Some other ideas are vegetables with dip, apples and peanut butter, animal crackers, yogurt, cheese and crackers or popcorn.

For more information on back-to-school nutrition, visit Missouri Families or MyPyramid.

Guest Contributor: Eva Hightaian, Nutrition Intern at the University of Missouri
Co-Author: Donna Mehrle, MPH, RD, LD, mehrled@missouri.edu, University of Missouri Extension

Myth: Calorie information at restaurants is hard to find.

Answer: True…but not for long!

The passage of the health care legislation law brings with it requirements for chain restaurants (more than 20 locations) to list calorie information for menu items and food that is displayed. Additional nutrition information will be available upon request. Vending machines also fall under these requirements. Originally, March 2011 was the deadline for the regulations to go into effect. The Food and Drug Administration has just sent out current information about the guidelines and they have also asked for feedback on the implementation deadline.

You can submit comments electronically. You may also find it interesting to read the comments that have been submitted, which you can do at the website below. Here are the steps you need to follow.

1. Go to Regulations.gov.
2. Enter one of the key words below (each key word starts with FDA) and then click on the “Search” button.
   
   • for the July 7 docket notice: FDA-2010-N-0298 (Comments due Sept. 7th)
   • for the August 24 Draft Guidance on Menu labeling: FDA-2010-D-0370 (Comments due Oct. 12th)
   • for the August 24 Guidance on Vending Machines: FDA-2010-D-0354
3. Click the “View by Docket Folder” button. You can then open each comment listed. If you want to view the regulations, go to the right-hand side under the “Actions” column and click on “Open Docket Folder.”
4. Click on the item in the first “Title” column. If you want to submit a comment, click on “Submit Comment” at the top of the page.

Complicated? Yes! But if you are interested in seeing what others think about these rules and you want to submit your own comments, this is your chance!

Visit the MissouriFamilies website for more information about nutrition and health.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933

Myth: Yuck! Hot dogs are made with earthworms?

Answer: Busted!

Hot dogs may be at your Labor Day picnic or barbecue party. It’s time to dispel this rumor. This is an urban legend that has been around for several decades. Sodium erythrobate, is a food additive found in hot dogs and cured meats. It is made from sugar and it preserves the color of food. It is not earthworms or made from earthworms. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has strict rules about the safe amount of additives added to food. For more information about ingredients and other additives in food, see Food Ingredients and Colors on the FDA website.

Visit the MissouriFamilies website for more information about nutrition and health.

Contributor: Ellen Schuster, M.S., R.D., Associate State Specialist, schusterer@missouri.edu, 573-882-1933