Following the lead that started in Tiburon, California which was then followed by New York City, Philadelphia, Stamford, Ct., and Montgomery County, Maryland; California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill that will phase out the use of trans-fats in the state’s 88,000 restaurants. The bill requires that trans-fats be eliminated from “restaurant products beginning in 2010, and from all retail baked goods by 2011. Packaged foods will be exempt.”
Many nutritionists and legislators have pushed for these bans saying that it is one part of the tool chest we need to reverse our nation’s obesity crisis, especially in children.
Gov. Schwarzenegger’s comments include this one: “California is a leader in promoting health and nutrition, and I am pleased to continue that tradition by being the first state in the nation to phase out trans-fats. Consuming trans-fat is linked to coronary heart disease, and today we are taking a strong step toward creating a healthier future for California.”
With all due respect to the people that have worked so hard on this legislation, I feel that it shifts the focus. Trans-fat was created to replace Palm Oils that were being used in many prepared and processed foods. After millions of dollars of research and lobbying, the producers of palm oil have said that palm oils aren’t as bad as originally thought – and now we have many companies switching back to their oil (one major exception is Frito-Lay, one of the country’s largest cooking oil users as they state that palm oils are still more artery-clogging than others). Shouldn’t we truly be working with these companies to REDUCE the amount of fat – regardless of the type?
New York City put in their ban on trans-fats in December of 2006 which just took effect this month. Probably the most important part of this legislation was NOT the ban, but rather the mandatory nutritional labeling requirement for fast food and chain restaurants. It’s not about a single ingredient – it's about looking at the foods we eat, holistically: the ingredients, the nutritional information and the source of our foods. Putting the pressure and focus on trans-fat to reverse obesity is the wrong move. The right move is to reduce fat content, reduce sodium content, reduce sugar content and reduce our portion sizes.
Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!
Soignon Crumbled Goat Cheese
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 30 |
12 |
15 |
15 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 92 |
This product is a HIT!
This excellent new product has a superb goat cheese aroma and a wonderfully tangy goat cheese flavor, a product that is far superior to a lot of goat cheeses you will find on supermarket shelves. I love the convenience of the crumbles and the re-sealable pouch, although I'm not sure what the relevance of the word "Nature" is on the front of the package - "Made from pasteurized goat milk Nature" . Makes no sense at all. Oh well, it's still a great product - but I have to wonder if enough people will spend the equivalent of $18 per pound on their salad cheese crumbles.
Retails for $4.50 / 4 oz.
Soignon, Eurial Poitouraine, France
212 244 0622
soignon.fr
The Crab Place Tomato Corn Salsa with Maryland Crabmeat
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 26 |
14 |
15 |
14 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 89 |
This product is a HIT!
Salsa and crabmeat? Hmm, not sure about this combo. I've eaten crab cakes with salsa before, which is good - very good in fact, but never salsa with crab as an ingredient. The problem with this combination for me is that the flavor of the crabmeat is so overpowering that it would certainly interfere with just about any other food, except for a bland chip. The pronounced seafood flavor of this salsa is for the dedicated crab lover (of whom there are many). Otherwise you had better pass it on by. Having said that - it's a great tasting salsa! Available in other varieties.
Retails for $9 / 16 oz.
The Crab Place, Crisfield, MD
877 EAT CRAB
crabplace.com
Dannon Light & Fit 0% Fat Plus Strawberry Banana Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 22 |
17 |
10 |
10 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 79 |
Yogurt continues to be one of the fastest growing categories in our supermarkets and that's great. What I don't like are products like this one which add so much flavor, sugar and artificial sweeteners that it's no longer possible to actually taste yogurt. This product calls itself "Light & Fit", but with 12 g of sugar in 7 oz, I'm not sure if that's the case. And to be even more critical (although it is not illegal to only print the ingredients on the outer package) it would be helpful to include the nutritionals on the individual bottles ... unless that is, you really don't want people to know. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $4.29 / 4 x 7 oz.
The Dannon Company, Inc., White Planes, NY877 DANNONUS
lightnfit.com
Flax Super Snax Chocolate Flavor Gourmet Food Topper
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 15 |
15 |
10 |
13 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 73 |
The label on Flax Super Snax suggests you add it to "ice cream, yogurt, smoothies, cereals and fruit. Or enjoy it as a snack right from the jar". The idea of adding nutrients to foods is great; however, this product touts itself as a "Gourmet Food Topper" that adds flavor as well as nutrition. A 1 oz serving (1/4 of the package) does add 7 g of protein and 10.5 g of fiber, but also adds 15 g of fat and 17.5 g of sugar. Unfortunately, the added sugar doesn't do anything to enhance the chocolate flavor which just doesn't come through. Sadly, even though I like the idea of this product, top line is that if someone wants to add fiber to their food, they could just add ... fiber for a lot less cost! Available in other flavors.
Retails for $3.79 - $3.99 / 4 oz.
Flax Super Snax, Grass Valley, CA
530 277 4438
flaxyourbody.com
Thai Kitchen Red Curry 10 Minute Simmer Sauce
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 10 |
16 |
7 |
12 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 65 |
I was disappointed with this new product from Thai Kitchen. Unfortunately it isn't nearly as thick or as rich as I would have hoped. In fact it tastes watery and is frankly lacking in any flavor or spice. I imagine that if you were simmering some bland-tasting vegetables in this sauce it would certainly be an improvement flavor-wise, but with 6 g of saturated fat, 900 mg of sodium and 5 g of sugar per half cup serving, I think there are many more healthful and tasty alternatives to liven up your veggies. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $3.79 / 11 oz.
Simply Asia Foods, Inc., Union City, CA
800 967 THAI
thaikitchen.com
Points System:
Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:
1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food
2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?
3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?
4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?
5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*
6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?
7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?
*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.
More from Phil Lempert:
- More new product reviews
- Get more tips and information on Today Show on iVillage
Tip #7: Keep your eyes closed! Stores now have flat screen TVs and newspapers in the cafe seating area. This is a multi-purpose concept to get people used to staying longer in the store: the longer we stay the more we buy…and lets not forget that a rested shopper is a better shopper!More in this series from Phil Lempert
- Tip #1: The eye-level trick
- Tip #2: End-of-aisle displays
- Tip #3: Kids' cereals
- Tip #4: Shelves change constantly
- Tip #5: Fresh deli
- Tip #6: Specialty items grouped together
Get more information at Today on iVillage.
Each week we will post the latest reviews and I hope you will log in to see what’s hot…and what’s not!
Chappaqua Crunch Simply Granola Original Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 30 |
18 |
15 |
15 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 98 |
This product is a HIT!
One of the biggest problems with the granola products on the market is that they too often sacrifice taste for fiber. Chappaqua Crunch is an exception. Each ingredient stands on its own and the overall effect is not too sweet and not too crunchy – just right. With organic oats and 21 grams of whole grains per serving this granola is a great way to start the day or a perfect afternoon snack. Available in other flavors.
Retails for $4.29 - $5.29 / 13 oz.
Wild Blue Yonder Foods, Marblehead, MA800 488 4602
chappaquacrunchgranola.com
Mexi-Snax All Natural Multi Grain Blue Chips
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 30 |
17 |
14 |
13 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
5 | 94 |
This product is a HIT!
According to Mexi-Snax: "Healthy snacking doesn't get any better than this!" and I have to say I agree! The combination of organic blue and white corn, sesame, flax and quinoa produces a great crunchy texture and an excellent flavor. Another thing that makes me like this company even more is that they go out of their way to explain their whole grain certification, clarifying that "whole grains" contain the "germ, the bran and the endosperm". If we want to change the way people eat we have to make sure they understand the how and why! Available in different varieties.
Retails for $2.99 / 6 oz.
Natural Snacks, LLC, Berkeley, CA
800 974 7629
naturalsnacks.com
Anisi Wafer Thins Honey Wafers
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 29 |
20 |
12 |
15 |
n/a 10 |
5 |
4 | 95 |
This product is a HIT!
If you are looking for the perfect accompaniment to a dessert wine or just ice cream Mama Anissi's honey wafers fit the bill. While I'd like the diameter of the wafer to be smaller – that's just my own personal quest for perfection – at just 90 calories per wafer there's no doubt these are perfection dessert-wise. However the packaging leaves something to be desired as most people will find themselves eating just one of these – and with 3 in a package the others quickly absorb moisture from the air; compromising their crispiness! Think 'Zip-lock'! But nevertheless a hit and delicious!
Retails for $1.89 / 3 oz..
Honey Wafer Baking Co, Crestwood, IL
800 977 9012
honeywafer.com
Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Snack Pack
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 25 |
19 |
15 |
13 |
n/a 10 |
3 |
5 | 90 |
This product is a HIT!
This new product has me a little confused: the package proudly proclaims it to be "America’s #1 Guacamole", but when I flip the pack over I see "Product of Mexico" in tiny letters. Then I start to wonder what the criteria are to achieve this "America’s #1" status. Is it the number of sales, the taste? Well, it seems the product has won media accolades: for example "Best snack of 2008" from Shape Magazine; so that's where the label's proclamation originates. I do love the individual packages inside the box, especially the easy-opening and it does have a nice aroma. The only thing I was a little disappointed by was the consistency – and the use of dehydrated onion and granulated garlic – you would think that the "Fresherized high pressure process" that allows the avocadoes to stay fresh for longer would also allow for the inclusion of fresh onions and garlic and maybe some cilantro? Available in different flavors.
Retails for $2.19 – $2.49 / 3 x 2 oz packages..
Avomex, Inc, Fort Worth, TX
817 509 0626
whollyguac.com
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Crackers Cheddar Flavor
| Taste | Value | Health | Ingredients | Prep | Appearance | Packaging | Total |
| 10 |
16 |
7 |
7 |
n/a 10 |
4 |
5 | 74 |
This product is a MISS!
These baked crackers look great, and it's cute that they are in the shape of macaroni – which got me thinking the "Cheese" in the name and "Cheddar" in the flavor would be in the taste. Sad to say these "Crunchy Baked Cheese Snack Crackers" don't taste even remotely like cheddar cheese. A scan of the long ingredients list (which includes MSG) makes me wonder how the company known for cheese could put its name on this product. Available in other cheese flavors.
Retails for $3 – $3.50 / 8 oz..
Kraft Global Foods, Inc., Northfield, IL
800 622 4726
nabiscoworld.com
Points System:
Each product is judged and taste-tested based on the following seven criteria:
1. (30 points) Taste: The most important attribute of any food
2. (20 points) Value: Is it worth it?
3. (15 points) Health: Based off the nutritional information, is it nutritionally balanced?
4. (15 points) Ingredients: What's in it, how natural is it?
5. (10 points) Preparation: When applicable, how accurate or good are the directions?*
6. (5 points) Appearance: Is it appetizing and does it resemble its photo or description?
7. (5 points) Packaging: Is it appropriate for the product and does it have any benefits such as reseal ability, added freshness, better storage, etc?
*Products that do not require any preparation will have the full value of these points included in their total score.
More from Phil Lempert:
- More new product reviews
- Get more tips and information on Today Show on iVillage
THE 10 MOST POPULAR ICE CREAM FLAVORS - Vanilla,
- Chocolate,
- Butter pecan,
- Strawberry,
- Neapolitan,
- Chocolate chip,
- French vanilla,
- Cookies and cream,
- Vanilla fudge ripple,
- Praline pecan
And by the way, that “ice cream headache” you always wondered about is triggered by the sudden change in temperature as the ice cream touches the top of your mouth and initiates a nerve reaction that swells blood vessels in your head. The nerve center on the roof of your mouth overreacts to the cold temperature and tries to "heat" your brain. This swelling of the blood vessels is what is more commonly known as a "brain freeze”. Luckily the intense stabbing pain in your head usually lasts only for about 30-60 seconds.
TIP: The best way to avoid getting an “ice cream headache” is keep the ice cream on the side of your mouth, away from the roof of your mouth.
Now, grab a spoon, head to the freezer, get out your favorite pint and check back for the TODAY Show Ice Cream video to find out this year’s hottest brands and flavors!
