Photos of veggies on lunch trays get kids to eat more.

Almost 37% of elementary students in Minnesota took carrots and 15% helped themselves to green beans when photos of those veggies were placed in the compartments of their trays. This was compared to 12% and 6%, respectively, when there were no pictures on the trays (P=<0.001). While vegetable consumption still remained low, this method increased consumption for a very economical cost ($3.00 per 100 trays).  

PositiveTip: If pictures help, perhaps Mom and Dad modeling enthusiastic and generous vegetable consumption will encourage the kids to eat more!

Do you go with the grain--whole grains, that is? You probably need to eat more!

If you are like most Americans, you are not getting enough daily grains in your diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 6 servings of grains per day. Only 4% of Americans say they are eating that level according to a new poll published by the Grain Foods Foundation. This poll found the average daily grain consumption was 3.2 servings, barely half the recommended 6 servings per day. The federal guidelines recommend "make half your grains whole"--yet only 11% of total grain consumption is whole grains.