Diet Detective’s Calorie Bargains

by Charles Platkin, PhD

Here are my latest to help you live a healthier life.

Bargain: Dave’s Killer Bread’s 21 Whole Grains Thin-Sliced and Good Seed Thins
Why: They’re very delicious low calorie breads. I must confess I know one of the investors in the company, but regardless of that bias, I still love the bread. It’s tasty, healthy and just all-around terrific. The best part is that it’s only 70 calories per slice for the Good Seed Thins and 60 calories for the 21 Whole Grains Thin-Sliced. The reality is that bread (any bread) can cause weight gain, but these are so good, and at the very least they’re whole grain, low calorie and certified organic. Also, they’re lower in sodium than many comparable types of bread.

How it works: Both “thins” are made with 100% whole grains with 3grams of fiber and 3or 4 grams of protein. Just look at some of the ingredients: Organic whole wheat flour, organic good seed mix

21 Whole Grains Thin-Sliced: 60 calories, 3g fiber, 3g protein, 100mg sodium

Good Seed Thins: 70 calories, 2g fat, 3g fiber, 4g protein, 100mg sodium

Price: 2 loaves for $22

Where to buy: www.daveskillerbread.com

Calorie Bargain: A Place at the Table

Why: What a very interesting film! I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie Food Inc., but the creators of that film are also behind A Place at the Table.   It offers a view of food issues in America that most foodies ignore and is certainly worth a look if you’re interested at all in the foods we eat.

I’ve met two of the people who are actually interviewed in the film – Joel Berg (NYC Coalition Against Hunger) and Jan Poppendieck (Hunter College Professor).

How it works: From the film company: “50 million people in the U.S.­one in four children­don’t know where their next meal is coming from, despite our having the means to provide nutritious, affordable food for all Americans. Directors Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush examine this issue through the lens of three people who are struggling with food insecurity: Barbie, a single Philadelphia mother who grew up in poverty and is trying to provide a better life for her two kids; Rosie, a Colorado fifth-grader who often has to depend on friends and neighbors to feed her and has trouble concentrating in school; and Tremonica, a Mississippi second-grader whose asthma and issues are exacerbated by the largely empty calories her hardworking mother can afford.”

Price: $14.96

Where to buy: Amazon.com (after June 25, 2013)

Calorie Bargain: Food Forward’s Pilot Episode: Urban Farming

Why: A great show about how to produce healthy food is always fun, and for anyone living in the middle of a city, the idea of urban farming is exciting. This PBS program is certain to entertain any foodie – especially the healthier ones. From PBS: “Food Forward’s Pilot Episode: Urban Farming is a half-hour, character-driven survey of urban farming across the country…we meet the food rebels who are growing food right where we live–in cities.” Visit a hydroponic rooftop farm atop a 105-year-old historic building in Manhattan; an urban beekeeper who helps to pollinate farms and community gardens scattered throughout an urban environment; a Milwaukee tilapia farm with 8,000-gallon tanks in an abandoned warehouse, and much more.

How it works: It’s on the Internet.

Price: Free

Where to buy: http://video.pbs.org/video/2276862085

Calorie Bargain: America Revealed: The Food Machine

Why: This is another PBS program, called America Revealed, that was only on for a one season. The first episode (which is the Calorie Bargain) explores the ways America feeds nearly 300 million people on a daily basis.

How it works: The show “discovers engineering marvels we’ve created by putting nature to work and takes a look at the costs of our insatiable appetite on our health and environment.”

Price: Free

Where to buy: http://video.pbs.org/video/2214315175/

Calorie Bargain: Better Homes and Gardens Fresh Cookbook by editors of Better Homes & Gardens magazine

Why: This beautiful book includes 300 fantastic recipes along with nutritional information. I have a bit of a “thing” about healthy recipe books providing nutritional information – not just calories, but the entire profile.

How it works: From the publisher: “As the farm-to-table movement grows, more people every day are choosing to cook healthier meals using fresh local foods. Better Homes and Gardens Fresh Cookbook presents 300 easy and creative recipes for getting the most out of your area’s seasonal produce. No matter where you live, this book shows you how to prepare simple, delicious meals using the very best fresh ingredients available to you.

“You’ll find recipes for snacks and appetizers, breakfast, salads, soups, casseroles, main dishes, meatless meals, sides, and desserts. Plus, you’ll find super-simple one-pan recipes, as well as a detailed, illustrated produce guide to help you pick the freshest and most delicious fruits and vegetables in your area.”

Price: $21.38 (on Amazon.com)

Where to buy: Amazon.com or BN.com

Calorie Bargain: Citi Bike

Why: A new bike-sharing system in New York City literally paves the way for bikes throughout all urban areas in the country. Citi Bike is operated by Alta Bicycle Share, which also operates public bike systems in London, Washington, D.C./Arlington, VA; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Melbourne, Australia; Chattanooga, TN; and Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, Canada, with Chicago and San Francisco geared to launch. The NY program has literally hundreds of stations throughout New York City.

How it works: From citibikenyc.com: “Citi Bikes are available 24/7, 365 days a year. Station locations are based on population and transit needs, and were selected through a participatory public input process. Each station has a touchscreen kiosk, a map of the service area and surrounding neighborhood, and a docking system that releases bikes for rental with a card or key.”

Price: Annual Membership: $95+ tax; 24-Hour Access Pass: One day: $9.95 + tax; 7-Day Access Pass: $25 + tax

Where to buy: citibikenyc.com

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