Texas newspaper folo up

Question
QUESTION: Hello Ms. Beebe,
I am hoping you can contribute a few lines to an article I am writing for the 4-29 Taste Section cover in the Longview (Texas) News-Journal. The story focuses narrowly on nutritious  eating habits as spring arrives. I see that you specialize in diet for weight loss, but that is not my focus so if you want to pass this note to another expert that's fine. Otherwise, can you recommend specific foods and diet practices that are easy to prepare/follow and are inexpensive? What should we look for on restaurant menus? What about supplements? Must we sacrifice taste for health?
If you prefer, I would love to set up a phone interview, but your e-mailed comments will be greatly appreciated.
Please indicate how you wish to be identified if you respond by e-mail. You can reach me at (800) 627-4716 x 7753.
My story deadline is noon Tuesday (4-28)

ANSWER: Hi Glenn,

Nice speaking with you!  If you have any further questions I can be reached at 618-622-1963 and I am on central time (near St.Louis).

Well, here are some tasty treats that won't blow your calorie budget and keep you cool while the warm weather approaches:

Make a fruit smoothie:  freeze banana slices, berries, or sliced peaches; place the chunks of frozen fruit in a blender or magic bullet; pour skim milk until fruit is covered.  Blend for a frosty drink that cools you off while meeting a required fruit serving or  two, plus a serving of milk for calcium and riboflavin!

Secret Key Lime Pie: Dannon makes a great Key Lime flavored yogurt.  I buy little graham cracker tart crusts in the bakery aisle, pour yogurt into each and top with a dollop of whipped cream.  The family thinks I baked key lime pie, but they're really getting a low fat, high calcium substitute that took me 3 minutes to prepare!

Diet pudding can be made with skim milk for a very low fat, very tasty treat.  Any flavor (think chocolate, banana) can be poured into a mini crust like the one above for a variation on just a plain cup of delicious cool and creamy pudding.  Another great source of nutrition without a lot of calories.

Great treats available in the ice cream freezer: look for less than 150 calories per serving.  Skinny Cow makes great ice cream sandwiches, fudge bars, and other novelties that have full flavor in a full sized serving without the hundreds of calories you see in other brands.  Blue Bunny Lite Ice Cream (if it's available in your area?) has individual containers of peanut butter fudge, cherry cheesecake, and fudge brownie that are delicious!  Just a warning though: each container actually provides TWO servings, so find someone to share it with!

Old fashioned cookies: Having far fewer calories than modern sandwich cookies or chocolate chip varieties, the good old animal crackers, vanilla wafers, ginger snaps, or graham crackers that we enjoyed as kids have far less fat as well, for a sweet snack that fits into any diet plan.

Glenn--I would really appreciate if you could quote me on any of these ideas you found useful, if that's possible :)
My primary profession is as a diet coach and I could always use the publicity!  Thanks for contacting me.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This looks great, Laurie. If you have time, send me more quotes along the line of, 'my family thinks I baked a key lime pie, but they're really getting..." Something about fooling  our  naughty brains.
Thank you so much for the timely response. Maybe remind me after Wednesday next week and I'll send you a link to the story.
Hope we can collaborate more in the future.
Glenn

Answer
Re: smoothies "The kids think they're getting an icy treat akin to a milkshake, but they're getting a full serving of dairy and fruit with no added fat or sugar!"

Re: Ice cream novelties "You'll feel like you're indulging in the richest most expensive brand of ice cream--but they're low fat and have half the calories you'd be getting at your local ice cream parlor"

Re: cookies "The kids love the sweet treat and they don't need to know that they aren't ingesting any trans fats!"

Granola bars like "Nature Valley Sweet-n-salty Nut bar" give you the satisfaction of enjoying a chewy, nutty candy bar with half the fat and calories.  Fool your brain without fooling your taste buds!"

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