Blue French Fries Coming To Store Near You
Funky Fries Not Appealing To Some Nutritionists
POSTED: 2:19 p.m. EDT June 12, 2002
BOSTON -- You like french fries. You like chocolate. So, why not combine the two?
Heinz has come up with Funky Fries. In all, they have five flavored fries their research suggests will be a big hit with kids.
But Funky Fries are not appealing to nutritionists -- some who fear they'll eat away at good eating habits.
The new line of chocolate, cinnamon sugar and even blue french fries are ready for an appearance on your snack or dinner table.
"The kids may like them, yes, they might love them," one mother said.
Some say variety is the spice of life, but spicing an already not-so-healthy food has caused concern -- especially when one in five children in this country is overweight.
"A lot of these food companies feel unless we coat it, cover it, sweeten it, children won't eat them. And I don't believe that," registered dietician Joanne Keaveney said.
Keaveney said that parents set the standard for how kids will eat throughout their lives and she feels this is sending the wrong message.
"One baked potato can be 90 to 100 calories and is loaded with vitamin C, potassium and fiber, which is a great food. But this, they took all the nutrients out and instead poured back fat, sugar and salt," Keaveney said.
In fact, they have more than double the fat. The chocolate variety is heavy on sugar -- 4 teaspoons per serving, and the blue fries have twice as much sodium as regular fries, Keaveney said.
"Obesity is currently an epidemic in the U.S. and I wonder why. Well it's things like blue french fries that are causing obesity," Keaveney said.
"Childhood obesity is an important issue," Heinz said in a statement. "Heinz products can
be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet because they deliver beneficial nutrients for children,
as well as fun and flavor."
Keaveney is hoping that parents will bag the idea. Some parents already find the thought of flavored fries a little hard to swallow.
"Blue food in general grosses me out," the mother said. "My daughter might try to pick them out, but I wouldn't buy them."
Keaveney said that regular frozen french fries are OK as an occasional addition to a meal. She suggests always baking them, because frying them in oil can triple the fat.
Heinz has come up with Funky Fries. In all, they have five flavored fries their research suggests will be a big hit with kids.
But Funky Fries are not appealing to nutritionists -- some who fear they'll eat away at good eating habits.
The new line of chocolate, cinnamon sugar and even blue french fries are ready for an appearance on your snack or dinner table.
"The kids may like them, yes, they might love them," one mother said.
Some say variety is the spice of life, but spicing an already not-so-healthy food has caused concern -- especially when one in five children in this country is overweight.
"A lot of these food companies feel unless we coat it, cover it, sweeten it, children won't eat them. And I don't believe that," registered dietician Joanne Keaveney said.
Keaveney said that parents set the standard for how kids will eat throughout their lives and she feels this is sending the wrong message.
"One baked potato can be 90 to 100 calories and is loaded with vitamin C, potassium and fiber, which is a great food. But this, they took all the nutrients out and instead poured back fat, sugar and salt," Keaveney said.
In fact, they have more than double the fat. The chocolate variety is heavy on sugar -- 4 teaspoons per serving, and the blue fries have twice as much sodium as regular fries, Keaveney said.
"Obesity is currently an epidemic in the U.S. and I wonder why. Well it's things like blue french fries that are causing obesity," Keaveney said.
"Childhood obesity is an important issue," Heinz said in a statement. "Heinz products can
be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet because they deliver beneficial nutrients for children,
as well as fun and flavor."
Keaveney is hoping that parents will bag the idea. Some parents already find the thought of flavored fries a little hard to swallow.
"Blue food in general grosses me out," the mother said. "My daughter might try to pick them out, but I wouldn't buy them."
Keaveney said that regular frozen french fries are OK as an occasional addition to a meal. She suggests always baking them, because frying them in oil can triple the fat.
Previous Story:
- February 11, 2002: Want Chocolate Fries With Your Burger?
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