Most Americans turn to the television, magazines and to the Internet for their nutrition information, according to a survey released recently at the American Dietetic Association annual meeting in Chicago.

The nationwide consumer survey, "Nutrition and You: Trends 2008" found that more than six in 10 respondents (63 percent) watch television for food and nutrition information, followed by magazines (45 percent) and the Internet (24 percent). The Internet replaced newspapers as consumers' third-most popular source of food and nutrition information.

When a similar survey was taken in 2002, newspapers ranked third (33 percent) and the Internet was fourth at 13 percent. This year's survey found that almost every leading source of food and nutrition information dropped in consumer popularity in the past six years except the Internet.

Respondents ranked low-fat foods and trans fat as the most recognizable health-related foods, but put probiotics and allergen-free foods as the most unfamiliar. Probiotics are active, live cultures — found in some yogurts, fermented dairy and non-dairy foods — that help reintroduce or change bacteria in the intestine. Foods ranking in between included soy-based products, low-sodium foods, low-sugar foods, low-carbohydrate foods, whole grains, garlic, omega-3 fatty acids, berries and alternative sweeteners.

"Americans are hearing more and more about the health benefits of the foods they eat, which should translate to healthier consequences for everyone," said Jeannie Gazzaniga-Moloo, registered dietitian and spokeswoman for the ADA.

The survey also found that Americans are eating more whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables than they did five years ago, and most have reduced the amounts they eat of foods containing trans fats. The largest percentage of respondents to ADA's survey said they have increased their consumption in the past five years of whole-grain foods (56 percent), fruits (50 percent) and vegetables (48 percent).

"One of the earliest indications that people could be serious about changing their food habits is becoming more aware of what they eat," said Gazzaniga-Moloo. "These findings strongly indicate consumers are making healthier food choices which will ultimately have a tremendous impact on their overall health."

WINNING WEB

If you're looking for nutrition on a budget, go to the National Potato Board website at www.potatogoodness.com. They say pound for pound, potatoes are still one of the least expensive items in the produce department. At about 26 cents a serving, potatoes serve up essential vitamins and minerals, fiber and antioxidants and are fat, sodium and cholesterol-free. The website offers some new ways to serve your spuds.

WINNING RECIPE

Ellie Krieger, host of the Food Network show Healthy Appetite, gives three reasons to eat breakfast in her new book, "The Food You Crave." Breakfast can keep you healthier; breakfast can help manage your weight, and breakfast can help boost your brainpower. Her recipe for Cherry-Vanilla Oatmeal follows.

CHERRY-VANILLA OATMEAL

3 1/2 cups water

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

2 cups old-fashioned or quick-cooking rolled oats

1/2 cup dried cherries

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup cherry jam, or to taste

1 cup nonfat milk, or to taste

Yields 4 servings.

In medium saucepan, combine water, salt, oats and cherries. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring a few times, until oats are tender, about 5 minutes for old-fashioned or 1 minute for quick-cooking oats. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla and cherry jam. Divide oatmeal between 4 serving bowls, pour 1/2 cup of milk over each bowl and serve.

Nutritional analysis serving: 280 calories, 8 g protein, 56 g carbohydrate, 4 g fat, 4 mg cholesterol, 4 g fiber, 35 mg sodium.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian in Springfield, Ill. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com. To find out more about Charlyn Fargo and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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