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By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom Earlier this week, I checked out the snacks at the mall and at the movies. Today I’ll take a look at what to eat at the airport and at sporting events. Remember that snacking is not a requirement for healthy eating. If you choose to include a snack or two, remember to count those calories as part of your daily intake. A reasonable guideline for a snack is 125-225 calories, or even less.    At the airport. You might be tempted to grab a big bag of nuts and raisins as a healthy choice for a snack. While that IS a heart-healthy combo and the calories sound right at about 150 per serving, there are often 5-6 servings per bag. Even with good intentions, it’s hard not to eat the whole bag! A better choice is a KIND bar, a minimal-ingredient bar that you are likely to find at any kiosk at the airport. You get the same great taste of fruit and nuts in a calorie-controlled bar (about 200 calories). Try a small skim milk latte for around 120 calories, and skip ...

By Dr. Madelyn  Fernstrom It’s hard to make healthy foods choices when you’re running around, and don’t have time to preplan. In the perfect world, you’d be carrying a fruit, or small protein bar, or a small bag of nuts when you need a snack. In the real world, this is much tougher. This week, I’m going to focus on four popular destinations for snacking:  the mall, the movie theatre, the ballpark, and the airport. While healthy eating does not require snacking, it’s an eating style that many people enjoy. One or two well-spaced snacks can be a great boost for weight control, as long as you account for those EXTRA calories. A loose definition of a snack is around 125-225 calories (it can be less). At the mall: If you’re looking for something sweet, try a small soft-serve frozen yogurt or ice milk (think Dairy Queen, McDonald’s, or I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt). A one-cup serving is about 200 calories. Share with a friend and you’ve cut the calories in half. Skip the toppings to...

By Dr. Madelyn Fernstrom It brought a smile to my face when I learned that another “food holiday” occurs in the same month as Nutrition Month (March). That’s right – I’m talking about National Chip and Dip Day – Friday, March 23!  Who doesn’t love a salty, crunchy snack? And while mounds of fried chips and cheese and sour-cream-based sauces might come to mind to “celebrate,” I’d like to suggest a few healthier ways you might indulge in the American favorite of “chips and dip.” First, the chips. If you find it tough to limit your intake to a single serving of regular chips (corn, potato, or any other kind), then swap for baked chips or popchips as a tasty replacement. You won’t compromise taste and flavor with the drop in oil, but can indulge in more chips for the same calories (about 10 with full-fat, compared to about 16 with lower-fat alternatives). That’s a huge plus for real-life eating! You might be curious to try the increasingly popular kale chips – but they’re not a calori...