NEWS RELEASES

Children React to Portion Sizes

MOUNTAIN BROOK, AL A research study at the Children’s Nutrition Research Center in Houston, Texas shows that preschool children took bigger bites and consumed more food when served super-sized portions of their normal entrees. In the study, two series of lunches were served to 30 preschool children, aged three to five, in central Pennsylvania. One series offered an age-appropriate portion of a macaroni-and-cheese entrée; The other, a portion twice as large. Researchers found the children ate 25 percent more when they were served the larger portion and the overall calorie intake was 15 percent higher. Researcher Jennifer Fisher, assistant professor of pediatrics at Houston’s Baylor College of Medicine, noted the capacity of large portion sizes to encourage overeating is alarming, given the growing problem of obesity in children. Hugh J. Rushing, executive vice president of the Cookware Manufacturers Association com-mented on the study, "This is another example why we believe that consumers may enjoy healthier nutrition by preparing their own foods. Take-out foods and restaurant meal portions typically exceed what the FDA considers a 'portion'."

Here's a recipe for summer vegetables that's easily prepared and delicious:

Sauteed Summer Vegetables — Ratatouille

Preparation time: 20 min
Cooking time : 30 min

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
4 cloves garlic, sliced thin, 4 vine-ripened plum tomatoes,
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced sliced into thin strips
1 medium-sized eggplant (1-1/2 pounds)
1 red bell pepper, peeled and cubed sliced into thin strips
1 medium-sized zucchini, cubed
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf, Italian parsley
1 large onion, sliced thin

Cooking Instructions

Heat oil in a pan over medium heat about 3 to 5 minutes.
Add garlic, peppers and onion and sauté five minutes. Add remaining ingredients except the parsley, mixing well. Cover and cook approximately 30 minutes or until vegetables are fork tender. Add parsley. Taste and adjust for salt and pepper.

From T-Fal, a CMA member

The association plans to continue to promote quick, good tasting recipes on its website along with advice on how to use cookware to produce foods that are enjoyable and healthy at the same time. The nationwide publicity campaign will include suggestions for easily prepared recipes and advice on appropriate cookware and bakeware for consumers.

For more than 80 years, the CMA has been educating consumers about cookware and bakeware, its proper selection, use and maintenance.