The Checkup Archive: Is That Right?

Is That Right? Onions and garlic fight swine flu?

Soldiers serving the small former Soviet country Moldova are being fed extra garlic and onions in hopes that those foods will help fend off swine flu. Is that really likely to help keep them healthy? The Associated Press reports that 24 out of 6,500 Moldovan soldiers have come down with...

Is That Right? Mini-Wheats have double the fiber of Cheerios?

When my family saw the current ad for Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats the other night, we all guffawed. The commercial depicts what I guess is a boxing match between a great big Mini-Wheat and a tiny little Honey-Nut Cheerio. The message: Mini-Wheats have "more than double the fiber and whole grain...

Is That Right? Cranberry Raisinets rich with antioxidants?

Those new Cranberry Raisinets sure sound as though they'd be good for you. Nestle's press release announcing the new product's launch this summer called the chocolate-covered cranberries a "better-for-you indulgence rich with natural fruit antioxidants." "Cranberries," the press release continues, are "the most popular of the superfruits" and "combine exceptional...

Is That Right? Pistachios are lowest-calorie, lowest-fat nut?

You can't blame the folks who sell pistachios for trying hard to boost the nuts' image. The recalls of pistachios potentially contaminated with salmonella earlier this year surely put a big dent in both sales and the nuts' reputation. But the new ad campaign for Wonderful Pistachios may be relying...

Is That Right? French's mustard shares just one ingredient with mayo, ketchup?

The interactive graphic allowing consumers to compare French's yellow mustard with fellow condiments mayonnaise and ketchup would be kind of cool -- if it weren't so misleading. French's really shouldn't have to work too hard to establish that's it's pretty healthful, as far as sandwich-toppers go. After all, it's extremely...

Is That Right? Bologna Beats PB&J

In response to my Tuesday blog about donating healthful food to shelters for the homeless, a reader reported feeling ill at ease with his or her church's long-standing practice of donating bologna sandwiches to the homeless. That got me wondering about bologna's nutrition profile. (It also got me craving a...

Older Entries in This Category »

Is That Right? 7-Up "Antioxidant", Jennifer LaRue Huget , October 2, 2009

Is That Right? Goldfish Crackers Provide 1/3 Serving of Real Vegetables, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 25, 2009

Is That Right? High-Fiber Cereals Taste Better These Days, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 18, 2009

Is That Right? New Lunchables Are 'Wholesome', Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 11, 2009

Is That Right? Alli Weight-Loss Drug is Safe, Jennifer LaRue Huget , September 4, 2009

Is That Right? Rice Krispies Boost Immunity, Jennifer LaRue Huget , August 21, 2009

Is That Right? Cancer Society Birthday Cake, Jennifer LaRue Huget , August 14, 2009

Is That Right? Vinegar Can Come From Petroleum, Jennifer LaRue Huget , August 7, 2009

Is That Right? "Eating organic food just makes sense.", Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 31, 2009

Is That Right? Crystal Light Makes Women Drink More Water, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 24, 2009

Is That Right? Evian Water "Supports Your Body's Youth", Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 17, 2009

Is That Right? Fruit2day: A New Way to Eat Fruit, Jennifer LaRue Huget , July 10, 2009

Is That Right? A Full Serving of Vegetables in Chef Boyardee, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 26, 2009

Is That Right? One A Day with Selenium and Prostate Cancer, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 19, 2009

Is That Right? "Real Sugar" is Everywhere. But is it Better for You?, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 12, 2009

Is That Right? Jell-O with Antioxidants, Jennifer LaRue Huget , June 5, 2009

Is That Right? Frosted Mini-Wheats Keep Kids "Full and Focused", Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 29, 2009

Is That Right? Silk Soy Product Lowers Cholesterol, Jennifer LaRue Huget , May 22, 2009