Evidence of short-term impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on family life is emerging. Continued research can shed light on potential longer-term impacts. An online survey of U.S. parents with 4- to 8-year-old children (n = 1000) was administered in October 2020. The survey examined parent-reported impacts of COVID-19 on lifestyle (e.g., work, child-care, grocery shopping), as well as current family food acquisition and eating behaviors (e.g., cooking, restaurant use). Descriptive statistics were calculated, incorporating sampling weights based on sociodemographics. In terms of COVID-19 impacts, parents reported increases in working from home, decreased work hours, and increased child care and instruction, with most children attending school or receiving care at home. Parents reported increased home cooking and online grocery shopping; only 33% reported increased take-out or delivery from restaurants. About half of parents reported that their child dined at restaurants, 62% reported getting take-out, and 57% reported delivery from restaurants at least 2–3 times per month. About half viewed dining at restaurants as safe, while take-out and delivery were seen as safe by around three-quarters. Approximately two-thirds reported recent food insecurity. These nationally-representative results illustrate possible longer-lasting shifts in family life, with the potential to impact health and well-being. Sociodemographic differences and research and policy implications are discussed.
The ingredients and nutrients of infant and toddler foods (ITFs) sold in pouches were compared with products available in other packages, such as jars/packs and other containers. Company websites (n = 21) and in-store shelf inventory (n = 3) were used to create a database of commercial ITFs containing vegetables (n = 548) sold in the United States. Results indicated that ITFs containing vegetables were most commonly packaged in pouches (50%), followed by “other” packages (25%) and jars/packs (25%). Infant and toddler food pouches contained significantly more sugars per serving and per Reference Amount Customarily Consumed, as well as a greater percentage of calories from sugars, compared with both jars/packs and “other” packages. Pouches were also more likely to contain vegetable/fruit blends, whereas jars/packs were more likely to contain single-vegetable or multivegetable blends, and “other” packages were more likely to contain vegetable/other ingredient combinations (eg, grains and/or dairy). Pouches are popular, widely available, and convenient but may not represent the vegetable profiles and nutritional qualities that parents believe they are buying for their children.
Current available products do not provide caregivers with a sufficient variety of single-vegetable products or products containing dark green vegetables to facilitate children's subsequent acceptance of these vegetables. Guidance should include making caregivers aware of the limitations of commercial ITFs manufactured and sold in the US market.
Consumer taste preference can be influenced by visual preference. To eliminate the influence of visual preference in the sensory evaluation of whole grain wheat, a reproducible method to eliminate color differences between Whole Grain breads prepared from hard white wheat (HWW) and hard red wheat (HRW) was evaluated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to match the color of HWW to HRW with the addition of commercially available dye solutions: McCormick black (red #40, yellow #5, blue #1), red (red #40, red #3, yellow #6), and yellow (yellow #5). Bread color was assessed by L*, a*, and b* color parameters according to the CIELAB international system of color measurement. Four replicates of the control and dye treated breads were analyzed. Initial color values for HRW were L* = 56.8 ± 0.40; a* = 8.04 ± 0.44; b* = 21.34 ± 0.46. RSM was used to predict dye addition levels to match color between HWW and HRW. With the addition of black (0.457 µL/mL), red (0.574 µL/mL), and yellow (1.165 µL/mL) dye to HWW, breads could be produced with L*, a*, and b* values of no statistical difference to the HRW (P < 0.05). A timed storage trail demonstrated the need to standardize the time between bread production and feeding studies. Visual bias can hinder assessment of wheat varieties in sensory studies. A reproducible method of dying wheat was developed that can be used to reduce this bias in sensory studies. Practical Applications The ability to control color variability is a critical tool in determining perceived quality in sensory analysis of breads. In this study, a method to reduce or eliminate visual bias between breads made from different varieties of wheat was developed. This method is applicable to any foods where dye could be added to reduce or eliminate color bias in sensory studies.
Objective The goal of this study was to examine the potential of an optimal‐defaults intervention to promote grocery purchases corresponding to a diet for diabetes. Methods In total, 65 adults diagnosed with or at increased risk for type 2 diabetes who grocery shopped at one of two study stores were randomized to one of three groups: Defaults, Online, or Control. All groups received diabetes‐friendly recipes. In addition, the Online group was asked to grocery shop online during a 3‐week intervention, and the Defaults group was asked to shop online, with their online grocery carts prefilled with food items needed to prepare provided recipes. Participants provided weekly grocery receipt data at baseline, at each week of the 3‐week intervention, and at post‐intervention. Results Overall, the Defaults group had grocery purchases of a significantly greater nutritional quality versus other groups (F = 16.3, p < 0.001). Between‐group comparisons of least‐squares means showed consistent effects of the Defaults intervention while intervention components were in place, with a similar pattern for energy and carbohydrate content of grocery purchases. Conclusions These results build upon emerging evidence that optimal defaults can promote healthier grocery purchases. Continued examination of this approach could promote healthy food acquisition in accordance with individual dietary preferences and needs.
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