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Welcome to "Game time." I'm Pat Somerhill.
And I'm Gail Moran.
Today it's the battle of the dueling dinner parties.
At stake, bragging rights for healthiest food get-togethers.
Pat.
Well, Gail, you know, there's lots of food out there,
that's for sure.
But the question is, how do you choose nutrients or foods wisely
when you're away from home and, say, at a dinner party?
Well, that's what we're here to find out, Pat.
Let's take a look at our two contenders.
Up first, the Simpsons, who've invited some friends over
for a typical sit-down affair.
It'll be interesting to see what the hostess has come up with
for the menu there, Pat.
And out on the other side, we've got their neighbors,
the Jacksons, who have invited a few friends over for
an informal Sunday afternoon football celebration.
Now their game plan includes lots of finger foods
and a buffet style setting.
Joe Santana's on the sidelines with Mr. Jackson now.
Joe. Thanks, Pat.
Frank, you've got some serious competition from the Simpsons
for dinner tonight.
What's your game plan for keeping it healthy
without making it boring?
Joe, this party is gonna be anything but boring.
We've got football, after all.
And don't forget the veggies.
Veggies with a ball game? Sure.
We have fresh broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower,
and my favorite, sweet yellow peppers.
Believe it or not, they make a good snack.
Well, as we all know with the 5-20 rule,
20% or more of a nutrient is high, 5% is low.
So these veggies are an excellent source of vitamin C,
very low in sodium and saturated fat.
Back to you, Pat. Thanks, Joe.
It's a great start to what could be a big battle.
Now they're just sitting down to dinner at the Simpsons,
but we spoke to Fran Simpson earlier today.
Now here's what she had to say about her game plan.
You have a hungry crowd coming over today, Fran.
What's on the menu?
Well, I've got individual game hens for everyone,
a side salad, and baked potatoes.
Oh, and I see you're also planning soup for an appetizer.
Oh, yeah, soup's always a good starter.
I'm planning a hearty tomato soup with fresh rosemary
and garlic croutons.
It's easy to make and it's packed with vitamin C.
It sounds like a winner.
We'll see how it goes over with the dinner party.
Gail.
Back at the Jackson's, the ball game's just about to start.
They've laid out the spread and our first guest
is loading up his plate.
Now despite the side of veggies, that pile of wings
is gonna cost him.
A serving size is three wings and it looks like he's got six.
Add the half dozen pizza bites and he's well on his way
to more than his total daily value in many categories.
Well, let's take a look at the score so far.
We've got 30% DV saturated fat from those 6 wings and another
15% from the pizza bites for a total of 45% daily value
from those 2 foods alone.
Now the only good news is the 64% DV protein from the meat
and the 150% DV vitamin C from the peppers.
And at the Simpsons I assume the nutrition score
is much better, Gail?
Well, you would think so, Pat,
but Fran's made a last minute change in the lineup.
Now the tomato soup was pulled and replaced with French onion.
It's particularly high in sodium and the large piece of cheese
on top helps it weigh in at a whopping 30% daily value
of saturated fat.
You're right, Gail.
And if we go by the 5-20 rule, 30% is over the 5% DV maximum
we'd like to limit ourselves to each day.
Now at the same time, while the Cornish hen adds 60% daily value
of protein, it also tacks on another 35% DV of saturated fat.
Still better than the neighbors, but the Simpsons
haven't locked up a win yet.
Hold on, Pat.
It looks like we've gone off the playbook at the Jackson's.
They brought out some chicken breast wraps and they seem
to be very popular.
The whole grain gives it a whopping 31% DV of fiber,
and the flavorful low-cal dressing comes in at only 3% DV
of saturated fat.
I think the momentum is shifting, Pat.
And I think you're right, Gail.
Surprisingly, it looks like they're not sticking to
the game plan over at the Simpson's.
And it looks like they've forgotten the 5-20 rule.
Butter and sour cream on the potatoes,
a creamy dressing on the salad, and is that eggnog?
I'm afraid it is, Pat.
And the portions are out of control.
Potatoes and salad add much needed fiber and vitamins,
but look at the size of those servings.
A surprise outcome in the battle of the dueling
dinner parties, Gail.
And this just underscores how important it is to not only
choose nutrients wisely, but to also pay attention
to serving size and calories per serving.
For "Game Time," I'm Pat Somerhill.
And I'm Gail Moran, see you next time.
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