Northwest Earthquake & Lack of Nutritional Value plus Food Forethought. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Northwest Report.

I have pretty much stopped eating out at fast food places unless absolutely necessary due to the lack of real nutritional value. It seems that a new study is backing up my decision and also says these combo meals are not good for kids either according to Jason Mendoza of USDA's Children's Nutrition Research Center.

MENDOZA: We compared the fast food kids meals to the nutrient standards set by the USDA for the national school lunch program for kindergartners through third-graders. It kind of showed that parents have somewhat limited choices in the meals if they want to give their kids meals with high diet quality they’re going to really have to look for those meals and they might not be available at every restaurant.

Seismologists say an earthquake struck off Canada's pacific coast province of British Columbia. The U.S. Geological Survey said Tuesday the 6.6-magnitude quake's epicenter is 414 miles northwest of Vancouver, British Columbia. There were no immediate reports of damage.

Now with today’s Food Forethought, here’s Lacy Gray.

A few years back eggs were given a bad rap for being a “bad cholesterol” food choice. Updated scientific research and evidence has proven otherwise. Eggs are now considered a “good cholesterol” food choice. In more recent years the unassuming potato has been on the receiving end of a lot of negative press, being associated with a poor nutritional choice and weight gain.  Well guess what, new studies have shown that the potato, contrary to popular misconception, is high in mineral and vitamin content and has a zero fat count. The potato may very well end up being lauded as a food that is not only good for you but possibly beneficial to a weight loss diet. In all fairness to the potato its what most people put on the potato once it gets to the dinner table that makes it non conducive to weight loss. Sour cream, butter, cheese and bacon bits while undeniably delicious on a baked potato are not so desirable around the waistline. The potato is merely an innocent side dish. I for one have had a love affair with the potato in all its forms from childhood; one of my favorites is simply peeled and eaten raw with salt and pepper.

Thanks Lacy. That’s today’s Northwest Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.