Tasty Recipes from Recipe Wizards

The latest item in Dannon’s kid-centered Danimals line is Coolisions – two flavors of yogurt in side-by-side squeeze tubes. Mr. Tidbit happily allows Dannon to explain: “Try a little from one side, a little from the other, then fold them together for a Coolision of fruity flavor!” There are four combinations: Purple Berry and lemonade, banana and strawberry, Berry Punch and cherry, and Very Berry and strawberry.

SNACK-FLAVORED SNACKS

From the moment he learned about Dannon Coolisions, Mr. Tidbit was locked in an epic struggle with his brain to recall what he was sure was another recent product in a very similar vein. He finally came up with it: It’s Doritos Collisions – two different flavors of Doritos (for example, Zesty Taco and Chipotle Ranch) in a single bag.

He wrote about those more than a year ago, and of course the Frito-Lay folks have not rested on their Doritos since then. The latest line is Doritos Late Night, in black bags illustrated with what look like neon signs proclaiming the three flavors (not combined; each comes in its own bag): All Nighter Cheeseburger, Tacos at Midnight and Last Call Jalapeno Popper. Mr. Tidbit admits to being baffled:

Sure, cheeseburgers, tacos and jalapeno poppers are all potential late-night snacks, but so is every other flavor of Doritos – including Doritos!

IT’S ONELICIOUS!

And speaking of Dannon Coolisions and Doritos Collisions, Mr. Tidbit was delighted when he saw new Trident Layers chewing gum, each sticklet of which is like a tiny (“It’s Threelicious!”) two-flavor sandwich. (Mr. Tidbit loves themes.)

In the flavor Mr. Tidbit bought, there are two yellow outer layers of “golden pineapple” and a filling of green apple. Since the layers don’t come apart, you can only taste the combined flavor, which is quite pleasant, but Mr. Tidbit fears he’s missing the point of having it in layers.

Since time immemorial, adults have been telling kids, “Spit out that gum.” Turns out, the adults should be chewing gum as a way to reduce calories. Take our gum quiz.

1. How many calories are in a serving (one stick) of sugar-free gum?

a) 0-4 calories

b) 5-10 calories

c) 10-15 calories

2. According to a study published in the journal Appetite in 2007, chewing gum three hours before an afternoon snack saw what results:

a) a consumption of 36 fewer calories in the afternoon snack than among non-gum chewers

b) a 42 percent greater need to consume fluids instead of solid food during the afternoon snack

c) a 28 percent increase in repetitive temporomandibular joint discomfort

3. True or false: The benefits for the group involved in the 2007 study were seen only in a subgroup chewing sugar-free gum.

4. True or false: According to the American Dietetic Association, chewing gum may help improve alertness and concentration, and help relieve daily stresses like driving in traffic or waiting in line.

5. The ADA says psychiatrists and psychologists suggest that two main reasons people chew gum are to:

a) placate anger and frustration

b) deal with mother issues and abandonment feelings

c) relieve tension and boredom

ANSWERS: 1: b; 2: a; 3: false (both regular and sugar-free chewers consumed fewer calories); 4: true; 5: c.

Source: American Dietetic Association (www.eatright.org)