I picked my Darling Daughter up from a 3-day school retreat Friday night. We had to go by the grocery store on the way home to drop yearbook film at the photo lab. I had a short grocery list as well. "What do you want for dinner?" I asked. "I want beneficials," said DD without hesitation.

This year, she explained, the food was even less acceptable for Type As than ever. She had taken a bag of soy protein bars and trail mix in her suitcase. That kept her going for three days. The only thing she ate from the camp cafeteria was salad.

I thought she might be exaggerating just a little, but when she described the menus, I had to agree that she was right. They served breaded & fried chicken strips, macaroni and cheese, green beans with bacon, hot dogs (served with relish or chili), spaghetti & meatballs, greasy garlic bread, canned fruit, and ham & cheese on white bread. Breakfasts were banana nut muffins one day and powdered eggs, biscuits & gravy the next.

We had lots of vegetables and fruit for dinner along with barbequed chicken. The chicken wasn't beneficial, but after 3 days with only soy and nuts for protein, she felt she needed some meat.

I know it's got to be hard to plan food for a group of picky teenagers. But when I look over the menus, there wasn't much that would build health for any Type.