Calorie Bargain: Smart Cycle

The Why: We love this product! Video games don't usually conjure up images of health and fitness, but the Smart Cycle changes all that. This amazing game from Fisher-Price combines a stationary bike with a learning arcade game system to provide hours of intense, active fun for your children ages 3 through 6 years. I tried it out on the most discerning committee: my 4-year-old daughter and her friends. They thought it was a scream, and the interaction and game sounds are hysterical for bystanding parents, too. You'll have no problem saying yes when they beg you to let them play.

The Health Bonus: Your kids will be so busy having fun that they won't even realize that they're exercising and learning.

What We Liked Best: The combination of physical activity and learning is a great duo.

What We Liked Least: This takes up a bit more space than a regular video game controller -- and while it's worth the price, it isn't cheap. Though it comes with one, each additional game cartridge costs $20.

The Price: $100

Web Site:http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=10&e=smartcyclelanding

Where to Buy: Target, Wal-Mart, Kohl's, Costco, Sears, K-B Toys, Toys "R" Us, Meijer

Ingredients: Smart Cycle, learning advantage cartridge game

Do you have a Calorie Bargain to share? Send in your favorite Calorie Bargains to info@dietdetective.com -- they will be posted on the Web site. And if your idea is published in the column, you'll receive a FREE copy of the book Breaking the FAT Pattern or Lighten Up.

Reprinted with permission from www.dietdetective.com, July 2007.