Health Food Imposters
This is the article I've been intending to write, but Nicole beat me to it!
One of the things I teach my weight loss clients as well as the participants of my Healthy Shopping grocery tours is how to properly label read to weed out the deceptive labeling and marketing that food manufacturers engage in to try to make you think their product is healthy.
Below is a synopsis of an article posted on MSN.com last week. To read the full article, click the link I've given at the end.
The foods that have an undeserved reputation as virtuous choices—and what you should eat instead.
Even if you haven't bought full-fat mayo or sugary soda since blue eye shadow was in style (the first time), you may be getting duped into less-than-stellar food choices at the supermarket. The culprit? The "health halo."
"From a distance, some foods seem like healthful choices because of the way they're packaged or labeled," says Janel Ovrut, M.S., R.D., a Boston-based dietitian. "But just because a product's marketing gives it an aura of health doesn't necessarily mean it's good for you." Here, eight notorious health food impostors, plus smarter swaps that up the nutritional ante and still give you the flavor you crave.
Impostor: Baked potato chips
Better choice: Popcorn (air popped or microwave brands that have no trans fats, like Bearitos brand or Newman's Own)
Impostor: Light or Sugar-Free Ice Cream
Better choice: Dairy-Free Ice Cream, like those made with Soy or Coconut Milk, like Tofutti or Soy Dream
Imposter: Diet Soda
Better choice: Flavored Seltzer Water
Imposter: Calorie-free spray margarine
Beter choice: Spray-it-yourself olive oil (use a Misto)
Imposter: Non-fat salad dressings (lots of sugar) or Spray salad dressings (trans fats)
Beter choice: Oil-based salad dressings in a bottle
Imposter: Low-fat cookies
Beter choice: Oatmeal cookies (like yummy Kashi TLC cookies)
Imposter: 100-calorie snack packs (these are very deceptive and contain trans fats)
Beter choice: A serving of almonds (about 10-12)
Read the full story here.
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