04.01.11
A new report in the April 2011 issue of ShopSmart magazine, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, unveils some foods that may seem healthy but aren’t necessarily, and offers advice on truly healthful foods to choose instead. A sampling of the magazine’s unhealthy health foods includes vegetable chips. “Their colors may be mesmerizing, but they’re usually high in calories and fat and they don’t count as a serving of vegetables.” ShopSmart recommends air-popped popcorn or dried veggies instead. Regarding granola cereal, the magazine says: “It’s usually high in sugar, fat and calories and relatively low in vitamins and minerals…Have a bowl of an airy, oat-based cereal, like Cheerios, which topped ShopSmart’s tests of kid-friendly cereals. For extra crunch and sweetness, add just a sprinkling of granola on top.” The list also includes turkey hot dogs. “A lot of turkey hot dogs are surprisingly high in fat, and some are even higher in fat than regular hot dogs. They also might contain loads of sodium and nitrates…A turkey breast sandwich is a better choice.” For vitamin infused waters, the magazine says “they’re often loaded with sugar and sometimes caffeine. Have plain old H2O with a squeeze from a lemon, lime or orange slices.” Wrap sandwiches are often big enough for two people and may be high in calories and fat. ShopSmart recommended a sandwich on whole-grain or whole-wheat bread. “When shopping for bread, make sure whole grain is first on the ingredient list.” Lastly, couscous, just like white pasta, “is a processed, refined grain with little nutritional value. Buy whole-wheat couscous or opt for a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice.”