Just got back from Supermarket

[Mickeyistheman]

I am quite surprised at how things are labled. I have been trying very very hard to eat healthier and lose some weight.

I bought Tostitos and some salsa, instead of chips and dip. Tostitos have these new whole grain and you would think they would be healthier right...WRONG! I was quite shocked. The sodium was higher, the calories were higher...etc. So I bought the regular bag.

THEN I went to look at microwave popcorn. The store brand ( I am not picky and it was on sale as well) They had Light and Regular, again totally shocked that the light had everything higher especially the sodium content! So I guess sometimes light or whole grain isn't always better.

Has anyone else noticed this at their Food Stores?

 

[mickeyboat]

I haven't checked that closely, but I will next time.

I wanted to mention that baby carrots are yummy dipped in salsa!

 

[lovemygoofy]

I always look at labels. We are trying to watch what we eat besides watching it go into our mouths

I've made several changes that have helped with our weight and health progression. We eat baked pita chips now instead of tortilla chips. I will bake tortilla chips on occasion if we are going to have taco salad.

I also make a big thing of homemade salsa once or twice a month and keep it in the fridge. I like to think my husband is getting some veggie while munching on the couch.

You can also make your own dips with reduced fat stuff and smaller amounts of seasoning. I've learned it's all about controlling what you are eating by trying to make it but absoultely reading the labels is the place to start.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I haven't noticed the labeling but also had a couple things to mention:

I learned on the DIS that sliced cucumber is great dipped in salsa (about the same size and crunch factor without the calories or sodium).

and

I still pop popcorn on the stove in a regular pot. I pop it in just a bit of olive oil which gives it a really nice flavour and is not nearly so bda for you as the microwave varieties.

 

[MrsPete]

In college I took a class on nutrition, and it was an eye opener. MANY of the things on packaging is purposefully misleading.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Oh one great book to check out that is an eye opener and will make you feel like crap if you eat alot of it lol is "Eat This Not That."

I have the grocery store version and it's outstanding. It talks about everything from kid's cereal to frozen meals to hot sauces. It doesn't say don't eat any of it; it just helps point out better choices.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I have high blood pressure and am sensitive to salt, so I am also used to looking at the salt content. Actually, that is what I look at first, then the fats, then the calories....

Homemade is usually the way to go, may be expensive in the beginning, but the results are definetely better.

Get an air popper for popcorn (you can get them cheap at consignment, garage sales) or just buy it new. They make tons of great toppers that are low in sodium and taste great. I am partial to just adding a little parm cheese now.

As for chips, buy either pita's or tortilla shells, cut in small triangles, put a little butter or olive oil on them, BAKE, and you have a low sodium chip that is just delicous warm. Match it up with cold salsa, and you will never go back.

I also use the above to make my garlic pita's and breads for italian night.


Potato chips... (not so low on fat) Thin slice a potato, mix togther butter and spices and bake in the oven. While hot, sprinkle on parm cheese.

 

[wvjules]

I second the ETNT books. We also get daily emails.

It was very eye opening. Bottom line is....read the labels. I was disheartened to learn that my raisin bran isn't really that good for me.

 

[MickeySP]

I lost a tremendous amount of weight 6 years ago(200lbs) and have been a label freak every since.

My rules to stick by - if more than a 1/3 of calories come from fat - NOPE
- if it has more than 16g sugar carbs - NOPE
- keep to as low a sodium count as you can
- eat no more than one frozen meal a day

I have been able to maintain by sticking.

Most important allow yourself one free day every couple of weeks, don't go nuts but have the pizza etc... just drink about 4oz of water first works wonders.

 

[ckay87]

I just go by the general rule than anything processed and packaged by someone other than me is probably not that healthy. I don't LIVE by that, mind you. I'm not above eating chips, but I don't go into it ever thinking it's a healthy thing to do, regardless of the claims on the package. Know what I mean? There may be exceptions to that, but it's a good rule of thumb. If I want to eat 100% healthy, I need to shop from around the perimeter of the grocery store (produce, meat, dairy, bread...all the fresh aisles). Since I have greedy, hungry teenage boys, however, it just doesn't happen as it should for us.

 

[mjkacmom]

I buy bakes tostidos - less fat. I do find that the lower fat varieties have more sodium to compensate. I've been a label reader forever now - I don't eat a thing without reading the label. Dd13 is now the same way.

 

[PatsMom]

I read labels quite faithfully and it has helped a lot with keeping my diabetes under control and losing some weight this year.

One thing a lot of people are not aware of is that "sugar free" does not mean safe for diabetics. I was taught to count my carbs and it doesn't matter much where they come from. Sugar free items sometimes have more carbs than their equivalent item with sugar.

I also try to limit fat. and watch sodium for blood pressure reasons!

 

[LilyWDW]

Oh one great book to check out that is an eye opener and will make you feel like crap if you eat alot of it lol is "Eat This Not That."

I have the grocery store version and it's outstanding. It talks about everything from kid's cereal to frozen meals to hot sauces. It doesn't say don't eat any of it; it just helps point out better choices.

I also suggest the "Eat this, Not that" series. What I enjoy about it is that it isn't a diet book... it doesn't tell you to cut out whole types of foods. Instead, it is realistic. It admits that sometimes you want chips and dip, or ice cream, or pasta, ect ect. However, it gives you an idea on the best AND the worst. It replaces the really really bad stuff with something that isn't as bad.

I have all 4 of the books now.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

I enjoy the Eat this not That. I first heard of this man on Rachel Ray and got one of his books, I have added his other books to my wish list for "Santa"

I have high blood pressure and I have to really watch my sodium intake. It really is amazing how much sodium is in things and my Dr. had advised me that sometimes if the fat content is a little bit more and the sodium is less then I should eat that instead of something that has very low fat but the sodium is SKY high.

Thank you for the Carrot and Cucumber with the Salsa. I bought some hummus today as well..I tried to make it and it was not that great lol so for now I am sticking to that, but thank you for the ideas.

I am not trying to look like Megan Fox, I like to eat food! But, I want and need to be healthy and so far its been working.....I lost about 6lbs in 3 weeks!

Thanks everyone! Anymore ideas or advice is welcome too!

 

[paintnolish]

Pften times, the "healthier" version is really the "not quite as bad as regular" version. It is in no means healthy! DH doesn't get this concept. I wish I didn't...at least I wouldn't feel so guilty about all of this Halloween candy I am eating!

 

[Micca]

Check out the sugar content on packaged foods. It's unbelievable that some foods that aren't sweet are LOADED with sugar.

 

[NHdisneylover]

since you asked for tips, one thing I started doing is ALWAYS setting out an "appitizer" plate about a half hour before dinner. 90% of the time it is just cut up raw fruits or veggies--sometimes with salsa or hummus, etc. Sometimes I add whole grain breads, popcorn, toasted pumpkin seeds, etc. If I actually set it out (on the coffe table or the table in the kitchen where I am cooking and everyone seems to migrate) then I find the entire family tends to eat a lot more produce (I'll eat while I cook as well)--and then we are not so hungry when we sit down to eat and eat less of the "main" meal (which will nearly always have more fat/sodium than just straight produce). It really makes a difference in how much meat and bread I see my DH eating.

 

[NMAmy]

I've learned to live by my mom's mantra that homemade is usually better for you--and if it is bad for you, at least you KNOW what's in there.

We have air popped popcorn--that way I can put real butter on it and add our own salt. It tastes better and since I'm doing the adding, I know exactly what we're eating. When we want that crunchy/dip type food, we eat a lot of homemade hummus with veggies and pretzels. Potato chips are my nemesis--I love them and I'll eat a whole bag. So, we just don't buy them.