Better for You Health Foods

 

Consumers may be unwittingly sabotaging their efforts to trim waist-lines by choosing health food pretenders that are often high in fat, sugars, and calories says a new report in Food & Fitness, a special Consumer Reports publication now on newsstands.

“If you’re serious about losing those extra pounds, then these foods should be strictly off-limits,” says Gayle Williams, editor, Food & Fitness.  “But for every unhealthy food choice, there’s a satisfying alternative that we recommend to replace it.”
 
Some examples from the list:
 
Applesauce: When sweetened, it has a lot of added sugar, as much as 200 calories in a 1-cup serving. TRY THIS: Reach for the unsweetened variety and try adding cinnamon. Or better, says Williams, eat an apple.
 
Turkey Hot Dogs: They tend to be surprisingly high in fat—higher, even, than regular hot dogs. And some are loaded with sodium and nitrates. TRY THIS: Consider a turkey breast sandwich and go for the version with the lowest amount of fat.
 
Vitamin-Infused Waters: Sure, they have added nutrients but they’re often packed with sugar and sometimes caffeine. TRY THIS: Reach for plain old water or sparkling water with a squeeze of lemon, lime, or orange.
 
Banana Chips: Yes, they’re made from good-for-you bananas but they’re usually fried in coconut or palm oil, unhealthy sources of saturated fat. No wonder a serving can reach 210 calories and a whopping 13 grams of fat. TRY THIS: A banana has lot of nutrients and zero fat.
 
Couscous: Regular couscous is a processed, refined grain, just like white pasta, delivering minimal nutritional value.  TRY THIS: Whole-wheat couscous or opt for a whole grain like quinoa or brown rice.
 
Vegetable chips: While they may contain the colors of the rainbow, they don’t count as a serving of veggies and they’re unusually high in fat and calories. TRY THIS: Air popped popcorn or dried veggies and watch the fat and salt on the ingredients label.
 
The complete list of health food pretenders is available in Consumer Reports’ Food & Fitness magazine and online at www.ConsumerReports.org. To read the other stories highlighted, pick up a copy of the special Consumer Reports’ Food & Fitness magazine.