October 21, 2011

The Illusion of Healthy Food

As I try to buy healthier foods and cook healthier meals, I've realized how little I actually know about healthy eating. I recently read through Eat This, Not That! 2012  and found shock after shock as I flipped through the pages. Did you know that Oscar Mayer turkey bacon actually has more fat than their regular bacon? Would you have guessed that Kix cereal has less sugar and fewer calories than Life cereal?

Which sounds healthier: 
Two beef patties with pickles, onions, ketchup and mustard on a toasted bun
or 
Smoked white meat chicken with mozzarella, tomatoes, onions, basil and chipotle mayonnaise on Focaccia? 

How about eating two of those burgers with two beef patties? Surely the chicken sandwich would be healthier than that, right?

Take a look at these two items from McDonald's and Panera. Neither is healthy. Although you get less saturated fat and no trans fat with the panini, you're still consuming more calories than there are in two McDoubles. Panera might use more natural ingredients than McDonald's, but there's nothing natural about 1,910mg of sodium. Even though it's served on fancy dishes, Panera is still fast food. If you want to eat healthy, look at the nutrition facts (available on most restaurant websites). Or, better yet, just avoid eating out.


(Images from here and here)

4 comments:

  1. avoid eating out. That is the key. Or just be more aware of what you are consuming. Unfortunately, most people don't think like that.

    Prime example, NOT ALL SALADS ARE HEALTHY. If it contains fried chicken, fried noddles, iceberg lettuce and a vat of creamy dressing, you might as well be eating that cheeseburger.

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  2. @Jen Oh my, the salads! Those can be some of the worst meals. You're better off eating a burger and a broccoli cheese baked potato at Wendy's than their Baja salad.

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  3. yikes! wow, i would have never thought that. 'healthy' foods can be very deceiving!

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  4. Oh my goodness, that is crazy! I need to check that book out.

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