ComputerHunter.org

 

Unhealthy Foods: Five Sneaky Foods Revealed


With the array of different diets and diet foods available to help with weight loss and health, it's sometimes hard to figure out what's healthy and what's not. Of course, part of the problem is that people have different health needs: for example, while fruit juice is often a good source of vitamins and other nutrients, some people with diabetes may find that some fruit juices have more sugar than they can tolerate. So what sounds healthy may not be healthy for you. How to tell? Look past the advertising to get label-savvy and nutrition aware so that you can avoid sneaky foods that seem like a good idea but may clash with your health needs.

Check out these examples:

1) Bottled waters: Water seems like the one thing on earth that has to be natural? But many bottled waters, even ones promoted by athletes, may contain things besides water, including minerals and salts. Some bottled waters contain a big chunk of sodium, so if you're on a low-sodium diet, check that label before you buy.

2) "Low fat" foods: By law, foods labeled "low fat" contain less than 3 grams of fat per serving. But check the label so you know what you're getting. First, check serving sizes: if serving sizes are very small, and you're planning a traditionally-sized serving, your intake of fat may be larger than you expect. Second, make sure you're not trading off the benefits of lower fat foods for extra sugar and salt. Manufacturers may increase salt, sugars or artificial flavorings to compensate for the loss of flavor in low-fat foods. So, if you're trying to lower your blood pressure (for example) check to make sure you aren't getting a big dose of salt; if you're trying to move towards a more organic or natural diet, you may want to compare levels of artificial sweetening.

3) "Low carb" alternatives to regular prepackaged foods may also trade off carbohydrate content for other things that you might be trying to avoid, so get savvy about reading labels on prepackaged food. Keep in mind that the FDA has not yet fully determined what the qualifications are to be a "low carb" food, so double-check the label to see if the carb content fits your needs. In addition, a number of reports suggest that "low carb" labels are being used inappropriately, so look at the label to see the actual number of carbohydrate grams.

4) Guacamole: Avocados look like vegetables, but they are actually the fruit of an avocado tree. Fruits and vegetables are generally considered to be healthy foods ? just look at the number of servings that are recommended in the new FDA pyramid. But avocados are a sneaky fruit ? unlike most others, they are full of fat, which accounts for their less sweet taste and waxy feel. One medium sized avocado has about 31 grams of fat, equivalent to a Baskin Robbins milk shake! So if you're trying to reduce the amount of fat or cholesterol in your diet, watch that guacamole. If on the other hand, you're looking to increase vitamins C and A in your diet, avocados pack a positive punch.

5) Fish: Fish can be a great source of nutrition, with lean protein and many nutrients. Make sure that if you're eating processed fish, it's packed in something that you don't mind eating ? if you're cutting down on fats, tuna packed in oil isn't for you. Lastly, not all seafood has the same nutritional content as fish ? unlike other fish, shrimp has a lot of cholesterol, even before you add butter or mayo.

Clinical Reference Systems, Adult Health Advisor, "Food labels," 2004.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), "Fact Sheet: Carbohydrates," 2004

Schafer, E., et al, "Bottled Water: to drink or not to drink?," Iowa State University, PM 1813, 2000

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "What you need to know about mercury in fish and shellfish," EPA-823-F-04-009, 2004

U.S. Department of Agriculture, "National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference," 2004

Copyright (C) Shoppe.MD, PhenForum.com and Ian Mason, 2004-2005

Learn more about health, diet and exercise at our weight loss forum.

PhenForum.com is a popular discussion forum for weight loss programs, diet advice, and tips to help you burn fat.

All the best,

Ian Mason







Google News - Top Stories

ABC News

Rapport With Ex-Rival Will Be Key for Clinton
Washington Post - 1 hour ago
In introducing his choice for secretary of state, President-elect Barack Obama said, "Hillary's appointment is a sign to friend and foe of the seriousness of my commitment to renew American diplomacy and restore our alliances.
Video: Obama Picks Gates, Clinton for Foreign Policy AssociatedPress
So what's in this for Hillary? Salon
Reuters - New York Times - International Herald Tribune - BBC News
all 3,966 news articles


Teen with chain and padlock on ankle flees Tracy residence
San Jose Mercury News - 51 minutes ago
By Mike Martinez TRACY - Police arrested a Tracy couple Monday afternoon in connection with a case involving a 16-year-old boy who - wearing only a pair of baggy boxers and carrying a heavy chain padlocked to his ankle - stumbled into a local gym ...
Chained, Soot-Covered Boy Flees Into Gym KOAT
Boy Shows Up Bruised, Chained At Tracy Gym CBS 5
Tracy Press - News10.net - United Press International - CBS13.com
all 49 news articles


Times Online

Blast Reported at Bangkok Airport
New York Times - 1 hour ago
By THOMAS FULLER BANGKOK - A protest encampment at Don Muang Airport in the Thai capital was rocked by a bomb blast early Tuesday morning, according to news reports, another apparent grenade attack on anti-government activists who have crippled the ...
2 stranded Canadians killed Straits Times
Legal threat to Thailand's ruling parties Financial Times
BBC News - WJZ - Thanh Nien Daily - ATWOnline
all 1,555 news articles


ABC News

US, India Pressure Pakistan to Cooperate in Mumbai Probe
Washington Post - 2 hours ago
By Candace Rondeaux ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Dec. 1 -- With tensions rising between India and Pakistan following the deadly attacks in Mumbai last week, the United States on Monday increased pressure on Pakistan to cooperate in the investigation, ...
India demands strong action from Pakistan The Associated Press
Kashmir frets as India-Pakistan ties worsen Reuters India
International Herald Tribune - AFP - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty - United Press International
all 3,795 news articles


BBC News

Two die in Assam train bomb blast
BBC News - 33 minutes ago
By Subir Bhaumik A bomb has exploded in a passenger train in India's north-eastern state of Assam, killing at least two people.
Official: Bomb blast kills 2, wounds 30 in India The Associated Press
Ten wounded in train bomb blast in India Assam state International Herald Tribune
Monsters and Critics.com - Bloomberg - Xinhua - Times of India
all 244 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base