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Twenty years ago you couldn't find any low-fat or
low-sodium products in the supermarket. Increasing public awareness
of the relationship between health and nutrition has changed all
that. Consumer groups have demanded that companies disclose
ingredients and cooking methods used in their products. The Center
for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) started looking at fast
food in 1983, and the work of this group and others has led to
introduction of bills for ingredient labeling and orders from state
attorneys general enjoining companies from deceptive advertising.
Many magazine articles and TV shows have picked up
on the topic, and the fast food industry has begun to take nutrition
into account when designing new menus. Some packaged and canned food
manufacturers have also adjusted basic recipes and cooking methods,
and new healthier product versions are appearing in confusing
proliferation. With reduced-fat versions of such classic health
offenders as Ruffles potato chips and Doritos corn chips now
reaching the market, the low-fat/low-salt revolution is almost
complete.
Still, while these products greatly expand your
choices, it's important to remember that many of them are merely
"healthier" junk food, not truly nutritious eating. You should use
them to satisfy occasional cravings, not as diet staples. If a
product contains fat and a disproportionate amount of calories in
relation to its nutritional value, it is still considered "junky"
food.
Be aware, too, that reading labels is even more
important with convenience and snack foods than with regular items.
Do not take "health" labels at face value. Many "low-fat" or "no
fat" products are still very high in calories, and foods that sound
healthy may not be!
Carrot cake, for instance, sounds nice and healthy.
But 40 to 50 percent of the calories in carrot cake are from fat. In
fast food restaurants, remember that so-called healthier versions
may actually just be smaller portions. KFC Lite'n Crispy skin-free
chicken has the same amount of fat per ounce (50 percent fat
calories) as Extra Crispy; the only difference between the two is
their weight: 3 ounces instead of 5 ounces.
Studying labels is a good habit, but you don't have
to spend your life doing it. Once you've found new products that
satisfy your appetite, decide how often you ought to eat them, then
relax and enjoy! |
