Bon Appetit!
By: Mamaluv
"I'd like a decaf, nonfat, soy latte, no foam, with 2 sweeteners."
Come again?? Just what the heck is that? I am an advocate for natural foods and diet. Translation: I really like to know what I'm eating. And during my quest for quality eats, I've come across the odd tidbit of information that helps me sort out the 24-carat from the fool's gold.
Misconception #1: Decaffeinated means no caffeine. Not true, according to a recent MSN Health article. Decaffeinated coffee can contain as much as 10% of the caffeine found in regular coffees (16 milligrams per serving in some cases compared to 170 mg); some decaf espresso-style drinks like lattes contain as much caffeine as a can of Coke. Sensitive individuals may have health issues at caffeine levels as low as 10 mg.
Misconception #2: Nonfat and low fat are always better than their full fat counterparts. Really? Have you label-compared recently and read past the first line? Many of the lower fat options are much higher in sodium and carbs, and lower in potassium and fiber. Then there's the moniker. I just found a 'cream-cheese style product'. Red flag, right there. Ever heard of an 'apple-style' beverage? Neither have I.
Misconception #3: Skip the sugar and pass the Sweet 'n Low. Hmmm. Do you know what artificial sweeteners are made of? Aspartame and other chemical goo. Aspartame, for one, is not recommended for pregnant women or children younger than 7 years old. It can cause seizures, migraine headaches, insomnia, depression, and many more issues.
The FDA continues to monitor aspartame and other food additives like MSG, and requires warnings be printed on the labels of foods containing these chemicals. I'm used to seeing warnings on cigs, not my food.
Misconception #4: Since I'm eating low fat, non-sugar, decaffeinated foods and drinks, surely I can have second and third helpings. Ok, this oughta be a no-brainer. I have often noticed that the low fat foods don't fill me, the decaf coffee doesn't wake me, and the non-sugar stuff just doesn't taste right. So I'd eat more, but then I'll be filling myself with all the chemical additives that I didn't want in the first place.
By the way, 'no sugar added' does not mean it's unsweetened.
Better choice #1: Eat quality foods in moderation. Mireille Guiliano, author of French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure , suggests that we indulge wisely, exercising portion control, and looking to other areas of our lifestyle to help control weight issues instead of relying solely on modified food. Focus on reducing your stress, getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and exercising regularly.
So instead of eating bite-size Snickers from your nephew's Halloween stash, buy a bar of dark chocolate from Lindt or a fine foods market and savor a square slowly when the urge hits. Top fresh French bread with a slice of decadent Brie instead of some weird snack cracker and nonfat mozzarella cheese. It'll fill you and if you eat slowly and concentrate on the flavors, it will be a food experience instead of a mere snack.
Better choice #2: Increase your intake of fat-busting and fiber-loaded food to offset a few extra calories. Back to fifth grade and the Food Pyramid here, girls. If fresh fruits and veggies, whole grain breads and pastas, and lean protein sources dominate your diet, your body will take care of the rest. Your digestion will become more regular, your energy will be boosted, and you'll actually be getting enough of the vitamins and minerals you need for once.
Better choice #3: Eat organic, seasonal foods. When available, load up on farm-fresh goodies that have actually been picked ripe. Do you really want to eat peaches from Ecuador in February (they've probably been en route and in storage since Christmas)? I didn't think so.
Organic food is a good choice, but check the product's origin. If it's been traveling thousands of miles to get to you, it's not fresh and you've wasted a lot of money on something that's lost a lot of it's nutritive value. Spinach loses half of its vitamins one week after picking when stored at fridge temperature. How long does the supermarket keep those bags of produce in the back room before they finally get around to shelving it, do you think?
Better choice #4: Find ways to cheat the system. Instead of using products you're not sold on, use the real thing but find ways to cut back. I hate margarine, so I'll use unsalted butter and reduce the amount. I routinely cut the sugar in my baking back by 25-50%. I use less salt and more pepper (it actually does work, I was amazed too).
Good news: Many low fat and nonfat foods really are as good as they appear. Check the label, and if you can identify everything on it, you're usually home free.
Mamaluv is a ChickAdvisor member, a mother of 3 and environmentalist who enjoys manicures, massages and margaritas (on occasion).
Related Articles
Previous Articles
