Healthy Diet for February 5 – Read the Fine Print

Are banana chips, chicken hot dogs, air-popped popcorn, and reduced-fat peanut butter any better for you than their traditional counterparts?

Fact is, banana chips, like potato chips, are fried and high in fat and calories. Unless labeled as “reduced fat,” chicken hot dogs have as much fat and calories as those made with pork or beef. Air-popped popcorn still may be drizzled with butter or butter-flavored oil. Even if reduced-fat peanut butter has less fat, it may have more corn syrup and as many calories to compensate.

If you pick up a “healthy-sounding” food today, read the fine print first before you buy.

• Do a fact check. Compare the label’s Nutrition Facts with those of the traditional version of the food.
• Turn to the ingredient list. Look at both versions: traditional and nutrition-positioned foods. Remember, ingredients are listed in order, from most to least.
• Find the serving size. Make sure you’re comparing the same amounts.