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Wallace

Please Join me at my new Blog Site: You Be Fit

The 20 worst supermarket foods

NEW YORK, (BUSINESS WIRE) --David Zinczenko and Matt Goulding revealed a definitive list of the "20 Worst Supermarket Foods in America" as featured in the updated and expanded Eat This, Not That! All New Supermarket Survival Guide (Rodale; Paperback, $19.99) -- the essential guidebook for navigating the American supermarket. To compile the list of the most caloric and nutritionally devoid supermarket options from across the country, Zinczenko and Goulding, who have spent countless hours interviewing leading nutritionists and industry experts, scoured grocery store aisles for surprising nutritional pitfalls and their calorie-wise counterparts.

"The average supermarket contains more nutritional minefields than ever before," said Zinczenko, author of the bestselling EAT THIS, NOT THAT! series and Editorial Director/Editor-in-Chief of Men's Health. "Whether items are masquerading as healthy or the food is a more obvious indulgence, like Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie, with its first listed ingredients being chicken fat, oils, cream, and cheese--careful consideration and proper research always produces a better swap." 

To come up with the "20 Worst Supermarket Foods in America," the authors evaluated calorie counts and other nutritional values such as fat, saturated fat, sodium and added sugar across 20 specific categories, including condiments, cereals, canned goods, frozen entrees, ice cream and others. After analyzing nutrition labels and ingredient lists, they came up with 20 grocery aisle atrocities--one within each category--which are among the worst supermarket items in America. 

Topping the 2012 list is Marie Callender's "Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie," which packs a colossal 1,140 calories and 72 grams of fat--the calorie equivalent of nine 12-ounce bottles of Guinness Draught. 

Top 10 Worst Supermarket Foods:

-- Worst Packaged Food: Marie Callender's Cheesy Chicken Pot Pie (1,140 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Entree: Hungry-Man Select Classic Fried Chicken (1,030 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Pizza: DiGiorno Traditional Crust Supreme Pizza (790 calories)

-- Worst Stir-Fry/Skillet: Stouffer's Sautes For Two Steak Gorgonzola (730 calories)

-- Worst Breakfast: Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls Pancakes & Sausage Links (710 calories)

-- Worst Individual Snack: Hostess Chocolate Pudding Pie (520 calories)

-- Worst Kids' Meal: Lunchables with Juice, Nachos, Cheese Dip + Salsa (490 calories)

-- Worst Pie: Marie Callender's Southern Pecan Pie (450 calories)

-- Worst Frozen Treat: Mrs. Fields Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (450 calories)

-- Worst Packaged Side: Pasta Roni Fettucine Alfredo (450 calories) 

Entertaining and informative, Eat This, Not That! All New Supermarket Survival Guide, the 13th installment in the best-selling series, is the consumer's ultimate secret weapon for burning fat and building leaner bodies--not by eating less, but by making smart, healthy food choices every time. The books in the popular EAT THIS, NOT THAT! series, which currently has more than 7.7 million copies in print, identify unhealthy foods--in fast-food chains, restaurant chains and grocery stores--and offer healthier alternatives. 

EAT THIS, NOT THAT! 

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The 20 worst supermarket foods

Vibram FiveFinger Shoes- Have you ever saw someone running on the street and thought they were barefoot?

I have to admit, that I was skeptical at first because it's a funny looking shoe but once I use them I was sold.  I have two pair!!!!!!

The Vibram FiveFingers shoes considered a “barefoot” shoe that improves your body mechanics by letting your foot work the way it should and not the way it does in a shoe. It is literally like running barefoot.  

The Vibram FiveFingers are a "barefoot" shoe. That is they try to mimic going barefoot while providing the protection of a shoe sole. They differ from other "barefoot" shoes by giving you individual toe pockets.

The shoes themselves have a very thin responsive sole that lets you feel the ground beneath you, but you also have the use of your toes. That may not seem like much, but you'd be amazed at how much your pinkie toe can do if you let it. 

By spreading out your toes, the Vibram FiveFingers give you greater control at your base. This translates to better balance, agility and body control. It can also lead to improved posture and less hip, back and shoulder pain if you suffer from those.  Your hips and spine have better alignment and your heel strike (a major cause of back pain) is better.

To make things even better the Vibram FiveFingers are topped (or bottomed) with the legendary Vibram rubber sole perfected perfect for any activity like running, aerobics, water sports, rock climbing and other activity you can think of.  This means the shoes fit your foot like a second skin and have an incredible grip. It is almost like having gecko feet. 

Balance, agility and body control are all enhanced. The Vibram FiveFingers are available with as an open top slip on, an open top with straps, a mesh top with straps and a neoprene.

Getting into them the first few times is a little difficult, but you quickly learn.

Word to the wise, be cautious when you first use them

-Do not overdo it at first. Chances are that the ligaments and musculature of your feet is underdeveloped. Use them for no more than 1/2 – 1 mile in the first 24 hours, then take a day off.  I didn't listen to the advice of the salesman at REI and went for a 5 mile run the next day.  I paid the price and my legs, quads, calves, basically every muscle you can imagine and even the ones I didn't know I had were inflamed for the next five days.  If any advice I can give you, take it slow the first day or two ;-0

  

I used to wear New Balance 992 sneakers for running and aerobics but after trying the FiveFingers, I can never go back.  I definitely recommend you try them out for yourself.

What has been your experience with FiveFinger Shoes?  I would love to get your feedback?

Vibram FiveFinger Shoes- Have you ever saw someone running on the street and thought they were barefoot?

Formaldehyde in my Ice Cream, Reallly???

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's true. 

 

Ice cream usually contains 20-25% cream and milk products, 15% sugar and sometimes egg and then lot of chemical additives as stabilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, synthetic colors, surfactants, artificial flavors and preservatives. Stabilizer is used in order to retain the smoothness of the ice-cream by preventing the formation of coarse ice crystals.

 

Many commercial ice creams today are simply chemical concoctions presented in appealing packaging designed to sell a product that is not fit for human consumption. Everything from hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, and dry milk solids are used to produce something still allowed to be called ice cream.  Many ice creams are also filled with air to double the volume.

Research shows methylcelluose is formaldehyde used as a thickener in medicine and food including ice cream and avocado dip.  Same stuff used to emulsify wallpaper paste.  If you're lucky you might find other chemicals like caroxymethyl cellulose, butyraldehyde, and amyl acetate are additives in some commercial ice creams. How about some diethyl glycol -- a cheap chemical used to take the place of eggs, which is also used in anti-freeze and paint removers.

 

Now don't get me wrong, I love ice cream like the next person. In fact, most ice creams have the benefit of containing vitamins A, B2 & B12 plus they contain calcium. But, wouldn't it be great if they also had things like real raw cream, egg yolks, and pure maple syrup.

 

Just because most of these additives are on the GRAS (generally recognized as safe) list by the FDA, doesn't prove they aren't harmful.   In fact, the FDA does not require ice cream makers to label all of their ingredients. Really???

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Formaldehyde in my Ice Cream, Reallly???

Eat This, Not That- knowing your Genes and what's good for you

You may be familiar with the “Eat This, Not That!” diet craze that has been the focus of numerous books as well as regularly featured on the Today Show and in Men’s Health. The idea is simple: substitute a less healthy option with one that gives you more bang for your caloric buck. For example, instead of ordering a large burger and fries at the drive-thru window, consider ordering a grilled chicken sandwich and some apple slices. Easy concept, right?!

Well, we wanted to put a little spin on this idea and bring you “Eat This, Not That!” diet solutions straight from individuals who have all taken the Weight Management Genetic Test and have implemented new eating habits as a result.

 Carb Reducer:
When you are a Carb Reducer, it is important to find low and healthy carb options that are still enjoyable. 

Love breads, bagels and pastas? Kenny G. from Henderson, NV says eat this, not that: “…recently I changed the type of bread I eat from mass supermarket high carb bread to Julian Bakery bread with total of 1 carb, no preservatives and gluten free.”

Spud lover? Sally N. from Rochester, NY says eat this, not that: “Instead of potatoes, I will eat cauliflower or broccoli, foregoing butter and using a little spice to kick it up a notch.”

Peanut butter connoisseur? Kenny G. says eat this, not that: “I also changed the type of peanut butter I eat from supermarket brand to one that doesn’t contain hydrogenated oils and other preservatives.”

At fast food restaurants: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “When I am out and about and caught in the fast food line, I will choose the veggie burger, minus the roll, and ask for extra lettuce and tomatoes to make it my way. It comes in a nice little dish with a cover.”

Interested in finding more Carb Reducer-friendly recipes? Check out the Low-Carb Dinner Recipes page from BetterRecipes.com 

Fat Trimmer:

Cut the fat! When you are a Fat Trimmer, it is important to monitor your daily fat intake while still finding delicious and healthy options.

Meat eater? Tracy H. from Summerville, SC says eat this, not that: “Something else I don’t have to give up is having burgers. I can have what is called a Greek garden burger. It is a veggie burger on a whole wheat pita instead of beef on a white bun.”

It is all about the substitution: Sally N. says eat this, not that: “I use ground turkey instead of beef in recipes like meatloaf and stuffed peppers.”

What came first, the chicken or the egg? Instead of cooking with or eating eggs, consider eating egg whites or egg substitutes.

Can’t forget about the potato chips: If you’re having a salty snack craving, consider opting for the baked chips as a healthier option.

Want to find more alternatives to fatty foods? Check out the Healthy Meal Makeovers page from the Food Network. 

Better Balancer:
 
Being a Better Balancer is all about balance and finding low-calorie ways to still enjoy the foods you love! Here are some suggestions from Nicole B. in Boston:

Got milk? Instead of cooking with, or drinking, whole milk (which is full of calories from fat), try a reduced 1% or skim milk. Not creamy enough? Many dairy alternatives, such as almond or soy milk, provide a more creamy texture and still offer a low-fat alternative to whole milk.

Snack attack: Everyone needs a snack every now and then but it’s what you fuel your body with, is what makes the difference. Eat this, not that: instead of chips or crackers, try opting for  nuts, seeds or legumes.

Sweet tooth! When looking for something sweet, consider picking up fresh or dried fruit instead of a candy bar; it may not have rice crispies in it but fruit has its own natural sugar.

Know your genes
http://ubefit.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-our-genesdna-affect-our-weight.html

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Eat This, Not That- knowing your Genes and what's good for you

Here it is- 2012

Here it is—2012—and we all have a clean slate! Whatever we didn’t get done in 2011 no longer matters. Christmas projects we never got to? Maybe next year. A goal we didn’t reach? It’s over, forget it, set a new one. Changes we meant to make and never did? We’ve got a whole new year to get it done. Don’t waste energy beating up on yourself. Drop it and move on.

Saturday, New Year’s Eve was for looking back. Yesterday, January 1, was for resting, recharging, and reorienting ourselves. From today on, we look forward.

As you get going and refine your goals—personal, professional, health, and spiritual—don’t aim too low. If you’ve never failed, you’ve been playing it safe. If you’ve never missed a goal, you’ve been aiming too low. Dare to aim high; be reasonable as I talked about on Saturday, but don’t lowball. You’ll only be cheating yourself of the great things you could accomplish if you aimed higher.

What are you going to do with 2012?

And what are you prepared to do today? 

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Here it is- 2012

Who’s Your Daddy? Guess 8 Surprising Ownerships in the Food Industry

Can you guess which megacorp on the right owns each of the young brands on the left?
Solution after the jump.


Click to enlarge

In many cases, these baby brands don’t prominently display their parent company logo on their packaging or website because they want to retain an innocent, healthy image, one that is long gone in the multi-billion dollar conglomerates.

Here’s the list:

1. Stoneyfield Farm, a producer of organic dairy products led by visionary entrepreneur Gary Hirshberg, is owned by French Danone Group, manufacturers of conventional Dannon Yogurt. It’s not full ownership, rather a majority stake.
2. Horizon Organic is part-owned by Dean Foods, one of the largest conventional dairy and soy companies in the world.
3. Cascadian Farm, purveyor of organic cereals, is owned of  General Mills. The brand is part of Small Planet Foods, whose portfolio includes Larabar and Muir Glen. General Mills acquired Small Planet  in 2000, to the dismay of some fans of Cascadian Farm.
4. Not to be outdone, Kashi is owned by Kellogg’s since 2000.
5. Ben and Jerry’s, eco-loving cows and all, is owned by Dutch food conglomerate Unilever.
6. Honest Tea, Odwalla, Dasani water, and Sokenbicha Japanese tea are all owned by Coca Cola.
7. Naked Juice is owned by PepsiCo.
8. Jenny Craig, the fitness empire, is owned by Swiss Nestle. They now have an entire line of foods for weight loss…

What you need to know:
Many of the companies started out as small regional players. But getting shelf space in supermarkets is incredibly difficult. As are the distribution logistics when you want to grow from one metro area to several, or to expand nationally.

Becoming part of a big food corporation solves these two issues nicely. It usually brings in a tidy amount of cash to the founding team as well.
Sounds like a win-win. But what can be the downsides?

• Degradation of product quality. This can happen because corporate HQ now demands cost cutting measures every quarter. It can also happen as a result of opting to work with cheap (i.e. Chinese) ingredients rather than more expensive locally sourced inputs.
• Reformulation of products. Example: Cascadian Farm customer noticed a funny new taste one day. it turns out the cereal tripled its sugar count!

This doesn’t always happen. But it happens enough.

What to do at the supermarket:
Next time you pick up a cool and healthy looking brand thinking it must be from a small family run business, think again…

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Who’s Your Daddy? Guess 8 Surprising Ownerships in the Food Industry