Snacks
Popcorn: It pays to be choosy
When it comes to snack foods, many of you select popcorn as a healthy alternative to other snacks like, crackers, chips and cookies. Despite being a whole grain not all popcorn is created equal. In fact, some options are are actually among the highest in unhealthy fat and sodium. With today's super portions, excess calories form popcorn can quickly and negatively affect your weight control program. So listen up so you can choose the healthiest options.
Watch for unhealthy fats
Some food companies have responded and have modified food snacks to reduce trans fat, some have not. There has been one report out that lists some popcorn as having a higher trans fat content than chips or crackers. In this particular report it says that 1/4 of the popcorn varieties tested contained at least 3 grams of trans fat per serving more than is recommended to eat in one whole day. And more than half of the fat in microwave popcorn came from saturated and trans fat, much higher than than the average in any other snack category. So this why it is really important that you choose wisely the healthiest options when it come to selecting the type and brand of popcorn.
My advice
Make it at home. One advantage of popping your own corn (best in an air popper) is that you have control over what fats, seasonings and sodium content goes in your snack. Buy a grain that is unflavored, unseasoned and free of any fat and using the above mentioned air popper pop to your heart's (literally) content. When finished popping use a Misto (brand name) oils mister to spray a fine mist of canola oil and then sprinkle with your favorite seasoning, herbs and spices.
Jan and I use cayenne pepper, Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle, Smoked Paprika, Chipotle Chili Pepper, Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Garlic, Onion, Sugar, Cumin, etc. Let your imagination guide you and experiment with various spices. You will be surprised how creative you can be and what delicious concoctions you can create.
To all of you who have supported us this year we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Thank You,
Gene Carbonell and Jan Steele-Chadwick
Bariatric Food Partners, LLC
www.myhealthmanagement.com
www.bariatricfoodproducts.com
December 17, 2008
When it comes to snack foods, many of you select popcorn as a healthy alternative to other snacks like, crackers, chips and cookies. Despite being a whole grain not all popcorn is created equal. In fact, some options are are actually among the highest in unhealthy fat and sodium. With today's super portions, excess calories form popcorn can quickly and negatively affect your weight control program. So listen up so you can choose the healthiest options.
Watch for unhealthy fats
Some food companies have responded and have modified food snacks to reduce trans fat, some have not. There has been one report out that lists some popcorn as having a higher trans fat content than chips or crackers. In this particular report it says that 1/4 of the popcorn varieties tested contained at least 3 grams of trans fat per serving more than is recommended to eat in one whole day. And more than half of the fat in microwave popcorn came from saturated and trans fat, much higher than than the average in any other snack category. So this why it is really important that you choose wisely the healthiest options when it come to selecting the type and brand of popcorn.
My advice
Make it at home. One advantage of popping your own corn (best in an air popper) is that you have control over what fats, seasonings and sodium content goes in your snack. Buy a grain that is unflavored, unseasoned and free of any fat and using the above mentioned air popper pop to your heart's (literally) content. When finished popping use a Misto (brand name) oils mister to spray a fine mist of canola oil and then sprinkle with your favorite seasoning, herbs and spices.
Jan and I use cayenne pepper, Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle, Smoked Paprika, Chipotle Chili Pepper, Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Garlic, Onion, Sugar, Cumin, etc. Let your imagination guide you and experiment with various spices. You will be surprised how creative you can be and what delicious concoctions you can create.
To all of you who have supported us this year we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Thank You,
Gene Carbonell and Jan Steele-Chadwick
Bariatric Food Partners, LLC
www.myhealthmanagement.com
www.bariatricfoodproducts.com
December 17, 2008
posted by Gene Carbonell at
11:07 AM
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