When you lead a busy lifestyle it is often tempting to pop into the supermarket on your way home from work to get a ready meal.
This is OK once in a while, but make sure that you read the labels carefully and look out for the hidden traps that could lead to you making the wrong choices.
Even the so-called Healthy Choices or diet ranges have their drawbacks, so make sure you always study the labels carefully and make the right and healthy choices, so that you don't unwittingly sabotage your weight-loss efforts.
1.
The premium ranges of foods that most supermarkets offer are often higher in calories because they do not scrimp on the more expensive, fattier ingredients like butter, cream, meat and olive oil.
They can also contain more cholesterol-raising saturated fat.
2.
Always check portion sizes.
Often manufacturers put a tiny portion in the pack so that the calorie and fat content look low.
A portion of less than 350g for a main meal will not be satisfying so you will end up adding more to it and so increasing your calorie intake.
3.
Watch out for high sugar levels.
Foods that have reduced fat levels are usually higher in sugar than the 'normal' alternatives, resulting in only a very slight calorie saving.
Higher sugar levels raise your blood sugar levels more quickly which is then followed by a rapid fall, these swings can make your appetite more difficult to control.
It is often better just to eat less of the original product than choosing one that is labeled 'reduced fat'..
4.
Products that are labeled "light" or "lite" are not necessarily slimline.
Do not assume that "lite" means low-fat, often it is just the manufacturers way of saying that fat content is slightly lower than their normal version which is very high in fat (eg.
Crisps).
There are no legal definitions for these terms, so always study the labels carefully.
It can be a bit of a minefield trying to study labels and choosing the right meals, but as long as you are aware of the hidden traps, then you should be able to become an expert at making healthy choices.
This is OK once in a while, but make sure that you read the labels carefully and look out for the hidden traps that could lead to you making the wrong choices.
Even the so-called Healthy Choices or diet ranges have their drawbacks, so make sure you always study the labels carefully and make the right and healthy choices, so that you don't unwittingly sabotage your weight-loss efforts.
1.
The premium ranges of foods that most supermarkets offer are often higher in calories because they do not scrimp on the more expensive, fattier ingredients like butter, cream, meat and olive oil.
They can also contain more cholesterol-raising saturated fat.
2.
Always check portion sizes.
Often manufacturers put a tiny portion in the pack so that the calorie and fat content look low.
A portion of less than 350g for a main meal will not be satisfying so you will end up adding more to it and so increasing your calorie intake.
3.
Watch out for high sugar levels.
Foods that have reduced fat levels are usually higher in sugar than the 'normal' alternatives, resulting in only a very slight calorie saving.
Higher sugar levels raise your blood sugar levels more quickly which is then followed by a rapid fall, these swings can make your appetite more difficult to control.
It is often better just to eat less of the original product than choosing one that is labeled 'reduced fat'..
4.
Products that are labeled "light" or "lite" are not necessarily slimline.
Do not assume that "lite" means low-fat, often it is just the manufacturers way of saying that fat content is slightly lower than their normal version which is very high in fat (eg.
Crisps).
There are no legal definitions for these terms, so always study the labels carefully.
It can be a bit of a minefield trying to study labels and choosing the right meals, but as long as you are aware of the hidden traps, then you should be able to become an expert at making healthy choices.
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