Barbara J. Hamby

Healthy or Not

In the frozen food cases at the supermarkets, there are huge selections of allegedly “healthy” frozen meals. But it seems as if these foods, even more than the ordinary frozen meals, should be labeled “caveat emptor” (buyer, beware). You really need to read the nutrition labels carefully. Some have double digit grams of sugar and/or more than 500 milligrams of sodium per serving, even though their total calorie counts may be reasonable.

I like some of the individual frozen pizzas, but their nutrition labels vary widely. If I check carefully before I buy, I can have one for a treat occasionally without upsetting the weight apple cart.

Word choices for the product name on the package can be very misleading. Healthy, Smart, Right, Lean, etc., all hint of weight control and good nutrition—not always true, however. Shopping today requires good eyesight, patience and close attention to details. There is much more to compare than just the prices.

Many of the snacks that pose as healthy are misleading, also. You might just as well eat a Twinkie or a Ho Ho, or even a candy bar and enjoy it, rather than munching on a snack whose only advantage may be higher fiber.

At least the extra walking through the grocery aisles reading labels gives us a bit more exercise.