Is Microwave Popcorn Bad for You?

I am a huge popcorn fan.  I have an air popper and I love to use it and add just a little bit of melted butter and salt.  Repeat - Just a little bit!   But most of the time I go for the easier, more convenient kind - microwave popcorn. 

So is microwave popcorn bad for you?  I recently read an article from drweil.com that had some not so great news for the microwave popcorn lovers:

"Not only are most microwavable varieties loaded with artificial flavors, sodium and fat, but they can expose you to chemicals that are added to the artificial butter flavoring and used in the lining of microwavable popcorn bags".  Yikes!!

But I do think there are some healthier microwave versions.  If I am going to indulge I Prefer Newman's Own  Popcorn Brand.  They use all natural ingredients and no trans fat.  Another reason I like Newman's Own  - The company donates all profits to charitiy and have given over $280 million since 1982.

Healthy Snack on the Go

Eat This Not That

When you are on the go I know it's hard to grab a snack that is simple, healthy and actually tastes good. If I am at home I usually snack on grapes, carrot sticks or bites size pieces of broccoli. Keeps these snacks washed, cut up and readily available so that when you are at home and hungry they are easy to grab so you don't grab that bag of chips! But when I know I am going to be running around all day I want a convenient healthy snack. So today's Eat This Not That is Soy Joy Bars vs. Candy Bars

Eat This: Soy Joy Bars. They are all natural, made with whole soy, real fruit and four grams of protein, and have no trans fat. They come in a variety of flavors. I like the Apple Walnut and the Mango Coconut best. Keep a box at home, one in the car, and one at the office. They are that perfect 3:00 pm snack.

Not That: Candy Bars. Most candy bars are high in sugar and low in healthful nutrients and can cause an unhealthy spike and then crash in blood sugar. They are usually loaded with unnatural ingredients, high in trans fat and high fructose corn syrup.

Stumped By Trans Fat?

What is trans fat?

Trans fatty acids are formed when manufacturers turn liquid oils into solid fats. Trans fats are found in 40% of the products on supermarket shelves.

Why is trans fat bad?

It increases the risk of heart disease and raises LDL cholesterol levels in the blood. Eating just five grams per day ups your risk 25%.

Always check your food labels. Some foods may claim to be low-fat but they have trans fat in them. Here is a list of foods to be careful of - read the labels before you purchase:

1.Spreads like margarine and shortening
2.Packaged foods: Cake,muffin and cookie mixes
3.Fried Food (esp. fast food like fried chicken and french fries)
4.Doughnuts and other baked goods (cookies, crackers, muffins)
5.Some brands of microwave popcorn
6.Some frozen foods (pies, pizzas, chicken pot pies)

What to look for when reading your label:Any packaged goods that contains "partially-hydrogenated vegetable oils", "hydrogenated vegetable oils" or "shortening" most likely contain trans fat.