Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I have to apologize, I’ve been missing in action this last week. I’ve started a new job (in the library at the high school) and my kids have gone back to school, so life’s been a little hectic. However, as soon as we get into a routine, we’ll be good. I’m excited about the job. It should be fun, but it will take me away from my writing. Sob. Don’t worry. I plan to still write. I’m just not going to be able to devote as much time to it. However, it’s all good because I’ll be working with teens on a daily basis. I’m hoping it’ll help me create more authentic characters.
Photo credit: dhendrix73 via Visualhunt / CC BY-ND
Because my hours at the school occur during the lunch hour, I take my mid-day meal to school. I started out with sandwiches and by the first week I was already tired of them. I made egg salad and peanut butter and jelly. I’m sure I could make a more sophisticated sandwich, but who has the time? Certainly not me.
Photo credit: Sakurako Kitsa via Visualhunt / CC BY-NC-ND
I’m also trying to watch my calories, so I’ve been buying these frozen meals for my lunch. At the grocery store, I’d check the total number of calories on the box and I was happy to find that many of them were within the three hundred to four hundred calorie range. So I bought them, thinking I’ll have this tasty lunch and be good to go. Wrong. So wrong.
Oh the meals were tasty all right. BUT they weren’t between the three hundred and four hundred calorie range. What I’d forgotten about in my years back at home with my kids is, you also have to check the number of servings per package. This is what gets you every time. UGH!
It was glorious, this huge serving and only three hundred and fifty calories. I couldn’t believe it. Well. It wasn’t true. There are two servings per package. So I’m actually eating seven hundred calories. ARRGH!
How can you cook only half of a frozen dinner? So, I’ll be throwing half of it away or eating it, depending on how hungry I am.
I believe this is another contributing factor to our obesity problem. Not only is our food filled with added sugar, we’re eating double portion sizes and not even realizing it. I mean really, how many people would think there are two servings in one package? For all intents and purposes, it appears to be a single serving. They don’t label the front of the package saying two servings for the price of one, do they? NOOOO.
Photo credit: colros via Visualhunt / CC BY-SA
I feel this is misleading and I wonder why the food industry doesn’t label the front of the package. They also add sugar, and we all know that sugar is like cocaine to our brain. To read more about this click this link. Is our Food Industry Making us Sick?
I smell a conspiracy. Don’t you? What do you think the food industry should do about this situation? Leave me a comment! I love to hear from you!
Like the old saying goes Lisa, “If it is too good to be true….” I have learned also like you the hard way by eating what I thought was a good calorie bargain and I am sure that the food industry likes it that way.
I think you’re right, Bernadette! I’m wondering if it’s all a conspiracy. The food industry makes us fat, so the fitness industry can sell workout equipment and on it goes. It’s just a vicious cycle.
Stick to whole foods, my friend. Cut veggies, fruits, whole grains, protein like chicken, turkey, or salmon. Buy wraps (whole grain) and create yummy wraps using greens like spinach. A small yogurt and add some frozen fruit and granola would make a nice snack too! The food industry is trying to feed the masses quickly and using the best ways to cut costs. Not the best ways for the consumers, unfortunately. Awareness is the key. Great post!
Thanks Sharon! I appreciate your words of wisdom! I will definitely be changing my routine that’s for sure! Thanks for stopping by!
I think there are more factors besides misleading labels at play. Unfortunately, the whole “fat is bad” movement has also caused us to eat less satisfying food in the form of low fat and low calorie options, which just make us hungry a few hours later. The best start is indeed to begin with whole foods, cut down the processed carbs, and introduce some quality fats into your life instead! I’ve been able to lose lots of weight that way and not feel tempted by “fast” foods. Great post, and great observations.
Thanks for stopping by, Amanda! I appreciate your comments. I agree with you about the whole “fat is bad” movement. Experts have discovered that we need fats and carbs in our diets for brain function. We just need to eat more balanced meals and get our portions under control. 🙂
Great points! Did you know a little bag of Dorito’s has more than one serving??
I am all for eating healthy, but in the way of eating more natural foods (not processed).
Thanks, Erik! I never knew that about a bag of Doritos. Boy, that’s scary those little bags have maybe six chips in them. 🙂 Yes. I agree with you about the natural foods, if you can stay away from the processed stuff you’re doing good! Thanks for stopping by, Erik! 🙂
Yes, they’re definitely contributing to making america sick! All of the added non-edible,
un-necessary junk that’s allowed into our food is outrageous! I try to eat only natural foods as much as possible…organic is the way to go! 🙂
You are so right, JL! It’s so scary what’s being put in our food these days. I try to eat all natural foods, too, but sometimes it’s hard to do. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with all of us!
In May the FDA changed Food Label requirements. The food industry has until July 26, 2018 to implement them. Here is an example: “So for packages that are between one and two servings, such as a 20 ounce soda or a 15-ounce can of soup, the calories and other nutrients will be required to be labeled as one serving because people typically consume it in one sitting.” You can read the whole article here: http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/GuidanceDocumentsRegulatoryInformation/LabelingNutrition/ucm385663.htm. It includes photos of the new label.
Oh that is a step in the right direction! Thanks for sharing this with all of us, Karuna! I appreciate it!
I had thought it was already in effect so I’m glad I looked it up.